| Underwater Photo Contest Entry | |
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  Dear John,
thank for your latest submission to the UWP contest 
You had requested a review/critique of your photo. Let me shortly explain how it works :
I will structure my critique into a few chapters and will list problem zones (if there are any)
and will suggest solutions or give tips for how to improve results.
As we do have a limited space for each post here, please prepare that my critique will be like 2-3 posts in total
If you are online & see my first part of review : Please wait with your answer
( in case you want to write any ) untill my critique is completed - thank you
I see, that your photo got "shortlisted" - my congratulations ! I hope you don't mind if I anyway include some "advices" in my critique anyway
And here we go ( Photo Critique start with next post ) :
| Rico Besserdich
19673 point member
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Photo Critique
First impression
1) "interesting subject, nice group of fishes", 2) "unrealistic black background"
Technical
Exposure is ok, sharpness & DOF are in an acceptable range, colours are looking a bit strange to me since I doubt that the original background was black or made dark with using high F-Stop numbers and fast shutter.
Problem :
light & colours
Suggested Solution :
The way how the light appears in your photo make me assume that you had a small flashgun, some natural light coming from surface (sun) and some reflected light from the ground, e.g. sandy bottom. Proof me wrong but I am quiet sure that you made the background black afterwards in Photoshop or similar programs. This can often work, but it doesn't work well in mixed light ( strobe & ambient light ) situations.
Please think over it - it's just an suggestion. Probably your original background was blue, why not leave it to blue, then ?
...
| Rico Besserdich
19673 point member
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Composition
Position of that fish shoal is excellent and I did liked the dynamic of it. The shape if the fish group itself is also nice.
A "cube crop" is something quiet "provocating" - I think it would be better to have this one in a classic ( 2/2, 3/4 ) vertical frame/crop.
Problem :
Crop doesn't feature the subject optimal.
Suggested Solution :
People are used to "standard" frame dimensions when viewing photographs. "Cube crops" can sometimes work but usually more for abstract shots and not so much for shoals of fishes.
Open a magacine ( some ) and count the pictures in there that have a "cubed crop". You probably will find none...and there are good reasons for ;-)
A classic 2/3 vertical crob with a bit more negative space to top & bottom would boost this one a lot. Generally : Please give fishes place to swim. Or ( "Plan B ) : Fill the frame completly
| Rico Besserdich
19673 point member
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Photo object & Approach
Close approach...that's very good ! Biygeyes are great photo models and you did a great job.
Problem :
nothing here - well done !
Suggested Solution :
Again : give fishes space to swim. I know, easy to say.. hard to do...but always worth a try ;-)
Epilogue
Great start..absolutly. The "shortlisting" says that people liked your photo ( and this is what counts at the end ) so forgive me my "critic words". I highly recommend to keep uw photos always natural - "forcing" a special effect in postproduction have it's risks. It's cool to do it, but then place your photo to the "photoshopped" category here at UWP the next time.
Looking forward to your next ones - I can see that we've found a new talent here
All the best,
Rico ( UWP Photo Critic )
UWP : website
Rico Besserdich : website
--------Photo Critique completed--------
| Rico Besserdich
19673 point member
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I used dual DS160 strobes the F/stop was set at f7 and the shutter speed was set at 1200 this created the black background. Thanks for the feedback it is always welcome.
| Bernard Groenewald
691 point member
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I was not sure on how much to crop the photo as I had quite a bit of negative space around the fishes.
| Bernard Groenewald
691 point member
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I was really close on this shoal and spent 20 minutes getting to know them allowing me to get right up close to take the shot. Thanks for the great feedback but I try to do as little to my photos as possible. Once again the backround is as I took it.
Cheers Bernie
| Bernard Groenewald
691 point member
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hi Bernard,
the "classic" for this would be F16 or F22 and 1/250 sc. . Usually ISO 100 would be best, but ISO 200 is ok as well, if required by circumstances. Something went wrong with measurement, I guess. Still to much ambient light effected the shot.
| Rico Besserdich
19673 point member
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The shot was taken with a point and shoot Olympus C7070, 7.1 megapixel with an Inon 100 degree wide angle lens in a Ikelite housing with two DS 160 Strobes. The maximum F/Stop for this camera is F11.
I am always looking to improve on my shots so I realy appreciate your feedback.
Cheers Bernie
| Bernard Groenewald
691 point member
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