Christian Photographers Community

 Please give me your honest critique of this photo. If you need to "Simon Cowell" it go ahead.

It's sharp and focus looks dead on, good job there. Looks like you took it at the right moment too, great moment.

It can be hard to track and capture, and deal with the low light, you did good.

I think a little more lead room in front of the player, giving some space "to go in the frame" might help make this shot a bit more dynamic. So, more space to the left. However, sometimes there may be distracting elements there, not sure that was the case here. I also realize, at times a tight shot is preferred. Just some random thoughts going on in my head.

On my monitor, which is calibrated it looks slightly underexposed, which can be easily corrected with levels in an editing program. Not by much though. I downloaded to make a quick adjustment to check and the photo really popped after. I deleted it right away off my PC though. If you want, I can download again and post an example.

What equipment and what settings did you use, and did you apply any exposure compensation, etc?

With my lack of technical knowledge, my only comment is that it looks like a great stop-action shot.   

I used a Nikon D40 ( Which I want to upgrade to a D90) and a 200mm lense with a 2.8 f stop. The only editing I did was trimming it on a program at the photo store. I need something like photoshop or something similar, but unfortunately its expensive.   Still. I got Simon Cowelled yesterday by a pro while looking for some work. . In someways she was right, but Im not letting that stop me from trying

Hides.

Simon Cowelled....That is  term i am unfamiliar with!  What does it mean?

bhdc- That's a nice lens! Wow. Yeah, a D90 would be a nice upgrade.

There are free programs out there, you could try those. At the end of this article I posted a couple links to some: http://www.my-fotoguy.com/2010/02/8-quick-and-easy-ways-to-improve-your.html You can trim, adjust levels (see the article where I address that), and other functions using free software

Also, I have heard that some folks use a program online called 'Piknik' (not sure of the spelling). You may have to google it. There is free functions, and pay functions. Not sure how useful the free functions are.

Sorry that "pro" Simon Cowelled you. just keep practicing and learning, I hope my comments were received well, they were intended to be helpful

Judy- "Simon Cowelled" basically means received harsh criticism. Some of the feedback may or may not have even been accurate. Usually it is, but Simon Cowell is on a program in USA called "American Idol". He is a judge that gives feedback to the contestants. He is often rude, and holds nothing back, as though he has no concern for the persons feelings. I think it's rather obnoxious myself.

bhdc, there are excellent programs available that cost much less than Photoshop.

Corel's Paint Shop Pro (PSP) is available for less than $100.  Click Here

IrfanView is free.  Click Here

Photoshop Elements is also in the less expensive range.  Click Here

Quote from: JudyB on March 24, 2010, 10:05:27 AM
Simon Cowelled....That is  term i am unfamiliar with!  What does it mean?

It means to be harshly and tactlessly critiqued without mercy. Its named after Simon Cowell of American Idol fame.

Thanks I never put that together with photography.  I really don't like Simon, but his crassness has brought him lots of money.  Mandesa said it best...she forgave him and told him she would pray for him.

Now I knew you would get good help here.

First of all, congratulations for your bravery in putting your work out there for critique.  It's not an easy thing to do.  Not sure where the pro was that Cowelled you, but depending on the forum and the thread, you may have asked for it.  What I mean by that is that there are threads that are strictly for professionals very finest work ONLY, and they are very very critical of the images they critique so pros can improve even their best work.  Wherever c/c (comments & critique) comes from, the important thing is to learn from it.  BTW, good job for not giving up and not letting it get you down.  Let it make you a better photographer!   

This is not one of those threads, though.  We have everything here, from beginners to pros and we are honest here, while tempering our comments with love.

I think you did a fine job catching the action.  I agree with others that it's a nice, clear shot.  I also agree with myfotoguy about the cropping, whether done in camera or in pp (post processing).  I think you said pp.  Usually, but not always, it's best to give a moving subject some room to continue with their action.  This doesn't really change with the subject.  It could be a hockey player or a bird or...you get the idea.  Personally, I like the other players in the background, but some would say they take away from the subject.  (perhaps just his mother, though. haha) Since you didn't have an option to ask them to move, you did a good job with your DOF, so they're slightly blurred and the subject stands out. 

I also was looking at the image's exposure and on my calibrated monitor, it kinda looks as if mainly the top half of it is underexposed, as if there's flash fall-off, but it's probably just the lighting in the stadium.  Also, the darks have no detail, but fixing the exposure should take care of that.  I could play with it, too, but only with your permission.

Aside from the problems I mentioned above, I think under the conditions and the fact that shooting sports is very challenging, you have a nice shot here.  Keep shooting!

Boy even I learned from that!   Thank you Kathleen!

I learned, too.... kind of.  But whether or not what I learned will stick is the question.