Strings

[janellp]

Hi all. Just playing around with a guitar and my new camera. I haven't done any editing (except resizing) as I am still familiarizing myself with that. Just wanted to hear some thoughts and ideas (compostion, dof, how can I better these??!) Critique away, I love to learn! There are 2 that I want you to look at... Thanks!!!

Shot with Pentax K5
Lens: DA pentax 18-55mm
Manual mode

#1 ISO 160, 1/50 sec, F14
not sure how to link #2??

[janellp]

I am really sorry if this breaks rules but I would love to get thoughts on this photo as well (they are a pair) and I am severely new to this forum, and you do things alittle differently than others I belong to (as is expected). I didn't know how to link as stated in the rules? so sorry but here it is:

#2 ISO 160, 1/160 sec, F6.3

[bigben6]

Originally Posted by janellp

Shot #2
#2 ISO 160, 1/160 sec, F6.3

Compositionally, i think the volume dial gets in the way as a focus point, i dont WANT to look at it, i WANT to look at the strings but its so big and in sharp focus my eye keeps getting drawn to the dial.../. in fact im betting the camera DID focus on the dial and not the bridge which i assumed was your intended focal point.

Your strings/bridge are lightly off horizontal, not enough to seem intentional, but enough to be distracting, so either level it out perfectly or make it MORE deliberate casue as is it appears ot be an oops. I would also say that your not shooting directly DOWN the strings, so either make them go straight to the horizon by shifting he camera slightly to the left, or again, throw them way off of vertical but its just slight so it looks like an oops

You might also try a lower angle or an even bigger (smaller #) aperture.

[bigben6]

Originally Posted by janellp

Shot #1
#1 ISO 160, 1/50 sec, F14
not sure how to link #2??

I like this shot, nice bad to a black background, in this one notice your volume dial is out of focus and does not distract my eye away from the bridge or strings, its not straight but it is obvious that the angle is artistic not an oops.

Only thing i dont like is that the rear most pickup is cut off just a touch, i believe your focal point was the middle pickup yes? I feel like there is enough of the rear pickup to wanna see it all, i would try either reframing with zoom or poition to either include all of it, OF less of it, as it stands its kind of awkward. Maybe just cropping this one in post will get a better effect in this regard.

Both of these though are great first trys, and have alot of good properties, and show a good creative foundation IMO, just keep trying stuff and dont let critique get you down, its a learning process!

[janellp]

Oh wow, thank you Bigben for the tips. You are absolutely right about the big volume button! It is the first thing you see when you look at the picture (now that I am actually looking) and that was definitely not what I was going for. I'm going to try this again....
And I see what you mean about the pick up. Cropping does help but I think I am going to try again and get more of the rear...
Thank you so much, I really appreciate the advice!