Paintball

[Birdland]

my brother's friends were paintballing in the woods and I came with them to take some pictures. Here's one of my favorites. Please tell me if there is anything I can do to make it better . Thank you

[jiminyClickit]

Birdland,

This one, or the next time you take one like this? What camera? What settings? What edit program do you use? Have you post-processed this one?

[ken52278]

I like the composition in this, much better than your subject square in the middle of the frame. Focusing in on the subject a little more and getting the background to "blur" out a little more would be a nice touch.

Also ( and I know it can be tough ) try to keep your own shadow out of the frame unless that is the effect you are going for. It tends to sometimes take away from the photograph itself. Having the sun maybe 45 degrees to your left or right would have given a whole new look. Try experimenting with sun placement, you will be suprised!

[Birdland]

Originally Posted by ken52278

Also ( and I know it can be tough ) try to keep your own shadow out of the frame unless that is the effect you are going for.

Oh that isn't my shadow, it's from the tree

Thanks though

[Birdland]

To JiminyClickit,

I use a Canon Rebel xt
ISO 400
Shutter Speed 1/100

I'll use either "Microsoft Picture It! Photo Premium 9" or Adobe Photoshop

[ken52278]

I'm sorry, the shadow on the right looks like a person!!!! Please except my apologies!! Can't do a lot about the tree!!

[jiminyClickit]

Birdland,

Any informatin you can include in the beginning means a more thorough Critique and a faster thread because we won't have to ask for it. For this one, it's a matter of shadows and cropping that create distractions on this guy's face and person. The right-side shadow on edge of frame doesn't look tree-shaped, is a distraction whatever it is. The face being red is one thing, could be paint (where's the safety googles?). But the grip and its shadow and yet another tree's shadow are all in that important area. You cut off the muzzle and the ballkeeper. Person is dividing the photo in half.

A closeup of what he's doing to the gun would have been simpler, neater, maybe more of a shot about paintballing, certainly more of a favorable view of this guy. Would you describe more of why it's one of your favorites?

[Birdland]

wow...for some reason, I didn't see the shadow on the right to look like a person. That was probably me then, woops. I dunno, I just like the way the picture is. I like the shadow and the lighting..I just like the picture ( He did have a mask on, but the ball hit him near the mask, and the paint went under it.)






Are these fine?

[jiminyClickit]

Birdland,

Any of the three would work in a group of other photos, depending on what aspect of paintballing you wanted to show. On a photo site, it's mostly about lighting, composition, and main subject (person). For paintballers, these would probably be perfect. Your intent, and your choice of viewer, will somewhat determine Critique.

[Birdland]

oh ok, I see what you're saying. Thanks a lot