Hi everyone,
I registered a long time ago, but I've been mainly inactive. I thought I'd try to "get back in the game" a little. Here are a some of my outdoor shots that I would love to have some C&C on. All critiques, especially ones about composition and post processing, are appreciated.
OK, that helps. EXIF data would also be useful.
1. Beautiful scene. Foreground is out of focus and unfortunately becomes distracting from the overall image. Lighting looks good. Could use a contrast bump or haze reduction (reduced clarity or USM 10-20/50/0). Image would be better with lens stopped down, focus taken closer to the foreground rock, and from the right, placing the rock further left in the frame and providing just a bit more separation between it and the bridge. If that was possible. If you are going to include people in the foreground, they will need to be focussed on.
2. Well, incredibly centered and most of us tend to place the subject off center for a more dynamic composition, perhaps using the rule of thirds. Nonetheless, I find the fully centered view working here, emphasizing the height. Exposure seems well-chosen with preservation of details in the clouds. Nice job. Color is pleasing. DOF is fine.
3. The "statement" doesnt work for me. Color, detail, exposure look good.
4. The winner of this series. Beautiful subject, wonderful soft OOF background with colors complimenting the flowers, excellent framing. I think you could cautiously sharpen this just a tad. Excellent!
1. The foreground and figures detract from the image. The angle of the light and sense of depth is appealing, but the haze dulls the effect. Better PP can partially correct, such as tweaks to exposure and gamma.
2. Unlike Scott, I see the static compo as a detraction from the dynamism that ought to be the crux of such a subject.
3. The post and chain form the anchor of the eye, but it must wander away in search of a too small interest and find and discard a colorful patch on the left that distracts.
4. I like the color and bokeh, but the central branch would be more appealing with slightly greater DOF.
Thank you, AuntiPode. Very insightful critiques. I appreciate and agree with all your and Scott's comments. About #2 though, I didn't really have much time to compose, so I just snapped a few. This one came out to be quite interesting to me, and I share the view with Scott about deviating away from the rule of third sometimes. However, your viewpoint is also very interesting.
Thank you.
