Beginner requesting feedback....

[Policar]

Hi, I've been lurking for a while but just joined. A few months ago I started shooting landscapes on slide film to practice using a spot meter; last month I bought a medium format camera to get better (closer to digital) resolution, to make the expense of shooting film worth it to me.

I have no training in photography but I do have a pretty good technical grasp of how things work (I have a background in video). I don't, however, have access to the most exciting locations and I'm struggling to use the 6X7 frame, which feels very "square" to me. I'm just wondering if I could get some feedback from people with more experience than me on how I can improve my photos. Thanks!













Technical critiques are okay but these mostly turned out how I wanted them to based on what I saw through the viewfinder. I'd like to know how to improve aesthetically, even if that means seeking out better places to shoot or selling my mf gear and going to panoramic or 4x5. Thanks!

[wclark5179]

Welcome to APUG.

You have some nice photographs you are showing here.

This is a good place to learn about photography.

My belief is a person needs to know the basics, practice using them until they become a part of the photographer just like speaking and writing!

Join a photography club, find people who share the same or similar views toward the world as you do. Find someone who can help you along the way who would be willing to be your mentor and coach.

I would say you're on your way as you have some fine photographs here.

Changing gear usually doesn't result in a dramatic change with a photographers images. I believe most of my photographs come from my heart and reflect my view of people and our world.

Stay involved here on APUG.

[Ian Grant]

You've used the 6x7 frame well in each shot so not sure you really have a problem there, after a while a format becomes intuitive.

Ian

[fotch]

Hello Policar and welcome to APUG. Your shots look great to me. I was surprised that you said "to get better (closer to digital) resolution" but then again, I guess it depends on what digital your referring to. I found more resolution in a 35mm negative than all but the larger scanning backs. However, the larger the negative, the better, no argument there.

Good luck.

[Steve Smith]

I like them all and I think you have used the 6x7 framing well. It would take a better person than me to tell you how to improve them.

I don't, however, have access to the most exciting locations

You locations look fine. Where are they?


Steve.

[Bob-D659]

You will get used to the frame size, just shoot a few dozen more rolls. As to your questions/problem, what problem, nice shots, but maybe my first sentence will help a wee bit with your confidence.

[perkeleellinen]

The 3rd photo down is especially good.

[Policar]

Thanks, everyone. I'm getting some pointers from a renowned local photographer in a few weeks (by pure luck he lives nearby) and was kind of nervous about that--so I wanted some feedback first, I guess, since I'm still shooting and deciding what to show him. These are my best shots but I feel like 6x7 isn't giving a very "expansive" feel even with wide lenses, but it may be because the leading lines don't really pull you into the background, except in maybe the first shot.

Most of the shots are from eastern MA, the better ones from a trip to Martha's Vineyard, which is a nice place to shoot because the sun rises and sets over the water and there are cliffs by the ocean. The rest of the state is difficult this time of year, though; there are no long plains or big mountains--it's all low hills and evergreen forests, hard to get a good sunset or find a foreground that's not dark green and prone to underexposure.

Btw, I agree 35mm slide film has about as much resolution as a digital slr has, but the grain structure in color film is pretty pronounced compared with digital or medium format, which makes photoshop work harder with 35mm film and I like to do dodging and burning.

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to APUG.

Your work is good. Learning more about composing can be done several ways. One way is to study art.

Another way would be to read these books:

Perception & Imaging, second edition, Richard D. Zakin, Focal Press 0-240-80466-X

Art and Visual Perception, 50th Anniversary Printing, The New Version, Rudolf Arnheim, University of California Press, 978-0-520-24383-S

Find a way that works for you. There is no best way.

By the way, square is good!

Steve

[keithwms]

If indeed you are a beginner then: well done, you will go very far with your photography. Let me suggest making contact with others (perhaps apuggers) who can see your prints in person.

Regarding composition: there are many ways to improve it, but be very wary of anyone giving quick advice in the form of rules. This is something that you have to work on, through your own experimentation. Meeting with others to discuss their work and yours can help determine what is or isn't effective. But... the "rules" of composition are reinvented with every original photograph.

For my own taste, all but the last are quite successful, although I do get a bit too much GND vibe in the second to last.

Welcome to apug!