Qur'an in the Classroom

[fennerat]

This is a picture I have recently taken out here in Afghanistan. Currently I am a soldier deployed out here but I have taken up photography as a hobby hoping to move it into a career along with writing when I get home. The type of photography I am looking to do is more oriented for travel in hostile areas. What I am looking for is tips to improve the photo itself in the editing phase, cropping, and playing with photoshop. I am also looking for tips on how I can better take this type of photo to make them more marketable to newspapers, bloggers, and the general public. Ideas like improving the way a situation like this could be better displayed would be wonderful. I am shooting currently with a Nikon Coolpix S550 at 10.0 megapixel.



This is taken from a small village, the small boy in the front is leading the other children in reciting and learning the verses of the Qur'an. The teachers are off to the side. I was very grateful that I was actually given permission to take this picture by the teachers.

I have more pictures posted on my flickr page Flickr: DD Medic's Photostream Any commentary and critiques would be wonderful.

[Jun Xiang Goh]

i checked your pictures in flickr and wow..what a superb shot you have. i never knew how the life of a soldier is until i see those photos. great job fennerat !!

[fennerat]

Thank you, I'm glad you really enjoyed the pictures and learned a little something. I really would appreciate any criticism. i really did pick up my camera with any amount of seriousness a couple months ago. So, if i'm doing something right then I don't know what and if I am doing something wrong or could improve I welcome the improvement ideas.
thank you.

[lputman]

The pole in the center of this photo is a big distraction. Take shots from different perspectives to better your chances of getting "the right" one.

I love how some of this kids are looking and smiling at you taking the picture.

[k8et]

wow - you have amazing shots! I really like the eye you have for composition and subject.

I love this one, wish it were a bit clearer in focus but it still works.

some of my favs from your photostream
Local National 06 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Kids 12 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Women 02 on Flickr - Photo Sharing! I wish you had her feet/whole body in the picture! if you cropped any vertically, i would personally add a little back, either below or above...

Actually many of your photos are like that, cropped very elongated. I like it on some and not on others. if this is a bit of a signature thing you are doing, then go for it, but if it's inadvertent you may want to try cropping to "standard" ratios and see which you like better, for variety. though some will continue to be more dramatic the way you have them.

Sorry, you asked for critique on this one, but couldn't help myself :P

the pops of color in contrast to the landscape and military/camo/color scheme are just incredible. If you don't mind I'm adding you on flickr so I can see future work!

[Jun Xiang Goh]

hmm i checked your exif data and found that you didnt fire the flash. maybe next time when you have your subjects both under the sun and in the shade it's better to lower the exposure and on the flash, so that the one under the sun wont be overexposed and you wont get dark shadow from the one in the shade

[fennerat]

Iputman - someone was telling me about framing the subject. can I safely assume that this is a bad attempt at the framing of a subject? I have a black and white photo from this same classroom taken from the side on my Flickr page that i like a little better. Maybe I will post that next for critique.
K8et - Thanks for the critiques, I don't mind at all. I will have to go back and take a look at the original photo and redo the cropping and take a look at the others. Thanks for the add also.
Jun - It is true, i am still learning all the subtle little nuances of my camera. I will try to remember that though.

[lputman]

I wouldn't say it was a bad attempt since I don't what kind of boundaries you had. I really think the audience (the children) make this photo though.

[fennerat]

I didn't know about the concept of framing until someone told me about it when they saw this shot. I have been reading a bit on it. I do agree the kids are the main focal point on this one.

[PinkLens]

I must confess, I totally loved your work (took a look on flickr). Its amazing all the pictures you have from there. Such a fabulous experience. Women 15 and 16 are my favourites.

Dont really know enough to critque but yes, without the pole, the picture would have more focus on the kids. Nevertheless, amazing pictures. Keep posting.

Thanks,
Priya.