When we start out on the road as budding photographers we all have hopes of producing those extra-special, superb and memorable shots on a regular basis. As with most things, we would all like to start at the top and work our way down to mediocre but that just ain't the way it works!
So just how do you gauge your improvements from beginner to competent photographer? Follow the guidelines below for evaluating your work and you should see a steady improvement with every roll of film you shoot as the criteria for good images become embedded in your brain. Eventually, as you become fully "au fait" with your own equipment, things like composition, focusing and the desired exposure will start to fall into place in your mind, even as you raise the camera to take the shot.
As you look at the prints/slides from each roll of film shot, evaluate each one under these headings: Sharpness
Is the main subject/focal point of the image absolutely sharp? If not - was manual or auto-focus used? Was the camera hand-held or on a tripod? If hand-held, was the shutter speed too slow for the lens used? (Safe hand-held shutter speed should be at least = focal length of lens e.g. 50mm lens - 1/60th sec, 300mm lens - 1/250th or 1/500th sec.) Was the subject moving? Was it a panning shot? Etc. Exposure
When it comes to getting your exposure right, slide film is the best for evaluating your success. If your exposure is over or under by more than ½ a stop, it will easily be seen on a slide. Bracket your exposures when using slide film if you are unsure of what your result will be. Eventually you will know instinctively when you need to alter your settings to get things the way you want.
Has the main subject been exposed correctly? Are you satisfied with the overall exposure levels? Is the image under or over-exposed? If you had to take the shot again would you adjust the exposure? Did you take your meter reading from the most suitable part of the scene? Composition
Check the previous photo tip on composition and use it as a guide.
Is the main subject suitably positioned in the frame? Have you made use of lead-in lines, shapes within the scene etc.? If you decided to break the "rules of composition", have you done it successfully?
Impact
Does the image have impact? In a portrait, have you captured the expression well enough for the viewer to feel "contact" with the subject?
Depth of Field
Did you achieve the desired depth of field in the image? If you wanted the subject to stand out from the background, did you manage it? Did you have sufficient depth in shots where great d-o-f was needed? Special Effects
If you were experimenting with a particular technique, did you make it work? Was it a suitable subject for that technique? Hit Rate
When we take an interest in photography it is usually because we get our prints out of the processors and see only one or two good ones amongst them. As you go along, practising the techniques and becoming more familiar with your camera gear and what can be achieved when using it well, your hit rate will improve considerably. This is a good way to assess your improvement. Score each set of pictures according to the number of shots that achieve some of the above criteria, particularly those of sharpness, exposure and composition. Your confidence and competence will both improve with every roll of film you shoot.
When you reach the stage where your hit rate starts to decline again, it usually means that you have reached a good level of competence and you are becoming your own biggest critic. Shots that others see nothing wrong with will no longer satisfy you for one reason or another ("I should have done this or I could have done that"). When you reach that stage, you are no longer a beginner and the sky will be your limit! Author: Peter Barriscale Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts) |
