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Let's Go Fly A Kite

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Fritzo

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
I'm afraid to fly kites :) When they get up really high I'm afraid they're going to get caught on something or fall out of the sky and kill someone 1/4 mile away.

I guess I had bad experiences as a kid.
 
S

SampSon

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2006
7,160
1
0
Originally posted by: shocksyde
Originally posted by: SampSon
Cool subject matter, mediocre capturing of that matter.
Click to expand...

What do you suggest I try next time?
Click to expand...
Try to stick to the basics of composition.

The rule of thirds is a big one. A couple shots worked out ok.
The horizon line isn't very straight in your shots. The exposure is lacking a bit, though I don't think you have the best light conditions. Some shots are cluttered, but not much you can do because it's on a public beach. Overall the idea is right, just need practice.

In this shot the framing isn't too bad, the horizon line is crooked but you almost sell it because she is leaning into the angle. The deal breaker is the lifeguard chair, it's contrasting color and location takes the focus away from your subject. The same can be said of most of the shots, but most of it isn't within your control unless you move your location.

This shot, in my opinion, is the best composition wise.


 
shocksyde

shocksyde

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2001
5,539
0
0
Thanks for the pointers. I didn't straighten the horizon in a few shots to try to make them more dynamic, but I guess that didn't work.
 
S

SampSon

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2006
7,160
1
0
Sure, I'm no expert, but I took some schooling and my father is a lifelong pro.

The rules of composition work, that's why they are the golden rules I suppose.

The horizon being crooked can work in certain situations as long as the rest of the subject matter jives with the lines you create.
 
shocksyde

shocksyde

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2001
5,539
0
0
Originally posted by: tfinch2
Trish has man feet...
Click to expand...

Wow...nice! How'd that make you feel? Better about yourself, I hope.

Ever used an ultra wide angle before? THEY TEND TO DISTORT AT THE EDGES.

Keep your childish comments to yourself, please.

EDIT:

Had a look at your gallery... What exactly would you call THIS? Does that building curve naturally like that? NO?! REALLY!?? Astonishing!
 
T

tfinch2

Lifer
Feb 3, 2004
22,114
1
0
Originally posted by: shocksyde
Originally posted by: tfinch2
Trish has man feet...
Click to expand...

Wow...nice! How'd that make you feel? Better about yourself, I hope.

Ever used an ultra wide angle before? THEY TEND TO DISTORT AT THE EDGES.

Keep your childish comments to yourself, please.

EDIT:

Had a look at your gallery... What exactly would you call THIS? Does that building curve naturally like that? NO?! REALLY!?? Astonishing!
Click to expand...

:laugh:

Dude don't take it so personal. Is she your SO?
 
yhelothar

yhelothar

Lifer
Dec 11, 2002
18,409
39
91
Nice lens.

I like the spontaneous captures, it really brings out the mood.

Few tips though:
1. Ease up on the sharpening, it's loaded with halos. Maybe you're using a fuzzy CRT and you can't really see them, but on my screen, they're glaringly prominent.
2. While you tried to increase the detail with low radius USM, try a bit of high radii sharpening to create contrast. This will give a greater sense of sharpness rather than having detail.
3. Face is in the shadow. One technique I use to bring out the lighting in faces is to use the history brush, select the most current history state, and change the blending mode to screen. Set the opacity to taste, and paint over her skin. I find this technique effective in mimicking studio lighting.
4. This is a personal taste. But for these dramatic wide angle sky shots, I like to add a bit of vignetting to make it feel even more dramatic. To add the vignetting, I like to use the gradient tool, and set the blending mode to overlay. Choose the black to transparent gradient, and reverse it. Choose her face as her starting point, and drag it out off the canvas.




 
shocksyde

shocksyde

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2001
5,539
0
0
Originally posted by: astroidea
Nice lens.

I like the spontaneous captures, it really brings out the mood.

Few tips though:
1. Ease up on the sharpening, it's loaded with halos. Maybe you're using a fuzzy CRT and you can't really see them, but on my screen, they're glaringly prominent.
2. While you tried to increase the detail with low radius USM, try a bit of high radii sharpening to create contrast. This will give a greater sense of sharpness rather than having detail.
3. Face is in the shadow. One technique I use to bring out the lighting in faces is to use the history brush, select the most current history state, and change the blending mode to screen. Set the opacity to taste, and paint over her skin. I find this technique effective in mimicking studio lighting.
4. This is a personal taste. But for these dramatic wide angle sky shots, I like to add a bit of vignetting to make it feel even more dramatic. To add the vignetting, I like to use the gradient tool, and set the blending mode to overlay. Choose the black to transparent gradient, and reverse it. Choose her face as her starting point, and drag it out off the canvas.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for the tiips. I don't see halos... but that might be because I don't know what you mean. Could you be more specific?
 
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