First photo critique!

[euphonywho]

Hi Everyone.

I just got my new XSi last Monday, and understandably I've been having fun playing with it! What a huge difference from my old Finepix point-and-shoot! I've got lot's to learn, which is why I'm here. Please be as critical as needed, it's a good way to learn!



Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure: 30
Aperture: f/5.0
Focal Length: 18 mm
Exposure: 0.00
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

I got inspired to practice slow shutter photos, and this was my favorite. I did a little processing, lowered the orange and yellow colors to remove the background of the auto lot.

[suprspi]

I like it generally. It evokes the nighttime wet look well. My only complaint is that I'd like to see it shot from just a step to your right....let the sidewalk lead the eye up the photo into the darkness.

The lamps look good, but in taking out the yellows/oranges a bit did you scale back their colour as well? They feel flat and a little blown out to me.

I'm certainly not the best here to critique, I'm just learning myself - so take my thoughts with a large grain of salt.

[euphonywho]

Thanks for your idea about having the sidewalk more centered. I can take a few tomorrow night maybe and see what that's like. The lights are blue LED bulbs, and don't make any red/yellow/orange light at all. Just blue/white. So the light wasn't changed at all when I changed the colors. The only other orange was a little on the dirt behind the lamp, and a miniscule hint along the sidewalk, probably from my neighbors porch light (mine was off)

[suprspi]

Ok, I understand. When I say the sidewalk centered, I'm thinking sort of leading up one third of the frame, and maybe from a lower perspective. For an idea of what I'm trying to convey you can take a look at this...not the same, but similiar idea.

From davidt-aussiephoto.blogspot.com - preview showing parrallell lines in photography.

[jdepould]

It has the makings of an interesting shot, but shooting down on the lamp probably isn't the best choice. Try different perspectives, and don't be afraid to get level with (or below) the subject.