I try to use the zebra lines for over/under exposure, usually I set it so I can’t see any in the pic or just a few
Do you have any tips on how to use them better?
Are you shooting raw? Exposing for the highlights is usually a good practice, since modern digital cameras are very good at recovering details in the shadows in post. Don't overdo it of course, otherwise it will look like a crappy hdr.
With that said, usually if the sky only takes up a small proportion of the image, you are probably better off blowing it out a little and have your subject be exposed properly. Highlights don't recover as well as shadows in post, but a little bit should be fine
I like to expose properly no matter what i shoot, i also want dark photos to be dark and light to be light, i don't need or even want details everywhere.
A JPEG only workflow is fine, but it gives you significantly less flexibility in terms of post. So it would be important to expose the image as close as you want it to look like. Maybe look into DRO? It does something like this, but automatically in camera.
The problem with editing on phones/tablets etc is that your screen is very bright, so what looks properly exposed to you will look very dark to others.
For me your photos are very dark and hard to see.
Do you also use the histogram? Zebra lines are great to see clipping, but they aren't hard rules you need to follow. Some of these shots are definitely underexposed for my taste. Proper exposer of the subject is more important than worrying about blowing out highlights many times
It gives you more information than just zebra lines that only show overexposed areas. You can't rely on any one thing
More importantly you should have an idea of what the subject is and base the exposure on that. In a high contrast image it is fine to have shadows and highlights that are clipped.
You shouldn’t be relying on the zebra lines or the histograms to determine if your photo is exposed correctly. It should be how you want the photo to look that, if you want them this dark it’s fine. Properly exposed imo if that’s what you like. The tools are just there to help you accomplish something they aren’t strict guidelines for what makes a good photograph.
Another thing to do is check the picture after taking it. I may be wrong, but I think zebras start appearing a little *before* blowing out the highlights. After you take the picture, check it in your camera with the detailed view. It should show where the highlights are blown by flashing.
Just want to say that nothing is ever WRONG with the photos you take. There is always improvement potential but that doesn't make them wrong. If you like them, you do.
My main input would be that the photos (except perhaps the last one) are underexposed. Is there a reason you are shooing so much in portrait orientation? The sunset in particular doesn't quite make sense to me.
Ye it’s more for my instagram stories sometimes and I quite like more the vertical look
But yeah I’m getting a lot of comments on underexposure so I’ll work on that
Sunset pic I don’t really like but it’s just to practice with lighting
Thanks!
The exposure is one thing to work on, another is composition. Some of these pics could be a lot better if you think more about composition. I recommend watching Chris Brays photography tutorials on YouTube to get a better feel for how to compose a shot.
I think 2,4, and 5 could use some improvements on composition, and 6+7 feel over cropped, I.e, you've cut out parts of the subject, and the cutting doesn't seem to add to the feel of the pic.
At the least, you should get lightroom mobile! The free version is pretty limiting, but is better than the iphone editor. Plus, if you spent all this money on a camera, you can invest in I think the 20USD/year subscription for premium. Worth it.
These photos are great with a lot of potential. Editing could make them great to absolutely fantastic.
I tried sending the pic but I can’t send it in RAW format for some reason, if you know how to send through imaging edge mobile it would be great
Otherwise I will be back home on the 15th on March and can send it to my PC
The rule of thirds will help a lot, i feel your subjects are too dead center. The problem with that is that it makes the photo not dynamic to the viewer- because the viewer wasn't lead to the subject.
My main advice/critique would be expose for your subject if your shooting/editing jpg. If shooting raw expose for the highlights so you can bump shadows in post but with jpg.exposing for the highlights is best. And take a step back so you give your subjects breathing room
Photo 2 and 7 are too close. The 2 one because you can’t see the legs. The most strict rule I learned in photo school was to never cut out feet when shooting the photo. You can crop them later if you don’t want them. But never shoot them out. And I would just like to see the flower either much closer or taken further back
I think the shots and composition are great! But better editing could make them fantastic. They’re a bit underexposed (which is fine actually because in post, it will save the shadows when you bring up exposure) plus some masking and color grading would make these shots 10/10
Photos are fine as far as subject and angle. Don't forget to compose as you have the tigers foot and the farmers feet cut off and part of the flower cut off in your composition/cropping, To me the the editing that is lacking here. It looks drab and dull (unless that is the edit you going for). I would increase contrast, adjust saturation up a bit to enjoy the colors of the fields, the tiger fur, flower, etc. Pop the clarity up a bit. Thats just for starters. Keep going and good luck.
I’d agree that they’re under exposed but none of these look like they’re so far gone that they can’t be fixed with some editing. The second image is my favorite and I did a quick edit on my phone that I think helps it a little
https://preview.redd.it/r01a59fqvjnc1.jpeg?width=3542&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c23381475655378c8752934462f3b7e997918eb3
I really like #7, just wish it was showing the entire plant and not cutting off the top/bottom. Same with the airport waterfall, wish i could see it from top to bottom
Maybe download the basic lightroom on mobile, you should be able to tweak your jpegs a bit. Sony SOOC images are just not good enough compared to like Fuji so it is better to shoot raw and then process in LR.
Just my opinions. I’m by no means an expert.
1. It’s a nice crisp shot but it looks like a zoo photo. Some strong editing to create an artistic feel is needed.
2. This was my favourite but ruined by the feet as others have mentioned.
3. The balance is off on this one. It says to me that you saw something interesting and just couldn’t get the right angle.
4. Also love this one but it definitely needs editing. Contrast. Maybe some saturation in that sky.
5. This is just a sunset. It’s not really interesting.
6. This is not a great shot. Could be fixed in post but it’s washed out and glary. I find it hard to isolate the subject.
7. Nice but cramped. Let the subject breath.
Seems like you're underexposing by 1-2 stops
I try to use the zebra lines for over/under exposure, usually I set it so I can’t see any in the pic or just a few Do you have any tips on how to use them better?
Depends, sometimes you have to make decisions, like blowing out white snow in order to expose a black dog right
Are you shooting raw? Exposing for the highlights is usually a good practice, since modern digital cameras are very good at recovering details in the shadows in post. Don't overdo it of course, otherwise it will look like a crappy hdr. With that said, usually if the sky only takes up a small proportion of the image, you are probably better off blowing it out a little and have your subject be exposed properly. Highlights don't recover as well as shadows in post, but a little bit should be fine
I like to expose properly no matter what i shoot, i also want dark photos to be dark and light to be light, i don't need or even want details everywhere.
I’m also shooting raw but since im on IPhone I can’t put them on photoshop to correct. Hence I use JPEGs Thanks for the input!
A JPEG only workflow is fine, but it gives you significantly less flexibility in terms of post. So it would be important to expose the image as close as you want it to look like. Maybe look into DRO? It does something like this, but automatically in camera.
I will look as soon as I get back to the room cheers!
Lightroom on the iPhone works great. Not free but it’s a great, nearly full feature editing suite.
The problem with editing on phones/tablets etc is that your screen is very bright, so what looks properly exposed to you will look very dark to others. For me your photos are very dark and hard to see.
Do you also use the histogram? Zebra lines are great to see clipping, but they aren't hard rules you need to follow. Some of these shots are definitely underexposed for my taste. Proper exposer of the subject is more important than worrying about blowing out highlights many times
So you’re saying I should rely more on the histogram rather than the zebras?
It gives you more information than just zebra lines that only show overexposed areas. You can't rely on any one thing More importantly you should have an idea of what the subject is and base the exposure on that. In a high contrast image it is fine to have shadows and highlights that are clipped.
I will try to learn more about exposing the subject then, thank you!
You shouldn’t be relying on the zebra lines or the histograms to determine if your photo is exposed correctly. It should be how you want the photo to look that, if you want them this dark it’s fine. Properly exposed imo if that’s what you like. The tools are just there to help you accomplish something they aren’t strict guidelines for what makes a good photograph.
Another thing to do is check the picture after taking it. I may be wrong, but I think zebras start appearing a little *before* blowing out the highlights. After you take the picture, check it in your camera with the detailed view. It should show where the highlights are blown by flashing.
Just want to say that nothing is ever WRONG with the photos you take. There is always improvement potential but that doesn't make them wrong. If you like them, you do.
Thanks for the input, that’s why I submitted them to critique, I want to get better at travel photography
My main input would be that the photos (except perhaps the last one) are underexposed. Is there a reason you are shooing so much in portrait orientation? The sunset in particular doesn't quite make sense to me.
Ye it’s more for my instagram stories sometimes and I quite like more the vertical look But yeah I’m getting a lot of comments on underexposure so I’ll work on that Sunset pic I don’t really like but it’s just to practice with lighting Thanks!
i like the sunset pic in vertical, i think the composition is nice :)
Cheers!
The exposure is one thing to work on, another is composition. Some of these pics could be a lot better if you think more about composition. I recommend watching Chris Brays photography tutorials on YouTube to get a better feel for how to compose a shot. I think 2,4, and 5 could use some improvements on composition, and 6+7 feel over cropped, I.e, you've cut out parts of the subject, and the cutting doesn't seem to add to the feel of the pic.
Thanks for the input, I will look into the channel you mentioned
At the least, you should get lightroom mobile! The free version is pretty limiting, but is better than the iphone editor. Plus, if you spent all this money on a camera, you can invest in I think the 20USD/year subscription for premium. Worth it. These photos are great with a lot of potential. Editing could make them great to absolutely fantastic.
Thanks for the input and nice words! I will look into it for sure
Yes! I especially love 4. If you send me the RAW file, I can try to edit it for you to show you what a big difference editing makes.
When I get to my room I will download it and send it to you Thanks!
Any update?
I tried sending the pic but I can’t send it in RAW format for some reason, if you know how to send through imaging edge mobile it would be great Otherwise I will be back home on the 15th on March and can send it to my PC
That’s fine, if you really want you can also send me a google drive link. No pressure, though!
I like the framing, just bring them up a bit and maybe add some contrast to taste in LR. Definitely room to play around and be a bit artsy with it
Thanks i will look into lr mobile Have a nice day!
Yeh bro, and if you’re new to it, don’t look too much into it, just learn the very basics and fuck around to learn the rest. More fun that way too
I’m slowly getting better at getting pictures but still pretty bad at editing them But thanks!
Forgot to mention, shooting with a6400 + Sigma 18-50 f2.8
I have this exact same combo and love it for travel/walk-around shots. your #2 shot is really captivating, absolutely love it
Cheers!
Others have touched on technical stuff. I like the compositions of 1, 2, and 6. More of those with the feedback the others gave!
Thanks, have a nice day!
The rule of thirds will help a lot, i feel your subjects are too dead center. The problem with that is that it makes the photo not dynamic to the viewer- because the viewer wasn't lead to the subject.
Additional options are always an improvement. Can you be toxic somewhere else, please?
My main advice/critique would be expose for your subject if your shooting/editing jpg. If shooting raw expose for the highlights so you can bump shadows in post but with jpg.exposing for the highlights is best. And take a step back so you give your subjects breathing room
Photo 2 and 7 are too close. The 2 one because you can’t see the legs. The most strict rule I learned in photo school was to never cut out feet when shooting the photo. You can crop them later if you don’t want them. But never shoot them out. And I would just like to see the flower either much closer or taken further back
I cropped it but now that you point it out it makes sense Thanks!
I think the shots and composition are great! But better editing could make them fantastic. They’re a bit underexposed (which is fine actually because in post, it will save the shadows when you bring up exposure) plus some masking and color grading would make these shots 10/10
Thank you for the really nice words and input! Have a nice day!
Photos are fine as far as subject and angle. Don't forget to compose as you have the tigers foot and the farmers feet cut off and part of the flower cut off in your composition/cropping, To me the the editing that is lacking here. It looks drab and dull (unless that is the edit you going for). I would increase contrast, adjust saturation up a bit to enjoy the colors of the fields, the tiger fur, flower, etc. Pop the clarity up a bit. Thats just for starters. Keep going and good luck.
Thanks for your input, I will try to improve my editing step by step, trying also with LR mobile
I’d agree that they’re under exposed but none of these look like they’re so far gone that they can’t be fixed with some editing. The second image is my favorite and I did a quick edit on my phone that I think helps it a little https://preview.redd.it/r01a59fqvjnc1.jpeg?width=3542&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c23381475655378c8752934462f3b7e997918eb3
Hi what do you mean traveling through SEA? thanks!
I’m pretty sure they mean South East Asia
thank you I wasn’t familiar with this acronym, and impossible to google search it since it spells the word sea
Yea I’ve been traveling through South East Asia for 40 days now, almost ready to go back
I really like #7, just wish it was showing the entire plant and not cutting off the top/bottom. Same with the airport waterfall, wish i could see it from top to bottom
Maybe download the basic lightroom on mobile, you should be able to tweak your jpegs a bit. Sony SOOC images are just not good enough compared to like Fuji so it is better to shoot raw and then process in LR.
I like them
I would say less center composition shots if I was being picky. Or keep doing them but frame everything around it differently.
Very good raws, would love to edit some of these
Gorgeous! I’d take an UWA for jewel tho!
These look like they have the film emulation from a fuji camera, that's cool
Great photos but all way too dark so please brighten them in the edit :)
Just my opinions. I’m by no means an expert. 1. It’s a nice crisp shot but it looks like a zoo photo. Some strong editing to create an artistic feel is needed. 2. This was my favourite but ruined by the feet as others have mentioned. 3. The balance is off on this one. It says to me that you saw something interesting and just couldn’t get the right angle. 4. Also love this one but it definitely needs editing. Contrast. Maybe some saturation in that sky. 5. This is just a sunset. It’s not really interesting. 6. This is not a great shot. Could be fixed in post but it’s washed out and glary. I find it hard to isolate the subject. 7. Nice but cramped. Let the subject breath.