The New Intimacy

Eden Photographers Club Meeting - Tuesday, August 16th @ 7pm EDT (Topic: histograms)

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Contributor: Starkiller87 Starkiller87
Quote:
Originally posted by Vaccinium
So now I’m going to post a photo for all of us to critique. Critiquing makes us all better photographers, so learning how to see the positives and negatives of a photograph is paramount in your endeavors to become better photographers. As usual, at ... more
Oh man thats so similar to the photo I was going to post.
08/16/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Quote:
Originally posted by sexyintexas
I think that I followed it pretty good. Plus I read the blog this time lol and I googled histograms before so I would be prepared.
Awesome! It's always good to be prepared.
08/16/2011
Contributor: Wondermom Wondermom
Quote:
Originally posted by Vaccinium
So now I’m going to post a photo for all of us to critique. Critiquing makes us all better photographers, so learning how to see the positives and negatives of a photograph is paramount in your endeavors to become better photographers. As usual, at ... more
I love the color of the water and how it seems to still be in motion even though I know its impossible because its a picture.

The downside to this photo is the right hand corner, my eye keeps being drawn there, the brush is distracting
08/16/2011
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
Quote:
Originally posted by Ivy Wilde
I can't seem to be able to change the time the review stays up. Oh well. I'll try to work with later.
May I suggest a book? I got the same one for the 450D and it has been a lifesaver. Much better than the crappy manual that came with the camera.
08/16/2011
Contributor: Starkiller87 Starkiller87
I like that the shutter was left open thus giving a more blurred motion but I wish the photo was pulled out a little farther.
08/16/2011
Contributor: sexyintexas sexyintexas
I like the angles are everywhere and sharp. Wish the water was a little bit crisper, not much though.
08/16/2011
Contributor: Starkiller87 Starkiller87


This is the photo I was gonna post when I asked earlier. Great minds think alike?
08/16/2011
Contributor: Ivy Wilde Ivy Wilde
Quote:
Originally posted by Vaccinium
So now I’m going to post a photo for all of us to critique. Critiquing makes us all better photographers, so learning how to see the positives and negatives of a photograph is paramount in your endeavors to become better photographers. As usual, at ... more
I like the diagonal line the water makes from the top right to the bottom left, echoed by the log that makes the same diagonal.

I don't like the extra space at the top and upper left that is relatively devoid of interesting things to look at. Also, that whatever it is that makes a vertical line down the left third of the picture is sort of distracting. Though I don't know what you could do about that.
08/16/2011
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
I love the misty look of the water thanks to the slow shutter speed. There's something on the left (branch?) that keeps drawing my eye, but it's a minor nitpick.
08/16/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Quote:
Originally posted by Petite Valentine
How much attention should less experienced photographers pay to the histogram? I'm not implying it should be ignored, but when first starting out, there is a lot to pay attention to: focus, exposure, depth of field, framing, etc. Where are ... more
For less experienced photographers, the best thing to do is simply look at the histogram after the photo has been taken and see whether any of it is over the right (highlight) edge. If so, decrease the shutter speed of f-stop and retake it (again, some small highlights like those on the tips of waves or glinting off glass are simply going to be there, and it's best to ignore them). If nothing else, it is a way to make sure you have a photo you want to keep rather than one that is way too overexposed.
08/16/2011
Contributor: Ivy Wilde Ivy Wilde
Quote:
Originally posted by Petite Valentine
May I suggest a book? I got the same one for the 450D and it has been a lifesaver. Much better than the crappy manual that came with the camera.
Thank you. I will add that to my wish list.
08/16/2011
Contributor: sexyintexas sexyintexas
Everytime someone posts I find myself going back to look at it again. That's why I like this club, so many different eyes and opinions.
08/16/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium

Y'all had some very good observations, including some I didn't really notice. Here's my critique.

I like the composition a lot, especially knowing that it wasn't taken from a tripod. The lacy flow of the water from the top right to the lower left really drags the eye across the entire image, and there is virtually no negative space. The colors are vibrant as well, and there is more than sufficient depth of field.

Exposure is good, as there are no deep shadows or blown out highlights, but the image doesn't seem contrasty enough. This is especially evident in the black band of rocks running through the center of the image. The image could also stand to be a bit sharper, although it isn't bad. Ideally, the waterfall would be situated to the left a touch more and the water crashing over the rocks at the lower left would be situated a bit closer to the middle to occupy the positions recommended by the Rule of Thirds, but again, it isn't bad where they are. The white of the water is eye-catching, but some might argue that the white of the waterfall is a tad blown out.
08/16/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Remember, any time you critique a photo, either formally or informally, it can help you as a photographer. Get into the habit of looking at photos and see what you can take away from each of them. It will make you a better photographer.

With that in mind, I wanted everyone's input on something. Would any of you actually participate if each of you had the option of posting one of your photos during the meeting for everyone to "critique" in much the same we we did with my photo tonight? It would benefit all of you, and anything I can do to improve the involvement of everyone here would be great. Opinions? Thoughts?
08/16/2011
Contributor: Starkiller87 Starkiller87
Quote:
Originally posted by Vaccinium
Remember, any time you critique a photo, either formally or informally, it can help you as a photographer. Get into the habit of looking at photos and see what you can take away from each of them. It will make you a better photographer.

With ... more
I would for sure. I like hearing what other people outside of my head think. I get so consumed in my art sometimes I think it helps to hear outside opinions.
08/16/2011
Contributor: sexyintexas sexyintexas
Quote:
Originally posted by Vaccinium
Remember, any time you critique a photo, either formally or informally, it can help you as a photographer. Get into the habit of looking at photos and see what you can take away from each of them. It will make you a better photographer.

With ... more
I would. Since I am just starting out all input would be appriciated. Plus I'm hoping to get some good shots next week
08/16/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Quote:
Originally posted by Starkiller87
I would for sure. I like hearing what other people outside of my head think. I get so consumed in my art sometimes I think it helps to hear outside opinions.
Good! Anyone else?
08/16/2011
Contributor: Ivy Wilde Ivy Wilde
Quote:
Originally posted by Vaccinium
Remember, any time you critique a photo, either formally or informally, it can help you as a photographer. Get into the habit of looking at photos and see what you can take away from each of them. It will make you a better photographer.

With ... more
I would like that very much. I worked really hard to get a "reflected text" photograph, and even though it's not very good artistically, I would love to show that I actually managed to get it.
08/16/2011
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
Quote:
Originally posted by Vaccinium
Remember, any time you critique a photo, either formally or informally, it can help you as a photographer. Get into the habit of looking at photos and see what you can take away from each of them. It will make you a better photographer.

With ... more
I love this idea. I would do this. I'm sorry to say I usually forget about the tumblr site, and without a deadline I'm a mess. I think knowing I'd need to have something for the next meeting would be very motivational.
08/16/2011
Contributor: Wondermom Wondermom
Quote:
Originally posted by Vaccinium
Remember, any time you critique a photo, either formally or informally, it can help you as a photographer. Get into the habit of looking at photos and see what you can take away from each of them. It will make you a better photographer.

With ... more
I would love that, just like my reviews I want to learn to be better
08/16/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Excellent! I'm glad so many of you are on board with this. We'll start in on this next month. But please don't forget about the tumblr site. We can critique only so many photos during the meeting, and the tumblr site will help with spillover.
08/16/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
OK, the last thing tonight is to announce the theme for this month’s photo critiquing. As with last month, I had everyone vote on the theme they wanted to see. If your choice didn’t get selected this time, I’ll recycle many of the entries that weren’t selected for next time, so maybe it will be chosen then. So, after a very close vote, the theme for this month is…sunrise or sunset! Summer just screams sunrise and sunset, so get out there in the last month or so of summer and get some beautiful sunrise and/or sunset photos.

As always, you can submit photos for critiquing to and critique other photos at the Eden Photographers tumblr site. Should you require further direction on how to submit the photos and critique photos, check out the critiquing article on the Eden Clubs and Events blog.
08/16/2011
Contributor: Starkiller87 Starkiller87
Quote:
Originally posted by Vaccinium
Excellent! I'm glad so many of you are on board with this. We'll start in on this next month. But please don't forget about the tumblr site. We can critique only so many photos during the meeting, and the tumblr site will help with ... more
What is your critique of my picture? The one that I thought was similar to yours?
08/16/2011
Contributor: sexyintexas sexyintexas
Quote:
Originally posted by Vaccinium
OK, the last thing tonight is to announce the theme for this month’s photo critiquing. As with last month, I had everyone vote on the theme they wanted to see. If your choice didn’t get selected this time, I’ll recycle many of the entries that ... more
Will do, I will pick one to save and put my faves up. Thanks for another great meeting Vaccinium
08/16/2011
Contributor: Vanessa Weiss Vanessa Weiss
I have about a hundred thousand billion boxes to unpack (hopefully without banging my leg on the motorcycle again) so I've gotta get running. Thanks for a great and informative meeting
08/16/2011
Contributor: Ivy Wilde Ivy Wilde
Quote:
Originally posted by Vanessa Weiss
I have about a hundred thousand billion boxes to unpack (hopefully without banging my leg on the motorcycle again) so I've gotta get running. Thanks for a great and informative meeting
Bye Vanessa Jade!
08/16/2011
Contributor: sexyintexas sexyintexas
Quote:
Originally posted by Vanessa Weiss
I have about a hundred thousand billion boxes to unpack (hopefully without banging my leg on the motorcycle again) so I've gotta get running. Thanks for a great and informative meeting
Night!
08/16/2011
Contributor: Wondermom Wondermom
Quote:
Originally posted by Vanessa Weiss
I have about a hundred thousand billion boxes to unpack (hopefully without banging my leg on the motorcycle again) so I've gotta get running. Thanks for a great and informative meeting
bye!! watch out for those boxes
08/16/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
Quote:
Originally posted by Starkiller87
What is your critique of my picture? The one that I thought was similar to yours?
I can't give you a full critique right now, but I'll point out a positive and negative as everyone else did this evening on my photo.

I love the saturation and placement of the trees, sky, and water in accordance with the Rule of Thirds. The biggest drawback is that there is no real focal point in the bottom third. A single, entire rock or rapid would have drawn the eye, but they are all cut off.
08/16/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
And that's it. Thanks to all of you who attended the meeting tonight. Don't forget the submit your photos to me for the calendar we are putting together. A complete list of the monthly photo themes can be found here.

Feel free to continue chatting here if yous so desire. Otherwise, good night, everyone!
08/16/2011