Beginner from Cape Town, SA

[Glitterbug576]

Hey everyone,

I am amazed at the beautiful shots on this forum! WOW.

Firstly, I am not even sure if amateurs such as me are even ALLOWED on this website, but I have always LOVED taking pics and I love arty photography, though I have never owned a decent camera.

I have a CANON S50 power shot digital camera on loan from a friend.

Any advice from anyone using the same camera? See pics below.

The first pic was taken on
AV 1/60
ISO/50
F8.0

The second pic:
M 1/250
ISO 50
F8.0

I added some effects using PICNIC.

Thank you in advance for your comments********

[Krusty79]

Welcome to DPS. I don't have your camera, but here is my feedback. You're really only supposed to submit one image at a time in this section. That being said, I think the first shot has an interesting composition. I don't know why the boards towards the back have such a different color. It's a good shot and I would suggest emphasizing the texture of the first board more by getting closer to it and showing less of the boards towards the back.

I like the foreground in the 2nd one. It seems a little fuzzy, though. The background would be better if there wasn't so much haze in the air. I would recommend reshooting that when you have some sunset clouds in the sky and less haze in the air.

[mwatson]

I don’t have that camera either but have some thoughts.

It looks as if there are shadows covering up the first couple of boards that kept them their correct color. It is kind of neat to see the, I’m guessing sun rise, on the wood. Was the vignette done on in post or was it from the lighting? I would agree with Krusty79 and get a little closer to the first board. There are a lot of cool lines and textures there.

For the second shot, I like the hazy background, if only the foreground wasn’t so. Was a filter used or was your lens fogged up? Tightening up the aperture and going a little longer on the exposure might have given you a cool grainy effect also. Just a thought.

They are good photos, nonetheless.

[Glitterbug576]

THANKS GUYS! These were taken during sunset hours, the colour was enhanced in PICNIC programme. I will get closer next time and maybe my lens WAS foggy, there was a mist in the air that evening.

Thank you so much
*******
P.S. Sorry, I didn't realize I may only post one pic at a time! Apologies.

[Glitterbug576]

This is the original without PICNIC effects.
The shadows are from the sunset.

[cinds]

Marty - the first photo is taken at a good angle and I like the repetition of the steps - the shadow in the bottom left detracts from the bottom steps and I also like the texture - I agree with Krusty about being closer to the first step xxx

[Glitterbug576]

Thanks Cindy! Back to the steps I go*

[mwatson]

Some might call me crazy but I believe sometimes we rely to heavily on post processing. It is a wonderful tool but it is easy to run away with it and lose your original photo. The original photo idea is the reason you stopped to take the picture. You don’t really think, “This is a great picture but it could be even better after photoshop.” You think, “This would make a great picture.”

That being said, I am finding myself liking the original picture better. I like the color of the background steps better than the processed one but I like the processed foreground better than the original (make sense?).

Maybe if we crop out the steps that are in the shadow? Just a thought.

Just remember to attempt to stick to your minds eye and try not to over process.

[Glitterbug576]

You know, I also prefer the original, you are SO right. I DO tend to over-do the effects sometimes.........
Thank you for taking the time to look at my pics*

[gturner]

Original for me.
Is that Scarborough beach?