Hello everyone,
I am new at this forum and I am taking pictures over one year.
I've sent this picture to one of the photo forum and I've received very bad comments about it. Could you tell me what is wrong whith that picture, how should it look like, and what you think about it in general.
Thank you
Lukasz
ps.
ISO 320
f/5.6 1/2000
340mm
eos 30d+70-200L IS+2x ext
Posted by Graeme Lee on December 7, 2007 at 7:00 PM
Hi Lukasz, firstly welcome. Secondly, bad comments seem unjust for this image. To be totally straight with you, for me, there are a number of things that is good about this image - exposure looks good, pose is good, composition is good, catchlight in the eye making the eye pronounced, it's sharp.... not much more you can get right.
The only negative side to this image is the steep shooting angle looking down on the subject.
The best way to improve this image and future images of this nature is to get as near to eye level with your subject as possible. Sometimes it isn't possible, but that's nature photography.
Nice first post and I like your website by the way. Pretty cool - with some very good images
agree with graeme re lower shooting angle. overall it's not a bad shot. the thing that takes away form this image here are the opposing ripples in the water. not much you can do about that admittedly. one thing that would improve it a lot is to clone the very dark ripple close to the head on the left as this is very distracting, looks a little like someone is firing something at it.
Welcome to UKNP
This is not a bad picture, it is true that lowering the angle would be better. If you only have been taking picture for a year, well this is a good start, carry on the good work.
Frederic
Posted by Andy Astbury on December 8, 2007 at 4:38 AM
Hi Lucasz - welcome to the forum
Of course it's not bad - the people who have told you it is are not worth you worrying about - take no notice of them
Composition-wise it's not far from perfect rule of thirds.
PoV-wise, well, as has already been said, it would look a lot better from a lower PoV - top tip here is to always try and shoot at the subjects eye-level.
The overall look of the image suggests your post work might be a bit 'off' - do you work in PSCS2 or CS3 - if you do then just give it a tweak with the shadow/highlight adjustments just to bring out the body a bit more.
The rear end of the bird is a tad out of focus but that's a depth of field issue.
Just you keep taking the shots Lucasz and keep posting them here
thanks guys
I've done this pic from that level because I was shooting from hide which was quite height
I was looking at the birds which were far from me, this one just flashed from the water so i've taken quick shot.
I am very pleased for your bits and bobs, I will use them in my future pictures.
I have also looked through all your pictures and they are superb, I wasn't very commited in the forum but i will try to do my best to improve my pictures.
Many thanks
Lukasz
Posted by Dave Sewell on December 8, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Hi Lukask,
I think everything has been covered already. The only thing that struck me immeadiatly was the ripple to the left of the beak which is just plain bad luck - nothing you can do about that! Everyone has commented on the shooting angle. For me when you shoot from above the resulting picture always has kind of 'domineering' feel to it like the photographer is in control of the subject. This rather typifies our relationship with the natural world and I think is why the shot is rarely satisfactory. If you can get down to eye level the subject is an 'equal being' to the viewer - sometimes it even feels 'superior' to the viewer and that's when you capture the essence of the creature.
I appreciate that's a truly crap attempt at rationalising the shooting angle but it works for me!
Please keep practising and posting!
All best,
Dave
Posted by eric weight on December 8, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Hello Lukasz, I think you have done as well as you might have hoped for in the circumstances. I would try to lighten the body up a bit ( I confess that I'm not quite sure how myself, but I would have a go because you have nothing to lose) and if that works ok, I would clone out all four of the dark ripples behind the bird. Personally I would then save it as my best yet and go out and try and get a better one!
Posted by Mark Sisson on December 10, 2007 at 5:26 AM
All the potential improvements have been covered - make sure you stay on here with your posting/learning curve as I can assure you you won't find better help and advice for this type of photography anywhere else.
Discussion
9 repliesI am new at this forum and I am taking pictures over one year.
I've sent this picture to one of the photo forum and I've received very bad comments about it. Could you tell me what is wrong whith that picture, how should it look like, and what you think about it in general.
Thank you
Lukasz
ps.
ISO 320
f/5.6 1/2000
340mm
eos 30d+70-200L IS+2x ext
The only negative side to this image is the steep shooting angle looking down on the subject.
The best way to improve this image and future images of this nature is to get as near to eye level with your subject as possible. Sometimes it isn't possible, but that's nature photography.
Nice first post and I like your website by the way. Pretty cool - with some very good images
agree with graeme re lower shooting angle. overall it's not a bad shot. the thing that takes away form this image here are the opposing ripples in the water. not much you can do about that admittedly. one thing that would improve it a lot is to clone the very dark ripple close to the head on the left as this is very distracting, looks a little like someone is firing something at it.
look forward to seeing more.
regards,
mark.
This is not a bad picture, it is true that lowering the angle would be better. If you only have been taking picture for a year, well this is a good start, carry on the good work.
Frederic
Of course it's not bad - the people who have told you it is are not worth you worrying about - take no notice of them
Composition-wise it's not far from perfect rule of thirds.
PoV-wise, well, as has already been said, it would look a lot better from a lower PoV - top tip here is to always try and shoot at the subjects eye-level.
The overall look of the image suggests your post work might be a bit 'off' - do you work in PSCS2 or CS3 - if you do then just give it a tweak with the shadow/highlight adjustments just to bring out the body a bit more.
The rear end of the bird is a tad out of focus but that's a depth of field issue.
Just you keep taking the shots Lucasz and keep posting them here
Looks to me that you made a fine job of the situation you were presented with
Agree with Mark, that the piece of debris could be removed, as it is a slight distraction!!
Alan
I've done this pic from that level because I was shooting from hide which was quite height
I was looking at the birds which were far from me, this one just flashed from the water so i've taken quick shot.
I am very pleased for your bits and bobs, I will use them in my future pictures.
I have also looked through all your pictures and they are superb, I wasn't very commited in the forum but i will try to do my best to improve my pictures.
Many thanks
Lukasz
I think everything has been covered already. The only thing that struck me immeadiatly was the ripple to the left of the beak which is just plain bad luck - nothing you can do about that! Everyone has commented on the shooting angle. For me when you shoot from above the resulting picture always has kind of 'domineering' feel to it like the photographer is in control of the subject. This rather typifies our relationship with the natural world and I think is why the shot is rarely satisfactory. If you can get down to eye level the subject is an 'equal being' to the viewer - sometimes it even feels 'superior' to the viewer and that's when you capture the essence of the creature.
I appreciate that's a truly crap attempt at rationalising the shooting angle but it works for me!
Please keep practising and posting!
All best,
Dave
Look forward to seeing some more soon.
Mark