Shots over the 28th/29th

[Torgian]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Here are a few more.

 

Again, please critique and give me pointers.

 

First one was a cyclist, was my first real attempt at an action shot. Not quite in focus, but I think I did pretty decent considering I'm new at it. I tried to keep "ahead" of her, but I shot it just a half a second too late to keep her in focus.

 

Third one was hard in post processing. The four are playing hackie-sack, but it's hard to see the sack itself.

 

The photo with the ducks and Boulder creek is one of my favorites, simply due to the lighting. I really did not do much in lightroom with that... the lighting just happened to be that way and I like it a lot.

 

Feel free to critique again! Thank you

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[stuny]

With situations like #1 try pre-focusing on where the subject will be when you want to shoot. In this case some sharpening might be just enough without making it look artificial. I tried it and it works.

 

With #3 you could select the sack and lighten it in your processing software. I tried that and it worked, too.

[Karl G]

Nice series of impressions of what you were seeing and the activities and mood between the Holidays.

[Michael Hiles]

You asked...

 

These shots are, to me, records of some things going close to you, and they have limited interest beyond your family and friends - except the last one with the ducks. That is a good picture rather then a record.

 

For the last one, I think you make the picture about 15 minutes too late. (Maybe you were not there...) This is very tricky time of day when the idea usually is to retain good detail in the main part of the picture, while capturing the lights of the buildings. There is usually a window of 5-10 minutes and getting the exposure right is not always obvious. You might also aim slightly lower and slightly to the right - the building in the background I think should be a little higher and to the left, to enhance composition. You might also have looked at the possibility of moving to the left - that would move the river to the right, which would place it better in the composition, IMO.

 

Hope you don't mind the comments. We don't often provide criticisms and non-technical advice here - and you may note that there have been threads on this topic, some of which get heated.

[Torgian]

OK, yeah, I can visualize what you mean about the river, and it makes sense to me. I can imagine how it would look better.

 

And yes, I was not there in time for any better lighting. I'm still new to this, so it's a learning process for me.

 

As for the other shots... I can see what you mean about the pictures looking like a record for family and friends. With my limited experience though, I don't think that is the case for the picture of the family playing with the sack.

 

I do want to get better at street photography, so any ideas you can give me on what I should read or view, and any ideas on composition and such will be appreciated.

 

And don't worry about me getting heated about critiques and advice. I'm a student of the world and life, and if I got pissed off at every opinion, I wouldn't be very good at learning

[Michael Hiles]

I learned whatever I know (some would say not so much…) by practice. I have taken drawers full of pictures that have mercifully disappeared without a trace. But on looking back I probably learned what not to do, more than what to do. While I can’t define what is or is not a good picture, I know one when I see it. And that is just experience, plus…

 

Looking at pictures is important. Go to your library or buy books of photographs (not camera how to books or For Dummies books). Almost anyone will point you to Henri Cartier-Bresson (one of the centuries great artists), but there are scads of others. Different styles and visions etc etc. Just look and let great pictures influence you. Look at the composition – and read the notes if there are any. Ignore the technical stuff – you can learn the fundamentals in 60 minutes. Think about why a fine picture creates emotion in your mind and heart – a great portrait might depend on the eyes (look at McCurry’s Afgan Girl), a landscape might be composed based on the golden section. Don’t over analyze, but ask the question – what is it about Ansel Adam’s Moonrise picture that grabs pretty much everyone who sees it?

 

And finally – be lucky. Many wonderful pictures are carefully planned, but many more are not. And when you get lucky, be prepared with a well tuned mind’s eye.

 

And don’t get inflated with excess amounts of hot air. I am often a victim.

 

Thanks for your gracious reply and Cheers,

[pauledell]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I learned whatever I know (some would say not so much…) by practice. I have taken drawers full of pictures that have mercifully disappeared without a trace. But on looking back I probably learned what not to do, more than what to do. While I can’t define what is or is not a good picture, I know one when I see it. And that is just experience, plus…

 

Looking at pictures is important. Go to your library or buy books of photographs (not camera how to books or For Dummies books). Almost anyone will point you to Henri Cartier-Bresson (one of the centuries great artists), but there are scads of others. Different styles and visions etc etc. Just look and let great pictures influence you. Look at the composition – and read the notes if there are any. Ignore the technical stuff – you can learn the fundamentals in 60 minutes. Think about why a fine picture creates emotion in your mind and heart – a great portrait might depend on the eyes (look at McCurry’s Afgan Girl), a landscape might be composed based on the golden section. Don’t over analyze, but ask the question – what is it about Ansel Adam’s Moonrise picture that grabs pretty much everyone who sees it?

 

And finally – be lucky. Many wonderful pictures are carefully planned, but many more are not. And when you get lucky, be prepared with a well tuned mind’s eye.

 

And don’t get inflated with excess amounts of hot air. I am often a victim.

 

Thanks for your gracious reply and Cheers,

I agree with Michael's comments completely. I have found reading the books of the masters helps a lot but just going out and shooting lots of pictures does the most for learning. As far as your pictures you have posted, I find it difficult to really critique them since they seem to be something you are personally interested in and with a couple of exceptions I can't relate to what you have in mind.

 

Paul

[Iduna]

Street photography is not an easy subject and I agree very much with Miachel and Paul: exercising daily is very important. Then you will find out what are key-situations and where you get some clue to it. This is no incidental thing. To see these things your eyes and mind have to learn to recognize and then act precisely and quick. Often photographers do wait at a busy place for an occuring opportunity. This will perhaps be the easiest start because nobody will notice somebody waiting for taking pictures. Good luck and enjoy it