View from a doorway, through a doorway, to a doorway.
Taken 02.04.2011, Robben Island Prison, SA





K7|DA* 16-50mm|ISO 125 @ 36mm f8 1/20 sec

I actually like 1 and 3. He looks practically metallic in those! I like the reflection in the eyes too. Nice series, well captured.

Fiona

No probs spider! Felt like a rant, but what's the point?

Thought my first reply to a post in months should be a classy one

Fiona

Right, constructive criticism time...

Cuban Astray. An interesting subject, but not really showed off. The lighting is dull on the right hand side, the dark triangle in the top left is very distracting. I quite like the worn surface the ashtray is on. The composition itself is nothing special, but because it's an interesting ashtray the shot is ok.

Still Life. If this took a while to set up, I'd like to know what took so long? The light reflection in the bowl jumps out at me first, so my attention is pulled away from the actual subject matter. The whole shot is fairly dark, so it might be an idea to rethink your lighting. The fruit you've chosen doesn't look that special, and I always think it's better to shoot "top up", with stalks and the tops of fruit facing up - your bananas are upside down (and a tad over-ripe). All in all a disappointing shot that needs work and maybe a re-shoot with better lighting.

Daffodils. Mmm. If your intention was to capture bright, block colour without detail, why didn't you get closer to the daffodils and leave out the white fence and hedge. I personally like side on shots of daffodils, their trumpet shapes are lovely, but the composition here doesn't work. The flower head on the right has been chopped off, and there is no real contrasting colour to make the most of the yellow. I would re-shoot, facing the flowers more, think carefully about the ones you want to keep in and the ones to leave out, and try to get a less distracting background (sometimes I use coloured card). Yes, it's easy to get shallow DOF, but it's knowing how to use it effectively and creating a stunning image that's key. You haven't done that here.

Cat. Far too over exposed, part of the cat has been chopped off the shot in favour of the wheelie bins in seems. I would re-shoot to try and improve the exposure and maybe put you cat somewhere the wheelie bins cannot be seen, and get the whole cat in the shot (unless you're doing a close-up of the face).

All in all, good effort, but I think you need to take more time to plan and compose your shots before taking them - even the daffodils! You've got a way to go as these do seem very "point and shoot" in appearance, but I look forward to seeing your next efforts.

Fiona

It's got to be the first one for me too, really good composition and expression. I'm not keen on the mono lion, it seems to lose some of the sense of drama without the colour. A good set though, my one and only trip to Longleat was in the pouring rain :0(

Fiona

Firstly, I am quite happy for anyone to have their own opinion. My opinion is, I don't like landscape photography. In fact I find shooting landscapes quite boring. However, I would never say that landscape photography is easy, and that surely all you do is point and click. See Pentax Expert, that's where you got personal. To say that it doesn't involve a lot of skill is just a naive observation (that is if you've ever observed someone taking macro shots of flowers/insects).

I am extremely offended by your original post. I am a flower/garden photographer, and strive to compose original, imaginative shots, and it's no quick "point and click" job by any means!

Just because a genre of photography isn't for you, there's no need to make out it takes no imagination or skill. I do not own expensive kit, as the resulting image is down to the individual, not the camera or lens. ALL photography of any subject takes skill, as you have so kindly demonstrated in the Photos section of this forum.

My tip is, have a opinion, don't make it personal, and know what you're talking about before you start typing. I'm sure you'll do fine.

No, I didn't mean that the water looks muddy - that's a given without me saying it! I meant that the whole image looked a bit dull - probably not helped by the water, but I think the flamingo lacks a bit of punch.

It doesn't really stand out to me, that's what I was trying to say!

Fiona

I find the feathers a little distracting, especially the one by the bird's beak. Any chance of cloning them out? The image also looks a bit "muddy", but then I am viewing it on an uncalibrated work monitor, so I'll have another look when I get home.

I also agree about the whole reflection not being in the shot.

Fiona

I think it's a head-strap mount, to make it into a helmet cam!!

Or possibly not...

Hi Bluedog, welcome to the forum.

I have family in Melbourne and visited some 10 years ago now!! (Now that makes me feel old). Beautiful place with lots of photo ops, would be living there if I could.

Anyway, welcome!

Fiona