What could I have done to improve this picture ?

-- Chris Rustage (chris@amateur.co.uk), May 08, 2000

Answers

Well, the first thing would be to post it on a server that allows external links -- I have to open the pic in a separate window to see anything but a broken picture link. I'm feeling extra generous today, so I'll give you server space and post this image through my Geocities account for a week or so. Here we go:

The second thing would be to read the rules of this forum. Rule #1 is "no hand of man." While the neatly manicured lawn in the background could be overlooked, the fact that this looks like an entirely man-made canal pretty much disqualifies the entire image.

But since I'm such a nice guy, I'm going to answer your question anyway. You framed this shot so the top of the bank cuts the image in two -- the trees and grass compete with the wall and water, and neither image is very exciting in and of itself. The mist/fog/tear gas/pollution/whatever leaves a nice effect in the trees, but since the image is dominated by the canal it's hard to pay attention to the top of the photo so that's shot. Also, the water itself seems to be a bit dirty; I assume you shot on an overcast day not long after it rained, and you can see the sediment is still stirred up because the water in the bottom right corner (which is overexposed, by the way, as is the sky) looks less like a peaceful stream and more like effluent in a water treatment facility.

Oh, and that twig on the lip of the spillway is distracting.

Improvements for next time? Umm...shoot a natural scene, shoot facing away from where the sun is trying to burn through the clouds, consider slide film as your colors here are pretty muted. Actually, that may be one thing going for your photo -- the muted colors give it an early Impressionist look. There, it's not all bad.

I will give you credit on the time exposure for the water; it lends itself to a nice effect. Overall, though, better luck next time. If you think I'm not being fair, then please feel free to critique the work on my web site.

-- Christian Deichert (torgophile@aol.com), May 08, 2000.