Critique, Nurnberg Street Scene

[rkolasa]

A street scene in my favorite city, Nurnberg Germany.

1/800sec
ISO 400
f/5.6

Nikon D60
35mm Nikkor Lens

[milosh]

Hello there,

do you have any specific questions about the photo? Composition, technique, ...?

I think you captured a nice scene of Nurnberg, but I would also like to see a bit more of the street. Showing some of the surrounding elements of the main detail that you want to show us, helps to put the detail in its environment and makes it easier for a viewer to comprehend the scene. The viewer is not left with any questions (for example: what's under that window, what does the street look like...).

Regarding your shooting technique, there is a rule of thumb which says that in order to avoid shaking the camera during exposure, your shutter speed should not be smaller than reciprocal value of your focal length. That means that for your 35mm lens it should be at least 1/30 seconds, but there is no need to keep it at 1/800 (unless you're trying to capture a fast moving object). In adition to that, you should always try to shoot at your camera's lowest ISO value (ISO100 for D60). For example, to achieve an equivalent exposure to the exposure you have here, you could have used ISO100, f8 and 1/100.

[rkolasa]

Originally Posted by milosh

Hello there,

do you have any specific questions about the photo? Composition, technique, ...?

I think you captured a nice scene of Nurnberg, but I would also like to see a bit more of the street. Showing some of the surrounding elements of the main detail that you want to show us, helps to put the detail in its environment and makes it easier for a viewer to comprehend the scene. The viewer is not left with any questions (for example: what's under that window, what does the street look like...).

Regarding your shooting technique, there is a rule of thumb which says that in order to avoid shaking the camera during exposure, your shutter speed should not be smaller than reciprocal value of your focal length. That means that for your 35mm lens it should be at least 1/30 seconds, but there is no need to keep it at 1/800 (unless you're trying to capture a fast moving object). In adition to that, you should always try to shoot at your camera's lowest ISO value (ISO100 for D60). For example, to achieve an equivalent exposure to the exposure you have here, you could have used ISO100, f8 and 1/100.

Thanks! I should pay more attention that that. I've been moving around so much. (I'd left my ISO at 400 from a darker location I'd just come out of). Very much appreciated and helpful.

I think I was most curious about the crop and how it affected this picture. That was helpful as well, although I didn't shoot a wider one. I was worried that if I shot it wider I'd lose the bay window as the main focus. (And the streets are generally cluttered with cars and random plants). Thanks again!

[NikD300]

Great suggestion! Agree with you 100%. With f/8 the details would have been more clearer and typically lens have sweet spot around this aperture and pic would be sharper. Unless of course your aim is to get the background a bit out of focus.

Originally Posted by milosh

Hello there,

do you have any specific questions about the photo? Composition, technique, ...?

I think you captured a nice scene of Nurnberg, but I would also like to see a bit more of the street. Showing some of the surrounding elements of the main detail that you want to show us, helps to put the detail in its environment and makes it easier for a viewer to comprehend the scene. The viewer is not left with any questions (for example: what's under that window, what does the street look like...).

Regarding your shooting technique, there is a rule of thumb which says that in order to avoid shaking the camera during exposure, your shutter speed should not be smaller than reciprocal value of your focal length. That means that for your 35mm lens it should be at least 1/30 seconds, but there is no need to keep it at 1/800 (unless you're trying to capture a fast moving object). In adition to that, you should always try to shoot at your camera's lowest ISO value (ISO100 for D60). For example, to achieve an equivalent exposure to the exposure you have here, you could have used ISO100, f8 and 1/100.