Which picture do you like better?

Question

What picture do you think would do better in a Fine Arts Festival?

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u77/Aelyenya/Pathway.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u77/Aelyenya/100_0300.jpg

Answer 1

Is that the best you have? Really? Try to focus on something a little more interesting and straighten your horizons. I say neither.

Answer 2

Okay, the focus, and more specifically the depth of field, is all wrong for landscapes in both shots. On the first one, the angle isn't wide enough, and there is no perspective. On the second one I can't tell exactly what the subject is, the eye does not know what to focus on, and the sky is washed out horribly.

I'm not a professional, well yet anyway, but I think I can give you a couple of pointers. First, and most important, is your depth of field for landscape shots. Your foreground is in focus leaving everything else out of focus. The easiest fix for this is to decrease the size of the aperture, the f/number, your camera is using. The larger the f/number, the smaller the aperture. Doing this differs depending on what kind of camera you use. If you are using a everyday point and shoot style camera, the best thing for you to do is use your automatic mode setting for landscapes. This is usually represented by a pictogram of a set of mountains with clouds above them. Your camera will automatically set the correct aperture and ISO for the lighting conditions. The same is true if you are using a digital or film SLR type camera. Using the automatic modes is best for a novice photographer, which is what I'm gathering you are. If you use a point and shoot, that's it.

If you want to know what an optimal manual setting for what you are attempting to shot, and you have a SLR, I'll give you some pointers. Shoot in the early morning or late evening (just before dusk) if at all possible to take advantage of good lighting. If you shoot during the day with the sun out, which is best for the type shots you are sharing, you want to shot with your aperture setting at f/16 using an ISO of 200, or in aperture priority mode. That mode will automatically set your shutter speed and ISO for the lighting conditions. Also use a good UV haze filter. Take advantage of your autofocus. That should pretty much take care of the depth of field problems.

For composition, on the first shot of the road, try shooting at a wider angle, or perhaps vertically and from a very low perspective, near the ground. If you have a lens that will do it, anything at or below 34mm should do great. I noticed a transistion from light to dark pavement, cut that out of your shot, it is very distracting. Next just correct your horizon line, aim for it, and shoot many different shots if you're not using a tripod so you can pick a good one out of the bunch. On the second shot, again, fix your horizon and shoot on a day with nice blue sky and use a circular polarizer, in combination with the landscape camera settings, f/16 in aperture priority it'll look much better. And try to incorporate that awesome truck in a more artistic manner. Take the shot as it was taken before, but take more of the truck. Look for slick angles and make use of good morning lighting. That truck is a goldmine in terms of capturing an awesome picture.

Remember, study your subjects, and shoot in landscape mode. And don't think to negatively of the criticism you've recieved, as a photographer feedback is your best friend, and get used to it because you're going to get a lot of it. But it's good, it'll be the only way you learn.

Answer 3

I will be blunt:
Both are about as inspiring as two day old toast.
The second one is not in focus. You missed the opportunity there for the red truck. The first one is not sharp, either, and suffers from poor composition. If I were you, I would try again. Look for interesting angles and much better lighting. All that grey, washed out sky does nothing for the latter image.
Good luck!

Answer 4

The second could have been much better if the truck were the focus. I also agree that you need to straighten your horizons and wait for better lighting.

Answer 5

the first one,

Answer 6

i'm gonna go with the first one of the road, it shows a bit more depth.