Reply To: Simplified

#31577
Duncan Rawlinson
Keymaster

Hi Peter,

Thanks for submitting another assignment.

Let’s dive right in.

Here is the EXIF data for these photos:

http://photographyicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ngv.jpg
Date Time Original: 2016:02:19 13:13:53
Exposure Time: 1/250
F Number: f / 14
Exposure Program: Manual
ISO Speed Ratings: 1000
Metering Mode: Spot
Focal Length: 50mm
White Balance: Auto white balance
Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 6D
LensInfo: 4
LensModel: EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM
LensSerialNumber: 0000a09d6c
Exif Version:
Flashpix Version:
Color Space: 1
Date Time Digitized: 2016:02:19 13:13:53
Subsec Time Digitized: 00
Shutter Speed Value: 7.97
Aperture Value: 7.61
Max Aperture Value: 4
Focal Plane X Resolution: 1520
Focal Plane Y Resolution: 1520
Focal Plane Resolution Unit: 3
Custom Rendered: Normal process
Exposure Mode: 1
Scene Capture Type: Standard
ExifIFDPointer: 232
Orientation: 1
YCbCr Positioning: 1
X Resolution: 400
Y Resolution: 400
Resolution Unit: 2
Date Time: 2016:02:21 14:07:18
Software: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6.4 (Macintosh)

http://photographyicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ngv-uncropped.jpg
Date Time Original: 2016:02:19 13:13:53
Exposure Time: 1/250
F Number: f / 14
Exposure Program: Manual
ISO Speed Ratings: 1000
Metering Mode: Spot
Focal Length: 50mm
White Balance: Auto white balance
Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 6D
LensInfo: 4
LensModel: EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM
LensSerialNumber: 0000a09d6c
Exif Version:
Flashpix Version:
Color Space: 1
Date Time Digitized: 2016:02:19 13:13:53
Subsec Time Digitized: 00
Shutter Speed Value: 7.97
Aperture Value: 7.61
Max Aperture Value: 4
Focal Plane X Resolution: 1520
Focal Plane Y Resolution: 1520
Focal Plane Resolution Unit: 3
Custom Rendered: Normal process
Exposure Mode: 1
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Saturation: Normal
ExifIFDPointer: 232
Orientation: 1
YCbCr Positioning: 1
X Resolution: 400
Y Resolution: 400
Resolution Unit: 2
Date Time: 2016:02:21 14:07:47
Software: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6.4 (Macintosh)

http://photographyicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/poppies.jpg
Date Time Original: 2016:02:19 11:55:21
Exposure Time: 1/1000
F Number: f / 4.50
Exposure Program: Manual
ISO Speed Ratings: 320
Metering Mode: Spot
Focal Length: 40mm
White Balance: Auto white balance
Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 6D
LensInfo: 4
LensModel: EF17-40mm f/4L USM
LensSerialNumber: 0000000000
Exif Version:
Flashpix Version:
Color Space: 1
Date Time Digitized: 2016:02:19 11:55:21
Subsec Time Digitized: 00
Shutter Speed Value: 9.97
Aperture Value: 4.34
Max Aperture Value: 4
Focal Plane X Resolution: 1520
Focal Plane Y Resolution: 1520
Focal Plane Resolution Unit: 3
Custom Rendered: Normal process
Exposure Mode: 1
Scene Capture Type: Standard
ExifIFDPointer: 232
Orientation: 1
YCbCr Positioning: 1
X Resolution: 400
Y Resolution: 400
Resolution Unit: 2
Date Time: 2016:02:21 13:33:39
Software: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6.4 (Macintosh)

http://photographyicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Turkish-Delight.jpg
Date Time Original: 2016:02:19 11:55:01
Exposure Time: 1/1000
F Number: f / 4.50
Exposure Program: Manual
ISO Speed Ratings: 320
Metering Mode: Spot
Focal Length: 40mm
White Balance: Auto white balance
Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 6D
LensInfo: 4
LensModel: EF17-40mm f/4L USM
LensSerialNumber: 0000000000
Exif Version:
Flashpix Version:
Color Space: 1
Date Time Digitized: 2016:02:19 11:55:01
Subsec Time Digitized: 00
Shutter Speed Value: 9.97
Aperture Value: 4.34
Max Aperture Value: 4
Focal Plane X Resolution: 1520
Focal Plane Y Resolution: 1520
Focal Plane Resolution Unit: 3
Custom Rendered: Normal process
Exposure Mode: 1
Scene Capture Type: Standard
ExifIFDPointer: 232
Orientation: 1
YCbCr Positioning: 1
X Resolution: 400
Y Resolution: 400
Resolution Unit: 2
Date Time: 2016:02:21 13:30:20
Software: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6.4 (Macintosh)

ngv.jpg:

I could immediately tell that this image was warped and distorted and this more anything else took me out of the image. As a photographer you really don’t want people to drop out of having interest in your photos for a technical reason. It’s fine if they’re just not interested because they don’t like the image but you really never want someone to be distracted by a purely technical problem as I was here.

A potential solution to the distortion here is 1, not warping the photo in post and 2, capturing using a tilt shift lens.

There is a great article on that here:
http://goo.gl/S77MhI

I would also advise you to try not to crop in post. Always always always try to get the photo you want in-camera. If that means moving your feet, move your feet!

You’ve done something quite important here. You have use patterns and leading lines to showcase what you think is interesting. In this case the architectural elements on this structure. This is really great.

What’s more the image is very simple and elegant. So you’ve met the requirements for the assignment and done well with this image.

The process of simplification is really a wonderful way to make your images really sing.

It’s so simple but it’s often overlooked, show whats interesting and NOTHING else! Easier said than done but it really is key.

poppies.jpg
In this image the element in the lower left of the frame was a little distracting to me but since it’s shape almost mirrored the shape of the object holding the flowers I feel like it’s not too bad.

Notice here how the camera’s automatic white balance got confuse and the photograph’s color is very pinkish?

Try to always shoot in raw and set your white balance manually. In this way you’ll always be able to fix the color if you make a mistake with your white balance setting.

Turkish-Delight.jpg
This is image is the best of the batch. The lines are nice and the colors are wonderful. BUT, there is one tiny problem. The flowering in the top left corner of the frame is cutoff. If something is part of your area of interest you really don’t want to cut it with the edge of the frame. Or at least do it intentionally if you must.

Overall you’ve done a good job with this assignment. I would encourage you to continue working on this process of simplification.

The one question I ask myself (in my head) is usually “what is interesting and unique about THIS”. It really forces you to identify what is actually interesting and worth putting into a photograph and this should set in motion all of your other knowledge of how to shoot…

I have to say you’re really progressing well and I sympathize with you on having trouble with this assignment. You may find the noise of the world and the visual noise of your environment will encroach on your ability to really simplify. It will be a constant battle.

Go have a look at the works of Steve McCurry one of the greatest photographers alive today:
http://stevemccurry.com/blog

Notice the simplicity and the elegance of every single frame.

If there is an element in the frame it’s there for a reason!

Keep up your excellent work Peter. You are doing really great.

Thank you.