Happy Australia Day

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.

Happy Australia Day

Postby Reschsmooth on Tue Jan 25, 2011 10:55 pm

With the first two, I wanted to get a sense of good wine & BBQ steak. I was hoping to capture a flare up but alas, it didn't happen. [I was going to try adding butter or something to create some flare, but the steaks were getting too well done].

Appreciate thoughts on whether the images convey a sense of Aussie BBQ or not - brutally honest C&C is appreciated. If the images work, does the uncooked steak look better than the partially cooked steak?

Image

Image

The steaks were lovely, but have to wait about 6 or so more years for the wine.

And here is one of the big man with his jumping cars.

Image

I need try the focus trapping technique to try to capture the car, but I fear the cars will be travelling at too great a speed for it to work.
Regards, Patrick

Two or three lights, any lens on a light-tight box are sufficient for the realisation of the most convincing image. Man Ray 1935.
Our mug is smug
User avatar
Reschsmooth
Senior Member
 
Posts: 4164
Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 2:16 pm
Location: Just next to S'nives.

Re: Happy Australia Day

Postby Alex on Tue Jan 25, 2011 11:08 pm

Patrick, I think the photo of the big man with his jumping car is fantastic. I would not worry too much about getting the car perfectly sharp, I think it's even better as is because it conveys the sense of movement.

Nice BBQ photo too, the wine looks great. The steakes look good but not sure if they would be better seen on a plate as there is no separation from the black background and they appear as floating in space.

Well done (the images)

Alex
User avatar
Alex
Senior Member
 
Posts: 3465
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2005 6:14 pm
Location: Melbourne - Nikon

Re: Happy Australia Day

Postby sirhc55 on Tue Jan 25, 2011 11:25 pm

Patrick, you should know by now that the only shot that conveys a typical Aussie BBQ needs a big pot bellied dude with an insulting apron - happy Australia Day :up:
Chris
--------------------------------
I started my life with nothing and I’ve still got most of it left
User avatar
sirhc55
Key Member
 
Posts: 12930
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2004 6:57 pm
Location: Port Macquarie - Olympus EM-10

Re: Happy Australia Day

Postby surenj on Wed Jan 26, 2011 1:01 am

Patrick, nice control of the speculars here. :cheers: How did you achieve that long thin highlight?

As mentioned by others, I don't like the dismembered look. You need something else to glue the wine and meat together. Perhaps a bit more context or props.

The car shot is superb! Get rid of the bottle in the background though. I like the subtle desat. :wink:
User avatar
surenj
Senior Member
 
Posts: 7197
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 8:21 pm
Location: Artarmon NSW

Re: Happy Australia Day

Postby Remorhaz on Wed Jan 26, 2011 7:07 am

and a Happy Australia Day to all...
D600, D7000, Nikon/Sigma/Tamron Lenses, Nikon Flashes, Sirui/Manfrotto/Benro Sticks
Rodney - My Photo Blog
Want: Fast Wide (14|20|24)
User avatar
Remorhaz
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2547
Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2010 8:14 pm
Location: Sydney - Lower North Shore - D600

Re: Happy Australia Day

Postby Reschsmooth on Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:14 am

sirhc55 wrote:Patrick, you should know by now that the only shot that conveys a typical Aussie BBQ needs a big pot bellied dude with an insulting apron - happy Australia Day :up:

It wasn't meant to be a self portrait :)

Agree with the comments about the lack of separation between wine bottle and steaks. I was confined for space.

Suren, the specular is from a very large softbox at camera left.
Regards, Patrick

Two or three lights, any lens on a light-tight box are sufficient for the realisation of the most convincing image. Man Ray 1935.
Our mug is smug
User avatar
Reschsmooth
Senior Member
 
Posts: 4164
Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 2:16 pm
Location: Just next to S'nives.

Re: Happy Australia Day

Postby Aussie Dave on Wed Jan 26, 2011 9:37 am

Happy Australia Day to one and all....

IMO the BBQ shots are nice but to really convey an Aussie BBQ I would have:
- had a glass of wine next to the bottle
- had more than 2 steaks showing (many of the BBQ's I go to have an abundance of meat, snags, onions, burgers, skewers, eggs, bacon...the works). Two lone steaks don't convey a BBQ to me, more a meal of some description.
And of course, don't forget the dead horse (tomato sauce)!

I also like the photo of your big man as is....but it would be good practice and experience to try setting focus on the car leaving the ramp.

Dave
Dave
Nikon D7000 | 18-105 VR Lens | Nikon 50 1.8G | Sigma 70-300 APO II Super Macro | Tokina 11-16 AT-X | Nikon SB-800 | Lowepro Mini Trekker AWII
Photography = Compromise
User avatar
Aussie Dave
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1427
Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2004 1:40 pm
Location: West. Suburbs, Melbourne [Nikon D7000]

Re: Happy Australia Day

Postby aim54x on Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:19 am

Of the two images of the wine and steak, I prefer the first....the lighting on the bottle is perfect!

I love what you have done with your big man....I can almost feel the car coming at me!
Cameron
Nikon F/Nikon 1 | Hasselblad V/XPAN| Leica M/LTM |Sony α/FE/E/Maxxum/M42
Wishlist Nikkor 24/85 f/1.4| Fuji Natura Black
Scout-Images | Flickr | 365Project
User avatar
aim54x
Senior Member
 
Posts: 7305
Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:13 pm
Location: Penshurst, Sydney


Return to Image Reviews and Critiques