Photography for Beginners Photo

Photographer’s Note

Photography for Beginners (PfB) is a new Theme that I will create for a series that I wish to present on this site, starting with this one today. The idea came to mind while I was trekking the mountain today, exploring a new waterfall and a new route. For my past 200 posts and viewing all the galleries here, including receiving and giving critiques, doing workshops, I am convinced that I have picked up improvements to my digital photography and outlook on the environment. There are many members that I have to express my appreciation for the tips and pointers shown to me during this period, but rather than naming them, I now choose to start something which will hopefully be of some use to newcomers.

I hope that other more experienced photographers will give constructive critiques and add more pointers through such process, to add meaning to the series. It is fine if you give some encouragement or praise to boost my ego (we may need it from time to time when we are losing steam on photography interest?), but more importantly, your critiques which help myself and others can become of more value.

Themes on this site can be into many unlimited areas.

------------------------PfB 1--------------------------
For this photo, I had a polarizer filter to bring color saturation but which may cut out the light by lowering the shutter speed a few stops. So it is useful to use a tripod for a good shutter speed.

My ISO200 was to enable a faster shutter.

For framing the composition, the kit lens 18-135mm was stretched to 135mm limit so that I could avoid the concrete wharf at the right side. The vertical composition too was to avoid unnecessary distraction as the boat was moored to the concrete wharf. I tried to capture the little boy showing part of the boat - the boat where he lived as his home.

The late afternoon sun was good and bright for a nice contrast of color, and the fishing boat was always a good subject for this purpose. I included the partially torn Malaysian flag, and the wooden post at the right would be my limit of frame.

What was my motive for this shot? The boat? Or the boy? My 1st choice was of course the boat, then the boy came walking out, saw me and tried to hide. But before he disappeared, I whistled, and caught some of his attention, shot a few frames before he was gone.

For me, this may not be a great shot. But it showed the kind of boat at the Kuching Waterfront with blue water of Sarawak River, and thrown in the light+shadow on the boat. In Malaysia, most towns are located near to riverbanks, so you will find such a place a good practice for photography at early morning or late afternoon.

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Ok, a bit of information about computer software to EDIT your photos before you post on this site (remember the max 800pixel and min 250pixel upto 300kb filesize for posting and workshop as well).

Free software you can download to EDIT photos
Irfanview
PhotoFiltre
Paint.Net
Gimp
Raw Therapee

...among many others

Thanks folks, that is all for today. Cheers, bill

ls7902, zmey, Kielia, Gerrit, MarianneS, LamCam, adamchewts01, hispic, shevchenko, snunney, patdeph, parbo, danos, pierrefonds, avene, Colombiana, lrw1966, bobocortis, tomszat, stego, jusninasirun, jvachon, zeca, Cricri, cfreire, adores, Isabelle has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

gildasjan (24255) 2008-09-21 8:52

Bonjour Bill
Des couleurs,une belle lumière et un très bon cadrage de ce garçon qui a l'air un peu inquiet.
Bonne journée
Amicalement
Gildas

ls7902 (6412) 2008-09-21 9:31

Hello Bill,
That's a good and useful theme which everyone can learn as a beginner, and as a refresher course for the more experienced. Good that you are coming up with ideas to make TE more interesting for you and others. I do occasionally suffer from low motivation for posting & critiquing. About the photo: Clean photo with good contrast between light & shadow. Nice color saturation. The boy & tattered flag make for interesting focal points. Good vertical format & diagonal composition. Good luck with the theme. Regards. Latiff.

Hunkar (4998) 2008-09-21 10:42

A good composition with vivid colors..

zmey (7282) 2008-09-21 11:28

hello bill

i like this one. definitely, without the boy this beginner shot even though, would not be 1/2 as appealing to me as it is now, love his straight gaze at you (even if it was cause by your whistle). question: is the boy living on the boat or is just a passenger?

regards,
kristaps

ps. what's up with that tiny dark piece of riverbank at the top? i'd have just cropped it out.

Kielia (8811) 2008-09-21 11:47

Hi Bill,
thank you so much for your instructive note accompanying a very atmospheric composition. I am very much looking forward to further photographies for beginners!
Warm regards
Harriet

Gerrit (36615) 2008-09-21 12:24

Hi Bill,
great idea. A beautiful picture also, with a fantastic explanations of all the decisions made and the reasons why.
Regards, Gerrit

siamesa (13431) 2008-09-21 12:56

Hi Bill,
I liked the varied colours of this picture. Very interesting and beautiful shot. Thanks for the idea to software to edit photos. I have PhotoFiltre and GIMP.I will make download of the others.We ever can learn about photos.An excellent idea you had.
Regards
maria

MarianneS (14706) 2008-09-21 13:14

Hi Bill,
Although I belong to TE for one year, I still consider myself as a beginner and thank you for your note, a very interesting one.
I like your composition too. The same one without the little boy would have less interest. He gives life to your shot. I like this!
Regards,
Marianne

LamCam (3603) 2008-09-21 14:24

Hello Bill,
It is always interesting to discover the decisions made by a photographer on any one shot, but sometimes difficult to recall, or explain, those we take ourselves ( for me, anyway!) Your note covers everything very clearly.
The simple blue, red and green colour range in this shot is good. The boy, however, makes it particularly appealing. He is placed well in the composition, and his shape breaks the vertical line of the doorway very well also.
You have taken on quite a task! I look forward to more of your mini-tutorials.
Best wishes....Maggie

hispic (7399) 2008-09-21 19:48

Hi Bill,
Use of the late afternoon sunlight is very nice. A boy looking at you, Malaysian flag fluttering in the wind, the sea of the background, all of the elements are expertly placed.
Your note is useful and also easily understood for me as a beginner of English.
Have a nice day, Hisashi

snunney (35880) 2008-09-22 1:22

Hello Bill,
A charming composition with excellent colours and contrast. The whole is very nicely balanced but much of its impact comes from the presence of the boy looking shyly from the doorway. The flag waving in the wind adds mood.

mauro61 (16680) 2008-09-22 2:41

ciao Bill,
ottimo inizio di questa nuova serie.
Belli i colori e il soggetto.
Stupende le luci,bravo
saluti,
maurizio

shevchenko (10196) 2008-09-22 2:49

Hello Bill,
Will be arrested hanging a damage flag? I do respect to the poor people still hanging a flag on the boat. I like lighting and shading here make the scene more natural, good exposure, nice blue water, thanks for sharing your shooting experience.
Ally

Giorgio (8834) 2008-09-22 4:02

- Nice ambience on this photo, light and color are excellent, the kid seems mocking but frightened away. Good idea for your theme, bravo!
Greetings.
giorgio

Silvio1953 (43458) 2008-09-22 6:25

Hi Bill, great incoming for a new serie, beutiful composition with lovely child, splendid colors, very well done, ciao Silvio

patdeph (18644) 2008-09-22 10:54

hello Bill
thank you for the note,yes it can be useful for the beginners,and it's very kind of you to explain everything!The liht is superb,and gives wondrful colours!your first choice was the boat,but I think that without the little boy,the impact would be less great!The vertical framed is a good choice to show this boy!It's a nice photo ,Bill,even if you think that it's not your best!
Cheers
Pascale

parbo (11054) 2008-09-22 13:53

Hello Bill,

This is excellently creative idea to start a new theme for beginners. I'm sure they will remember your incomparably valuable information every time. You start with a pro quality photo for first lesson. Wonderful low angled light and your capture is at right time for capturing his expression. Overall quality of frame is in very good sharpness, natural colors as same before. Congratulations.

Best Regards,

Ertugrul

danos (33766) 2008-09-22 14:46

Hello Bill,
you start your new theme with this nice one.I like this characteristic native boat with the little captain and the flag of Malaysia on it.The brilliant light and the vivid colors are splendid elements in your image.Well done.

Regards,Danos

pierrefonds (26835) 2008-09-22 15:42

Hi Bill,

The point of view is showing details and colors of the fishing boat. The presence of the boy is adding life to the photo and it is an extra for the composition. The afternoon light is enhancing the colors and is giving a good contrast to them. The subject is well frame. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Waylim (11391) 2008-09-22 17:57

Hi Bill,
I hope all new photogrphers discover your theme and that they can learn from many good photographer like yourself and many others. There are many out there who can benefit from it. I sure have learned a great deal from even just looking and reading to see what they do to get there. This one is a great image and clearly explained the process. Great job and I love this image and a great example.
Thanks Bill
Way

avene (11252) 2008-09-22 20:49

hi Bill,
great idea about the theme, may be we should dedicate one day of the week for posting photos with as descriptive notes as you have here. 2 grinning green devils for that note alone :)
but back to the photo - I like it a lot. clarity, sharpness, composition - all those elements are just right, and the kid looking directly at you make the photo more engaging. the flag is a great accent, I only wish it was flowing in the other direction :) minot point though, the photo is great as is.

best,
Kristine

marietom (32294) 2008-09-23 9:20

hello Bill,

couleurs et matières sont très belles, de même que la composition, avec ce petit garçon qui semble t'observer.
Bonne soirée
Marie

lrw1966 (1632) 2008-09-23 10:04

Bill Hi:
Marvelous idea, marvelous compositions to start with.
I will tag along and learn as we go, thanks so much, my friend
Larry
USA-tfs

bobocortis (14146) 2008-09-23 10:42

Hi Bill.
An excellent shot and a good idea for beginners. I wish I will get soma contribute to your idea.
Best regards.
Bobo.

Colombiana (2602) 2008-09-23 11:59

Hi Bill!

Sign me up!!

I’ll be your loyal student Bill,.
I am for one, a beginner, and can definitely
benefit from your photographic skills and
and technical knowledge on the field.
I am still trying to figure out what to do
with the so many functions of my new camera,
and it gets a little frustrating because I’d never
being exposed to all the technicalities needed
to produce quality photos.
Thanks so much for adding links to new editing
software…I just realized that the one I have been
using, has been the reason of my images being noisy!

Thanks again, and look forward to learning from you!
Maryori :)

tomszat (1135) 2008-09-23 15:00

Hi Bill,
I love the colours and details, very nice light and good composition, good work,
regards,
Tomasz

stego (22500) 2008-09-24 10:08

Hi Jusni,
This theme of yours is an initiative that has plenty of merit and it deserves all the success.
It's a beautiful image, very achieved in every detail, both aesthetic or technique wise. The boat more or less cuts the image in two by the diagonal, the colours, light and clarity are wonderful, not forgetting, of course, the presence of the little boy looking at us. Clever use of the long focal.
Regards, José.

jusninasirun (10429) 2008-09-24 17:13

Hello Bill. The lesson continues here complemented by a very well captured shot. The choice of tall frame is very good with the light catches on this boat. Sharp details with strong contrast and the boy at the entrance is looking at you, Bill. I am not sure if the the top part should be cropped or not but a bit distracting IMHO. Well done on this lesson and best regards. Jusni

chirasak (575) 2008-09-24 22:26

Hi Bill
you are so kind to make this shot and also your note is really useful for a beginner like me, thanks you so much for much more detail for this shot, you have very well done for this one, i like that your composition, TFS

Regards
Chirasak

jvachon (544) 2008-09-25 8:20

Hello Bill,
What a charming shot of this little boy on the boat.
Very good contrast between light and shadow and a nice rich saturation of colours.
Well composed and framed.
TFS, Joni

jmdias (20213) 2008-09-26 8:00

bill

very interesting view. The boy and the flag are the stars of the compo. I liked the colors, the light is nice too. The subject is a mix of pride and poverty. well done

hugs

jorge

zeca (20026) 2008-09-26 8:32

Its not just for beginners, Bill! It would be useful for everyone as well! Its a good idea, and a very nice photo, with warm lights creating nice colours. I like the compo and its always nice to see Malaysia!
Regards,
Zeca

Cricri (44153) 2008-09-27 9:37

Hi Bill
Trés belle lumiére et couleurs, un cadrage serré qui permet d'appréçier tout les détails et la présence du petit bonhomme, belle compo et note sympat
Have a nice weekend
cricri

cfreire (11677) 2008-09-27 15:38

Hi Bill
Beautiful shot with the inclusion of this little boy with expressive glance. Beautiful colors and contrasts; good control of lights indeed. Well done. Best regards, Consuelo

gunbud (28325) 2008-09-30 19:56

Hi Bill,
Wonderful late day soft lighting brings out brilliantly clear colors and tranquil shadows along the deck of this lovely wooden boat.
The young man seems a bit concerned with your camera as the lovely tattered flag flutters in the stiff breeze.
Very good job my friend.
Regards, Tom

daddo (11659) 2008-10-01 2:17

Hi Bill. So the secret is in the whistle! Lovely work. I love the light, the details, the unfurled Malaysian flag and the cheeky expression on the little fellow's face.nice compact composition where the superfluous is avoided. Well done. Regards. Klaudio.

adores (15853) 2008-10-03 16:04

Hi Bill!
Great idea to create this theme, very useful here! I'm sure it will have a geat success. The photo is great, especially because of the little boy, I'm glad he decided to show up at the door.Your technique also worked very well because the quality is very good, sharpness, colours, light and the composition.May I would have cropped that dark part at the top but even this way I like it a lot!

westcoastgirl1 (1696) 2009-12-01 21:49

Hi Am

This one is my favourite from the ones I looked at in your gallery. Great lighting; Good composition; Compelling little boy; Interesting boat, including the flag.

Greetings from Canada,
Tosca

Photo Information

Copyright: Bill Laucp (trekks) (14336)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-07-06
Camera: Nikon D80, 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6GED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Ni, 2Gb SD, HOYA 67mm CIR-PL
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Photography for Beginners [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-09-21 8:48
Favorites: 1 [view]