(NTP) : How to Critique : 2011

[Nikkie]

As I am new here I would first like to put in my say about the first photo and then go on to the next. photo one I felt the weeds were distracting but I found my eyes keep looking at the water on the other side of the bridge through the first hole was more so distracting then the weeds were when I seen colins cropped photo It was much more easy on my eyes and could see the image better. I love the reflection of the tree on the water and the colour is great nice and bright. to me I think it would be a great spot (on the other side of the bank) for a great situational photo opportunity with a fisherman sitting on log or the bank or even on his esky maybe with his ute behind him or parked under the tree. the sky I felt also very blue I wonder if there is a way of toning down the sky with taking from tree a little too much foreground. but the back ground is great.

[Nikkie]

the boat to me makes me feel a little sad the story its telling me is forgotten fisherman makes me think what happened and the boat left abounded but I like it. The log in front of the boat is distracting to me but I like the reflection I felt the rocks maybe a little to faded

[Sezzy]

I have to say, your first photograph is beautiful, the converging lines from the bridge bring the eye right into the middle of the photograph, allowing my eye to meet up with the fiery tree. I love it. The weed at the front adds a certain character to the shot, and the reflection of the bridge and the tree both lead me to feel calm and peaceful, as it all appears so still and untouched. To be very honest, I'd like to see it in B&W also with the red tree still red...as I personally think it will look awesome! My eye is drawn to the tree, it doesn't matter how many times I look at it, and I think it's a fantastic shot!

On your second photograph, the rocks in the background look a little 'soft', but I like this feel as it makes the primary focus the boat. The tonal range is there, although I feel there is no 'true' white as such, it looks more like a builders white (white with fifteen drops of black added). The reflections on the water tell me a story, that there is no calm sea here - that this boat has been the victim of the rough and sometimes possessive ocean. The fact the boat is empty, makes me feel a little empty, as though the occupant has been claimed by the ocean, particularly given the state of the boat.

[cadman]

Hi Rick.
I would just like to say how I like the way that the bridge makes your eye follow along it until you hit that amazing tree at the end. The reflections in the water are wonderful and I only hope that I'll be able to produce some photos like this one in the near future.

[ricktas]

Good work everyone! As you progress with your critiquing, it can also help your own photography, as you start to SEE what works well and what doesn't.

[occifer nick]

Very new to critiquing on here but trying on users photos in areas where i tend to photograph myself and have some experience i.e. macro (for me underwater macro). This type of photograph is very new to me but here goes.

I love the contrast of the deep rust colour against that clear blue sky but find my eye being drawn to the very start of the bridge due to it being rather bright. I don’t think that it is over exposed but do feel like it is slightly too bright and hence keeps drawing my eye there. Overall I love the composition and feel that it represents "autumn" very well.

ps: (not part of the critique) but I copied the photo and quickly rotated it and I don’t know why but i loved the photograph upside down, I suppose that’s the artist side of me coming out and my love for fantasy/surreal lol

[Roger W]

HI Everyone, Just starting and want to try to CC as I can see it will (eventually) help me with my photography. As I am very new to this caper I will not go into any technical aspects until I learn them.
The Autumnal Tree image i find very peaceful and relaxing. The start of the bridge grabs my attention with the brightness but then drags my focus into the photo and onto the tree. The darkness at the end of the bridge detracts from the image for me as it breaks this line into the main subject.
My original thought was there is too much space to the right of the tree but having a quick play found that reducing it reduced from the colour balance of the image.
Looking at Colin's crop I think the reed's certainly add to the balance of the composition.

I find the boat image is missing something to attract me and do not feel anything towards it. Perhaps the addition of an oar would help?

I feel like I am taking a test here but love the site and look forward to becoming a better photographer and actually canot wait for cc of my own images.

[Hartley]

Critique for the Bridge scene

In general I like this photo - it reminds me of a trip around Tasmania with my recently passed-away mother who really loved this bridge (Ross or Richmond, I can't remember exactly). However I think I would crop a fair bit off the right hand side to closer to the tree. I also find that the shadow on the far end span makes it hard for me to distinguish whether or not there is a curve at that point. I am unable to decide about the reeds - I feel a certain amount add interest but perhaps removing those that actually break the surface may help. I can't really comment on the colour at the moment since I haven't calibrated my screen yet but it seems good - I really like the blue sky but there does seem a slightly over-bright section on the left which I have no idea how to improve or fix since a crop would probably cut the bridge poorly.

Critique for the boat

I'm not much of a black and white fan (they always make me feel intimidated ) but I do like this shot. In particular, I like the flakey paint and the refections in the water. I do feel that the rocks in the background could do with just the tiniest spot of lightening - not much but I could just be being lazy not wanting to concentrate too hard. And I don't like the burnt log in the foreground I think it may be too big but I wouldn't advocate changing the position the shot was taken from to minimise it because the angle presents the boat perfectly in my mind.

Ok, my first critiques I will have to practise - I seem to have written a lot about what I don't like
Regards,
Hartley

[alsocass]

I really love the symmetry of this photo, the bridge and the tree look like they were designed to be photographed in this way.

Having said that I find the weeds in the foreground a little messy, this might be a photo where a centred horizon could work. I also feel like the photo could be cropped at bit on the right side, the landscape kind of wanders off into nothing which keeps drawing my eye out of the picture.

I love the textures on the bridge arches, I look forward to being able to take photos as beautiful as this.

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To keep this challenge moving along, here is another photo for you to practice your critiquing skills on:

Attachment 73126

This is a much harder image to critique. I love sailing, which means I have come to love the line of row boats on the shore that are used to row out to the moored yachts. This wooden boat is particularly beautiful. The contrast is very nice and you have done well to see this shot (again, I can't wait to be as observant and able).

I don't like the big log in the foreground, I am unsure of its purpose so it really just hides the rowboat. It looks a bit big to move so I am unsure how to fix it. I also find my eyes drawn to the dark part of the water, which just looks dirty and sad. I wonder if the composition could have reduced the foreground, or perhaps that would make it all too centered.

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Critique is different to criticise! A Critique can be full of praise. You can state why you feel the photo is faultless and explain how it connected with you. You do not have to make comments about how a photo should have been taken differently or how it could have been processing differently. Comments like "Wow, this is one outstanding photograph. I love the colours and the composition. It reminds me so much of my childhood, growing up on a farm in rural NSW. I wish I could take something like this" is just as relevant and good as any other critique. Just remember that rather than say 'WOW' alone, add why you feel it is a WOW.

That is helpful. Thanks.

[fenderstrat1963]

I did not think the subject matched the photo because the strong patterns created by the reflections caught my attention before the tree. I liked those patterns and felt that they added to the composition. The symmetry and smoothness of the reflections is tranquil and the blues at the top and bottom of the frame are a strong contrast to the earthy colours of the bridge and the tree. If it was possible I would have liked the composition to have extended a little further to the left to see the rest of the curve of the bridge.

I also liked that there was mostly one man made object and one natural object that drew my attention, it is a simple and pleasing composition.

[Kerrie]

For me the texture I can see in the timber and paint of the boat, along with the strong contrast of its colour against the background, makes for a pleasing photo. It gives me a sense of old age, a weathered look, and I feel that suits the monochrome treatment well. The reflection is nice as it adds depth and another layer of view. The dark block in front of the boats pointed nose sort of blocks it, and intrudes on the boat. In fairness on my iPad I can only see 3/4 of the photo, so maybe it would be beneficial at another angle. Nice photo overall.