The photographer has shared comprehensive information about their intent and creative vision for this image. Please examine the details and offer feedback on how they can most effectively realize their vision.
Self Critique
I like the composition of this photo with the leading lines and the arc of the birds rising above the couple.
Creative direction
In the past I dabbled with water colors preferring its softer, more translucent and flowing look to that of acrylics or oil paints. I am relatively new to photography and love photographing all things nature. I am working to gain the camera and post processing skills necessary to capture those rare moments with an approach more like water color painting. I have a lot to learn!
Specific Feedback
I am not sure that I processed or know how to process the colors and lighting to convey visual impact or energy that I see for such a unique moment in time.
The couple was standing there for some time and I had taken numerous other shots with them in the picture. Fortunately I was already set up to capture these birds at the appropriate moment.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Hi Kathryn and welcome to NPN. It’s nice to have you here and I hope you feel right at home not only putting up images for critique, but taking the time to do the same for others looking for advice. We’re here to learn and grow from each other so two-way participation is key.
So to put my money where my mouth is, I’ll start on this engaging moment you’ve presented. You’re right about the leading lines and Ilike the way the configuration of birds extends that into the sky. The people are a nice touch that lends scale and immediacy - we can totally connect with them and how much they might be enjoying this sight and each other’s company.
I am bothered by how close to the horizon line everything is though. Ideally I want more separation or an intrusion of those things into the sky. If you could have gotten lower, that might have been the easiest - just dropping into a squat or sitting down would have done it (probably). Raising the camera over head and using the back screen if it flips downward, is another way to change the perspective from the standard head-height kind of shot. But as is, the timing with the birds makes it pretty neat. You could tone down the graphic on the back of the left person’s jacket. Also you could improve the 3-dimensionality by using some masking tools to bring up the highlights on the posts. You don’t say which software you use for processing, but this can be done fairly easily in Lightroom and Photoshop / ACR.
Again, welcome to NPN and I look forward to seeing you around.
Kathryn, welcome to NPN! This is a warm and inviting view, enhanced well by the birds and how they rise through the frame. The pier posts also do a good job of framing the couple and leading to the birds. I’m not bothered in the slightest by the positioning of the horizon. I’m not sure if it would be an improvement, but I wonder if you’ve looked at cropping from the left to and 8.5 x 11 frame (since the sky over there doesn’t have any birds). I do like seeing subtle details in the clothes and the pilons.
Hi Kristen, Thank you for the immediate reply and gracious welcome to the NPN. I look forward to the critiques and advice from you and others, as always, there is a lot to learn. Just getting my feet on the ground, but I plan to take the time to share my thoughts with others looking for advice or comments.
Interesting that you mention the horizon line and positioning of objects as something that bothered you. It was my concern too. I was there for a while before the birds appeared and I had taken several shots both with the camera high above my head and also from the lower perspective. When the birds suddenly appeared, I chose the higher perspective to avoid the merger of the people’s head with the horizon line. That decision could have gone either way. lol
I am one of the seemingly rare people in these groups who does my file management and post processing using Capture One. If you know of any others in the group who also use Cap One, I would love to chat with them.
I am looking forward to learning more and sharing with the NPN group.
Hi, Mark, Thank you for the welcome to NPN and for your thoughtful comments on my photo. I will try your suggestion about cropping in a bit from the left as that is quite a bit of negative space in the sky.
