A few garden shots....

The_Scroop · 15th April 2006, 10:36 PM

Hello

A mate of mine gave me some pics of his. I know for a fact that they all could do with some improving. What is wrong with them and what can be done to make them better?

1.

2.

3.

4.

thanks
T.S.

Sturmy · 16th April 2006, 12:43 AM

With pics of flowers or art or sunsets, unless you as a photographer at actually adding something to them something that will substatially improve or change perspective on the shot they will always be just pictures of flowers or statues.

r00b0y · 16th April 2006, 9:45 AM

General comments:

The subject is dead centre of the frame in every shot. Try using the rule of thrids, or simply point camera off-centre, it'll be more interesting instantly.

Lighting is very flat, I suspect an overcast day, perhaps it's just white balance is a bit off. Try shooting at a different time of day (early morning, late afternoon) when the light is warmer, or pehaps a little fill flash might help.

With shots like these, the background is as important as the subject. Tell 'your friend' to think about what is in front of and behind the subject while shooting it.

Specific comments:
#1 - Distracting yellow background, makes the flower blend in to the background. Also the perspective, it might have looked better if we were looking down into the petals instead of side on where we can't see much. That would also have fixed the BG problem. DOF is also quite small, but works ok in this shot.

#2 - Again, think about the background. 2 very obvious distracting elements - the streak at top left, pole at bottom right. Right hand side isn't great. Very sharp shot though, nice colours in the flower, with a better background could look great.

#3 - Don't like the OOF plant on LHS, more importantly, the perspective on the statue doesn't work for me. Why are we looking at it from behind? What are you trying to say with the shot? Consider getting closer, also stand tall or crouch low to get a more interesting perspective on the subject.

#4 - Similar to the first shot. I'd crop out the flowers on the right. Fill flash might have made the subject stand out a little.

I hope I don't come across as being harsh, I'm not trying to be nasty, just give some (hopefully) helpful advice

The_Scroop · 16th April 2006, 1:42 PM

OK thanks for the comments. Your not comming across harsh, as I will be the one actually telling him these pointers.

15th April 2006, 10:36 PM	#1
The_Scroop Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Melbourne Posts: 666	A few garden shots.... Hello A mate of mine gave me some pics of his. I know for a fact that they all could do with some improving. What is wrong with them and what can be done to make them better? 1. 2. 3. 4. thanks T.S. __________________ August 2006 OCAU Iron Photographer OCAU Camera Club Member #238 My Workout Log and Journal!

16th April 2006, 12:43 AM	#2
Sturmy Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: toowoomba Posts: 272	With pics of flowers or art or sunsets, unless you as a photographer at actually adding something to them something that will substatially improve or change perspective on the shot they will always be just pictures of flowers or statues.

16th April 2006, 9:45 AM	#3
r00b0y Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,406	General comments: The subject is dead centre of the frame in every shot. Try using the rule of thrids, or simply point camera off-centre, it'll be more interesting instantly. Lighting is very flat, I suspect an overcast day, perhaps it's just white balance is a bit off. Try shooting at a different time of day (early morning, late afternoon) when the light is warmer, or pehaps a little fill flash might help. With shots like these, the background is as important as the subject. Tell 'your friend' to think about what is in front of and behind the subject while shooting it. Specific comments: #1 - Distracting yellow background, makes the flower blend in to the background. Also the perspective, it might have looked better if we were looking down into the petals instead of side on where we can't see much. That would also have fixed the BG problem. DOF is also quite small, but works ok in this shot. #2 - Again, think about the background. 2 very obvious distracting elements - the streak at top left, pole at bottom right. Right hand side isn't great. Very sharp shot though, nice colours in the flower, with a better background could look great. #3 - Don't like the OOF plant on LHS, more importantly, the perspective on the statue doesn't work for me. Why are we looking at it from behind? What are you trying to say with the shot? Consider getting closer, also stand tall or crouch low to get a more interesting perspective on the subject. #4 - Similar to the first shot. I'd crop out the flowers on the right. Fill flash might have made the subject stand out a little. I hope I don't come across as being harsh, I'm not trying to be nasty, just give some (hopefully) helpful advice

16th April 2006, 1:42 PM	#4
The_Scroop Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Melbourne Posts: 666	OK thanks for the comments. Your not comming across harsh, as I will be the one actually telling him these pointers. __________________ August 2006 OCAU Iron Photographer OCAU Camera Club Member #238 My Workout Log and Journal!