First post! Total beginner thoughts welcome!

[photomattical]

Hi all,

Finally decided to join up and actually post something rather than just stalking around like I have been for a couple of weeks.

Went for a walk yesterday with my D3000 and took loads of photos but this one I like,



Some questions for discussion:

I think this evokes ideas of an old family gathering photos - does it to you? Or do you see it as just some sheep in a field?

The fence is slightly visible in the left hand side of the picture - does this ruin the photo in your view? I don't yet have any PP software - would there be a way of getting rid of this?

The light wasn't really up to much so I personally think it looks better in B&W. The colour post isn't on here but do you think this is okay in B&W? Are there any 'rules' to be read about when B&W works best?

Thanks

Matt

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by photomattical

Hi all,

Finally decided to join up and actually post something rather than just stalking around like I have been for a couple of weeks.

Went for a walk yesterday with my D3000 and took loads of photos but this one I like,



Some questions for discussion:

I think this evokes ideas of an old family gathering photos - does it to you? It kind of does. A little more care in the crop to get the animal's feet totally in the image would have worked better for me. Maybe it could have been shot from a slightly higher angle. Or do you see it as just some sheep in a field?

The fence is slightly visible in the left hand side of the picture - does this ruin the photo in your view? Initially, I thought it was rain off in the distance, and IMO, it would be better to remove I don't yet have any PP software - would there be a way of getting rid of this? Download Gimp...it's free, and you'll be able to clone, or paint over that area

The light wasn't really up to much so I personally think it looks better in B&W. The colour post isn't on here but do you think this is okay in B&W? Yes. Are there any 'rules' to be read about when B&W works best? When you really want to emphasize your subject, and not have it compete with the colors in an image. Strong colors in an image can easily draw the viewer's eye away from the main subject. I'll also add that any image can be made in B/W, but not all images make good B/W's. I find if you have a subject with a very busy background, the subject is apt to get lost in all those tones of black, white, and gray.


Thanks

Matt

Hope this helps.....

[photomattical]

Thanks Mr. Autofocus!

Very good point r.e. the feet. I've now downloaded Gimp so thanks for that advice too.

Sunday afternoon of working out how to use it me thinks!

Matt

[zona5101]

Hi and welcome!
Cute sheep
ditto what Vince said.

[autofocus]

Sunday afternoon of working out how to use it me thinks!

practice, practice, practice...you will amaze yourself as to what you can do

[Dare]

I would have tried to include the feet in the photo, and maybe crop a little off the top, so theres not quite as much extra space (though I could be totally wrong and the sky gives it more depth).
I love how each of the sheep look different somehow! So cute.
Anyways, I'm new here too, but i love this site!

[photomattical]

Thanks all! Really appreciate your time.

M