Honest Criticism

[Jamdoc]

Although I have submitted many photographs to "Share Your Shots" section of the Photography Forums, I would appreciate very honest criticism of this photograph of Winifred Beach here in Portland, Jamaica as I would like to know what I need to do to improve in all areas.
Thanks.



Camera Model: NIKON D90
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 18.0mm (35mm equivalent: 27mm...
Exposure Time: 0.017 s (1/60)
Aperture: f/18.0
Whitebalance: Auto
Metering Mode: matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)
Comment: (c)VidalSmithJr

[navcom]

Hi! Well, I can't critique all areas as that would take a book.

I'll concentrate on exposure. It looks a bit overexposed and washed out. That is most likely due to the time of day it was shot. It appears it was shot in the middle of the day. I'm not sure how new you are to landscape photography but outside of issues with dynamic range, mid-day sun is one of the main culprits for frustration with newer landscape photographers (it was for me when I was new!).

During the middle of the day when the sun is high, it is more intense and produces straight-down shadows, which means everything appears flat and harsh (washed out). The best time of the day (and to many landscape photographers the ONLY time to be shooting) is early or late...usually within an hour either side of sunrise and sunset. During this time the light is more "golden" and pleasing and shadows are longer producing more depth to photographs.

On the composition side, it's an interesting spot, but it's pretty much just a snapshot of an inlet with a stream. There isn't a compelling subject to pull the viewer in. You are on the right track. You have a leading line (the stream) and kind of a frame (upper left and right trees). It's just that it's not really leading anywhere or framing anything compelling.

Hope that helps!

[Krusty79]

You've got a cool scene there with some nice colors, but as navcom said, without a compelling subject, I find my eye wandering over the image and not settling on anything in particular. I find that one plant in the foreground a little distracting, as I would like to see more of that little creek.

If you must shoot in the middle of the day (not recommended), then a circular polarizer will help reduce glare off non-metallic surfaces and give you some richer colors, especially in the sky (also depends on your angle relative to the sun).

[Jamdoc]

Thanks to both of you for your very constructive critiques. They will be put to good use in helping me improve my photography.

[Michael_2010]

What would be a compelling subject for a scene like this? The surroundings have a whole lot going for them with the stream leading into the ocean. The trees framing the shot. The variety of colors.

Would you guys stage a shot like this? Put some type of prop in the foreground? Get a friend to sit along the bank? How would you guys work this one?

[Krusty79]

Originally Posted by Michael_2010

What would be a compelling subject for a scene like this? The surroundings have a whole lot going for them with the stream leading into the ocean. The trees framing the shot. The variety of colors.

Would you guys stage a shot like this? Put some type of prop in the foreground? Get a friend to sit along the bank? How would you guys work this one?

You know, it's a pretty cool shot without a "main" subject, but every shot is supposed to have a subject, right? I was going to suggest maybe moving down and taking the shot closer to the creek, but then the tree on the right is going to block the view, so I didn't mention that. Maybe just moving the the left so you can see more water and not the tree on the right will work. However, I don't see anything in the current image that would really qualify as a compelling subject.

I have not put any type of prop in my images, so I'm not going to start recommending that now. So, I guess the next logical question is what can be used as the subject? You're making me think after a busy day at work! I don't see any paddle boats or surfers or anything like that in the water that can be used. Since I don't see anything that will fit the bill now, I'll just suggest using the sunset as the subject and the inlet/beach as the foreground interest or moving onto the beach and use the beach itself as a curved leading line that leads to some people on the beach/interesting rock formation or something like that. I'd like to get more specific, but I have never been to Jamaica and don't what else is at that beach.

[Michael_2010]

This does present an interesting situation, which I run into often. The lighting might be great. The surroundings might be great. But, something is missing. Shame to waste such a setting, so what to do, what to do?