Natural Pool

Charlotte · 09-01-2007, 17:06

Here is my entry in last month's competition 'Wet'. Whilst I quite like it, no-one else seemed to like it at all. I'd therefore appreciate a critique on this pic - apart from the obvious lack of DoF, what's wrong with it? Frank + honest comments are welcome.

Gary Bagshawe · 09-01-2007, 17:54

Hi there, whilst the shot is a good shot and the exposure etc is all good I think that it is let down by the composition, there doesnt seem to be a focal point and the lines in the shot dont seem to lead anywhere in particular, dont worry about the comp, I didnt get any points either

IanHoughton · 09-01-2007, 18:16

I would have to agree with Gary on the composition, perhaps a lower position and using the rocks and weeds as foreground interest as your looking out to sea ??

Soupdragon · 09-01-2007, 18:44

I think the picture is flat and has no point of interest as the features are replictated in slightly different forms around the frame.
Lack of DOF is not the problem, in fact, it has too much depth of field.

Rob Barron · 09-01-2007, 21:08

Charlotte, please don't take it to heart that your picture didn't get votes. Remember we only get to vote for three pictures out of the whole lot and there was a strong field of pictures. A handful got most of the votes so yours was not the only one that didn't make it into the top 3 this time. I have to say for myself that when I vote in that particular competition, I look for pictures that really encapsulate the theme. Sure, yours is water and therefore by its very nature wet but it didn't really shout 'WET' at me in the way some did. That isn't a criticism of the picture, only that it wasn't as strong on the theme, that's all.

With regards the picture itself, you have handled the lighting and focusing fine. When I have a scene like that, I move all around it keeping my head as low as possible to see what happens to the water. I know that might sound strange but bear with me on this. The different parts of the sky will change the water in all sorts of ways. Also as there are rocks around the water, getting right down low would find their reflections in the water rivulets, certainly there are some reflections to be had of the lovely green seaweed.

If I had been there, I'd have taken the photo and then faced a lot of disapproving looks from my better half as I'd have been lying down on the wet sand and then stand up with sand and water all over me! But hey, a photo's a photo <g>

So, a bit more of a focal point and you could well have had a good pic there so don't be disheartened, just store it up in the memory banks of experience :o)

Cheers,
Rob

Charlotte · 09-01-2007, 21:52

Thank you all for your comments, they are very helpful indeed

I can normally analyse my own images to pick out why they don't 'look right', but sometimes you just can't put your finger on what's gone wrong. This was one of those pic's. After reading your comments, I can see now that it's lacking a focal point, something to rest the eyes on. Looking at it again now, I think I should have shot it from several different angles, some low, some high, + moved around it a bit, + moved in closer too. It seems that I saw, I liked, I shot - a classic point + shoot job

Thanks again for helping me to see where I went wrong with this shot

It just goes to show that I still sometimes forget all that I've learned at the time of actually pressing the shutter release button

skipper954 · 10-01-2007, 22:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlotte

It just goes to show that I still sometimes forget all that I've learned at the time of actually pressing the shutter release button

Hi Charlotte. I can't add anything to what has been said here, except to me that perhaps the focus to TOO sharp. It seemed sort of artificial. I agree with all else.

And don't worry, we all forget some stuff when out and about with a camera. I just have too much in memory and not enough RAM to access it

skip

danpen · 10-01-2007, 22:20

To me, it's a bit boring, nothing to hold the interest or focus on and it seems a little oversaturated.

I don't really know what it's trying to say ...

Sorry but you asked for harsh, hope you don't mind.

Rob Barron · 10-01-2007, 22:26

LOL Dan, only a true Yorkshireman can read 'frank and honest' and translate it into 'harsh' <g>

skipper954 · 10-01-2007, 22:48

Yeah, maybe it was the oversaturation that was bugging me.

Couldn't put my finger just on it.

Charlotte · 11-01-2007, 00:12

Are you lot done pulling it to pieces yet?

I mean thanks for all your constructive criticisms

You're right, I over-sharpened it too. This was trying to compensate for the shallow depth of field, i.e. to sharpen up the front + rear areas that aren't in sharp focus, but I agree, it didn't work.

I have to agree about the over-saturation too. This was trying (too hard) to add colour interest to the image, which really doesn't have much else going for it, i.e. no focus point.

Your comments are very helpful in pinpointing areas to watch, and I thank you all for taking the time, I really appreciate it

If anything else comes to mind, don't hesitate to add on

danpen · 11-01-2007, 07:30

Sorry Charlotte, rereading my post it does seem rather over the top, hope I didn't offend.