4wd Photos

[Toddyh]

As I said in my intro I've got into photography because I write articles for 4wd magazines (you can grab my latest in the September issue of Overlander magazine). Always looking to improve I'm hoping to get advice on a few photos that were included in the most recent article.

#1 First this was the lead photo of the article (double page)


#2 This was another double page in the article


#3 Another smaller image they used


#4 A couple of images I thought they would use but didn't.


#5


#6 A camping image they used as a small image




I actually had camera issues this weekend and had to borrow a camera for this trip. I think the photo quality suffered as a result as I was not used to the camera I used.

[loose cannon]

Good series is the first thing I'd say.

I won't go through them all but will mention a couple of things that jump out at me.

Tip: Number the images as it makes our job easier, small point but important.

#1: Our eyes are drawn to bright areas in an image so the foreground rock (lhs) is a big distraction for me. My eye keeps going there and exit the image stage left. Hit it hard with the burn tool or clone it out. Vehicle reflection is a distraction, more about that later.

Also this image would have much more impact if captured from a lower perspective. I say that because you should be trying to direct the viewers eye to the important part of the image and for me that's the bow wave and drivers side wheel. That's where the action is so to speak and if the target audience is 4wd folk, that's what they'll want to see, a 4wd in action.

Kinda like when shooting pets or kids, get down to their eye level. The wave and the wheel are the main focal points so bend those knees and get a wet arse next time.

Know you said it was a borrowed camera but polariser filters were made for images like this. A CPL would kill the shine from the vehicle, lose the vehicle reflection from the water and show more of the rocks in the creek. Win/win. CPLs don't work in all situations but it looks like the sun is coming from enough of an angle to work its magic.

#4: Crop tool is your friend here. Simplify the image.

Lose the uninteresting foreground, the half tree on lhs, purple post (clone tool perhaps) and the sign rhs in background. That sign is small but still catches my eye and distracts and adds nothing to the image.

#5: Image is 'flat' with no depth, my eye is drawn to the tree and vehicle and never wanders any further into the image. Better if vehicle was 'higher' on the track but far enough into the image to still show dust trail.

Also need to lose purple post, serious distraction.

6: Like the inclusion of stove/swag/vehicle. Good framing and adds depth and context.

Overall a great series but give some thought to a CPL for future work would be my advice. I have one and don't use it anywhere near as much as I should. They are a great tool to have in the kit bag.

Oh, and if you ever get lost and find yourself on the west coast give me a call, that 4wd has Gunbarrell Highway written all over it.

(and because I need a backup vehicle capable of towing my aging Hilux home if it all goes pear shaped)

[Toddyh]

Thanks Mick for the detailed feedback. Much appreciated.

Firstly I had to google what a CPL was. Haha I said I was a beginner. Good idea.

This was the pic between #4 and #5. Sadly I didn't get the zoom perfect as I was still trying to capture the 'ribbon' of road. You only get one chance for these sort of photos and I guessed I misse dit on this occassion.



As for the vehicles the 76 is my mates. Turns out it's difficult to photograph and drive and the same time. This one is mine, although it looks a little different now. Done a bit more to it since then.

[loose cannon]

"Turns out it's difficult to photograph and drive and the same time"

Not really, just make sure you keep both hands firmly on the camera to avoid dropping it. That would be a disaster of epic proportions!