Open to suggestion

[Mad Aussie]

It's gets harder to give detailed critique with so many photos. Much better to only put a couple in each thread we find.

One thing I forgot to mention was the horizons in the water shots. It's usually better if you straighten the water horizon as it's always dead level in nature unless it's a fast flowing river or something.

Looking at the one of the man in the water ... I think that might make a nice B&W due to the very black sillhouette and the very white areas. I like the composition for the same reasons marko does but I find the colours to be washed out hence wondering if B&W might help.

The one of the woman at the table ... looks like a good composition and lighting. I'm guessing the processing is because it's not sharp or something? The processing I don't find appealing as it has ceased to be a photo now and is more a graphical image.

I like the colour version of the rails better. I think the afternoon glow in the trees helps to add some interest here.

I hate cancer ... for very similar reasons to yours.

[Marko]

I really like the sloped horizon in the shot with the man in the water ...but this is a rare exception.

Normally as MA correctly points out horizon lines should be straight.

[Bambi]

I have no idea why I'm weighing in here when you are getting such excellent feedback from MA and Marko but I have to say that I like the colour of the railway much better then the black and white. I get what you are saying in regards to the symbolism. I have had many family members battle cancer, some successfully some not. but for me the colour adds the idea that even in the middle of a journey that you don't know how it will end, there is still colour and beauty all around us.

just my !

[cadcamslave]

The shot of the older gentleman gathering oysters was shot with my old N90, but with a tripod that had a bubble level on it, the slope is actually the curvature of the shoreline, but I appreciate the input greatly.

The shot of my wife in the kitchen was the same thing. Unfortunately, as you all quickly noticed, I had the film developed and burned onto a CD and they did a really crappy job, so I did as much editing as I could to make up for the rotten scans.

Then I bought a D100 and had to learn basic camera all over again. I though going digital would make it easier to take good pictures, but I have learned the two are very different.

My greatest lessons here are in composition. Many of these shots were taken as I was driving to or from work, saw something that caught my eye and quickly set up to capture what I saw, with an absolute rookies sense of composition.

The shots on the water, the sunset and sundown pictures were taken along Highway 101 and 106 on the shores of Hood Canal in Washington;

Google Maps

I thank you all so very much for your input, it is invaluable to me.

And all are correct, cancer is one of those things that can easily get the best of you, and in my battles with helping my family through it I have found the best thing you can do is not let it get on top of you; if you do it wins.

What type of schooling would you suggest I enter into to hone and better my pictures?

Thanks again!

Scott

[Mad Aussie]

The shot of the older gentleman gathering oysters was shot with my old N90, but with a tripod that had a bubble level on it, the slope is actually the curvature of the shoreline, but I appreciate the input greatly.

Sorry but that's definitely not shore curvature. Your bubble is broken
If that shoreline was correct as it is now ... then every building on that far shore has been built at about a 20 deg negative angle! Over that distance the water line should definitely be straight across (not allowing for some lens curve if it's a very wide angle) and those buildings would also be level.

What type of schooling would you suggest I enter into to hone and better my pictures?

Just hang around here for 6 months and listen and try the advice you get. So many people become MUCH better photographers by letting go of their current knowledge and expanding their skills by doing so.

[cadcamslave]

Sorry but that's definitely not shore curvature. Your bubble is broken
If that shoreline was correct as it is now ... then every building on that far shore has been built at about a 20 deg negative angle! Over that distance the water line should definitely be straight across (not allowing for some lens curve if it's a very wide angle) and those buildings would also be level.


Just hang around here for 6 months and listen and try the advice you get. So many people become MUCH better photographers by letting go of their current knowledge and expanding their skills by doing so.

It definitely is off, you are correct. The devil is in the details.

FWIW, that tripod developed a drooping problem in the head due to a crack in the lock. I finally had it with it, extended it all the way, grabbed it by the collected legs and wrapped it around an alder tree trunk, just to see how tough it really wasn't.

I am a blank canvass, I have already learned much, thank you all.

[jumpinjimmyjava]

Hi cadcamslave. I was wondering if you mind me making my style of edit on your original track posting and uploading it so you can see different artists styles and takes on this capture. If yes, it would be neat to see just how others would edit your original posting - jimmy

[Mad Aussie]

It definitely is off, you are correct. The devil is in the details.

FWIW, that tripod developed a drooping problem in the head due to a crack in the lock. I finally had it with it, extended it all the way, grabbed it by the collected legs and wrapped it around an alder tree trunk, just to see how tough it really wasn't.

I am a blank canvass, I have already learned much, thank you all.

Ah ... so the bubble was doing it's best but the head was drunk

I'm like you ... used to shoot film many moons ago ... figured Digital would be way easier ... but it's not. It's far more complex in many ways ... especially as the post processing is so more involved as well. Also digital photography seems to have created so many different points of view.

In the year I've been coming here I know I've improved greatly thanks to the critiques and opinions I've received here. I had to unlearn some ideas and conceptions I had too. The people here represent a wide array of photographers from the newbie through to practicing pro's and everything in between. Some are specialists in certain areas and others jacks of all trades so to speak. So many great perspectives to take in here and try out and see what appeals to you and your photography.
And in the end, unlike many other sites I've been to, everyone here gives their opinion/advice to help the recipient, no one seems to have a selfish motive. That's gold.

[Mad Aussie]

Wow that's an amazing lake system in your google link!!

You are near Portland/Seattle? The closest thing to a Canadian in the USA

[cadcamslave]

Hi cadcamslave. I was wondering if you mind me making my style of edit on your original track posting and uploading it so you can see different artists styles and takes on this capture. If yes, it would be neat to see just how others would edit your original posting - jimmy

I would be most grateful. Please feel free.