So I joined fstoppers a few months ago hoping I would get advice and feedback on my photos, Maybe I'm using the site wrong but I haven't seen any feedback yet.
This is just a simple shot at the skatepark, I had never shot scooters before but Josh was killing it that day and I asked him to shoot a photo.
Took me 3 tries to nail the timing, natural light, processed in lightroom.
https://d1w5usc88actyi.cloudfront.net/styles/full/s3/photos/84412/12/17/...
Pretty cool shot! I've noticed the Fstoppers community is a little quiet in the action category compared to say Fashion or Portraits...
The shot is pretty cool, like the lighting!
Thanks for the comment Brendon, appreciate the feedback. These groups are really working.
I have also noticed the low number of action photos on here compared to other genres but I did see a skateboarding Photo Of The Day a while back so there is still hope.
Hi Ive submitted photos in astrophotography and action and hardly anyone comments. Its seems to be mostly fashion , portraits , glamor and nude art with some landscapes. :-)
My two cents, I like the action I don't like the backdrop. I think if you worked your position a bit you could have maybe gotten a cleaner background so your athlete would pop better. I know sometimes the scene is what it is but if you could get him onto a better background where he could stand out better I think the picture would be better.
Thank you Michael, I will keep that in mind. I see how that would make a much nicer photo.
Note: This is a complete amateur speaking...
Cool capture!
The light on your subject is nice. It brings him out from the background. I would have to agree that the backdrop is a little less than ideal BUT I also realize that the skate park is where it is and there may not have been other scenes to choose from.
Rather than try to make lemonade out of that background, I would have gone a different direction. I would have eliminated the background by shrinking my depth of field. If you shoot there again, you might want to try using a longer lens and getting in tighter on your subject so the background blurs out (or just get closer to him if you don't have a longer lens). To me, everything about that dude is great (his position, his expression, and his exposure). All the good stuff about him is just getting a little diluted by the busy scene/background... so get up close and personal with him and blur out the rest!
Great critique Doug! As someone who grew up a rider I often think more about the trick than the actual composition of the photo. It is awesome to hear feedback from people more focused on the traditional aspects of photography.
Unfortunately I don't own much gear but I can easily open the lens up more and blur the background. Thanks again for the feedback
You're doing a great job, Chris! I looked at your portfolio and I'm impressed. You use leading lines especially well.
I like the shot mate but I think you could have done more with the right hand side of the image as I find the concrete edge and the bush too distracting, as much as I want to look at the scooter rider my eye get pulled back to that area.....i think if that part of the image were cropped out it would be a killer.
Thanks for the comment Laith. I see what you are talking about, I will make sure to look closer at my photos before posting.
no not at all mate, I like the image, just some helpful feedback. Please post freely and don't worry about comments too much.
The image is very dark and the background makes the skater blend in. he doesn't stand out too much. I would try another angle with less trees :-) Play around in lightroom if you can and make him pop out.