Hello all, I have been doing photography for about 5 months now and would really like some feedback on some of my images. I don't have a lot of photography minded peers around me so, I was hoping to get some honest feedback and critiques from those of you with more experience in this community so that I may improve my work. Thank you so much!!
For five months of experience in photography, your photos look pretty excellent Evan!
Thanks so much!
Evan I feel your pain i am in the exact same boat only having started doing diligent research and study to produce higher quality images. i think your in a great place and you will only grow learn and get better with technical proficiency...i would encourage you to work on the emotion/mood of your images. as the top 2 look a bit watercolorish i would revisit these when weather and light are more conducive to a dramatic shot, but that is what i try and go for. if this is the result you are aiming for keep up the great work.
Thanks for the advice! I think the more I stare at the first image the more I seem to feel it's missing. I think you bring up a great point about it looking watercolorish and in a way being void of any sort of mood. Developing drama in a shot is something I struggle with the most and I enjoy the critique so I can go improve my work! Thanks!
absolutely that's what we're here for i have had so much improvement that i now laugh at my first uploads look at photography apps such as photocells and watch the weather. plan trips accordingly so that you can get the best light and cloud for your scenes also as an added technical test try shooting at night
So what's wrong with watercolours, Mr Oil Painter??? ;-)
Hahahaha!!!!
Hey Evan, great images! I think you're doing well. My one critique would focus on the second image. I like the log, but I'm not sure I like the composition with the log cut off. Maybe take a baby step backwards and get the whole thing in the shot? Or, maybe take a step to the right and backwards and get the log facing diagonally across the shot? Play with this composition a little bit and see if you can balance the photo out a bit. Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much for this comment! Funny enough, my main self-critique of this image is the log. I felt, after getting back into post, that something was missing part of the scene and that I should have included the full log. I also wished that the log bent back towards the right side of the frame to lead more into the rock structure on the beach. The next time I photograph this location I will be sure to keep these things in mind!
I have so many photos where I have had similar thoughts. Good luck, man!
Hi Evan, You are off to a great start - an amazing one really.
In image 1 - I like what you have but there are some things to think about while post-processing your work.
When you add something like light to the lighthouse, always touch base with reality as the viewers' gut can tell when something isn't right. A light house doesn't have the light on during the day and only has 'beams' of light in fog (ie - what is the light beam shining on in the clear air here?) Also, in a long exposure, you couldn't catch beams as the light is rotating. Don't believe 90 percent of the light house images you see unless the light in the house just looks like a brightness. This would be a lovely image with a light house - without the light.
Also, when you really look in to this image, you must have done a fairly long exposure as you can see the wave ghosting at the base of the large rock. However, in that case, the water itself should be creamy smooth. The wispy nature of the water look fake.
Overall - this image feels overly processed and a little too synthetic. It looks like a photograph of a painting. sorry! Just my opinion.
Images 2 and 3 are exceptional!
Thank you so much for your comment!!
I don't have much experience with what is under-processed or over-processed and you bring up great points. I hadn't even thought of those technicalities that would render this image impossible to capture straight out of camera. I definitely can't wait to work more on my post processing skills and will definitely take into consideration what would be naturally possible in my next edits. Thank you so much for your advice!
As others say, you're off to a great start, Evan!
I strongly support Ruth's point about things looking unnatural. Some images that are obviously manipulated - say, with a vignette - can still not create a disturbing effect in this way.
However, for example, a skylit foreground that's brighter than the sky above, processed for drama (which contrast and darkening can certainly create) can do just that, especially still water reflecting the sky. (Saint Ansel made that boo-boo). In general, with processing, my guide is the question of what I want to achieve. Just because some effect is available doesn't mean you ever have to use it.
Having said that, deliberately playing around can be fun and instructive, but others may not see what you did - especially in the excitement of discovery. I'll bet all of us posters have regretted more over-processing than the reverse. Less is more, in general. That's where I tend to disagree with people wanting more drama in the skies here. There are alternatives to drama.
Hi Evan, for only 5 months experience you show a lot of technical ability in your images. You are on the right track, I would just suggest you look at the work of photographers that inspire you, and get a feel for works/does not work in images.
You' find your own work being influenced, and will discover new ways to improve your earlier work.
Like Joseph, I feel 1&2 cry out for more drama - the bones are there, perhaps look at other work and work the settings to best suit your own taste.
Thanks for sharing! I really like your subject matter in the first picture, but it feels processed or a bit fake in some ways. I think Ruths critique points out technically what I get as a first impression. I really like your third picture though. There is a nice warmth to it. My only suggestion would be to try to lighten up the hillside a bit. The deep shadow makes a bit of negative space and I find it keeps drawing my eye there. But that picture really makes me wish I was there viewing the scene.