I took this photo with my drone. Any constructive advice on how to make it better?
I mean this purely as constructive feedback and not trying to be a jerk. This is a great example of a “meh” in-between picture. Had you backed up more it would have been a really great coastal picture or had you come in closer you could have had a really neat lighthouse photo against the coastal backdrop. Right now this picture is really neither. It looks like someone snapped a picture of an area from the hillside.
Always think about what you are trying to show. What is the focal point intended to be? Also, not sure if you have access to adobe lightroom but I would try to straighten the horizon and fix the lenses distortion. Right now your horizon is at an angle and the lighthouse is leaning.
@Kai
Thank you for the feedback! I will keep that in mind.
Nate said:
@Kai
Thank you for the feedback! I will keep that in mind.
Here’s an example of what I mean. You could have tried a shot like this instead. https://placehold.co/600x400.png
@Kai
Great picture. Thanks for the encouragement. I’ll definitely try that next time!
@Kai
Love going to Split Rock! Hope you got some awesome shots while you were there.
For scenic shots like this, I prefer a straight horizon line, so I’d suggest adjusting it so the water looks level. Also, maybe try cropping it so the lighthouse is more in the center?
Eli said:
For scenic shots like this, I prefer a straight horizon line, so I’d suggest adjusting it so the water looks level. Also, maybe try cropping it so the lighthouse is more in the center?
Thank you, I’ll try that next time.
Are you using the grid lines on your camera? If yes, try to keep the lighthouse at about a third of the screen and the horizon level. Landscape photos in portrait mode can be tricky. I would also suggest moving slightly to the right to capture more of the ocean. It’s a nice spot with tons of great views.
@Winter
Good points! Thanks for the advice.
I try not to keep the horizon in the middle, but I’ll take your suggestions into account.
Cool picture and location! I’d have moved a bit closer, maybe above that circle to focus more on the buildings and get more of the coastline in the shot. Still a good pic!
Ollie said:
Cool picture and location! I’d have moved a bit closer, maybe above that circle to focus more on the buildings and get more of the coastline in the shot. Still a good pic!
I agree, I also recorded a video in landscape mode to highlight the point of interest.
Calibrate your gimbal on a flat surface, the horizon looks tilted. Maybe it was the wind, but it’s still worth checking.
Poe said:
Calibrate your gimbal on a flat surface, the horizon looks tilted. Maybe it was the wind, but it’s still worth checking.
Thanks, that’s a good point. I’ll double-check next time.
I’m more of a video guy, so I don’t have photo advice, but a shoreline flyby or circling the lighthouse could make for some cool clips to stitch together.
First of all, I appreciate that you’ve given us an unedited photo, it’s refreshing to see something real.
The composition feels a bit cramped; it would look better in a landscape orientation with some space to breathe. Keep experimenting with different angles and perspectives. I recommend taking 10-15 photos of the same subject from various angles and seeing which ones stand out. Repeat this process, and over time, you’ll get better at choosing the best compositions. Remember, even the best photographers take bad photos sometimes. Just keep improving and trust your instincts. Also, try studying paintings from famous artists, their compositions can teach you a lot about framing your shots.
@Phoenix
Wow, I never thought to look at paintings for composition. This is really helpful, thank you so much!
Nate said:
@Phoenix
Wow, I never thought to look at paintings for composition. This is really helpful, thank you so much!
Yeah, even a simple bowl of fruit in a painting can be a great lesson in composition.
@Phoenix
I visit museums all the time in LA, definitely something I’ll keep in mind.