Constructive criticism on my photos?

Question

OK, I'm jumping on this bandwagon and looking for some critique on my photos. I've told some of you want I think of yours, now let me know what you think of mine. :)

How do they make you feel? Do you like each of them? What do they lack? How could I have taken each of them better?

I want the TRUTH! And nothing more.

Thanks!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/koyaanisqatsi/1714856357/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/koyaanisqatsi/1593811641/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/koyaanisqatsi/1593865014/

This is great! Thank you all for your positive remarks

parcaso
Thank you, I'm stoked that you like them. I think your contrast concerns may be in your monitor ;-)

gradjasan
Yes, I thought East Cuesta Fog looked like a postcard too. I wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing
I may be able to add extra blackness to Lone Glow around the edges by way of a black matte or something. I like what you're saying about the feel. It's not quite lonely enough due to filling too much of the frame
A Spreading Darkness is one of those shots that requires the title to inspire, which is kinda hit and miss for me too, really. That was a strange shot because of being in the shadows and shooting into the light.

proshooter
Ack! You're right and now it's bugging me too. It's just a slight rotation, but enough to throw it all off.

Perki88
I like what you did with that, but it isn't what I was after. The extreme contrast of the sunny, yellow leaves and the dark, dead branches were my intention. I also try to avoid digital touch-ups and would rather re-shoot the scene with some changes to my technique. Thanks!

Mere_Mortal
What do you mean by "tedious"? You have me very curious what you were thinking.

It's interesting that some of you like the contrast in A Spreading Darkness and others think its an exposure problem. Please give me details on what you do or don't like about it.

Answer 1

I like the third one, but it does have kind of a postcard feel to it. But postcard photos are chosen precisely because of how good they are. But one must point out that emotion doesn't really come across in a postcard photo, either.

I get a similar feeling from the second one. It appears to be in a dark nighttime, which should convey a mysteriousness or romanticism that I didn't feel. I'm not entirely sure why I feel that way, but I suspect it has to do with how much of the picture the light takes up. I think if you pull the camera away from the light a little more (maybe take a step or two backwards), it will do much to make this one a great picture.

As far as the first one, I felt nothing at all. I think it is camera placement. Maybe if you move the camera closer to the ground but raise the angle up more toward the sky, while still keeping the tree roots in the picture, it would work better.

That, or raise it up to eye level and point at the ground. But I think the first suggestion I made would be better.



But I do like all three. I think you have talent for finding a good picture. I think mostly you just need to work on camera placement. But remember that I'm not a professional and others may like it better they way you have it now.

My favorite is probably the third one.

Answer 2

They all have good points or else I would not bother to reply, so I hope this is the type of constructive crticism you asked for.

One . The back light through the leaves is a bit bright for me.

Two . Just a little bit too much pure black around the edges, but very interesting.

Three. I like the forground vegetation as it anchors the scene . Biggest problem is that the shot is not level. Check the towers, unless it is Pisa, most towers go straight up.

I do this all the time when shooting sports and it is easily corrected while editing, although you do lose a bit as you have to crop after rotation.

Answer 3

how about getting lower when you are taking photos of wildlife, take the duck photo as a bad example or maybe lower the f number (if you know how to) as this will blur the background and looks better and for composition try using lead in lines, for example in your photo "boston harbour" (non panorama) the posts are leading in a line out of the photo and could be improved by framing so that the pole lead into the photo. also try the "rule of thirds" or sometimes called the "golden rule". ie when composing your photo imagine a 3x3 grid running through your image, line points of interest up with where the lines meet in a cross i hope these points help!

Answer 4

I like them. Looks like san francisco a little bit with the third one's fog. I'd up the contrast on the first one though, boost the color as well. Same goes for the second to- if a picture has 'balck' in it, make it BLACK!
Good photos though! Keep shooting!

Answer 5

Nice shots! I also really liked the one titled "Barb and Guy." (Nice pun by the way.)http://www.flickr.com/photos/koyaanisqatsi/1592976979/in/photostream/
To me that photo speaks of freedom/enlightenment vs. suppression.

Answer 6

The title of the first, Spreading darkness captures the photo very nicely...i see it in my mind. Good job.

Answer 7

Each of them lack proper exposure and main point of interest. A little instruction in composition and Photoshop will easily cure most of that.Since you seem interested in nature, why not check out the website of a friend of mine. TIBORVARI.COM


Edited to add..this works better for me
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2244/2120158883_9979272485_o.jpg

Answer 8

Number two and three are very tedious.

Number one is excellent. Great composition. That would have made a great 8x10 negative and platinum print. Excellent.

Answer 9

the last one i like alot, usually i like forground perpective but this one i think is stronger with the foreground cropped out

2nd image is pleasing, 1st one suffers from exposure issues,

3rd image very very pleasing well done.

thanks for the share

a

Answer 10

I like all of them, They have good balance. good subject matter. And each inspires a different feeling. Well done Grasshopper.