Critique Needed

[nkeevers]

As I'm trying to learn to not use only "auto" how about a critique on this picture. Took the other day at Busch Gardens on AV. Does it need anything to "fix it up"? (I'm a Bonzette!...only kidding)

(By the way, I was with Michelle and Kimh). And we had a blast - pictures to follow soon I'm sure!

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ESXpGjGCfC5UoVfy6yGxwH8pRuv1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ESXpGjGCfC5UoVfy6yGxwH8pRuv1)

[Chuck S.]

Norma, I really like it a lot! Do you happen to know what shutter speed the camera used? The blur effect of the water would say to me that it's probably less than 1/125 second. Good stuff!!

[chas3stix]

Norma,
Great shot! Caught the falling water just right.(IMHO too slow a shutter speed will give you a falling cotton effect).
Chas

[quillabee9]

Norma, It's a great picture. I am not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of photography. If I like them I like them. I like yours. The topic is great.

[Bob_Benner]

Great image Norma :) If it was my picture I might try cropping a little bit off the right side of the photo so that the water fall is a little off the center of the frame, but thats just me. You might also want to try a black and white conversion and see it looks. I have found that black and white really adds to the effect of the blurred water, but you captured the colors very nicely. Just a great image.

[nkeevers]

Norma, I really like it a lot! Do you happen to know what shutter speed the camera used? The blur effect of the water would say to me that it's probably less than 1/125 second. Good stuff!!

Yeah, 1/20 sec.

[nkeevers]

Great image Norma :) If it was my picture I might try cropping a little bit off the right side of the photo so that the water fall is a little off the center of the frame, but thats just me. You might also want to try a black and white conversion and see it looks. I have found that black and white really adds to the effect of the blurred water, but you captured the colors very nicely. Just a great image.

I was thinking of cropping a little but wasn't sure which way I wanted to do it. I'll try it and see how I like it. Thanks.

[CalamityJanet]

Great shot, Norma! I like it just the way it is!

What kind of camera do you have?

[nkeevers]

Canon Rebel XT. Love it!

[CalamityJanet]

You've got good taste in cameras! I have the XTi. I just posted a link to some shots I took Friday while you guys were having fun at Busch Gardens. I'm also hoping for some helpful critique.

[nkeevers]

You've got good taste in cameras! I have the XTi. I just posted a link to some shots I took Friday while you guys were having fun at Busch Gardens. I'm also hoping for some helpful critique.

My hubby's cousin was here in October and he liked mine so much he went out and bought an XTi. They are always improving...you can never keep up. That's a great camera. I'll have to go check your pics out now!

Where's the link or am I missing it?

[Wendy]

Hi Norma ...

The waterfall is just perfect .. I love that silky feel :)

Wendy

[CalamityJanet]

Sorry, Norma! Here it is...

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22884

[kimh]

I'm sure Michelle and I have the same picture as we all had our own 'take' on it. Would be fun to compare. We did have a blast--we had our own photo lingo too (but we knew what each other meant:D )
Janet and Colleen---we missed y'all!
Will look through mine when I get home from work this evening.
Can't wait for us to all get together!
Kimh

[Berengaria]

Norma, what a great picture. It's just about perfect.

I don't like soft water so would have used a faster shutter speed to get more crispness and sparkle to the water. Just a personal preference.

I look forward to seeing more of your trip.

Berengaria

[nkeevers]

I'm sure Michelle and I have the same picture as we all had our own 'take' on it. Would be fun to compare. We did have a blast--we had our own photo lingo too (but we knew what each other meant:D )
Janet and Colleen---we missed y'all!
Will look through mine when I get home from work this evening.
Can't wait for us to all get together!
Kimh


Yeah, you probably have the same ones. I haven't had a chance to look thru all mine either! Maybe this evening. Did you get the one I sent of the guys?

[Rusty]

Norma, I like it a lot.

I wonder what it would look like if the foreground rocks and edges were a bit darker? I don't know what your Layers Palette looks like - it would be easy to go all the way up to the top and "Stamp": Shift+Ctrl+Alt+E (learned that in one of Kimi's Homework assignments :) )

Then it's easy enough to apply a filter to that stamped layer: Filter > Correct Camera Distortion and apply a Vignette (darken). The beauty of this is, if it does nothing for it and you like what you started with better, you now simply delete that stamped layer.

Nice picture - it would be fun to see the same subject as captured by all three of you.

Rusty

[nkeevers]

Janet, loved the pictures! I know what you mean by dark, but remember it was a dark storm. I tried lightening one.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1fZCTcd174z2KCEQp4ZPHj3Y1qowf_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1fZCTcd174z2KCEQp4ZPHj3Y1qowf)

[nkeevers]

Norma, I like it a lot.

I wonder what it would look like if the foreground rocks and edges were a bit darker? I don't know what your Layers Palette looks like - it would be easy to go all the way up to the top and "Stamp": Shift+Ctrl+Alt+E (learned that in one of Kimi's Homework assignments :) )

Then it's easy enough to apply a filter to that stamped layer: Filter > Correct Camera Distortion and apply a Vignette (darken). The beauty of this is, if it does nothing for it and you like what you started with better, you now simply delete that stamped layer.

Nice picture - it would be fun to see the same subject as captured by all three of you.

Rusty

Rusty, I'll have to try your technique. Never heard of it. I'll post it again and see if I did it right.

I believe we all three took the same picture at different settings. I'd be interested in seeing all of these together too!

[msbrad]

Norma, I like your waterfall better than my waterfall.

Here's mine: I've done nothing but save for web.
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1igQikbyNbTj9Q40XJhoXoHpog6_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1igQikbyNbTj9Q40XJhoXoHpog6)

That was exciting to go a whole day and nothing was on "auto"

Kim, add yours.
Yes we sure had our own language
I don't have any decent shots of the baby gorilla due to the dirty glass, and the active tourist child.
m

[Shari]

Beautiful work Norma. It sounds like you three had fun. I wonder if there is anyone out there in Vancouver that would like to go out for a shoot?
Someone that knows more about camera settings than me would help!!!
Shari

[nkeevers]

Yeah, we had a great time so if there is anyone in your area, go for it! We all had a fun time with our cameras and learned some stuff from each other!

And by the way, your pictures are beautiful so you must be doing something right!!!

[CalamityJanet]

That's a real improvement on my photo, Norma! Which method did you use? That shot wasn't taken during the storm, but on a much nicer day last week. I'm finding that there's a learning curve involved with each new lens I get, especially that ultra-wide angle. You can get some really cool effects. One problem I've discovered is that you can't take a photo with it from the car window because it gets such a wide view that the rear view mirror gets in the way!:eek:

[CalamityJanet]

Michelle, your waterfall shot is wonderful too! Just the right amount of blur to the water. A little cropping and it's good to go! Feels good to get a shot like that without being on auto, doesn't it?

What's all that stuff piled in front? Is that your serious photographer's accessory kit...some boots for the wet terrain and a cooler for your beer?!:D;) :D

[nkeevers]

That's a real improvement on my photo, Norma! Which method did you use? That shot wasn't taken during the storm, but on a much nicer day last week. I'm finding that there's a learning curve involved with each new lens I get, especially that ultra-wide angle. You can get some really cool effects. One problem I've discovered is that you can't take a photo with it from the car window because it gets such a wide view that the rear view mirror gets in the way!:eek:

LOL! Yeah, I don't do too well from the window!

I duplicated then used the levels a little and went to brightness/shadows and then fiddled with the settings a bit. I'm sure someone else can do better but I liked it!

[nkeevers]

Norma, I like your waterfall better than my waterfall.

Here's mine: I've done nothing but save for web.
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1igQikbyNbTj9Q40XJhoXoHpog6_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1igQikbyNbTj9Q40XJhoXoHpog6)

That was exciting to go a whole day and nothing was on "auto"

Kim, add yours.
Yes we sure had our own language
I don't have any decent shots of the baby gorilla due to the dirty glass, and the active tourist child.
m

I like yours. I just did a little creative cropping on mine, some levels, some shadow lightening and that's it.

I didn't get any decent shots of the baby either. That glass was too dirty. The pics all looked faded and washed out.

[msbrad]

Thank you Janet.
At first I was trying to decide whether to aperture big or little, focus the boat as foreground, and blur water~ then how much zoom,I don't know, confused myself.
But glad i am getting off the auto setting. Still don't know if I'm ready to change lenses or filters...

I don't think there is beer in any of our pictures from that day.:p
This was a serious photo learning experince:D
can't wait to go again!
m

[nkeevers]

:D :D Beer? Do any of us look like we were spending our time drinking beer?

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1HGVbIyiPgCEj0jNwTxwRHjRqj04Qs0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1HGVbIyiPgCEj0jNwTxwRHjRqj04Qs0)

[CalamityJanet]

Looks like you're having a great time! What happened to the husbands?

[kimh]

Someone had to hold our beer:D :eek:
Kimh
Haven't been home long enough to check my pictures out.

[msbrad]

LOL! :D They had the cameras then!! And you cannot trust a man with candids either.:eek:
m

[Chuck S.]

LOL! :D And you cannot trust a man with candids either.:eek:
m

HEY HEY! Is that a sexist remark??:eek:

[msbrad]

If the shoe fits....
some of those will not get posted. They could have waited until we were ready.
m

[Chuck S.]

If the shoe fits....
some of those will not get posted. They could have waited until we were ready.
m

But Michelle: If they waited until you were 'ready', would they still be 'candids'??

:)

[nkeevers]

Chuck, you are so right! Blame me! I couldn't resist teasing Michelle! That's the only one I'm posting w/o the others permission though or my head will be rolling!:eek:

[Chuck S.]

Norma, I think it's great that you folks got together and had a blast! Thanks for sharing with the rest of us!!

[kroberts]

Norma and Michelle,
Love the shots of the waterfall!:) And you all look like you had a great time!:D Wish there were others here who live close to me so we could shoot together!:)

[kimi_boo]

OK, I took my guess at who is who in the photo. :D

So spill the beans.... who is who?;)

[SenorSlick]

Norma it is great. I really don't think i would change anything with this shot. The water splash, the roots, the cracks in the rock, are all important elements of the shot, and depicted very very well. Harvey

[kimh]

OK, I took my guess at who is who in the photo.
I wondered who would think "who is who". When I called Michelle from the parking lot I asked her "do you know what I look like?" ......"No"
For 6 of us who have never been together we had a blast!!!
We must all plan a road trip!:)
kimh

[kimh]

Here is mine, right out of camera:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1CFfIPqUGK9tfpanRTSdBlLxgUnBj_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1CFfIPqUGK9tfpanRTSdBlLxgUnBj)
Shutter speed1/10
Kimh

[nkeevers]

Norma it is great. I really don't think i would change anything with this shot. The water splash, the roots, the cracks in the rock, are all important elements of the shot, and depicted very very well. Harvey


Thanks! Praise means a lot since I really don't do anything fancy with my shots...yet!

Kim, yours looks almost identical to Michelle's. And mine looks completely different!

Should we keep it a secret or let everyone know who is who???:D :D

[kimh]

I wonder if we had a different white balance set on our camera as the over all color is different. Can you tell what yours was set on? I think mine was on auto but for some of mine I had it on tungsten by mistake (couldn't see that little icon:rolleyes: ) and all of those pictures had a different cast.

It's prob not hard to figure out who is who so we'll let 'em guess:p
Kimh

[nkeevers]

I wonder if we had a different white balance set on our camera as the over all color is different. Can you tell what yours was set on? I think mine was on auto but for some of mine I had it on tungsten by mistake (couldn't see that little icon:rolleyes: ) and all of those pictures had a different cast.

It's prob not hard to figure out who is who so we'll let 'em guess:p
Kimh

Actually, it looks like my white balance was on cloudy.

Yeah, we'll let them guess!

And who is the thread above me?

[msbrad]

Oh, the white balance thing.I know I changed mine twice that day. Kim -ours is a lot alike.
My #'s were f 7.1 and the shutter says 1/8. I have to look again to find if it says wb anywhere on that information part.

I did answer Kimi via pm, as to who we were or are:D Don't know if she guessed right or not. Let'em guess!

See Kim, it wasn't hard to find me at the tram stop. told you I had a camera:p

road trip sounds good too!
m

[kimh]

What is up w/post #44? I did NOT click on it!

Will your picture info tell you? Just curious.
Which 'color cast' does anyone like better? (Not sure how to put all 3 together:(
to compare though.
Kimh

[kimh]

See Kim, it wasn't hard to find me at the tram stop. told you I had a camera


AND you were the only one standing there:) I wasn't hard to spot waving like crazy!
Kimh

[msbrad]

To put them together: (other than e-mail)
rt click from here and save as, then place on one background in elements ought to do it. I can't do it now (at school, and no program).

and I thought the camera gave it away:D
will check 44.
m

[msbrad]

Oh that one, yes I did see it, and wondering if it is one to direct to Tami.
I didn't click.
m

[kimh]

Oh, the white balance thing.I know I changed mine twice that day. Kim -ours is a lot alike.
My #'s were f 7.1 and the shutter says 1/8. I have to look again to find if it says wb anywhere on that information part.

Mine was 7.1 and 1/10, close. I changed my white balance too many times that day obviously because I unknowingly had it on tungsten. That icon was so darn tiny I was thinking I had it on "sunny'"

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/175v4JMCELXHFLgMt6B0vRwzsEyNvC0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=175v4JMCELXHFLgMt6B0vRwzsEyNvC0)

See how 'blue' they are?
Kimh

[kimh]

I reported it.
Kimh
Must run, appt this AM

[nkeevers]

AND you were the only one standing there:) I wasn't hard to spot waving like crazy!
Kimh

LOL! Guess the camera wasn't the hint was it!:D

[nkeevers]

Oh that one, yes I did see it, and wondering if it is one to direct to Tami.
I didn't click.
m

I didn't click on it either! I saw it and it looked fishy! That popped up out of nowhere.:eek:

[nkeevers]

Mine was 7.1 and 1/10, close. I changed my white balance too many times that day obviously because I unknowingly had it on tungsten. That icon was so darn tiny I was thinking I had it on "sunny'"

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/175v4JMCELXHFLgMt6B0vRwzsEyNvC0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=175v4JMCELXHFLgMt6B0vRwzsEyNvC0)

See how 'blue' they are?
Kimh

Hey, they can almost play with the blue man band!!:D :D

[msbrad]

Blue Man group-Love it! somehow, I missed Kim's post of them. Glad you quoted, Norma.
If you can't get the blue out...both Norma's and mine of the guys are not blue.
But I have blue elephants (from another day).

Chuck, Bill said the same thing (exactly) you did regarding the candids!
and he did go a bit overboard.
m

[nkeevers]

Norma, I like it a lot.

I wonder what it would look like if the foreground rocks and edges were a bit darker? I don't know what your Layers Palette looks like - it would be easy to go all the way up to the top and "Stamp": Shift+Ctrl+Alt+E (learned that in one of Kimi's Homework assignments :) )

Then it's easy enough to apply a filter to that stamped layer: Filter > Correct Camera Distortion and apply a Vignette (darken). The beauty of this is, if it does nothing for it and you like what you started with better, you now simply delete that stamped layer.

Nice picture - it would be fun to see the same subject as captured by all three of you.

Rusty


I tried your effect! Can you see any difference because it only looks a little darker to me! Maybe I didn't fix it enough.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1DZjxR6He457T7DpplEyvqFIcWqzM_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1DZjxR6He457T7DpplEyvqFIcWqzM)

[photoshopsusieq]

Norma,

I really like the natural "framing". Great photo!

[Rusty]

Hi Norma,

this is what I was thinking of...

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1p5RyCb586nLrQWvsT0iUtrjzzNtoM_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1p5RyCb586nLrQWvsT0iUtrjzzNtoM)

I probably overdid it :)

Truth be told, I'm perfectly satisfied with your original image.

Rusty

[Benny Pedersen]

As I'm trying to learn to not use only "auto" how about a critique on this picture. Took the other day at Busch Gardens on AV. Does it need anything to "fix it up"? (I'm a Bonzette!...only kidding)

(By the way, I was with Michelle and Kimh). And we had a blast - pictures to follow soon I'm sure!

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ESXpGjGCfC5UoVfy6yGxwH8pRuv1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ESXpGjGCfC5UoVfy6yGxwH8pRuv1)

Very nice and so...

I think I would have used 5% multiply above it.

hmm, what about/maybe a Waterfall-Out but I'm not sure.

http://hjem.get2net.dk/b_pedersen/tut/WaterFallOut.jpg

Benny,

[nkeevers]

Hi Norma,

this is what I was thinking of...

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1p5RyCb586nLrQWvsT0iUtrjzzNtoM_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1p5RyCb586nLrQWvsT0iUtrjzzNtoM)

I probably overdid it :)

Truth be told, I'm perfectly satisfied with your original image.

Rusty

I get it now...it's just a vignette thing! I like it.

[nkeevers]

Cute Benny! How'd you do that...copy, smudge, or what?

[msbrad]

Great job, Rusty and Benny.
I like the waterfall-out idea too.
Maybe one day I'll get one of those right.
m

[Punkinsmom]

I wouldn't change a thing!

[Benny Pedersen]

Cute Benny! How'd you do that...copy, smudge, or what?

First more canwas size in the bottom, then
Filters > Distort > Liquify: Smudge

Benny

[ShaneM]

Great shot!

I like Rusty's idea of slightly darkening the edges. I like to do it by making an eliptical selection, inverting it, feathering 100 pixels, and then adjusting the lighting via the levels adjustment... not quite as obvious as a vingette but still helps you get the focus of the shot where you want it.

Shane.

[apasskey]

I was going to suggest a frame so the darkened edges do pretty much what I was picturing.

It looks like you all had a wonderful time. What fun. Is there anyone in Arizona who wants to get together sometime?
Andie