Looking forward to comments

[hairysteve666]

Even though I have posted this on the critique board and am looking forward to all comments good or bad I would ask that any technical advice be given in layman terms as that is what I am

This is a photograph of what I belive is a Southern Hawker, Iv'e looked around online and it looks the best candidate, I was walking down a path a matter of 100yards from my home I was buzzed by this and managed to see where it landed and rushed to get the photograph, The dragonfly was about
6in long.



My first try at posting a photo, fingers crossed

[hairysteve666]

Re: Looking forward to comments

MMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm thunbnail photo, how do you post full size?

[Guest]

Re: Looking forward to comments

The easiest way is to use the code under the picture in the gallery labelled 'Copy code below to display original image in forum post', if you copy the code that follows that and put it in the post then you get



As to the shot - nice and sharp, but with the background also in focus the subject does not stand out as well as it might.

Nick

[hairysteve666]

Re: Looking forward to comments

Thank you Nick,
As for the photo I forgot to say this is the image as taken, no photoshop, the only thing I have done is crop it

[hairysteve666]

Re: Looking forward to comments

Lets try again with weird rock formation, Again as taken with no work on it.

[benvendetta]

Re: Looking forward to comments

I completely agree with Nick.
If is was a simpler subject you could select it and apply a touch of Gaussian blur to the background but not so much as to make it look artificial. Unless you are highly skilled in this field, I wouldn't try doing it to this image!

[benvendetta]

Re: Looking forward to comments

Lets try again with weird rock formation, Again as taken with no work on it.

Weird rock formation or not, this really needs to have a point of interest (don't know what mind you), and the cropping out of the shadow area on the left.

[Ian]

Re: Looking forward to comments

MMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm thunbnail photo, how do you post full size?

This should help:

http://dpnow.com/7258.html

The tutorial is for our DPNow.com site but is mostly relevant to here as well.

Ian

[Ian]

Re: Looking forward to comments

Th dragonfly shot is a bit on the bright side for my monitor and I feel it needs less blue (could be warmed up).

Otherwise, pretty good!

Ian

[hairysteve666]

Re: Looking forward to comments

Thanks for the comments and help so far, this is why I became a member of this site for help and guidance.

On the weird rock formation the shadow area on the left is a cravasse that I thought would be of some interest, but again thats why I'm posting photographs here.


Lets see opinions here

[cinders]

Re: Looking forward to comments

Just out of interest - where was the wierd rock formation taken. Being geologically minded I am interested in such things!

[hairysteve666]

Re: Looking forward to comments

Just out of interest - where was the wierd rock formation taken. Being geologically minded I am interested in such things!

Hi Cinders, The rock formation photo was taken in South Wales between Methyr and Vaynor just heading to Brecon.
There are some fasciating and real geologists delights in the area I live.

[wanderer]

Re: Looking forward to comments

Re the Dragonfly, I suspect, as I've said on another post for myself, you're so excited at getting anything of a shot you don't have time to concentrate on camera settings, composition, etc. If that is the case, well done, you got something and something to be happy about. Next time you'll take other factors into account. Good take and you had the camera to hand.

The wagtail is sharp and in context and almost silhouetted by dark which enhances it more but it is a wee bit small in the picture.
It doesn't look as if you've cropped it and if that is the case it is certainly worth doing.
You don't say what lens you've used (or on the dragonfly) which may have a bearing on further thought.

Duncan

[BigBCC]

Re: Looking forward to comments

Thanks for the comments and help so far, this is why I became a member of this site for help and guidance.

On the weird rock formation the shadow area on the left is a cravasse that I thought would be of some interest, but again thats why I'm posting photographs here.


Lets see opinions here

This is a decent shot, but I would have zoomed in a little bit and aligned it to the rule of thirds for better composition. In case you don't know what that is, here is a link to a page about it. It'll help you become a better photographer

http://www.betterphoto.com/exploring/tips/thirds.asp

(I hope the page is in layman's terms enough for you because it's the simplest one I could find on the subject xD)

[hairysteve666]

Re: Looking forward to comments

Re the Dragonfly, I suspect, as I've said on another post for myself, you're so excited at getting anything of a shot you don't have time to concentrate on camera settings, composition, etc. If that is the case, well done, you got something and something to be happy about. Next time you'll take other factors into account. Good take and you had the camera to hand.

The wagtail is sharp and in context and almost silhouetted by dark which enhances it more but it is a wee bit small in the picture.
It doesn't look as if you've cropped it and if that is the case it is certainly worth doing.
You don't say what lens you've used (or on the dragonfly) which may have a bearing on further thought.

Duncan

Again thanks for commets.
The dragonfly was taken using the Olympus 14-45mm lens which I just happened to have on the camera at the time it buzzed me and you are correct, no time for factors . . .click and hope.
The wagtail, I used the Olypus 40-150mm and was at full focus again you are correct it has not even been cropped.
I have just bought a Sigma 135-400mm which I have not used as yet and as it sits in it's case is frightening the life out of me