rebecca_davison1

There are quite a few things that could have been done in this photo to bring it to professional level. It is not there. The church is cut off and I cannot tell if its of the wedding couple or the photographer. I know you are trying to show the church, but you cannot do so and save this image. Crop the photographer out. Painful, I know, but leaving him there is unacceptable. This photo has no real focus. Also, the resolution is too low. Don't make your image files so small. Make sure the image looks good before you post your work anywhere. Only your best work goes public. I personally think the church is washed out and too over exposed. Try using fill flash on your couple to properly expose them, and use your shutter speed to expose properly for the sky and church. The good news? Your instinct on when to press the shutter is spot on. The bride makes this picture. I'm sorry to be so harsh. I hope the honesty helps you.

The only thing that strikes me as not quite right is the color. Personally, I really don't care for color isolation or whatever everyone is calling it. I would prefer this either all in color or in B&W. I suspect I would prefer B&W. And I would likely have dressed her in white, tighter clothing if given the choice. The overall effect is really lovely. I LOVE the background in contrast to her stillness!

Holy smokes! As an inexperienced 'critiquer', this discussion has a lot of educational content, which is wonderful for someone at my level. I am still responding to photos pretty much with my gut. My initial reaction was 'Wow'! Especially as I have never witnessed these birds in action. Immediately followed by the desire for more, which is not necessarily bad. I would love to see it wider and horizontal, with that uniform background all around them, their water trails and their reflections. Just my very, very humble opinion. Overall, I love this shot! Its amazing. And I like the color and focus. This would make a beautiful wall canvas.

I would like critiques on this image as it is being entered into a contest. All critiques welcome. Please specify type of contest you are critiquing for as I am trying to learn what to look for(if specific). This particular contest has no subject or crop specification. Judges will choose technically strong images and winners will be voted on by the public. It will be judged on a computer display, winners to be printed.

I went with this photo, as opposed to a newborn or wedding shot because I feel it has more emotional power than any posed shot I am taking, so far, or even candids at photo-heavy events. I am improving, but have room to go there. Please feel free to comment on that part of my choice.

Technically, it is not perfect on her eyes. Should I have stopped down more? I was at 3.3. Clearly it would have given me more room for error. I was at ISO 640. So, I had a bit more room with the ISO, but not shutter speed. These guys were nested in some thick bushes in my yard. It was fairly dark in there. I was at 1/60. I doubt I should have gone slower.

Please comment on my sharpening of the eyes. Good/overdone/underdone.

And I am curious about how to go with WB on a contest. This is a bit greenish. It was true to color as seen, as they are surrounded by green leaves. Or should I correct the cast?

ALL opinions welcome. I want that gut reaction, emotional impact before your technical brains start to critique too. 

Thanks in advance!! 

And yes, I caught her feeding one( gave her worms), but you miss her eyes and the intense color of baby's mouth. She also pecked my lens on multiple occasions! That was pretty funny. She liked the bribes I gave her, but never let me forget when I was getting to close:)

Nothing to critique there. That is a gorgeous shot. Took my breath away when I opened it!

John

Thanks for the comment. Inexperience is the reason. I am quite new. This was only about my 4th actual photo shoot. No formal education. I have been reading everything I can get my hands on for about 3 mos now. I had this camera, but I always let it do everything. Didn't even know what the aperture was or did. I am learning all of it, the theory, equipment, posing, post-processing.

 I use levels, but I think only at a moderate level, at best. And Curves are pretty much Greek to me. I see what adjusting them does. I just can't figure out what is the right thing to do with all of them. Quite frankly, I'm pretty darn thrilled that you commented on that! Its SO obviously wrong when placed next to a corrected image, but I didn't even see it by myself.

I realize the topic is too complex for a response to fix me, but any sources you think may get me there faster would be much appreciated. I read every night. I am embarrasssed to say that I still read on what my camera does, how to do it, and why I want to:) But hey, I am having a really great time!

All advice and help is much appreciated!

Rebecca

Rajesh,

These are really great shots. Amateur?? WHY?

Hmm. Its quite beautiful as is. How about getting on the ground and composing with the grass taking up just the botom of the frame? So close to the ground that a  fringe of blades would poke up to give perspective. I would have liked that. I love the look when I am flat on the ground looking up at the world. A right angle eye piece comes in handy for this:)

Lovely image. I will try a similar shot in an upcoming pregnancy shoot. 

Personally, I don't like the window frame and the texture of the fabric. I find it distracting. Assuming some will like and some will not, I would shoot this photo blurring the background also and offer it both ways to the client. The perfect profile of the nipple can go either way also. Include it and you have a beautiful shot, but one that most people will not feel comfortable placing in their living room. A slight turn of the subject or this shot smoothing the nipple out in post-processing in addition to this, again, offer the client both lovely options.