Jump to content

Critique, anyone?


amandadeanne

Recommended Posts

I took this picture early this morning. It was dark, I was looking up at the tree branches, and there were a couple of streetlights near me. My first attempts to edit were too dark and too washed out--this was the best I could do at a somewhat happy medium, but it's still a fiddly picture for me. What can I do to improve this one?

 

1840516008_BranchingBack(2).thumb.jpg.e71350de45c8b57c7acdd4c64abb8848.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It depends a bit on how you edit and what you want to achieve. .

In Photoshop (desktop) some exposure correction and tweaking the 'gamma settings' could help. In principle, it's possible to select the lighter branches but - you say - the picture is 'fiddly' to work on.

 

One other thing you might want to consider is turning the photo into an ''abstract'. Personally, I like it better in BW with some contrast. You could even apply a 'duotone' (colored shadows/highlights) finish.

 

I would also reflect on how you could improve your exposure for these kinds of photos. Did the flash fire? Was the exposure automatic or manual? etc.

 

Mike

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like the textures of this shot but ultimately, to my eye, the subject matter feels too vague.

 

BUT on a more positive note, your eye is picking up patterns and shapes- I feel like, from my own experience, this is the beginning of developing your “eye” for a photo or for imagery. In my opinion this is an important first step towards turning that which you see (or imagine) into a photograph that actually works.

 

If I recall from your first post of the hibiscus flower, you said you’re shooting with your phone? Also in my experience, a phone is a wonderful tool for helping to realize your visions. You can see instantly whether what you’re visualizing works as a photo. So you have the beginnings of an eye for imagery and a tool at your disposal with which you can test you eye. With a phone, too, you can easily edit and crop a shot on the fly with minimal effort. So great for a “field study” on every image you shoot with it!

 

Way to go! Keep shooting and if you want to get more serious about photography, you might consider reading a bit about composition. Not that it’s mandatory to always follow “the rules” but it’s helpful to have an understanding of traditional rules of composition just so you can work around them as you see fit, and as you further develop your eye.

 

Do keep shooting and thanks for submitting your shot for critique!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Amanda, I have taken hundreds of photos of trees at night. There is something very poetic and basic about them. I often think of Japanese art when I look up into the highlghted branches. Sometimes I try to capture an ethereal feel... sometimes I reach for the mystery it implies or just whatever it might suggest. I do find that this subject is a good example of letting the tree have it's way. That may require time and experience for you to let go of expectations. Which may translate to maybe next time. There will be countless opportunities.

But for this one maybe taking time to verbalize internally what is it that reeled you in... with that you could focus your pp to try and get there. If you can... let me know what it was.

Edited by inoneeye
  • Like 1

n e y e

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, I probably should slow down a bit and take time to process things a bit because most of the time I'm just going on a flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants mode. As for this picture, what really got me was the shape of the branches and the way the streetlight played on them. The combination of light and shadow was really cool.

 

Here's a black and white version of "Branching Back" I just did.

 

1460859394_BranchingBack(bw)(1).thumb.jpg.bdb5caeb025f7221322e85acad034a88.jpg

Edited by amandadeanne
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

looks pretty good. Are you pleased? Did you try to bring the shapes of the branches out ... you could make them stand out more.

 

I'm still fiddling with the contrast and highlights on it, but I feel it's a decent start. The one thing that annoys me is that really, really bright branch up at the top. I'm wondering if I should crop it or just figure out how to darken that little detail a bit more.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK, trust me to be picky ! I do like what you have done with it in B/W, but I'm afraid the thing that grates with me (and this is only my opinion) is that none of the branches have ends - they are all truncated (pun not intended) by the framing of the image. Maybe re-visit it (if you can get up early twice within one week - I never can !), stand further back (if safe to do so - not in the middle of the road, for instance !) and look at the framing before taking the shot, or else take several at different angles. You could even tilt it somewhat so the main branch is more vertical. Just suggestions and ideas.
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK, trust me to be picky ! I do like what you have done with it in B/W, but I'm afraid the thing that grates with me (and this is only my opinion) is that none of the branches have ends - they are all truncated (pun not intended) by the framing of the image. Maybe re-visit it (if you can get up early twice within one week - I never can !), stand further back (if safe to do so - not in the middle of the road, for instance !) and look at the framing before taking the shot, or else take several at different angles. You could even tilt it somewhat so the main branch is more vertical. Just suggestions and ideas.

 

The only problem is, this was taken at a friend's house in Louisiana, and I have no idea when I'll be back to visit them again. :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The only problem is, this was taken at a friend's house in Louisiana, and I have no idea when I'll be back to visit them again. :(

 

Well, it does give you a reason to arrange a return visit (apart from seeing your friends, that is !). You mention moving - good luck with that. Is your new home closer to these friends, to make the visit easier ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, it does give you a reason to arrange a return visit (apart from seeing your friends, that is !). You mention moving - good luck with that. Is your new home closer to these friends, to make the visit easier ?

 

No, we're moving to Mississippi, and they'll still be in Louisiana.

You're right, though. It's an excuse to visit. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...