## Photo Critique Session - A critique session of submitted photos is being conducted, with over 900 photos received in one day, and participants can play along by pausing the video to identify potential mistakes or good points in the images [(00:00:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=13s). - The first photo critiqued features a wooden scene with fog, a concentrated branch, and a diagonal line, but has distracting areas that could be improved by moving the camera to the right and cropping out gaps [(00:01:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=82s). - The second photo features strong diagonals leading into the image, but has issues with focus, particularly at the top and bottom of the image, which could be improved by understanding how to focus or focusing further away [(00:02:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=153s). - The photos are being critiqued using an [[IPad | iPad]] and [[Adobe Lightroom | Lightroom]], with the goal of identifying common mistakes and good points in the images [(00:00:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=59s). - A camera and a print will be given away at the end of the video, with participants who submitted photos eligible to win [(00:01:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=64s). - Viewers can subscribe to the newsletter to participate in future critique sessions by following the link in the description [(00:00:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=22s). ## Common Photo Mistakes and How to Fix Them - A photo mistake that can be easily fixed is a curved horizon, which can be corrected by going to the geometry settings and adjusting the distortion, and then cropping the image to get rid of the curved edges [(00:03:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=232s). - To check if the horizon is straight, zoom in on the image and check the top of the screen to see if the horizon line is straight [(00:04:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=269s). - Rotating the image to the left or right can also help to straighten the horizon and make the photo look perfect [(00:04:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=285s). ## Photo Analysis: Nina's Photo - A photo from Nina was analyzed, and it was suggested that the shutter speed used was good for capturing the texture and flow of the water, but the right-hand side of the image was distracting and could be cropped [(00:05:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=325s). - To improve the photo, it was suggested to move the camera to the right to create a better connection between the different elements in the image, and to consider taking a vertical shot [(00:06:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=370s). ## Photo Analysis: Sebastian's Photo - A photo from Sebastian was also analyzed, and it was noted that the drama in the image was good, with clouds coming around a cliff, but there were a few things that could be improved [(00:07:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=431s). - The image of a waterfall in the [[Faroe Islands | Pharaoh Islands]] has a color balance issue, with the image weighted to the right-hand side, and could be improved by having the sun come from the left, which could be achieved by visiting at a different time of year or day [(00:07:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=447s). - Adding more interest to the sea, such as big waves crashing, could draw the viewer's eye to the left-hand side and improve the balance of the image [(00:07:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=479s). - The sky in the image is overexposed and blurry due to the shutter speed, which could be improved by using a longer or shorter shutter speed, or by blending two images together [(00:08:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=491s). - A personal preference for a cooler and greener color balance could also improve the image [(00:08:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=518s). ## Photo Analysis: Lee Howle's Photo - The image of a wall in the [[Peak District]], taken by Lee Howle, is well-composed but has a heavy emphasis on one direction, which could be improved by rotating the camera slightly to the left [(00:09:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=567s). - The image has a nice curve in the sky that mimics the curve of the wall, which adds interest to the image [(00:09:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=573s). - Rotating the camera slightly to the left could improve the balance of the image and make it more visually appealing [(00:10:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=613s). ## Photography Competition for Young People - A photography competition is being set up for 16 to 25-year-olds, with free entry and a limited number of photos allowed per person, and all information can be found on a link in the description [(00:11:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=664s). - The top 10 participants will have the opportunity to have sessions with the organizer to improve their photography or discuss how to make a career out of it [(00:11:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=706s). - The number one prize will be a [[Nikon Zf | Nikon ZF]] camera and a lens, likely a 24-120 lens, which is an amazing combination [(00:12:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=729s). - The competition aims to promote young people to get into photography, and it is a landscape competition [(00:12:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=748s). ## Photo Analysis: Benjamin's Photo - A photo from Benjamin is showcased as a great example of a woodland shot, with a diagonal line, two silver Birches, and a well-edited treatment that draws the eye into the image [(00:12:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=759s). - The only criticism of Benjamin's photo is that the darkened sky could be toned down to match the orange colors in the foliage, possibly by adjusting the whites or highlights [(00:13:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=807s). ## Photo Analysis: Samantha's Photo - A photo from Samantha is also showcased, featuring a beautiful sunset with a red sky and a rock pool, but it could be improved by focusing more on the rock pool area [(00:14:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=854s). - The image has a nice line leading in, but the main issue is the horizon, which appears to be tilted due to the hills and distortion around the edges, although it is actually straight [(00:14:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=889s). - The shutter speed could be adjusted to make the water look less "fluffy" and to get more lines in the shot, and the focus could be concentrated on the main subject [(00:15:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=919s). ## Photo Analysis: Tony's Photo - In Tony's image, the sun could be improved by making it a glow rather than a hard-edged sun, and the rock in the foreground feels a bit lost and could be made more dominant by zooming in and using the gate in the background as a leading line [(00:15:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=948s). - To fix the sun, a radiant gradient can be created and negative dehaze can be applied to soften the edge of the sun [(00:16:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1005s). ## Photo Analysis: Gail's Photo - In Gail's image, the waterfall is the main focus, but the rock in the foreground is distracting and could be removed by cropping the image to focus more on the waterfalls [(00:17:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1070s). - The image could be improved by taking out the distracting rock and focusing more on the waterfalls, which could make for a stronger image [(00:18:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1090s). ## Improving Composition by Moving Closer - A photograph is shown as an example where the composition could be improved by moving closer to the subject, as the rocks in the foreground are distracting [(00:18:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1103s). ## Photo Analysis: Whim Solheim's Photo - A photograph by Whim Solheim is praised for its softness, beautiful exposure, and composition, with the fog movement and elements like a tree and church creating a great image [(00:18:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1121s). ## Photo Analysis: Jeff's Photo - A photograph by Jeff is analyzed, with the suggestion to show more of the background by moving higher and capturing more of the valley, as the foreground is taking up too much of the image [(00:19:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1181s). - The same photograph by Jeff is also criticized for the overpowering light, with suggestions to move around to the left or right to improve the lighting or to bracket the shot and concentrate on the Heather [(00:20:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1243s). ## Photo Analysis: Janet's Photo - A photograph by Janet is shown, with praise for capturing a great shot of a waterfall, but criticism for the editing, suggesting to darken the shadows and lighten the sky to improve the image [(00:21:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1291s). - To improve the image, it's suggested to lighten the sky a bit, maybe just the whites, to get more contrast between the light source and shadows, making it look more real [(00:22:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1344s). ## Common Editing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them - Overdoing the sliders, usually the masking or shadow slider, can be a common mistake, and it's recommended to go a little bit calmer on it [(00:23:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1386s). - Cropping the image a little bit from one side can also improve the composition [(00:23:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1396s). ## Improving Composition and Exposure - In another image, the horizon is not straight, and it's suggested to straighten it and tweak the distortion to get the horizon and the castle straight [(00:24:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1445s). - To improve the composition, it's recommended to go a little bit closer on one of the rocks in the foreground, making the rocks a little bit bigger [(00:24:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1482s). - The exposure of the image is also discussed, and it's suggested that a longer exposure, such as 40-50 seconds, would make the sky look crisp and more appealing [(00:25:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1509s). ## Photo Analysis: Toby Parkins' Photo - The image from Toby Parkins is praised for its dramatic effect and editing, which hasn't been overdone, as seen in the histogram with no whites [(00:25:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1533s). - The image has a problem with everything happening in a specific area, and cropping it to a letterbox format would improve the composition by drawing the viewer's attention to the main subjects, which are nicely placed in the middle of the image [(00:25:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1556s). - Adding a bit more contrast and brightening the image slightly would also enhance it, but care should be taken not to overdo it and make the whites too white [(00:26:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1593s). ## Photo Analysis: Waterfall in Iceland - The image of a waterfall in [[Iceland]] has a problem with juxtaposition, where there's a big open area and then a tight, claustrophobic section, and the rock in the foreground feels too close to the edge [(00:27:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1627s). - The image would be improved by concentrating on one waterfall, having more sky or no sky, and focusing on the waterfall with the background mountain [(00:28:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1685s). ## Photo Analysis: Trifan in Wales - The image of Trifan in [[Wales]] has a problem with the wall line going into the lake, making the middle area feel claustrophobic, and the exposure is also too bright [(00:28:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1726s). - To improve the image, it would be better to concentrate on the area with the gate, grasses, and wall, and try to get a higher vantage point to avoid the claustrophobic feel [(00:29:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1774s). ## Connecting Mid-ground and Background - A stronger image can be created by connecting the mid-ground to the background, as seen in a particular image, by including more of the mid-ground to connect with the background elements [(00:29:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1790s). ## Photo Analysis: Wave Photo - In a photo of a wave, the actual interest is the wave itself, but other elements in the image are distracting and not contributing to the main interest, and the rock in the image is also distracting [(00:30:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1811s). - The image of the wave also has a horizon that is not quite straight, which is a common mistake that can easily be fixed [(00:30:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1850s). ## Photo Analysis: Pond and Lilies - A photo of a pond and lilies can be improved by cropping out the top and bottom elements, as the main interest is the pond and lilies, and experimenting with capturing the reflection of the trees in the lake [(00:31:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1911s). - The image of the pond and lilies is all about shapes and textures, and the dull sky does not detract from the image [(00:32:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1951s). ## Photo Analysis: Woodland Image - A woodland image is well-seen, using foliage to create simplicity, but can be improved by cropping out distracting elements, such as a tree on the side, to focus on the main tree in the middle [(00:32:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=1973s). - The woodland image also effectively uses ivy to add interest to the image, and cropping out distracting elements can make the image even stronger [(00:33:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=2009s). ## Enhancing Images with Mood and Cropping - To enhance an image, making it a little darker and moodier can create a more amazing effect [(00:33:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=2018s). - Cropping an image can also improve its overall look and feel [(00:33:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=2030s). ## Importance of Critique and Feedback - Critiquing images with friends or a camera club is a great way to get better at photography [(00:34:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=2061s). - Getting opinions from others, whether they are photography friends or not, can be beneficial for improving one's photography skills [(00:34:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=2072s). ## Squarespace for Photographers - [[Squarespace]] is a fantastic platform for building a website, especially for photographers, as it does not require technical skills and allows for creating galleries, selling prints, and more [(00:34:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=2081s). - Squarespace offers a 10% discount for users who sign up using the code "Nel" [(00:35:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=2112s). ## Print Giveaway Winner Announcement - A limited edition print was given away to a viewer, Josh Grman, who will receive a signed copy [(00:35:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc&t=2149s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIghhnoCWc?si=h4qO2rKQu4eQQrWO)