What’s Your Preference?

Katiep09 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-17-2011, 09:03 PM

This is my first post, so if I'm not doing something right, please let me know!
I took this photo of a friend while she was smoking in the park, and I like how the smoke came out in this photo and I'm happy with that, but I'm not feeling all the extra space on the right side, I think it takes away from the main aspect. Do you think the composition is good? Is the exposure good?

Camera: Kodak Z981
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 200
Flash used

BigFuzzy · #2 (**permalink**) 08-18-2011, 09:04 AM

I'm going to be honest and say, to me, this is pretty much just a snapshot that doesn't do a lot for me. And I'll explain why.

The most interesting part of the image, the smoke, is barely relevant in the image. I was always told to focus in on that which interested you. You could've done that here by telling your friend to keep smoking while you got in closer to highlight the coolness of the smoke.. but instead you stood there with the camera at eye level and shot down at her. This image looks exactly as it would look if I were standing there looking down on her. Make it interesting, get at her level.. anything but just standing there.

as for your composition, it's nothing exciting, but at least she's not dead center like so many people do. So good on that. Dead space doesn't really matter to me in this image..

Exposure seems technically fine.. but the light itself isn't great seeing as you shot in direct midday type sun. Open shade would have made it nicer.

In the end, and i think you'd agree, this is pretty much just a snapshot where something interesting (the smoke) happened. Now i want to see you focus in on the thing you find interesting and make it the star of your image, not just a happy accident.
Keep posting

candidrachel · #3 (**permalink**) 08-18-2011, 09:19 AM

Yet another wonderful post from my bessie mate Big Fuzzy! Great advice and I always take what he says away with me and use on my own photos.

I'm not stalking you Big Fuzzy but it seems I'm following you round the site this morning lol!