Photo Assignment #1: Results

For our first photo assignment we had several entries. The only criteria for this assignment was the pictures had to be a scenic of some sort. I have posted all the entries here for all to see and to learn from. I suggest that you open up the picture and compare what you see with what I say and see how they mesh. Feel free to add a comment or email me if you have any questions about my photo comments or have suggestions for future postings and/or assignments.














The thing I see when I look at the picture above is the bright color of the cloud; color and contrast is good. As I look deeper, their are two things that catch my attention as more of a distraction. First of all, the lighter bank of clouds puts a line right through the middle of the image, doesn't do good cosmetics to a picture. And second, the line of trees seems to lead your eyes away from the theme of the picture. I like how the trees have some fog/blowing snow or sand in front of them; it gives a feel of "depth" or distance.

My recommendations to improve this picture would be to crop down the left side with the bottom, and bring the bottom of the photo to the base of the tree line. That will remove the "leading line" taking your gaze away from what's important. It will also lower the top of the cloud bank so it sits about 1/3 from the bottom of the scene rather that the 1/2 mark. Overall, this is a great picture, just minor adjustments. Good job!














I like this picture. The colors are bright and the detail is crisp. If I did anything to this picture to make it better, I would shift the large tree, from the middle, to the side, probably to the right; just enough to take it away from the center line. This is great!












The grays and the detail in this photo are really good. The layout brings your eyes near and far and back again. This photo could also be turned into a black and white and still be in good taste. As with the previous pictures, the rule-of-thirds does not come into play very well. The only thing definite I would do, is to shift the far tree line down just a hair (yep, you guessed it) to about the 1/3 "line", and give it a hint more sky in the process. don't go too far, the detail in the foreground is essential to the composition.

Something else that could be done, but not critical, is some color adjustment. Color adjustment is more of personal taste or preference than of necessity. NOTE: I am not going explain the process here, there is too much involved and I don't want to overwhelm you. Simply put, for film, you have the option of "warming filters". For digital, you have the option using a color calibration or "gray" card, or you can adjust it in your editing software. We'll eventually cover these in a lesson down the road.
















This is a picture that reminds me of home in Birkenfeld (Oregon). Down at the Nehalem River at Spring time... Enough about my memories. Reflections are always so tricky for me. Part of me wants to use the rule of thirds; but most of my pictures end up losing the reflection if I do that. I have to ask myself "what is it I want my picture to portray?" I look at this riverscape and I think this picture uses the rule of thirds fairly well. On the left side, look for the top of the river bank. Then look at the reflection. You see how the bank and reflection each put a "line" in the picture? That is what I have been talking about with rule of thirds. Color is good, contrast is good, and exposure is good. The only thing I can think of to make it better, is to zoom out and include a little more of the scene. Expand it so the reflections aren't cut off and as crowded. When you exand, keep an eye on your "thirds" and reposition slightly as needed. Good picture.















The clouds here have some good texture and contrast. The color is good as well. As it is, I think this would make a good computer background. Obviously your subject is the clouds, but it doesn't really draw our attention to it; it doesn't quite tell a story. What do we do to fix it, to make it better? I say we can expand our frame to include something else that can compliment it. Some possible suggestions could be taken "through" a window (preferably without glass or screen), maybe a bit of horizon or tree-line in the bottom, perhaps a sillouette of a bird or plane in the picture. Be creative, the only limits are when you cease to use your imagination.















This is a beautiful sunset. Sunsets like this are not uncommon here in central Alaska. There is alot of color in this sunset with lots of red. Warm colors, such as red, orange and, yellow almost always draw peoples attention. The balance of color is good. You also "framed" the clouds in with the trees; that is also a good technique. I think with this your goal was to show folks the sunset, you do it well. But one thing that will help folks see more of the colorful clouds in the picture, is to zoom in (or crop) so that the trees are still there on three sides but not as pronouced. You also might raise the camera to include a bit more of the sky. Having this much dark on the edges subdues the sunset a bit. Reducing the trees will help to you colors some additional punch. This is a good picture as well.

Well ladies, Thank you for your wonderful submissions! I hope I wasn't too harsh on your pictures. I hope to have been an encouragement and a help to you that your photo skills will improve. Keep up the good work and I hope to see more of your pictures with the next assignment! God Bless and happy shooting!
Michael Huntington