Ecuador!

Hi everyone!

I wondered if I could get some critique for these photos - I havent done much photography before so I would really appreciate it These are all from over the summer.

Spoiler

rsz_1p8130295.jpg (85.8 KiB) Viewed 158 times

^ We swam in the pool of this waterfall

Spoiler

rsz_p8140299.jpg (102.17 KiB) Viewed 158 times

rsz_p8130298.jpg (87.82 KiB) Viewed 158 times

^ These two were actually taken from practically the same spot as each other xD

Spoiler

Untitled.jpg (19.68 KiB) Viewed 158 times

rsz_p8190391.jpg (80.23 KiB) Viewed 158 times

^These two are of Leon Dormido [Kicker Rock] in the Galapagos.

Spoiler

rsz_p8210434.jpg (72.21 KiB) Viewed 158 times

^ In Santa Cruz on the Galapagos

I think that these are good- perhaps try to make the colors more vivid to really bring the pictures alive? I would also try to watch how clear the focus is, and try to get at things from new perspectives. A great deal of photography is presenting same old objects/scenes in altogether different ways. you want weird angles and emotions attached to things that they don't normally have. That type of thing.
However, I do think that these are good- you have an eye for interesting subjects. c:
I'm not awesome at reviewing photography so... that's all I got.

Looking forward to seeing more from you though! ^_^

-Coral-

The photos are great! My favorite was the one of the stream and the light coming in through the trees. It's a great use of sunlight.
I also adored the colors in the photograph of the rocks out in sea. The blues were magnificent.
The only thing I would say is that for the last photo of the beach, the sky and water blend together. I think because of the time of day or maybe it was before a storm?

Hellloo there! First off, I think that every single one of these photos has the potential to be good. You definately have an eye for what looks good and what makes a pretty picture. The jump is to turn "pretty vacation pictures" into photography pictures. So far, I think that you are on your way to doing that, and that these pictures are good base lines.

My main gripe about this group of photos is pretty simple. You've taken all of these (except one) at what looks like high noon. This is a problem for you, just because it blows out your highlights and generally makes the photo look bland. I know that you were on vacation, though, so it can be difficult on you and your family to keep returning to the same spot to get a decent picture. what kind of camera are you using? If you are using an SLR, then look into buying a UV or polarized filter. (SLRs are those big, bulky cameras that have interchangable lenses.) Filters are pretty cheap, and they will a) save you from have to buy an (expensive) new lense and b) reduce the glare of high noon if you are forced to take pictures at that time. If you are using a simple point-and-shoot (which are by no means second-best), then you probably can't get a filter. My suggestion, then, would be that you try to keep the sky out of your pictures as much as possible. Focus on small things at noon, not big landscapes like you are attempting here. That might help with your highlight problem. On a side note, I'd also suggest that you download a really simple (FREE!) image editing program (like Picasa, by Google). They have tone adjustments that you can use to calm down and liven up your picture, should you need to.

Okay, sorry if that sounded really harsh. That's not what I meant it to sound like.

Okay, I'll start going through these on by one. I'll mainly be talking about composition, since I've already covered the blown-out-highlights part of them:

1) This is a bit bland, but I like the concept. If you were to attempt another shot like this, I'd try to get less of a head-on angle. Just get down on your knees and shoot some on the pool as well. Another thing - that thing (zip line?) at the bottom right is very distracting. I'd be careful about having little distractions in your photos like that.

2) It is because of this photo that I want you to get a program like Picasa. This is a REALLY nice shot, but those darn highlights! Do you see how the little patch of sky seems to cascade down to make everything really pale? That's what I'm talking about in highlights.

3) Again, good concept, but the angle can make or break a picture. The highlight problem doesn't help, either.

4) Now, THIS is a nice picture. You've almost framed that big rock formation in the background with the two strips of land in the front. This is a great picture, with a really nice color-scheme. You've got a good focus here, too, which is a small problem with the other pictures. Seems like it was a foggy day, which I like!

5) I don't like this picture as much, because it seems crooked and incomplete compared to the other one. The previoius picture almost had a geometric quality to it, whoch doesn't transfer over. You focus isn't as good here, either.

6) Right, this has to be one of my favorites of the bunch because it DOESN'T have the highlights problem that the others have. And while this photo has the potential to be the best one of the bunch, it lacks a focus. I'm not sure what you wanted us to be looking at here. Try to make sure each of your photos has a focus.

Okay. I'm really hoping that I wasn't too critical of these photos. I REALLY think you have potential to be very good, but you just need to jump into "photographer" mode. All I'm trying to do it push you in that direction, because I love seeing new people doing photography! My biggest suggestion for composition would be to play around. I'm assuming you have a digital camera, because you are uploading them here. You have memory cards! That's the beauty of it! Play around, take TONS of pictures of one subject, all at different angles. From my experience, half of them will probably be junk, but there WILL be a couple that are amazing! Anything that catches your eye, snap a photo of it! Play around, goof off!

Okay. This turned out to be a HUGE review. I hope it helps. Let me know if you have any questions, and drop me a line when you put out more photos!