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Original poster

Any photography experts out there care to cast an eye over this?

30 replies

Sycamoretree · 26/05/2009 17:20

Friend of DH and I have sent us a lovely picture of our family they took whilst visiting.

Not sure what kind of camera they had but I was really struck by how lovely all their shots were, particularly this one. Can anyone tell me how and why they've achieved such a good picture?

What is it about the light, or is it their camera that has delivered something that looks far better than the average amateur snap?

It's the last one on my profile which I've just uploaded.

Thanks.

OP posts:
mosschops30 · 26/05/2009 17:36

(do you mean the one of you all walking together?)

dh said its over exposed due to the camera pointing directly at the sun, its the light, not the camera.
According to dh its generally the photographer and not the camera

Original poster
Sycamoretree · 26/05/2009 17:41

Yes, that's the one.

I was wondering if it was so-called "magic hour" light that did it.

I am envious of people who know how to acheive those kind of results with a camera.

OP posts:
pollywobbledoodle · 26/05/2009 17:44

it is overexposed so not technically a good photo

do you like it because its an unusual angle to take photos from and there are long shadows?

i think its more about noticing compopsition/colours/light that you like than the actual camera really.

i've got a powershot which has a twisting view screen at the back....lets you take from unusual angles eg up at childrens faces as they play on the floor etc

mosschops30 · 26/05/2009 17:46

sycamoretree - my dh could bore you talk to you about it for hours

Original poster
Sycamoretree · 26/05/2009 18:24

It's interesting that techinically it's not good, but yes, I like the shadows, I like the depth in the picture - does that make sense? I like the etheral feel of the hazy sky - which is the over-exposed bit.

Also, I supposed I'm impressed that they thought to take a picture of us from behind - which somehow sums up what a great family day out we had better than any shot face on could have.

Probably I'm also being sentimental about it because it's quite rare isn't it, to get a shot of your entire family at all, let alone one you actually like.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sycamoretree · 26/05/2009 18:31

mosschops - I'd loved to be bored about this for hours! I'm fascinated by photography but am an utter lunk at it.

Is your DH an photographer?

OP posts:
mosschops30 · 26/05/2009 18:35

He would like to be, in an ideal world where he could earn the same as his day job. He's done a course and spends oodles on cameras/lenses/tripods etc.
He loves taking pics of anything and everything, and a lot of what he does is very good (but I'd never tell him that )

Original poster
Sycamoretree · 26/05/2009 18:37

I bet you have fantastic family albums though...

I'm jealous as my mum is about to start a photography course, which I think is great.

But she likes cutting them all up and putting them in odd shaped frames - it has a name, I can't remember it but I find it all terribly twee...but i would not tell HER that

OP posts:
MerlinsBeard · 26/05/2009 18:37

It['s not a good photo. As ppl have already said it is over exposed, also the flare from the sun isn't all that great.

The shadows are good because of the sun that is all

MerlinsBeard · 26/05/2009 18:38

and its not been composed either just "snapped" so no composition

sorry

Original poster
Sycamoretree · 26/05/2009 18:39

Ok, maybe good is not the right word then lol!

I just like it - and I think I like it because of the shadows, the original idea of taking shot from behind (sorry, probably not terribly original out there in the real world of photography) and because I happen to like the funny over-exposed fuzziness of the light.

And because it's all of us holding hands I suppose.

Right - that's it. Pictures coming down now - thanks for your input!

OP posts:
Original poster
Sycamoretree · 26/05/2009 18:44

You're forgiven mum - I did ask! I want to learn!

I do like it though, but can see now it's more for personal rather than, ahem, professional reason LOL!

OP posts:
MerlinsBeard · 26/05/2009 18:45

sorry i didn't mean to be harsh

It is a good snap. Would be better if the sky was right (and no flare) there were full shadows rather than cut off ones and there was just your family in shot.

Difficult to get at the best of times ha ha!

Flame · 26/05/2009 18:51

I wanna see the pic!

BabyValentine · 27/05/2009 21:06

Where's the shot? I'd love to see it...

Sycamoretreeisvile · 28/05/2009 08:52

I will upload it again when I get to work, for the benefit of Flame and BabyV. Prob around 10.30am!

Sycamoretreeisvile · 28/05/2009 10:08

Ok - it's up, and for a limited period only, a couple of other snaps they took which I like which may explain more why I'm so impressed with their photographic abilities.

Our photos just never look like that! The depth of colour etc.

MerlinsBeard · 28/05/2009 14:10

missed your other snaps.

You know it could be the camera re the depth of colour. Do you know what they use?

Sycamoretreeisvile · 28/05/2009 14:26

It was digital, that's all I know. And it was BIG - if you post back I'll know you're still around an put them up again - they identify me so I didn't want them up forever!

MerlinsBeard · 28/05/2009 15:04

ah right!

lol @ big!

Did it have a lens stuck out already? big black square? heavy looking?

flatcapandpearls · 28/05/2009 15:07

I would like to think I am a good amateur photographer and would love to see it.

Sycamoretreeisvile · 28/05/2009 15:23

Ok, they're up again.

But look better in RL than online

Sycamoretreeisvile · 28/05/2009 15:24

Yes, it looked heavy - like one I couldn't be bothered lugging around lol!

Lens was already stuck out - don't think it retracted.

MerlinsBeard · 28/05/2009 16:42

oh you are stunning!

Possibly a nikon D90 or above or high end canon eos range but tbh looks a little diff to canon pics that i can recognise

lol @ lugging around a camera! I have been comparing Nikons and Canons for last few months to upgrade mine and the one i settled on before looking at the price was nearly £3k !!!

Sycamoretreeisvile · 28/05/2009 17:25

Not really - but it's lovely when someone gets a shot of you you actually can look at without cringing. Thank you.

I think the DC's just look so happy and lovely in this pics. It was such a fun day out, and I suppose I was just delighted to have such great snaps of the day as well.

Wow - £3K - it better make you all look like you're making an appearance out of the Joules or Boden cataologue!

DH got a canon SL somethinkorother for his birthday.

He's doing quite well with it.