chris 2.jpg
by WriteHeart

Comment:
My comment for this one is the same as for �Chris 8�. Try cropping this one closer on the right and take off about half of the space above Chris's head.

Message edited by author 2007-04-05 23:57:15.

sheep4_001.jpg
by WriteHeart

Comment:
I like this picture. It is technically spot-on and the low angle makes it unusual and really helps the composition.
I see from your profile that you want general comments on your technique. I�ll do my best to suggest what I can though I make no claims to being an expert :-)

It seems to me that you have the basics of the technicalities well sorted. Your pictures are well exposed and sharply focused. The weakness that strikes me most is your composition. Most of your pictures have the main subject dead centre. While there is nothing wrong with that in its self, it can make the picture a little predictable unless there is good reason for the subject to be dead centre. Try to find more unusual angles of view and think about the placement in the frame. I spend a lot of the time crouching down low or looking for things to stand on to try and find that unusual angle.

You need to watch your backgrounds more (see my comments on your other pictures). The background is as much a part of the picture as the main subject and the two must work together. It generally needs to either compliment or contrast the subject. This picture has a great background for the subject but most of your other pictures seem to have whatever happened to be there. Just moving your position slightly can have a huge affect on what the background will be. Also controlling the depth of field (DoF) can have a very significant effect on the background. To isolate a subject you want a shallow DoF, which will mean a large aperture. To make the subject part of the background and place it in context you want a bigger DoF, which means a smaller aperture.

I have left some more comments on your other pictures.

chris 8.jpg
by WriteHeart

Comment:
The lighting and technical side of this picture are great as usual, however once again it is the composition and background that let it down. A shallower depth of field would have blurred the rocks and bank behind. As an experiment, try cropping the left hand side of the picture so that the subject almost touches the left hand edge. Crop the top down to just above his head and see what you think.

yellow flower.jpg
by WriteHeart

Comment:
The focus and exposure is excellent! Unfortunately the composition lets it down. A shallower depth of field would have thrown the background further out of focus and made it less distracting. Also moving the camera angle slightly may have helped to get a few more leaves behind the flower-head and given a more pleasing result.

Total Lunar Eclipse 03 MARCH 2007
by Greetmir

Comment:
The best summary of this event I have seen so far. Well done!

Natural Framing
by Crafty

Comment:
This looks a touch over sharpened, the halos around the tower structure are somewhat distracting. I would try a smaller radius for the USM.

ups & downs
by Grandad

Comment:
A sharp and well exposed image with good colours. I find it a rather cluttered composition however. It doesn�t have any focal point and although the far side of the lock acts as a leading line it is somewhat lost in the clutter and doesn�t lead my eye to anything particularly interesting. The technical side is good you just need to work on the composition :-)

Peace Valley Park
by MRubillo

Comment:
A very bold and confident crop, I like the unusual and that is what you have gone for. Unfortunately I don�t think the foreground has enough interest to work with this move. I would try more of this extreme cropping, as it has potential, but I think you need to experiment with the foreground to make it work.

The long winding road to winter
by Timbro

Comment:
This seems to be an interesting picture, with leading lines and the complementary colour of the lines down the road. However the picture is just to small to be able to judge it properly :-(

Russian Countryside
by avermaa

Comment:
The reflections of the windows on the opposite side of the train (I�m assuming train) have spoilt this picture. You need to get the lens as close a possible to glass when photographing through it to avoid reflections like these. I find it best to place one hand on the glass and press the camera firmly against my fingers so as to avoid contacting the lens with the window, yet still getting it very close.
Other than the above, you did very well to get this image from a moving train. It is a nice composition and I would like to see what you could have achieved if you had be able to get out and take your time.