Category: Tips

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

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:

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

Hyperfocal Distance?

Hyperfocal distance is one of those nerdy terms that provokes tiresome forum discussions, but a basic grasp is useful if you’re going to push the limits of depth of field. A sensible working definition is that’s the distance at which you need to focus for things at infinity to be acceptably sharp – for a particular focal length and aperture. There are lots of variables here, not least what your eye considers acceptably sharp. In practice, because no one has time to fiddle with tables and calculators, the working method is to focus roughly a third of the way into the scene and stop right down. This gives you a starting point, but the devil is in the fine detail so that taking a shot and then examining it at high magnification on the camera’s screen is the only way to be sure that you have the front to back sharpness you want.

Marg Jackman

Catching a Wave

The best time to capture a wave is when it’s drawing back.  As the wave comes in it envelops any rocks and sometimes it completely washes over them.  Taking a shot at this point makes it look overwhelmed with that white froth you get from the crest of the wave.
By waiting until the water is starting to draw back out you have clearly defined movement from the water and the rocks become visible.
Marg Jackman

Marg’s Tip for February

Five Tried and True Landscape Photography Tips Used by the Pros.

february-2017-hints-5-tried-and-true-tips-used-by-pros-for-landscape

Have you ever found yourself wondering how do the professionals (Pros) consistently turn out amazing photographs day after day, year after year and what are their secrets.

1.  Experimentation

Experimenting is one of the best ways to shake yourself up out of the doldrums and even pros use it to get their creative juices flowing.  Try something totally out of your comfort zone,  If you are already a master of the golden hours, try shooting a nightscape or even a long exposure in the middle of the day.  Experimenting keeps you on the learning path and when you learn, you grow as a photographer.

2.  Making it on your own

Many places on your photography list have already been captured hundreds of times.  What else can you do?  Is there another foreground element you can add or take away?  One of the things that make pros work stand out from the rest, is their perspective and ability to make a place seem like you are seeing it for the first time.  Can you get a different angle, add or detract an element or shoot it differently. (eg. with light trails or multiple exposures?)

3.  Tell a Story

Being able to evoke the emotions of your audience should always be a goal.  Keep in mind that the purpose of your photographic story is to interest, instruct or amuse your audience.  Decide how you want the image to affect them, and then how to achieve that goal.  Is it going to be realistic or abstract, black or white or infrared?

4.  Less Can Be More

In landscape photograph, being more selective with the views you present, tells a more effective story, so pros understand the power of good composition.  One of the rules of good composition is that your image should contain just enough details.  You do not have the luxury of physically moving things around, so you must arrange the elements of an image by changing your position. You can then find the most flattering views and one that tells a different story.
Choosing the important elements to highlight, helps you to decide what to include and what to leave out.  Make your subject dominate by accentuating it with one or few related elements, remembering to declutter as much as you can.  As a general rule, if the element  doesn’t  enhance the subject, it may be detracting from it.

5.  Know Your Post-Processing

Ideally you want to get the shot right in camera.  Pros know the importance of post-processing. That is the main reason they shoot in RAW, to capture all the uncompressed image data, which leads to higher quality images in the end.  Digital photography has made it easier to post-process, but it also makes it easier to go overboard easily.  So determine your vision for the final image, and learn to execute it properly, so you produce an image that represents you.

Conclusion

Staying consistent means staying creative or constantly challenging yourself to try something different or learn something new.  There is nothing more amazing than producing a piece that someone can identify as yours, even before they confirm you did.

Straighten Things Out

If you prefer to get your perspective as straight as possible in-camera but you don’t have a tilt-shift lens, there is a solution.  You have just taken a shot of a building, possibly with a 20mm lens, and are standing close to it and looking up.
If possible, step back and switch to a longer lens. You’ll be able to keep your camera level and avoid converging verticals – though your subject will be smaller in the frame.
Marg Jackman

Merry Christmas!

Did Santa bring you a new camera for Christmas? If you’re new to photography then this article on camera basics that Fraser Campbell shared with us will help you get started.

If you want to learn even more about your new camera why not try it out at our Shoot In which we’re holding as part of the meeting on January 6th. Don’t forget to bring your manual.

Henry’s Kanata

stu-and-gregThanks to Alexandra Leask and Greg Pilsworth from Henry’s Kanata for their interesting presentation at our December meeting and for answering all our questions during the break.

Alexandra discussed the following:

  • Sandisk SD cards come with an offer for a free trial version of their file recovery  software
  • SD cards and what all the numbers mean. You can get your own copy of her handout by clicking here.
  • The Canon CS100 1 TB external drive can be used without a computer to back up images from memory cards. It has WiFi so can connect directly to computers and  smart TVs.
  • Smart phone photography as “the camera you carry” – better than the one you leave at home
  • XQD memory cards which are a new standard for fast reliable storage supported by the Nikon D500. A replacement for CF the old card standard
  • sensor sizes based on the image in this article

Alexandra pointed out that all the staff at Henry’s are avid photographers and that they welcome questions. Specifics (hours and location) of Henry’s Kanata store are here. The Henry’s web site is here.

You can email Alexandra here and Greg here.