Need critique and advice

[Copy_Kot]

I took this picture with a polarizing filter on my Canon 18-55mm kit lens, the lighting was incandescent. How could I have made (taken) the picture better?

[drg]

I took this picture with a polarizing filter on my Canon 18-55mm kit lens, the lighting was incandescent. How could I have made (taken) the picture better?

The white balance needs to be adjusted/corrected. If using one of the Adobe Photoshop variants use an eyedropper on an area of the image that should be white.

You could try one of the standard Matrushka shots with them in a row from high to low or with them arranged in a semicircle, but I'd primarily suggest not having them all apart. The bottoms stand out and personally, I do not believe they contribute to the overall effect of the photograph. The smallest doll in this image (sorry, I don't remember the Russian word for the "prize") is too small. It needs more prominence.

You could even use some different elevations in the picture (like a book, or small boxes)
to put the dolls at varying heights as opposed to something standard.

An internal frame or a background that doesn't lead the viewer's eye away from the dolls would help. There are lines from the edge of the table and the wall that make the presentation too linear. Your eye just shoots across the photo without stopping.

One other item, try to get all the dolls in focus (the same), not necessarily in the same plane, but in focus.

Hope this is some help, and you do not feel I'm just being critical.

[Copy_Kot]

Wow! Thank you so much DRG! I'm sorry but I'm pretty new to all of this, could you please explane what an 'internal frame' is? Thanks again.

[drg]

Wow! Thank you so much DRG! I'm sorry but I'm pretty new to all of this, could you please explane what an 'internal frame' is? Thanks again.

Paul,

You are welcome!

The Matrushka dolls might be shot on a regular shaped piece of cloth on the table (or a surface) of contrasting colors with all the edges of the cloth clearly visible in the photograph. That could be an internal frame.

There are formal definitions that address contrast, line, color, inverse proportion, vanishing points, etc. but that is a rather lengthier discussion than we might want to go into initially. The term compositional framing is also used though it is not entirely interchangable. For this response I'll use a couple of particular examples.

An internal frame is using object(s) or element(s) in a photograph to provide a visual boundary or a defined context to emphasize the main subject. A silhouetted archway in the foreground filled with a scenic locale is an example of a visual boundary. The archway may provide context, but it usually only need provide shape, or it can lend 'weight' to the image. Mountains around a scenic lake or a photograph of a room made shooting thru a door frame are an example of the latter.

Frames do not have to be square or rectangular. They should also provide some visual interest. A ball or a sphere are frequently used, such as in a model or product shots. Think of sandals with a beach ball as a backdrop and blue sky around the edge of the ball and sand. That is a type of internal framing as well. The contrast in bright colors of a beach ball against a blue sky becomes a compositional element that can cover all the bases, if even simplistically. Simple can be very effective.

I hope this begins to answer your question.

[GB1]

The incandescent light definitely didnt agree with the settings. That can be easily corrected. But also, I think that the background table and wall is possibly too close in color to your subjects. Not sure what colors would be ideal, but try white and black backgrounds if you can swing the effects. (I wish I could offer more advice on that, but I havent messed with setting up backgrounds in awhile.)

GB

[Copy_Kot]

I hope this begins to answer your question.

Yes it does, and thanks a lot DRG.

BTW, the Russian word for 'prize' is приз = something like prez, lol... it should be an easy one to remember I had to look it up, I've only been studying Russian for about six months now.

Thank you for your C&C GB1, it is very appreciated.