Lessons from Cambodia

[Mitchell]

I don't often get the chance for critical review of my photos and this forum looks like a great opportunity. I am a keen traveller and am starting to combine some photography with that. Here are some shots from a recent trip to Cambodia.
I would love you to be ruthless - I am very keen to receive constructive criticism from those in the know... Thanks.
These are shot using an EOS350D with either the standard pack lens (18-55), or a Canon 70-200.

Ankor Wat Sunset



This just doesn't seem to look right. The 5x7 shape for printing means I have to leave unwanted water at the bottom. Perhaps I was aiming too low - is there too little sky?



The temple here appears a little vague and indistinct - this was at 200mm zoom. Is there any way I could have prevented that slight haze?









I used shadow/highlight in photoshop to try and brighten up these little guys, however is seems to have made them a little dull. Any suggestions?

[big pix]

stunning pix's.......... and welcome to the forum, and enjoy your stay........... love to see more of your travel pix's........

[Oneputt]

Mitchell for what they are worth, my comments.

#1 the sky is very washed out which detracts from the interest and means that there is a general lack of contrast.

#2 is a sort of nothing shot.

#3 I am not sure what could be done with this as haze in the air is very difficult to overcome.

#4 Excellent - love it. Great colours and a nice composition.

#5/6/7 very good, well done. You have captured the monkeys attitude ver well.

[greencardigan]

Some great shots there Mitchell.

I love #4, the beach scene. The only thing that I would suggest is getting the horizon horizontal. Otherwise it's

GC

[Alpha_7]

Mitchell welcome the forums,

These are some nice shots you've posted, and I think you've found to symbiotic hobbies, travelling and photography compliment each other very well.


#1 Regardless of the blown sky, this shot really appeals to me, the reflections the balance, it's composed very well. If you into PP trying a replacement sky layer and blending it in could yield pleasing results.

#2 isn't as balanced as the first but you have some nice tones in the sunset

#3 Shame about the haze, but I like the perspective or peering through the jungle to see this awesome structure.

#4 This is an absolute standout, and is very much a cover of a travel book, or brochure. Love it, want to be there now!

#5 Lovely money shot, love the way the sun is highlighting the monkey

#6 and #7 capture monkey hijinx well

[big pix]

Now my review of your pix's.......

1. Lacks a little saturation and contrast, fix with curves or levels...... add a very small black border to improve presentation

2. Lacks saturation and contrast as the image looks flat

3. Crop more of the sky to make a pano format, levels and curves also..... image is a little flat but you can get a lot more out if you use LAB colour

4. Horizon needs to be level or a book under the right hand side of computer, also a small black border

5 & 6 are spot on

7. Good image but lacks punch.... levels or curves again but not very much

Hope this helps.........a very small black border will help all your images stand out a lot more..........

[wendellt]

I like the lighting in all your pics except for the last two monkey shots, the first monkey shot is excellent, composition and light

I can see what you were trying to achieve in the 2nd but don't think you got it, in terms of getting a moody shillhouette, perhaps this picture needs more contrast, brighten highlights and some colour tweaking.

composition in 4 is far the best nicely asymetrical which allows for the nce space on the right to be so appealign and drawing

[Geoff]

i'm feeling kinda (tired at the moment) proud and have a warm fuzzy feeling - introduced two new members of recent times (Sheila and now Mitchell) who happen to both shoot canon and produce some very fine photographs!

[Sheila Smart]

Well, I like them all especially the beautiful lighting on the profile of the monkey. There is nothing one can do with haze and it can sometimes add to the image.

Cheers
Sheila

[sirhc55]

Welcome Mitchell

#1 - I like this just as it is. The mellow tones of Ankor Wat compliment the saturation (no pun intended) in the water. The sky is not a problem.

#2 - For web viewing a slight crop of the minor detrius at the bottom of the pic would be good. Other than that this pic is fine

#3 - Haze, like fog, is good. If you can invent a haze disperser that’s fine but I really like this pic because of the haze.

#4 - Textbook brochure shot but as bp has suggested straighten the horizon

#5 - This pic is certainly enhanced by the side lighting and the pose is excellent

#6 - Sharp and full of action

#7 - Curves adjustment, as mentioned, would improve a very good pic

On my monitors the colours look great

[Mitchell]

Thanks everyone for your comments.

I have reworked a couple of these photos in line with your suggestions and I'm much happier with the results! Thankyou.

[gstark]

Mitvhell,

The others have pretty well said it all.

FWIW, if the lack of contrastin the sky does cause you concern, you may want to consider acquiring a CPLfilter.

This can help you deal with these sorts of skies, and can add quite a bit to water shots, not to mention dealing with such things as unwanted reflections off glass surfaces.

[Alex]

Great shots, Mitchel!

I actually quite like #2.

#3 can be greatly improve by steepening L channel in LAB mode

# 4 is fantastic. Where in Cambodia was it shot?

#5 is fantastic.

Alex

[huynhie]

Fantastic shots Mitchell.

[avkomp]

everyone has pretty much covered the issues here.

the absolute symmety of the first one makes up for the lack of saturation in the sky.

the first portrait of the monkey, I like a lot but think the edge lighting is bordering on blown. (at least on my monitor)
perhaps a little less esposure and a little fill flash.
I feel like I want to see a little more detail on the monkey.
Perhaps a little shadow hightlight??
Still works for me though

Steve

[Mitchell]

Thanks Alex - steepening the L channel in LAB mode really seems to decrease the haze. I've never used LAB mode before. What are the different situations in which you would use LAB rather than RGB?

In terms of location in Cambodia:
1, 2 and 3 are all of Ankor Wat in the North West (11th century temples)
4 is a beach on the island of Koh Rong of the coast of Sihanoukville. We had all 12km of that pristine beach to ourselves... Cambodia hasn't had a genocide or civil war for at least 7 years, so development of these sort of places is on the cards - get there soon!
5, 6 and 7 were around a temple in the capital Phnom Penh - certainly one of the most picturesque capitals in Asia.

Mitchell.