C&C please

Squidgy Black

The Mutt Loves To Pose by mynameistyrrell


Gotta Love German Shepards.... by mynameistyrrell


Just testing out my zoom lense by mynameistyrrell

I was just wondering if any of you guys could give me some opinions on my photo's, i'm still only a complete beginner really, only have my dslr a couple of months and i'm still experimenting, but i'm not sure on how other people who know a good bit about photography like yourselves think all comments and feedback appreciated, especially any advice or faults on the pictures, you can only learn from your mistakes aye? :pac:

Thanks,
Stephen

CabanSail

Welcome Stephen.

I think a lot of us started off taking shots like these when we were beginners. Well done for putting them up for C&C.

My take on these three images.

#1. The idea of the composition is good, having the dog off to the side of the frame & with some negative space to the right. The focus is spot on as is the depth of field, so the head of the dog is nice and sharp with the focus dropping off for the grass. What lets this shot down is that I feel it needs to have the eye contact to work. Some shots can work without that engagement, but this is not one of them.

#2. This shot does have the eye contact lacking in the first shot and the focus & DoF are also good but does not work for other reasons. The choice of a landscape format does not suit the subject and means that the ears and paws have been cropped. What has been left in is part of the bush which is a distraction from the dog. Shooting in Portrait format would have made a better composition.

#3. The young girl here has a lovely smile and has that contact with the photographer. The background is well chosen and works well. Unfortunately the shot is soft on the face and it appears that it's the heart on the zipper which is in focus. When using large apertures your focus needs to be spot on, in this case, the eyes. That heart is not only the sharpest thing in the frame it also is the brightest highlight and has the most contrast, so it draws the eye to it making it a major distraction from what I assume is the subject. The method of mono conversion is also very weak and the shot is very flat and lacks impact.

magicbastarder

no. 3 - i'd go for a tighter, possibly square crop, and boost the contrast.

Reoil

When taking photos of animals and children, always get down to their level.

Squidgy Black

Thanks guys, it's nice to get some advice that I can take and use in the future no.3 was taken with my sigma 70-300 from my window and it's manual focus only on my d3000 so it's hardy get the focus perfect. I don't really edit my shots, most are raw and the b&w was just added in the camera menu, but I'll try cropping and boosting the contrast in no.3.

CabanSail

Reoil wrote: »

When taking photos of animals and children, always get down to their level.

No! Don't follow rules like that. Granted, often getting down to the same level can work, it's not always the case. Look for interesting compositions. This can be from any level.


Good on you for shooting RAW from the start. Be aware that RAW files mostly do need some processing and Mono Conversions in the camera are normally not going be the best. I had the need to use in camera Mono a few weeks ago and the results were less than pleasing. The same shot worked on later came up quite nicely. If I can dig the two out I may post them.

AnimalRights

CabanSail wrote: »

No! Don't follow rules like that. Granted, often getting down to the same level can work, it's not always the case. Look for interesting compositions. This can be from any level.

I think while you are right that rules are not always best the problem is the OP has taken the 3 shots from above and that seem's to increase the magnitude of how right the rules are.

FoxT

Rules are useful. They help to give you a starting point and increase your chances of getting a presentable shot. Also great for beginners like myself. They are 'Rules of thumb' though, not strict regulations!

OP, Manual focus on modern SLRs is very difficult because
- most focus rings on modern lenses are not precise enough
- Viewfinders on modern cameras are generally small & quite dark.

As your lens has manual focus only, I suggest you try using a higher aperture number ( say f/5.6 or f/8) and a higher ISO.

Thanks for posting!

CabanSail

AnimalRights wrote: »

I think while you are right that rules are not always best the problem is the OP has taken the 3 shots from above and that seem's to increase the magnitude of how right the rules are.

They can be a Guide but to say that you should always do something will invariably be wrong.

Janer, how far is your tongue into your cheek?