Your photos 70

Your photos (70)

Take Better Photos

Hints and tips
by Philip Grosset

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with comments from Philip Grosset

"Hi Philip...The cow picture was an accident, I was taking a picture of an old farmer in front of the bale when the cow peeked around. In hindsight I know realize the picture would of been more powerful if I had kept the farmer in the shot as well.
This kitten shot has been a source of problems for me I can't seem to find the right crop, what is your opinion? This was as close as I wanted to get to this owl, I didn't have my zoom lens attached or I could of really had a great shot. Once again how would you crop it?
This old house fascinated me because of the long staircase, it took some work to keep the more modern buildings out of the frame. Thanks for your time." ( Hilda Fleming, Tofield, Alberta)

I really like this picture! It might have been even better if you'd included the farmer too, as you suggest, or, failing that, you could have moved in closer still, as on the right.

You are quite right in thinking that the original version (in the middle of the three pictures you sent me) would benefit from cropping. I prefer your version on the right, as then the cat really fills the picture, and doesn't seem to be disappearing out one side of it, as on the left..

It's a pity we see quite so much of the foreground trees. It's a good idea to have strong foreground interest, but although the trees may block out the new buildings, they tend to dominate the picture. Some brighter colors (or the inclusion of someone on the staircase) might have helped bring the scene to life.

The owl on the left is lost in the similarly colored background. It would have stood out much better in color. I've tried moving in closer (on the right), but I'm afraid you still can't see it all that clearly.

"Hello Philip, here are a couple more of my efforts. The one of our dog Mimi, who was taking a little nap. The three other outdoors photos were taken in South Australia in the Barrossa Valley (wine region). Your comments will be as usual very much appreciated." (Christopher Pace)

I particularly like this photo. You've made effective use of the tree and of the strongly colored foreground, and you've avoided having the horizon half way up the picture.

You can see the person under the tree more clearly in larger versions, when she is seen to be looking at the camera. It's very common to perch people in front of scenery and get them to smile at the camera, but it's often better to take two quite separate photos: a close up of them smiling at the camera, and a more distant shot of the scenery in which they are properly assimilated. This is what you could have done here if you'd shown her looking at the tree (or the scenery behind her).

Reply from Christopher Pace: " That particular photo was taken with an instant camera, which I guess shows that its not the camera that makes the photo. Once again thank you for your handy hints and comments."

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