Comments welcome

[JimHejl]

I'm a software engineer (for EA). Photography is a new hobby for me (loving it)

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[JimHejl]

Sorry for the double-post. I just realized that you can embed images in the thread. This image is one of my favorites right now -- not so much on technical merit, but the story it tells. I've given it the title "The Girl Who Stepped Out of the Window"

It's a candid photo, shot full-open at iso 1600 (it was dusk).

--jim

[joruiz]

Ok, I think you got it backwards... you are a Photographer who found a new hobby in software engineering, right?

Your pictures are fantastic!

Joel

[gkuenning]

Um, let me get this straight. You expect me to tell you how to improve your pictures?

Post some of your code, and I'll happily critique it to death. For photos, I'll spend the rest of my life sitting at your feet.

(Not to give you too big a head: I'm fairly sure that you can improve further, and some of the better shooters on this forum will no doubt have advice (Craig? Bob?). But I'm going to have to struggle for years to get to the level you've already surpassed.

[JimHejl]

Thanks for the kind words -- but it's no joke. After making a serious investment in engineering (8 years), I have realized that I just want to shoot photos all day.

Again, thanks.

[D. Craig Flory]

I like the image, as presented. I would have loved the image IF she had been gazing into the window ... dreaming about having the clothes on display. That would have told a visual story. As done, there is barely a correlation between the window and the girl.

[JimHejl]

I like the image, as presented. I would have loved the image IF she had been gazing into the window ... dreaming about having the clothes on display. That would have told a visual story. As done, there is barely a correlation between the window and the girl.

Thanks for the comment. I thought about it. I think I disagree. The correlation is between her stockings and the cats in the window -- and the missing white coat. It's subtle. I think what you describe is too literal (?)

I don't know. Maybe you're right. I just don't like being too heavy handed.

[JimHejl]

Ok, I think you got it backwards... you are a Photographer who found a new hobby in software engineering, right?

Your pictures are fantastic!

Joel

Joel: I just looked through your gallery. Great stuff! Picture 4 is breathtaking. I also really like picture 10. Anyway --- nice to meet you.

[JimHejl]

Ok, next picture. (I've realized that the idea with "critique" is to ask for suggestions, not post something that you are proud of. Sorry, I'm slow)

So, this is the first time I've ever shot food. They are crab cakes. The shallow DOF is intentional. Everything is in-camera - no post (other than WB correction). What can I do better?

[D. Craig Flory]

Thanks for the comment. I thought about it. I think I disagree. The correlation is between her stockings and the cats in the window -- and the missing white coat. It's subtle. I think what you describe is too literal (?)

I don't know. Maybe you're right. I just don't like being too heavy handed.

If I gave you an idea you might use another time, then I'm happy. I was thinking like a pro portrait photographer. But your mind's eye showed you another approach which I can appreciate.

[D. Craig Flory]

When you use a shallow depth of focus, you have one object, or area, sharp as a tack. What was supposed to be your main focal point ?

[JimHejl]

...I was thinking like a pro portrait photographer...

Ah, that makes complete sense. The difference in composing a scene, and capturing a completely random event. In the case above, I just saw the girl from across the street (her mom is just out of view to the left) and caught her infront of the empty window.

So far, that's my favorite way to shoot: take a plane to another country - and start shooting everything I see. All candid - all real.

(I don't even own a flash or a light rig) (!)

[JimHejl]

When you use a shallow depth of focus, you have one object, or area, sharp as a tack. What was supposed to be your main focal point ?

In this case, it was the crab cakes themselves. (Long story - my sister has a cooking show on TV, and she has been begging me to photograph her featured food). In any case, I realized fairly quickly that food is difficult to photograph well. (And by well I mean it looks good to eat).

I would imagine that there are lots of tricks for photographing food. (btw - this is called "tabletop" isn't it?). I was mostly curious if we had any experts around...

[D. Craig Flory]

In this case, it was the crab cakes themselves. (Long story - my sister has a cooking show on TV, and she has been begging me to photograph her featured food). In any case, I realized fairly quickly that food is difficult to photograph well. (And by well I mean it looks good to eat).

I would imagine that there are lots of tricks for photographing food. (btw - this is called "tabletop" isn't it?). I was mostly curious if we had any experts around...

Yes, it's called table-top photography. There are commercial-advertising photographers who specialize in food images.

If your main subject was all the cakes, then they should all be in focus. Shallow depth has no place in this type image.

There are lots of tricks for food and drink photos. You can coat food to make it looks moist. For drinks in glasses, instead of real ice cubes, acrylic fake cubes are used. (they don't melt)

[JimHejl]

Shallow depth has no place in this type image.

Are you sure? Extremely short DOF seems to be pretty common in the food mags. Maybe my execution is wrong somehow? Here are some examples of the high-end food images that i was 'copying':

http://www.hungryalien.com/photo/food/DSCF7930.jpg
http://www.alexanderphotoimaging.com/Food_Images/LensBaby_Salad.jpg
http://www.alexanderphotoimaging.com/Food_Images/ArchwyCookie.jpg
http://www.mpolssphoto.com/images/full_food_0.jpg

And, here is a thread (on this board) discussing the very same thing:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7301

My sister has me 'scheduled' to shoot some more food on Christmas day -- so I'll experiment some more then..

[D. Craig Flory]

Are you sure? Extremely short DOF seems to be pretty common in the food mags. Maybe my execution is wrong somehow? Here are some examples of the high-end food images that i was 'copying':

http://www.hungryalien.com/photo/food/DSCF7930.jpg
http://www.alexanderphotoimaging.com/Food_Images/LensBaby_Salad.jpg
http://www.alexanderphotoimaging.com/Food_Images/ArchwyCookie.jpg
http://www.mpolssphoto.com/images/full_food_0.jpg

And, here is a thread (on this board) discussing the very same thing:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7301

My sister has me 'scheduled' to shoot some more food on Christmas day -- so I'll experiment some more then..

The one example that I like, of those you posted, is the cookies. One cookie is sharp ... thereby setting it off. (and I love dunking cookies in milk ... even at 59 years old)

If you would like to see some amazing food images along with portraits, wedding images, & more ... buy one of the PPA Loan Collection books.

[enigma]

Man...

Just want to chime in and join the choire. Your images are stunning!

Like you, I have a background in software engineering (computer science, scientific computing). But I would not dare to give detailed critique on your work. You are way ahead of me.

Is that good ol' Sweden I see in some of the shots?

[poloman]

First let me say that I am no pro. I have much to learn.
I looked at your photo and the examples you cited.
Note that in the examples you show the featured items are shot a bit more from above than you shot the crab cakes. In the example showing the hors douvres the single central snack is highlighted in the clear part of the depth of field. With the corn, it is all corn and the center piece is clear.
All in all, I think the biggest difference I see is the angle.

[JimHejl]

All in all, I think the biggest difference I see is the angle.

Agreed. Good observation.

Food isn't the most interesting thing to me -- but whatever -- it's a challenge. I'll have some new pics in a few days.

thx

[JimHejl]

Ok... Shoot #2

Salmon this time. I worked hard on the lighting (2 color temps -- a window, and a softbox). I also worked on the DOF -- and I like it this time.

c&c welcome

[Guineh]

:shock:

Critique? you photos are great! My gosh. Now I'm craving salmon :drool: :)

If I were to find anything wrong, I would be nitpicking. Food is a very difficult subject to get right and you've nailed it! The expression on the girl in front of the window's face was priceless. Excellent timing. The two food shots look like they belong in a culinary magazine.

What more could I say? Ok, maybe a tiny bit deeper DOF on the salmon shot, but I'm really hard pressed to suggest any changes.

[pagefile]

I like the shot.
The way there is a coat of some kind in one window and there is none in the othere. It makes it look like she has the missing white coat on.

That is how I seen it before reading any post. It has a bit of mistery to it.
You are taking to your new hobby very well.