Point & Shoot basics

[Dene]

Hi.
i seen the thread rule of the third
is there any basic yes/no about point and shoot photography to follow

and with good / bad pictures can much be learned from a photo's EXIF Info
and the settings that work well

Camera wise i wont be upgrading in the near future unless the employment situation changes.

Thrybergh Country Park.Rotherham open all year and if anyone is in the area Conisbrough Castle is only about 3 miles away too

some i took Saturday in overcast/Sunny conditions.
Thanks,Chris
1

2

3

4

5

 

[a1ex2001]

These are not bad at all for a first go with limited understanding, you've clearly thought about the composition with each one and had something in mind when you released the shutter.

1. The composition is a bit to central and you seem to be looking down on the subject, get lower and recompose so she is to one side of the frame.

2. Is probably my favourite nice composition with the framin bushes decent lead in with the path etc.

3. Good use of the rule of thirds, but sadly a demonstration of when using it doesn't necessarily make a great picture, theere is alot of water and not much interest beyond it would have worked better with some foreground interest like a big rock or jetty.

4. Doesn't really work for me

5. Again nice lead in lines and framing trees, probably a bit to much foreground path a slight zoom would have helped the composition.

Finally as a general point all the shots would probably benefit from a gentle tweek in something like Gimp to boost the contrast and sharpness.

 

[Dene]

Thanks.Alex
all taken in.
next time i hopefully will have more time to concentrate more on the pics and not trying to keep 6 kids in order

 

[Alastair]

One tip that would apply to all the examples.. try changing your view point, in particular get yourself closer to the ground. This change in viewpoint has a very positive effect on the composition in many scenes, foreground details become prominent, vertical elements start to break above the horizon line, etc.

For general composition ideas, going beyond the rule of thirds, have a read of Michael Freeman's The Photographer's Eye.

 

[PatrickO]

I think you've got an eye for a good composition. I especially like #3 - gives a real sense of space and the wide open water.

In terms of equipment - it's been said many times that it's the photographer not the camera that's important. Mind you I'm as bad as anyone a being tempted by shiny new equipment which I foolishly believe is gonna compensate for my lack of skill!