First time shots

[naasif]

Ok, Here goes. These are some of my first attempts at digital photography using the D70 and photography in general

They were taken at Lennox Head and Byron Bay on the NSW North Coast while on holidays. The last 2 were taken near Picton about 70kms South West of Sydney.

"Constructive suggestions" are appreciated

I've borderd all the pics in Photoshop.


Seven Mile Beach in Lennox Head on sunset. What a nice place to holiday.



Seven Mile Beach again at sunrise looking towards the headland.



Cape Byron lighthouse.



A couple of hang-gliders near the lighthouse


Sunset 1 near Razor Back Ridge in Picton.


Sunset 2 near Razor Back Ridge in Picton.

[sirhc55]

I think you have been doing photography for years - a lovely set of pics with not much to say about PP - Sunset 1 and 2 are fantastic

[Killakoala]

I will be happy to have a look at your pics, however you must be aware that the comments i make after this are also under the influence of a couple of glasses of cheap white wine.

I have had a look at your pics and i feel that you have a grasp of taking photos above what i would would expect from a newb. So i assume you are not new to photography in general and have had a few years of taking photos eitehr with an SLR or a P&S (Point and Shoot).

Right, where was I?

(....Eats prawn cracker, sips wine....)

Oh yeah, i remember.

One thing that comes to mind when i see your pics is what my very old and long gone arts teacher told me. And i quote, 'Stephen, you must remember that in order to understand the masters, you must mimic them.'

So with that in mind i feel that you are well on your way to understanding the 'art' of photography. Although your photos are in themselves, cliches, the composition and setting, framing and exposure are fine.

(....eats last prawn cracker, sips more wine....)

Unfortunately all the memories i have of the great photographers of the past have been destroyed my alcohol so i cannot compare your work with anybodies. Perhaps not great phptpgrapher took photos like that, however, i doubt it. It is more than likely that ALL great photographers start by taking photos of images that have been seen before, and then after years of practise, they develop a style that is unique and truly their own. I feel that you are on that path, you are seeking the style of your own, the style that will lead to your destiny of whatever it maybe......

Perhaps i am too verbose in my appreciation of your art. But hopefully i have conveyed some useful information to your work.

I thank you for the time i have taken from your day by reading my scribe.

Please take lots and lots and lots of photographs. Hone your skills into a fine art so you can be pleased with your work and give enjoyment to others, after all, that id\s what art 'really' is.

(Finshes the glass of wine, looks for more, get s the munchies, thinks about dinner)

Thank you for your patience.

[naasif]

sirhc55 wrote:

I think you have been doing photography for years - a lovely set of pics with not much to say about PP - Sunset 1 and 2 are fantastic
_________________
Chris

thanks but really I'm still very much a beginner. I'm still finding that I over analyze every shot technically (based on what I've read) and my wife keeps telling me...just shoot the photo already !

Naasif

[naasif]

Killakoala,

I have to agree with your assestment there At the moment I don't really have a style I can call my own and hopefully with time (and many photos later) it will develop.

My introduction to photography has been through Steve Parish's many books and I suspect that is where my influence has come from.

Thanks for your comments

Naasif

[boxerboy]

That first sunset is great (colour & composition) - and I'd normally try to avoid power poles in my landscapes.

[Killakoala]

and I'd normally try to avoid power poles in my landscapes

Unless it's a photo of [i]power poles[/i}. There's a power pole exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in Sydney.

Naasif, if you can aspire to emulate Steve Parish then go for it. He is a great Australian Landscape photographer and along with Albert Namitjira and Pro Hart, is at the forefront of Australiana.

[mudder]

Wow, I wish my first goes were this good, looking forward to seeing more...

Cheers,
Mudder

[stubbsy]

Naasif

The first two shots blow me away. Sure you're a newb

The last one is also great, but I keep going back to the first teo. You've really made the most of both the lighting and the subject and nailed it prefectly. Nice contrast for me too in that one is sunrise, the other sunset. Tell your wife that art takes time

[kurokaze204]

The first and the last do it for me. I'm thinkin I needs me a book of the masters to study. Or maybe a glass of wine or two before hitting the beach . Apparently it helps playing the didge, maybe it'll loosen up the shutter finger.

I've only had my D70 a month or two and that last shot of layers receding into the mist/dust/haze is a goal of mine. I thought I had some in the foggy UK, but I only got the first range or two of hills and the rest was white. You managed to capture the range of exposure brilliantly. The dominance of yellow/brown really adds to the picture in my opinion.

I must say that one thing it does have in common with my pictures is the lack of a foreground object. ie: a horse, or a tractor, etc.

That said, when you get an awesome sunset like that, you don't have time to wander around looking for Jane Fonda to balance the shot.

Very well done!

[naasif]

boxerboy wrote:

That first sunset is great (colour & composition) - and I'd normally try to avoid power poles in my landscapes

I was with my wife in picton at the time when taking that shot. I thought being in country and adding a power pole, especially with a overhead power line (which I don't have where I live) might give it a country feel

[Marty]

Hey naasif,
they are fantastic shots if you are new to photography.
The landscapes have great composition.
I also love the colour on the second hanglider shot.
Keep up your great work and post more.
Marty

[ozimax]

Naasif,

Nice work, keep it up. I may be wrong, (and usually am), maybe the 1st pic needs to be straightened 1/2 degree to the left? (Then again, maybe my eyes are 1/2 deg lopsided to the right?)

Anyway, nicely done, the lighthouse is great, Lennox is a nice place (I'm biased towards Coffs Hbr), looking forward to seeing more shots.

Max