Your photos (117)


Hints and tips
by Philip Grosset



If you'd like to submit photos for criticism,
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with comments from Philip Grosset




"I've had a Sony Cybershot digital camera for a year. After a year and several thousand pictures, I've noticed more contrast and attention to detail in my photographs. I'd love to hear your point of view." (Julia Bowers)
Horse
Horse edited
You've got a a fine photograph on the left. It is very attractively composed against a pleasing simple background, and you've got in really close. There are just a few studs visible in the background (you can hardly see them when the picture is reduced to this size), but I've removed them in my version on the right. I don't know if the reins would be better positioned as if a rider were holding them, or just left dropping down as here. You'll know more about that than me! But it's a very successful picture.
Girl cropped
Girl
Your photo on the left isn't nearly as effectively framed as that of the horse, as the girl's head seems abruptly cut off. On the right, I've tried moving in closer, so as to make the framing look more intentional.
Clouds
An interesting dramatic sky. Some foreground silhouettes of leaves or whatever might have added to the effect.

Lilies cropped
Lilies
In your photo on the left, I'm not sure why you didn't show at least one complete lily rather than parts of three. On the right, I've tried to concentrate on the one that you show most of, and crop it in such a way that the clipping off of the edges looks more deliberate.




"Hello, I was searching the internet for photography tips and came across your website.  First I would like to thank you for placing informative information on your site, as well as the examples that show differences in photo selection.  If you would have a few moments, could you please visit my website where I have recently posted a few sets of my photos, and provide any positive or negative comments about them?  The website is listed below. 
www.personal.psu.edu/rps142  -- Enter the PhotoZone Gallery
     I am using a Pentax K1000 SLR camera, Kodak 400 Speed film or Kodak C41 B&W film most of the time, and occasional Cokin filters.  I have only begun to get more serious about taking photos, and I am pleased with my results thus far. Thank you for your time." (Robert P. Schaffer   E.I.T. Penn State University)
Stone lion Lion cropped
I've selected four of your photos. Your photo on the left has strong dramatic lighting that is very effective, and you've very wisely left a bit more space in front of the lion than behind it. You could make this even more dramatic, though, by leaving even more space for the lion to leap into, as in my version on the right. The lion's head is now effectively positioned at the intersection of thirds.
This is your accompanying photo. It's often a good idea to take more than one photo of a subject, and here your different closer view of the lion greatly adds to the effect. Looking up at it like this makes it look all the more impressive.
Another view of lion

Rebekah cropped
Rebekah
Your photo of Rebekah on the left is perfectly pleasing, but, if you intended it as a portrait of her, you'd need to move in at least as close as in my version on the right. Here I've also tried to move her head away from being stuck right in the middle of the picture.
This photo might have looked more impressive in color. As it is, there's a large area of blank sky that might have been better reduced. Then perhaps we could have seen more of the wheat. But I like the strong diagonal line of the horizon.
Barn
You've got off to a good start, but should perhaps aim now at rather bolder compositions, as with your second picture of the lion. Sorry I can't criticise your whole site!

Reply from Robert Schaffer: "Thank you for your comments. I really appreciate it. The comment about the third points of the frame when referring to the Lion Shrine photo, makes the photo look so much more appealing. Thank you. About the comment of my Fiancé, I agree with your vision. By closing in on her as a portrait, I reduce a portion of the background which is dark and displeasing and only leave the flowers behind her, accenting her in the photo. You have a keen eye, and it has made me more aware of how to "frame" the photo as I get the opportunity and time to do so. I continually see this emphasis in all the photos I have taken now, and I will pay much more attention to it in the future. Thank you."




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