Uphill battle

[phlyersphan]

Well... here goes. I've never posted a photo for critiquing, mostly because I'm so new that I already know that I don't know what I'm doing!!

I took this shot today in my back yard, though, and really like how it turned out, composition-wise.

I know it's nothing mind blowing or emotionally moving or anything fantastic like that, but I'm trying to get down the basics of composition.

What I've learned so far has been from books. I'm taking a class at the local college that starts in 2 weeks and am really looking forward to it. I absolutely love what I've learned about photography so far.

Your comments and suggestions for improvement are much appreciated!!!



Exposure: 0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 300 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0/3 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire

[jiminyClickit]

phlyersphan, Welcome to the Bigs

When you post here, you could even find out you know more than you realize. This photo has a simple charm in a technically competent presentation. The hillside climb of the golfers gives a nifty "off-balance" feel at first. They are neatly spaced so each is a co-subject, and the activity is clear. There may be small picky parts to grouse about, but I think you did very well in all aspects.

[clockdoc]

Hi and welcome to the group. I agree with jiminy. You have a good eye for seeing the flow of the lines of the path while keeping your verticals straight and upright. Initially I thought cropping out the top may help but I think I like it with the building left in. You are off to a good start for your college class. I look forward to seeing more of your work as you progress through the course.

[phlyersphan]

Thank you very much! I too thought of cropping off the top, but decided against it (figuring I'd get feedback here if it really should go!) I still may try to clone out the car up there. I'm not sure why it bothers me, but it does. That may have to wait until my Photoshop skills are up to snuff. I'm still in uber-basic mode when it comes to Photoshop touch-ups!

It sure is tough to keep the horizon line straight when photographing hills!!! That's what I learned yesterday

Thanks very much for the feedback. I can't wait for my photo class to start!

[RussHeath]

Welcome!

I agree, nice form, lines, and subject. Simple and interesting. I haven't pulled your picture up in PS to look at it with a grid, but to my eye there is a disparity between the level of the horizon (under the car) and the level of the fence. It's probably because you got the ground under the car perfectly flat, and the fence slants just slightly uphill. Either way, if I'm being picky I find it mildly distracting. Maybe try cropping the car and rotating the picture just a few degrees counterclockwise to straighten the fence? Good luck in class!

[phlyersphan]

Thanks newbie!

haha I caught that too! When I was making sure the horizon was straight, I first thought I was way off and tried fixing it based on the fence. But that threw the whole picture off! So I was like... hey, that fence is crooked!

Maybe that's why the car up top bothers me.

If I make the fence straight, the house/car is crooked, but if I make the house/car straight, the fence is crooked. I wouldn't want to get rid of the fence, so getting rid of the car/driveway would be the compromise. I'll play with it and see what I can do! (My Photoshop skills are still very green!)

[phlyersphan]

I can't decide if this is any better, which makes me think it's not.

I cropped the driveway and car out of the photo and then straightened the photo using the fence as the horizon line.

I think now the house looks weird at the top left, only seeing a small bit of it, but when I cropped the house completely out it was TOO cropped.

I think I'll just have to settle on the crooked fence