The Way In

[billmac57]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wjj-pictures/2239442423/" title="Art gallery entrance by billmac_sco, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2201/2239442423_58f78be3c0_m.jpg" width="168" height="240" alt="Art gallery entrance" /></a>
I like this picture but I know there are always ways to improve. So could you say how I could have improved it.

Camera: Nikon D40
Exposure: 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 11.5 mm
ISO Speed: 1100
Exposure Bias: -2/3 EV

[KathrynWilson]

I had a quick look at your EXIF data on Flickr, and there are a couple of problems there. I noticed your shutter speed was very low, but this isn't noticeable so I guess you either took this on a tripod or with a very very steady hand. You also had your camera set to underexpose, which puzzles me as you used a high ISO and low shutter speed. What lens were you using? I think this would have looked nice as a much warmer, brighter image, thus why it is a little underexposed for my taste.

[Mission]

It seems like I keep getting drawn to the left of the shot. What I'm trying to say is, that the photo shows more of the right wall which changes the weight of the photo.

I like the image overall though

[KathrynWilson]

I actually did a couple of plays for you, cos I really like the image.

Firstly I did a little play on color by adding contrasting and a boost to the midtones as well as warming it up a little.
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7039/223944242358f78be3c0bcohm6.jpg

Then, I did a BW conversion, because this is image just looked like it was supposed to be in BW.
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/6711/223944242358f78be3c0bcoam5.jpg

Hope you don't mind :)

[Mission]

I like the B&W edit. Well done

[billmac57]

Hi, thanks for taking the time to look and comment on my picture. My camera was set to program when I took this picture. The exposure was set to -7 because I read somewhere that the D40 over exposes. You have certainly improved the photo with your changes and the b&w looks good. I was using a Sigma 10-20mm lens.

[KathrynWilson]

Ok, I'm not familiar with whether it does or does not overexpose so I can't help at all with that. If you do become familiar with shooting in manual mode then playing around with the various settings that affect your exposure might make a difference. Overall though I think you ended up with a pretty good image!

[sideeffects]

I had a quick look at your EXIF data on Flickr

Ok sorry to be a little off topic. But how do you check Exif data on Flickr? I have been trying to figure this out for a while now lol.

[KathrynWilson]

On the right hand side under the photo there is a section called Additional Information. Usually it just says the camera it was taken with but there's a little link called 'More Properties' and EXIF data is in there.

[snapdragon]

I like the B&W edit , but I still notice the darker floor in the foreground it is a bit distracting and I think a slight crop would work , the man in the forground does not seem to be a large part of the photo and his feet are not in the photo . I would crop the dark area .Looks like a grand place, with a lot of lighting challanges . Good photo .