would like some critique

Myoptimism · 12-22-2008, 12:54 AM

Testing a new lens, and would like critique of my shot. Thanks.

Attached Images

Damn Brit · 12-22-2008, 03:14 AM

Can you give us some more info about the shot, lens, camera, settings, what PP?
There seems to be a bit of a color caste to the shot. It seems to be quite well composed, nice lines.

ftpaddict · 12-22-2008, 06:21 AM

Gary makes a good point. Technical details would help a lot. I like the composition, but I hate the JPEG compression artifacts.

Myoptimism · 12-23-2008, 07:28 PM

Hi,
Thank you to both for taking the time to look at this shot. It was shot late in the day, just before sunset. I used the Takumar-f 70-210mm lens at f10, 210mm, 1/25 second. Although shake reduction helped a lot, I did have to sharpen it a bit, maybe I oversharpened it, would that explain the jpeg artifacts? Also, the far background was in shade, while the foreground was not. As far as the color cast (a little cool?), I left that intentionally, hoping to convey that it was COLD. Maybe I should fix that.
Also, as far as PP, this was cropped slightly, and downsized quite a bi†*for the internet, and some cars and signs were cloned out, and the shot was sharpened as previously mentioned.

Myoptimism · 12-23-2008, 07:40 PM

exif data screen grab

Damn Brit · 12-23-2008, 07:51 PM

You should have used higher ISO and a faster shutter speed, that would help considerably. What mode were you using?

FHPhotographer · 12-23-2008, 08:03 PM

Originally posted by Myoptimism

Testing a new lens, and would like critique of my shot. Thanks.

I don't know about "compression artifacts" and such, but I have some issues with the composition: I see too much stuff on the left but too little on the right ; the diagonal takes the eye across the image from left to right but there's nothing there when I follow it and there's nothing to bring me back into the image; the equipment is either too small, or too large, vis a vis the image, plus it's the same size and vertical as the tree, so I don't know which I'm intended to focus on; and there are too many "lines" going at odd angles.

If these points are valid, what to do? I'd like to see another lower/tighter POV that crops right below the far trees and close to the left of the equipment, then have the fence line bring me forward. Not better, just different,
Brian

Myoptimism · 12-23-2008, 08:24 PM

Hi Gary,
I was using aperture priority. I chose f10 on a whim basically, I was just testing different aperture settings as it was a new lens, and I wasn't really planning any shots, but I kind of liked this one.

Myoptimism · 12-23-2008, 08:29 PM

Hi Brian,
I DO see your point about the tree right above the equipment. That is somewhat awkward. That is strange I didn't notice that when I shot it or after. I guess that is why I am asking here though, and I very much appreciate all the feedback.

Damn Brit · 12-24-2008, 10:55 PM

Originally posted by Myoptimism

Hi Gary,
I was using aperture priority. I chose f10 on a whim basically, I was just testing different aperture settings as it was a new lens, and I wasn't really planning any shots, but I kind of liked this one.

Try using Tav mode, you choose all the settings except for ISO, I find that it allows me to experiment because I find that ISO is the hardest to judge.

12-22-2008, 12:54 AM	#1
Myoptimism Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Utah Photos: Gallery Posts: 94	would like some critique Testing a new lens, and would like critique of my shot. Thanks. Attached Images

12-23-2008, 07:28 PM	#4
Myoptimism Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Utah Photos: Gallery Posts: 94 Original Poster	Here is the exif info Hi, Thank you to both for taking the time to look at this shot. It was shot late in the day, just before sunset. I used the Takumar-f 70-210mm lens at f10, 210mm, 1/25 second. Although shake reduction helped a lot, I did have to sharpen it a bit, maybe I oversharpened it, would that explain the jpeg artifacts? Also, the far background was in shade, while the foreground was not. As far as the color cast (a little cool?), I left that intentionally, hoping to convey that it was COLD. Maybe I should fix that. Also, as far as PP, this was cropped slightly, and downsized quite a bi†*for the internet, and some cars and signs were cloned out, and the shot was sharpened as previously mentioned.

12-23-2008, 07:40 PM	#5
Myoptimism Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Utah Photos: Gallery Posts: 94 Original Poster	exif exif data screen grab Attached Images

12-23-2008, 08:03 PM	#7
FHPhotographer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Fountain Hills, AZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,297	composition issues... Originally posted by Myoptimism Testing a new lens, and would like critique of my shot. Thanks. I don't know about "compression artifacts" and such, but I have some issues with the composition: I see too much stuff on the left but too little on the right ; the diagonal takes the eye across the image from left to right but there's nothing there when I follow it and there's nothing to bring me back into the image; the equipment is either too small, or too large, vis a vis the image, plus it's the same size and vertical as the tree, so I don't know which I'm intended to focus on; and there are too many "lines" going at odd angles. If these points are valid, what to do? I'd like to see another lower/tighter POV that crops right below the far trees and close to the left of the equipment, then have the fence line bring me forward. Not better, just different, Brian

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Another critique please	sealonsf	Photo Critique	7	05-28-2009 11:31 AM
Critique please	Bactman	Photo Critique	2	05-26-2009 10:59 AM
critique please	jgredline	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	27	02-05-2009 06:42 PM
Would appreciate any critique	claskowski	Photo Critique	6	12-10-2008 06:02 PM
Please help/critique	slowpez	Post Your Photos!	5	02-24-2008 11:49 AM

12-22-2008, 03:14 AM	#2
Damn Brit Guest	Can you give us some more info about the shot, lens, camera, settings, what PP? There seems to be a bit of a color caste to the shot. It seems to be quite well composed, nice lines.

12-22-2008, 06:21 AM	#3
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	Gary makes a good point. Technical details would help a lot. I like the composition, but I hate the JPEG compression artifacts.

12-23-2008, 07:51 PM	#6
Damn Brit Guest	You should have used higher ISO and a faster shutter speed, that would help considerably. What mode were you using?

12-23-2008, 08:24 PM	#8
Myoptimism Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Utah Photos: Gallery Posts: 94 Original Poster	Hi Gary, I was using aperture priority. I chose f10 on a whim basically, I was just testing different aperture settings as it was a new lens, and I wasn't really planning any shots, but I kind of liked this one.

12-23-2008, 08:29 PM	#9
Myoptimism Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Utah Photos: Gallery Posts: 94 Original Poster	Hi Brian, I DO see your point about the tree right above the equipment. That is somewhat awkward. That is strange I didn't notice that when I shot it or after. I guess that is why I am asking here though, and I very much appreciate all the feedback.

12-24-2008, 10:55 PM	#10
Damn Brit Guest	Originally posted by Myoptimism Hi Gary, I was using aperture priority. I chose f10 on a whim basically, I was just testing different aperture settings as it was a new lens, and I wasn't really planning any shots, but I kind of liked this one. Try using Tav mode, you choose all the settings except for ISO, I find that it allows me to experiment because I find that ISO is the hardest to judge.