B/W Creek Bottom w/Tall Trees

[Stoneface]

I'm very, very new to photography. I got my camera 12/08 and just figured out depth of field last night! That should gage how my progress is coming. On the other hand, finances are a little tight so I can't afford a bunch of that neat stuff just yet. I'm a college student, so, of course, budget is tight.

I'm shooting a Cannon Rebel XSI - completely stock.
The rules said to include the file type, but all I know is it's .jpb
I can't even remember the aperture or shutter speed
Converted it with Elements (which is drivin' me nuts. I can't figure the doggone thing out!)

I'm looking for overall opinions first then critiques - hard critiques. Lay it on me. I ain't gonna get any better if I'm not told what I'm doing right or wrong. I've got skin like a crocodile.

Also, if anyone can give me any tips not directly related to shooting (Elements, reformatting, etc.) please don't hesitate.



God bless,

Rowdy

[doubleconvex]

The Pros:
You've shot in black and white - and you have a well defined black point and a well defined white point.

The Cons:
In spite of the well defined black and white points, you are missing is a lot of the detail. The other thing to watch out for is your verticals and your horizon line. You have a little bit of lens warping going on here, and hence, the trees appear to be tilting away (maybe thats how they really are, I wouldn't know unless I had been there).

Suggestions:
The other thing to consider while composing a shot is what are you trying to show the viewer here. You have a good set of leading lines in the creek, but is there a specific interesting feature that you are attempting to capture?

A good attempt, with a lot of potential.

[Stoneface]

I had no idea that there should be one prominant subject in the photo. I actually shot in color, but then I converted it with Elements. I was shooting because I love that creek and thought the straying of the creek along with the seemingly everlasting, upward strtch of the trees into the white of the sky made for a nice "contrast of interes" (I just made that up!).

Any direct tips in positioning the scene in your view when you're selecting what all you want on the frame, or what, or in what arrangment, to look for in snapping the photo. I hope you understood that 'cause I almost don't!



God bless,

Rowdy

P.S. - Those trees were growing outward, but how do you deal with that lens warpage you were talking about?

[doubleconvex]

Originally Posted by Stoneface

I had no idea that there should be one prominant subject in the photo. I actually shot in color, but then I converted it with Elements. I was shooting because I love that creek and thought the straying of the creek along with the seemingly everlasting, upward strtch of the trees into the white of the sky made for a nice "contrast of interes" (I just made that up!).

Not so much one prominent subject, so much as using the geometry of an image to lead the viewer through the image. Things to think about are "leading lines" (such as roadways, streams, waterfalls, piers, railway lines), hot spots (or brighter zones), and gradient contrasts to lead the viewer's eye across the image.

Originally Posted by Stoneface

P.S. - Those trees were growing outward, but how do you deal with that lens warpage you were talking about?

Photoshop has a function under Filter>Deform?Lens Correction which will allow you to correct any lens warping. Once again, lens warping has its place (as a wide angle landscape photography enthusiast, I use it all the time). Its just a matter of how you intend to show your subject in your image.

Hope these comments were useful.