Author: ksccc

Critique of Photographs

Cooper Hawk By Anne Jones
Cooper Hawk by Anne Jones

General Guidelines

It is hard for a photographer not to be sensitive to remarks about changes and possible improvements to ones’ photographs.  Remember the comments are on the photographs not the photographer.  Some of the comments will carry with them the bias of the reviewer.  As an example a world class female reviewer once told me about this problem by saying:   “I hate snakes, so it is real hard for me to give a good review on a snake, no matter how good and wonderful the photograph may be.”

Also there are no definite rules of what makes a bad or great photo which have come to us from Mount Sinai.  Even generally accepted rules, such as the “Rule of Thirds” can be successfully broken.  For those who do post processing remember there is never a photograph taken that cannot be improved in some way – including how it is framed. Now on with some basics of doing a critique.

Basic Critique Considerations

  1. Is the photo properly focused, with foreground, main subject, and eyes (usually) sharp?
  2. Is the background appropriate, or is it too busy/cluttered? Does it have best focus or out of focus areas appropriate for image?
  3. Does the photo display a good depth of field for subject and treatment of subject?
  4. How is the exposure?  Is it too dark (underexposed), too light (over exposed). blown out, blocked up, or okay?
  5. How is the image contrast?  Flat with little tonal difference or too extreme?
  6. Are the colours accurate or appropriate for subject?  Are there overlaps or bleeding, too much saturation or not saturated enough, or other colour issues?
  7. Is the composition pleasing, properly balanced, and appropriate? Do objects in images give a 3-D effect? Does use of framing, leading lines, image placement, or other composition components, indicate direction or movement, and does this improve the image or distract from it?
  8. Is cropping required, or is there to little or too much cropping to flatter main subject/topic?
  9. Is your eye drawn to the best spot/subject of the image first, and does your view stay within the main subject/topic of picture or are there bright, dark, or highly colourful distractions?
  10. Is it easy to determine what the best spot or subject is?
  11. Is there a clear story line or message in the photo?
  12. Is there a uniqueness or rarity to captured scene or captured item?
  13. Does the photo carry emotional appeal, such as babies/moms, puppies, love, danger, and so on?
  14. Are there any technical issues which distract from the image quality or appeal?

One of the best ways for a photographer to improve is by having their work critiqued.  Even though one may not agree with critique points made, the process helps one identify what appeals to the viewers and what does not.  With this understanding you are better able to create the best photograph you or a viewer likes.  The more you practice and apply your knowledge the better photographer you will become.

Based on this post by Scott Bourne in the Photofocus blog.

Frank Knor

Mud Lake Shootout

The club will be holding a shoot-out at Mud Lake this spring.

screech-owl-by-anne-jones
Screech Owl by Anne Jones

 

black-capped-chickadee-mud-lake-barrie-thomas
Black Capped Chickadee by Barry Thomas
  • May 12th (rain date May 19th) at 08:30
  • Lead by Anne Jones and Phil Tughan
  • More details at April 7th and May 5th meetings, in the blog and by email.
  • Shooting assignment for May changed to “Nature”
  • Parking along Cassels Street adjacent to Mud lake just west of filtration plant.
  • Club members who are experienced nature photographers will be wearing their name badges and will be glad to help out members with tips on how to get the best images they can.

For more information on Mud Lake, check out the NCC web site.

 

Photograph Havana with David Barbour

Photo David Barbour 188

Ottawa Photographer David Barbour is leading a photo tour to Havana May 27-June 3.

Explore Havana with David, improve your skills as a creative photographer and be introduced to one of the most fascinating cities in the world. The one-week workshop will balance specific photo assignments with evening critiques and presentations. Each day, students will travel to various locations in the city and concentrate on photographing people and the architecture of the city. Side trips to the East Beaches and a day trip to Regla will complete the week. More details here.

Register at School of the Photographic Arts: Ottawa.

David also teaches at the Ottawa School of Art:

  • Intro to Digital April 18- May 11 9 classes
  • Intro to Film April 8-20th 6 classes

To see examples of David’s work, visit his website.

Kanata-Carleton Cultural Festival

coverYour camera club executive has decided to participate in the 2017 Kanata-Carleton Cultural Festival which will take place May 27th at Earl of March High School and in Sandwell Green park.

There are 5 confirmed groups taking part in the visual art exhibition in the Earl of March foyer: Kanata Art Club, Richmond Art Association, West Carleton Arts Society, Kanata Civic Art Gallery (possibly the Ottawa West Arts Association). Each group will provide volunteers for their own booth. Visual Art Organizer for Kanata-Carleton Cultural Festival, is Judi Miller, local Artist. 

The Kanata Civic Art Gallery has offered to provide 10 display grids to our group, to set up a booth. The Grids are 6’x2′. The Earl can provide us with a table for information, if required. As participants we must present a hands-on arty activity for children. The Kanata Civic Art Gallery will lead this activity. We will need to decide and submit our activity by second week in May.

Those who wish to show their photographs, you will also volunteer 2 hours (or more) while engaging the public about your work and the Club’s activities during your showing period.

Photographs will be Artist’s choice. They must be matted, mounted or framed with your name. There will be a “People’s Choice Award” with the public voting on their favourites. The Club is looking for a sponsor to provide an incentive for the Artist.

Set up and take down timing has yet to be determined but the venue opens at 9:00 am and ends at 9:00pm.

If there are people who are interested in showing their work please contact me by email here.  There may be other gallery opportunities in the region during the year so stay tuned.

Visual Art Organizer for Kanata-Carleton Cultural Festival, Judi Miller, Artist

Let’s have some fun folks!

Val Collins

 

Monthly Photo Topic Change

To take full advantage of a soon to be announced special event, the monthly photo topics for April and May have been interchanged and now are:

Shooting Month Submit by Meeting
Apr – Best Ever Apr 28 May 5
May – Nature May 26 Jun 2

Ted Simard on Lightroom

Thanks again to Ted Simard who gave us a great presentation on Lightroom at the March 3rd meeting.

A little bit of Ted’s background:

  • 50 years photography experience
  • started with black and white and film
  • learned camera settings prior to in-camera light meters
  • using Lightroom and RAW since 2015
  • owns Nikon D500 plus 2 zoom and 4 prime lenses
  • self taught
  • official photographer for Robert Stanfield political campaign in the 70’s and Church of Canada Truth and Reconciliation Commission
  • teaches photo classes at Trinity Presbyterian

He recommended these websites for more information:

“Fixed in Post” Assignment

If you’ve looked at the list of upcoming monthly assignment on our Galleries page, you might have noticed the March assignment is called “Fixed in Post” and wondered what it was all about.

When we see an interesting landscape, person, event or scene, we grab our camera and take a photograph. However, oftentimes the photograph we capture with our camera is not quite what we had originally imagined.

Many photographers, from amateur to professional, do some form of editing or enhancement of their photographs. Photographic editing can range from straightforward techniques such as straightening a horizon, cropping, and fixing red-eye to more challenging techniques such as highlights/shadows, tonal adjustment and sharpening.

The March assignment “Fixed-in-Post” will give Club members an opportunity to submit original (straight out of the camera) and edited photographs. Please keep in mind that the deadline for submitting photographs is noon, March 31st.

All Club members are encouraged to submit ONE original photograph (straight out of the camera with no editing) rather than the usual three photographs that are normally submitted:

  • For members who do some editing, please submit your one original photograph (straight out of the camera in jpeg format). Also please submit the edited/enhanced version of your original photograph.
  • For members who do no editing, please submit one original photograph.
  • For members who do not usually submit photographs, please consider submitting a photograph.

At the April 7th meeting, we will view the submitted photographs, discuss various editing techniques and perhaps learn some new editing skills. We hope to promote an interactive, learning environment and encourage all members to send in photographs and participate in the April meeting.

For more details and some example images take a look at these slides.

Ron Pierce

Marg’s Tip for March

2-march-hints-for-nature-and-wildlife-tips-huntington-beach-8-d2745Nature and Wildlife Photography Tips

Before heading out, do your homework.  Be as educated as possible, before you ever make a photograph, though you never can be totally prepared.

What Gear to Pack

A good bag is worth its weight in gold.  All the planning in the world isn’t worth much unless you can comfortably carry your essential tools with you. Find a camera bag that can carry the gear you need easily and is especially comfortable on your body.. Bags range greatly in price and quality, but you usually get what you pay for.  For added piece of mind, you might consider a bag that is semi-waterproof or water-resistant.  A rain cover is also a useful addition.

Shoes

A good pair of hiking shoes or boots is one of the most important pieces of gear for any Nature or Wildlife photographer.  Grit, Dust, mud, Insects, rocks and creepy crawlies – you need a pair of shoes or boots that can handle all these elements.  If your feet become uncomfortable, it won’t be long before you start thinking about cutting your trip short.

Prepare a Checklist

It’s always a good idea to have a mental checklist before beginning.  Ask yourself the following questions:
  • Are any Special Permits or Permission Required?   Some National or State parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries require special permits for access to certain areas, especially those deemed as back country environments.
  • Where Will I Leave my Vehicle?  If you park your vehicle in an unauthorised area, you will be stuck with a sizable fine or worse, return to your vehicle to find it had been towed.
  • Are There any Time Restrictions of any Kind? Most natural areas and parks have hours of operation just like a business.  You might arrive expecting to shoot a great sunrise, only to find out the location you chose isn’t accessible until after daybreak.    Also remember that wild creatures and critters are usually most active in the early morning or late evening.
  • What are the Expected Weather Conditions?   This is a biggie.  Know what to expect as far as the weather is concerned.  Check the forecast the day of departure and keep tabs on it throughout the day if possible.  NEVER chance endangering yourself or your equipment by venturing out unprepared for bad weather.
  • What are the Times for Sunrise and Sunset?      Make sure the places are accessible during those times and be aware of the schedule so that you can allow enough time to reach your location and set up your gear before it’s go time.
  • Are There Any Commonly Photographed Animals, Landmarks or Structures?     Research what is usually photographed around the area you plan to visit.  Find a park ranger or staff member and ask about lesser known spots that are less travelled by tourists.  Knowing what’s popular will save you time and help to avoid shooting a scene the same way it has been done, time and time again.  Look for ways to be creative and set your work apart.
Here are a few basic tips that can help you after you reach your destination.

Shoot Raw

Raw files are basically unprocessed, one might say uncooked, straight from your camera’s image sensor.  They contain a mass amount of pixel information. When compared to JPEG, they take up a lot more memory card space.  However the added information allows more latitude for adjustments in post processing.

Use the Lowest Practical ISO

The ISO number of photography film and image sensors relates to their sensitivity to light.  The higher the ISO number the less light is required to make an image, however this can increase the noise.  There are times when a fast shutter speed is often needed to capture the quick movement of wildlife and increased noise is far less noticeable than a blurred image.

AF Can be Your Best Friend or Your Worst Enemy

A great tool when photographing most wildlife and keeping a moving subject in focus.  Place your selected focus area over the subject and half press the shutter button to engage AF.  Focus will be tracked for as long as you follow your subject while maintaining pressure on the shutter button.  Read your camera manual for detailed information.

Don’t Forget the Tripod

“I really think I would need my tripod” are words that usually begin a sad story about how a potentially great shot is missed.  It’s better to have access to one and not need it, than to need it and not have one available.
Learn so you can prepare. Prepare so you can photograph.
Photograph so you can Grow.
Photographing wildlife can be difficult but it can also yield huge artistic, personal and even spiritual rewards.  So go out and have fun doing what you do, but don’t forget to put the camera down every now and then to enjoy the world around you.
Nature never goes out of style.
Marg Jackman