I have been lurking for the past week or so reading articles and forum entries from the past. I think it is a safe bet that I could learn alot from this site so I decided to register.
Now for a little background.... I have been shooting for a long time, but I consider myself an amature or maybe a serious amature. When it comes to the technical stuff I am severly lacking. I pretty much shoot in auto, but only because I havent learned the finer points of photography....YET.
Its been a long time comming but I finally got my dream camera.... a Nikon D80 so I now have something else to learn also. I used to use a Pentax SLR and then moved up to a 5.2mp point and shoot....now I'm where I want to be as far as cameras go. Before my camera was limiting me.... Now I am all that stands in the way of great photos.
I think I have a decent eye for nature photography but I will let you'll be the judge of that. I welcome any critisism that comes my way about my photography. That is why I am here.... to learn to be a better nature photographer.
This is one of the shots that I took last year.... be brutally honest... what do you think?
Posted by Steve Foss on August 29, 2007 at 8:02 AM
Kevin, welcome to NPN. Good to have you in this fine place of sharing and learning.
Posted by Bill Chambers on August 29, 2007 at 8:26 AM
Welcome to NPN Kevin. My first recommendation would be to actually join NPN if you haven't done so already so you can upload your images to the critique forums easier. I think you are correct that you can larn a lot here, I know I have. NPN is the best resource I've found. Looking at your image, the exposure looks good, but I have to admit the image is somewhat "bland". Nothing really jumps out at the viewer to grab their attention. I wonder if a pano crop would be better as to eliminate the FG weeds that seem to distract. Is that Okefenokee? I didn't recognize it as such. Where do you live?
Posted by Basil Greber on August 29, 2007 at 10:27 AM
You won't regret joining. This is a great place, people are very much willing to help and very skilled (more skilled than I am anyway ).
Brutally honest critique? Well, I think this is what my shots looked like before I started posting and reading critiques here. I think (please don't tell me it is not so!) that I've improved quite a bit in the mean time. I'm sure you will, too.
Basil
Posted by David Bostedo on August 29, 2007 at 10:34 AM
Hey Kevin - Welcome to NPN. I've been a member for about a year and a half, and it's been a great and fun resource. I hope you'll think the same.
As far as your photo goes, I agree with Bill that it's somewhat bland. I think one of the main problems is the lighting. If there's one thing I've learned since getting into nature photography it's this : It's all about the light. If you look through the ES&S photos here for the ones you (and others) like, you'll probably find that most were made in the morning or evening. Barring that, there's usually something interesting about the light - filtered through clouds, shadow and highlight contrasts, etc.
Your photo, while a pleasant scene, lacks drama and punch. Everything is evenly lit, the sky is pretty blank, etc. I bet a similar shot at sunrise or sunset, or with an interesting sky would be much improved. That's not to say that evenly lit scenes can't be nice, but I think they are harder to accomplish, and need something more in terms of composition or contrasts to make them nice.
Good Luck!
Posted by Ed Cordes on August 29, 2007 at 11:54 AM
Hi Kevin. Welcome to NPN. I also suggest joining witha paid membership as the image uploading is a lot easier and you will get all the other benefits of membership.
RE your image, I like the scene. The advice you recieved re the light is spot on. Look at the images here and you will learn a lot.
Posted by Tom Nevesely on August 29, 2007 at 12:20 PM
Welcome to NPN. I'm sure you will learn lots here - I know I have!
Regarding your image I can only echo what the others have already said. If you can shoot this again I would suggest: a. move closer to the waters edge so that you can eliminate the foreground grasses and shrubs but also so you can see the entire reflection of the trees in the water (it's hidden behind the foreground now). b. shoot this in morning or evening light preferably on a day with great clouds in the sky or maybe some mist or fog on the water.
Thanks for the comments.... lets see if I can answer all the questions.
Bill...
No that is not technically Okefenokee. That photo was taken of the lake at Laura S Walker SP which is on the northern end of the swamp. I live in Arkansas.
pano crop?? What is a pano crop. I know what cropping is, but the pano is throwing me.
Tom...
Unfortunatly I cannot shoot this again. I was in GA on business and was able to get away for the weekend. I agree that it would have been better at sunrise or sunset but my time constraints didn't allow such a shot.
When I took a photography class many moons ago (input decades) on thing that was taught is to have a forground, middle ground, and background. That is why I composed it like that with the grasses in the front. Is this not the case anymore? Please enlighten me..... I have seen alot of photos on here and most are just absolutly stunning.
Posted by Bill Stice on August 29, 2007 at 1:43 PM
Kevin, welcome aboard. I'm an Arkansas fellow originally myself. Been in North Carolina for over twenty years though so I've actually live here longer than in Arkansas. Where in Arkansas do you live? Again welcome!
Posted by David Bostedo on August 29, 2007 at 1:51 PM
Kevin - I haven't had any formal training, but I'd guess that's still a good guideline. You have to be careful, though, that elements that you include are included with a purpose. For instance, reflections on the water are (generally) always noticed by the viewer. So even if you really didn't care about the reflection when you took the picture, if it's cut off awkwardly it can become a distraction. That's something I still struggle with - careful composition. That is, checking the corners, the lines, the placement of everything in the frame. Sometimes different cropping can help after the fact, but it's nice to get one where everything flows and seems to be where you intended it to be.
As far as the meaning of "pano", it's short for "panorama", in this case meaning a photo that much wider than it is tall. If you cut off the top and bottom quarter of a standard photo (or any decent amount, really) you'll wind up with a "pano crop". If it's what you want, the alternative is to take several shots and use any of several pieces of software (some of which are free) to stitch the images together. If you search the foums here, you can find more info on that.
I have to say, although I've only been a NPN member for a week or so, that this place is by far the most interesting web community I've ever been a member of. This place is full of experienced and helpful people (AND talented). And best of all, the mood here is relaxed which suits me well. You'll like it here.
So, welcome!
As for your photo. I think it has good potential. The location itself looks great and I would definately venture back there during sunrise or sunset for some great light. A slight crop (as suggested) would also serve the particular image well I think.
Looking forward to seeing more of your photography.
Posted by Carol Hyman on August 29, 2007 at 7:17 PM
Hi Kevin,
I'm sure I'm only going to echo what almost everyone else has said.
Welcome to NPN.
I've belonged a little better than half a year and it is a good site. The majority of the folks are helpful; occasionally there will be a person with a wise mouth and that type of person is in the minority. Most folks are helpful; a few of the folks will really go out of their way to post helpful suggestions and/or techniques.
As far as the image you referred folks to ... The image is pleasant. The composition is fairly good. Bill suggested a panoramic crop and that would go a long way toward making the composition even better. Someone suggested shooting earlier or later in the day and that will make all of the difference in the world. Another possibility might be shooting from a slightly different angle (if that is possible) to accentuate the curve in the river.
Something that no one mentioned is the fact that when you post an image, you in turn are supposed to critique at least five other images. I think you will discover that just in the process of critiquing images belonging to others, your own eye will be sharpened. Lots of times we are so close to an image we have shot and modified in Photoshop that we cannot be as objective about our own work as we would like.
At any rate, I think everyone who has responded to you has given you ample reason to join.
We'll look forward to seeing your images and reading your critiques.
Ciao ;^)
Carol
Posted by Jim Erhardt on August 29, 2007 at 7:54 PM
Kevin, welcome to NPN! If there is any assistance I can provide in using the site, please let me know.
Discussion
13 repliesNow for a little background.... I have been shooting for a long time, but I consider myself an amature or maybe a serious amature. When it comes to the technical stuff I am severly lacking. I pretty much shoot in auto, but only because I havent learned the finer points of photography....YET.
Its been a long time comming but I finally got my dream camera.... a Nikon D80 so I now have something else to learn also. I used to use a Pentax SLR and then moved up to a 5.2mp point and shoot....now I'm where I want to be as far as cameras go. Before my camera was limiting me.... Now I am all that stands in the way of great photos.
I think I have a decent eye for nature photography but I will let you'll be the judge of that. I welcome any critisism that comes my way about my photography. That is why I am here.... to learn to be a better nature photographer.
This is one of the shots that I took last year.... be brutally honest... what do you think?
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m49/southernwolf/Nature%20Shots/OkefenokeeSwamp25S.jpg
Brutally honest critique? Well, I think this is what my shots looked like before I started posting and reading critiques here. I think (please don't tell me it is not so!) that I've improved quite a bit in the mean time. I'm sure you will, too.
Basil
As far as your photo goes, I agree with Bill that it's somewhat bland. I think one of the main problems is the lighting. If there's one thing I've learned since getting into nature photography it's this : It's all about the light. If you look through the ES&S photos here for the ones you (and others) like, you'll probably find that most were made in the morning or evening. Barring that, there's usually something interesting about the light - filtered through clouds, shadow and highlight contrasts, etc.
Your photo, while a pleasant scene, lacks drama and punch. Everything is evenly lit, the sky is pretty blank, etc. I bet a similar shot at sunrise or sunset, or with an interesting sky would be much improved. That's not to say that evenly lit scenes can't be nice, but I think they are harder to accomplish, and need something more in terms of composition or contrasts to make them nice.
Good Luck!
RE your image, I like the scene. The advice you recieved re the light is spot on. Look at the images here and you will learn a lot.
Regarding your image I can only echo what the others have already said. If you can shoot this again I would suggest: a. move closer to the waters edge so that you can eliminate the foreground grasses and shrubs but also so you can see the entire reflection of the trees in the water (it's hidden behind the foreground now). b. shoot this in morning or evening light preferably on a day with great clouds in the sky or maybe some mist or fog on the water.
Bill...
No that is not technically Okefenokee. That photo was taken of the lake at Laura S Walker SP which is on the northern end of the swamp. I live in Arkansas.
pano crop?? What is a pano crop. I know what cropping is, but the pano is throwing me.
Tom...
Unfortunatly I cannot shoot this again. I was in GA on business and was able to get away for the weekend. I agree that it would have been better at sunrise or sunset but my time constraints didn't allow such a shot.
When I took a photography class many moons ago (input decades) on thing that was taught is to have a forground, middle ground, and background. That is why I composed it like that with the grasses in the front. Is this not the case anymore? Please enlighten me..... I have seen alot of photos on here and most are just absolutly stunning.
As far as the meaning of "pano", it's short for "panorama", in this case meaning a photo that much wider than it is tall. If you cut off the top and bottom quarter of a standard photo (or any decent amount, really) you'll wind up with a "pano crop". If it's what you want, the alternative is to take several shots and use any of several pieces of software (some of which are free) to stitch the images together. If you search the foums here, you can find more info on that.
I live in the Northeastern section on top of Crowleys Ridge. Im about 40 miles away from Jonesboro
Thanks for the advise..... that is what Im here for.
So, welcome!
As for your photo. I think it has good potential. The location itself looks great and I would definately venture back there during sunrise or sunset for some great light. A slight crop (as suggested) would also serve the particular image well I think.
Looking forward to seeing more of your photography.
I'm sure I'm only going to echo what almost everyone else has said.
Welcome to NPN.
I've belonged a little better than half a year and it is a good site. The majority of the folks are helpful; occasionally there will be a person with a wise mouth and that type of person is in the minority. Most folks are helpful; a few of the folks will really go out of their way to post helpful suggestions and/or techniques.
As far as the image you referred folks to ... The image is pleasant. The composition is fairly good. Bill suggested a panoramic crop and that would go a long way toward making the composition even better. Someone suggested shooting earlier or later in the day and that will make all of the difference in the world. Another possibility might be shooting from a slightly different angle (if that is possible) to accentuate the curve in the river.
Something that no one mentioned is the fact that when you post an image, you in turn are supposed to critique at least five other images. I think you will discover that just in the process of critiquing images belonging to others, your own eye will be sharpened. Lots of times we are so close to an image we have shot and modified in Photoshop that we cannot be as objective about our own work as we would like.
At any rate, I think everyone who has responded to you has given you ample reason to join.
We'll look forward to seeing your images and reading your critiques.
Ciao ;^)
Carol