My Comments

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Hi Ben,

I think that your dof is perfect. You filled the frame with the little critter, and it is perfectly separated from the background. Exposure is also right on.

I don't know what you could change to make a better portraits type shot.

My only quibble is the pixelation of the background. I can see the individual pixels. I still haven't figured out the reason for it, but I'm guessing that it comes from lowering the pixel count too much in post processing.

Any way it's still a great shot.

Regards,
Chassha

Comment Written by chassha on 26-Jul-2006

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That's interesting, wow... by EvanLewis

This is a fine example of photography indoors in a family setting. I specifically like the sepia treatment. It adds a very nostalgic feeling to this photo, a memory to be remembered for a long time.

The first rule of a strong photograph is, "to know your subject." I look for a subject that is interesting and ambiguous. Subjects aren't always tangible things like people, animals, or plants. They can be moods or feelings as well. This is a fine example seeing a subject that many others never see or are unprepared to capture.

Second rule is to emphasize the subject. Emphasis is achieved in many ways, placement and relationships of elements in the frame, line, form and color all add balance and direct the viewer to really "see" the subject. In this case we see the interaction of the two people. He is intently studying the object, and thought she's looking the gift, she appears to apprehensive. Your subject has very strong emphasis.

Thirdly I look at how the photo is simplified. Here there aren't any distracting elements. Everything that is needed to tell the story is here, and there's nothing to pull the viewer's attention away.

Regards,

Comment Written by chassha on 05-Jan-2006

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Lilac-Breasted Roller by Marie Strydom
Page 1 of the book From Africa's blue skies.

An excelent portrait shot. The subject is well chosen, and clearly presented. This could be sold somewhere.

In the system that I use to grade an image I look for a subject that is interesting. The first rule is to know your subject.

The second rule is to emphasize the subject. You've accurately placed the in the frame for this type of shot, not too close and not too far away. The subject carries the proper weight and balance to the rest of the elements in the frame.

The third rule is to simplify, meaning elements that help to emphasize and present the subject are present are there, and distracting elements are absent. The background is clean and there's nothing to pull the viewers attention away from the subject.

Well done.

Comment Written by chassha on 05-Jan-2006

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Up close pt 2 by eculuke

An interesting shot and subject, but this could be made much stronger than it is. Let's review the three rules of a strong photograph and see where this shot could be strengthened.

First rule is to know your subject. No problem here. There isn't any confusion over what your subject is. "Knowing Your Subject" means more than just selecting a subject. Any snapshooter knows, or at least thinks he knows his subject. It also means choosing an interesting subject for your viewers and then presenting it in a manner that accentuates it.

You've chosen a good subject. I also like the lighting on it. The modeling, contrast, and detail are all very good.

The next two rules are were snapshots are left behind and photographs are made. Once I define the rules I'll address their application together as they work hand in hand to strengthen a photograph.

The second rule is emphasis of the subject. Emphasis is the practical application of the rules of composition. The placement of the subject (rule of thirds); balance of color, size and shape of included objects are all important aspects of emphasis.

The third rule is to simplify the shot. Simplification, simply means "Objects that should be there are, and those that shouldn't aren't".

I see that you used the rule of thirds to place the subject. Good thought, however, this subject is small in size compared to the rest of the frame. It lacks emphasis due to its size. A bolder subject could stand up to this relationship, but this one can't.

This shot also needs simplified. Though you used a shallow depth-of-field to separate the subject from the background it is still too busy. The background is actually bolder than the subject, therefore, it competes with the subject for your viewers attention.

Moving in much closer would help both emphasis and simplification. The subject would be larger and much bolder compared to the rest of the frame. It would also eliminate much of the background that competes.

Changing the angle of the shot may have allowed the same composition but with a different background which wouldn't compete so much is an alternative.

Regards, and keep shooting.
Chassha

Comment Written by chassha on 28-Dec-2005

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Sandpiper on the beach by backyardbirder

The first rule of a successful photograph is "To know your subject" and here your do have a clear subject, the three sandpipers in the middle. But, this picture lacks the emphasis and simplification that would make it a strong one.

First lets deal with emphasis. Your subjects are centered leaving them static and uninteresting. Placement according to the rule of thirds would greatly help help by giving them a more prominate place in the frame. Based on the direction of the lighting and direction that they are looking I would suggest placing them on the upper right intersection. They would then be looking into the frame.

Secondly this picture would benifit from some simplification. The shadow on the right and the partial bird on the left are distracting. and should be cropped out. A little less of the clutter in the foreground would also be a benefit.

I do like the triangle formed by this threesome. Patterns are helpful to guide the eye around in the frame. This also makes the picture more dynamic.

Comment Written by chassha on 26-Nov-2005

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Warmth of Expression by channeled

You're on to something here. I really like the framing and the expression. This would be an excellent glamour shot if it weren't for two issues that I see.

First is that the skin tones are blocked with strongly aliased edges. I see this at times here and don't know where it comes from yet, though I'm sure that it comes from the processing of the image. I rarely rate higher than a three and most often give a two when I see this unless the photographer has stated that the effect was intentional though posterization or a reduction of color levels. In normal portraiture one would expect smooth gradations of the skin tones.

Second issue is that the lighting appears to be flat. Now this could be coming from the reduced color levels, or what ever caused the effect, that I noted above. I can't tell at this point.

I still love the look.

Comment Written by chassha on 26-Nov-2005

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Thamin, Brow-antlered deer by kunal verma
Page 5 of the book Indian Willdlife

Nice capture. The deer is in a nice pose for a portrait. The lighting and exposure are well done as well.

I see that you tried to emphasize your subject by blurring the background using a shallow depth of field.

This is close but not quite a National Geographic moment because there are still some distracting elements that pull attention away from your subject. This shot could use some additional simplification.

First is the merger with the nose and body of the deer right behind this one. The nose in particular sticks out as something that shouldn't be there. Being patient just a little longer may have let the deer move to eliminate this flaw. This is also something that's easy to overlook in the viewfinder because of the way our brains process what we see.

Second is that the background contains some high key elements that compete for the viewers attention, and being diagonals lead the eye right off the page. This shot may have benefited from a vertical composition in this respect. It also would have allowed you to include the antlers which would be a nice touch. Again, being patient for the subject to move to a more favorable background might be a benefit as well.

Comment Written by chassha on 26-Nov-2005

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Fog at 8 by Countrygirl

Nicely done.

The subject is clean and easily understood. I agree with you that the dark area at the bottom adds to the 3d effect as you have a nice tonal progression into the background. It also offsets and balances out the high key areas of the fog and sky.

Comment Written by chassha on 26-Nov-2005

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Adorable by bethench

Emmett is adorable. You know your subject, and you've made good choices in exposure and pose. Emmett's expression is clear giving him a personality and feelings.

I have a few issues that need to be addressed to make this a better portrait.

First is a technical one. It is also the biggest reason for the two rating. The background has strongly aliased, blotchy colors where I would expect smooth tonal gradations. You've used a shallow depth of field to throw the background out of focus. Which is good, but the gradations should be smooth. I suspect that this occurred when processing for upload, but I'm not sure.

Second is a matter of simplification. The picture is out of balance because of the high values of the background to the left, the white of Emmett's backside to the top, and the white of his chest at the bottom. Cropping in closer to the face would remove the imbalance and the distracting items. This leaves the viewer with the expression.

Comment Written by chassha on 26-Nov-2005

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Sleeping Cherub by channeled

You're so right. She does look so peaceful and sweet. She's definitely a good subject. Your subject is clearly defined.

Your choice of lighting is excellent providing excellent modeling of the facial features. It is soft and even setting an intimate mood.

Through your choice of exposure and position you've given nice emphasis to your subject as well.

My quibbles lie in the area of simplification of the frame. I find the collar at upper left and the black and white object on the right very distracting. Because of the color and intensity values they compete with your subject and create an imbalance. Try cropping them out and you'll find a much stronger portrait that well balanced in values and elements.

Comment Written by chassha on 25-Nov-2005