 |
|
|
UER Store
|
|
order your copy of Access All Areas today!
|
|
|
 trent
      
I'm Trent! Get Bent!
Location: Drainwhale hunting
Gender: Male
Not on UER anymore.
 |  |  | Rip me apart.
< on 7/6/2008 7:15 PM >
|  | | | Hello,
I'm new to photography. Very new. These are some of my first shots that aren't pictures of friends/family/vacations/parties. I took them while I was on a recent scouting mission. These nice views just happened to be there while I had a camera.
Realizing I suck and that I only have a crappy camera (that looks very funny on a tripod) I was hoping that I could have the constructive criticism aimed towards the basics of photography.
I'd be interested to know your thoughts on the subjects, the angles, the lighting, etc. So unleash your fury. It's okay I want to know why everyone of these pics are wrong. I think they all need some work. I just need some help knowing where/what I'm doing wrong.
#1 High Falls Brewery
Ever hear of Genesee Beer? If so, that's where it's made and that's why it sucks. I was walking past this to a location and the angle just hit me. It was beautiful. But then getting the camera set up I just couldn't fully recreate it. I'd like to include more of the right side of the building in the frame, but was having troubles due to tree branches. That's as far as I could go. I also don't like that modern car that showed up. Rip it apart.
#2 High Falls
#3 RG&E BeeBee Plant
#4 Entrance to a drain. Since it's near the entrance there is some natural light, but it dies out very quickly. This area is right near where the light ends and the darkness begins. I had to use longer exposures to suck in as much light as possible. This comment also applies to numbers 5 and 6.
#5
#6
#7 Kodak Plant (both foreground and background).
I dont like this one either.
Oh one more thing. Besides critiques on specific pictures. In general could you tell me the top 3 things you think I should work on?
Thanks.
-T
He who rules the underground, rules the city above.
|
|
Martino
Location: Almere - NL
Gender: Male
2,5 days 5691 km, 1200 cigarettes, 131 beers, 67 locations, 3 girs and 2 cars! I absolutely rule!
| | | Re: Rip me apart.
<Reply # 1 on 7/6/2008 9:04 PM >
| | | | top 3 things to work on:
- photography
- personality
- writing
 neh just kidding!
in #1 the color seem a bit oversaturated. the b&w seems a bit grayish - more contrast?
4,5 and 6 don't do much for me, I'd like to see the actual drain. Also i have no idea of scale in these. In general: in UE it's very common to use long exposures. In dark places i can easily open the shutter for a couple of minutes.
as for #7 - it's not UN-likeable, but it's not very exciting.
I'd say look at a lot of pictures and shoot a lot! Don;t be afraid to try out crazy angles and use dof (if your camera allows you to). These are descent shots - especially when you just started photography.
critique enough?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martino_ |
|
trent
I'm Trent! Get Bent!
Location: Drainwhale hunting
Gender: Male
Not on UER anymore.
| | | Re: Rip me apart.
<Reply # 2 on 7/6/2008 9:30 PM >
| | | | Posted by Martino
top 3 things to work on:
- photography
- personality
- writing
neh just kidding!
in #1 the color seem a bit oversaturated. the b&w seems a bit grayish - more contrast?
4,5 and 6 don't do much for me, I'd like to see the actual drain. Also i have no idea of scale in these. In general: in UE it's very common to use long exposures. In dark places i can easily open the shutter for a couple of minutes.
as for #7 - it's not UN-likeable, but it's not very exciting.
I'd say look at a lot of pictures and shoot a lot! Don;t be afraid to try out crazy angles and use dof (if your camera allows you to). These are descent shots - especially when you just started photography.
critique enough?
|
Ahh, thanks for steppin' up to the plate. We're on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to skill, so it's great to read what you think.
In regards to saturation and the b&w, I'd unfortunately say that's a camera limitation at the moment (not trying to make excuses though, you're points are well taken). These have not been photoshopped at all and that's something I'm trying to avoid if possible. But, I also have a color shot of the falls (#2). I might try converting that to b&w instead of using the camera's built-in function.
For 4, 5, and 6. Haha I've love to see the actual drain too! I just happened to be there verifying the location and was only able to go in about 15-25 feet into it without getting soaked. Not trying to make excuses, but unfortunately I think this is a camera issue. The max exposure I can make it do it about 2-3 seconds so without more light sources it's hard currently for me to get the dark parts of the drain. They'd come out blurry and dark. When I actually go to that location I'll have some flashlights, so I'll see that I can do with that (probably ugly pics lit up with flashlights!). I wish I had more than a crappy digital camera. Again, though your points are well taken, and yes I've given you no scale to work with on those.
Thanks for the pointers!
Other people, keep them coming.
Thanks.
-T
He who rules the underground, rules the city above.
|
|
starberries
Location: West Chester, Pennsylvania
Gender: Female
| | Re: Rip me apart.
<Reply # 3 on 7/7/2008 3:43 AM >
| | | | Hey, I actually really dig photo 4! I love all the shapes and colors you captured.
Photo 2 is nifty also.
The others did have a bit boring subject matter, but it's definitely a great start!
Compositionally (is that a word?), I think you're doing great. Artistically, I'd say as Martino did. Try some different angles, different lighting, different perspectives, even if you originally think, "Well, that might not look so good." I know sometimes I take dozens of shots before I find one I actually like, I'm still learning a lot myself.
I think the more you experiment with variations, the more you'll learn "your" distinct style, no matter what camera you have.
I'd love to see more!
[last edit 7/7/2008 3:44 AM by starberries - edited 1 times]
|
|
trent
I'm Trent! Get Bent!
Location: Drainwhale hunting
Gender: Male
Not on UER anymore.
| | | Re: Rip me apart.
<Reply # 4 on 7/7/2008 12:01 PM >
| | | | Thank you for the critique Starberries. Keep 'em coming!
I also like #4. Though I see it as something that would make a good computer desktop image (actually rocking it right now) but it's not really a true photograph. I'd like to find a way to show more of the tunnel, but still the close up showing the colors and textures. It'll be something for me to work on.
As you guys have all said. I just have to keep shooting. I hope to be posting some better pics for you guys in the future.
Thanks again.
-T
[last edit 7/7/2008 12:01 PM by trent - edited 1 times]
He who rules the underground, rules the city above.
|
|
Sailor's Heart
Location: San Marcos
Gender: Female
| | | Re: Rip me apart.
<Reply # 5 on 7/7/2008 12:42 PM >
| | | | I am partial to outdoor shots because I've seen the sweeping shot down the long hallway, the peeling paint, the rusty doorknob, and the chair loosing it's stuffing too many times.
Kudos on climbing something to get a shot.
|
|
jesslovesharks
Location: Bed.
Gender: Female
| | Re: Rip me apart.
<Reply # 6 on 7/7/2008 1:25 PM >
| | | | get a photobucket or flickr account. upload them. copy the link that photobucket gives you. post them directly into your thread. thumbnails are less convenient. that is my critique.
Take whatever you want. Leave anything but FIRE!
http://www.flickr....s/jesslovessharks/ |
|
pantaxms
Location: Raleigh, NC
Gender: Male
| | Re: Rip me apart.
<Reply # 7 on 7/7/2008 3:46 PM >
| | | | You didn't pick bad subjects for your first try but I think you need to explore different angles. You don't need to take pictures of the entire building or part of a building, try to focus on small things of interest and use the rest of the building as a backdrop. As far as equipment goes, it sounds/looks like you are using a digital point and shoot camera. A way to learn a lot about photography quickly is to purchase an old 35mm slr, read up on how to use it a little bit, and shoot a few rolls of cheep film. You will be surprised how quickly you will get the hang of things such as exposure times and depth of field. Also old SLR's are not expensive and not hard to come by, look for vintage stores or on ebay. Other than that get out there and just shoot shoot shoot. Good luck.
|
|
trent
I'm Trent! Get Bent!
Location: Drainwhale hunting
Gender: Male
Not on UER anymore.
| | | Re: Rip me apart.
<Reply # 8 on 7/8/2008 1:26 AM >
| | | | Thank you all for taking your time on me. After work today I anxiously went out to try and practice some of that you guys suggested.
Sorry I did not go to any UE locations (but most of the subjects are still in a state of decay). Though I hope some of these types of shots could also be applied to UE targets.
Because it's not UE, I'll keep it in this thread instead of starting a new one. Don't want to spam up the forums with non-UE junk. So please keep checking back to see how I'm progressing. I promise my next set will be somewhere interesting.
I even have the long hallway shot, the close up, and the weird angle shot! No furn porn though (http://www.furnitu...n.com/warning.html)
Oh, obviously I haven't done any editing of these photo's. I want to learn take good ones before I start editing them. I took about 120 pics in this shoot and will probably only keep 10 including these 7.
So please, hit me with the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Oh is it wrong to use that much B&W? I had color shots of most of these also and they look horrible. It seems like B&W sometimes does the trick, but I don't really want to use it as a crutch. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
-TR
#8
#9
#10
#11
#12
#13
#14
He who rules the underground, rules the city above.
|
|
trent
I'm Trent! Get Bent!
Location: Drainwhale hunting
Gender: Male
Not on UER anymore.
| | | Re: Rip me apart.
<Reply # 9 on 7/8/2008 1:44 AM >
| | | | P.S. I think my b&w is still too grey, as Martino pointed out. I looks like it just might be the camera. Though both shoots were very sunny. Heh, I might have better luck shooting in color, then grey scaling it with photoshop or something.
He who rules the underground, rules the city above.
|
|
jesslovesharks
Location: Bed.
Gender: Female
| | Re: Rip me apart.
<Reply # 10 on 7/8/2008 2:37 AM >
| | | | Posted by TrentReznor
Because it's not UE, I'll keep it in this thread instead of starting a new one. Don't want to spam up the forums with non-UE junk.
|
theres a non-ue photo critique section in the user boards.
no one posts in it, its lonely. post non-ue pics there. do it.
Take whatever you want. Leave anything but FIRE!
http://www.flickr....s/jesslovessharks/ |
|
Imbroglio
Location: DFW
Gender: Male
The glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
| | | Re: Rip me apart.
<Reply # 11 on 7/8/2008 4:52 AM >
| | | | That's funny...I took that same compo, but the car wasn't there then! 
http://www.noelkernsphotography.com |
|
DJ Craig
 
Moderator
Location: Johnson City, TN
Gender: Male
Break the Silence
| |  | | Re: Rip me apart.
<Reply # 12 on 7/10/2008 7:41 PM >
| | | |
Dude...if you had claimed that you just Photoshopped his shot and took out the car, I would have believed you. That's pretty crazy. 
Good shots, awesome location, but did you not get in??
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..." -Dr. Suess |
|
trent
I'm Trent! Get Bent!
Location: Drainwhale hunting
Gender: Male
Not on UER anymore.
| | | Re: Rip me apart.
<Reply # 13 on 7/10/2008 7:57 PM >
| | | | Posted by DJ Craig
Dude...if you had claimed that you just Photoshopped his shot and took out the car, I would have believed you. That's pretty crazy.
Good shots, awesome location, but did you not get in??
|
@Imbroglio Sorry I haven't responded back yet, but you did get me with that for a good couple minutes. I saw that early in the AM and there was a good "whoa wtf" for a min or two.
@DJ Craig Thanks for the comment. I actually was on a draining scouting mission and the research I was doing just happened to be in this High Falls area. Though the Kodak plant was farther up river from there. I was in a good mood, it was a beautiful day, and I had a camera on me, so I just happened to give a crack at some 'real' photography. It all started walking past that brewery and I got inspired. I wasn't even attempting to get into any of those.
@pantaxms I've actually taken your advice and purchased a 35mm SLR. Yah, I was only using a consumer level digital point and shoot in these pictures. I picked up a used (obviously) 1980 Nikon EM SLR (manual focus/electonic shutter). It comes along with a standard 50m f/1.8 lens and a telephoto lens(cant remember specs). We'll see how it goes. I'm hoping this beater will allow me to grasp a solid foundation in photography.
@Martino I've been reading more about depth of field and when I get this new (old) camera it will be one of the main things I'm really looking forward to experimenting with.
Thanks again all.
He who rules the underground, rules the city above.
|
|
bouncewiggle
Location: Johnson City, TN
Gender: Female
| | | | Re: Rip me apart.
<Reply # 14 on 7/11/2008 8:18 AM >
| | | | Posted by TrentReznor
Oh is it wrong to use that much B&W? I had color shots of most of these also and they look horrible. It seems like B&W sometimes does the trick, but I don't really want to use it as a crutch. Any suggestions?
|
i don't think that it's ever necessarily "wrong" to use B&W. then again, i'm a big fan of B&W photography, especially film.
some photographs do look better in black and white. tho it might be a poor choice to use b&w if your images don't have a lot of tonal variation. since there's no color, you have to rely on that variance to really make the image "pop" and for things of differing colors/tones to be seen. in instances such as those it might be better to use color, but if you want the image in b&w... by all means, find a way to make it work in b&w.
i think maybe instead of using it just to get an image to look right, you might want to consider whether or not an image would look good in color vs b&w when taking the photograph. i don't always have that in mind when photographing, but sometimes it helps. also, i know it's been implied (and outright said) that editing in photoshop isn't desirable. i tend to disagree. some of the greatest photographers edited their photos a significant amount (ansel adams, for example - way before the days of photoshop!). there's nothing wrong with pushing and pulling your images to get them exactly how you envision them. it's great to take a shot and be happy, but don't be afraid to do some editing if you aren't happy. =)
"bouncewiggle, now more entertaining than Jell-O" |
|
DJ Craig
Moderator
Location: Johnson City, TN
Gender: Male
Break the Silence
| | | | Re: Rip me apart.
<Reply # 15 on 7/11/2008 10:45 PM >
| | | | Posted by hijackedmind
also, i know it's been implied (and outright said) that editing in photoshop isn't desirable. i tend to disagree. some of the greatest photographers edited their photos a significant amount (ansel adams, for example - way before the days of photoshop!). there's nothing wrong with pushing and pulling your images to get them exactly how you envision them. it's great to take a shot and be happy, but don't be afraid to do some editing if you aren't happy. =)
|
YES!!! Photoshop is an art form. To say that it isn't is like saying that painters aren't artists because they use fancy specialized tools like paint brushes and canvasses, and thus they don't need talent.
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..." -Dr. Suess |
|
pantaxms
Location: Raleigh, NC
Gender: Male
| | Re: Rip me apart.
<Reply # 16 on 7/14/2008 5:06 PM >
| | | | That's awesome, good luck with the new camera, or used in this case. A used camera can have a lot of history, you never know what it was used for or where it has been.
|
|
|
|
All content and images copyright © 2002-2024 UER.CA and respective creators. Graphical Design by Crossfire.
To contact webmaster, or click to email with problems or other questions about this site:
UER CONTACT
View Terms of Service |
View Privacy Policy |
Server colocation provided by Beanfield
This page was generated for you in 171 milliseconds. Since June 23, 2002, a total of 739660507 pages have been generated.
|
|
