I Need Your Critiques - Photos From My Trip to Fiji

[casademurphy]

Here are some pictures that I took in Fiji. I have yet to edit any of these pictures (besides the watermark).

I would love your feedback / comments / critique / suggestions on how to make these better.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[woowoodengy]

awesome give us more

 

[ludnix]

They are very cool photos, but I feel you went a little overboard with the watermark. The water mark isn't doing much to protect it from being stolen and it's extremely distracting.

 

[casademurphy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15335592#post15335592 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ludnix
They are very cool photos, but I feel you went a little overboard with the watermark. The water mark isn't doing much to protect it from being stolen and it's extremely distracting.

So, what do you recommend? I'm new at this.

 

[the_rider]

Nice picture

But like ludnik said, the watermark is to big and distracting. I would sugget not to watermark your image but maybe reduce them. If you want to sell print, a reduce version (640x480) for example will not look great if they try to print it 8x10 or 8x12 at least not as great.

If your new to this, I wouldn't worry about people "stealing" your picture, I would take it as a compliment. I suggest that you sign them on a little corner or something so if people "steal" them they will remember who they took it from.

If someone would steal my picture for their personal used i would be really flattered but i someone stole it from you and make money with it, you still have the original and better res. picture so you can take legal action or talk with the buyer but I would care much about that for now, enjoy taking picture for the moment

 

[Jacob D]

+2 on the watermark. Just resample them to 72dpi and put your name in a corner that will discourage anyone from attempting to print them. If you find someone wants one bad enough for their website they'll take it, if you ever find out and you can kindly let them know to remove it, not the end of the world.

Regarding critque, they're nice travel photos...
- on the landscapes fix the tilted horizons
- if you're going to include a boat, etc... don't place it right at the edge of the frame


- on the boy, the pose and expression is nice, relaxed and natural.
- the highlights are blown out on his face and clothes. Next time meter on the bright part of the face and use some fill flash to properly expose the rest (hopefully you camera has a spot meter)
- crop tighter to him
- the background is a little busy
- black and white conversion might work with the right settings (i.e. blue or green filter possibly)


- all images could use some curves/contrast adjustment
(edit: I'm on laptop and monitor is not the best, so this might be invalid)

Not sure what processing software you have but most of this should be easily accomplished in any of the popular apps. Looks like you had a nice time in Fiji

 

[BlueCorn]

If someone wants to steal your image they'll do it whether you watermark it or not. I take the less is more approach on mine. Check out my site to see examples (or any picture that I post in this forum.)

From a critique perspective all of the first three images suffer from similar problems. Your horizon placement is good that it's not in the center of the frame but as was already mentioned they aren't level. The other issue is that you've got distractions on the edges of your frames. The 3rd image is the strongest but having the boat clipped off is a problem.

Items protruding into the frame are often a distraction. While they can be used to frame an image, they need to be thoughtfully placed. That little bit of tree in the top left on the first two immediately draws your eye and weakens the picture. It's not always possible to have all of the edges clean but when you chop something off it needs to look deliberate, not like a mistake.

I don't know if you were using a tripod on these but that's one of the issues that they can help correct. When you're composing on a tripod you can take the time make sure that the image is framed properly. Hand held, the composition varies slightly every time you hold the camera.

Cheers

 

[bmwardo]

In addition to the comments, I like the colors in #1 the best but I would be tempted to clone out the 4 or 5 bugs flying around. I would also probably get rid of the branches and leaves on the top of the frame (that appear not to be attached to the tree) and possibly all of the leaves on the far left. Infact, I would be inclined to crop the top 1/5th or so of #1, I think it might help the framing of the shot.

I hope you don't mind but I did a quick edit to give you an idea:

 

[motlot77]

make that watermark way smaller and on the bottom right or left of the pic.

they're pointless anyway. i have a program that removes them.

 

[Jacob D]

You know, it's bad form to ask for critique and then not respond to the handful of people who took the time to critique your photos.

 

[casademurphy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15367840#post15367840 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jacob D
You know, it's bad form to ask for critique and then not respond to the handful of people who took the time to critique your photos.

Jacob D : No need for that comment. Some people aren't on RC 24/7. Also, you don't know the circumstances of why I haven't responded. I think the majority of people here on RC ask for help and give help whenever they can. They reason why we do so is because we know we will run into people that really do care and know that you appreciate it when they do help.

To everyone on here who has helped me with some sort of comment or suggestion : Sorry I didn't post after every one. Just know that if I ever ask for critiques or help again, that I am extremely grateful. I wouldn't ask for help if I didn't think that I would be getting GREAT advice back.

I will be back on the photo bandwagon after I take care of some business that I've been trying to work out.

 

[Lovmenot35]

Casademurphy,
I was wondering what kind of camera did u get ? the quality of the pictures are awsome, all I have is a Finepix s1000 from Fuji .. I don't know much abt photgraphy but love taking pictures lol .. Thanks for the insite if you can tell me ..

 

[casademurphy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15441649#post15441649 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lovmenot35
Casademurphy,
I was wondering what kind of camera did u get ? the quality of the pictures are awsome, all I have is a Finepix s1000 from Fuji .. I don't know much abt photgraphy but love taking pictures lol .. Thanks for the insite if you can tell me ..

Nikon D90. I love the camera. It's very versatile.

 

[SpinningHat]

The D90 is a great camera. Little expensive, IMO, but will get some great shots. I use a Nikon D40, and while it's only a 6MP camera, you'd never know it. It's very versatile, and with the right lenses, you can do most anything with it.

BTW - Very nice shots. My monitor here is way off on color, but everyone's advise about composition is right on, IMO. Nice work!

 

[Lovmenot35]

thank you so much for answering my question.... I having been thinking abt getting a Nikon D90 for a long time now.... and form what I see from the Quality on the Pics, ill make it as an early christmas present lol ..

Thanks Agian