Egypt May/June 07

[Ramona]

June 7, 2008 at 10:44 am

Hi,

So… this is my first time putting pics up for critique. I do want to improve, so please don’t hold back – just be nice about it, please :D

The first is a Felucca on the Nile at Aswan:

The second is a picture of traders at Esna, trying to sell their goods from the row boats:

The third is taken before take-off at Luxor:

The fourth I couldn’t resist at the Giza plateau – though I’m not too happy that the men are so far away in the pic.

All of the above pics are unedited and I’d be happy about any tips on how to edit/improve the pics – I am used to Photoshop, so any tips in PS would be great!

Thanks,
~Ramona

[MartinOC]

June 12, 2008 at 12:05 pm

Hi Ramona,

This Travel section is one of the less travelled sections of the forum, I guess because people don’t travel most of the time.
It is also hard to give someone advice, eg try a different angle or time of day which can’t really be followed up. It is better to ask for general advice in sections where you can then go and try something out on the same subjects. Anyhoo…

I was in Egypt 2 years ago, but my 350D decided not to work most of the time so I didn’t get many shots, and yours are better. That said I’ll say what I think.

I think the first one is very good, but the sky though lets it down. The evening or morning are best times to get some colour in the sky, and more contrast for the sail, Egypt has harsh light.

The second is cool, but one thing is that your eye is lead off the bottom, not into the picture. Perhaps a wider angle to get everything in would be better, or a tight angle to pull the focus into one or two of the boatmen. I like the diagonal arrangement, and the colour and subject, its a strong shot.

For number 3 the red truck is not so pretty and also it would be nice to see the whole balloon. Again one where a wider or tighter shot might be better. The sky as well is not so nice all white, but what can you do but wait for the golden hour.

Number 4, as you say, if it was closer and the mens faces where more distinct it would be better. And I think a square crop might be good on this one, for the single pyramid.

1,2 (& 4 if it was cropped in) I like, just some suggestions on what might be better.

I hope that helps.

Martin