Preston Park, Brighton...Rock Garden

[Sandrine Bascouert]

I've just saw some nice pictures of a Japanese garden there:

http://www.openphotographyforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13151

It just gave me the idea of showing some pictures I took last spring in a nice Rock Garden (not japanese) in Brighton.
I'm really looking forward (for once) a critique on these....On both composition and post production.

As usual these are made with my Panasonic Lumix TZ4 point and shoot.

Cheers!

 

[Mark Hampton]

Sabdrine,

I dont have much time as I am taken the son and woman oot - will stop back later when I am no rushed - Nice to see some of your work again btw.

cheers

 

[Sandrine Bascouert]

lost in space

 

[Mike Shimwell]

Hi Sandrine

Very quickly so I can get out for a run:

number 1 - like the composition. Can you tone down the green foliage a little?

number 2 - can you save the sky, it's upsetting the purple tree, and again the green foliage wats turnig down a bit and some separation (grayscale rather than colour)

number 3 - very 3d, but not sure that you don't want the front edge of the rock a bit sharper - is this post?

number 4 - smashing, although I'd (perosnla taste) darken the foliage a very little.

Difficult to offer C&C that isn't based on personal taste when it's down to how bright you like your greens!

Best

Mike

 

[Sandrine Bascouert]

Hi Sandrine

Very quickly so I can get out for a run:

number 1 - like the composition. Can you tone down the green foliage a little?

I can do that yes I like my greens...

number 2 - can you save the sky, it's upsetting the purple tree, and again the green foliage wats turnig down a bit and some separation (grayscale rather than colour).

I wish I have made a -2ev of this one to "save" the sky unfotunately I didn't. I'll try to make a darker version with ACR and combine as in tone mapping...Or just with the blend if slider (see Asher's related post)

number 3 - very 3d, but not sure that you don't want the front edge of the rock a bit sharper - is this post?

I've got it wrong then it's a root... It's not entirely post prod' (the blur is more blurred than in the "card")
I tried to make green and desaturated photo... As my camera is entirely automatic I have tp fake things that I'd make in manual otherwise.

number 4 - smashing, although I'd (perosnla taste) darken the foliage a very little.

I think you're right, I'll try!

Difficult to offer C&C that isn't based on personal taste when it's down to how bright you like your greens!

I cannot myself for the moment (see the signature )

Best

Mike[/QUOTE]

 

[John Angulat]

Hi Sandrine,
Although Mike had some very good observations, I believe all-in-all these are quite nicely done.
It's a testament to talent over equipment.
So many struggle to possess the latest, biggest and best.
You've clearly shown that is not necessary.
Well done!

I've just saw some nice pictures of a Japanese garden there:

http://www.openphotographyforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13151

It just gave me the idea of showing some pictures I took last spring in a nice Rock Garden (not japanese) in Brighton.
I'm really looking forward (for once) a critique on these....On both composition and post production.

As usual these are made with my Panasonic Lumix TZ4 point and shoot.

Cheers!

 

[Mike Shimwell]

No criticism was intended, just my observations.

As you say John, this shows that equipment isn't the key to making good pictures. The first part is actually learning to see what you need to in the world passing by (you do this in NYC!) and then how to express that. In fact, a top dslr would struggle with skys in these circumstances, without care in exposure etc.

Mike

 

[Sandrine Bascouert]

I must agree with you. Can't wait to have these sensations of a heavy, sturdy camera again!

 

[Sandrine Bascouert]

I made them again, with some new adjustments (In ACR mainly), I fail to bring up the sky on the first one (The camera just didn't record enough) so I just put a grey solid colour with some fake limbs of clouds in it - It's cheating, I know .

 

[Sandrine Bascouert]

and a new one, same place

Comments appreciated....