Some of my work, just got my DSLR. Help/Critics wanted!

mdyroolz101 · 07-02-2008, 02:02 AM

See the face?

mdyroolz101 · 07-02-2008, 02:03 AM

Meet Cooper, a pure bred 3yr old Havanese. One of the smartest dogs you'll meet in quite a while..

Meet Casey, a pure bred 2yr old Havanese. Gotta be one of the DUMBEST smart dogs you'll ever meet.

Meet the random and pointless flower,

mdyroolz101 · 07-02-2008, 02:04 AM

mdyroolz101 · 07-02-2008, 02:04 AM

OMFG this car was amazing.

The $200 EF sedan. Soon to be fully restored and boosted Z6.

mdyroolz101 · 07-02-2008, 02:07 AM

These are the ones I'm the most proud of. Taken today, actually taken the time to edit correctly, and of my best subject material. The pride and joy, and close friend's pride and joy.

I'm looking for everything from "Put that camera down before you break something!" to "Wow, those look pretty good."

I want to get good at this, so if you're going to criticize, toss in some advice you have to make the next shot better.

I appreciate all the help!

Thanks!

(btw, its a D40, and I just got it)

therealmr · 07-02-2008, 02:13 AM

I've reviewed your post history and found that you aren't trolling or raiding. Additionally, your 2 year ASM badge seems to tell me that you're quite serious.

So, that said... since you seem so enthusiastic, I will do my best to give thoughtful C&C tomorrow when I'm not half asleep.

Anybody else who would like to post in this thread should consider doing the same.

-Therealmr

mdyroolz101 · 07-02-2008, 02:18 AM

Thanks man!

I'm looking forward to it!

And yes, I'm serious about this. My grandpa did this for a living, and I guess it just kinda stuck with me.

Drex17 · 07-02-2008, 02:22 AM

same here not enough time to go through all of them, but I'll give you a fireworks pointer.

Get a tripod or at least prop the camera on something solid. this will remove the "wiggles" most of your shots are plagued by. In terms of settings I tend to shoot 1-3 second exposures started right before a shell goes off. (shortly into the show you'll get a good idea of how long the flight time is before they detonate) IIRC ISO 200. this should get you some very crisp sireworks shots instead of the wiggly ones you got here.

PM'ing you an example shot as to not clutter your thread with my pictures

snufferoo (Banned) · 07-02-2008, 02:29 AM

Not too bad, but yeah, get a tripod for fireworks.

http://www.geofflawrence.com/photogr..._fireworks.php

Everything else looks pretty good. Just get out and shoot.

killr_b323 · 07-02-2008, 09:18 AM

Also some of them are cut off, but that's kind of hard to plan for sometimes.

I'm not going to critique all of them individually, but several of the car pictures were pretty good.

A lot of the rest of them could be eliminated though.

Overall it's pretty evident you're trying, which is great. I do think you have some work to do though, particularly in the area of composition and proper exposure. It's just one of those things that comes with time though.

mdyroolz101 · 07-02-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drex17

same here not enough time to go through all of them, but I'll give you a fireworks pointer.

Get a tripod or at least prop the camera on something solid. this will remove the "wiggles" most of your shots are plagued by. In terms of settings I tend to shoot 1-3 second exposures started right before a shell goes off. (shortly into the show you'll get a good idea of how long the flight time is before they detonate) IIRC ISO 200. this should get you some very crisp sireworks shots instead of the wiggly ones you got here.

PM'ing you an example shot as to not clutter your thread with my pictures

Yeah, I figured you guys could tell I didn't have a tripod. Also, the camera I was using for the fireworks wasn't my actual camera. I just got my OWN D40 on the day the pictures of the blue Civic and my Audi were taken. I was afraid to mess with settings, since it wasn't mine. Also, people at this particular event sucked at life, and refused to stop for 3 seconds for me or my girlfriend to take a picture. Hence the left to right blur in like 90% of them, on top of the no tripod blur.

Quote:

Originally Posted by snufferoo

Not too bad, but yeah, get a tripod for fireworks.

http://www.geofflawrence.com/photogr..._fireworks.php

Everything else looks pretty good. Just get out and shoot.

Thanks!

mdyroolz101 · 07-02-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killr_b323

Also some of them are cut off, but that's kind of hard to plan for sometimes.

I'm not going to critique all of them individually, but several of the car pictures were pretty good.

A lot of the rest of them could be eliminated though.

Overall it's pretty evident you're trying, which is great. I do think you have some work to do though, particularly in the area of composition and proper exposure. It's just one of those things that comes with time though.

Just out of curiousity, what didn't you like about that one?

Yeah, the ones of the Honda meet in the big parking lot didn't turn out too good. I kinda rushed through everything.. Free food for photographers and like 175 people to talk to kinda made it hard. I appreciate your input!

I'll be posting in here a lot, trying to get input, so we'll see where this goes haha.

JungleLawrence (Banned) · 07-02-2008, 11:15 AM

1. Post in the right thread.
2. Post less pictures.
3. There's nothing bad about your pictures, but then again there's nothing good about them either. You need to just keep practicing (posting only the images you're particularly proud of) while trying to emulate your favorite photographers and the images they make. Then, once you've done that, come back and try again.

TheLPB · 07-02-2008, 12:34 PM

too much too much too much

mdyroolz101 · 07-02-2008, 02:22 PM

What right thread? I read the rules...?

therealmr · 07-02-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geekyrocketguy

A couple other people and I have gotten annoyed with the lack of useful constructive criticism in the WDYS/PPTW thread and the utter uselessness of the "Rate the Photo Above You" thread.

This thread is for honest constructive criticism and suggestions for improvements. Do not complain if you get your feelings hurt. The WDYS/PPTW thread is for general photo discussion; this thread is for C&C.

The last C&C thread failed because it got swamped with snapshots. In general, if you used Auto mode, the photo is a snapshot. Other examples of snapshots include ceiling fans, soda cans, and pretty much anything with a tree as the subject. Don't post it here.

Rules:
-Don't post more than 1 photo at a time.
-Don't post photos unless you have given someone else C&C first.
-Keep criticism constructive. "That sux, lolz" doesn't help anyone. "That sux because _____" is perfectly acceptable.

The C&C thread is floating around on the top part of the first page. I didn't close your thread and direct you there because there isn't much help in that thread anymore, either... to be honest. Given that it sounds like you're ACTUALLY Looking for some advice, I decided to leave this open.

FIREWORKS:
1) Use a tripod
2) Exposure is tough, since if you get the first BLAST of it, you'll have blown out a large portion of your photo. I'd suggest learning the timing and snapping right after the initial burst. Then again, there aren't many days left of big fun fireworks to try this out on =\

DOG/FLOWER/SIGN
1) All are 'snapshots', IE seem to be taken without regard to composition, background, or anything... really. Taking pictures of dogs is fun, but the moment you ask for C&C, you're subjecting yourself to a higher level of expectations. Sign also is in the same boat. Boring.
2) Flower is cliché, but at least a good contrast of blue and yellow.

CARS
1) So many 'snapshot' type pictures in here. Try and narrow them down. If you're this big into cars I'm going to assume that you've seen car mags and such. Take a look at their pictures and try and figure out what makes them good enough to be in a magazine. How are the cars positioned? What does the contrast look like? Composition of frame... etc.
2) The good ones have been called out already.

OVERALL:
1) keep shooting
2) keep looking at successful pieces and comparing them to your own in terms of technical aspects
3) learn some post-processing

Investorguy · 07-02-2008, 04:08 PM

I'm actually astounded that folk have been this tame with you. Most people posting like you've posted would've been ripped from here to who knows where.

psychokid9001 · 07-02-2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Investorguy

I'm actually astounded that folk have been this tame with you. Most people posting like you've posted would've been ripped from here to who knows where.

Probably because a mod made a positive post.

AKMetal · 07-02-2008, 04:53 PM

indeed i am quite surprised as well.

Supra_MKIII · 07-02-2008, 05:08 PM

I think OP needs to get a good program and do some post processing.

TheLPB · 07-02-2008, 05:08 PM

he isn't being an ******* about anything, that's why... he seems to be taking what people say into consideration. it isn't like we sit in the GDT in wait of dumb****s to make post.... dumb****s are thrust upon us.

anyways, droolz, i know you've seen JDMOTO's stuff and you have to realize that when he posts 4 or 5 shots of a car he took HUNDREDS during the set. most times he'll post one or two. just because you have a DSLR doesn't mean everything coming out of it is gold.