Casey-
Have you tried posting a picture? I took a chance and as a beginner, I
welcome this wonderful feedback. It is like taking my own private course.
Thanks again everyone! I will be taking this guidance and coming back with
more if you can bare it! ;o)

Vincent Valle

http://www.pbase.com/vincentvalle



"casey" wrote in message
...
I wish I could get critiques like this on my nature pictures.
"This Guy Here" (put a "." between the "x" & the
"n") wrote in message ...
With apologies, I don't like this picture much, for the following
reasons:

o The lighting is a bit bland. I think single light source images
have to be stronger in order to be effective. I would have
preferred an additional light source or reflector to provide
some fill in the shadow areas to the left side of the image.

o The exposure isn't optimal -- the highlights on the fruit are
a bit washed out, and there is no detail in the shadow
areas.

o I'm not sure that the placement of the light source is
optimal either.

o Unlike other viewers, I don't mind the red background,
but it is flat & uninteresting. I would have preferred some
more things going on, like some draped fabric or the
corner of a picture or something.

o The composition is totally random and is not very interesting
to me. I think a more careful arrangement of objects would
have been called for. There's no "story" here, meaning that
I get no sense of space or lifestyle or ambience.

o Your choice of lenses is a bit questionable: the top tier of
the servicing piece is photographed edge on, but the
bottom tier is a bit from above and appears more oval than
the top tier. I would think that if you are going to photograph
that serving dish edge on, I would have used a telephoto
lens from a greater distance.

Still life studies look simple & easy but in reality are very
difficult. It's difficult to arrange your objects in a meaningful
manner. There is no excuse for not having precise lighting &
composition.

I most definitely applaud your interest & willingness to try, and I
encourage you to continue your explorations. Most especially, I
congratulate you on your willingness to obtain feedback from strangers
like me (who may or may not be qualified). Please continue. My
suggestions:

o Take your time in arranging your composition.
o Carefully craft your lighting. Light & shadows are
important in suggesting a third dimension to your
objects, but every shadow should be complimented
with a highlight or an edge.

Carry on.



On Thu, 18 Dec 2003 15:38:49 -0500, "Vindrew"
wrote:

Latest picture added to my gallery for your kind review.
http://www.pbase.com/image/24248372.jpg

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Please visit my photography gallery:

http://www.pbase.com/vincentvalle

Vincent Valle
Proud Supporter of pbase.com

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