Canon 50D: Meadowbrook Hall, criticism sought

[VVFF]

Hello all,

I took my 50D w/ Canon 17-55mm F2.8 across the road to Meadowbrook Hall to play around with my new "toy". My first real excursion with my 50D so still getting used to some aspects of it but fairly comfortable overall. Looking for advice and criticism on these shots. Almost all have been PP in ACR to some degree. I'm trying to push myself to be more creative and am somewhat happy with these shots. Let me know what you guys think.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23727506@N07/sets/72157622462998390/

P.S. No the World Showcase Panorama is not across the road...

 

[WDWFigment]

I think creative composition is definitely your strongest point in these shots. I also like your use of a shallow depth of field where appropriate. From a creativity standpoint, the only shots I really see as lacking at those of the flying horse (?) fountain and the very last shot. I don't really know what you could have done differently, but they just seem like 'standard' shots. Then again, it's okay to have standard shots, too.

As far as criticism, and this may be a personal preference, but I don't really see any 'pop' to any of the shots. I like my shots vibrant, bright, with rich blacks, and a high level of contrast. I think that combination adds a depth to the picture that you don't otherwise get. Again, that could all be personal preference.

 

[YesDear]

I think they look great. I like the color and contrast of Canon DSLR's even if they are not Nikons!!!!

 

[wenrob]

I like the color too. Maybe a smidge more contrast but then I lean towards high contrast.

 

[SrisonS]

I agree with Tom; your composition for most of the shots is great!!!! As far as the flying horse, was there anything behind it (even far away) that could've been in the shot... like a building or something??? If so, you could probably focus on the horse and what it's standing on, and have some nice bokeh of something behind it. And the fact that the fountain effects aren't on, you might want exclude that part of the pic.

I hope you don't take offense to this (or anyone else), but I'm a harsh critic on flower shots (when they're the ONLY thing in the pic... not like the 4th pic there... that one's awesome!!!). A lot of flower pics look exactly the same. In my opinion, I find the best ones are taken very close-up and focus one 1 flower (not one type, but one single flower); and if you don't have a macro lens, to use some interesting angle or composition.

But good luck in learning your new toy. I know you'll have fun with it!!!!!

 

[Docsknotinn]

Your shots look great. I absolutly love my 17-55 f2.8 IS as a travel or walk around lens.
Congrats on an excellent combination of new gear. Have you set the micro adust for your lens yet? If not that's one of the great features on the 50D.

 

[saturndb]

Very nice pictures, I have always loved Meadowbrook Hall, it is very photographic place.


Dave

 

[VVFF]

I agree with Tom; your composition for most of the shots is great!!!! As far as the flying horse, was there anything behind it (even far away) that could've been in the shot... like a building or something??? If so, you could probably focus on the horse and what it's standing on, and have some nice bokeh of something behind it. And the fact that the fountain effects aren't on, you might want exclude that part of the pic.

I hope you don't take offense to this (or anyone else), but I'm a harsh critic on flower shots (when they're the ONLY thing in the pic... not like the 4th pic there... that one's awesome!!!). A lot of flower pics look exactly the same. In my opinion, I find the best ones are taken very close-up and focus one 1 flower (not one type, but one single flower); and if you don't have a macro lens, to use some interesting angle or composition.

But good luck in learning your new toy. I know you'll have fun with it!!!!!

I seriously appreciate the criticism as I'll undoubtedly use it in the future. As a fun little fact to point out...you have already actually helped me. I looked through your flickr site and saw what you had done with creative angles and composition and made me realize that sometimes I'm a bit to "plain" in terms of angles. Now I attempt to take shots that are more "risky". They may not work out...but when they do they are much more interesting. Sometimes it takes some experimentation, sometimes its just looking at your subject and forcing yourself to try an angle that doesn't necessarily strike you as the "correct" one first. Gotta get that engineering mind out of my head when I have my camera in hand

So thank you for already of being of great assistance!

In regards to the horse shot...no there really wasn't anything I remember of interest being around it...however, if I get some time to go back I'll undoubtedly take a second look.

 

[VVFF]

Your shots look great. I absolutly love my 17-55 f2.8 IS as a travel or walk around lens.
Congrats on an excellent combination of new gear. Have you set the micro adust for your lens yet? If not that's one of the great features on the 50D.

Yeah my 17-55mm is at +3 microadjust. I've been between +2 and +3 but over the past days I've tried focusing on something of fairly high contrast in live view and adjusting the focus either way drives the image more out of focus so it appears to be spot on both at wide angle and telephoto now. I do like having that feature as it avoids having to send a problematic lens in!

 

[SrisonS]

I seriously appreciate the criticism as I'll undoubtedly use it in the future. As a fun little fact to point out...you have already actually helped me. I looked through your flickr site and saw what you had done with creative angles and composition and made me realize that sometimes I'm a bit to "plain" in terms of angles. Now I attempt to take shots that are more "risky". They may not work out...but when they do they are much more interesting. Sometimes it takes some experimentation, sometimes its just looking at your subject and forcing yourself to try an angle that doesn't necessarily strike you as the "correct" one first. Gotta get that engineering mind out of my head when I have my camera in hand

So thank you for already of being of great assistance!

In regards to the horse shot...no there really wasn't anything I remember of interest being around it...however, if I get some time to go back I'll undoubtedly take a second look.

Cool!!!! I'm glad I could help, even though I didn't know I already had. But trial and error is what it's all about. You have no idea how many pics I end up deleting after a day of shooting. A lot of times, I'll take about 5 pics of something, and just tilt the camera differently for each time... then go home and delete like 2 or 3... then agonize over which one i like the best.... and a lot of times not even do anything with the pic. But I'm constantly learning how to think out the box, by looking at other people's work. So it's great you're experimenting. And since it's not film, you have nothing to lose!!!