Beach Photos - from a keen novice!

[lucky_ange]

Hi, I would appreciate some comments on a couple of my photos - I am starting out in digital photography, the first two images were taken using my powershot S50, the final picture was taken with my new 300D SLR which I am just getting to grips with.

Sunset on Mandren Beach, Goa - this image was worked on in Photoshop to remove some unsightly lights on the bridge and the electric cables that were on posts across the beach!
http://groups.msn.com/AngelasPhotographicEmporium/goa2004.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1162

Bridge on Mandren Beach, Goa - untouched
http://groups.msn.com/AngelasPhotographicEmporium/goa2004.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=722

Groyne on St Leonards Beach,UK - untouched
http://groups.msn.com/AngelasPhotographicEmporium/photographygeneral.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1163

[Wazza]

I really like your first shot posted!

Maybe if you want to improve it, as it was from a digital point and shoot, with a 4:3 ratio, maybe crop the top and bottom to give a 3:2 ratio, and then you would be losing those black objects at bottom, and a little bit of sky. But still looks very good.

The 2nd shot can be quite varying from several different angles. Could even try a lower angle, to see if it improves the visual impact.

And the final shot. Seems a bit soft or out of focus. Also it seems the sun is directly behind the trunk or to the left. Makes for some harsh shooting conditions. Sometimes you can use fill-in flash to compensate some of this. Or stop shadows on faces etc. But that would also generally need a high F aperture value, as you're pointing a camera towards a bright light source. Not sure of what max flash sync speed with 300D is. Around 1/200th sec?


Good luck with the new 300D. :)

PS. Whereabouts on South Coast are you?
I've lived in Kent myself many many years ago when I was a toddler (that's about 18 years ago. :p)

[Vetteography]

I absolutely love the third shot. It is a crying shame that the light was so off, I would love to see that shot again in some better light. The pebbles caught in the wood are a great contrast!

[lucky_ange]

I live in St Leonards on Sea, near Hastings! I moved down here three years ago - sick of living in the smoke of London!

You are right about the last one - the sun was very low on the left of the shot. I really need to practice more with the D300 - its a great camera, and a good transition for me from the Powershot range as the controls are fairly similar, but the diversity of controls, etc is something I need more practice with.

I will have to attempt the third photo again in similar conditions and try using the flash next time!

Thanks for the feedback.

[Paul Gerrard]

I Did a little work on your third shot in photoshop I hope you dont mind. and I liked the feel of your second shot though with a little work think this could be improved
using cropping and levels.

[lucky_ange]

Thanks for this - I definitely need to spend more time on getting to grips with Photoshop!!

[sixshot]

#1 is great and I like what Paul did with the third shot. I too must learn PS.