Through the wire

[tomdinning]

Grain is one of those things that, back in the bad old days, we had but didn't always want. So we worked with what we had. Today we don't have grain in the same sense so we think we need to add it in some instances. But like anything you use in an image, if it serves not purpose, leave it out.
I would ask if you are shooting your images in RAW. If you are, some sharpening might be necessary but leave it to last and don't get heavy handed. If you're shooting in jpeg the camera will already be sharpening your image to some extent, so doubling up on it will create some artifacts such as halo's around areas of high contrast.
As a beginner, as you have indicated, learn as much as you can about composition. This is were your images will improve. Understanding all the technical stuff is good but can be very confusing at first. It's the 'photographers eye' you want to develop and no amount of fancy camera or post processing will give you that.

[Nyte]

Yeah, your're right! Beginner realizes that it's not the camera that makes good photos after one has already bought one Yes, I shoot in RAW. I sharpened my latest images with Nikon's ViewNX2 and they definitely look better, I will upload some of them soon for your guys to critique them as well. Can you recommend some good reading related to composition and "photographer's eye"? Is Michael Freeman's "Photographer's Eye" a good one? Thanks.

[Tito Texidor III]

Originally Posted by sk66

Here's my view of the "subject" to explain my point (feel free to disagree).

it could be the tower: It is the brightest and has the most defined "detail" in the image and draws one's attention.

it could be the scenery: The dark foreground transitioning to a strong horizon line at a prominent 1/3 draws one's attention into that point.

it could be the birds: An interesting occurrence worthy of attention but lacking in detail....I know they are birds because I've seen similar before, and what else could they be? But I can't really make a single one out.

Because it has several points competing for ones attention the image becomes about the "overall scene" without a "specific subject".

I've tried to capture similar "birds on a wire" type scenes and I've never been able to achieve it well....In my mind's eye I would need to be level with them and shooting down the wire at an angle using DOF for effect and having at least one of the birds clearly identifiable.

Just my 2c

Hey sk66!

I have nothing really to do with this picture, but your advice in regards to it has also helped me out! I have never really thought of the idea of having too many subjects, and therefore no subject. I feel as though a lot of my images try to capture too much, and therefore are less powerful. So thank you for this advice and for taking the time to post it here!

-Tito

[S_Sanyal]

I like the grain. If I were you I'd stick to it. It adds to the feel

I love the shot, its a very compelling composition and a very unusual subject. It makes me stare and stare, which is what makes the picture for me...not everything has to be in your face all the time IMHO

Artistically and graphically I think the wires interlacing in the bright patch of sky is a very big deal and hence its very well rendered.

The only thing is, the sky which is a major part of your frame could use more definition. See if that works out through some tweaking

All in all, a very strong image.
Cheers