| Underwater Photo Contest Entry | |
|   Dear Luis,
Thank for your latest submission to the UWP contest.
You have requested a review of your photo. Let me shortly explain how it works :
I will structure my review into a few chapters and will list problem zones (if there are any)
and will suggest solutions or give some advices on how to improve results.
As we do have a limited space for each post here, please note that my review will be like 2-3 posts in total. If you are online and see my first part of review : Please wait for your answer
- in case you want to write one - until my review has been completed. Thank you 
Important : The new "photo critic" feature here at UWP is not a putdown of uw photos.
Critical comments are meant to help you improved your work with an analytic review. It is also here to suggest solutions. The objective is to see you here as a winner one day and I would be very happy
And here we go (Photo review start with next post) :
| Raoul Caprez
16756 point member
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| | Photo Critique
First impression
1) hmm ... 2) Too small
Technical
Exposure is not completely good. Colours are missing a bit. Depth of field is good. Sharpness is ok but could be a bit better.
Problem :
There’s a white balance problem.
A bit of light is missing too.
Suggested Solution :
Refer to camera's manual and set up a proper white balance; or shoot in RAW/DNG and do the white balance in an RAW converter during postproduction.
For the light, buy yourself a flash … it’s one of the most important items of an uw photographer. The white balance problem will be solved with an external strobe.
Composition :
The animal is centred and too small in the frame. The picture has been taken from above. Horizontal cropping.
Problem :
Not close enough. Not optimum angle of shooting. Animal in the center.
| Raoul Caprez
16756 point member
|
| | Suggested Solution :
Almost fill the frame with the animal. You will see, it gives a better impact.
An upwards angle of shooting would be better as well… in fact, never shoot downwards Never centre the subject, put your animal a little bit on the side (on the left in that case).
Try to keep standard ratios (such as 2/3, 3/4 or 5/7) without cropping. If the idea was to have a kind of diagonal, it’s not clear enough.
Photo object & Approach
The approach is not close enough. The animal runs away.
Problem :
Not close enough. We see the animal from the back and from over.
Suggested Solution :
Again, try to be closer With such small animals, we're never close enough. With the Canon G11, you can go closer for sure :-), but it could be still not enough close … you can also add a macro lens on your Ikelite housing.
| Raoul Caprez
16756 point member
|
| | For the approach, try to have the animal looking at you, so we can catch the “look”, which gives a good impression.
At least, try to be minimum at the same height as the animal. If you can be a bit under, the animal would be more impressive … yes a nudibranch could be
Epilogue
You start with a very small animal ! You seem to have the "eye" to find and approach them. That's already very good and essential to have such picture :-). Then, when you shoot, just think that your pictures must tell something, and give a message. With that idea, and getting closer, I’m sure you will have good results.
All the best and happy bubbles.
Raoul (UWP Photo Critic)
P.-S. : If you have time, have a look at the UWP uw photography online course : website
--------Photo Critique completed--------
| Raoul Caprez
16756 point member
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