Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic

alexosbourn · Joined: 10 Dec 2011 Posts: 25

Hi, I apologize in advance, I want to learn as much as I can about photography, as well as stock. So I'm planning to post often for critique... at least until I am comfortable enough with my photos to send in an initial 10.

Here are two photos. The first is my neighbor's horse, and the second is a holly bush. Fire away please and thanks. =]

alexosbourn · Joined: 10 Dec 2011 Posts: 25

Here are the Holly photos.

semmickphoto · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 4:19 pm

The horse is too far away in the shot. If the horse is the subject it needs to be prominent in the frame. Its also too soft, OOF. The photo also lacks punch, vividness.

semmickphoto · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 4:27 pm

Holly is out of focus. I would also zoom in on the berries, if they are the subject.

alexosbourn · Joined: 10 Dec 2011 Posts: 25

Thanks! If I re-shoot the horse shot, do you think that something like this would be better?

semmickphoto · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 4:42 pm

alexosbourn · Joined: 10 Dec 2011 Posts: 25

Gotcha... keep some rule of thirds in there for now.

mikenorton · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:27 pm

Mike Norton's First Rule of Landscape Photography: There is always one too many or one too few trees.
Do you see the one too many tree in the picture of the horse? Actually there may be 3 too many but the number doesn't matter. If you shoot from a tripod you can take the time to study the composition through the viewfinder and by looking at the subject. This is when you will notice the dead trees and can recompose so that they are not in the composition.

alexosbourn · Joined: 10 Dec 2011 Posts: 25

Thanks for pointing that out. As soon as you mentioned that, I also saw the random fence post as well as some debris behind the horse. What about the dead stick laying in the foreground? Would something like that be an issue in stock? ...or photography in general?

jeffbanke · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 12:38 pm

alexosbourn · Joined: 10 Dec 2011 Posts: 25

Thanks for the advice. I feel a contributor's #1 rule topic would be a great addition to the tips section. =]

semmickphoto · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 1:13 pm

geoffwnz · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 2:32 pm

rinder99 · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:50 pm

I try to break them whenever possible, Only problem is you have to know them before you can break them.My #1 rule is "Make it yours, Not a derivative of someone else."

alexosbourn · Joined: 10 Dec 2011 Posts: 25

Nice. I have much to learn. I have probably taken a total of 6-7k photos in my lifetime. haha.