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i think richard has a good idea and i thought i'd start it off - unofficially.
i put it here because it was taken with my canon p and canon 50/1.8 lens.
i took this shot in a local park. it used to be and has become again, a favourite place. i like that it has signs of life - such as can be witnessed by this photo - but enough space that i can also be alone if i so choose.
i wanted the dof shallow and think it could be a bit more shallow and still work. i like that it shows signs of life, signs of love and affection and romance.
i only took the one shot and now wish that i had tried a couple more with some variations on dof and where i placed focus and focal point.
i look forward to your most honest thoughts and critique.
i put it here because it was taken with my canon p and canon 50/1.8 lens.
i took this shot in a local park. it used to be and has become again, a favourite place. i like that it has signs of life - such as can be witnessed by this photo - but enough space that i can also be alone if i so choose.
i wanted the dof shallow and think it could be a bit more shallow and still work. i like that it shows signs of life, signs of love and affection and romance.
i only took the one shot and now wish that i had tried a couple more with some variations on dof and where i placed focus and focal point.
i look forward to your most honest thoughts and critique.
R
Rich Silfver
Guest
Ah..a good old fashioned photo lynching....I mean critique. Critique! 
With photos posted on the internet I like to apply what I call the P.E.S.T.
Every photo have elements of;
Post proccesing,
Emotional,
Storytelling, and
Techincal.
Starting backwards...
Technically I think you did really well here. You used a very effective depth of field and the composition is really good here. It may be my laptop screen but the white bark seems to be just tad too hot and the blownout sky is a little bit of an eyesore as it pulls the eyes out from the center.
The picknick table has a slight lean to it (maybe .5 CW) - it may be the hill that its on but the viewer 'doesnt care' - if it looks tilted it looks tilted.
Storytelling. This is where I feel the photo fails. It starts out really good with the heart and initials carved into the tree (could had been made a bit more prominent) but after that it falls short. I've often noticed that the photos I really like have two main components in them - either complimentary or conflicting. This photo - to me have one great component..but is missing the other. I would have loved to see a lone man or woman...or a happy couple walking in the distance for instance. The empty picknick table is too far a stretch for me to make the connection to the foreground and the tree itself is not strong enough to carry the image into 'Superb'. It's good. But one dimensional.
Emotional. I can sense loneliness. Sadness. I dont feel romance. Maybe due to the empty picknick table, maybe due to the fairly high contrast in the photo and absence of colour.
Post processing. Pretty good. I'd try to tone down the bark and sky though. I would also be tempted to crop out the little strip of white in lower right. After I noticed it I can't stop seeing it.
If I would rate it 1-5 (5 being 'Amazing!!') I'd give it a 3. Adding a component could to me make this photo a 4+ as it already have a strong composition, depth of field, etc.. it's just waiting for that 'little extra'...
The above is ofcouse highly subjective.
It's also a 'tough' critique as I sometimes think those are the ones that means the most. "Nice" doesn't do much for me. I actually rather have 'This sucks!" as it atleast make me question my photo.
Thanks for posting Joe. You brave Canadian.
With photos posted on the internet I like to apply what I call the P.E.S.T.
Every photo have elements of;
Post proccesing,
Emotional,
Storytelling, and
Techincal.
Starting backwards...
Technically I think you did really well here. You used a very effective depth of field and the composition is really good here. It may be my laptop screen but the white bark seems to be just tad too hot and the blownout sky is a little bit of an eyesore as it pulls the eyes out from the center.
The picknick table has a slight lean to it (maybe .5 CW) - it may be the hill that its on but the viewer 'doesnt care' - if it looks tilted it looks tilted.
Storytelling. This is where I feel the photo fails. It starts out really good with the heart and initials carved into the tree (could had been made a bit more prominent) but after that it falls short. I've often noticed that the photos I really like have two main components in them - either complimentary or conflicting. This photo - to me have one great component..but is missing the other. I would have loved to see a lone man or woman...or a happy couple walking in the distance for instance. The empty picknick table is too far a stretch for me to make the connection to the foreground and the tree itself is not strong enough to carry the image into 'Superb'. It's good. But one dimensional.
Emotional. I can sense loneliness. Sadness. I dont feel romance. Maybe due to the empty picknick table, maybe due to the fairly high contrast in the photo and absence of colour.
Post processing. Pretty good. I'd try to tone down the bark and sky though. I would also be tempted to crop out the little strip of white in lower right. After I noticed it I can't stop seeing it.
If I would rate it 1-5 (5 being 'Amazing!!') I'd give it a 3. Adding a component could to me make this photo a 4+ as it already have a strong composition, depth of field, etc.. it's just waiting for that 'little extra'...
The above is ofcouse highly subjective.
It's also a 'tough' critique as I sometimes think those are the ones that means the most. "Nice" doesn't do much for me. I actually rather have 'This sucks!" as it atleast make me question my photo.
Thanks for posting Joe. You brave Canadian.
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pest, eh?
well, i'm kinda glad you were the first to respond as it's you're idea to begin with.
you have some thoughts that never entered my mind so i find that exciting enough to already make this experiment work for me.
i don't want to answer point by point - that wasn't my reason for asking for feedback in the first place. i'm looking for ideas that are not my own.
some thoughts of mine...
i did like the idea of the picnic table but didn't tie them together as you did.
i never noticed the white chunks of sky - that small bit on the right corner i did notice but was too lazy to go back and re-crop.
the 'storytelling' aspect is interesting. i might think about 'what does this say?' but not storytelling. i like that approach and need to think more about it. i think my idea of storytelling involves a few photos as opposed to 'saying something' with one pic. it might be a subtle difference but one that requires more thought in deed.
as for post processing - well i am in boot camp. i did an auto levels thing to boost overall contrast. i have no idea how to emphasize the heart but did think about it needing more.
this has been good and i hope for more feedback from others too.
i appreciate the honesty and trust me - i am ok.
well, i'm kinda glad you were the first to respond as it's you're idea to begin with.
you have some thoughts that never entered my mind so i find that exciting enough to already make this experiment work for me.
i don't want to answer point by point - that wasn't my reason for asking for feedback in the first place. i'm looking for ideas that are not my own.
some thoughts of mine...
i did like the idea of the picnic table but didn't tie them together as you did.
i never noticed the white chunks of sky - that small bit on the right corner i did notice but was too lazy to go back and re-crop.
the 'storytelling' aspect is interesting. i might think about 'what does this say?' but not storytelling. i like that approach and need to think more about it. i think my idea of storytelling involves a few photos as opposed to 'saying something' with one pic. it might be a subtle difference but one that requires more thought in deed.
as for post processing - well i am in boot camp. i did an auto levels thing to boost overall contrast. i have no idea how to emphasize the heart but did think about it needing more.
this has been good and i hope for more feedback from others too.
i appreciate the honesty and trust me - i am ok.
R
Rich Silfver
Guest
I knew you could 'take it'
One great National Geographic photographer once said that the key to taking a good photo when you were under preassure and had to make one - was to find a good background/foreground and just wait....wait for something/someone to happen infront of it. Sometimes that took 3 minutes and sometimes 3 hours.
I think this scene is a great example of that.
One great National Geographic photographer once said that the key to taking a good photo when you were under preassure and had to make one - was to find a good background/foreground and just wait....wait for something/someone to happen infront of it. Sometimes that took 3 minutes and sometimes 3 hours.
I think this scene is a great example of that.
I will jump on board with Richard and say that the first thing I looked for to the left in the OOF area was J and L. A couple sitting together on the table. I was looking for something else. It looks like a place I would visit repeatedly to see what I could make of the scene. Maybe modify the background by moving the table close to the tree (is that allowed, for art's sake I mean?) Or bring some models to make the effect. You can explore happy and sad, a couple, or lonely soul can be in the image.
Hmmm. After reading the rambling Post;
Camera on tripod, self-timer, run like crazy to sit at the picnic table with head in hands.
Technical: Wow! Look at the sharp edges in that picture! But, I have almost quit with auto-levels and use the "Curves" feature for contrast. What Rev Photoshop do you have? I think 5 and higher has the feature. You can boost one region of the intensity map without affecting another. You can boost the darker portions and leave the highligts alone.
Camera on tripod, self-timer, run like crazy to sit at the picnic table with head in hands.
Technical: Wow! Look at the sharp edges in that picture! But, I have almost quit with auto-levels and use the "Curves" feature for contrast. What Rev Photoshop do you have? I think 5 and higher has the feature. You can boost one region of the intensity map without affecting another. You can boost the darker portions and leave the highligts alone.
taffer
void
Curious, I prefer, however, not finding J+L there.
Why ? because I find the shot works better that way as an sadness image of something that happened. Maybe J used to wait for L to bring him his lunch there after work (a-la-'Dolls') and one day he didn't come and finally even she gave up.
The lonely picnic table and the small tree engraving are the only traces of what happened there. Maybe a lonely person in the table would make a great 'J waiting for L' shot.
Now to some other things. I agree with Richard that one of the first things calling attention is the slightly tilted table. It's annoying how our brain reads images sometimes, you notice it each time you look at the photo.
I like the composition, I always love shots with a relationship between foreground and background, well done.
As Rover said, there are some possibilities here, I'd put that place in my bookmarks I'd explore both happiness and sadness/loneliness options.
Post processing, I'm not an expert myself but agree about that tiny white patch in the lower right. You may also experience a bit burning a bit the sky/tree or with a bit less contrasty version (Japanese glass eh ?
As for a rating... well I've been a student for so much time to like ratings myself, but I'll say I like this photo, well done Joe !!
Why ? because I find the shot works better that way as an sadness image of something that happened. Maybe J used to wait for L to bring him his lunch there after work (a-la-'Dolls') and one day he didn't come and finally even she gave up.
The lonely picnic table and the small tree engraving are the only traces of what happened there. Maybe a lonely person in the table would make a great 'J waiting for L' shot.
Now to some other things. I agree with Richard that one of the first things calling attention is the slightly tilted table. It's annoying how our brain reads images sometimes, you notice it each time you look at the photo.
I like the composition, I always love shots with a relationship between foreground and background, well done.
As Rover said, there are some possibilities here, I'd put that place in my bookmarks
I'd explore both happiness and sadness/loneliness options.Post processing, I'm not an expert myself but agree about that tiny white patch in the lower right. You may also experience a bit burning a bit the sky/tree or with a bit less contrasty version (Japanese glass eh ?
As for a rating... well I've been a student for so much time to like ratings myself, but I'll say I like this photo, well done Joe !!
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
Just my very brief oppinion: I really like the idea, but the table is too small / too distant. This way, to me it seems that there are two photos here, one of the tree and one of the background. The tree jumps right in front, but one really has to look to see what's in the background. It's good though that there's nobody at the table (dunno if it was just a joke in the above comments the idea "to sit at the picnic table with head in hands".
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i might try it again with a longer lens, maybe drag someone along and try the model idea.
i have version 7 of photoshop but am just learning. have not used curves much yet as i can't figure it out, but will practice some more with it.
i have version 7 of photoshop but am just learning. have not used curves much yet as i can't figure it out, but will practice some more with it.
T
Todd.Hanz
Guest
Well,
I don't have a problem with the table on the hill, the table is following the swail of the hill side. If you look at the trees they are all vertical, the hill side adds movement and flow to the background.
It would be effective to have a couple walking , maybe hand in hand, on the hill side or leaning against the tree looking at each other (sappy!).
I like the DOF and your PS skills come with practice and reading, I had a book once called "PS for photographers", don't know where it is but it was helpful.
Over all this is a "Nice" image (sorry Richard ).
Todd
I don't have a problem with the table on the hill, the table is following the swail of the hill side. If you look at the trees they are all vertical, the hill side adds movement and flow to the background.
It would be effective to have a couple walking , maybe hand in hand, on the hill side or leaning against the tree looking at each other (sappy!).
I like the DOF and your PS skills come with practice and reading, I had a book once called "PS for photographers", don't know where it is but it was helpful.
Over all this is a "Nice" image (sorry Richard
).Todd
FrankS
Registered User
I agree with a previous remark made, that the photo would benefit from an additional element. Perhaps a woman flashing, or a couple at the picnic table, she with her head in his lap ala Biber?
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FrankS said:
my first belly laugh of the day!
joe
T
Todd.Hanz
Guest
Joe,
I don't typically do this and I hope you don't mind (apologies), but I applied all the " advice" to your photo (in PS) to see what it would look like with untilted table, highlights burned, couple added, J+L enhanced, etc., etc.:
I don't typically do this and I hope you don't mind (apologies), but I applied all the " advice" to your photo (in PS) to see what it would look like with untilted table, highlights burned, couple added, J+L enhanced, etc., etc.:
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R
Rich Silfver
Guest
Eh...what's the couple doing....?
taffer
void
hem...
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is that a sheep...?
T
Todd.Hanz
Guest
Aw come on guys, get your minds out of the gutter................... yeah it's a sheep, I mean it's kind of a "country" scene isn't it? BAAAAAAAAH!, BAAAAAAAH! big boy!
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couple of things...
todd, i don't mind that you worked a little magic on my pic but now you have to tell how what you did and how you did it!
with this book thing going full tilt, this may be the time and place for you to get feedback on some of the pics you may be thinking about putting in the book.
this is a good idea - let's keep it going!!
joe
todd, i don't mind that you worked a little magic on my pic but now you have to tell how what you did and how you did it!
with this book thing going full tilt, this may be the time and place for you to get feedback on some of the pics you may be thinking about putting in the book.
this is a good idea - let's keep it going!!
joe
P
Peter
Guest
This is my main contender for the RF book. I admit that I am a lousy critic due to my purely scientific education background. I do get comments that this is one of the best photos I have taken so far. Do help me to see why it is eye-catching. I am an intuitive photographer so please bear with my ignorance.
K
Kris
Guest
If you ask me Peter, it's the interaction between the nurse and her patient that shows care between human beings. It's a photo with emotion or soul.
On the negative side, I would prefer to see more of the patient by including more area at the bottom of the frame. The top part of the frame should be just under that "Fall Precaution" sign. I also prefer tigther cropping, perhaps 50mm lens angle of view. Yeah yeah I'm a 50mm fan(atic).
On the negative side, I would prefer to see more of the patient by including more area at the bottom of the frame. The top part of the frame should be just under that "Fall Precaution" sign. I also prefer tigther cropping, perhaps 50mm lens angle of view. Yeah yeah I'm a 50mm fan(atic).