First Night Shoot

Got a thin skin? Then look elsewhere. Post a link to an image that you've made, and invite others to offer their critiques. Honesty is encouraged, but please be positive in your constructive criticism. Flaming and just plain nastiness will not be tolerated. Please note that this is not an area for you to showcase your images, nor is this a place for you to show-off where you have been. This is an area for you to post images so that you may share with us a technique that you have mastered, or are trying to master. Typically, no more than about four images should be posted in any one post or thread, and the maximum size of any side of any image should not exceed 950 px.

Moderators: Greg B, Nnnnsic, Geoff, Glen, gstark, Moderators

Forum rules
Please note that image critiquing is a matter of give and take: if you post images for critique, and you then expect to receive criticism, then it is also reasonable, fair and appropriate that, in return, you post your critique of the images of other members here as a matter of courtesy. So please do offer your critique of the images of others; your opinion is important, and will help everyone here enjoy their visit to far greater extent.

Also please note that, unless you state something to the contrary, other members might attempt to repost your image with their own post processing applied. We see this as an acceptable form of critique, but should you prefer that others not modify your work, this is perfectly ok, and you should state this, either within your post, or within your signature.

Images posted here should conform with the general forum guidelines. Image sizes should not exceed 950 pixels along the largest side (height or width) and typically no more than four images per post or thread.

Please also ensure that you have a meaningful location included in your profile. Please refer to the FAQ for details of what "meaningful" is.

First Night Shoot

Postby Wocka on Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:40 am

This was my first real attempt at shooting at night.

Unfortunately the blanket of clouds and the rising tide was getting the better of me.
All images processed in LR then Photoshop.

Image

The full moon finally came out from the clouds after we had packed up, so it was a mad dash to another vantage point and this was the result. A little hand held flash was fired at the pine tree for fill.
Image

A 4 stitch pano, while waiting for a friend to complete his shots. I think I should have kept panning to the right for this series.
Image
Warwick
=======
Canon 40D : 350D
Canon 18-55mm : Canon 75-300mm IS USM : Sigma 30mm EX HSM DC 1.4 : Sigma 10-20mm
User avatar
Wocka
Member
 
Posts: 472
Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:05 pm
Location: Northern Beaches

Re: First Night Shoot

Postby stubbsy on Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:24 am

Wocka

The first shot is the standout for me - great colour and composition and it makes the most of the water reflections. The last shot suffers a little for two reasons - one you've mentioned (more to the right). but the second IMHO is too much foreground. I think a judicious crop from the bottom would make this a stronger image by drawing the eye more to the lights of the skyline than the sand in the foreground.
Peter
Disclaimer: I know nothing about anything.
*** smugmug galleries: http://www.stubbsy.smugmug.com ***
User avatar
stubbsy
Moderator
 
Posts: 10748
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 7:44 pm
Location: Newcastle NSW - D700

Re: First Night Shoot

Postby rcg on Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:01 pm

Good shots all round, although i agree that there is too much foreground in the last shot. a tighter crop will give you a much more effective image
rcg
Member
 
Posts: 93
Joined: Thu May 17, 2007 3:50 pm
Location: warrnambool

Re: First Night Shoot

Postby CraigVTR on Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:13 pm

Great shots Wocka
#1 is the pick of the bunch. I am not sure if agree with the other comments about the last. More to the right would have been good, assuming there was more to the right, but I would try to crop down on the sky a little bit. I, in my strange way, tend to find the foreground in this shot interesting.
Craig
Lifes journey is not to arrive at our grave in a well preserved body but, rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting, "Wow what a ride."
D70s, D300, 70-300ED, 18-70 Kit Lens, Nikkor 105 Micro. Manfrotto 190Prob Ball head. SB800 x 2.
User avatar
CraigVTR
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1243
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 6:09 pm
Location: Montville, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Re: First Night Shoot

Postby Wocka on Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:25 pm

Thx for the comments guys.

I think the forground is the most interesting part, but there is also too much of it. I should heve kept panning in this sequence, but I was just wasting time while waiting for a mate to finish his shots.

Here is a tighter crop, some off the top and bottom.
Do I need to take more off the bottom, I just feel the clump of stones in the bottom right hand corner adds something to the image?

Image
Warwick
=======
Canon 40D : 350D
Canon 18-55mm : Canon 75-300mm IS USM : Sigma 30mm EX HSM DC 1.4 : Sigma 10-20mm
User avatar
Wocka
Member
 
Posts: 472
Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:05 pm
Location: Northern Beaches

Re: First Night Shoot

Postby Pehpsi on Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:35 pm

Top colours in #1, but I love everything about #2! Comp, colours, fill-flash, all great.
Nikon D70
12-24 DX, 18-70 DX, 70-200 VR

20" iMac Intel C2D
Aperture 2.1
PS CS3

http://www.jamesrobertphotography.com
User avatar
Pehpsi
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1418
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:24 pm
Location: Kingsgrove, Sydney

Re: First Night Shoot

Postby stubbsy on Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:12 pm

Warwick

You've nailed it with #4 in the new crop.
Peter
Disclaimer: I know nothing about anything.
*** smugmug galleries: http://www.stubbsy.smugmug.com ***
User avatar
stubbsy
Moderator
 
Posts: 10748
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 7:44 pm
Location: Newcastle NSW - D700

Re: First Night Shoot

Postby CraigVTR on Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:14 pm

Yep
Tighter crop is better. :D
Craig
Lifes journey is not to arrive at our grave in a well preserved body but, rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting, "Wow what a ride."
D70s, D300, 70-300ED, 18-70 Kit Lens, Nikkor 105 Micro. Manfrotto 190Prob Ball head. SB800 x 2.
User avatar
CraigVTR
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1243
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 6:09 pm
Location: Montville, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Re: First Night Shoot

Postby Oscar on Wed Mar 26, 2008 2:51 pm

Really like #2 and the cropped version of #3.

Nice captures Warwick.
:cheers: Mick
User avatar
Oscar
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1305
Joined: Fri May 05, 2006 11:15 am
Location: Panania, Sydney

Re: First Night Shoot

Postby Geoff on Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:18 pm

No.1 is the definite winner here mate, as already stated and I too agree that the final crop of the last image is best.

A little niggle with no.1 for me is I want to tilt it ever so slightly to the left, is that just me? :)

Have you seen your mates images?
Geoff
Special Moments Photography
Nikon D700, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.4, 70-200 2.8VR, SB800 & some simple studio stuff.
User avatar
Geoff
Moderator
 
Posts: 7791
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 12:08 am
Location: Freshwater - Northern Beaches, Sydney.

Re: First Night Shoot

Postby Wocka on Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:51 pm

Thx Guys,

Now that I have cropped No# 3 I agree it's a lot better.

No# 2 is my favourite, but maybe cause I was set-up in the middle of a road, 75-300IS with the tripod ( dead-end no cars ) with a swarm of 8 drunk locals wondering what I was doing on Easter Sunday night. The palm tree is located less than 1m from a residential balcony.

My mate started laughing, saying the guy came out wondering if there was lightning as I was flashing the 580ex about 10 times all up. It must have been a funny sight, me set-up in the road, set the self timer and run to the tree waiting to hear the shutter click and fire away at the flash.

Geoff:
You should recognise the beach and it's very steep sand gradient. I took the level off the golf club roof in the background.
I have seen only one of his shots a HDR version. For a D200 + 14-24mm it come out bloody nice.
Warwick
=======
Canon 40D : 350D
Canon 18-55mm : Canon 75-300mm IS USM : Sigma 30mm EX HSM DC 1.4 : Sigma 10-20mm
User avatar
Wocka
Member
 
Posts: 472
Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:05 pm
Location: Northern Beaches

Re: First Night Shoot

Postby Geoff on Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:03 pm

Wocka wrote:Thx Guys,
For a D200 + 14-24mm it come out bloody nice.


And your point is? :)
Geoff
Special Moments Photography
Nikon D700, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.4, 70-200 2.8VR, SB800 & some simple studio stuff.
User avatar
Geoff
Moderator
 
Posts: 7791
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 12:08 am
Location: Freshwater - Northern Beaches, Sydney.

Re: First Night Shoot

Postby Wocka on Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:22 pm

And your point is?


It's a Nikon I wasn't expecting that great a shot. :D

To be honest he's a better photographer and has better gear than I have. Both of these combined just sh*t all over my work. I'd be happy with either and I can't afford to switch to Nikon so I just tell myself it's worse hardware than Canon. It helps me with the lust for the dark side.

Cheers
Warwick
=======
Canon 40D : 350D
Canon 18-55mm : Canon 75-300mm IS USM : Sigma 30mm EX HSM DC 1.4 : Sigma 10-20mm
User avatar
Wocka
Member
 
Posts: 472
Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:05 pm
Location: Northern Beaches

Re: First Night Shoot

Postby surenj on Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:41 pm

Canon or Nikon, I like #1 for colour and composition... Last photo is better with the foreground cropped
User avatar
surenj
Senior Member
 
Posts: 7197
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 8:21 pm
Location: Artarmon NSW

Re: First Night Shoot

Postby Analog6 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:50 am

#1 is great for all the reasons mentioned but for me is spoilt by the crooked horizon line. One of my strange quirks. I really like #2 with the moon, a very good capture.
Odille
------
http://odille.zenfolio.com ~ http://www.lightartforum.com
Canon 20D & 300D; 18-55; 35-90; 90-300; Sigma 24-70 & 28-300; H'blad 553elx & f4 Sonnar 150
User avatar
Analog6
Newbie
 
Posts: 41
Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2008 4:08 pm
Location: Terranora, north coast NSW, Australia


Return to Image Reviews and Critiques