On the look out

[jjeling]

Taking criticism is one of the best ways to learn and improve your imagination and skills as a photographer. So, blast away again. I'm waiting.

[albertaboy]

For this photograph there are a couple things that bother me.

1. It appears that your main subject (the deer) is out of focus.

2. The deer are smack dab in the middle of the page. (Rule of Thirds) Sometimes you can break the rule but in this case to me it doesn't work.

3. The deer are lost in the photo, there is too much space surrounding them.

Cheers,

[Mad Aussie]

Seen some great shots from you jj ... this isn't one of them. It's a photo of a couple of deer and lots of grass. There's nothing in this photo that really appeals. No clarity, subject indistinct, background and foreground elements bland. It looks like a photo that you took in desperation because you couldn't get any closer to your subject.
I take plenty of photos like this, I'm just not brave enough to show anyone! ;)

I think is one of those shots that didn't work in many ways. It could therefore be a good photo to play with. I'd be trying B/W, Sepia, applying various filters etc and seeing happens. It may work better as a graphic made from a photo than as a photo itself.

And remember ... you asked us to "Blast away" with "Criticism" :D

[kiley9806]

generally the foreground should not be out of focus, which in this case could be easily cured with a crop - which would also help bring the deer out more... but then you loose the nice green & are left with what looks like a lot of broken trees - the background is just too messy, which causes distraction. so, although this is a nice capture of grazing deer, (and its really hard to catch one with the deer looking right at you!) they simply didnt stand in the right spot... or i guess for that matter - you may have been able to get a better shot from a change in your own location... if it were possible without startling your subject! :)

[jjeling]

Thanks again guys. My mother loves this image. Im not a big fan of it. The location of it is beautiful during the summer. It is a river bed that is full of water during spring and dries out. Grass grows tall and, you know how it is Im sure. It was more of a desperation shot for sure. I'm not the best at nature photography, I can admit that, but I'm outside enough that sometimes I just have to practice. Thanks again. I should listen to my own advice and read that tips/tricks thread again. HAHA!!

[Mad Aussie]

Yeh my mother loves all my images too. I could take a crap photo that is out of focus, overexposed and she'd still say "Steve that's lovely" :rolleyes: Your own mother is NOT the best person from whom to seek critique :D

[jjeling]

Yeah, tell me about that one. She has printed some of the most outrageous pictures and hung them on the wall. She is so proud of them, but I am ashamed. Mom, why would you hang THAT one? It is what it is, which is why it is always nice to get outside opinions on this stuff. One persons garbage is anothers treasure. Anyways here is another image from the same day I took the previous shot. I think its a little better........ I didn't extend my lens all the way out so I could get the whole herd in. Its the biggest problem here I think. I promise you that they are in focus in full resolution. These are junk web downsized images for me to upload. They do not look the greatest I know.

[Mad Aussie]

That one's definitely a big step forward. More clarity, foreground interest that works.

[jjeling]

I should have titled this thread, "Oh Deer"
This thread I will just dedicate to the different images of deer I have taken. Shouldn't last too long, but there are a few. Some better than others. Just let me know what you think about them. I really am trying to work on these types of things.

This one is a little soft, but this guy is in full velvet. Light was low, and I had it wide open at 300. Its one of those shots, take it or leave it type of thing. I like it but my mother likes it better.

[jjeling]

Went camping along the Maumee River over the summer. I woke up at the crack of dawn to walk out to the river in an overflow channel. Before I stepped out I saw these guys headed my way. I sat and waited for them to get close. Wasn't much light and they came within 30 feet of me but a few were protective of their fawns. I didn't pick my camera and point it at them as they were starting to get bold and protective. Stomping and snorting at me, the steam started coming from their nose. I dont want a fight with a couple protective mothers so I let them be.
I tried with this, was hard to work with. Yeah Yeah Yeah, rule of thirds.

[Mad Aussie]

I didn't pick my camera and point it at them as they were starting to get bold and protective. Stomping and snorting at me, the steam started coming from their nose. I dont want a fight with a couple protective mothers so I let them be.
http://www.mtbdirt.com.au/home/smf/Smileys/classic/cop.gif Step AWAY from the camera! Put your hands above your head and get on your knees!

http://www.mtbdirt.com.au/home/smf/Smileys/classic/cop.gif You under arrest for being a wussy in the face of a great photo!!! http://www.mtbdirt.com.au/home/smf/Smileys/classic/cop.gif

NEVER let anything stop you from that gun shot dude!
http://www.mtbdirt.com.au/home/smf/Smileys/classic/biglaugha.gif

[jjeling]

Saw these fellas grazing as a herd. Not a great shot I don't believe. Black and white made the best conversion for this. Taken about 15 minutes before sundown. Levels are turned up and it was hard to get a still shot keeping it in focus.

[jjeling]

Can you see him? This is the image of most importance if you guys mind commenting on it. It was a surprise that I even noticed it while walking. I had to take the shot to remember what I saw. Its extremely subtle but works once you notice it.

[jjeling]

Ok, this one is one of my favorites. After it got up it still had quite a bit of snow covered on it from the storm. Left the perfect shot for me. I feel bad you guys do not get to see the full version of this image. The sharpness is there but isnt noticeable here.

[kat]

I like this shot. The way the land is makes it really neat! I prefer it over the first one for sure!

[kat]

Oh..and more were posted since I was typing..ha ha! Love the hiding one! That is my favorite of the bunch!

[jjeling]

Ok, last one I promise. I figured I would make a series of it if I were going to post all of these eventually. Anyways, this has always been my favorite of them all. Stumbled on this when I first got into photography. I had a terrible 300mm lens that cost maybe $100. It took the image for me, but I was on iso800 to get rid of the camera shake and the quality of the lens was terrible. No autofocus, I was amazed I got this. I used a consecutive 3 shot bracket hoping they I could get something before she got up and ran away. They just sat there and were extremely calm. This time the web version is the best version. Full size it looks pretty bad, but MOM LIKES IT! So do I. Its a good memory anyways.

[kiley9806]

i really like that 3rd one with the fuzzy velvet deer in the grass... thats a nice shot... maybe a bit too much out of focus stuff in the foreground, (could be cropped better maybe) but i like it.
and i really like the 2nd last one too, although i'd probably crop a tad more off the left. it would look great matted & framed i bet...
you sure live near lotsa deer! :)

[Marko]

The shots in posts 9 and 10 are my faves.. Sharpness/distance from subject are the biggest issues with these shots. So pleased to see that so many of us are on the same page with regard to critiquing this and other threads.:highfive: