I'm sort of working on a project of getting good pictures of animals at our zoo to use to decorate the baby's room. I have an awesome one of a hippo that I'm entering in to a contest, but I'm super-paranoid, so I'm not posting it until it has been submitted.

I just got back a new roll from late last year. I'd like honest feedback. I do not think any of these are great. I was disappointed with the first elephant one because I really like the composition, but I think it is overexposed. But, then I sort of like the overexposure. I did a couple of color corrections, but I don't think I like them as much as the original - even though it is overexposed. See here:

Original:
http://www.amitymama.com/gallery/data/500/Elephant_face1.jpg

color correction:
http://www.amitymama.com/gallery/data/500/Elephant_face-fix1.jpg

Then, I have a warthog I kinda like - but am not completely in love with:
http://www.amitymama.com/gallery/data/500/warthog.jpg

Finally, two elephants. This is cropped from the original. Gives me ideas for how to compose another one, but I'm not in love with this either.
http://www.amitymama.com/gallery/data/500/Two_Elephants.jpg

So, I'm totally up for honest critique. We are members of the zoo and go about every other week in from April through November. So, I've got many opportunities. My goal is to keep getting better shots until I get a great one of each animal.

Rebecca -- I REALLY love the first elephant one, but I think I prefer the color corrected version. The contrast in it is superb!! I also think the warthog is great.

The last elephant one...it feels incomplete to me, maybe because the trunks are cropped?

Rebecca -- I REALLY love the first elephant one, but I think I prefer the color corrected version. The contrast in it is superb!! I also think the warthog is great.

The last elephant one...it feels incomplete to me, maybe because the trunks are cropped?

Maybe I'll have to get the first elephant printed both the color corrected as well as the original since I like to (this will sound stupid) feel it in hard copy. I like the warthog.

I think you are right. I think it is incomplete. and it is cropped. There is a bar that was caught in the lower part of the picture. Elephants weren't cooperating with me that day. But, I think I have an idea in mind that came from that picture, I just have to work on it.

thanks for the feedback - I really appreciate it.

I am a super beginner. So, take that FWIW :)

I like the first elephant one. Is the color in the color correction a little yellow?
Cher, I loved that you pointed out the contrast in the 2nd one. That is something I was having a hardtime understanding and I can see it in that 2nd photo.


I like the depth in the photo of the warthog. I think it is a good photo.

I agree that the last photo of the 2 Elephants is incomplete. Is it a little soft? It isn't my favorite.

The Elephants wouldn't cooperate? LOL. Imagine that. Too funny. SOunds like a certain 6yo I tried getting photos of his toothless grin.

I am a super beginner. So, take that FWIW :)

I like the first elephant one. Is the color in the color correction a little yellow?
Cher, I loved that you pointed out the contrast in the 2nd one. That is something I was having a hardtime understanding and I can see it in that 2nd photo.


I like the depth in the photo of the warthog. I think it is a good photo.

I agree that the last photo of the 2 Elephants is incomplete. Is it a little soft? It isn't my favorite.

The Elephants wouldn't cooperate? LOL. Imagine that. Too funny. SOunds like a certain 6yo I tried getting photos of his toothless grin.

I don't know what it is in the color corrected one, but I think I like the contrast, but something is "off" with the color. I'm not any good at digital editting.

I like the warthog because, to me, he says, "chill, man, it's all good" and I'm digging on that.

Yeah, dang elephant. You'd think they would be more cooperative! But, hey, that's just more excuses to spend time at the zoo.

I don't know what it is in the color corrected one, but I think I like the contrast, but something is "off" with the color. I'm not any good at digital editting.

I like the warthog because, to me, he says, "chill, man, it's all good" and I'm digging on that.

Yeah, dang elephant. You'd think they would be more cooperative! But, hey, that's just more excuses to spend time at the zoo.

I don't know a thing about digital editing but I have done a lot of color correcting the old fashioned way. It is awesome contrast but too blue. You probably knew it was too blue yourself, but when you are editing can you remove blue or add orange? I wouldn't do too much as it is pretty cool.

Rebecca, what kind of camera do you have? What program are you using for editing?

I have a Canon Rebel 2000 and I suck at computer editing. I use Image Expert. I'll have to practice more with the one elephant because I really do like the composition, but I'm not really happy with the contrast on the original and I need to edit out the blue (thanks for that) on the color corrected.

Rebecca -- would you mind if I played around with it in Photoshop? I don't know if you have a decent connection to the internet, but you can a free trial of the full version of Photoshop at adobe.com! Definitely worth a try. I love PS!

the last elephant one should be portrait instead of landscape...try it like that next time (if you can get the models to cooperate) and get the whole trunks.

i like the color corrected first elephant photo...looks like a drawing almost now.

and the warthog..eh...not my fav.