 Jack F. Swallow |
Feedback on my gallery give me some comments.
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- Bob Cournoyer Contact Bob Cournoyer Bob Cournoyer's Gallery  |
I'll bite.....All the subjects are in the middle of the pictures which is kind of boring....on the other hand, all the subjects have great potential if placed properly. Most of the locations look ideal for performing the everpopular "rusty dumpster exercise".....:-)...which would probably yield alot of good shots. Bob
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John P. Sandstedt |
A Pentax 645 is a lot of camera. And, for the moment, it seems as if it's too much. First one should start with a small point and shoot, with zoom lens and fixed focus and speed. Learn to compose [Rule of Thirds, Golden Mean, no disturbing things in front of the subject (that tree is a real downer.] Using the P&S will be cheap, fast and force you to develop your compositional skills. You don't need a medium format to do that. Once you're happy, go back to the 645. But, you need to better consider lighting, contrast, horizontal versus vertical, etc. In general you want to move closer to your subject. But, your shot of the Charles B. Morgan at Mystic needs more of the dock at the botom of the shot. Move away. The self portrait [reminds one of Ernie Kovacs] is the best from a lighting/contrast viewpont - in my opinion.
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Jack F. Swallow |
You over estimate the 645. My other camera is a Cannon AE-1. The Pentax has all the same features, it is sort of like a 35mm on steroids. The point and shoot/digital type camera was developed by guys like Bill Gates (for use by the lowest common denomiator). I prefer at least a mild amount of mental exercise.
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Jennifer W |
Wow, that seemed like a snippy response to some really helpful comments. I only wish people would give me helpful comments like that on my photos. I think the point of the "point and shoot" suggestion was that it would require you more than a "mild amount of mental exercise" because you'd have to focus on the various basics of photography rather than handling the camera. Good luck with your pictures!
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Justin G. |
John was right in mentioning a P&S. It might be less expensive while you hone down your composition skills. Be prepared to expect constructive criticism here. These guys on BP know what they are talking about and aren't afraid to tell you where you need improvement. Photographers will never get anywhere if everyone simply gives the lovable "la-tee-da" comments such as "nice work. great capture" these comments simply don't help anyone.
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Diane Dupuis |
Here's my advice - we all like to hear please and thank you (rather than give me comments which sounds like an order). Other than that I don't like B&W or your manners so I'm not sticking around to suggest improvement on the pics... A medium format camera is a very big step for someone just starting out. Good luck to you!
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Diane Dupuis |
Although - now that I read your bio - it's not clear that you're just picking up a camera - but you do have a sense of humour! So keep up the good work and good luck with your brain tumour! DDK
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John P. Sandstedt |
I must rise to your inane comment above, "The point and shoot/digital type camera was developed by guys like Bill Gates (for use by the lowest common denomiator)." Although it certainly wasn't "digital," the KODAK the first camera oriented to the public [in the earliest days of photography]was, to say the very least, point and shoot. With it, countless numbers of people were introduced to photography and the artform we love was born for the masses. I suspect you bought your Pentax because you got a great price. But, you forgot, "it ain't the camera, but rather, the people holding is - what makes the picture!" What I said holds true. Go buy a PS so you'll be forced to learn composition, about lighting impact, etc. Then, you can graduate [back] to your AE-1 which, based on the 645 results will serve you well. There is the issue, of course - the AE-1 produces a negative in the 2:3 ratio; the 645's is in the 6:4.5. Hope this is too brain-taxing - but, you did say "you needed a little mental exercise."
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John G. Clifford Jr |
I think your pictures are mostly adequate, with the possible exceptions of your self-portrait and of the falls (I like those two). The exposures are good but the compositions aren't compelling. The photos fail to catch my eye. IMO, a great photo draws the eye irrestibly; we want to look at it. (Uploading larger versions would help... try to get 480 pixels on the short side.) Re getting a P & S... there's no need to get another camera if you already have two, and from the pictures in your gallery you understand how to handle them. However, the point about working on your composition was valid, I think. You have some excellent gear... so now the only thing to blame for less-than-excellent pictures is... you guessed it: the photographer. Of course, that's how it is with all of us.
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Steve Warren |
I have a suggestion. If you want PS simplicity, but like the negative size of a medium format, try a Holga. It has a fixed shutter speed of (around) 1/100, and a selector for 2 f stops, f8 and f11, although the design flaw in the camera is that only f8 really works. Once you get passed the light leaks and poor quality, I think you'll be pleasantly suprised. I consider myself a beginner, but the Holga, like John S. suggests with a PS, will force you to use compositional skills becuase the camera itself has so little features. No white balance, image stabilizers, shiftable program, exposure comp, or any other bells and whistles found on todays megabuck digitals or 35mm SLRs. Its just pretty much a simple black box. You can get one from B&H for about 20.00. I have one that I love and shoot with a lot (I'll post pics when I get them developed and scanned). If you love medium format and want to concentrate on the picture rather than the camera, I would try it out. Also, the cheap lens on the camera produces a dreamy out-of-focus effect that can be quite beautiful. By the way, I also shoot with a Pentax K1000, Canon AE-1, and Minolta Maxxum 5QD
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Christopher A. Vedros |
I can't believe anyone on this site would actually recommend a point & shoot camera to someone who has taken or is taking a photography course. It just doesn't make any sense. Once you learn the "mechanics" of metering a scene, setting aperture & shutter speed, there is nothing "too complicated" about a Canon AE-1 or a Pentax 645 that would prevent someone from using it to improve his composition skills. Has anyone taken a basic photography course where the minimum requirements weren't a camera with manual controls? If someone needs to work on improving their composition skills, just say so. There's no reason to drop down to a p&s to do that. Chris
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Steve Warren |
Chris makes a great point. If photo classes with students starting from scratch can use a manual SLR, why not anyone else trying to learn? Use of manual controls can dramtically affect composition. Using shutter spead and depth of field to control blur and move the viewer's eye to the subject are not things that can be done with a PS. Curious as to why it would be suggested? (Although I still say get a Holga)
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