New to forum and want some tips

First post for me, but I am looking to improve and I figured this is the easiest way. I'm not a big fan of processing, although I do understand some is usually needed. I prefer having a picture look more "natural" or the way I experienced it. I have included different types of photos and highly encourage all comments, criticisms, suggestions, etc.

Thanks

1. Belknap Research Building at the University of Louisville

#1 is my least favourite as I find it less interesting than the others. Is the building tilting over to the right? Maybe my eyes, I dunno, but something doesn't look right in the composition. It's clear enough though and not a bad shot.

#2 is a nice, dynamic shot and I like how the ball and the foot off the ground are frozen and crisp. The intense sun is causing a lot of harsh shadow though and I think fill flash would've been good here, especially to light up her face a bit?

#3 is also a nice shot with nice expressions that convey closeness and happiness. Once again, fill flash might've helped to soften the shadows. Also, the background is a bit cluttered and distracting and would've been better (in my opinion) if it was more blurry, or even cloned out?

#4 I like! Nice shot.

Welcome to POTN!

There's something not right about the first one. It appears to be out of focus. The closest tree on the right has better focus, but still not perfect. There's also a moire pattern imposed on the bricks.

The softball shot is a nice image. If this was a game shot, then you probably could not get close enough for fill flash to be effective. I'd be happy with this shot if it were my kid.

The beach shot is ruined by the clutter in the background. The action of this shot is really the interaction of the two people. So I would crop it tight and square on them. A secondary benefit is that her legs would be cropped out. As it is, it appears that they are slightly closer to the camera. Perspective makes them look bigger than they probably are.

The waterfall is nicely done. However, there is a hot spot above and to the right of the waterfall.

#4: This would be better with a longer exposure IMO.

#1 has perspective distortion because the camera was net kept level. Anytime you tilt the camera up or down vertical lines will become converging lines.

The good news is that it's easily fixed in photoshop and is a perfect example of how pictures will often look unnatural and not the way they appeared in real life unless you do post processing.

On the others, using a speedlite for fill would reduce the shadows. Hear again, a little post processing can be used to reduce those shadows.

might try alittle HDR in the last one to bring out some color and more detail.

JimMcrae wrote in post #11173272
#1 is my least favourite as I find it less interesting than the others. Is the building tilting over to the right? Maybe my eyes, I dunno, but something doesn't look right in the composition. It's clear enough though and not a bad shot.

The way the building was built and where I was standing, the center of the building was closer to me than the left or right side even though I was standing to the left of the building. It is not an easy building to photography because of the trees and other buildings around it, though it is a beautiful structure. One of the reasons I included it was because something seemed off, but I could not figure out what.

JimMcrae wrote in post #11173272
#2 is a nice, dynamic shot and I like how the ball and the foot off the ground are frozen and crisp. The intense sun is causing a lot of harsh shadow though and I think fill flash would've been good here, especially to light up her face a bit?

This was during a game so being able to use a fill flash would not be possible, but something I will consider in the future if I take pictures similar to this.

JimMcrae wrote in post #11173272
#3 is also a nice shot with nice expressions that convey closeness and happiness. Once again, fill flash might've helped to soften the shadows. Also, the background is a bit cluttered and distracting and would've been better (in my opinion) if it was more blurry, or even cloned out?

That is what I liked about it so much (the emotions conveyed) and being able to blur out the background was something I attempted with the lens, but could not achieve it. Would a different lens selection achieve this (I was using the Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6)? I know it is possible do to in Photoshop, but I do not know how to (if someone would point me in the right direction to learn, I'm more than willing).

JimMcrae wrote in post #11173272
#4 I like! Nice shot.

Welcome to POTN!

Thanks!

joedlh wrote in post #11174329
There's something not right about the first one. It appears to be out of focus. The closest tree on the right has better focus, but still not perfect. There's also a moire pattern imposed on the bricks.

I see it as well, yet am not able to put my finger on it. I had not seen the moire pattern though until you pointed it out. Thanks.

joedlh wrote in post #11174329
The softball shot is a nice image. If this was a game shot, then you probably could not get close enough for fill flash to be effective. I'd be happy with this shot if it were my kid.

Thanks, it was a game shot from about 30 ft away.

joedlh wrote in post #11174329
The beach shot is ruined by the clutter in the background. The action of this shot is really the interaction of the two people. So I would crop it tight and square on them. A secondary benefit is that her legs would be cropped out. As it is, it appears that they are slightly closer to the camera. Perspective makes them look bigger than they probably are.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) I was more interested in capturing the moment than worried about the clutter. When I cropped out the clutter, I was worried about cutting parts of people (I was always told it was a no-no) so I left the clutter in. As far as her legs appearing larger, they are actually quite large (she is a bigger lady), but I will try a different crop and see if I can get a better overall image. Thanks for the suggestions.

joedlh wrote in post #11174329
The waterfall is nicely done. However, there is a hot spot above and to the right of the waterfall.

Noted the hot spot and fixed it. It was a late night when editing took place haha.

GorgeShooter wrote in post #11174716
#4: This would be better with a longer exposure IMO.

I tried a longer exposure, but because of where the waterfall was (and the lack of a tripod) I was not able to hold the camera steady enough and hang off the tree to get it.

krb wrote in post #11174753
#1 has perspective distortion because the camera was net kept level. Anytime you tilt the camera up or down vertical lines will become converging lines.

The good news is that it's easily fixed in photoshop and is a perfect example of how pictures will often look unnatural and not the way they appeared in real life unless you do post processing.

I'm glad it is that easy of a fix. I took the picture quickly and was only used for a presentation at school, but was surprised how good it turned out compared to what I expected.

krb wrote in post #11174753
On the others, using a speedlite for fill would reduce the shadows. Hear again, a little post processing can be used to reduce those shadows.

I wouldn't be able to use a speedlite during the softball game and didn't even think of it for the other pictures. I currently do not have any type of additional lighting, but after this, it appears it is something I should look at investing in.

droberts wrote in post #11174830
might try alittle HDR in the last one to bring out some color and more detail.

What is the process for doing HDR. I have heard of it, but never figured out what it entails as far as shooting goes.


Thanks everyone for all your input. I've learned a lot with just this little bit of interaction and will continue to look more suggestions.

I do have a question and I'm sure the answer is fairly obvious, but do more expensive lens really make that big of a difference as far quality of pictures go? What makes them more expensive?

Photo number 4 is beautiful!

Thanks!

I don't care for the other shots, but #4 is nice. The leaves to the left of the frame ruin the delivery, though. I'd try to reshoot this with some rainboots and a tripod standing in the stream with a longer exposure. If you've got similar lighting, it should turn out for a nice capture. Also, drop the ISO if you're shooting for a longer exposure - less noise, sharper image.

Don't overprocess. Don't do HDR.

HDR doesn't even like HDR.

Is there any reason why you don't care for them (you won't offend me, I'd like to know from a photographer's perspective)? I wish I could have gotten a better picture of the stream, but that is the top of a 30 ft waterfall so that was the closest I could get while still being safe (I was already at the edge of the cliff). Next time I am up there, I will see if there is anyway for me to get up there and try for a longer exposure and different frame. Thanks for the suggestions.

Image 1 is a nice shot of the building but not terribly interesting. Could be improved by having somebody walking in our out of the building. Could also be improved with something in the foreground.

Image 2 could have been timed better. Maybe wait a fraction of a second and take the shot as she's scooping the ball into her mitt.

Image 3 is an okay candid but the light is harsh and the background is distracting. It's not bad to have some "beach stuff" in the background of a beach shot but it would be better if it was farther away, a little more out of focus and visually separated from her head.

The first shot is out of focus and the bright sky draws your eye away from the building.

#2. It is too bad that her face is shaded.

#3 is nice, but I would crop out the clutter in the upper left.

The first one has a blown out sky, and there's quite a bit of foreground for it to be purely architectural. The second looks like an action shot, is framed like an action shot, but the ball is too far away to stir any excitement (for me). The third looks like a candid snapshot to me.

The other shots don't speak to me, they don't seem planned. The waterfall looks like you went out of your way to go take a picture of it, but if you just happened across it.. kismet, I guess?

droberts wrote in post #11174830
might try alittle HDR in the last one to bring out some color and more detail.

Unless the OP took multiple shots at various exposures...