Rate this picture

RockTracXJ

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Colorado Springs
1-10, I say 9.7

What say you?

201008160556.jpg
 
The picture is awesome the quality sucks, what camera did you use?

Digital Rebel XTi. What makes you say the quality sucks?
 
I like it, but I'd use the 2/3 rule and put the Jeep off to one side and pan out a bit. The eye is confused by the action of the waterfall above as it naturally moves from left to right and left again when contemplating the content within the photo. Also, the contrast is a bit troubling. I know you want the Jeep as the main subject, but it blends into the background too much and the abrupt edge of the gravel road is disconcerting. I also agree with the previous comment regarding pixelation.

I rate the Jeep a 10+, however.
 
I like it, but I'd use the 2/3 rule and put the Jeep off to one side and pan out a bit. The eye is confused by the action of the waterfall above as it naturally moves from left to right and left again when contemplating the content within the photo. Also, the contrast is a bit troubling. I know you want the Jeep as the main subject, but it blends into the background too much and the abrupt edge of the gravel road is disconcerting. I also agree with the previous comment regarding pixelation.

I rate the Jeep a 10+, however.

Wow, that's quite the critique! Yes, the Jeep to the side a bit more would be good. I think there is good contrast with the black Jeep and green background. Also, as a bit of background, I had to tell my brother to back his Jeep out of my shot and I had to get the shot quick before the next group of tourists pulled up, hopped out, and started milling about, so my composition time was pretty limited. The falls in the background are Bridal Veil Falls near Telluride.

How about this one, Jeep's to the side a bit more and a bit darker exposure - I think a bit more menacing.
201008160557.jpg


Here's some high-res for you:
http://a.imageshack.us/img828/7103/201008160556.jpg
 
Nice shot but I would agree to put the jeep on one side, you could just crop it over:

RateFix1.jpg


Remember to have the Subject, in this case the Jeep, facing into the frame! Not leaving the photo!
 
Some very fast photoshop work, but you can see where it is going:

RateFix2.jpg


But it is a good shot, I would give it a five or a six out of ten.
 
i know nothing about taking pics, but as someone looking, heres what i think...

shot is great, but jeep on other side of pic?..seems like all the action/interest if to the left of center and the right of center leaves you unsatisfied with just a couple random rocks and then trees that hold no value...


jeep on right, shot aimed higher to show origin of waterfall and more of an upward shot, will make the jeep seem alrger and lookin at teh waterfall will guid you to the jeep instead of the jeep and waterfall fighting for attention....


but thats just how i see it :dunno:
 
there is a jeep in the way of that waterfall.
 
In terms of exposure, I'd say it looks good. The only thing you could have done that would be cooler would be to do a 5 second or so exposure to get the milky effects of the waterfall flowing.

Lighting isn't bad, but the rocks by the waterfall are a little dark (maybe it's just my crappy monitor) and so is under the jeep. Some might like the reflection on the windshield. For some shots it works, for others it doesn't. I don't think it does in this one because the right edge of the windshield has rocks in it again. If it was all clouds I'd like it more.

Composition, as mentioned- follow the rule of thirds. Personally, I'd have turned front wheels straight ahead. I think it would look better for this shot.

Other than those things, it's sharp, good WB, and good contrast.

I hope you don't think I'm being harsh, but the phrase "rate my picture" can sometimes be an ego-punisher.

What settings did you use to take this camera/do you have the EXIF data?

I consider pictures that I rate at a 9 or above to be worthy of framing. I mean no offense to the photographer when I say that this one is not worthy of framing. I would give it a 5 overall. I don't consider knowing how to use the camera to be a variable of how good a picture is - you should know how to use what equipment you have (which it seems that you do)
 
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I like the original picture a lot, I'd have to agree with in4aride that it would be better if you could see the origin of the falls, and/or crouch down and make the jeep seem larger. I'm not sure what was on the left side of the scene but maybe you could have included more of that. Looks good overall, I like the exposure. It would have been neat to see it with a longer shutter speed. I rate it as an 8.5
 
Some very fast photoshop work, but you can see where it is going:

RateFix2.jpg


But it is a good shot, I would give it a five or a six out of ten.

I do like those changes, they make the picture better. But at the same time it seems like something was lost. That's not a real picture anymore, it's some gray area of picture and creation. I think both can be good, but the purist in me wants the picture to remain as the camera captured it.
 
It seems there can be a couple of ways to rate:
1. Against other pics, the pics you generally see of Jeeps on here, other forums, from your buddies, etc. Using that I'd still say my pic stacks up well, at least in the 90th percentile.
2. Against the ideal, how is the composition, lighting, colors, background, etc. In that case, I'd probably give it a 7-8.
 
One other thing I just noticed - The CB antenna. I'd photoshop that out. Also, the lighting looks much better on this monitor than it did the one I was on previously.

It seems there can be a couple of ways to rate:
1. Against other pics, the pics you generally see of Jeeps on here, other forums, from your buddies, etc. Using that I'd still say my pic stacks up well, at least in the 90th percentile.
2. Against the ideal, how is the composition, lighting, colors, background, etc. In that case, I'd probably give it a 7-8.
#1 - I agree. Most people have half-blurry crappy cell phone pics.
 
I do like those changes, they make the picture better. But at the same time it seems like something was lost. That's not a real picture anymore, it's some gray area of picture and creation. I think both can be good, but the purist in me wants the picture to remain as the camera captured it.

I Agree 100%, it would need to be reshot like that.

I think it could be a better shot if it was to just moved over a little and like others have said get more of the falls in the shot.

Still the origional is a good shot, worth a nice frame and a spot on the wall.
 
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All of us looove the photos we take of our own jeeps. As an exercise in objectivity imagine that photo was taken by a stranger and it is of a completely different vehicle, say a stock jeep. Now how do you like it? Another test is to see how it ages. Will you still love that photo as much in a year or two as you do right now, a mere week after you made it?
Also, as a bit of background, I had to tell my brother to back his Jeep out of my shot and I had to get the shot quick before the next group of tourists pulled up, hopped out, and started milling about, so my composition time was pretty limited. The falls in the background are Bridal Veil Falls near Telluride.
This tells me that your photo was one of several taken that day of the same scene with the main variation being the people or vehicle in the photo. You are more likely to wow your audience with a unique subject. It is not unique if you have to compete with the masses to get your photo. If your subject is common then making a pleasing composition with it will help it stand out. Groupings of 3 is always pleasing to the eye. Try cropping your photo as a vertical to create a group of 3. You will loose the spent flowers and fuzzy pines on the right side of your existing frame and create a nice, simple grouping of three for the eye to follow through your photo: jeep>single tree>waterfall. Simple is good, viewers do not have to work to enjoy your photo. :)
 
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