How to tell / make a good picture?

dmcaloney

dmcaloney

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Dave
Edit My Images
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May seem like a daft question, but I am still struggling with how to tell if my pictures are good or not... or more specifically when I look at it, wheat needs doing (post processing) to make it better.

Being a noob I am taking heaps of pics just to get a handful that seem good to me.

e.g was in Rome the other week and took a load of pics, most of which after the event I thought werent up to much.

Here are a couple of examples (as shot)...

n566f9.jpg


mrvcpv.jpg


now to me these seem all right - not spectacular, which given the subject matter they could have been... so can anyone offer general advice on what would have made them better shots or what would enhance them post process? Thanks.

Also if anyone can offer some general advice / books I should look at it would be much appreciated?

:thumbs:
 
Hi Dave,

The first thing to note about landscapes / scenic shots particularly is that an impressive vista to the eye does not necessarily make a great photo. The temptation is to use a wide angle, take in the whole scene and end up with a shot lacking in impact.

The two shots you post are ok, but not great - they certainly wouldn't be candidates for putting on the wall.

The first has no foreground interest, nor anything to lead the eye into the composition. There is no specific area the eye settles on as the subject.

The second has something in the foreground which is often a good idea, but in this case it is too similar in colour to the subject in the background and therefore just looks messy. A square crop of the left of the shot above the messy foreground makes for a much more interesting and graphic composition.

I think you need to go for repeating patterns, a good bit of foreground interest or something to lead the eye through the photo. The processing is ok, but could be slightly more saturated to give a little punch. You could selectively make the sky darker and richer as well.

I would recommend the book 'The Photographer's Eye'. It explains the factors involved in making good compositions and can explain why two almost identical pictures can be be great and mediocre with subtle changes.

HTH

Phil
 
Phil,

Great advice and makes sense even to a noob like me. Exactly what I thought... pics seem uninteresting given the subject matter.

Will give that book a whirl too. Seems to be a couple about by that name.. is it the one by Szarkowski?

Many thanks.

:thumbs:
 
I've added it to my wish list for when I eventually have some spare pennies :) Wiped out this month with the new camera :)
 
It's really good for helping you to put together more interesting pictures.

Enjoy!

Phil
 
+1 on The Photographers Eye by Freeman, an excellent book.
 
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