Judge me! :)

[neil_ross]

Hi All,

ive been floating around for a while now and im starting spend a bit more time on here, ive got a couple of images im my gallery now with lots more to come but was wondering if people could advise me of what needs work and what i could do to make things better etc.


Im in the very early stages of learning and would appreciate all the help you guys n girls can give.

ANYTHING constructive is more than welcome!

[BeckH]

Hi Neil, Now to get comments it would help if you gave us a link to your images.

'Twill make judgements easier to comme to.

Will check your thread out again later.

[neil_ross]

that's fair enough, here is a link to my gallery:

http://www.photoradar.com/photos/59271/neil-ross

[BeckH]

so, had a good look, made some comments. Hope you find them helpful. Basically very nice work.

[chris-p]

Neil

Generally speaking people are more likely to respond to specific images posted in the forums (people often don't like to C&C the in galleries), so I would suggest posting a couple of shots and specifically asking for C&C.

Also, why not join in the weekend competition. It's pretty simple and it gets you to think about what you take and makes you push your boundaries...

[neil_ross]

Originally Posted by BeckH

so, had a good look, made some comments. Hope you find them helpful. Basically very nice work.

Thankyou for all your comments! you are extremely kind, im gonna have a bash at the elephants eye in a mo!

Originally Posted by chris-p

Neil

Generally speaking people are more likely to respond to specific images posted in the forums (people often don't like to C&C the in galleries), so I would suggest posting a couple of shots and specifically asking for C&C.

Also, why not join in the weekend competition. It's pretty simple and it gets you to think about what you take and makes you push your boundaries...

Thats a fair point chris! i will get some ready in the next few days.

Ive put a reminder on my iphone to take part in the competitions from now on, to be honest i was going to do the one this weekend but just drew a blank!!

thanks again to you both!

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by neil_ross

Ive put a reminder on my iphone to take part in the competitions from now on, to be honest i was going to do the one this weekend but just drew a blank!!

I didn't get an entry in this weekend either. The great thing with the comp is that it really forces you into trying new things. If you get stuck for ideas try searching through the PR galleries, Flickr & SmugMug (and other photosharing sites) to get some ideas...

[chris-p]

I've had a quick butchers through your gallery as well (finally got round to it) and left some comments.

Generally your technique is pretty good. The thing that I noticed (and I saw comments to the same effect) was backgrounds and composition. Like lots of us, you have a tendency to forget the background to a shot or to crop out something at the edge of the frame.

For example...


Mark (Cutter) has already commented about the people in the background. It's really difficult sometimes because you tend to concentrate only on the main subject of the shot, especially when it's wlidlife as they move quickly and it's about grabbing the shot. With this sort of shot, I would try desaturating the background a but and perhaps adding a vingette. That should help keep the focus on the bird.



Ignoring the background (which is difficult as it's busy), I posted this one as an example of cropping. The elephants foot is chopped off on the right side of the frame. The ideal placement would be right in the corner (but not cropped out) so it was as if he was climbing right towards you.

[neil_ross]

Cheers Chris! Yea I was kicking myself about the elephants foot being out, I'm getting better at checking around the edge of the frame but still hot a long way to go. The wife is on a hen do this weekend so should get a chance to practice. I might even pop down the local airport.

I wear glasses and I must admit I'm finding the viewfinder on the 7d much easier for composition than the 20d.

Thanks again to all of you for your comments!

[chris-p]

Best bit of advice I was ever given was "look through the viewfinder". I thought it was just a stupid comment at the time but actually it's amazing how much you miss. Practice makes perfect - or at least better!

I don't wear glasses so I can't really help with that. But I do know that some people can adjust the dioptre on the viewfinder enough so that they don't have to use their glasses when they look through the camera.