Your photos (119)


Hints and tips
by Philip Grosset



If you'd like to submit photos for criticism,
click here.

with comments from Philip Grosset




"i swim and this is what took.  My name is dan and i am just starting out with photography at my school.  If you could get back to me i would appreciate if you would get back to me.  Thanks.  (the scratch isn't on the picture it is on the scanned image)" (Dan)
 
 
Lane rope
You've made an interesting start with this unusual and imaginative view of a lane rope, but it's not really of too much appeal to anyone not interested in lane ropes! The symmetrical pattern explains the central placing, but might have worked better with a more extended depth of field. As it is, you can't really see what it is that is in the immediate foreground, so it all looks a bit confusing. (If you want comments on future photos, I'd be grateful if you'd include your full name.)




"I have attached 4 photos for your review. I would appreciate any input you could/would like to offer. In the first one, the black & white of the kitten, I was doing 2 things. Just playing around with some b&w film because I enjoy the dramatic look of it & also attempting to get a decent picture of my kitten while he was actually sitting still to put on my pet's web page.
In the second one, the one of the baby boy, I was attempting to capture just how adorable my nephew is to send the picture to out-of-town relatives.
In the third one, the one of the rose, I was testing out a new 135mm telephoto lense & seeing just how close I could get.
In the fourth one, the one of the waterfall, I was making a conscious effort to use the Rule of Thirds. I was fairly pleased with the result. I appreciate you taking the time to look at these. Thank you." (Brooke Bruechet, Spokane, WA )
Kitten cropped
Kitten
Your photo on the left might have benefitted from a lower camera angle that would have revealed more of the kitten's face. It really needs to be a bit sharper too. On the right, I've tried cutting out the empty area to the right of the kitten, and also introduced more contrast to make it look sharper.
Boy cropped
Boy
Your photo on the left might be improved by removing the empty areas at the side, as I have done on the right. It's better too not to slice off the top of your subject's head, so I've restored it! I've also avoided positioning your subject absolutely dead central.
The rose isn't quite sharp (or light) enough. When using a long focal length, very precise focusing, and a firm camera support (either a tripod or at least something to lean the camera against or on) can help to prevent blur.
Rose
Waterfall cropped
Waterfall
An attractive scene, but it's not too obvious exactly where we're meant to be looking in your photo on the left. On the right, I've concentrated on the stream, using a vertical format that better echoes its shape. The horizon remains a third of the way down the picture.




"Please would you comment on the photo attached. As an amateur I would value your opinion. The picture was taken at a village in cornwall near to where i live, my wife and I were just walking along when the view took my attention, also the sun was out as well (a bonus). I am quite pleased with it and intend to frame a hard A4 copy, you may think the opposite but I will accept your criticism. Regards." (M.Lacosta)
View, flagpole removed
View
On the left: this is a very attractive picture, and I can see why you want to frame it. The only very minor distraction is the white flagpole near the centre, so I've removed it in my version on the right. But it's a really pleasing photo, flagpole or not, and is helped by the inclusion of the bare twigs that provide just enough foreground framing to give it depth.

Reply from M Lacosta: "Thank you for your comments on my photo, I was very pleased that you didn't find too much wrong with it. The subject of the flag pole did not occur to me being that it is a boating area ( Maybe I should have mentioned this point ). And as for removing the pole I have not mastered this process yet. But thanks again for your help. All the best, Maurice."




Go on to YOUR PHOTOS (120)



 Finding your way around this site

NEXT PAGE