march/april 2018 photography...

Sep/Oct 2018 Photography Contest

Stringed Instruments Beginner

Tidelands Photography Club

I must compliment the maker of this image for attempting an existing light photograph at a musical event. You have captured the mood and the action of the musician. I believe a higher ISO setting of your camera would have resulted in a sharper image.

Beginner “Bass”

9

The maker of this image has placed the guitar on a pleasing diagonal line. You have got in close enough to eliminate any background distractions. I would like to have seen a little more of the players right hand.

Beginner “Young Fingers

Strumming” 12

Beginner “Fiddlin’ Strings”

14

This is a pleasing composition showing the neck of the stringed instrument only. The image is sharp and well exposed. The use of the background supports the theme and is not a distraction


Stringed Instruments Intermediate


The photographer has used a wide aperture in this image to create a soft background that enhances the image and does not become a distraction. The background supports the colors appear warm and true for the lighting conditions.

Intermediate “On Standby”

11

This image has a divided interest. The musician and the instrament. I'm inclined to focus on the model and not the violin. The lighting is a bit harsh cousing hot spots in the violin. I would like to see a slight diagonal on the instrament so the image doesn't appear static.

Intermediate “Summer Serenade”

9

Intermediate “Fiddling”

8

I liked the idea of this closeup. The composition is nice and tight reducing and background distractions. I would like the face of the violin player turned a bit to show more of the instrament and less hair and beard.

Intermediate “Violin”

9

The photographer has placed his subject on a black backround thus eliminating any background distractions. I detect a lack of overall sharpness which is hurting your image. Perhaps a higher shutter speed would have helped. I also would like to see the violin on a slight angle which would help the composition.

Intermediate “Smiles & Strings”

8

This is obviously a candid photograph taken during a worship service. The background, in this case, supports the photo story. The major problem is one of exposure. Unfortunately the musicians head and hand are blown out and lack needed detail.

Intermediate “Stringed Instrument”

10

A simple compositionusing the neck of the guitar. The simple background helps the composition.The slight diagonal also helps the composition. I also like the added shadow at the bottom.

Intermediate “The Sounds of Silence”

14

This image has a lot of impact created by the excellent use of studio lighting. This is evident by the shadows on the sheet music on the right side of the image. The one element I do question is the added bow comimg in from the left side. I questioned what it was at first but then realized it was a bow by the shadow on the sheet music. I may have chosen to not include the bow for that reason.

Intermediate “Sweet Street Strings”

8

The maker has captured a candid moment of a street performer. The lighting is soft and natural. I believe this image could be improved with the elimination of the bright and distracting background.

Intermediate “Just Hanging Around”

10

The maker has presented a pattern of repitition with the line of guitars on display. The image appears sharp and well exposed. I would suggest some edge darkening to hold the viewers eye within the scene. I would als add some darkening on the left edge where the exposure or brightness is brighter.

This is a pleasing setup where the photographer has controlled the envioronment for this image. The added music and window blinds along with the shadows has made for an interesting image.

Intermediate “Play a Song for Me”

12

Intermediate “Violin in Case”

10

This image is well exposed. The maker has placed the instrument and its case on the floor which is has created a clean background. I belive the placement of the subject within the scene could be improved to create some viewer interest. The way it's presented could be interpreted as a shot for a catalog. Subject placement and lighting are important in creating a pictorial photograph.

Intermediate “Mood Music”

11

The photgrapher has created a simple setup with the violin along with the wine bottle and glasses. The placement of the elements has been well done. In my opinion, the lighting is harsh causing critical detail areas to be blown out and lacking detail. I believe this could be controlled with good balanced exposure and image editing techniques.


Stringed Instruments

Advanced


Advanced “Litup”

10

The maker has created a simple composition using a black background and lights. The slight diagonal of the guitar helps the vertical image. It is a simple and creative image.

Advanced “This Old Guitar”

13

Being a long time fan of the late John Denver I caught myself singing this song. This is a very strong, creative and interesting composition. The composite of the guitar and transparen sheet music creates an image with a lot of impact. I would like to see more sharpness in the forground of the guitar.

Advanced “Playing Guitar”

14

A will composed picture that certainly fits the theme. The maker has chosen a close up view of the guitar and the musicians hand in the strings. That's all that's needed to tell the story. The limited depth of fiels does not bother me. I believe it enhances the story.

Advanced “Stringed Instruments”

11

A colorful composition of the various guitars. I'm suspecting this may be an artist painting. The repitition of the horizontal strings creates interest. What adds to the imapct of this image is the blue eye in the center of the image.

Open “Mandolin”

10

The photographer has placed the mandolin on a slight diagonal that helps the overall composition. The exposure appears to be right on and the image is sharp too. I would have liked to have seen the musicians right hand on the strings to show player action.

Open “Acoustic Guitar”

10

A nice close up of the guitar. The maker again has placed the instrument on a diagonal which helps the composition. There's good exposure and true color. I belive some edge darkening or heavy vignetting at the edges would pull the viewers eye into the center of the image.

Sep/OCT 2018 Photography Contest

Open


Open “Pink Splendor”

12

Open “Coming Home”

12

Open “Brookgreen Summer”

8

I like how the photographer used the foreground material to help frame the subject. The image is a bit washed out and could be corrected with an image editing program. I detected a slight tilt to the horizon line with the walkway and garden wall. I would recommend the following steps: straighten the horizon, reduce the exposure slightly and increase the saturation. I would also darken the edges or add a slight vignette to hold the viewrs eye within the scene.

Open “Solo”

14

Open “Mom”

10

Open “Balloon Glow”

11

Open “Costa Rican School Girl”

11

Open “Milky Way at the Beach”

13

Open “Wavy Dock”

13

Open “Angel Fish”

8

Photographing tropical fish in a home aquarium can be challenging. The main problem I see with this image is one of a lack of depth of field. While the area of the bright objects closest to the camera appear sharp, the sharpness falls of from the eeye of the fish to its mouth. A secondary fill light from above could also help.

Open “Hummer”

9

The photographer has done a good job of capturing this hummingbird. The image is well exposed, tack sharp and even has a nice catchlight in the birds eye. I recommend cropping off the material on the right side thus eliminating all distractions and non supporting material. It will also improve the composition.

Open “You Looking at Me”

12

Open “Cardinal on Branch”

12

Open “Incoming Storm”

13

Open “Air Volleyball

9

The maker captured the peak of action in this image. The exposure and shutter speed were well handled. The major problem I see is the fact that the background and surrounding area has become a distraction. Perhaps a better camera position may have reduced or eliminated some of these distractions.

Open “Glowing Orbs”

10

Open “Whelk”

9

This is somewhat a record shot of this shell. The maker did place it on a black backround to avoid any distractions. The lighting appears to be on-camera thus causing a flat lighting situation. I believe off-camera flash and fill light is a must when trying to creat dramatic images.

Open “Bella Porta”

14

Open “Proud”

13

Intermediate “Poppy Bud”

10

Advanced “Milky Way at

Pawley’s Island” 8

The maker had a unique opportunity to capture the night sky. They used the foreground material to aid the composition. The problem with this image is not sharp and has an overall soft appearance. A sturdy tripod is a necessity.


15


Open “Watch Cat Ghost”

15

march/april 2018 photography...

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