Your C&C Appreciated!

[ront]

Hi All,
I am pretty new around here. I am just going to jump in:). I am wondering what your thoughts are about this picture? I already know that I should not have cut the feet off:(. Besides that though, what are your thoughts?

Thanks, Ron

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v105/ront1/A700/Misc/DSC00694Final.jpg

[raven15]

Maybe if you could find a way to blur the bush. It doesn't seem like it should receive the same level of importance in the photo as the statue.

[tim11]

Now that you asked for it... :D
The only interesting subject it the statue and there is nothing interesting at all in the background. No breath taking view, no interesting trees. I like the details of the statue very much though; so I'd fill the frame to include all feature of the statue or change the angle of composition to include some interesting background.
What camera is that? I'd say a DSLR? What lens? You capture it well.

[ront]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate them. tim11, I did take just a picture of the stature that would pretty much fill the frame. I am adding it to this post.
The camera used was a Sony A700 and a Minolta 28-75 f2.8 lens.

Thanks, Ron

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v105/ront1/A700/Misc/DSC00786.jpg

[Bynx]

I think you might have a very nice composition there if you move back a bit and wait until it is darker so the background is not a problem. Then illuminate to give the statue some color. Otherwise try to position the statue so that only the green fir trees and dark are seen as the background. I find the posts and boat or dock in the background are too much of a distraction.

[D Thompson]

I like the first one much better than the one that fills the frame. It's a nice composition (except for cutting off the feet ;)). The statue fills the right 1/3 and is looking toward the left side of the shot which makes you wonder what is just outside the frame. The 2 branches that stick out from the evergreen on the left lead your eye back toward the statue. The water in the background is a little distracting, especially like Bynx said about the posts/dock. That could easily be taken care of. According to your exif the shot was with a f2.8 lens and settings were ISO400, 1/800 @ f 6.3, and zoom @ 55mm. Plenty of room to not only drop down to ISO100, but also f2.8 which may have blurred the background water enough to not be a distraction. It seems to have a bit of a cyan cast to it so the auto white balance may have been fooled. Also, I agree with bynx that the statue could be a little lighter, tho not with darkening the background. A little dodging on a 50% grey layer should lighten her up enough. Nice job.

[tim11]

... It's a nice composition (except for cutting off the feet ;)). The statue fills the right 1/3 and is looking toward the left side of the shot which makes you wonder what is just outside the frame. ....

Almost exactly my thought. Cutting off the feet and the shot was ruined. I looked at the background for something interesting and thought it would have been nice if there was something there to be seen or just to lead the imagination; but there is none. That's why I suggested the concentration only to the main subject.
But again, there is no right or wrong way to shoot and compose a photo and I simply put forth my comment as asked. I like the clarity of the image regardless.

[ront]

Thanks for the feed back all!! I really appreciate it and will try to implement it on further pictures!

Thanks, Ron