Still life Photography Photo Critique
Less is More
by Lynn Sears
Views: 1578
Category: Still life Photography
Nikon Coolpix S230
Lens: Standard: 30-50mm
F-stop: F4
ISO: 100
Flash: None
Tripod: No
Description: Interested in the color contrast between the building and the ground--peach and molte see all >
Interested in the color contrast between the building and the ground--peach and molted orange and brown. The branch's form and texture is directly opposite the rest of the textures in the photo. The wet brick draws my eye to the intersection branch.
Photo Critique Summary
Subject of photo
6
Composition & Perspective
7
Use of camera, exposure & speed
10
Color & Lighting
7
Depth of field
6
General impression
7
Overall Rating
7.2
GuruShots Pro
Subject of photo:
6
Lovely warm colors and interesting textures - not sure that the branch is all that interesting though. Moving in closer would have created a more abstract quality to the shot.
Composition & Perspective:
7
Very top down angle - I think a lower angle would have been more interesting, perhaps with the camera very close to the ground. I'm also not sure why you have cut out the top of the branch. is this about the branch or the colors or the textures? I'm not clear about this... I think you could have zoomed in much more perhaps focusing mostly on the small bunch of berries (if that's what they are) in the middle left of the picture. One small area with some of the wet brick, some of the ground, the berries, and some of the branch would have held more impact for me.
Use of camera, exposure & speed:
10
Exposure is good and the white balance is fine too - all the colors are natural looking.
Color & Lighting:
7
No hard shadows which is good but low sunlight such as that at the end or beginning of the day would bring out the textures better.
Depth of field:
6
F/4 is quite shallow depth-of-field. I think a smaller aperture would have been better because the top right of the branch is quite softly focussed.
General impression:
7
Not your best shot Lynn! Has some interest in the colors and texture but not a strong composition.
How to improve your photo
1.
You need a tripod I think Lynn. Even a small table top tripod or a bean bag so that you can take your camera out of manual and use smaller apertures. Most of your interest seems to lie in the area of still life/abstract shots with subjects that don't move. This means you don't have to rush your shots so you can set them up as you want them. A tripod will free you to do this. It doesn't need to be a big heavy one, a light one will do - unless there's a gale force wind! Please consider carrying one on your photo trips - once you get the hang of it you'll feel liberated!
2.
Compare the strength of this composition with the one you did with the chain and lock in it - ask yourself which one is better and why...
3.
Nothing else to add...
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