These photos constitute some what I consider to be the best of the best from all of my explorations. I use a point and shoot camera with no tripod, just in case that effects anything. I do plan to get a tripod in the future.


Anyway, I want to improve my photography skills, so critique away. How can I make these better?

1. No editing


2. No editing


3. Black and white, slight contrast boost.


4. Noise reduction, Sepia


5. Noise reduction, Cropped


6. Contrast boost, Cropped


7. No editing


As demonstrated by 2 and 7, I tend to favor up close shots of an object that is prominent in the foreground. Due to equipment limitations, panoramic shots in low light tend to not turn out well, so I avoid them (though shots such as 5 are an exception).

Thoughts? Suggestions?

I don't know much but from what i'm seeing squaring up your shots would help a lot, i got an example myself.

1.

first explore where I didn't square up my shot

2.

Second explore when I did

3.

This is after edits

Aran, your shots are fine especially with just a P&S and no tripod.

The best investment you could make is a tripod. For a point and shoot a little $30 walmart tripod would do just fine.



My 3 favorite shots;

1. Abandoned Mine in Canada (2016) - Nikon D7000 w/ Nikon 70-210mm




2. Plymouth County Hospital (2011) - Sony A100 w/ Sony 18-55mm




3. HRSH (2015) - Mamiya RZ67 w/ Sekor 50mm on Fujichrome Velvia 50

Thanks MulletCat, I've been working on squaring up my shots during my more recent explores. It makes a world of difference, just as your examples demonstrated.

Also, I'm actually thinking of getting a cheap tripod online sometime soon. I've found one that's around $10. It's flimsy, small, and can't be used as a blunt weapon, but it's cheap, easy to conceal and carry, and will easily support my small camera.

You can get some pretty decent photos with a point and shoot. Even cell phone cameras these days are pretty decent. Like was said, get yourself a tripod. a steady shot and being able to line it up will make the world of difference. Also work on subject matter. Theres nothing worse than a bunch of photos of an empty warehouse or rooms filled with construction equipment. Give something for the viewers eyes to focus on. Heres an example.
_MG_7988 by yerocsnevets3 Stevens, on Flickr

*Post was modified to get image to show correctly.

3 is too dark. 1 cut the legs off the machine. 7 is blurry in the foreground and not level. (Level it)

Also, you need not tell us what you did to the photo, contrast boost etc., if that were the case, my photos would be captioned something like this:

"Exposure correction, contrast, brighten shadows, bring back highlights, saturation, clarity adjustment, noise reduction, sharpening, increase sharpening mask, post-crop vignette, horizon level, curves adjustment, remove a few unsightly spots.." =P

click to view

I would try to focus on light and see what you can do with it. Here is my personal favorite that I've taken.