Day at the snow

jimqjr · December 29, 2010

Just wondering the thoughts of the people who make great photographs what would you do to make this photo better? I took it extremely hot because it took out the background which I think looks great. It was a huge storm so the falling snow is like grain in the photo. I know I should have probably used a flash but I didn't bring one. I just take the photos and try to learn how to make them better. I did increase the saturation on the blue to make the jeans stand out and reduced the noise a little.
Thanks for your thoughts.

System · December 29, 2010

I love it with only one nit to pick. I would have had less white space at the top and not cut off her foot at the bottom.

zoomer · December 29, 2010

I like it. Fun shot.
Try cropping it just above the lower section of the snowman and just above her head, just a smidge from the left and a bit from the right, still leaving her just to the left of center.....since you asked.

dbveto · December 29, 2010

I agree on less at the top and not cutting off her foot at the bottom. I hope you don't mind but here is a quick edit I did. In PS I duplicated the layers the on the top layer I adjusted the brightness-contrast until I recover as much as the background I could. Then On the bottom layer I selected the girl and snow man and inverted the selection then click the top lay and added a mask to let the girl and snowman show through. I would normal clean up the mask but like I said this was a quick edit less than 10 min.

Yuri Pautov · December 29, 2010

jimqjr · December 29, 2010

captain78 wrote: »

I love it with only one nit to pick. I would have had less white space at the top and not cut off her foot at the bottom.

Thanks,
So I cut off the top...the foot well it was burried in the snow. The photo was over exposed of course to have the white background do you think it is incorrect to do that? I was going to toss the photo though I had 32 likes on facebook on that picture so I kept it. Which is why I posted it to see what the pros would think and how I could make it better.
Some opinions are good some well?

jimqjr · December 29, 2010

dbveto wrote: »

I agree on less at the top and not cutting off her foot at the bottom. I hope you don't mind but here is a quick edit I did. In PS I duplicated the layers the on the top layer I adjusted the brightness-contrast until I recover as much as the background I could. Then On the bottom layer I selected the girl and snow man and inverted the selection then click the top lay and added a mask to let the girl and snowman show through. I would normal clean up the mask but like I said this was a quick edit less than 10 min.

Thanks for your comments and adjustments though I am not sure that the background adds to the photo of course my personal taste.

jimqjr · December 29, 2010

zoomer wrote: »

I like it. Fun shot.
Try cropping it just above the lower section of the snowman and just above her head, just a smidge from the left and a bit from the right, still leaving her just to the left of center.....since you asked.

Thanks for the comment...
I tried that not sure that I liked the photo as well.
Wish I wouldn't have chopped the foot though I am not sure it mattered being it was burried in the snow.

zoomer · December 30, 2010

The best way to fix a clip is to crop more and act like you meant to do that.
The photo here is her working the attitude about her snowman.....her foot does not matter. Crop it halfway up her boot, or just above her boot....yeah there is some motion blur, which kinda works in this photo.
Of course the background has to go, it is snow and no detail works. You need a bright exposure to bring out the detail in her face which is where the story is in this photo.

It is a cool shot (no pun intended)

.

dbveto · December 30, 2010

Hey don't get me wrong I liked the shot I guess reading the first post I thought he wanted to get the background back and I agree with the background it is not better just different. For me personally I would have just reduced the white space at the top.

I know how tough snow shot can be and you did a great job.

reyvee61 · December 30, 2010

Nice shot for this type of thing.
I would have not done more than a crop though since it is what it is, the background is not important to the subject in my opinion.
Nicely exposed as well.....
It's not easy shooting in snow.

Seneca · December 30, 2010

Exposure time is at 1/160...try something like 1/400.

jimqjr · December 31, 2010

zoomer wrote: »

The best way to fix a clip is to crop more and act like you meant to do that.
The photo here is her working the attitude about her snowman.....her foot does not matter. Crop it halfway up her boot, or just above her boot....yeah there is some motion blur, which kinda works in this photo.
Of course the background has to go, it is snow and no detail works. You need a bright exposure to bring out the detail in her face which is where the story is in this photo.

It is a cool shot (no pun intended) .

I Checked out your site...your pictures are incredible! Someday maybe.
The picture is of my daughter she does not sit around for me to take her photo even though she really seems to enjoy it. I get 3 or 4 minutes and then she has had enough.
Attached is the crop...one question I have, if I just crop to make the photo better then I loose normal/standard size printing abilities or frame sizes? So I always try to crop using the constraints of the photo is this correct or no? Thanks for all your input.

Here is another picture

jimqjr · December 31, 2010

Seneca wrote: »

Exposure time is at 1/160...try something like 1/400.

Yea I really needed to be shooting at a faster speed though with no flash it was pretty dark wind was really blowing and the snow was dumping. For some reason I don't like to run to high an ISO unless I am shooting sports and then I run up to 6400. Call it inexperience?

zoomer · December 31, 2010

I like the crop....I would shift it left...crop to just past the brance that comes off the brance and add that much back to the left side and you are there. (crop it from the bottom not from the left)
Or you could just leave it this version looks pretty good....just a little tight on the left side is all.

For me I Never worry about the crop ratio, Ever. I just crop them to what my eye likes. Now if you Know you are going to print it that is different of course.
99 percent of photos never get printed...they are only viewed on the computer so the crop ratio means nothing.

Thanks for having a look at my site, appreciate it

.

Icebear · December 31, 2010

I won't make any more comments that duplicate what's already been said. It's a very nice image. I'll just add that unless you are looking for a particular result, NEVER use flash in a snowstorm. Next time it snows, go out and pop a flash. You'll see what I mean. Just brilliant confetti.

jimqjr · December 31, 2010

Icebear wrote: »

I won't make any more comments that duplicate what's already been said. It's a very nice image. I'll just add that unless you are looking for a particular result, NEVER use flash in a snowstorm. Next time it snows, go out and pop a flash. You'll see what I mean. Just brilliant confetti.

Thanks,
Never knew that about a flash and the snow. Glad there was no flash on my camera.

jimqjr · December 31, 2010

Rupert says, "See Ya Later".

zoomer · January 2, 2011

There it is, that last version is the crop I was suggesting. Very nice, bet she loves that shot.

zhousu · January 2, 2011

thumb

Hackbone · January 2, 2011

I think that is one heck of a fun shot. I like the new crop. Don't shoot for F I I P......fix it in photoshop! Try to get it right the first time!

jimqjr · January 2, 2011

Thanks for your help. Hope you have a Bless New Year!

zoomer wrote: »

There it is, that last version is the crop I was suggesting. Very nice, bet she loves that shot.

Thank you for your help with the Crop.
She loves the picture it is her face book profile.

I like the white out back ground makes the picture about the attitude. I just wish she would give me more time or opportunites to get a picture? She is a Senior this year and my wife is taking her to get her pictures done. Sweet

.

Do you have any suggestions for Senior Portraits or ways to learn that area? Your stuff is truly amazing and a start in the right direction would be welcomed. I have all the good equipment camera and fast lenses as well as a 580exII and an older 430 flash though honestly they do not find themselves on the camera much.

jimqjr · January 2, 2011

White Out.
.

jimqjr wrote: »

Rupert says, "See Ya Later".

zoomer · January 3, 2011

Jim,
Really just look at a lot of senior pics. Find the best photographer you can whose work you like (not in your local market) and try to copy their work. As you gain experience and confidence your own style will naturally develop.
Watch your backgrounds, use short depth of field, get your flash off your camera....remember to have fun.....practice and shoot a lot.

heatherfeather · January 3, 2011

Icebear wrote: »

NEVER use flash in a snowstorm.

Have to disagree.... I use my flash while it is snowing quite regularly. Though, my flash is always off camera so the light doesn't only catch the snow right in front of you.

jeffreaux2 · January 3, 2011

Senior Portraits....???

start here....

http://jkmann.smugmug.com/gallery/6057673_NvijZ

zoomer · January 3, 2011

heatherfeather wrote: »

Have to disagree.... I use my flash while it is snowing quite regularly. Though, my flash is always off camera so the light doesn't only catch the snow right in front of you.

Yeah but you have no choice, it is always snowing where you live

.
Just kidding of course.

I imagine the degree of problem you would have could be depending upon angle (as heather mentioned) intensity and proximity.
Have seen some very cool photo taken incorporating rain/snow and flash...you definitely need to know what you are doing though.

jimqjr · January 12, 2011

jeffreaux2 wrote: »

Senior Portraits....???

start here....

http://jkmann.smugmug.com/gallery/6057673_NvijZ

Hey Jeff, Thanks.
I havent been on dgrin for awhile busy with other stuff.
I just started reading from your link.
Your stuff is fantastic. Thanks for sharing.

konomaniac · January 13, 2011

I really like the other two photos you posted - the one with your daughter leaning on the snowman's head is my favorite - it's got a nice casual feel to it.

jimqjr · January 13, 2011

konomaniac wrote: »

I really like the other two photos you posted - the one with your daughter leaning on the snowman's head is my favorite - it's got a nice casual feel to it.

Thanks

Day at the snow

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