I got published!

[sk8belle]

OK, not nearly as exciting as Geoff M's news, but one of my photos was selected by Parade Magazine and was published on their website today! It's not the best quality as it was taken with a disposable underwater camera, but it came out well enough. I think I may have posted it here once before. If anyone's interested, here's the link! It's the third photo on the slideshow.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Congrats!!!!!

 

[Anewman]

Very nice photo, and toes. Not that I am into that.

 

[aliwolly]

Congrats! Cool pic... and nice toenail polish. How exciting!!

 

[sk8belle]

Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Very cool, congratulations. Nice picture.

 

[fitzperry]

What a great picture--the contrast in the colors is really beautiful. Nice pedicure too.

 

[sk8belle]

I got it especially for the trip. And thank you!

 

[JR6ooo4]

Congratulations! Of course, nice scene as well, but you knew that. heheheh

Mikeeee

 

[RadioNate]

congrats

 

[sk8belle]

Congratulations! Of course, nice scene as well, but you knew that. heheheh

Mikeeee

It was a tough "location shoot", but someone had to take it.

 

[LBAK]

Congrats!

 

[Geoff_M]

I really like the composition of the photo. You really did a lot of "right" things with the image... Particularly your application of the "Rule of Thirds".

 

[sk8belle]

Thank you. To be perfectly honest, that was beginner's luck. Until I started reading this board and another one, which was after this photo was taken, I'd never even heard of the "Rule of Thirds". I'm not sure I quite understand it yet, either.

 

[Geoff_M]

I'm not sure I quite understand it yet, either.

It's pretty simple, the logic is that in order to make an image that people will find interesting, you need to make it look "different". By that, I mean you want and image that hasn't been taken a million times before. The trick is to try things like a different angle, different light, different composition.

The "Rule of Thirds" works against the natural desire to put the subject of your image "dap-smack" in the center of the image. This desire is probably the #1 producer of "boring" photos. The "rule" to "fix" this is:
1) Take your image and divide it into thirds horizontally and vertically. The end result is a "tic-tac-toe" grid on the image.
2) Ideally, place the object of your photo at one of the four corners of the center box of the tic-tac-toe grid. It will also often "work" if you place the subject along one of the lines of the of the center box of the tic-tac-toe pattern.

Another trick is to "go low" or "go high". "Eye level" photos are another killer of interesting images.

Here's what you did "right", knowingly or not:
1) Interesting angle. Though it was probably taken at your eye level at the moment, most people view the ocean from the shoreline and not a couple inches above the water.
2) Rule of Thirds: Two bonus points... 1: the horizon runs across one of the "thirds" grid line, and 2: your toes are at one of the corners. If you'd placed your toes dead center, you'd have a "dead" image.
3) Grain. I assume your disposable was one of those univeral ones loaded with ISO 800 film. Normally film grain is "bad", but here it make the scene look "artsy".
4) Colors. The gradient blue in the sky, the aqua, and the red nails really work well together.

 

[sk8belle]

Wow, thank you, Geoff, for all of that. As I mentioned previously, I'd heard of the Rule of Thirds, but never learned exactly what it was, so your explanation is much appreciated. And the feedback/critque is most helpful as well. Definately gives me lots to think about the next time I'm out with my camera!

 

[JR6ooo4]

The "Rule of Thirds" works against the natural desire to put the subject of your image "dap-smack" in the center of the image.

We always said "smack-dab" in the middle.
Interesting...
Mikeeee

 

[Geoff_M]

We always said "smack-dab" in the middle.
Interesting...

Me too, but I have this mental habit where I frequently go for the "p" when I want a "b" and vice versa. I constantly reverse numbers too, out loud and written. My teachers noted it when I was a kid.