Andean World

[ashiaD]

Sorry for the title, I couldn't come up with anything sensible.

I am a complete amateur, only very recently did I buy a DSLR, Sony Alpha 100. I want to learn how to take a decent photo, hence joining this website. I don't know anything about photography, so please, for now, voice your critique in a possibly plain language and explain any technical detail you are talking about. I know it might be a bit annoying but I really want to learn something, and unfortunately I have to start with basics.

Here's the photo from Peru. I would really appreciate your opinions. I'd like to know what could I do in future to improve that kind of photo.

[FrankenPengie]

Hi AshiaD,

Welcome! You might want to read the posts at the top of each forum that say "Sticky". They include rules, guidelines and other help to make the place work better for guests and hosts. You're pic is above the 600 pixel on a side rule. I don't have any help in posting from your picture host.

I see that you are trying to capture the costume. This is a great angle to do so as it adds details that are typically hidden from from a frontal portrait. Keep in mind that the more the face is revealed, the more the viewer is wanting to see the face. Also be careful of what's in the background. The couple is throwing this off. Try to clear your backdrop of distractions.

The colors are a little flat but that can be fixed in processing. Be mindful of white balance.

[jiminyClickit]

ashiaD, Welcome

Including the face in an over-the-shoulder look, while showing the shawl, would humanize and keep a viewer inside the frame if their interests were not in clothing. Cutting off fingers is usually a no-no, one of those things to consider before snapping. Good shot.

[ashiaD]

Thank you for your comment, I haven't been around much lately, hence my late reply. I took this photo having no knowledge whatsoever about anything to do with my camera, I was barely able to use it. Not that I know much now, but at least I know what white balance is And you're absolutely right, the WB is set to a way too high temperature.

I started an account on flickr, so i hope tha will solve the size problem in future. I am working at the colour quality in my photos now, I am yet to learn about photo processing, but I will definately at least try to rescue some of my photos from the andes.

The couple I didn't even think about it, but you're right, they're intruding there.

Thank you for your comment. I know I need to work on many things - colours, composition, processing, and that's just a few of them. i have been reading tips for beginners on this website and found them immensly helpful. Could you recommend any books that I could have a look at as well?

Take care,
ashia

[ashiaD]

Hello JiminyClickit,

thank you for your crtique. The over the shoulder look would be nice, I actually took one like that, but at the time I had no idea about using my camera and the photo was wrong. Don't ask, just really badly wrong.

The cut off fingers - mea culpa, I haven't noticed it at the time, but you're absolutely right, not good.

As I said in reply to FrankenPengie's comment - I know I need to learn a lot, so thank you for pointing out the mistakes in my photo and I hope I can count on more of your critique in future.

All the best,
ashia