Lumpy
Established
A few from a project I've started in a small local swimming area. Any comments and feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Damaso
Photojournalist
Good start, I think you might need some water level views...
Lumpy
Established
Yes. It is very difficult to get down water level, as there are mainly sheer drops from the rocks or just very small, narrow steps. I'm always worried about annoying the regular swimmers by getting in their way. I don't want to push my luck as most of them are very accommodating with regards to me shooting in an area like this. ie with people changing etc.
RanceEric
The name is Rance
Well done. I really like the first shot of the old man.
farlymac
PF McFarland
You could get a small inflatable boat to get in the water and shoot back towards the rocks, or have someone take you in their boat.
These have a nice documentary look to them. You need to put some narrative with them to really bring out the story.
PF
These have a nice documentary look to them. You need to put some narrative with them to really bring out the story.
PF
Lumpy
Established
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
I like your composition instincts. The one with half a woman vanishing off the right edge of the frame is a favorite.
Lss
Well-known
This looks like a good start for your project. I would probably drop the third from top altogether (although I guess you want to have at least one overview) and reshoot the second.
Three photos I really like: the one with the woman pulling a swimming cap on and the man drinking from a mug; the one with the (half of a) woman jumping into water; and the two bald men walking. In addition, the one with the man with hands on his head and the woman climbing from water is also good, although I don't really like the framing (a bit too tight on the right). The one with two men standing, one holding the arm of the other, is pretty funny.
Three photos I really like: the one with the woman pulling a swimming cap on and the man drinking from a mug; the one with the (half of a) woman jumping into water; and the two bald men walking. In addition, the one with the man with hands on his head and the woman climbing from water is also good, although I don't really like the framing (a bit too tight on the right). The one with two men standing, one holding the arm of the other, is pretty funny.
Lumpy
Established
Lss
Well-known
Sorry, what I mean is that the idea and view in the image is quite central to get a good understanding of what this swimming place is like: that's the point (or one of them) where you go into water and get out. But the photo is not as strong as some of the others you have, so I would make more frames with a similar composition and only keep the best for the project. I'm not saying your shot is bad, but I think you can get a better one (you have a very good eye), perhaps one with some interaction with the subject, I don't know.
Lumpy
Established
I had just been speaking with this lady, when a huge gust of wind came and blew her hair and dress whilst she was wringing out her swimsuit. I like this shot as I like the idea of incorporating the other stages of the swim time ie. changing, drying, socialising etc.
Tompas
Wannabe Künstler
I like the first one, the one of the woman coming out of the water, and the one with the thin man and the fat man. The others I like far less.
Lumpy
Established
Can you explain why?
Tompas
Wannabe Künstler
I'll try; please don't feel offended, it's just my opinion...
For the record, #1, 9, and 10 I find very good.
#2: I can see your idea, but somehow the picture doesn't work for me. Probably the stairs are too much in the center?
#3: Foot and wheel cut off, DOF too shallow (or image not very sharp), scene not very interesting (this is probably due to DOF being too shallow: one can't see good enough what's going on).
#4: Four people, but I cannot see any of their faces.
#5: Head cut off for no apparent reason. Don't know what this is supposed to 'mean'.
#6: Body cut in half. Looks like you simply pressed the shutter too late.
#7: I don't know why I do not like this. It's not bad.
#8: I want to see the face of the woman wringing her bathing suit (or whatever she's doing)!
#11: This is a type of photograph that can work well printed very large and in high quality. In low resolution I can only speculate.
#12: As the similar shot above, DOF too shallow, not very interesting.
#13: I don't know. Maybe you're just too far away.
I feel a little uncomfortable criticizing your images so directly. Again, please don't feel offended. My opinion is just one among billions others. Don't give it too much thought if you think it's bull****.
Lumpy
Established
#2 This is composed in such a way as to draw your eye to the top centre of the image to the person in the water, who we are unsure if they are clinging on to stop from being swept away with the current.
#3 I find it intriguing that you think of this image as "not very interesting"...There are perhaps 5 separate little scenes within the one image. The fact that the wheels are "cut off" is a minor point which does not detract from the image. This in turn 'cuts off' some information regarding the foreground character's movement and adds a sense of ambiguity and mystery to his actions. You are confusing shallow depth of field by the way, as this image ha, in fact, a deep DOF. Most of these images are shot f/11 - f/16.
#4 Part of the sense of humour of this image, for me, is the obscured faces and sense of 'the decisive moment'.
#5 This image doesn't have to "mean" anything. This is all about framing the background figure through the arm of the foreground man. Again, a sense of mystery surrounds my decision to obscure the face of the first man. If it was included, it would be predictable and boring. The way in which I have shot it draws attention to the second man, which is what I wanted.
#6 It is blindingly obvious that this composition and timing was intentional.
#7 Reread your comment on this; It is a contradiction, and makes no sense.
#8 I explained in an earlier post my reasoning on this image.
#11 I believe this image works at any size. I believe it to be tonally and compositionally strong.
#12 I believe this to be a well balanced photo with plenty of narrative. Again, you misunderstand the elementary fundamentals of DOF, it seems.
#13 Moving in closer to this scene would have cropped out the feet or bottom half of their legs. This would have been unacceptable as they are an important aspect (see the left man's tucked trouser leg) Also, the compositional element of the frame within the frame would have been lost.
Tompas
Wannabe Künstler
Oh my... I'm confusing nothing. I said either DOF was too shallow (not shallow; do you understand the difference?) or the image was not very sharp.
Lumpy, what part in my lines "Again, please don't feel offended. My opinion is just one among billions others. Don't give it too much thought if you think it's bull****" did you not understand?
You can't prove to me or anyone else that all your images are great. It's a matter of taste in the end. To me they aren't, but I took quite some time to explain to you why I think so -- because you asked and I thought you really would like to have some feedback. The decent way to reply would have been to say 'thanks for the trouble' -- and not repeatedly declaring me an ***** who hasn't even understood what depth of field means.
Next time, please, do not ask for feedback if you can't really handle it.
And don't bother to reply again. I've said my piece and you, of course, will know it all better. I'm unsubscribing this thread and will not read any private messages from you.
zauhar
Veteran
Lumpy, it's always dangerous to ask for criticism, as you might get some!
You will like my comments better - I think these are marvelous on the whole. The only one I really don't like is #3, which is simply too busy.
My taste is very different from Thomas - I like images where bodies are obscured/cut off, as this can add interest and sense of dynamism. The lady with the windblown hair is among my favorite in the set, because I CAN'T see who she is.
(In fact, my own tendency to always get the subject in the frame is what makes many of my shots amateurish and unsatisfying, and that is something I am fighting against.)
I think your compositions are very effective, and technique is very good as well.
Randy
You will like my comments better - I think these are marvelous on the whole. The only one I really don't like is #3, which is simply too busy.
My taste is very different from Thomas - I like images where bodies are obscured/cut off, as this can add interest and sense of dynamism. The lady with the windblown hair is among my favorite in the set, because I CAN'T see who she is.
(In fact, my own tendency to always get the subject in the frame is what makes many of my shots amateurish and unsatisfying, and that is something I am fighting against.)
I think your compositions are very effective, and technique is very good as well.
Randy
_larky
Well-known
I think you are getting some wonderful shots, but you need to edit more (don't wel all). Are you tall? You seem to tower over your subjects which makes them feel like they are specimens to a degree.
I like your ideas for composition, I can clearly see what you are aiming for. Try posting your contact sheets, its' easier and I believe better to look at contacts than the photographers picks.
Where are these being taken by the way, it is a great idea for a project.
My main thought is that you should take the shots, upload or process the film, but then leave them for 3 months before trying to see what's good. I'm trying to do that.
But keep it up, I think you have a strong project here.
I like your ideas for composition, I can clearly see what you are aiming for. Try posting your contact sheets, its' easier and I believe better to look at contacts than the photographers picks.
Where are these being taken by the way, it is a great idea for a project.
My main thought is that you should take the shots, upload or process the film, but then leave them for 3 months before trying to see what's good. I'm trying to do that.
But keep it up, I think you have a strong project here.
Lumpy
Established
Whoa, steady there horse! I have not "declared" you as anything. I do appreciate feedback, but I appreciate it when it makes sense. I surely have the right to defend my decisions and choices. I'm not going to sit back and let you tear apart my photos. If I can't defend them, then they are worth nothing. You offered no constructive feedback until I asked you to explain yourself, before that it was just a negative comment. If all you want to offer is a negative comment with no additional comments, then it isn't 'feedback' imo. What Larky is offering, is real feedback, which makes sense, and is constructive without getting personal. You really have a bee in your little bonnet. I also have no reason to PM you (unless you want to apologise to me?) I still welcome and appreciate feedback from anyone else here, but I will of course defend my point of view if I disagree. That is, afterall 'discussion'.
You're still not getting DOF!