Children at a Lake

[TNH]

All right everyone, here is another of my Landscape pictures. I took this a few months back and wanted some critique on it. Here is my question:
Do all the footprints in the sand make the picture look interesting and better, or do they make it look a little cluttered?
And also, should I try to make the sky a bit bluer, or leave it the way it is?
Thanks for your thoughts. I really appreciate it.


Exif Data:
Dates

Taken on May 29, 2011
Camera- Nikon Coolpix S3000
Exposure- 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture- f/8.0
Focal Length- 4.9 mm
ISO Speed 80-
Exposure Bias- 0 EV
Flash- Auto, Did not fire
X-Resolution- 300 dpi
Y-Resolution- 300 dpi
Software- Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0

[Krusty79]

Nice shot, but to me, the footprints look pretty random. If there was a distinct line of footprints leading to your subject, that would work well. It looks like you were shooting towards the sun, which makes it tough to get an even exposure. I think that is why is it hard to make out any features of the kids. I also think a bluer sky would be more interesting. A circular polarizer can help with that in many situations. I would have tried using the dirt shoreline or the grass shoreline as a leading line into the image if I did not go the footprint route.

[Tito87]

I like your shot. I would have tried to get a better exposure for the kids--I know, that would have blown out the sky, but the kids are your center of interest. The footprints don't bother me; although, I agree with Krusty: having them as a leading line to your subject would've made for an even better shot. And yes, more blue would look nicer. You can take two shots: take one setting your exposure for the sky, and take another setting your exposure for the kids-- then, you combine them in Photoshop. That way, you can have both: a well exposed sky, and well exposed kids.[IMG] 5846849558_03ce25b2a3_z I hope you don't mind; I tried to give your picture a different look. If you don't like it, just say so and I'll take it out right away.

[TNH]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

Nice shot, but to me, the footprints look pretty random. If there was a distinct line of footprints leading to your subject, that would work well. It looks like you were shooting towards the sun, which makes it tough to get an even exposure. I think that is why is it hard to make out any features of the kids. I also think a bluer sky would be more interesting. A circular polarizer can help with that in many situations. I would have tried using the dirt shoreline or the grass shoreline as a leading line into the image if I did not go the footprint route.

Thanks!
I never noticed that about the footprints before. I guess they are in a pretty random pattern. Those were just the prints that everyone left behind when they ran to the dock.
I was trying to use the shoreline as a leading line. So you probably can't tell if you said I should have done that! I must have not done a good job with that.

Originally Posted by Tito87

I like your shot. I would have tried to get a better exposure for the kids--I know, that would have blown out the sky, but the kids are your center of interest. The footprints don't bother me; although, I agree with Krusty: having them as a leading line to your subject would've made for an even better shot. And yes, more blue would look nicer. You can take two shots: take one setting your exposure for the sky, and take another setting your exposure for the kids-- then, you combine them in Photoshop. That way, you can have both: a well exposed sky, and well exposed kids.[IMG]

Thanks. Is that picture what it would have looked like with a better exposure? It seems a little too bright to me, but I probably don't know much.
I don't have Photoshop, but I'm researching on a way to combine two photos with the photo program I have. I did change the sky color just a while ago. Is it an improvement, do you think? Thanks.

[Tito87]

Thanks. Is that picture what it would have looked like with a better exposure? It seems a little too bright to me, but I probably don't know much.

You're right. It's a lot brighter than the original, but it has nothing to do with your not knowing much. If you wanted the picture to have a different mood-- well, that's what you wanted and that's fine.I just wanted you to see that the kids don't need to be so dark.

I did change the sky color just a while ago. Is it an improvement, do you think?

Yes, I think the sky looks better. BTW, what editing program do you use?

[TNH]

Originally Posted by Tito87

You're right. It's a lot brighter than the original, but it has nothing to do with your not knowing much. If you wanted the picture to have a different mood-- well, that's what you wanted and that's fine.I just wanted you to see that the kids don't need to be so dark.

Yes, the kids do look better in your edit, but the landscape was just bothering me a little.

Yes, I think the sky looks better. BTW, what editing program do you use?

Thanks. I have Windows Live Photo Gallery on my computer, but I use Picnik most of the time. Picnik's a photo editing website, and it's easier to use and can do more than my photo program. That's what I used for the sky.

[Tito87]

Originally Posted by TNH

Yes, the kids do look better in your edit, but the landscape was just bothering me a little.

That's no problem. You can create a mask, so that the adjustments will affect only the kids while the landscape remains untouched. I was just doing a quick edit, that's why I didn't do it (or maybe I'm just lazy).

Thanks. I have Windows Live Photo Gallery on my computer, but I use Picnik most of the time. Picnik's a photo editing website, and it's easier to use and can do more than my photo program. That's what I used for the sky.

You're welcome. You should try Gimp, it has almost everything that Photoshop has and it's free.[IMG] 5846849558_03ce25b2a3_z

[TNH]

Originally Posted by Tito87

You're welcome. You should try Gimp, it has almost everything that Photoshop has and it's free.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. Is Gimp a website where you edit your photos, or do you have to download it?
And I see what you mean. That picture looks really good, with both photos put together. And you can't even tell! I'll go back to that pond sometime and try that again, using your suggestions. Thanks so much!
And thanks! You give always me critique on my photos when no one else will.

[Tito87]

Originally Posted by TNH

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. Is Gimp a website where you edit your photos, or do you have to download it?
And I see what you mean. That picture looks really good, with both photos put together. And you can't even tell! I'll go back to that pond sometime and try that again, using your suggestions. Thanks so much!
And thanks! You give always me critique on my photos when no one else will.

You're most welcome. It's not two pictures; it's only one. Gimp is a program that you download. You should try it; it will be a good start. Then, if you decide that you want to use Photoshop, the learning curve won't be so steep.

[TNH]

Originally Posted by Tito87

You're most welcome. It's not two pictures; it's only one. Gimp is a program that you download. You should try it; it will be a good start. Then, if you decide that you want to use Photoshop, the learning curve won't be so steep.

Thanks! I'll check that out.