Is this picture OK or meaningless? Comment and critique

[Aria Patel]

I know art is subjective, but when you look at this picture below, what are your thoughts? I am unsure because I am a beginner and I haven't started trusting my work yet... please critique openly. I want to get better.

 

[NearerNirvana]

I know art is subjective, but when you look at this picture below, what are your thoughts? I am unsure because I am a beginner and I haven't started trusting my work yet... please critique openly. I want to get better.

I think it has merit, but of course this sort of arty shot will always divide opinion. It's technically well executed. It might have been improved had you framed a little more left as that would include the tip of the main branch, giving the viewer somewhere to lead to and also remove the red glow in the bottom right which i find a little distracting.

The shot says more about you, as a beginner, than anything else. It shows your potential - You are using your eyes and imagination rather than just shooting the 'ordinary'.

Keep at it

--

NN

 

[Aria Patel]

It might have been improved had you framed a little more left as that would include the tip of the main branch, giving the viewer somewhere to lead to and also remove the red glow in the bottom right which i find a little distracting.--

NN

Thank you, NN! I think I may have a problem with not knowing how to frame. I could use your knowledge on another picture of mine if you don't mind...

I was at a parade this weekend and I was trying to focus on the lady smiling in the middle and another lady jumped in front of her and I shot them both. In such a scenario, who would you have framed? The one in the middle or the one to the right?

 

[SoCalWill]

The OP pic is a great low f-stop background for a foreground subject that isn't there. Center on a bird, a face, something more than a stick..

Second pic is a grand chance composition, a trail of faces focused on the smiling one; some post to work out those skin tones and that one goes in the portfolio.

 

[Aria Patel]

some post to work out those skin tones and that one goes in the portfolio.

 

[PhotoTeach2]

It might have been improved had you framed a little more left as that would include the tip of the main branch, giving the viewer somewhere to lead to and also remove the red glow in the bottom right which i find a little distracting.--

NN

Thank you, NN! I think I may have a problem with not knowing how to frame. I could use your knowledge on another picture of mine if you don't mind...

I was at a parade this weekend and I was trying to focus on the lady smiling in the middle and another lady jumped in front of her and I shot them both. In such a scenario, who would you have framed? The one in the middle or the one to the right?

It is a more interesting shot than your first (limb) shot but is ruined by the "arms".

I realize this was a quick-shot and you have no choice but to get what you can ... but it is still ruined by the hand.

I had a similar experience at a parade, but was "lucky" enough to indeed get a "hand" in the photo ....

 

[Bobby49]

First of all, what is the subject in this image? It is not obvious.

I was taught that if I didn't know anything else to do for the photo, to make sure that it had a foreground, a mid-ground, and a background.

 

[Aria Patel]

First of all, what is the subject in this image? It is not obvious.

I was taught that if I didn't know anything else to do for the photo, to make sure that it had a foreground, a mid-ground, and a background.

Good point, will remember this advise!

 

[tedolf]

Meaningless.

Tedolph

 

[SoCalWill]

Thank you, SoCalWill. What do you mean by work out those skin tones? Do you mean retouch/smooth face?

The skin tones of the smiling face have some green reflection on them, and the white balance in general is a touch cool.

 

[jbf]

I know art is subjective, but when you look at this picture below, what are your thoughts? I am unsure because I am a beginner and I haven't started trusting my work yet... please critique openly. I want to get better.

It's great that you're trying to be creative and that you're asking for honest opinions. In general terms, a photo of tree limbs in front of buildings doesn't usually make for an interesting subject. It's something everyone sees everyday. However, the photographer can turn it into more than that. I'll mention some things I see that are interesting in this photo and show you how I would bring them out.

One thing I like is the interplay between the limbs and the colorful lights in the background. Simply cropping to remove distractions makes that aspect of the photo much clearer in my opinion. I hope you don't mind, I did a quick crop to illustrate:

Composing a little more carefully could take this to another level by lining things up so that the lights appear to be growing off of the limbs more consistently.

Going back to the original image, I also like the way the background goes from light to dark moving from left to right. It could be seen to symbolize the passage of time. Going with that thought, a crop like this could be used to bring out the transition.

I don't want to come across as if I'm implying that you should always crop your photos, although simplifying is generally a good idea. The main point is to find what really interests you about the scene and then find a way to bring that out. Removing distractions is a good start. Also, use contrast of all kinds: light vs. dark, sharp vs. blurry, big vs. small, new vs. old, warm vs. cold, etc. to bring out the subject. If this scene doesn't get your creative juices going at all, find a subject that generates an emotional reaction and try to express it in your own way.

I hope this helps,

jbf

 

[Aria Patel]

I know art is subjective, but when you look at this picture below, what are your thoughts? I am unsure because I am a beginner and I haven't started trusting my work yet... please critique openly. I want to get better.

It's great that you're trying to be creative and that you're asking for honest opinions. In general terms, a photo of tree limbs in front of buildings doesn't usually make for an interesting subject. It's something everyone sees everyday. However, the photographer can turn it into more than that. I'll mention some things I see that are interesting in this photo and show you how I would bring them out.

One thing I like is the interplay between the limbs and the colorful lights in the background. Simply cropping to remove distractions makes that aspect of the photo much clearer in my opinion. I hope you don't mind, I did a quick crop to illustrate:

Composing a little more carefully could take this to another level by lining things up so that the lights appear to be growing off of the limbs more consistently.

Going back to the original image, I also like the way the background goes from light to dark moving from left to right. It could be seen to symbolize the passage of time. Going with that thought, a crop like this could be used to bring out the transition.

I don't want to come across as if I'm implying that you should always crop your photos, although simplifying is generally a good idea. The main point is to find what really interests you about the scene and then find a way to bring that out. Removing distractions is a good start. Also, use contrast of all kinds: light vs. dark, sharp vs. blurry, big vs. small, new vs. old, warm vs. cold, etc. to bring out the subject. If this scene doesn't get your creative juices going at all, find a subject that generates an emotional reaction and try to express it in your own way.

I hope this helps,

jbf

WOW!!! This more than helps! It definitely looks much more interesting now. Thank you very much for taking all the time to do this. I appreciate it!

 

[NearerNirvana]

It might have been improved had you framed a little more left as that would include the tip of the main branch, giving the viewer somewhere to lead to and also remove the red glow in the bottom right which i find a little distracting.--

NN

Thank you, NN! I think I may have a problem with not knowing how to frame. I could use your knowledge on another picture of mine if you don't mind...

I was at a parade this weekend and I was trying to focus on the lady smiling in the middle and another lady jumped in front of her and I shot them both. In such a scenario, who would you have framed? The one in the middle or the one to the right?

Well, what to do with photobombers?

Smile and be thankful there are people who still enjoy strangers taking their photo. Then wait, recompose and try again.

I probably would've framed the initial shot the same and then recomposed (or at least refocused) on the lady who jumped in. But she still would have made the composition too tight. (and I'm guessing you were already zoomed to minimum focal length and wouldn't have had the time to step back)

Also, keep your eye for distractions along edge of frame and 'false attachments' (in this case the pole 'growing' out of the focused lady's head).

Some folks would say your initial subject was too central. As a guideline photos often work better when the subject is off-centre. But remember these are just guidelines (there are no rules, except for fools).

Bringing us on to....

First of all, what is the subject in this image? It is not obvious.

I was taught that if I didn't know anything else to do for the photo, to make sure that it had a foreground, a mid-ground, and a background.

With all due respect to Bobby's opinion (and he's no fool), but the above, I think, is a rough guideline for landscape photographers. Many images - especially as abstract as your first and a portrait such as your second - are unlikely to have, or need, three layers.

--

My FB

 

[Bobby49]

The OP started off by stating "unsure" and asking for advice.

I commented:

"I was taught that if I didn't know anything else to do for the photo, to make sure that it had a foreground, a mid-ground, and a background."

Note that this says nothing at all about layers.

If there is a specific abstract intent, then all other rules can be cast aside. However, when there is no specific subject or intent, then I would always revert back to the basics (foreground, mid-ground, background), and then try to make forward progress from there.

 

[MinAZ]

Sorry but I do not find the photo interesting. To me, it does not speak of anything. There are several things that make a photo interesting - great light, great subject/story, great composition. I do not find any of those things present.

 

[D Cox]

some post to work out those skin tones and that one goes in the portfolio.

 

[D Cox]

I know art is subjective, but when you look at this picture below, what are your thoughts? I am unsure because I am a beginner and I haven't started trusting my work yet... please critique openly. I want to get better.

It's great that you're trying to be creative and that you're asking for honest opinions. In general terms, a photo of tree limbs in front of buildings doesn't usually make for an interesting subject. It's something everyone sees everyday. However, the photographer can turn it into more than that. I'll mention some things I see that are interesting in this photo and show you how I would bring them out.

One thing I like is the interplay between the limbs and the colorful lights in the background. Simply cropping to remove distractions makes that aspect of the photo much clearer in my opinion. I hope you don't mind, I did a quick crop to illustrate:

Composing a little more carefully could take this to another level by lining things up so that the lights appear to be growing off of the limbs more consistently.

Going back to the original image, I also like the way the background goes from light to dark moving from left to right. It could be seen to symbolize the passage of time. Going with that thought, a crop like this could be used to bring out the transition.

I don't want to come across as if I'm implying that you should always crop your photos, although simplifying is generally a good idea. The main point is to find what really interests you about the scene and then find a way to bring that out. Removing distractions is a good start. Also, use contrast of all kinds: light vs. dark, sharp vs. blurry, big vs. small, new vs. old, warm vs. cold, etc. to bring out the subject. If this scene doesn't get your creative juices going at all, find a subject that generates an emotional reaction and try to express it in your own way.

I hope this helps,

jbf

Those are excellent suggestions and anyone could learn something from reading them.

 

[Streakshooter]

I know art is subjective, but when you look at this picture below, what are your thoughts? I am unsure because I am a beginner and I haven't started trusting my work yet... please critique openly. I want to get better.

Branches draped across the frame like some transparent valance hanging over a stage. The set behind them is lit for the opening scene, but where are the players? There is a sense of anticipation, or as NearerNirvana put it, potential. We're encouraged to look beyond the most likely subject for other meanings.

This kind of concept can be very stimulating, especially if it allows my mind to wander...

...From where it started, which would've been an easier road to follow; seeing the composition as a questionable way to showcase a mostly abstract subject and its relationship to the background. Since you'd already received helpful critiques of that variety, I thought; "why not treat this as a considered statement from an experienced artist, rather than a beginner?"

Hopefully an imaginative reading of your image can offer valuable insight. If not, please add my support to other recommendations for adding more immediate aesthetic appeal.

 

[jotjotzzz]

This is not a great picture, in my honest opinion. I like the color here and the lights and the bokeh.

What makes it not a good picture is -- your subject is a branch. What are you trying to say here? It's not very interesting and it reminds me of photos of people testing their lens. There's nothing much that's interesting otherwise.

 

[jbf]

Thanks.