Your photos (173)


Hints and tips
by Philip Grosset



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




"First let me say how much I appreciate your doing this - I can't quite remember how I got to your website but I really liked it. I just started - two months after years of thinking I couldn't take pictures - and already I'm really hooked.
The first photo was taken in a restaurant - the little girl had just been given the present and was thanking the woman. I was happy to get her expression of "sheer delight."
The second was taken in Camden Harbor in Maine. I loved the old schooners and the reflection on the water.
The third was taken at Plum Island, Massachusetts in the early morning. I loved the light and was trying to capture it.
The fourth was taken at Ocean Point in Boothbay Harbor Maine. Looking at the chairs made me feel very peaceful and I was trying for that feeling.
I'm using a Nikon Coolpix 2500 - auto setting. I'd really appreciate any comments you have the time to make. Thank you." (Mimi Katz, Lenox, Massachusetts)
Girl with present
Girl with present cropped
Your photo on the left is really pleasing. You've caught the expressions on both faces really well. However, in order to concentrate on the faces even more, one alternative would be to crop away the bottom of the picture, as on the right. But you may well prefer to keep in more of the red dress, and, in fact, both versions work fine. With a scene like this, it can be worth experimenting with the burst (continuous) mode on your camera enabling you to take up to 7 photos in quick succession at normal setting (or 4 at fine). That way you might even have managed to get the girl's eyes open as well as the delighted expression on her face.
Boats
Boats rearranged
I too like the old schooners and the reflections in your photo on the left. Another alternative would have been to use a slightly lower camera position so as to reduce the amount of water and concentrate more attention on the boats, as I have tried to do on the right. I particularly like your use of appropriate foreground framing.
Beach
The lighting is interesting, but it might have been worth trying a slightly bolder composition with the fence in the more immediate foreground and with the horizon further away from the middle of the picture.
Sea and chair
Sea and chair rearranged
In your photo on the left, the horizon is sloping down to the left, so in my version on the right I've straightened it out and come in just a little closer. I think this well captures the peaceful effect you were after.
These are all really effective photos. You knew exactly what you wanted to do - always a good start!

Reply from Mimi Katz: "Thank you so much for your comments which I found extremely useful. How did you do that change to the boats? I'm learning Photoshop Elements and I'd really appreciate it if you had the time to let me know. I'll send some more photos soon. One more thing - is it possible to jump to the page you want or do you have to scroll through all the pages? I found it very useful to look at the other photos but it would be great to be able to do both. Thanks again."

I copied the foreground onto a second layer and superimposed it higher up the picture. To go straight to any particular page on my site, just use the Contents list. In response to many requests, I've changed the system so that there is now no limit on the number of photos you can send me - but there is a small charge for all but the first one. Please see my submitting photos page.




"I would really love to get your input on some photographs I have taken.  I have just finished doing a years Photography Course, and I set up a very basic studio at home.  I am quite pleased with the way these portraits came out, but feel that it would be good to get someone else's opinion and criticism on them.  The last photograph was taken while on holiday at my parents house in Cape Town, South Africa. Many thanks." (Bridget Visser)
Portrait Portrait
The problem with both these photos is your subject's dark hair. It really needs very careful lighting if it is to stand out against the dark background. A lighter background would have helped. I think the pose on the right is the more successful, as the one on the left shows slight distortion and emphasises the size of the nose. Slight skin blemishes might perhaps have been removed from both.
Portrait
This is by far the most successful portrait. The light background shows up the hair, and the total result is both pleasing and flattering.
Tree cropped
Tree
I think your photo on the left is very attractive. I'm not quite sure, though, whether you really need the rather empty space on the left of it, so on the right I've tried cropping it off. This produces a slightly bolder composition that makes it, I think, even more memorable.

Reply from Bridget Visser: "Thank you so much for your comments. I was wondering if it would have been better if I had used a light from behind my first picture, would that have made a difference, as well as the second picture? I do agree with you, the sunset photograph looks better cropped. Thanks again for your wonderful site. I am so pleased I have stumbled upon it, I will certainly be submitting more of my photographs to you, for your very useful advice and input."

Yes, backlighting could have helped. Send me more photos by all means. There will be a small charge. Please see my Submitting Photos page.




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