Signets...Am I on the right track???

[sybren]

You may also want to check the part of the rules where it says "ask specific questions". We can say all kinds of things about any photo, but it wouldn't be of much use to you. What were you trying to accomplish? Why are you posting here? What do you want to know of us?

[bethanyroberts]

Originally Posted by kencaleno

Ah, You mean "Cygnets"

Thanks for the spelling critique.....anything for the photo??? :-)

[bethanyroberts]

Originally Posted by sybren

You may also want to check the part of the rules where it says "ask specific questions". We can say all kinds of things about any photo, but it wouldn't be of much use to you. What were you trying to accomplish? Why are you posting here? What do you want to know of us?

Well, as I said in the main description I am a novice and I am looking for a general critique.....so anything that comes to mind when you look at the photograph, be it technical or artistic.

From the artistic side of things I would like to know how the photograph makes you feel.....what you think I was trying to portray. Then I will know if I'm achieving at least one goal.

And as for technical I am not a trained photographer so any help to improve the technical aspect, will be another lesson learnt.
Basically if you see anything technical wrong or anything artistic right.

Thank you

[sybren]

Originally Posted by bethanyroberts

Well, as I said in the main description I am a novice and I am looking for a general critique.....so anything that comes to mind when you look at the photograph, be it technical or artistic.

I understand that it's difficult to ask a specific question as a beginner. However, you're now letting us put in that effort.

From an artistic point of view I like the fact that you used an odd number of birds, and that one is looking in one direction and the other two in the other. The colours seem to be quite bland, though, and the photo lacks sharpness. I like that the background is entirely water, but the green leaf in the lower right corner bugs me a bit. The high angle also makes the viewer look down on the birds, which makes it feel a little distant.

[bethanyroberts]

Originally Posted by sybren

I understand that it's difficult to ask a specific question as a beginner. However, you're now letting us put in that effort.

From an artistic point of view I like the fact that you used an odd number of birds, and that one is looking in one direction and the other two in the other. The colours seem to be quite bland, though, and the photo lacks sharpness. I like that the background is entirely water, but the green leaf in the lower right corner bugs me a bit. The high angle also makes the viewer look down on the birds, which makes it feel a little distant.

I had the same problem with the green leaf and was toying with editing it out but I liked the fact that it showed the viewer that there was still some green and it isn't fully autumn, so decided to leave it in. I know what you mean though it draws your eye away from the main focus of the photo.

I totally agree with the high angle I didn’t notice that before, it makes it feel like your observing the birds instead of seeing it from their perspective. So if I were to take this photograph again, you would suggest getting down to a lower level, looking at them straight on?

But what about sharpness…..how can I improve that when taking the photo? Or is it just a case of sharpening it in the editing software??

Thank you again for your insight it’s very helpful.

[sybren]

Originally Posted by bethanyroberts

I had the same problem with the green leaf and was toying with editing it out but I liked the fact that it showed the viewer that there was still some green and it isn't fully autumn, so decided to leave it in.

If you want to show that it's not full autumn, try an angle in which it really shows. That's one of the best "rules" for photography: if you want to show something, show it well. Otherwise don't show it at all.

So if I were to take this photograph again, you would suggest getting down to a lower level, looking at them straight on?

It's usually best to shoot someone (and that includes animals) from eye level.

But what about sharpness…..how can I improve that when taking the photo? Or is it just a case of sharpening it in the editing software??

There are many factors that influence sharpness. You can try a smaller aperture to make the depth of field larger (but make sure you can still keep the camera still because the shutter time will be longer). You could try using a tripod to keep the camera more steady, or simply hold it better. How do you hold your camera?

[bethanyroberts]

Originally Posted by sybren

If you want to show that it's not full autumn, try an angle in which it really shows. That's one of the best "rules" for photography: if you want to show something, show it well. Otherwise don't show it at all.



It's usually best to shoot someone (and that includes animals) from eye level.



There are many factors that influence sharpness. You can try a smaller aperture to make the depth of field larger (but make sure you can still keep the camera still because the shutter time will be longer). You could try using a tripod to keep the camera more steady, or simply hold it better. How do you hold your camera?

That's all really helpful advice. At the moment I only hold the camera by hand but my mum has got a tripod and has very nicely offered to lend it to me. So I will be trying again.....keeping all the advice in mind and hopefully posting some improved shots. Might be hard tracking down the "Cygnets" though lol.

Thanks again for all your help.