Forum Newbie

[cubs83]

Hey all...I'm new here and to photography. I am a "professional" kayak fisherman and take all of my photos on our fishing outings and any outdoor photo opportunities I come accross...

I used to have a Pansonic Lumix DMC-FZ1 but since then upgraded all the way to the Pansonic Lumix DMC-FZ30.



Lumix® 8 Megapixel Digital Camera with 12x Optical Zoom & MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer, Silver

I am an amatuer with my camera, settings, photoshop, and little nuiances (sp?) I can do to make my pictures clearer and more vivid.

Here are just a few of my pictures...









Self photograph:





I hope I can get a lot out of you all for critiques, advice, and comments...thanks.

Shane from Florida

[swmdrayfan]

Shane,

Judging by what I see, maybe I should be coming to you for advice. Welcome to the forum.
John

[Herriot]

Hi Shane and welcome to the forum!

Great pictures and with the exception of the first image, all very sharp photographs.
I really like the fact that we are going to be seeing more pictures from you, all taken from a kayak which must present a host of challenges so it is great to see such impressive results when working in such disabling conditions.

I really like the kayak heading towards the sunset but just wish that I could see the complete sillouhette of the figure as it is partially lost with the background.

Looking forward to seeing more from you soon!
Thanks for sharing
Herriot

[cubs83]

Thanks yall

That was one of my first sunrise pictures and don't know much about those kind of photographs and what to do to make it a visually appealing picture...

Here is one my partner in crime, David, took with his FZ20:



The first picture is from a redfish "tailing". The fish sticks his face in the mud/grass to look for food...while doing so his a$$ end comes out of the water (making it easy to find them) and they are willing subjects for photography. This was my first opportunity at a tail picture with this camera. There was actually a white floating jug next to the fish that I was zoomed into (on accident) and I edited it in photoshop. Adjusting the contrast blew the white bottle out ultimately losing color in the tail.

One question I have.

With subjects as such so close to the water with such a small object to zoom in on to capture it's hard for the camera to focus.

What can I do from 20-30 feet away from a "tail", then zooming in, to be able to focus on it to get a clear picture?

[mtbbrian]

First off, welcome!

I think the best photograph you have here is the one of the kayaker paddling off into the sunset. The general spot that you put the kayaker in the frame is good!
But, as Herriot mentioned it would be much better if you had placed the kayaker either lower or higher in the horizon so you could get a better feel for what it is.

I would recommend in the future you post just one photograph per thread. It's easier to look at and comment on one photograph at time.
Plus, you'll be more likely to get better comments.

Lastly, feel free to chime in on others photographs as well. You'll learn a lot that way too!

Oh and make sure you are posting only your own photographs.


Brian

[cubs83]

Would I get him lower/higher in the horizon with a different height angle of the picture?

I only posted multiples on this thread as an intro (my "portfolio" I guess)...

I'll try my best to chime in on others. They won't be as sophisticated as involving shutter speed, f-stop, white balance, iso, etc. etc. etc. because I'm not educated on photography lingo. It will be more like "Cool Picture." ;)

...oh...and I'd never post another picture that wasn't mine and take credit for it...I just posted that picture to brag for my buddy who isn't on this site.

Thanks for the critique.

[mtbbrian]

I just posted that picture to brag for my buddy who isn't on this site.

Thanks for the critique.

No Worries!
If your buddy is into photography as much as you are, make sure he signs up then too!
Brian

[dbutler]

I can't say that I find fish exciting...sorry! But if I did, I'd think these fish were pretty handsome. You've done a great job in capturing some really nice images.

[cubs83]

I don't blame you...I don't find flowers and butterflies exciting either. It's all about the elements of the photo that I am looking for critique...not the object.