Photo-a-day

[Elmo]

Bob, i want to steal your daugter*! she's absolutely adorable!





*i don't really! I'm not a stalker kidnapper person!

[Funkstar]

to achieve what? come on Bob, you're teasing, are they any good?

Standing, with the camera up to your eye isn't usually the best place to take a photo from.

Try crouching down, or getting as close to the ground as possible. Not always possible or easy, and it can make you look like a complete weirdo but you can get some intersting shots that way.

It's like.... have you seen people on TV and in films taking portrate shots? they tend to have the camera a waist height (and they are often using medium format cameras with a top viewer as opposed to rear). Just something to experiment with.

[IBM]

to achieve what? come on Bob, you're teasing, are they any good? Anyway, here's my cat.

If you want my opinion (which you probably don't ) they're not good photos. They're pictures of a train station, wide angle. It's just a train station, and with the light and the rain you've got there, they're very dull and uninspiring train stations. I've been to several like them and I can't say I would ever really want to take time out of my day to view a few more in photographic form.

It's the same with the picture of the cat. It's just a picture of a cat. There's no personality, no interesting angle, no engagement. If you're taking pictures that you're going to show to someone, they have to be pictures that are going to interest someone. These don't really have a lot going for them in that regard.

Train stations are cool for taking pics, they've got incredible textures, nice long curving lines, open spaces, great layers, lots of people, and colourful streamlined trains zipping through them. A veritable smorgesboard to subject matter. Wide angle 'eye' shots are a fine art, and take a lot of practise to get right, especially in urban enviroments.

Here's a few train/station shots I've got if you're interested.

[IBM]

And although I probably just exceeded my photo a day limit, since Elmo and Bobster are on a daughter trip, here's mine...

[Bobster]

Bob, i want to steal your daugter*! she's absolutely adorable!

she has her moments

And although I probably just exceeded my photo a day limit, since Elmo and Bobster are on a daughter trip, here's mine...

aaw, she looks beautiful, good job she took after her mum

[Ruggerbugger]

If you want my opinion (which you probably don't ) they're not good photos. They're pictures of a train station, wide angle. It's just a train station, and with the light and the rain you've got there, they're very dull and uninspiring train stations. I've been to several like them and I can't say I would ever really want to take time out of my day to view a few more in photographic form.

It's the same with the picture of the cat. It's just a picture of a cat. There's no personality, no interesting angle, no engagement. If you're taking pictures that you're going to show to someone, they have to be pictures that are going to interest someone. These don't really have a lot going for them in that regard.

Train stations are cool for taking pics, they've got incredible textures, nice long curving lines, open spaces, great layers, lots of people, and colourful streamlined trains zipping through them. A veritable smorgesboard to subject matter. Wide angle 'eye' shots are a fine art, and take a lot of practise to get right, especially in urban enviroments.

Now you misjudge

I always appreciate criticism, how else will I learn to vary my shots and improve? Personally, I thought I'd got something with the curve of the track and the platform, but maybe not. I thought I had something with my cat, I can see the personality there, maybe it's not obvious. I have to say I'm not keen on your station shots, a bit at the extreme of colour for me. Having said that, that's what we're all here for right?

Personally, I can't say I want to go to a lot of stations either, but I posted the pics to get real, specific, advice on the content, composition etc. How to generate interest, how to engage, that's why I'm posting here. Like I said, i do think I've learned a lot from posting here, and from other people.

[merdat]

Well Ruggerbugger, I for one like your photos . Personally I enjoy taking and posting any type of pictures - they don't have to be extreme also I enjoy seeing all the pictures in this section and i'm sure that there are a lot of other 'hexites' that feel the same way. Your picture of the 'cat' is lovely and your train station pics are ok , there just simple pics and nothing wrong with that. Keep it up and don't be deterred from taking and posting any of these pics as plenty of people will enjoy them . We are lucky to have 'bobster' in here as everyone will learn a great deal and he is to be 'thanked' for that. P.S. ' must dig some pics out of the camera and see if there is anything worth sticking in ' .

[craigtrap]

Bobster - I went to see Plain White T's last night in manchester, i didnt have a camera with me but there were so many amazing shots that could have been taken!! I think you would have been good there lol

[IBM]

aaw, she looks beautiful, good job she took after her mum

You have noooooo idea

Now you misjudge

I always appreciate criticism, how else will I learn to vary my shots and improve? Personally, I thought I'd got something with the curve of the track and the platform, but maybe not. I thought I had something with my cat, I can see the personality there, maybe it's not obvious. I have to say I'm not keen on your station shots, a bit at the extreme of colour for me. Having said that, that's what we're all here for right?

Personally, I can't say I want to go to a lot of stations either, but I posted the pics to get real, specific, advice on the content, composition etc. How to generate interest, how to engage, that's why I'm posting here. Like I said, i do think I've learned a lot from posting here, and from other people.

Not everyone likes my pics....I'm a sucker for high contrast over saturated shots, especially when the light isn't good enough to bring out all the details I want. However, I picked those shots purely to show the different angles and perspectives one can think about when in different situations. I tend to opt for close up subjects with fairly tight depth of field. DOF is a great place to start when looking for a more professional feel to your pics, as DOF is as far away from your average happy snapper's polaroid shot.

As has been pointed out before, try to change your perspective to catch an ordinary scene from a less than ordinary angle. When I'm shooting my kids I'll often be found lying on the ground to get a different shot (plus I love sky in shots, so it works out well).

Has this been mentioned? If you're going to use motion blur, as you've done with the picture with the train, you need to ensure there is sufficient blur to let the viewer know it's intentional, rather than shaky hands or misjudged exposure.

Hope this helps.

[IBM]

Well Ruggerbugger, I for one like your photos . Personally I enjoy taking and posting any type of pictures - they don't have to be extreme also I enjoy seeing all the pictures in this section and i'm sure that there are a lot of other 'hexites' that feel the same way. Your picture of the 'cat' is lovely and your train station pics are ok , there just simple pics and nothing wrong with that. Keep it up and don't be deterred from taking and posting any of these pics as plenty of people will enjoy them . We are lucky to have 'bobster' in here as everyone will learn a great deal and he is to be 'thanked' for that. P.S. ' must dig some pics out of the camera and see if there is anything worth sticking in ' .

Suckup

Yes, let's all 'thank' Bobster

[Ruggerbugger]

Thanks ibm, the train just came in as I was waiting, so I wasn't really prepared for it. I'm sure to be down there again soon, so we'll give it another go.

[StevenF]

[Syd]

Just recently bought a tamron 28-75 and my ever 'willing' subjects were posing



This image is my very first bounce flash attempt:

[Ruggerbugger]

beautiful shots both

[IBM]

Steven ... That's a good train yard shot, but the sky is a bit blown out. Does HDR work in black and white? Great composition and lines. Is the scene a little wonky, left higher than right, or is that just how the land lay?

Syd ... The first cat shot is great. It's too yellow, but that almost compliments the picture rather than detracting from it. Great corridor for the photograph and DOF. Second one is okay, but could have been a bit brighter imo, and perhaps would have been slightly better with the subject off center.

Rugger ... Nice crop vertically (just enough of the JD label), but that's an awkward overall size. A little bit wider would have suited it more IMO. Light is alright, although the flash is a little too obvious, but the DOF is perfect.

[Syd]

beautiful shots both

Thanks Rugger.

Syd ... The first cat shot is great. It's too yellow, but that almost compliments the picture rather than detracting from it. Great corridor for the photograph and DOF. Second one is okay, but could have been a bit brighter imo, and perhaps would have been slightly better with the subject off center.

Thanks for the feedback IBM, I was really pleased with the first shot - and I guess I could tweak the levels in elements (im an elements n00b) but like you said I did like the yellow/noisy feel.
As for the 2nd image it was an experiment with a also newly aquired flashgun - my first bounce and I was really pleased with what you can do with it