Toilet fun

[eephie]

So, I was bored and I started taking shots and this is one of the results. I converted it to monochrome (post-production). I'm really new to photography (apart from jumping in front of cameras and family shoots using point and shoot) so I don't really know what to ask for. Just take a look and tell me anything I need to note for future shots: sharpness, contrast, composition, angle of shot, white balance, anything. Thanks.

Camera: Nikon D3100
lens: 18-55mm (kit lens)
f-stop: f/3.5
Exposure time: 1/8 seconds
ISO 200
No flash

[eephie]

I thought I would get pointers from here. I guess not.

[Hill Country Hack]

Don't be displeased due to lack of response. Often times the posts come in pretty fast and one's own post starts dropping down the list pretty fast.

I think it is an interesting perspective. I'm far from a pro and will defer to them.

Don't get discouraged about the lack of feedback.

[Gulf Coast Girl]

Originally Posted by eephie

I thought I would get pointers from here. I guess not.

Don't be discouraged.... sometimes that's just how it goes. Plus, on Critique you really need to have SPECIFIC questions.

I'm a newbie myself but since no one else has jumped in(EDIT: I gotta be quicker), I'll give it a shot.

First, toilets aren't the most interesting of subjects so there's that.

Next, I'd suggest getting rid of the fan and whatever that cord thingy is. Also, you cut off the left side of the toilet .... and lastly, maybe it would be more appealing if you had a cat standing on hind legs with front paws on the seat, looking into the bowl???? I dunno... just something to make the viewer not think "eh, it's just a toilet"

Just some ideas.... keep posting and welcome to the forums

[eephie]

I didn't think of that. Any of that. I'll try it.

[gturner]

Arb pictures of toilets are a pretty hard thing to crit. There is no compelling reason to be interested in this image. Make a story / create interest in the image so that people can be attracted enough to comment.

Handheld at 1/8th is not going to give you sharp images. I would use "bored: times like these to learn how to control metering modes, composition and manual settings, esp with boring subjects. That is how you get the creative juices flowing.

[sk66]

I think you did quite well with the picture. It's not easy lighting.

I actually think the scene has "potential" but not as a pic of a toilet....
The door ajar with focus into the room can cause "anticipation/ tension" and this can be good. In my mind's eye, I would take the picture from a different angle (if possible) with the focus on the mirror, which is steamed up and with a faint reflection of "someone" showing in the mirror.

BTW guys, "beginners" SHOULD be the ones critiquing the very basics and opinions are never "wrong".

[eephie]

The subject IS boring. I used 1/8 'cos of the lighting, now I know i should have adjusted either the ISO or the aperture. I'll try again, this time, I'll add something interesting to the mix and shoot in full manual.

Thanks everybody.