Isla Roatan

[BikePilette]

This is my first picture post here. This is also the first picture I have edited from my camera. I am already on my way to taking better pictures, but I am looking to greatly improve my abilities. Please criticize hard and I will consider whatever you recommend.

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh40/nminix/IMG_2983mod.jpg




Thanks for looking!

[Izzy Garavito]

Hi Nicole, and welcome to Dgrin! You'll find (as I have) that the people here are incredibly helpful, to the point where you (or I, in this case) become morally obliged to help back to the best of your ability.

Now, I'm not a pro yet, so take my comments for what they're worth.

I believe your subject has some great potential (the wreck). A couple of things that I would personally do:

*make sure that there is a foreground, middle ground, and background (thus adding depth to your shots).
--Look at Dave Clee's landscape photographs. there is always a foreground. The foreground is the easiest thing to miss. However, you can sometimes get by without it and still have a great shot :)

*I would figure out a way to give the picture some perspective: Maybe a small boat goign by, or a person or something/someone whose size we know so that we can compare (look at how the bird in this shot gives us perspective: http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/2605319#152435102 )


* I would find a way to make the wreck (if that's your subject) a more focal point in the image, and would place it a bit off of the horizontal center so it's a bit more dynamic.

Anyway, I might be a bit off base, but I hope that helped

Izzy

[z_28]

Welcome here !!!

Just one technical tip - try to cut your pics to 700-750 pixels wide.
1023 is nice, but way to wide for actual Forum page layout.

[BikePilot]

Hmm, I guess that would depend on a monitor, on both mine it doesn't even come close to filling up the reply box:dunno I have a pretty average 1680x1050 for the desktop and the laptop is 1600x1200. Still, I usually do small pics linked to big ones:)

[TheMightyZog]

Hi and Welcome,

For me the colour and composition is fine, but the actual ship 'looks' out of focus - I think it needs much more contrast to stand out from the rest of the image, but that's just not possible!

Keep them coming!

[BikePilette]

Thanks for the comments!

[hgernhardtjr]

Hmm, I guess that would depend on a monitor, on both mine it doesn't even come close to filling up the reply box:dunno I have a pretty average 1680x1050 for the desktop and the laptop is 1600x1200. Still, I usually do small pics linked to big ones:)

Me too, shot looks just fine width-wise for the forum IMHO. My main thing is the lack of sharpness or detail of the wreck itself, which tends to blend into the background. I think a position change may have helped, perhaps shooting more from the side of the wreck allowing a larger portion of it to jut into the water. Keep at it — photo editing is FUN!

[Dave Clee]

When I first looked at this shot I immediately thought, " How do I get closer ?"
The overall color comes across as a little on the yellow side, but that could be my monitor here at work..not sure..

From a composition perspective I think a few others have already nailed it with foreground and maybe using a different angle for the shot. If I was stuck with this distance for a shot I would of been looking around for a tree or rock or shoreline closeby that would of given me a decent foreground. From there if your aperture was set correctly you would of gotten both the foreground and boat in focus.

Did you try to find a way of getting to the other side ? You might of been rewarded with some really cool possibilities.
The good news is you are out there with the camera having fun.

Cheers

Dave

[BikePilette]

Unfortunately, I could not get to the other side. I was sort of stuck at a resort with no form of transportation. There is more to the shot. I cropped it to get what I thought was the most pleasing and interesting part of the picture.

[harryb007]

I am by no means a pro or really any good at this but wanted to say that in this pic my eyes are drawn to the hill just right of center. Not sure that is what you were going for. I think if the hill was more behind the ship it would have been better. Harry