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Please criticise me (Photography)

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wrwight:
They're only edited a little, generally to add color or contrast, but I prefer to edit as little as possible on the computer. What happened with those shots was I was using Kodak's Ektar 100 professional film, which has very very little latitude, and the light meter on my fairly inexpensive camera (this discovery was based on that roll of film mostly) is about 1/2 to a full stop short of where it should be, so I've done two things to correct it. A) I generally bracket my shots 0,+1/2,+1 rather than -1, 0, +1, and B) I don't use professional film since I'm not on that level yet. General use film has much much more latitude for bad exposure, which is good until I can get a light meter.

Also, I generally shoot in semi-auto, using either the Aperture selection or shutter speed selection on the wheel, and let the camera's light meter set the other for me. It allows me to manipulate the settings the way I want them without requiring a separate light meter. If you're talking focus though, I do both. I generally do manual focus for shallow depth shots and bracket that as well. Another lesson learned after missing the shot 'cause AF didn't get it quite right on a shallow depth shot.

wrwight:
Some new pics up, if you like. Still looking for feedback. Always trying to improve.

Elysiana:
Ah, you're using film... I haven't done film in many years so it's a little hard for me to do CC on these. However, I will say they are just a *tad* overexposed; I would back that off just a little bit. It's easier to edit an underexposed photo than one that's overexposed (usually). They're also a bit grainy, especially for ISO 100, though that may be just due to the film quality.

As far as subject matter and composition, I'll agree with dr. nervioso - you don't seem to really focus on anything in particular, they seem to be mostly shots of general scenes. Don't forget your rule of thirds when composing a shot.

What equipment are you using?

wrwight:
Well I had a Canon EOS 1000QD (Japanese model of original Canon Rebel), and that's what all these shots are on, except for some of the older ones, which are mostly crap anyway (shot on an old Minolta Maxxum something or other), and all these shots are also taken with a 50mm f/1.8 standard prime lens. I just bought a Rebel G which came with a 35-80mm zoom lens, so once I can get some batteries and clean that camera I'll probably start shooting with it. It's about two models newer than my current body, so I'm looking forward to playing with some of the "new" features.

The Seldom Killer:
Generally OK. Certainly better than average snaps. You've an eye for things that could look quite compelling but aren't quite hitting the mark here for a number of reasons.

I'm just working off the top ten btw.

Composition; sometimes you've included too much (sunset, too much non sunset, too much frame spent on telling us nothing) sometimes too little (sunset, cropped it right in half it feels like there's much more just out of frame. Burger sign, it'd either where's the B or where's the ground.)

Angles are a but dead on. For instance, how many pictures did you actually shoot of that window? Why didn't you try from a tighter, lower, higher angle? I can't help but think it might have been better shot from another angle. I can see why you chose it, it's got some drama to it, but you haven't instilled that in how you've presented it. Equally your stream peters out into the middle of the picture having done not much to go there. The memorial is going the right way but alas came out a bit flat.

Stick with the 50mm as much as you can unless it can't give you what you need. What I would recommend is to switch to B&W if you're going to use film. It can really sharpen up your skills by avoiding the distraction of colour. Shoot more of each subject if you can and get used to experimenting. And if possible go back to some of your old subjects and try them again. Different times of day, lighting, angles, composition etc.

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