Critique the photo above you...

[Nubster]

This is a spinoff off the Just Photos thread and I figured with the new threads for Nikon and Canon fans, as well as the threads constantly popping up asking how shooting better photos, it would be nice to have a thread to have your photos critiqued. There are some excellent photographers here including some pros, so perhaps if this thread gets rolling, we can get some good tips and tricks and critiques.

Here's the ground rules:

1. Don't be rude. Giver your opinion and offer some advise but don't be ignorant about it. If a picture is not good, say why but don't just say something like "This shot sucks."

2. Don't just post "Nice shot." Expand, say why you think it's nice, or not nice. Offer some advice on how to make it better, including shot setup, camera settings, post processing tips, ect.

3. If you comment on a shot, post up a shot of your own.

4. This is a critique thread. Don't get butt hurt if someone doesn't like your photo.

5. Doesn't have to be fish related but of course it needs to fall within what is acceptable for this site.

6. Lets not turn this into a Brand N vs. Brand C war. Really, there is no need to even post the make of the camera you are using however some info that would be useful would be the lens and camera settings. If you know them, post them. It can really help others help you.

7. Don't post your perfect shots all the time. This isn't an ego stroking thread. This is meant to possibly help shoot better photos. Maybe you have some shots that just aren't working. Post them up and see what help you might get to help improve them.

That's all I can think of. Hopefully this will take off and become a somewhat useful tool for people looking to get a little better at photography. Of course this isn't a photo site, but since people still seek help here and there are good photographers, why not. I would still encourage people to seek out some photography based sites though to get the most help and even check out some instructional books. Get one that is based on your camera and there are numerous books related to the different aspects of photography.

[Nubster]

And since I started this thread, I'll start off with the first shot...



f/11
1/80 sec.
ISO 100
Focal length 30mm (Prime)
Spot metering
No flash

[Da Plant Man]

Wonderful picture! I love how you captured the cow butts. I like how your below them, also.



Unknown specs...I can't even remember which camera I shot it on!

[Pooky125]

I really love that photo. The shot is nice and sharp, but I think the picture could be brightened up a little and have a touch more contrast. Very minimal amounts would make your amano really stand out, I think.


Here's mine.
F 2.8
ISO 200
90 mm prime
No flash

[GraphicGr8s]

You may not remember the camera but it's a decent shot. I like the shallow dof and the colors look good. They're not oversaturated as people seem to want to do these days.

Here's a shot of Tampa International Airport from a couple of years ago. I think there's 18 to 20 pictures to get the pano.

[Nubster]

Pano shots are really cool when done well. They are a bit trickier than a lot of folks think. Yours looks well done and the subject matter is cool, especially considering it took that many shots to make.

I also agree on the rose shot. I really like the deep almost muted color. I love shooting flowers but for some strange reason, I can't shoot roses to save my life.

Shot of my daughter. Light is natural from the window. Not sure if it detracts or enhances...thoughts?

[GraphicGr8s]

It's a good shot with the natural light. Just needs tweaking on your daughter though. Create adjustment layer and try to recover the highlight in the right side. It will require a layer mask so the adjustment only affects that side and a touch on her face to bring the color up a tad. And I mean a tad.
On the rose, I don't think the colors are muted. They pretty vibrant without being over saturated. I like it.

Your daughter has beautiful blue eyes. Is the shotgun ready?

Thanks for the compliment also. For anyone who wants to try panos I will say a bit of forethought is needed. Total manual on the camera and dont change anything. Shoot fairly fast. Overlap 50%. Take two shots and step towards the direction your moving the camera. (You will realize how important that is when stitching) Don't use a tripod.
I've got another I shot last year going down the Garden State Pkw in Jersey I still have to put together. Over 100 shots from each of the scenic stops along the Hudson. I figure about a weeks worth of work and I just haven't wanted to start on it.

I've got one more pano that is about 18 shots also of Croton Gorge in Westchester County NY (NYC water supply) that I'd like to put up if it's ok and you'll indulge me.

[Nubster]

Maybe muted was the wrong descriptor but I think you know what I mean...the color is deep and warm. I think that is more what I was trying to say. Similar to this tulip I grabbed last year.



And thanks for the advice on my last shot. I'll play with it some. I am not very good with PS honestly so I'll have to see what I can come up with.

And yeah...the 12 gauge is locked and loaded...lol

[Nubster]

Originally Posted by GraphicGr8s

I've got one more pano that is about 18 shots also of Croton Gorge in Westchester County NY (NYC water supply) that I'd like to put up if it's ok and you'll indulge me.

Absolutely...love to see it. The more pictures the merrier.

[tetra73]

Originally Posted by Nubster

Pano shots are really cool when done well. They are a bit trickier than a lot of folks think. Yours looks well done and the subject matter is cool, especially considering it took that many shots to make.

I also agree on the rose shot. I really like the deep almost muted color. I love shooting flowers but for some strange reason, I can't shoot roses to save my life.

Shot of my daughter. Light is natural from the window. Not sure if it detracts or enhances...thoughts?

You need to control the highlight on the side. Can you adjust the exposure in RAW to see if you can dial back down the highlight? Also, I think there are too much of the yellow in the shot. See if you can adjust the color balance a bit in photoshop.

Here is my 2 year-old niece riding her first bicycle with training wheels.






Some cinematic effect:





First major snow in NYC, Central Park.

[Eldachleich]

Those first two shots are lacking in a focus point. Well she is the focus point, but I feel as though the focus is in the wrong place. The emotion from her is amazing though. That smile and those eyes are just darling.
The door knob affect is just stunning. I feel as though I'm watching a scene in a movie where they are going to open the door to find something terrible.
Theres a sense of motion. Anticipation.
The next photo has amazing contrast. I struggle with contrast so this is really impressive to me. But again I feel as though the focus is off... Perhaps a little cropping could go along way.
I don't have much to say about these last two photos that I haven't already said. The contrast is so impressive to me. But the focus is a little off. I want everything in the building video to be slightly to the left.
And with the final photo I want everything to be a little closer and a little to the left.


My photo's need alot of work and I want you guys to be as harsh as possible. The whole time I've been trying to get better at photography I wanted someone to really tell me how to improve myself. But I keep getting "looks great!". Which honestly isn't what I want.
I don't know the specs, but would love to hear what you guys would have done. Be HAAARSH!!!
This is one of the best photo's I have and theres alot that bothers me about it.

[TickleMyElmo]

Originally Posted by Eldachleich

Those first two shots are lacking in a focus point. Well she is the focus point, but I feel as though the focus is in the wrong place. The emotion from her is amazing though. That smile and those eyes are just darling.
The door knob affect is just stunning. I feel as though I'm watching a scene in a movie where they are going to open the door to find something terrible.
Theres a sense of motion. Anticipation.
The next photo has amazing contrast. I struggle with contrast so this is really impressive to me. But again I feel as though the focus is off... Perhaps a little cropping could go along way.
I don't have much to say about these last two photos that I haven't already said. The contrast is so impressive to me. But the focus is a little off. I want everything in the building video to be slightly to the left.
And with the final photo I want everything to be a little closer and a little to the left.


My photo's need alot of work and I want you guys to be as harsh as possible. The whole time I've been trying to get better at photography I wanted someone to really tell me how to improve myself. But I keep getting "looks great!". Which honestly isn't what I want.
I don't know the specs, but would love to hear what you guys would have done. Be HAAARSH!!!
This is one of the best photo's I have and theres alot that bothers me about it.

That picture is okay, but could have been ten times better if you had moved up a few steps so that the dead grass was not in the picture, and if you had framed it horizontally instead of vertically.

The sky is really well captured, but everything on the ground is so far away that everything besides the sky lacks interest. The dead grass doesn't help because when people see dead grass they automatically thing "meh" and associate dead grass with "bad". The snow, trees, and deep blue sky are the main attention grabbers here, and it would have been a much better shot if you placed the emphasis on those three elements.

Think how cool it would look from a closer distance, with a low angle looking up the barren tree trunks into the deep blue sky, with a snowy ground creating a rich sense of drama between the contrasting pure blue sky and the frozen foreground.

Take this shot for example, the grass was useless clutter, so I cut most of it out, but not too much to where it would just be a random tree growing out of nowhere. No useless clutter, but just enough to let the viewer know its a tree in grass, with the focus on the intricate bare tree branches and dramatic sky....


The Lonely Tree by Hyer Expectations Photography, on Flickr

[Nubster]

GREAT critiques!!! That's exactly what I was hoping for.

Your shot TickleMyElmo, while I know you just posted as an example, still deserves comment. I am not following my own rules by saying this, but Nice shot! There really isn't anything to critique, not in my eyes at least. Colors and awesome, contrast between the colorful sky and silhouetted tree is just fantastic. There is a point of interest and there really is nothing that distracts. To me, this is a GREAT shot.

[Eldachleich]

This is awesome!
I'll definitely be posting more pics on here in the future!!
Thanks TickleMyElmo!!
It's been so long since I took that photo, you made me remember what I was thinking and doing in that moment. Your totally right.
I need some better lenses for situations like that. I was too far away and my crappy lens couldnt get close enough. I should have ran up and gotten closer...
I wonder why I didnt...

[robbowal]

Not much to say as the photo above is way above my skill level.
here are a couple of shots from london zoo shot on Eos350D and 24-105L at F4