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[HBombExplosion]

EXIF DATA

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT
Exposure: 0.5
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 55 mm
ISO Speed: 200


I chose this one out of about 47 different shots and angles. Since the entire photo is mainly black and whites, the post processing consisted of a few different contrast adjustments to try and bring out the detail.

The only thing i didnt like about this but ended up being ok with, is the ring in the center of the image. I wanted it to be more in focus. That is where i set my focal point, but i think the combination of the lighting and the half second shutter blurred it too much.

[HenBres]

You said you chose this out of "47 different shots and angles". But frankly I dont see much in it. May be you should upload more shots. May be you overlooked the good ones !!!

[windrider86]

Did you have anything in particular you are wanting us to critique on?

[BryanC]

Originally Posted by HenBres

You said you chose this out of "47 different shots and angles". But frankly I dont see much in it. May be you should upload more shots. May be you overlooked the good ones !!!

Just ignore this person's post. It's someone, for whatever reason, that has been leaving these kinds of things around the forum lately. It doesn't represent the way the rest of the members here act, so, don't be discouraged by that.

Originally Posted by windrider86

Did you have anything in particular you are wanting us to critique on?

This is being asked because part of the rules of the critique forum is to ask a specific question or questions about your image, to get a more detailed response from others. More often, however, responses will go past that, noting other particular aspects of the image that stand out, whether it's positive or negative. Keep in mind, it's all meant in a helpful way.

Ok, with that out of the way, I'll give you my opinions on your image. Definitely a classic shoe for sure. I like what you were going for, getting a detail of it. For me though, it's too much of a detail, most of it being blurred. Again, just my opinion, but maybe having a little more of it in focus, or a different composition would work for me. Hope I'm explaining that right. Instead of drawing attention to one eyelet, maybe the row of them. Anyway, it's a pretty cool subject to experiment with, especially the black and whites. Very good work on the contrast, and the detail of the stitching. Hope to see more of your work, soon...keep at it!

[Mogen_david]

BryanC has a pretty good critique of the photo. I would recommend using a flash (off camera or on a bracket) or somehow getting more light on you subject. The focus point looks to have actually been just below the eyelet and with an aperture of 5.6 your DOF is quite short especially with a macro. More light and more depth of field which can be difficult in a macro shot. While it would have been a more ordinary shot, shooting with your subject(s) flat on the focus plane can help with this. I actually like that you caught the line of stitching and that line is matched by the eyelets. Focusing on these elements by moving them to more prominent positions might help. The last thing I'll mention is that the lace looping hanging into the photo is distracting especially with the limited depth of field. I know I often feel like I shouldn't disturb my subject but it never hurts to tidy if needed. Don't be afraid to reach out and "fix" the image. Especially a still life or object study.

Finally nice subject. I chose a pair of converse as a subject in a drawing course (mine were old and ratty) and understand the allure. They make excellent subjects. With a simplicity that is alluring and enough detail to captivate.

[HBombExplosion]

Thank you both for the comments. Looking back i can definitely see what both of you are talking about. I think the reason the DOF is so short, is because for macro shots, i use my 18-55mm kit lens with a wide angle adapter lens. For this particular shot i actually took off the wide angle lens and was only using the....i guess it would be the macro adapter piece. I dont really know how to explain it because i have never seen this on any other camera or lens. While mostly everyone else i've ever seen actually has a wide angle lens, i have this wide angle adapter lens. Also just using that, i don't think it helped that i was zoomed all the way in. I am ameture at best, i just try and do what i can with my camera. And also all self taught, from learning how to use my camera, learning how to frame shots, and even all the editing, which i have become much better at lately from watching tutorials and trying what i see on my own photos. I still have a lot to learn and i definitely appreciate the comments, criticisms, and advice.

and BryanC, about HenBres reply, after i read it i thought it was a little out of the norm for any criticism. After i looked up some of his other posts on different threads, i got the idea of the kind of replies he was making, so i dismissed it. But i do want to thank you just for letting me know personally.

[BryanC]

I'm not familiar with your type of lens set-up so I can't really comment on it. Mogen-david made a particular comment about your aperture setting on this shot. (It's a good example of why to include the exif data in the critique forum.) A smaller aperture, (bigger number) would have given a little deeper depth of field, (more in focus). He made other good technical points as well.

There's nothing wrong with experimenting, trying different things. It's how a lot of cool things happen. And, as for learning more about photography, this is a great place to get that information. There are plenty of people her on all levels of skill and knowledge, so search around and don't be afraid to ask questions...no question is stupid here. Most important, keep shooting!