tomfawlsphotography

For the nice comments.

Luckily the launch was flawless. Unfortunately, it was a very hazy day, so the images weren't as clear as I'd have hoped.

I know the lenses NASA has are worlds above anything I will ever use...although if their budgets keep getting cut, I suppose they could fall into my price range soon.   :)

Space Shuttle Atlantis Leaving Earth for the last time. This was the

last launch of the last mission of US Space Shuttle Fleet. A historic,

but bittersweet event.

Image shot 8 July 2011 (Best viewed large).

Comments welcome.

Space Shuttle Atlantis Leaving Earth for the last time. This was the

last launch of the last mission of US Space Shuttle Fleet. A historic,

but bittersweet event.

Image shot 8 July 2011 (Best viewed large).

Comments welcome.

and you found a wonderful position from which to shoot. I'd have liked to have seen the camera position either raised just enough to get that first flag completely in the shot or lowered enough so flags went to the top of the entire frame.

I love the colors, though!

It's a great idea, but the model and the sari are so hard to see, I think you should edit the shot some. At the moment, both are lost in the image.

If you're using Photoshop, add some fill and bump up the colors.

This is two separate photos extracted, merged and framed. I'd

appreciate serious critiques or comments about the work.

Thanks.

and the silhouette effect, but have to agree the horizon should be straightened (or else the entire picture skewed!)

Kathric:

You did a good job recognizing a potentially interesting photographic opportunity here.  A load of ants working can be turned into some great shots. Unfortunately, I think this image has a few too many issues to be called a "great shot".

First,the image is out of focus, which really reduces its impact.

Second, the image really offers nothing of interest to catch and hold the eye. Being tiny creatures, ants are best shot in macro mode. Macro allows the individual ant(s) to fill the frame and makes the shot more interesting.  Wide shots like this need some sort of central focus...some reason to say "yup, we would have missed that in macro mode."

Finally, the image could use a bit more contrast. As it is, the image is rather dull and drab. 

I hope this was a help. Keep shooting...I look forward to seeing more work form you.

I think this is an excellent photo of that particular jellyfish. Great contrast and detail.

As for the color, it is what it is. apart from artificially coloring the image (or the jellyfish, I suppose - although I wouldn't want to be the one to try THAT! :-D  ), there's not much you can do with a relatively monochrome subject.

I think you've captured the creature very well.

I like the playful, colorful look of this image!

Nestor:

I think this was a great idea and a good first attempt. there are a few things I'd suggest of you have the option to revisit the site again.

1. Decide whether the portal or the person is the true subject of the image, then shoot accordingly. As it is, the person is way too small and hidden to immediately catch or to hold the viewer's attention and the portal is too out of focus to be the subject.

2. Watch your backgrounds. In this image, the green vegetation is rather boring, to be honest, but has just enough detail and color difference to also be distracting. I suspect that playing with camera angles (and I'm talking inches here, not necessarily miles) could have given the background a more consistent color and texture.  If there was another portal a few feet to the right of this one, you might try that one.

I hope this was constructive...you've got some great shots in your portfolio. I just think this one needs work.

...in the wings (and possibly even the body of the bird) is good, but the out of focus tree branch takes away the feel of flight, making one wonder how much is the bird's movement and how much is the camera's.

I think your shutter speed was just right, next time, use a tripod to eliminate the camera movement.

Having said that, I had the exact same problem (although much WORSE) in this image: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=2933542&size=lg

Keep on trying, though. You've almost got it!

...and a very nice shot.

But that's why all my bird pictures come out "mediocre" - I simply don't have the time or the patience to wait them out! 

:D

The lighting is great.

the lighting is wonderful and the textures make me want to pick it up and feel it!

Although the post-processing isn't my favorite style, you did it well - bringing out the textures and grain in what could have been a flat, boring image.

The only criticism I can offer is that the focus is slightly off - centered on the bowl of the spoon rather than the coffee grains.

Other than that, this image is an inspiration for me to get back to shooting everyday objects again.

Thank you for sharing!

Josemi:

You've got a great subject and I like the lighting on the face.

Having said that, there is an issue with the focus in this image. It is critical that the focus in a portrait be on they eyes, especially in a shot this close up.   

I have a lot of trouble with this myself (and have had more than a few images rejected because of!) and I've found that I can't rely on the autofocus feature to reliably catch the eyes every time. And in an image this close, even missing by a few milimeters is noticable...and reduces the impact of the image.

Anyway, Hope this helped.

It's always nice to receive a compliment!

I appreciate your taking the time to comment...and I think you're right.

I actually brought the levels up a bit on the dark end, but didn't even think to look at the bright end. 

Front entrance to a new Buddhist Temple in Orlando, Florida. Built in

2007, the building is a sharp contrast to the Western buildings in the

neighborhood.

I'd love to know what you think of this image - good and bad!

I'm blown away by this.  I really need to work on my Photoshop skills!

Wow!