General Critique of photos

#3 and #5 are by favorites 

I've added some new photos from a vacation to Jamaica. Hopefully you all can help me out some more as well!

Tried work with, and without off-camera flash to see the difference they can make. 

All critique is appreciated. Thanks!

Of your vacation set I like the first one best (sky from inside ruin).  But the flash is too strong, "flattening" the picture too much.

Kelly

I agree, I like that photo the most as well, but the flash is too strong, i need to familiarize myself a bit better with the usage of the flash to compensate and address that issue. 

Thanks!

I don't think the flash is too strong, based on the B&W version, unless you changed your settings. It looks like it's been over-processed to my eye.  You'll find that using your flash compensation to tone down the amount can get you where you need to be, although it may take several shots to find the right balance.

That's why I prefer to get a decent exposure in camera and use PP to tweak it out. But that's just me.

The biggest problem here is the time of day. The light in many of them is just rather harsh, unfortunately.

garyrhook wrote: I don't think the flash is too strong, based on the B&W version, unless you changed your settings. It looks like it's been over-processed to my eye.  You'll find that using your flash compensation to tone down the amount can get you where you need to be, although it may take several shots to find the right balance.

That's why I prefer to get a decent exposure in camera and use PP to tweak it out. But that's just me.

The biggest problem here is the time of day. The light in many of them is just rather harsh, unfortunately.

Agreed with the time of day, it was shot around 1-2pm with a lot of light. The B&W version was shot a day earlier and without flash, and then the coloured version was shot later on w/ flash. The coloured shot itself, was barely touched editing wise. the Blues were enhanced slightly, and the image was cropped a bit from where the flash fell off (I need to get familiar with it once again). But that is about it.

All in all, i agree with what you said and its great criticism for later on in my future shots ^^ 

The forums are always a great place to get real, legitimate criticism. Thanks Garyrhook. 

Of course tourists don't always get a choice in when they have access to a scene.  When the lighting is harsh, exposure becomes more tricky.  Linkys -

www.photographytipscorner.com/3-tips-for...pictures-in-the-sun/

neilvn.com/tangents/photographing-in-har...h-and-without-flash/

theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_on...ot-fear-the-sun.html

Kelly

With regards to critique on photos. The comments given by the people who have commented here are their opinons. You said “Being an untrained, uneducated photographer, I rather enjoy learning what I can do better!”, someone has said that "doing everything mindlessly the way classes/books/other people tell you to is just stupid and defies creativity, I disagree. I am a former teacher of photographic studies at a college in New York. We, the teachers, guide you in a way of teaching you the basics of photographing various different subjects, it is then up to you to put your mind into the creativity side to put across what you can achieve from what you have learned. You will learn a lot of useful information from others, here and in magazines, on photography courses, and by joining your local photography club. You will never stop learning how to photograph subjects, there are ways that work and ways in which you will find better to do. Research and information is always important, which then you can use what you have learned and go out and do it yourself.
Practice, practice and keep practicing is the best way to learn what you have learned from others, books and courses.

boriqua latina wrote: With regards to critique on photos. The comments given by the people who have commented here are their opinons. You said “Being an untrained, uneducated photographer, I rather enjoy learning what I can do better!”, someone has said that "doing everything mindlessly the way classes/books/other people tell you to is just stupid and defies creativity, I disagree. I am a former teacher of photographic studies at a college in New York. We, the teachers, guide you in a way of teaching you the basics of photographing various different subjects, it is then up to you to put your mind into the creativity side to put across what you can achieve from what you have learned. You will learn a lot of useful information from others, here and in magazines, on photography courses, and by joining your local photography club. You will never stop learning how to photograph subjects, there are ways that work and ways in which you will find better to do. Research and information is always important, which then you can use what you have learned and go out and do it yourself.
Practice, practice and keep practicing is the best way to learn what you have learned from others, books and courses.

I agree practice is the best way to develop your skills. And photography is a perfect example of it. Learning from the best also helps to develop proper habits to exhibit good technique. 

I added a new photo, it was my first "studio" type of photo, I have no real firm idea of how to do it properly, or how to improve, what do you all suggest for lighting styles or use of reflectors etc. Tips and criticism does NOT need to be regarding the photo itself, but rather just tips you've picked up over time spent in the studio.



Thanks once again everybody, your helping to make my photography more successful and I feel like this forum and your help are greatly improving my photos.

A "natural light" studio will use a sunny window plus reflectors.

When it comes to still life this size, any lights can be used (and have been!).  You could try household desk lamps, HomeDepot worklights, cheap "studio" CFLs, video LED lights, quartz Redhead lights, cheap stage lights, speedlights, even studio strobes.  Lately I've been playing with video LEDs.  But studio strobes are tops.

Kelly

Couldn't agree more, there is always heaps to shoot where ever you are once you "get your eye in" you will realise this. With delight.
G.

the 7th and 8th photos need improvements.





This was my second attempt at the Wheel, I tried to pull in some of the things you all suggested, Its a bit dark but it may give a better view of the mood and overall texture of the exposure. What does everything think about the new photo? 

Personally I found the focusing better done, and I made sure not to cut off the wheel at all. 

As always, I am very grateful for all the help everyone has given me into improving my photography and my shots. 

I like it. Nicely done. I hope I could be as skilled as you are one day.