Criticism Please

[Pilot Dane]

I have really gotten into a rut taking technically OK/good photographs but lacking creativity and that extra something. These were taken in NY a week ago with a 50D and 24-105. The weather was crappy the whole time so it was always very heavy overcast and gray which is rather new for me (OK, Central Park was beautiful covered in the snow). Are my shots predictable or too like any other millions of photos? Any advice?: cropping, exposure

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee177/pilotdane/misc/New%20York/pre%20central%20park/NightBuilding1.jpg

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee177/pilotdane/misc/New%20York/Central%20Park/IMG_8667.jpg

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee177/pilotdane/misc/New%20York/Central%20Park/IMG_8721.jpg

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee177/pilotdane/misc/New%20York/pre%20central%20park/Wifey.jpg

[shadowwolf]

All are nice images...unique
I especially like #2:cool:

[Robert_Lay]

All outstanding images. I especially like the girl in red.

That's real eye-candy!

[jayspec]

The first photo isn't thrilling me. An excellent effort, but the lines just don't seem to lead anywhere other than out. I don't get a sense of... well... anything in this photo. The sky doesn't help, either. I know, it's the weather we've been having here recently.

The second and third are particularly well exposed, considering the snow in the subject. Snow's notoriously difficult to expose properly and it looks like you did a good job here. However, the subject matter just isn't particularly compelling. Shot number two, specifically, has been taken about sixty hojillion times by just about every soul who's wandered into the park with a camera.

Number four is the real standout here. It is so, so hard to photograph people on the street and not have a super-cluttered background. You've solved this problem, while still conveying "New York in Winter" in the background. Absolutely love it.

[kate08]

#4 is great!

[Pilot Dane]

Thank you for all the comments.

I was trying to get some non typical NY skyline shots. I am not a fan of heavy PP but I wonder if adding some colors would help or if this is just a nowhere shot.

The minute I walked into Central Park I was torn. I knew I would get a lot of pretty pictures. Everything was beautiful so a pretty picture is almost guaranteed, but every time I took a shot I wondered how many times someone has taken the same exact shot. The park was relatively quiet due to the cold but you could not throw a snowball without hitting a Nikon (I tried to avoid hitting the Canons).

The lady in red just fell together (47mm, f5.6, 1/4 second, ISO 400). I wish I had done another shot at f4 for a comparison. I wanted to see the wreath in the background but soften it enough to keep your eye on her.

[gooble]

How bright outside was it for the girl? I'm surprised how sharp she is. It doesn't look like she was lit by a flash yet she is nice and sharp while the people in the background blurred.

[Pilot Dane]

How bright outside was it for the girl? I'm surprised how sharp she is. It doesn't look like she was lit by a flash yet she is nice and sharp while the people in the background blurred.

It was pretty dark. Heavy overcast and even when it was not snowing the tops of the taller buildings were in the clouds. I came very close to buying a 50mm 1.4 while I was in NY to help with the darkness. Also I was taking three shots whenever I could not brace the camera against something solid to make sure I would get one keeper (I was really giving the IS on my 24-105 a workout on this trip). One good thing with the heavy overcast the light was nice and even so the people photographs came out pretty well with no dark shadows under eyes or noses.

[rushnp774]

You seem to do the same thing as I do: make shots that are technically well-exposed, but not the most interesting to look at. It's something that I hear just comes from practice. You may also want to study & read about art (not photography) to get some of the compositional elements down better. Here are my thoughts on your images:

#1: It's a tad boring, but I like what you were trying to do. Without any burning, the sky definitely looks ominous, but the buildings just don't seem to "pop," and the lines don't really lead anywhere. I doubt I could have done any better.

#2: I'm guessing the main subject of the picture is the bridge, which I like, but it's never good if the viewer has to guess what the subject is. I would have tried to get closer (which I realize is tough given the pond in front of it) or used a longer lens. If you took the original in RAW or a very high resolution JPEG, you should try several versions of tighter crops on the bridge, and possibly play around with dodging & burning a bit. You may find the burning & dodging tutorials (http://metavophoto.com/blog/7-photoshop-dodge-burn-tool-video-tutorials/) on my blog helpful too.

#3: At first glance, my eyes are torn between looking at the trees on the left and the statue on the right (which I'm guessing is your focus). I'd probably test a few different crops (some wide & some not) that cut out some of the top of the picture and really draw your eyes to the statue. I'm no Photoshop guru, but I'm sure there are some easy ways to give the statue a bit more saturation so that it jumps out at the viewer.

#4: Like many, I'm a huge fan of it. She is very well lit and super sharp, and the blur of the people walking in the background is captured well. How did you accomplish that clarity when (I'm guessing) your shutter was open quite a while? The IS on that lens must be fantastic or you have an incredibly steady hand. Either way, super shot!

Keep it up, and feel free to critique my stuff. Look forward to seeing more.

[Pilot Dane]

Rushnp774 thank you. That's the kind of stuff I'm looking for.

[re_guderian]

...The lady in red just fell together (47mm, f5.6, 1/4 second, ISO 400). I wish I had done another shot at f4 for a comparison. I wanted to see the wreath in the background but soften it enough to keep your eye on her.

Great shot! For me, the red in the wreath kind of distracts from the real focus, which is the lady. I'd sacrifice the wreath (or desaturate it a little) to keep focus on the lady in red. But that's just me...

[rushnp774]

Rushnp774 thank you. That's the kind of stuff I'm looking for.

You're very welcome! I'm glad it helped. Feel free to send me more of your stuff.