Don't know what these are called

[d2theyip]

Beginning photographer. When I posted this, a fellow friend said there is distraction in the picture, the bottom corners. Asking the DPS community for any comments, tips, etc. This location is 2 minutes away walking, also have the standard kit lens, so I can try different shots if recommended. Here is the photo:

Taken with 50mm lens



Camera Canon EOS REBEL T3i
Exposure 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture f/4.5
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 100

[RichardTaylor]

Techincal:

The photograph is very under exposed. The may be that the white(?) wall is fooling the camera metering system
Have a look at the histogram.

When shooting this subject again give it about a stop extra exposure (I think). Depending on what exposure mode you are using you may need to give it +1 exposure compensation.


Aestetics:
Yes the bolt in the bottom left corner is a distraction. It can be removed, when shooting, by moving in a little closer or by cropping the picture during post processing..

[d2theyip]

Thanks Richard. I'll just try the post processing route. Any types of comments, techniques, etc is appreciated.

[RichardTaylor]

Depending on what software you are using:
Try a new layer with blending mode set to screen and adjust the opacity to suit
or
Use a levels adjustment.

[d2theyip]

Here is an edited version. Cropped out the eye sore, and tried to make it an old school look.



More comments, techniques, etc, are totally appreciated.

[RichardTaylor]

That works a lot better for me.

[RobSPhotoNut]

They are for the building sprinkler system. Used for the annual fire pump test if the building is over three stories high. Now, the picture. I am still learning also, so we may be in the same boat! If yo have read anything about the zone system of photography you know that film or digital tries to make something grey. If you put the camera on manual, get correct exposure, then overexpose by maybe one stop or so to make white really white, before blowing out the white. However, now the blacks will be closer to grey. To get black really black, underexpose to make the black stand out. However, now the whites will be closer to grey. This same technique can be used to make sky "more blue" without the use of a CP filter. A slight underexposure. This can also be used for snow pictures since you are in that area. Decide if you want the snow "white" or the trees (or whatever else) black or darker and expose accordingly. There are various photo books that explain in much better detail than I can about the zone system. For a quick test, take a picture of a white wall, blurred focus, camera metering, no reflections and take a picture. Then do the same with a black wall, blurred focus, no reflections, camera settings. Both pictures will be about the same color grey. Hope I have not bored you with my reply. I know there are much better photogs than I am who can really get much more technical than I ever could. Probably explain better also-
Much luck to you-

[d2theyip]

Thanks Rob, I'm always here to learn.