Rest Stop

[daq7]

I like the composition in this shot.



What is the general thinking amongst good photographers on lens flare? Is it a sure sign of n00bishness? I like the artifact in this. It looks cool.

The tone mapping has gone too far and needs to be backed off a bit to get rid of the slight halos. I also don't like the blown highlights in the sky near the horizon.

So, lots of problems, but still strong composition. Or is there something to improve there as well?

[Frog]

Compositionally, I think it is quite good with only two problems.
Both are things running off frame.....the back of the bike and the flag pole.
The flag pole is a pretty easy fix with cloning but the bike itself is more of a major one.
The sunflare/reflection off the bike isn't a problem for me but the one on the bottom that looks like a toy ball is.

[w.slayman]

Dag,

I agree with Frog on the bike running off frame but the "flag pole" is not as big a deal, to me. I also agree that the big flare at the bottom is a problem, and the reflection on the bike is no big deal.

Now to something new, I think the photograph could be improved by a factor of at least 10 if the bikes had been Harleys, but at least they are not rice burners. :lol:

Overall a pretty good effort.

[Frog]

Dag,


Now to something new, I think the photograph could be improved by a factor of at least 10 if the bikes had been Harleys, but at least they are not rice burners. :lol:

Overall a pretty good effort.

I don't think the oil under the Harley's would have been attractive.

[daq7]

Ok thanks. Can you point me to what you mean by off frame? I don't recognize that term. Complete n00b. I will google it as well....

[daq7]

Never mind I think I know what you mean by off frame. I always thought it was a good thing to put some of the focus subject off frame, to sort of anchor it. But I will think about it more..

[Shebang]

Welcome, daq7! Overall, I think it's a pretty good shot. I like that you filled a lot of the frame with the bikes. I love the colors. The flagpole running out of the frame does not bother me -- the bike running out of the frame would be better if it didn't, but I don't find it terribly bothersome. The unlevel horizon, the lens flare and the halos around the man's head and the pole thingys are the most troubling for me. Look forward to seeing more from you!

[caleb]

Or the cloud of dust from the crotch rockets

[daq7]

Haha. I respect Harleys, but they are not built for what I want to do. Yeah Shebang, the halos bug me a lot too, and everybody seems to think not framing the bikes is bad. My reading on composition led me to think, probably incorrectly that cropping objects with the frame was good, but I am going to look closely at not doing that. I really want to hear what experience thinks, because you all know a lot more about this than I do. If I ultimately disagree so be it. I can take my disagreement and bask in anonymity forever...

[jetrim]

My reading on composition led me to think, probably incorrectly that cropping objects with the frame was good, but I am going to look closely at not doing that. I really want to hear what experience thinks, because you all know a lot more about this than I do. If I ultimately disagree so be it.

Your reading on composition was correct if it was a new article/book. The books Frog read when he was your age stated that everything must be included in the frame every time - no excuses. There are a bunch of people that feel the same way, and they're certainly entitled to their opinions, but personally I subscribe to a different philosophy on composition - "If it doesn't add anything to the shot, don't include it." and in my opinion, a big square monotone box taking up a lot of real estate on the right side of the frame, doesn't add anything to this photo. I probably would have cropped it all the way over to the rear tire. The vent stack on the left is an easy fix - clone out the top down to the first connector on the pipe. The specular highlight off the black bike's tank is great, leave it in for sure, but the flare ball at the bottom needs to be cloned out. I'm a bit surprised nobody jumped on the fact that the horizon is out of level, but my personal opinion on that is that it works well here, as the pipes & second rider are straight vertical. I don't care for the halos much; if you used unsharp mask or a high pass filter, try backing down on the radius slider to get rid of them. If they're simply HDR artifacts, not much you can do without a bunch of additional work. Overall, very nice shot. I like this one a lot better than the helmet shot, but not as much as the dirt road

[Frog]

Your reading on composition was correct if it was a new article/book. The books Frog read when he was your age stated that everything must be included in the frame every time - no excuses. There are a bunch of people that feel the same way, and they're certainly entitled to their opinions, but personally I subscribe to a different philosophy on composition - "If it doesn't add anything to the shot, don't include it." and in my opinion, a big square monotone box taking up a lot of real estate on the right side of the frame, doesn't add anything to this photo. I probably would have cropped it all the way over to the rear tire. The vent stack on the left is an easy fix - clone out the top down to the first connector on the pipe.

I didn't read no book....or did I?..It was soooooo long ago.
Anyway, I really don't think everything should be included in the frame no matter what but I do think that when the elements of a photo have lines that lead ones eye to follow, then having that line abrubtly end at the border of the picture, makes it become a distraction.
Maybe the back of the bike is not attractive but it is what it is and having it included with some of the surroundings would improve the shot.
Just my opinion.

[daq7]

Dunno about losing it to crotch rockets. Realistically yeah, but the f800 is faster than i need it to be 0-60 in about 4 seconds. I actually hurts my wrists to accelerate as fast as it will.

I am old. I am weak.

[Frog]

Dunno about losing it to crotch rockets. Realistically yeah, but the f800 is faster than i need it to be 0-60 in about 4 seconds. I actually hurts my wrists to accelerate as fast as it will.

I am old. I am weak.

Its a sweet looking bike. How is it on the highway?

[daq7]

Fine, but I hear reports that it gets a bit less stable when loaded down. I don't really know yet. Right now it is great. Love the ergonomics. Fits me perfectly. Planning to do some short range stuff, 1000 miles or so, next summer. ...gonna ride it to the arctic circle in 2012. I want to be able to take uber cool photos, so pracicing riding and practicing taking good shots are both important.

Guess I need to fire up my gallery so I can post pictures I don't necessarily want critique on...

[w.slayman]

daq7

BMWs are a great combination bike, and IMHO do loose some stability when heavily loaded both at low and high speed. I ride my Harley over 30,000 miles a year, and there is a marked difference in handling under different load conditions. IMHO If you are practicing for touring with heavy loads, try some low speed practice in a empty parking lot, before trying moderate speeds, and then go for the highway speeds. Good Luck on your Ride.

[OldClicker]

Just a little BMW/Harley experience to add to the banter: My wife and I used to do some road touring (Canadian Maritimes, Yellowstone/Canadian Rockies, Smokies). When we started we had a Suzuki and a Honda - everyone we met was very friendly except the BMW and Harley riders. When I got the Harley (now Harley/Honda), the BMW riders still were quite 'aloof' - it made us smile. Cycle touring is a great way to see the country. – TF

[w.slayman]

Old Clicker,

If you think the BMW riders are bad, try talking to a couple of guys on Moto Guzzi Bikes. :lol: all kidding aside as long as you are up on two and having fun, Ride like the wind.

[draymorton]

Like the composition minus the flagpole. Dislike the halos (unless they were intentional).

[chrisnesss]

Lens flares are a matter of personal preference, I like them and shoot for some them in certain situations.

The only thing that seems out of place is the flag pole. Your choice to crop out the box on the bike again, is a matter of personal taste.