Some new shots CC welcomed

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Just picked up my camera recently after being without one for almost 2 years, here are a few shots i'm pretty happy with that I took today and yesterday. Starting some classes this spring, can't wait to learn so much more about photography and post editing

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Well, welcome back to the savings account-sucking hobby that is photography. I know you're happy with these, but you did ask for critique, so here goes.

In the first two, I'm not seeing anything that's really sharp. I'm guessing you were hand-holding these, and the shutter speed was just too slow. A tripod and a remote release will be essential for these types of shots. In the second and third shots, lens flare really ruins it for me. A lens hood is a must when shooting into a bright light source.

You're out there shooting, and that's a good thing. Keep practicing and post more shots as you improve.

Alright, thanks

The first two I just set it on a still object (huge fallen over tree in the hills and the second was on short wall at the temple and put the timer on for 10 seconds, and put it at 6"/F 5.6 / 100 iso on my 75-300mm for the hills shot and 2"/f/3.5/ 400 iso/28 mm) I would imagine it could be a bit better on a tripod though and likely better with my 24-135mm since I only used 105mm. I agree with the flaring, I will pick up some hoods soon. For the third, I was sort of going for a little flare as I was posting it in the "lens flare" thread haha.. I agree on that as well though, would have been better without! None the less, these are probably my favorite ones so far, and I am only a newbie so I am always looking for help on making my photos better.

And yes, I already am drooling over wide angles and flashes haha.. I already have another expensive hobby and that is doing time trials in my car and taking it to the race track for hpde / drifting.. ugh I always choose the most expensive things to become interested in haha. Tripod is definitely the next thing I will add, I had one before and I know how valuable they are!

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Ah, knowing a little more about how you shot the pics helps. That 75-300mm is not going to be sharp at all wide open. It's not all that sharp stopped down, either, but it can be acceptable in the right situation. As soon as you can, I'd ditch that lens and go with the Canon 55-250mm, or better yet the Tamron 70-300mm VC lens. Both much sharper and not very expensive.

Now, the last one you posted is pretty good. It's tilted slightly left, though. There's a piece of debris in the road on the oncoming traffic side. I'd clone that out. I'd also crop out the little bit of railing on the lower right.

Traffic trails are fun to shoot, and I realize you're just practicing here, but they work best when you use them as leading lines to take the viewer's eye toward another subject, instead of as the subject themselves. For instance, if there was a colorful sunset or interesting building just past the curve of the road, the traffic trails would guide the eye toward it. I know that you can't do anything about that here, because those things obviously weren't available. It's just to give you an idea for the future.

You're doing well. Keep shooting.

first is too wide. nothing stands out. number two is ok but looks too HDR for my liking. third shot is over exposed and soft. love shot four. It's got nice composition colours and no distractive elements

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Okay, retook the shot with your suggestions. CC please

the exposure there is much improved!

Yeah, much better second effort. It's still not sharp, especially in the foreground, but there may not be much you can do about that with the 75-300. There's a good reason why some people here refer to that lens as "the doorstop". The Canon 55-250 can be had used for about $150, and the Tamron 70-300 VC is $349 brand new. Either of those would be a huge improvement over the 75-300. Of course, it could also be caused by compressing the picture to fit on this site. Only you can tell if it's sharp when viewing the original file.

Oh, and you should clone out that piece of dust in the upper middle. Overall though, nicely done.

Adding to some of the good comments already, I'd say the very first shot is much better in the second version you posted. I would still stop down and use smaller aperture (like f/11 or higher) so more of it would be in focus. Your lights will also be crisper and even get a starburst effect, especially at f/16 or higher. Of course that means longer exposure times.

The second shot (in your first post) is completely overexposed and has blown highlights everywhere including the entire building on the right side. It would be a nice shot with good composition if not for that.

Now, the third shot, I think it works. Might be biased because I love ///M cars and your E36 M3 is sweet, but I like the composition and location a lot, and I think the sort of hazy feel gives it an ephemeral appearance and adds character to the shot. That excuses the blown sky because I don't find myself drawn to it. Well done! Only comment there is maybe crop some of the top off where it's only blown sky...

The freeway light trails I concur with others, not interesting enough and tilted to the left.

I think there's some potential here and some work you can do to improve your images before dropping money on lenses and such. I have the same 75-300 and a 70-300 IS USM (that costs 4 times more) and can't tell the differenc in image quality between the two.

I'd say knock out the feel for exposure first including using smaller apertures, and then worry about lens sharpness second. You're not too far off though, and congrats on getting back into the hobby!

Your last shot is a little too high in contrast and saturation, but that's easily correctable if you shot in RAW. The composition, though, with that large area of black on the bottom, isn't as good as your previous attempt. Actually, I forgot to consider that atmospheric haze may have a lot to do with the sharpness of the picture, so your lens may not be at fault at all. Looking again at your last edit, the one from a week ago, it actually looks pretty damned good.

Now, for your cousin. She's properly lit, properly focused, and the shot is nicely processed. Add to that the fact that she's a cute little thing, and you've got the recipe for a nice shot. Unfortunately, you caught her at a moment which makes it seem like she's about to catch a treat in her mouth. Lose the sunglasses and pose her a little next time.

haha thanks a lot gibbit I am definitely happy with that photo, haven't been able to better that one. Here are a few I took the other night at ruby skye SF. Was my first time shooting at a night club.
Yeah I was trying to get her to pose, but she is a bit shy of the camera and i'm not very good at directing yet haha. The sun was bright ill try to get some better ones next time.


nothing impressive I know... first time shooting a night club, used my 50mm 1.8 no flash. edit ****** whoops, need to resize the rest.

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canis89 wrote in post #15460138

took out the little squiggly line in the horizon and the dust in paint.. I dont have photoshop or lightroom yet, waiting on my step dad to get it for me from his work

the foreground is not that sharp, I think maybe because I was focusing near the start of the bridge?? wrong place to focus? I will sell my 75-300 then and look at picking up one of those.. here goes my extra spending money haha

One of the things I have noticed in your shots, except for the one above, is that you are clipping your shadows. There are some areas in your pictures that are dark abysses of blackness! You may want to just tweak your curves or layers a bit.

Like others have said, a tripod is a must. When you said you were focused on the bridge, and thats where the sharpness is, you shouldnt have a narrow focal point at all. Its important to remember when taking landscape type photos without a distinct background and foreground, you should shoot at a higher aperture (more narrow opening) to get the entire scene in focus - especially when it is in the same focal plane. You don't want people searching your photo for the focus, or noticing that elements of your photo are slightly soft - it looks unintentional. Close down and compensate with a longer exposure. That may bring in more ambient light and color in some of your shadows as well.

As far as the original 3 you posted, I love lens flare. I would like #3 a lot if you had brought some contrast and detail back in post.