Atherton & District Amateur Photographic Society

Photo...

The image is too large for the forum Alasdair, so if you reduce it to no more than 800 pixels on the longest side it will fit the page properly.

Hi Alasdair

Let us know if you don't know how to resize images. As John says, you ideally want the image to be no longer than or wider than 800 pixels, so that people can view it. If you're not sure how to do it just say.

You have got right I do not know how to resize a photo so could teach me

al c field wrote:You have got right I do not know how to resize a photo so could teach me

Hi Alasdair

I have resized the photo for you in your original message.

Hi Alasdair

You have asked tonight for some comments on your photo, so here goes...

THE GOOD

It's brave of you to put your photos up for comment. Not everybody does.

It's good to see you trying something new that is possibly out of your comfort zone.


THE BAD

The photo suffers on a few technical points:

- By checking the Levels I'm estimating that it is underexposed by around 3 to 4 stops. See my 'Before and After' below. (Do you know what I mean by this? If not, ask or look it up in any basic photography book)

- The fullsize image that I resized is very pixellated. That means that the image quality is very poor (it looks blotchy). I wonder whether you are taking pictures with your camera on its lowest resolution setting? (Again, I hope you understand what I'm saying as I'm not sure how much you know about photography)


AND THE UGLY

The model isn't doing anything for me, sorry. Her 'hand-bra' pose combined with her expression looks a bit cheesy and unconvincing. (Obviously you weren't directing her)

The model isn't interacting with you, or the viewer, at all. Am I right that you took this whilst she was looking at another photographer? (I'm guessing that this was taken at one of those so-called "studio glamour shoots")

The background is an odd choice. It looks she's standing in front of a giant barcode. (not your fault)

In composing the photo you have left a lot of empty space, yet chopped off her elbow.


MY TIPS FOR YOU

Studio photography and photographing people takes practice, a lot of practice.

So, Alasdair, here are a few things which will help you to get better photos next time:

- Get your EXPOSURE right in camera. If you are using studio lighting you need to set your camera to MANUAL MODE and I recommend that you set the camera to its LOWEST ISO (I typically shoot at ISO 100)

- With your camera in Manual Mode you then need to determine the correct APERTURE and SHUTTER SPEED to use (for example, f/8 and 1/125). This would be done by metering the lights. I realise that this may be a little over your head, so ask the studio manager or person in charge to help you. Assuming that the studio manager knows what he's doing, he should be able to show you how to setup your camera to get decent exposures.

- Capture your photos in either RAW or highest quality JPEG, to ensure that the image quality is as good as you can get it.

- Speak with the model and build some rapport. If she is an experienced model hopefully she could run through a few poses for you whilst you take photos, but also don't be afraid to direct her.

- Try to compose the photos in your camera viewfinder so that you are FILLING THE FRAME and not having lots of wasted space or cutting off her arms.

- Read PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS. Watch PHOTOGRAPHY VIDEOS on Youtube. LEARN all you can about photography. (I have been doing this for 15 years and I still learn something new every week)

- Familiarise yourself with your CAMERA SETTINGS. So that you instantly know how to change aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc.

- Learn the basics of PHOTO EDITING, so that you know how to RESIZE photos; how to crop photos; how to adjust levels, brightness, contrast, etc.

- Keep practising all the time.

- Most of all, HAVE FUN!


I hope this has helped a little.
.
.

Thank you paul for very helpful advice
yours alasdair

al c field wrote:Thank you paul for very helpful advice

You're welcome, Alasdair.

Ask if you're unsure about anything.

Hi Paul,

It's very kind of you to give your time to help others improve their photography, and I appreciate very much the time you have spent with me. You're a gent!

melbarnes wrote: Hi Paul,
It's very kind of you to give your time to help others improve their photography, and I appreciate very much the time you have spent with me. You're a gent!

Thank-you!

I can only echo what has already been said Paul, but have to repeat, well done Alasdair for trying something new. It is valuable to have such generous advice and not only Alasdair will find this useful!

Janice.