Hi, I am impressed at the detailed feedback given for each photo by the crew. I want to convey sincere gratitude for your voluntary feedback - it really helps me have a more objective view and areas to improve my work.

I recently posted this photo and it was not selected. And I must say I am glad it was not, since it provides me the opportunity to better understand where I should improve.

This photo was taken after the rain. I thought that the reflection of the house coupled with the tiny white dots on the asphalt made the image as if there were stars shining in the sky. I shot this photo using a 35mm lens, with aperture 4.8, shutter speed of 1/60 and an ISO of 500. As I am not a highly skilled post-processing person, there could definitely be areas of improvement post-editing, but what I more eager to understand is how this image would be evaluated from a photographer's point of view. Too plain? Lack of technical skills? Lack of a story? Lack of the "wow" factor unless explained in detail how this photo was shot?

I am very open to criticism as I am still learning photography, so feel free to fire away. Thank you in advance.

You can ask for a critique even on your published photographs.

The blurring of the asphalt dots is where this photograph falls down. It is not comfortable for the eyes to look at it. I hear what you say about post processing. Go back to basics of photography. Shoot the same shot with different camera settings. I do feel a smaller aperture would have produced a more pleasant image. If you had taken multiple shots with many different camera settings you would have found one that is more appealing to yourself. If you find one that is more appealing to yourself, it stand to reason, it will be more appealing to others.

Hi Taeyoung,

I remember seeing this one in curation and it caught my attention. But I couldn’t quite figure out what was going on here. I agree that the blur from the aperture threw me off. I couldn’t tell if it was a reflection or not. That uncertainty pulled me out of what could have been a really magical and imaginative scene. The concept is so strong. I love that you saw something unique in the puddle and turned it into what almost feels like a dream or a starry night. But I think the softness from the blur muddled that vision just a little. I’d suggest exactly what you’re already considering. Experiment with different apertures or try another version of this shot when the conditions feel right. Your eye for storytelling is absolutely there. It just needs a bit more clarity for the viewer to fully connect with the beauty you saw.

All the best,

Tammy

Since you invited feedback, I’ll gladly share my thoughts, but please take this simply as a personal perspective — I'm not a senior curator.

The idea behind the photo is fantastic. Using a puddle reflection to create the illusion of a starry sky and an upright building is creative and has great potential. However, I feel the image loses some of its impact because the surrounding elements, apart from the building itself, lack definition. The background texture is blurred and there is little in the frame to help the viewer understand the nature of the reflection.

In my opinion, the image might benefit from more distance and a wider composition to allow more of the puddle’s edge to be visible. This would help situate the viewer and clarify the visual concept, eliminating the need for further explanation. It would also provide more balance and context to the reflection itself.

Nevertheless, the concept is very strong, and with slight adjustments to the framing and depth of field, I believe the image could realise its full potential. You're clearly exploring creative ways of seeing, and that's something to build on. Keep going!

Best regards,

Gonçalo

Thanks for the feedback. Yes with an aperture of 4.8, I had to make a choice whether to focus on the reflection itself or the asphalt dot. So as you recommend, I should have tried a smaller aperture in which case all images would be in focus. Got your point. Thanks!

Thanks for the detailed feedback Tammy! Yours and David's seem common that the blur was distracting! Very helpful!

Thank you, Goncalo! Very helpful indeed! Depth of field is one thing but also improving the frame to provide a clearer understanding of what's going on seems another! Thank you for the wonderful insight!

Hi and welcome I see a lot has already been said about depth of field and rightly so. Great idea for a stand alone image. Just lacks overall quality. I did try a few ideas Crop off the right side Nik Tools Tonal contrast to add punch. Saturation +18 Topaz AI sharpen some dodge tool work. See attached... Not a winner but a little on the brighter side.

 Dear Taeyoung,

Thanks for submitting your photo to the critique forum.

I agree with the comments you received; it is a good subject matter that can capture the viewer’s attention. I wanted to give a try to a composition in which the reflected building in in a different position as you can see, also your photo can be enhanced by raising the contrast, the sharpness and coloring and also it may benefit from some additional composition adjustment, so, I took your photo to Photoshop Beta using Camera Raw filter and cropped more around the building. I also upscaled the image and enhanced the coloring. Finally, I took it to Topaz AI and reduced the noise and increased the sharpness.

Hope you like it.

Best regards 

Arnon Orbach Senior Critic