Your photos (228)


Hints and tips
by Philip Grosset



If you'd like to submit photos for criticism,
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with comments from Philip Grosset




"Hi, I have done some close ups of flowers, 1st one captured the rain drops also. Is it okay?" (Andy Walsh)
Flower cropped
Flower
It was a good idea to include the raindrops in your photo on the left, but it seems a pity we couldn't also see a bit more of the purple heart of the flower. In my version on the right, I've come in a little closer so as to concentrate more on the actual flower, slightly increased the contrast as the white area in the original was just slightly over-exposed, and I've also sharpened up the picture. Now we can see the raindrops even more clearly.
I've recently added a page about photographing flowers to this site.




"First, I'd like to say your site has been very informative. I'd like to pass this photo along. I'm a longtime grassroots drag racing fan and participant. About 3 years ago I went to the races at my former home track--which isn't there anymore--with no other purpose in mind than to spectate and burn some film. This photo--for which the camera settings weren't recorded--was taken with an old style Canon F-1 through a Canon 70-210mm lens set at f/whatever and exposure at whatever/sec. I also used a polarizer and a lens hood but the main thing was that I zoomed in, focused, ratcheted the exposure until the needle was in the middle of the ring and then waited for something to happen. At that moment, the official pointed at the car in the water box, who floored the throttle and began heating up the tires for the actual race a few seconds later.
I was attempting to capture the raw, but restrained, power and the starting line ballet of the drag races because they remind me very much of the activity on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier during aircraft launch operations. (Well...actually it was a pretty red car making a whole lot of noise and tire smoke. LOL.) I'm anxious to see what you think, and thanks for your time." (Jack Sweet)
Car
Car amended
Your photo on the left works very well, and, because of your careful preparation, you've caught the action just when you wanted. You did very well too to include the pointing official, although ideally it would have made an even stronger picture if he had been a little closer in, as in my version on the right. Maybe a camera position slightly to the left of where you were might have allowed you to have included more tire smoke in the immediate foreground with the official seen behind the car. But, of course, you couldn't anticipate exactly what was going to happen, and I can only congratulate you on what you were able to get.
Reply from Jack Sweet: "I agree that a view taken from a little farther left to put the official closer to the car would have been stronger. No spectators were allowed any farther to the left because of safety concerns, etc. I never would have thought about moving him with Photoshop, though. Thanks very much for the tip."




"Hi I just wanted to get your thoughts on this photo as I feel that it is just about the best that I have ever taken but want to see what an experts opinion would be and what you would have done differently! thanks so much, I am really enjoying this site!!! I have gotten some pretty harsh critiques on this flower when I thought it was so perfect! Thank you again! Also was wondering if I would be notified if you do post in the site, would like to see it, that would be pretty exciting!" (Geri Scull,  Emerson, NJ)
Flower cropped
Flower
Your photo on the left is very colorful and attractive, but could perhaps be improved by reducing some of the background distractions. You could do this by coming in even closer and/or throwing the background out of focus, both of which I have done in my version on the right. I've also removed the orange leaf coming up from the bottom left of the picture as it too distracts attention from the main flower. I think the result is bolder, cleaner and even more arresting. There's more information about all this on my flowers page.
Yes, I always email people as soon as their pictures are posted.




"This was taken on a snowy night. I like the way the light was distorted. What do you think? Thanks" (Terry Garvey)
Snow cropped
Snow
I find your photo on the left rather confusing as I'm not at all sure where you mean the main point of interest to be. In my version on the right, I've tried positioning the unusual looking vehicle more prominently (although unfortunately we still can't see it all that clearly) and, by coming in closer, have been able to fill the frame with interesting colors and shapes - and think that this makes it all more dramatic. There are other ways in which this picture might be cropped - which you choose must depend on where you most want the emphasis to lie.




"I've enjoyed your website, I hope you like my photos as much as I do. This picture was taken with a Kodak DX 6490, I found it growing in an old flower pot in my garden." (Simon Williams)
Flower Flower cropped
Your photo on the left makes an effective picture and I like its stark simplicity. However, the background (planks?) is just slightly distracting, so in my version on the right, I've tried moving in a little closer so as to reduce the amount of background, and, as the head is leaning over to the left, I've left more space to the left of it, so that it no longer looks as though it is in danger of toppling out of the picture. I've also sharpened it up a bit. But I still like your original version.
Flower magnified
Another possibility would be to come in as close as this (or even closer). Your camera does wonderful macros, as I'm sure you know. This picture wouldn't make much sense on its own, but might form an interesting companion piece to either of the more distant views.




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