Alright photographers - critique please

PolarSkye

PolarSkye

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Aside from mucking about with my pony, I love playing with my camera. I'd like to see if I can make a little money on the side - not a full-blown career . . . what do you all think? I've already pinged a local equine photographer to see if I can shadow him for a day or two to see what tips I can pick up and I've taken a couple of photography courses (obviously need to revisit my notes).

Honest (but constructive) critique please.

https://picasaweb.google.com/NaomiHi65/SharingPics?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Thanks in advance.

P
 
Wow, some brilliant photos in there! I would say you have a good eye for composition and framing, and for colour. The horse portrait shots are lovely. Can't really find anything to criticize, tbh. :)

(Okay, photo #2 could be lightened, but not #5 or #6. You cut the tip of the horse's tail off in #21, and the feet in #32. The focus is out in a few of them - maybe deliberately? But really, these are trivial points!)
 
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I'm no expert but you've certainly got an eye for a good photo. I've seen some right old shockers from people who call themselves professionals and your's a lot better!! Lovely natural pictures, I'd happily hand over some penny's of shots of my pride and joy if they looked anything like some of those. Keep it up you definately have a talent for it.
 
fburton said:
Wow, some brilliant photos in there! I would say you have a good eye for composition and framing, and for colour. The horse portrait shots are lovely. Can't really find anything to criticize, tbh. :)

(Okay, photo #2 could be lightened, but not #5 or #6. You cut the tip of the horse's tail off in #21, and the feet in #32. The focus is out in a few of them - maybe deliberately? But really, these are trivial points!)
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Yeah - sick about cutting off Bonza Puzzle's tail - ruins an otherwise decently-composed shot . . . irony is that's a crop and I can't find the original (in which the tail is all there). And yup the feet in 32.

Thank you!

I guess I'm just looking to see if I can take things to the next level . . . to me these seem decent - I want to figure out how I make them more exceptional if you know what I mean.

But thanks.

P
 
Well, there are some cracking pictures in that lot! You really do have an eye for a good picture, so yes, I think you could make a few pounds! :D

Forgot to say, what camera etc are you using?
 
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Some lovely pictures, I especially like the one of the young girl walking on the shore line at sunset, you captured the atmosphere well.
For your equestrian ones, to be honest they didn't wow me. There is so many photographers now you have to be clever with what you do with angles and positioning..not easy I know, but try to find the picture the other photographer isn't taking..atmosphere of the collecting ring those moments at the start box, joy at getting home clear, jumps from a lower angle, especially big solid fences, or drops. Its just as a rider I will pay for something that captures the feeling of a good days riding, especially if the picture stands out.
 
jsr said:
I'm no expert but you've certainly got an eye for a good photo. I've seen some right old shockers from people who call themselves professionals and your's a lot better!! Lovely natural pictures, I'd happily hand over some penny's of shots of my pride and joy if they looked anything like some of those. Keep it up you definately have a talent for it.
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Thanks :). Biggest challenge is not having the right "kit" . . . some of the stuff the pros have give me major lens envy. I have a nice camera . . . but I'm finding that some of my more recent pictures aren't pin sharp and I'm getting frustrated with lack of power of my lens (and I don't get to stand where the pros do so I need the extra lens power to compensate). Perhaps I'm just hypercritical ;).

P
 
Laura1234 said:
Well, there are some cracking pictures in that lot! You really do have an eye for a good picture, so yes, I think you could make a few pounds! :D

Forgot to say, what camera etc are you using?
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Thank you :).

Cameras - both Nikons . . .

Film: F65 (I actually prefer this one - it's lighter and fits in my hands better)
Digital: D70S
Lenses: both Nikkor - one 28-100mm and the other 28-200
Polarizing filter (can't remember the make)

I also have some warming filters but tend not to use them for action shots. I also use a lens hood as a matter of course.

I would love a longer lens and maybe a fish eye or wideangle just to get a different perspective. Unfortunately the horse tends to suck up all the £££.

P
 
councillor said:
Some lovely pictures, I especially like the one of the young girl walking on the shore line at sunset, you captured the atmosphere well.
For your equestrian ones, to be honest they didn't wow me. There is so many photographers now you have to be clever with what you do with angles and positioning..not easy I know, but try to find the picture the other photographer isn't taking..atmosphere of the collecting ring those moments at the start box, joy at getting home clear, jumps from a lower angle, especially big solid fences, or drops. Its just as a rider I will pay for something that captures the feeling of a good days riding, especially if the picture stands out.
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I know exactly what you mean about the equestrian shots . . . I find myself wishing I could find a better position to take pictures from . . . obviously that's more difficult to do at the bigger shoes (several of those were taken at Badminton and Burghley) but certainly more possible at the more local shows. Note to self - spend more time in the collecting ring or at the cross country finish ;).

The girl on the beach is my youngest daughter - took that at Findhorn in Scotland - it's one of my favourite pictures of her - so thank you.

P
 
councillor said:
For your equestrian ones, to be honest they didn't wow me.
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Oh, I don't know... #99 is a super action shot, imo.

There is so many photographers now you have to be clever with what you do with angles and positioning..not easy I know, but try to find the picture the other photographer isn't taking..atmosphere of the collecting ring those moments at the start box, joy at getting home clear, jumps from a lower angle, especially big solid fences, or drops. Its just as a rider I will pay for something that captures the feeling of a good days riding, especially if the picture stands out.
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All good points.
 
Dancing Queen said:
not where i thought it was - but you have taken some beautiful photos!
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Actually, are you thinking of this one: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eldXuvVvYb0L3kSGSJm07Q?feat=directlink ?

Looks alot like Hartland Quay (and I do have some shots from there) but is actually a little cove/abandoned harbour we found off the extreme northeast coast of Scotland on our way back from visiting Duncansby Stacks/John O'Groats.

Love Hartland Quay - we rented a cottage for two weeks in Hartland a couple of years ago . . . spent quite a bit of time at the Quay.

P
 
PolarSkye said:
I know exactly what you mean about the equestrian shots . . . I find myself wishing I could find a better position to take pictures from . . . obviously that's more difficult to do at the bigger shoes (several of those were taken at Badminton and Burghley) but certainly more possible at the more local shows. Note to self - spend more time in the collecting ring or at the cross country finish ;).

The girl on the beach is my youngest daughter - took that at Findhorn in Scotland - it's one of my favourite pictures of her - so thank you.

P
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I live a five min drive from Findhorn....it is such a atmospheric place on a still summer evening...Do you live up here?
 
councillor said:
I live a five min drive from Findhorn....it is such a atmospheric place on a still summer evening...Do you live up here?
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Very jealous. No, don't live up there - was born there (Forres) but we left when I was quite young. Took that picture when we were staying in North Kessock on the Black Isle for a couple of weeks - very first morning we got in the car and headed to Findhorn - it's such a serene place. Where do you live?

P
 
PolarSkye said:
Actually, are you thinking of this one: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eldXuvVvYb0L3kSGSJm07Q?feat=directlink ?

Looks alot like Hartland Quay (and I do have some shots from there) but is actually a little cove/abandoned harbour we found off the extreme northeast coast of Scotland on our way back from visiting Duncansby Stacks/John O'Groats.

Love Hartland Quay - we rented a cottage for two weeks in Hartland a couple of years ago . . . spent quite a bit of time at the Quay.

P
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Beautiful xx you have a very good eye! x
 
Super pics. Have you got access to photoshop? You can play around with colours and effects, to make your pictures even more dramatic!
 
^
Agree, Some of the photos could benefit with some tweaking in PS.

These are my fave photos.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...NI/AAAAAAAADVE/OZ-gZ4hL-Lo/Stroppy%2520Em.jpg nice bokeh here ♥

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cn15oAJAVug/S2HXDMipZYI/AAAAAAAADYg/Ycub6tmLiLc/s640/DSC_0204.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...AAAAAAAADb0/F56xrc5UesQ/B0000215_edited-1.jpg

The quality seems to be lacking a little though but I don't know if its just got compressed after you uploaded them, there are few that are a little grainy.
The first picture of the girl is a good example of a photo that could benefit with a bit of help from photoshop just to give it an extra impact, up the sat a bit / contrast etc.

But yeah you def have a talent for it, I really like your portraits the best.
 
PolarSkye said:
Very jealous. No, don't live up there - was born there (Forres) but we left when I was quite young. Took that picture when we were staying in North Kessock on the Black Isle for a couple of weeks - very first morning we got in the car and headed to Findhorn - it's such a serene place. Where do you live?

P
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Just outside Forres...born here, left for a few years for college and life, came home so I knew the kids were growing up in a lovely safe place in the world.
 
To echo several other posters, you have a very good eye, and not just for equine photos.
You've captured landscape, human portraiture (not easy) and action subjects. I think that says a lot about your abilities.

My only negative critique, which doesn't reflect on your talent, is that I would like to see a bit more image sharpness. I'm a Nikon geek and am aware that some of their lenses, within a particular focal length, can be superior to others of the same focal length. I think it's the luck of the draw.

Good luck. I really think you have what it takes to go somewhere with your photography.
 
Very nice pics , well done! :)

The only thing I would say is I would tidy up a bit more before the photo e.g no rugs hanging over stable door , keep the flies away from ponies face. But thats just my preference!
 
midi said:
^
Agree, Some of the photos could benefit with some tweaking in PS.

These are my fave photos.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...NI/AAAAAAAADVE/OZ-gZ4hL-Lo/Stroppy%2520Em.jpg nice bokeh here ♥

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cn15oAJAVug/S2HXDMipZYI/AAAAAAAADYg/Ycub6tmLiLc/s640/DSC_0204.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...AAAAAAAADb0/F56xrc5UesQ/B0000215_edited-1.jpg

The quality seems to be lacking a little though but I don't know if its just got compressed after you uploaded them, there are few that are a little grainy.
The first picture of the girl is a good example of a photo that could benefit with a bit of help from photoshop just to give it an extra impact, up the sat a bit / contrast etc.

But yeah you def have a talent for it, I really like your portraits the best.
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I know what you mean . . . being self-critical I think the same about image quality and post processing. I do have PS - but I haven't really taken the time to get to grips with it - perhaps it's time to do that. Also, I'd like to figure out how to get more out of the camera in the first place (image quality wise).

Interestingly, the first pic of the girl (my eldest - now 15 - who HATES that pic, LOL) was taken on my film SLR . . . whereas the other two are the DSLR. I think it's interesting that you picked number 3 . . . I've always liked it but it doesn't often get picked out by other folks - I just like sinewy shape.

Thanks :).

P
 
RutlandH2O said:
I would like to see a bit more image sharpness. I'm a Nikon geek and am aware that some of their lenses, within a particular focal length, can be superior to others of the same focal length.
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I completely agree - it's something that's frustrating me at the moment. What I don't know at the moment is whether it's to do with aperture/ISO/shutter speed/white noise or the lens itself. I need to fiddle a bit to figure it out.

What Nikon lenses do you recommend - I can't afford to buy more than one (much as I'd like to have a macro, a fish-eye and a super-duper zoom) so it needs to be a workhorse that will allow me to shoot many different types of subject?

Many thanks for such a constructive (and kind!) critique.

P
 
I think you need to pay attention to detail a bit more- chopping tails, feet, ears, bottom of jumps off can really detract from a photo. Try not to crop in too close, some of your shots like the dressage at burghley seem to be a bit closely cropped and I'd always crop a rectangle not a square.

Look at the footfall of the horse, try to get a /\/\ shape with the legs on the side nearest you extended to the front and back.

There's a couple of nice galloping pics that are sharp and well timed but I think you need to practise more jumping shots. Whilst photographers are always looking for a new type of shot the basic less artistic shots are also needed i.e side on, at a 45 degree angle to jump, portrait which you need to practise if you are thinking about going pro. Also you need to upgrade kit, as an amateur it doesn't really matter if you fluff a few shots up because of focus/light/kit restricting you... as a pro every shot needs to be near enough spot on because you never know which competitor will walk onto the stand to view your images. For equestrian sports a 70-200 f2.8 lens is ideal, the Canon one which I use is about £1000 but I wouldn't be without mine now it's just fantastic. Sigma do an equivalent which is a bit cheaper about £650 if you're on a budget. I use mine for everything from portraits to all kinds of sports to birds in the garden to sailing photos.

As with not being able to stand where the pros stand to take good pics... doesn't really matter as if you pick carefully, you can get really great shots- all of these were taken outside of the ring at different shows:

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28209_397856192922_502157922_4381263_1807272_n.jpg


n502157922_1762602_1635981.jpg


n502157922_1765094_4682767.jpg


Build a good portfolio up, be prepared to work your bum off it's not an easy job which I think many people perceive it to be a doddle... long long hours in the ring no breaks unless there is a break in the ring, working on your own in all weathers it can be really hard but also really enjoyable if there is a good team of you and very rewarding when people say how good your photos are and buy one. I love it as a job but like any job it's not for some people and you have to try it and see how you go.
 
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