Photo Critiqing Thread

[Photog]

Clark,
Here is my favorite. The plane is off the ground, you can see the prop condensation, the lighting is good and I love airplanes.
I like this particular crop, because most of the sky (blah) is gone, and there is a little more space in front of the plane than behind. The plane looks large and powerful. If it were really sharp, it would look great printed large (2ft x 8ft). You might do a white balance on the shadey side of the plane. It is a little blue (cool). Maybe 1/2 way between current white balance and white on the shadey side (does that make sense?).


I like the choppers; but I don't care for them being back-lit (sun behind the subject). Crossing or diagonal light makes the birds look better.

You can get the feeling of motion, by slowing down the shutter, and moving the camera with the bird, as you squeeze the trigger (like tracking with a moving target).

Cold mornings have less mirage, and the cold air magnifies the subject. I'm looking forward to some more of these images. Nice work.

[Ursidae69]

That is one sweet photo.

[Clark White]

I was thinking about the same things. I wish I could have gotten in front of the choppers, but that would have put me out on the runway, which as you can imagine would get me in a big steaming pile of poo. It's cooling off for the next few days, so I might get lucky in the morning with no heat waves, lets just hope theres some non lazy pilots who get up and fly that early! I'm going flying tomorrow, so hopefully I will be able to get some aerial photos then. When I get home I will play with that white balance and see what I can do. Thanks much!
Clark

[Clark White]

That is one sweet photo.

Thanks! I about pooped the first time I saw the vapor trails coming off the props, I thought that was just the coolest damn thing!

[Railvan]

Got a break in the weather on Tuesday night and was able to get down to the waterfront before sundown. I posted a few versions of one photo subject to see what others thought of the options. Photos are here: http://www.pbase.com/railbat/3408_photos

Regards,

Brian

[nwoods]

Got a break in the weather on Tuesday night and was able to get down to the waterfront before sundown. I posted a few versions of one photo subject to see what others thought of the options. Photos are here: http://www.pbase.com/railbat/3408_photos

Regards,

Brian

Chain2 and Wheel2 are my fav's. Photog can probably articulate why much better than I can.

[Photog]

The colors are wonderful. The composition and cropping selection is well thought out. you could adjust saturation, black point and play with son vignetting, to create a strong image from Wheel 1.

I like Chain 2 because the pipes are laid horizontal, the image is framed horizontal, and the chain is placed along the rule of thirds.


I also like the Wheel 1 image best. It has all the information for a railroad story. Tracks, rail cars and wheel trucks are all horizontal subjects. The horizontal image feels better. The wheel hub is placed on the right third also.

[Photog]

Chain2 and Wheel2 are my fav's. Photog can probably articulate why much better than I can.

Please tell what draws you to Wheel 2. I'm always interested in perceptions of images. Learning this is what helps me create images pleasing to more people.

Your architecture background has given you feel for ratios that are pleasing to the eye. Ratios of shape, color, light/dark, texture, etc. All this helps when considering the composition of photographs. Your website has many nicely done images.

[Photog]

There are a number of other well qualified photographers in the Expo group. It would be great to have thier input here. I am certainly NOT the "all knowing" photographer here. Just a photographer.

[nwoods]

Please tell what draws you to Wheel 2.

Ha ha, with a build up like that, I guess I HAVE to contribute some, eh? LOL.

Okay, in a nutshell, Wheel2 Draws me in. The longer forground helps bring me into the photo, focusing me on the subject of interest, which is the superbly crisp wheel itself. Once I'm into the photo (after having been drawn in), I gravitate towards the stamping on the control arm or whatever they are called on trains, as well as the marbled patina of the wheel itself.

To me, this photo is invitation to immerse myself in a story.

I like it.



Edit: I just realized you used the word "draws" also. I don't think I used it subconciously as a result. It is a near physical compellation that I feel when I look at the image.