Here goes my first critique post.

[Yog70]

I was on my way back inside from my first ever outdoor DSLR shoot. I literally thought to myself 30 seconds before spotting this guy that I would love to come across an interesting creature. I just started photography so that I can learn to see. I wonder how much I've overlooked all these years?




ISO: 800
Aperture: f/4
Shutter: 1/640
Focal Length: 50mm

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I was unable to get a good depth shot down the side of my garage. My camera focused closer than the point I thought I focused on (his eyes). I'm not sure if was my lens (back focus?), or that I was too close and needed a macro lens. Please see below:

IMG_0426.jpg

ISO: 1600
Aperture: f/2.8
Shutter: 1/2000
Focal Length: 50mm

Thanks in advance to everyone for your constructive comments!

[Nieton21]

unless it was really dark outside that seems like a really high iso for this shot...even with the movement I personally try to not go over 800 if I can help it, it looks like there was flash so that adds to the reason you might not need it. Secondly I don't think your focus is that bad really the praying mantis is good enough for the distance away your are from it, and the leaves in the plant coming out at you are out of focus which illiminates some distraction...I think it would be a lot more interesting if you could be a bit closer but thats not too bad since you don't have a macro... Nice eye in finding the little critter

[clockdoc]

Welcome to the group! I think you did a nice job with this even though there are some soft areas at the top and bottom. The subject is certainly sharp enough. I don't know if you planned it this way but I like the shadow on the wall behind the subject as well as the diagonal lines. What were the lighting conditions at the time of this shot?

[Yog70]

Originally Posted by clockdoc

Welcome to the group! I think you did a nice job with this even though there are some soft areas at the top and bottom. The subject is certainly sharp enough. I don't know if you planned it this way but I like the shadow on the wall behind the subject as well as the diagonal lines. What were the lighting conditions at the time of this shot?

Thanks for the comments so far guys. I'll work on lowering my ISO, but I'm not sure what to do to sharpen the top and bottom.

I actually composed the diagonal lines to form triangles based on some stuff I've read so far, so it was intentional. The lighting was very shaded, but when the wind kicked in, the tree top that shaded that area would pull aside and leave a shadow.

It just dawned on me that I could crop because of the resolution I used. Is it considered in good form to make adjustments prior to posting?



Cheers!

[Nicole]

Originally Posted by Yog70

Is it considered in good form to make adjustments prior to posting?

It's fine to do it either way, whichever suits your needs And it's also fine to come back and post in the same thread after taking into consideration people's advice (as you have).

[clockdoc]

Yog,
I have been studying your image to try and understand why the plant is soft at botht he top and bottom. Depth of field (DOF) is really a matter of 'plaves' through a field of the image that are acceptably sharp. DOF extends forward 1/3 and back 2/3 from the point of focus. As you stop down the aperture, septh of field advances in that same ratio. Although it appears that you shot the plant on which the mantis is attached straight on, it may be that you were actually aiming the camera lens more down the length of the plant. That would explain why the DOF falls off at the top and the bottom. Were you using one of the "baby" lenses that can adjust in a variety of positions so as to affect points of sharpness? Other than that I am still unsure of why you have the changes on depth of field.Thaks again for posting your EXIF data with your original posting. That as well as the lens/focal length can often help us to provide a more meaningful critique.

[Yog70]

Ahhh, so that's why it may be soft on the top and bottom? It's quite possible that I was a little above the mantis. I was trying all sorts of things out, so that's probably it. Most of the pictures were out of focus, so I'm concerned that my lens has issues. It's a Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 SP Di II XR. I'm going to stop by a camera store today to pick up a gray card. My friend showed me a focus chart that can measure focus problems, so I'm going to see what I can find.

You have helped me to understand some key things Lee. You are an asset to this forum.

Cheers!

Yog