What do you think?

Naffa · 7 Jan 2007 at 20:14

I'm only just getting into photography but I'm really REALLY enjoying it. Just the college coursework I'm doing at the moment is letting me down a bit.

This is a shot I took in an attempt to capture the decisive moment. It was shot using 35mm B&W FujiFilm 400 ISO. Camera was a Pentax but no idea of lens and I can't remember the aperture or the shutter speed.

Constructive critique welcomed as always.

Just another thing, I'm really struggling with my coursework at the moment. I have to design a dust jacket for a book entitled 'Fragments In Time' and I've decided to base it on the decisive moment. But I really finding it hard to use that image as the cover and I'd really like to as it's my favorite shot I've taken so far.

If anyone could knock something up for me to try and get some ideas from I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks for your help,
Naffa

Naffa · 7 Jan 2007 at 22:32

Thanks for the input. This photo isn't actually cropped at all. I didn't think it captured the decisive moment that well but I think there is definitely something there.

As for development and printing etc, I shot, developed and made prints from the film myself. This is a third generation image as I developed and printed it in college and brought the print home and scanned it in.

Thanks again for the input, you're right, it's the only way I'll learn.

Naffa · 7 Jan 2007 at 23:15

One thing I'd just like to say though. I do get annoyed with the amount of people that I hear saying about how this photo is bad because it doesn't comply to this rule. Yeah the photo maybe slightly over exposed but who's to say that's wrong?

You just can't tell someone to like a picture, it's entirely subjective. I know there are things like being in focus (and sometimes that doesn't even apply) that you should get right. But saying a photo is wrong because it doesn't conform to a certain set of rules is a wrong statement in itself in my opinion.

Naffa · 7 Jan 2007 at 23:26

What about this one then guys?

Please say something.

Naffa · 8 Jan 2007 at 00:02

Thanks for your input. I agree with the empty stool to the right as well. But as I said, I am new to this.

Naffa · 8 Jan 2007 at 12:15

Thanks for all your input guys, I really do appreciate it.

When I said that I didn't mean I was annoyed at me being told me photo was bad, I was annoyed at being told it was bad because it didn't conform to whatever rules. But you're right, the only way I'll learn is to receive critical analysis. And for that, I thank you.

I do have a copy of Photoshop and am experimenting with levels and what have you. Burning out unwanted detail is still something I'm getting to grips with so thanks for the image ranarama.

Again, thanks for your input.

Naffa · 8 Jan 2007 at 15:40

I don't tend to follow rules of composition if I can avoid it. If I see a potential photo, I shoot it.

I am learning printing and contrast grades etc. I also prefer higher contrast prints but this is a photo that I took and printed without really thinking about how to print it. I did a test strip and exposed the paper for as long as it needed.

I am a bit poor at all this, but I am learning and thanks to you lot, at an accelerated rate.

Naffa · 8 Jan 2007 at 16:19

Yeah I see exactly what you mean. And I'd move into a position that makes the shot look best. But only because it would look better, not because it would cause the shot to conform to the rule of thirds or something similar. Ifw you get what I mean..

Naffa · 8 Jan 2007 at 18:21

Lol, I don't feel bad about it. I really appreciate the fact that people have taken the time to critically analyze my work. It's just the reasoning sometimes doesn't justify it for me.

Naffa · 9 Jan 2007 at 00:11

My photography teacher (yes I'm a student noob :rolleyes:

) said that he doesn't care much for the rules of composition (he knows them all as he's told me a few) as one persons poor composition can be another's masterpiece. I agree with fundamentals such as being in focus, but sometimes even that can be used as a desirable feature. Unfortunately in my shot, this is not desirable. I understand you not thinking this shot is decisive. When I try and take decisive snaps (which this thread has proved I don't do very well) I find that the photo is there and I can either take it.. or no. Because I'm an extreme amateur I need to take my time with properly framing the shot etc, and trying to capture decisive moment whilst lining up a shot, focusing properly and what have you, doesn't work in my case. I know it's something to improve upon and I appreciate the critique as I know it's how I'll improve. I'm just trying to justify my noobness.

Naffa · 9 Jan 2007 at 00:52

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound ungrateful in any way shape or form. I really appreciate you taking to time to offer critical analysis of my shots.

With what you said about rules being there to assist learning, I think I've got where you're coming from now. You learn all the rules of what makes a good shot then you can see the shot better before it's taken.. I think I can understand exactly what you're trying to say to me. But I've always had trouble explaining things in my head, hence that poor description there.

Thanks for all you've said in this thread, I really do appreciate it.

Naffa · 9 Jan 2007 at 01:45

While I'm here, what do you think of this photogram I've done?

Again, I appreciate any critique given.

Naffa · 9 Jan 2007 at 03:19

Thanks for your comment.

When I looked at your link and it said Bill Gates I thought you were having a laugh! But I think I agree with you, the photography doesn't particularly stand out to me either. I can get contemporary feel from these photos, but with so much contemporary modern art, it just feels soulless to me. I went on a tour of 4 galleries in a local town and one thing I learned from it is that I like what I like and I dislike what I dislike. There really wasn't very much that caught my eye, but when something did, it really did.

This work is part of the former for me, quite uninspiring. Obviously it's entirely subjective and if he was a guest speaker then he's obviously quite prestigious and respected.

And am glad I made you smile, at least I can do something right in this forum.

Naffa · 9 Jan 2007 at 03:48

That's exactly what I think about it!

In my eyes.. It's just rubbish. My mum is a part time professional artist and takes the same view as me or maybe I take the same view as her. Probably the latter. And it's true, I believe that absolutely anything can be passed off as 'modern art' now a days and it does get quite depressing..

I'm off now, night guys.

And thanks for your input again.