Critique : Palm leaf

6 years 8 months ago #537866 by lesauf
Hi all,

Make: SAMSUNG
Model: NX1000
ISO: 400
Aperture: f/11.0
Shutter speed: 1/50 sec
Captured: Sat, 12 Aug 2017 16:23pm


I am practicing shooting lines, and I am coming with this photo of a palm leaf.

What do you think I can improve?

Thank you,
Steph


Attachments:
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6 years 8 months ago #537872 by Screamin Scott
I would change the comp so that it would be a diagonal line of the main body of the leaf starting in the lower right-hand corner of the frame. Plus punch up the contrast a bit. But, that's my personal opinion...

Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/

Photo Comments
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6 years 8 months ago #537876 by Soccer Mom
First off, for me I like this shot.  Everything is so symmetrical.  Would be interesting to see how it might look as Scott suggested too.  

Thanks for sharing!  

Canon 7D, 18-55mm, 55-250mm, 70-200mm L f/2.8, 100mm and 17-55mm f/2.8
Photo Comments
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6 years 8 months ago #537964 by lesauf

Screamin Scott wrote: I would change the comp so that it would be a diagonal line of the main body of the leaf starting in the lower right-hand corner of the frame. Plus punch up the contrast a bit.


Let us give it a try ...

...

Make: SAMSUNG
Model: NX1000
ISO: 400
Aperture: f/11.0
Shutter speed: 1/50 sec
Captured: Sat, 12 Aug 2017 16:23pm


That's it!


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6 years 8 months ago #537997 by garyrhook
IMO Better. The strong diagonal is fine, although I'd be a bit less overt about it. Symmetry is not necessarily your friend.

Next time, when taking the photo, change your angle. Get the sun out from behind you (backlighting) to add depth. Don't look straight down at the subject. Explore different depths of field.


Photo Comments
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6 years 8 months ago #538037 by Ira Weber
Good tips to follow here.  At the end, experiment.  Try taking a spray mist bottle with water in it, and spray the leaf to get water droplets on it.  That will add character to this shot as well.  Personally I like the diagonal version much more than the first shot.  Keep it going! 


Photo Comments
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6 years 8 months ago #538131 by effron
The angle change in an improvement. I wouldn't mind seeing a different angle too, maybe the tapering end fading out of focus?

Why so serious?
Photo Comments
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6 years 8 months ago #538373 by lesauf
Thank you all for the tips.

A few other tries :

#1
Make: SAMSUNG
Model: NX1000
ISO: 100
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter speed: 1/20 sec
Captured: Fri, 18 Aug 2017 7:37am


#2
Make: SAMSUNG
Model: NX1000
ISO: 400
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter speed: 1/40 sec
Captured: Fri, 18 Aug 2017 7:38am


#3
Make: SAMSUNG
Model: NX1000
ISO: 400
Aperture: f/5.0
Shutter speed: 1/125 sec
Captured: Fri, 18 Aug 2017 7:38am


#4
Make: SAMSUNG
Model: NX1000
ISO: 400
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter speed: 1/60 sec
Captured: Fri, 18 Aug 2017 7:40am


#5
Make: SAMSUNG
Model: NX1000
ISO: 400
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter speed: 1/60 sec
Captured: Fri, 18 Aug 2017 7:40am


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6 years 8 months ago #538396 by garyrhook
Very good. I would call #4 the most compositionally successful, followed by #5. Others will have their own opinions, of course, but I find the leading lines, strong diagonals, and overal content to be pleasing.

Next: clean up the fronds, darken the background, and control the light (dodging & burning) to really lead the eye into and through the image.

IMO, of course.


Photo Comments
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6 years 8 months ago #539247 by lesauf
Thank you for the advice Gary.

I do not really know how to do dodge & burn. I watched some tutorials online and read about and here is what I succeeded to do on #4 :

Make: SAMSUNG
Model: NX1000
ISO: 400
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter speed: 1/60 sec
Captured: Fri, 18 Aug 2017 7:40am


Attachments:
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6 years 8 months ago #539254 by garyrhook
Well, it's time to learn ;-) You've got a nice start here.

D&B is about directing the eye. I think it's probably a bit easier to learn in B&W images, because you can focus (roughly) on exposure first, to darken and lighten areas to emphasize what you want. And it takes practice.

In this image, you've got all of these leading lines, and some D&B can help draw the eye into the image from the lower right to the spine, and back to the mid-lower left (or vice versa). It's really about where you want the eye to rest (if at all).

Good job. Keep it up.


Photo Comments
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6 years 7 months ago #543802 by Stephen Graham
#4 is very appealing to me as well. I like the leading lines in this composition. Well done!


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6 years 4 months ago #558981 by Aaron Rogers
I am learning a lot visiting these threads. i also like #4 and #5 shots. Nice! 


The following user(s) said Thank You: lesauf
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