Icy Reindeer

[photoqueen]

Please critique this photo. What could be done differently to capture the ice better?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/photo-queen/2166835983/" title="icy reindeer by photo-queen, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2136/2166835983_b0eaff1de5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="icy reindeer" /></a>

Camera: Kodak CX7330 Zoom
Exposure: 0.067 sec (1/15)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 5.6 mm
Exposure Bias: 0/1000 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire

[geotography]

Hi photoqueen,

You are to be commended for going out into the weather to capture an image.

Two things come to my mind about your photograph: The background of the base and siding of the structure distracts me and detracts from your subject. So, I would have tried to shoot it without such a background or with excessive blur on the background. Secondly, I am having difficult finding a symetry in your photo, a balance...moreover, I don't see a definition of what you were trying to communicate. I can see the ice but not the reindeer so much. So, I would try this at many different angles. And, make the rule of thirds a part of your natural process for composing photographs.

Keep shooting!!

[Argon52]

I agree with the background comment. It is destracting. And I think your going for the eye of the deer to be the focus point, because of the depth of field blurring out the back side of the deer, but the eye to too far to the right of the photo to make it the main subject... and because of this my eye an dmind is drawn to the light in the center of the photo an dno where to take it..to help it move around. Thanks!

[peeperita]

i'm all about bracketing......both for depth of field and exposure.....

i agree that a shallower depth of field would help disguise your background.....but, i also feel that an exposure bracketing would help you decide in post what your best choice would be on exposure.....


and again, i agree that maybe a little larger framing artound you subject would give you clearer choices in your final crop......something larger and more to the point...

peeper

[netbymatt]

I've wanted to take a shot like this, but every time we get ice the temperature is always around 0°F right afterwards. I don't mind it, but I'm a little worried about my camera.

Anyways, getting the ice to stand out. First, as several others have said, you need to get rid of the background. It looks like it was taken at twilight (or you've got a few too many Christmas decorations on your lawn. Either way, you should be able to make it a bit darker. Next, I'd underexpose the shot by about a stop. Set the EV to -1. Since the edges of the ice, and the lights themselves are really well defined, this will help to hide some of the dust or air that's within the ice, giving it a much clearer look. It will also disguise the background that's showing through the thicker portions of the ice.

Just one problem now, I'm guessing that ice isn't still there.

[photoqueen]

No, ice is finally gone! FYI-this was taken with a P&S, so I basically turned it on auto and took it. No shutter and aperture to change.