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Infiltration Forums > Archived UE Photo Critiques > Looking for some honest feedback on some pics (Viewed 710 times)
mhester 


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Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
< on 12/1/2012 12:10 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Hello all, I was hoping I could get some honest feedback on some pics. My feelings won't be hurt if ya don't like them. I shoot with a rebel T3

1

Urban Decay by mhester, on Flickr

2

Kings Park Psychiatric Center by mhester, on Flickr

3

Lost Laughter by mhester, on Flickr

4

Kings Park Psychiatric Center by mhester, on Flickr

5

Kings Park Psychiatric by mhester, on Flickr

6

Kings Park Psychiatric Center by mhester, on Flickr

7

Remington Arms by mhester, on Flickr


[last edit 12/1/2012 12:48 AM by mhester - edited 2 times]

Long time Urban explorer, who wants to push my love for the abandoned world into the art community.
Derelict Compositions 


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Burlington, ON
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Re: Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
<Reply # 1 on 12/1/2012 1:38 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
These are nice! Loving #5 & 7.

Derelict Compositions, Nikon
http://www.flickr.com/dcc_028
Derelict Compositions 


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Re: Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
<Reply # 2 on 12/1/2012 1:38 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
These are nice! Loving #5 & 7.

Derelict Compositions, Nikon
http://www.flickr.com/dcc_028
Adv.Pack 


location:
Connecticut


Adventure Pack

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Re: Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
<Reply # 3 on 12/1/2012 1:49 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Most importantly, straighten your lines.



https://www.instagram.com/chris.kiely/
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mhester 


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Re: Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
<Reply # 4 on 12/1/2012 1:50 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Derelict Compositions
These are nice! Loving #5 & 7.


Thanks, I am still up in the air on 5. I got what I wanted focus on the bed, but I wonder if its to much blur. I could have cheated on photoshop but I try not to do so.


Long time Urban explorer, who wants to push my love for the abandoned world into the art community.
mhester 


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Re: Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
<Reply # 5 on 12/1/2012 1:52 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Adv.Pack
Most importantly, straighten your lines.




When I get tired in a place sometimes I shoot crooked. I see what you mean, and I am trying to be more diligent about not doing so >:^).



Long time Urban explorer, who wants to push my love for the abandoned world into the art community.
ahhntzville 


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Boston




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Re: Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
<Reply # 6 on 12/4/2012 9:51 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
With the exception of 3 and 5, none of these photos really has a subject, so they come off as rather boring. In 3 the subject (desks) is cut off in a weird way and not framed well, and in 5 the subject (bed) is part of only about 10% of the photo that's in focus. Looking at the other photo threads you've posted, I have the same basic issues with them. I would recommend thinking, as you're about to take a photo, "What is the subject of this photo, and am I shooting it at the most attractive angle, and including the right amount of context, not cutting off to much of it or including too much blank space at the edges?" Basically just work on your composition, maybe read through a primer or two on the subject.

mhester 


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Re: Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
<Reply # 7 on 12/5/2012 12:29 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by arntzville
With the exception of 3 and 5, none of these photos really has a subject, so they come off as rather boring. In 3 the subject (desks) is cut off in a weird way and not framed well, and in 5 the subject (bed) is part of only about 10% of the photo that's in focus. Looking at the other photo threads you've posted, I have the same basic issues with them. I would recommend thinking, as you're about to take a photo, "What is the subject of this photo, and am I shooting it at the most attractive angle, and including the right amount of context, not cutting off to much of it or including too much blank space at the edges?" Basically just work on your composition, maybe read through a primer or two on the subject.


Thanks for the feed back, I see what your saying, with three and five though. I worked with what room I had. The desks were in a small kids school house and I couldnt back up any further. With the pic of the bed, I was going for an artsy type of contrast. I respect your opinions though, they are valid and do make sense.



Long time Urban explorer, who wants to push my love for the abandoned world into the art community.
mhester 


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Re: Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
<Reply # 8 on 12/5/2012 12:33 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by arntzville
With the exception of 3 and 5, none of these photos really has a subject, so they come off as rather boring. In 3 the subject (desks) is cut off in a weird way and not framed well, and in 5 the subject (bed) is part of only about 10% of the photo that's in focus. Looking at the other photo threads you've posted, I have the same basic issues with them. I would recommend thinking, as you're about to take a photo, "What is the subject of this photo, and am I shooting it at the most attractive angle, and including the right amount of context, not cutting off to much of it or including too much blank space at the edges?" Basically just work on your composition, maybe read through a primer or two on the subject.


As far as subject matter, when I shoot abandonment's I like to give virtual tours so that people can get a whole idea of what a place looks like. As compared to say shooting a nice sunset, or kids playing, or couples holding hands. Where we would all know what the subject matter is, if that makes any sense lol.


Long time Urban explorer, who wants to push my love for the abandoned world into the art community.
vividdecay 


location:
Baltimore
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Re: Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
<Reply # 9 on 12/9/2012 9:53 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by mhester


As far as subject matter, when I shoot abandonment's I like to give virtual tours so that people can get a whole idea of what a place looks like. As compared to say shooting a nice sunset, or kids playing, or couples holding hands. Where we would all know what the subject matter is, if that makes any sense lol.



A lot of people seem to go for the virtual tour look, After a while everyone's photos of a specific place start looking the same. 5 is a good shot though. Be creative.

Btw, great shots coming out of that T3, I got a T3i last month and still need to get out exploring with it.
[last edit 12/9/2012 9:54 AM by vividdecay - edited 2 times]

mhester 


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Re: Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
<Reply # 10 on 12/9/2012 5:31 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by VividVisions


A lot of people seem to go for the virtual tour look, After a while everyone's photos of a specific place start looking the same. 5 is a good shot though. Be creative.

Btw, great shots coming out of that T3, I got a T3i last month and still need to get out exploring with it.


Thanks its a solid camera if you want to just take pics, the video work that can be done with it is outdated though. I am loving the T4i, but untill I can get up the scratch, I will shoot with this lol. I even shoot with my Olympus 500 from time to time. Thanks for the compliment.



Long time Urban explorer, who wants to push my love for the abandoned world into the art community.
Pflaumesaft 


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Re: Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
<Reply # 11 on 12/13/2012 5:02 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
All excellent shots technically, but seems a little "clinical" all eye level straight on etc. Try varying your perspective a bit: stand closer to the wall on #2, a tilt for #3 or maybe get closer to the panel on the last one.

La Cigale 


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Re: Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
<Reply # 12 on 12/14/2012 10:49 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I feel as if most of the photos don't really have any soul to them. They're maybe all a bit clinical.

#1 Doesn't really show me anything of interest. The space isn't interesting, the graffiti isn't interesting, the ante isn't interesting, the lighting isn't interesting. I think this is the worst photo in the entire set.
#2 This I think is your best shot. The lighting and the shadows create a nice atmosphere, there's depth, intrigue, the colours. It's a nice shot.
#5 I was always told that using something natural to creat a border was a god idea, nut one must always make sure that the border compliments and does not distract from the image. I feel this image, the face it is so out of focus, it doesn't really add anything to the image.
#6 Again, this photo goes no where. It doesn't tell me anything, or show me anything. It's just kinda boring.

Your photos lack a distinct focus or subject. Now this isn't necessarily a bad thing, as photos don't need to have just one central focal point, but the eyes really just dart around the picture aimlessly.

You might also want to take some of your more favourite shots and then play with them in Photoshop. With a little bit of processing you might be able to bring out tones, or darken areas to bring people's attentions to what might look good in the photograph. Nothing terrine big, just soft subtle things.


*** There is a fucking up up up***
CitySneak 


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Conroe, TX
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Re: Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
<Reply # 13 on 1/7/2013 4:22 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I like your first and second pictures. Some people may say there is no subject to them. But when was that supposed to be required of UE photography? In fact, they all look very intriguing to me because I have never been in abandoned places quite like that. They all sort of have the feel of being in the bad parts of town, or even a post-apocalyptic feel. Both of those elements I find interesting. Also, your pictures seem to be of scenes that hint at a story long forgotten taking place a while back.
[last edit 1/7/2013 4:26 PM by CitySneak - edited 1 times]

moapy 






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Re: Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
<Reply # 14 on 1/8/2013 1:43 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by CitySneak
I like your first and second pictures. Some people may say there is no subject to them. But when was that supposed to be required of UE photography? In fact, they all look very intriguing to me because I have never been in abandoned places quite like that. They all sort of have the feel of being in the bad parts of town, or even a post-apocalyptic feel. Both of those elements I find interesting. Also, your pictures seem to be of scenes that hint at a story long forgotten taking place a while back.


Gotta disagree with you. Unless you're shooting snaps off for pure documentary purposes (and even then) I think that you need to have something more than a really generic subject such as 'messy fucked up ol' room'. Most explorers have seen a room like this many times - so it's not exciting to look at. However, put your camera in a spot that captures an interesting subject in the same space, say an old teddy or a busted old clock, then all of a sudden your photo tells a specific story and gives you more to think about and most importantly look at.

I think that these photographs are okay but the OP obviously suffers from the same problem that I've been trying to overcome - composition and purpose for every single shot. To overcome this I'm now trying to force myself to 'see' a photograph with design and composition in mind before I even turn on my camera. I think it's slowly working, but it's a lot more hard work than just expecting someone wants to see my lazy shot where I've walked into a trashed old room and snapped a shot off then moved on.

Cudos to the OP for their efforts and it's great to see that you care enough to ask for advice! As a fellow learner and noob my best advice to you is to really take your time and design a shot in your head before you shoot it. I know that time can be an issue in some sites so I now leave my camera in the car when I go into a place for the first time, enjoy the explore and think of cool photos. This way I can go back, go straight to where I know interesting shots are and go to work!

I hope this helps!

La Cigale 


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Re: Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
<Reply # 15 on 1/9/2013 1:48 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by moapy
Everything that Moapy said



HERE HERE!


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dianneordi 






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Re: Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
<Reply # 16 on 1/16/2013 12:58 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
The photos are great. Don't let anyone tell you different.

There are three basic types of photography at play here:

Documentary shots are "real-estate" type shots that can be visually and aesthetically boring, but give the most objective information. Your #7 is a good example. It's a great exposure, gives a good sense of the space, and great details.

On the other end of the spectrum is the "artistic" shot, which is more subjective and visually interesting. #5 is a good example.

#2 is a good example of the "in-between" shot, that combines graphic elements (converging lines) with interesting documentation of the space.

Some things to try:

Look at photography that you like and analyze why you like it. Next time you go to a place to take photos, try to analyze the space and take similar photos.

As someone suggested, look for a focal point for your photos. Look for framing elements.

Look for different angles. Try taking a couple photos from the corners rather than the middle. Or from the floor rather than standing. Turn the camera 30° or 45° to get the most important details in.

Keep an eye out for lines that lead your eyes in to the focal point of the photo, and set those lines at the corner of the frame.

Don't be afraid to crop to eliminate dead space. Don't be afraid to play with the image in photoshop (or whatever you're using).

In the end, if you're having fun, if you like your photos, that's all that matters.

Thanks for sharing your photos!

thetiger 


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Re: Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
<Reply # 17 on 1/28/2013 3:59 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I didn't care for #1, I found it sorta meh...and the lighting was pretty heavy handed on the top right.

#2 was my favorite for the set. the light was good, probably the best component of the shot, Despite the definitive lack of subject the photo does convey a strong feel of the environment.

most of the shots are a little light handed on subject.

RescueMe1060 


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Radioactivity, its in the air for you & me

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Re: Looking for some honest feedback on some pics
<Reply # 18 on 1/28/2013 4:57 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by arntzville
"What is the subject of this photo, and am I shooting it at the most attractive angle, and including the right amount of context, not cutting off to much of it or including too much blank space at the edges?"


I'm glad I clicked this thread, b/c that exact quote will help me take better flix in the future.

http://www.flickr....rescueme1060/sets/
Infiltration Forums > Archived UE Photo Critiques > Looking for some honest feedback on some pics (Viewed 710 times)

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