Photo Critique #135

Photo Critique #135

on May 4th 2012 with 39 comments

Friday Photo Critique is our weekly community project, where we publish a photograph submitted by one of our wonderful readers, then ask you all to offer constructive feedback on the image. It’s a great way to learn more about photography, express your viewpoint, and have your own image critiqued!

Quick Ground Rules

  1. Play nice! We’ve deliberately chosen photographs that aren’t perfect, so please be constructive with any criticism.
  2. Feel free to offer any type of advice – composition, lighting, post-processing etc.
  3. You can also link to photographs that you feel offer a great example of this type of image shot exceptionally well.

Without further ado, here is this week’s candidate for Friday Photo Critique!

The Photograph

Photo Details & Inspiration

  • Nikon D90
  • 60mm
  • f/2.8
  • 1/400
  • ISO 1600

A photo of a turtle in an aquarium. I love the the shallow depth-of-field and the colors. I wish I was able to clean up the glass a little.

Photographer: Donovan Swann

Please let us know what you think in the comments – how would you have approached the scene or taken the photo differently? A massive thank you to everyone who commented last week.

The most constructive and helpful comments will be featured on the site. Interested in submitting your own photo? You can do so here!

Tags: critique
 
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Rollover to read this author's bio or click through to see a full list of posts by this author.

I was raised in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. After high school, I left for Western Kentucky University where I obtained degrees in photojournalism and cultural anthropology. I am currently employed by CityBeat, an arts and entertainment weekly in Cincinnati. The work I am doing here is very rewarding and I suspect it will continue to be. I am available for freelance work in all areas of photography.  

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  • DS3

    1. I love the turtle. The colors of the turtle are great.

    to clean up the glass a little bit, I would have run it through photoshop to try and blend out the glass in the bottom or would have cropped that out all together.

  • http://500px.com/tedgiro Ted Giro

    I used to have turtles myself and this is a nice picture overall. My only criticisms would be that you should have cleaned the glass first (I know you mentioned this, but was just agreeing w/you), kept the silicone sealant out of the photo, and perhaps put the turtle’s eye a little more off-center. I’m so focused on his eye in the middle that I don’t naturally look around at the rest of the picture. A little cleaning and better composing would take this photo from “good” to “great”.

  • s@mi_k0s$

    I enjoy the colors in this photo. A lot of it include nude colors then the green on the turtle and the blue in the sky make it pop. It looks a little strange how the top right corner has a blotch of nude colors, next to all the blue. Also, the line on the bottom is distracting. The photo would have a better look to it if it was sharpened and possibly added some saturation. Overall, it’s not an awful photo. It has much potential with a little help from photoshop.

  • Kayla Downing

    I really like this photo. The angle at which you took this is really nice. The colors are very eye appealing and it is just an adorable picture. The turtle looks very happy and peaceful and just totally awesome. I love turtles and this really shows the colors and the attitude of a turtle. I love this picture. I like how the depth of field is limited and just everything about it i love. the lighting is very good also.

  • K@yL@ H3rN

    Honestly, I do not really like this photo because the background is so blurry that it looks like someone did a bad photoshop job. I think the colors of the turtle are so vibrant and bright but the background is so unfocused it makes it looks unprofessional. Also, the rocks underneath the turtle makes me want to the more that the rocks. than the turtle itself.

  • M0r_g@n L0\/1yn

    First of all, nice job on the depth of field in this picture. But there are some things that could be changed to make it better. For example the white blotches on in the foreground. It looks like water spots on the tank the turtle is in. This would be easy to fix by cleaning the tank or if you’re good at editing, then do that. Another thing that would make this photo better is if you took the rock behind the turtle and desaturate it along with other reds that are no in turtles colors. Other than that, great photo!

  • ~linds3y~

    I love this photo. I think the color really complements it self. I like how the turtles head is in focus and then how the focus slowly blurs out. The water line is a little distracting so personally i would have cropped that part out, but i like the picture otherwise (:

  • Matt J3NK!N5

    I really like this photograph, the depth of field was done very nicely. The contrasting colors are really good looking too. The few things I don’t like about this photograph is the blue in the upper right, I feel like it really takes the focal point away from the central subject. Also the tank could have been cleaned before the picture was taken. Overall a decent photo though.

  • Randon Lice

    I think the photo is pretty cool! It seems like the colors were tweaked with a bit, but definitely for the better. Great timing with the turtles head compared to the distance of the glass. It helps sharpen the parts that actually need sharpened.

  • m!k@yl@

    I really like this photo. I like that the turtle is not in the middle. I also like that the front is in focus, while the back is not and the colors on the turtle stand out from the other things in the picture. I think that the tank should have been cleaned up a little so the glass was not so distracting.

  • Tr15tan 5coff!e1d

    This is a nice photo but there are some flaws like there is in almost every photo. First of all there is a line across the bottom from the glass on the tank it is a little distracting. Second of all there is some graininess near the top and bottom left. Before this picture was taken I would have cleaned that tank. Thanks for sharing.

  • Bailey

    The vibrant lines on the head of the turtle with the soft colors in the background from the rocks really make the photo. In the bottom of the photo, the glue and the bottom and the bottom of the aquarium are a little bit distracting. I probably would have used the rule of thirds a bit more so I would have cought the whole turtle or just the head.

  • Chloe’

    I think that this photo is well done. I like the fact that it’s in the rule of thirds and that the turtle is the clarity point, and I really like that everything else around the subject is blurred. I think all the colors add quality to the photo and I also really like the subject. I think it’s adorable.

  • JAZ3

    I like the concept of the photo but i do think it could us some work. the things that might want to look at to be revised is, i would try to take the picture in a more natural setting. i say this because you can still see the tank that the turtle is in. One other thing that could be improved is try to get it more in focus, it might be in focus but it is hard to tell because of the glass.

  • Maddy Evans

    This photo is good. I like it, but there are a few things that are not so great. The most noticeable distraction is the clear strip of something at the bottom of the photo. This really takes away from the effect of the photograph. Another noticeable thing that throws the picture off is the specks all over the place, probably because this picture was taken through glass? The macro is very good though, accenting the turtle’s brightly colored head. The angle and rule and thirds of this photo is great.

  • M@tt Mu3((3r

    I think that this is a decent photo. I think that the biggest problem with it is the foggy line at the bottom of the photo. I think that if the photographer could have lifted his camera a little higher and missed that line will still getting the turtle. Also if you could have taken a sweatshirt or just your shirt and wiped some of the dust off of it, that would have been good as well. I think that the focus is right and the depth of field is good. Overall I think that this photo could use some work, but I like it.

  • B@rryb@ughman

    this photo’s have many problems including all the specs, lighting, and DOF. first of all the specs are a giving, you should have wiped off the container before it was shot. the line from the container would have been harder to fix but you still could have tried. when it comes to light, the shell is to bright. it takes away from the face of the turtle. Depth of field is another problem. you should have changed your F stops so you could see the whole turtle and big rock in the bathroom more clearly.

  • k@t!3*p0ll@rD

    This is not a bad photo, but it could use some work. First thing i noticed was the little line on the bottom of the photo. I have no clue what that is, but it’s distracting. I do like though how the turtle is in nice focus, but only part of the turtle is… i think if they could’ve gotten the whole turtle in focus. Also, i think that if they portrayed that the turtle is underwater a little better (gotten a different angle or something) then that would’ve helped. But, like i said, this is not a bad photo at all!

  • Aubr3y

    I think that this photograph is a beautiful, clean shot of that cute little turtle. The only thing that I would say needed to be changed is the glue line of the tank. I find this distracting and takes away from the cleanliness and freshness of the shot. Rule of thirds is strong and I love the depth of field. Over all, great work and keep it up!

  • http://serhanuygur.nl/ Serhan Uygur

    Hi,

    First of all! I love the overall picture. I would have cropped it more so the turtle would be centred, I think that way the focus would be more on the turtle and like you noted you should have cleaned the glass a little bit haha…

    I am a starting photographer myself, and I love close-ups and macro photography! I would say keep up the good work and keep on snappin’ hehe !!!

    Cheers,

    Serhan

  • http://www.boaconstrictor.hu AdamBotond

    I am no professional by any means, but I have some experience in photographing reptiles. As a reptile keeper, the feeling you tried to capture really came through for me. The exposure is great IMO.
    However, I would crop the image to get rid of the lower part, because the glass sealer (or whatever it is at the bottom) is somewhat distrackting or doesn’t add much to the picture.
    I would also consider replacing the turtle’s eye to the lower right third. Sure, that means the some of the right part will be lost, which may not be critical and could make your picture work better.
    Getting rid of sand or limescale in post production would also enhance your picture.
    These are just my tips, I’m curious to others.

  • Haley

    I absolutely LOVE this photo! It’s nice, clean, and clear. I really like how his eye is the main thing in focus. One thing that I think might make this photo better would be to try to make the shell a little more in focus. I feel like it just cuts off. Another thing I would recommend would be to try to get rid of that weird water line thing on the bottom lower left of the picture. It’s kind of distracting.

  • Briar

    This photo is great, the composition and exposure is really nice, i like how visible and detailed the turtle is, and how the eye’s of the turtle match the color of some of the lines in the turtles face. The only problem i see with this picture are the specs on the left hand side of the photo, other than that i think it’s a great photo.

  • kellie

    I really enjoy the colors of the turtle. I think green and orange go together great. I think the photo would be better if the background was in focus more because right now it is a little distracting to me. The turtle is the main focus so if his whole body could be in focus and not just his head I would enjoy it more. I want the whole body in focus because there is so much detail and color in the turtle and I want to see it.

  • spiderman

    I think this is a very unique photo ! I love how it is out of focus around the turtle, and the interesting pattern on the turtle is in focus, it really draws your attention to the turtle’s face. The photo incorporates the colors from the turtle in the background colors. Very interesting, i love the colors and where the turtle is looking, it makes me wonder where he is looking at.

  • Z@(H3DW@RD5

    This picture is very in focus and i like how the shell and all the rocks are out of focus making it more concentrated on the turtle, but the lighting for the blurred area is a little too red so maybe try turning down the red hues in your pictures.

  • kr!sta $tory

    I think this photo is great but it has some flaws. Im not a big fan about the waterline at the bottom of the picture it’s distracting. I also don’t like the dust in the picture, it takes away from it. I do however like the colors in this photo i feel like if you cropped it down a little to focus more on the turtle it would be improved, i do really like the colors and how the turtle is placed. Its a good rule of thirds.

  • Maddie Stackow

    I think that this picture is just okay. I don’t think it is focused enough and I think it would be better if there was a little bit less of the soft focus around the edges. Another thing I don’t like is the line towards the bottom of the photo. However, I like the turtles head because it is sharp and has a nice color and design to it.

  • Victoria G.

    I absolutely love this photo! I love turtles, and the colors on it are super cool. I agree that the glass needs to be cleaned up a little, but that is the only negative thing about this. The colors are really nice and the turtle stands out in the photo. You did a fantastic job on this photo.

  • jbbaby

    This is a nice photo, but I would change a few things to make it better. I like how the colors of the turtle pop out, but I do not like the blue, blurry background. This blue background takes the focus away from the turtle. I would bring the turtle and rocks into focus and make the background less noticeable. I would also change the levels of this photo. I would make the shadow of the turtle darker. There is also some little white specks in the water. I would use the spot healing brush to make these specks less noticeable.

  • +@b!+h@ (d@\/3)

    I really love how the turtle’s face is in focus and how the background is blurred. I also LOVE how the there is the blurred blue in the background. It makes the reds and oranges in the environment pop and also changes up the background. I think that it would be better if there wasn’t glass between you and the turtle or at least Windexed it before to get rid of the species.

  • Lindsey Sales

    I think that this photo could be easily edited to look better. I’m not saying that this is a bad photo, I’m just mentioning how it would be simple to make it better. By keeping the shell in focus, toning down the blue in the background, and getting rid of the two little orange pebbles on the bottom of the frame. By editing this photo a tiny bit, you can imagine how great this photo could become!

  • Haley Schneider

    Hello! I think you did a nice job with your picture but there are a few things that I noticed. To make the picture stronger, I would of kept the whole turtle in focus. The picture is too light for me. To bring back more of a contrast, I would darken the photo. The line across the bottom the picture is distracting, I would clone it out. Otherwise, I like the angle you shot it at. Keep up the good work!

  • k@r@ ____–$+0r__y

    I think overall this is a nice photo. I wouldn’t say this is my favorite photo however. I think that the greens and oranges on the turtle could pop a little more. I feel like the turtle is the same color as the tank and rocks which makes the turtle blend in, and since the turtle is your main focal point it should grab my attention to it. I can also see what looks like dust all around the photo which doesn’t help the picture either. I like how the turtle is in focus but behind it is blurry, I think this is helps make it stand out. The water line at the bottom is distracting, but you had great technique overall.

  • C@!+1!n Mu11@1y

    I really like this photo. The exposure is good, it is nice and clear, and the colors are good. I don’t really like the line at the bottom on the rock though. I think it’s water, so there’s not really anything you could do about it, but it’s a little bit distracting. I like that the background isn’t too busy and has a small depth of field, so your eyes are easily drawn to the main focus, the turtle. One thing that might have made it a little bit stronger is cropping it so the turtle is more in rule of thirds. You might have to cut off part of the body, though, so that would detract from it. Overall, this is a nice picture, good job!

  • $@m !_EE

    I agree that cleaning up the glass would make a significant difference in the quality of this photo. I think another factor that doesn’t exactly aid in that effect is that a very high ISO was used, creating an awful lot of digital noise which made the dirty glass look worse. Maybe your camera does not have the capabilities, but a low ISO and clean glass would definitely be preferable to get the best quality in your image. I do like the effect of the shallow depth of field which only focuses on the head and part of the shell. I think if you were to increase saturation on the head of the turtle, it would really highlight the vibrant blue lines on the head, making the subject much more interesting. Hope this helped!

  • http://frymanfoto.com Bill

    Really like the colors in the turtle. Like many others, I find the line of sealant across the bottom of the photo distracting. I would liked to see a bit more depth of field so that at least the front quarter to third or the turtle’s shell was in focus (the edges there are just a little too soft for my taste). I agree with you about cleaning the tank but sometimes that isn’t possible. You might be able to do some clean up in post processing.

  • http://digitalwhims.com Denny Weigand

    Next time use a longer lens/ close the aperature to f/16 or f/22 and DOF will be greater. f/2.8 is too wide open…note the only clear item is the eye. The dirty glass doesn’t help but is surmountable in post-processing. Crop to the face and off the blue and you will have a stronger image/…un-center your subject and give it rule of thirds composition.

  • G@RR!C_R0W3

    i like the idea of the picture but the glass is real foggy, but at the same time it gives it a glow to it and makes the background unclear adding a deep feel to it