Went To Estes Today

[Hayes]

As the title states, I went to Estes to take some pictures. I am looking for some critiqueing, ideas or thoughts. Please chime in.
Ducks
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/bmhayes/Ducks2.jpg

Searching for Food
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/bmhayes/SearchingforFood.jpg

The Herd
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/bmhayes/TheHerd.jpg

These next few are of the river thatruns behind Main Street.
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/bmhayes/River8.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/bmhayes/River7.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/bmhayes/River6.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/bmhayes/River5.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/bmhayes/River4.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/bmhayes/River3.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/bmhayes/River2.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/bmhayes/Rapids2.jpg


We found this guy on our way out of town.
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/bmhayes/OurLittleFriendHiding.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/bmhayes/OurLittleFriend4.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/bmhayes/OurLittleFriend3.jpg


I think this picture had a lot of potential, but I can't figure out what I should have changed.
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/bmhayes/MainStreet2.jpg

I call this one 'Freedom'. It just seemed like a good name for the picture.
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/bmhayes/Freedom.jpg

This was the Exit Shot on our way out.
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/bmhayes/EstesPark.jpg



Thanks for checking out my pictures and please let me know what you think.
Brandon

[TrailTJ]

With the ducks I prefer the second one. The first seems like it has too much "weight" in the center. Images usually have more balance when you shoot with the rule of thirds, it makes a much better compostion. Also, the ducks heads under water add a lot to the image.

In the image of the herd, I would like to see more of the mountain, again shooting keeping the rule of thirds in mind would really help with your composition in this shot. I think with a snow capped peak in the backround it would really make this a great shot.

Shots of the river seem kinda normal. The second one works the best out of these IMO. Next time you shoot water, try playing with a longer exposure(1/4sec or longer, using a tripod of course), down near the level of the water. Look for a "subject" in the water, such as a waterfall/rock, or some kind of pattern. It really can make some fun shots.

The chipmunks are ok, focus is an issue. Hard direct sunlight like that can be hard to work with sometimes too. When there is a 10 stop difference between the shadows and highlights, it can be impossible for the camera to get a decent exposure without using some fill like some sort of(flash, bounce card/reflector).

The motorcycles with a different location would be a cool shot. Maybe with no traffic light it would be better. When I think of Bikers, I think of windy mountain roads...that would be a good location.

The last image is my favorite. Good compostition, nice exposure, sharp. I don't mind the haze on the distant peaks, I think it makes it feel more natural like that.

Nice shots overall! :thumbsup: Keep shooting!

[Hayes]

Thanks for your input. Please explain the rule of thirds to me. I don't know exactly what that means.

[TrailTJ]

You basically divide the image into thirds horizontally and vertically. Using the rule of thirds you would want to place your subject on one of the intersections of the lines or on the lines. This is just a basic place to start when framing your shot, it is in no way how every good photo is composed. There are many ways to make a great composition. Anyway, it looks like this:

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o3/tmydenver/Untitled-1.jpg

[Hayes]

Thanks

[mrutledge]

Assuming you're using an SLR style camera... Did youh ave any sort of filter on the lense? If not, a polarizing filter might help with the water/duck shots. Other than that, You can tell it's a bright day. Not much you can do to fix that.

Enough about being critical. I like the pictures of the ducks. Ducks are funny. I've been told I have a fetish about that. It's hard to catch the drakes head color in the bright light. (OK, a little more critical...) The stream pics are good.

As to the other comments about the elk herd and the thirds, with more zoom it would be possible to get one or two elk to be the main body of the picture and have the rest of the herd be the other 2/3. I'm always a fan of that. The exact same shot in a month when the grass is green would be really neat to see. In the fall when the bulls have full racks would be great as well. All that being said, I like the shot as it is.

Now, I really don't know much about taking pictures so don't take anything I said too seriously. I like the pictures. What's more important is that you like the pictures.

-Matt

[Hayes]

I have some sort of filter on my lense...not sure what it is though. I am new to photography and need to take a class but I don't have the time right now. Working 6 ten hour days, going to the PT 3 nights a week and going to the gym to run 3 miles 3 times a week. Trying to find time to work on my rig and take some photo classes is just too much right now. Maybe when winter rolls around I will take a class when things calm down in my life.