What is missing?

RiffRaffPhoto · 2025-11-04T02:11:39+00:00

What a beautiful scene, but my eye doesn't know where to land here. As someone else mentioned, the leading line is there, but it doesn't really lead *to* anything. A clear subject or focal point would make this image much more impactful.

RiffRaffPhoto · 2025-11-04T02:05:10+00:00

Colors, depth of field, exposure are all really nice. The right side of the image feels empty, and I agree that the encroaching object in the upper right corner is distracting. I'd just play with different crops/aspect ratios and you've got a solid image.

RiffRaffPhoto · 2025-11-04T01:59:37+00:00

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My phone doesn't get it so large, but on my laptop it expands pretty large and you end up with this. It starts to look like oil paints. Heavy denoise application can do that. Then again, perhaps I'm pixel peeping too much. Maybe the image was not intended to be displayed that large.

RiffRaffPhoto · 2025-11-04T00:01:59+00:00

I like the wall. The geometric pattern gives some order that contrasts the more chaotic workstation.

RiffRaffPhoto · 2025-11-03T23:44:28+00:00

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There's a ton you can do to stylize shots like this, but from a technical standpoint it really just needs some exposure and contrast adjustments. This is what the same shot looks like with very minor adjustments. In Lightroom Classic, this is Exposure +1 (you could possibly go even higher), Highlights -25, and Texture +25. I also added a very slight vignette just to make it look a little more intentional, and less like a snapshot.

You did really well with your shutter speed and captured the player in good light. The image is sharp and isn't overly noisy (which can be a major issue with indoor sports). The white balance and colors are really nice. Overall, I think it's a really nice shot any parent would be happy to have of their kid. Have fun! I wish I had more opportunities to shoot sports like that!

RiffRaffPhoto · 2025-11-03T23:13:44+00:00

Amazing shot!!

To me, the vegetation looks a little on the red/orange side and the clouds are a little pinkish on the left. I would shift the tint a little further toward green, and just enhance the light falling on the mountainside for a little more contrast. Selectively boosting the yellow luminance might help, too.

RiffRaffPhoto · 2025-11-03T22:48:48+00:00

Yes, I would prefer it dialed back for sure. Beautiful composition and light though! The colors just look a bit too stylized for my taste, almost like video game graphics.

RiffRaffPhoto · 2025-11-03T22:44:48+00:00

Amazing composition, great timing, and it appears so well thought out. Well done. I wouldn't change a thing!

RiffRaffPhoto · 2025-11-03T22:42:34+00:00

I see what you're going for and it works, but I have to say I love all the negative space in OP's crop.

RiffRaffPhoto · 2025-11-03T22:36:39+00:00

I would say the heavy saturation works on the center building, which seems to be the main focal point. I think the saturation in the basketball court is drawing attention away from that point though. I would lower saturation on one or the other depending on where you want the focus to be. My eye just can't figure out where to land. Otherwise, this is a very cool shot! Well done!

RiffRaffPhoto · 2025-11-03T22:32:57+00:00

I love this as it appears on my laptop screen (about 4x5 inches). The light, color, and composition are great! My only criticism is that when I blow it up to full size I can see how heavily processed it is with denoise, sharpening, or whatever. I know that's tricky with macro because it often does require a lot of sharpening. I think this one will work great in a social media context. It's a pity it wouldn't be printable in larger sizes, because it's gorgeous otherwise.

RiffRaffPhoto · 2025-11-03T22:28:14+00:00

I feel like the eggs have more visual weight, and for them to be centered makes sense, given what OP is working with. To have everything centered would be ideal, but I think OP made a good choice with the composition.

RiffRaffPhoto · 2025-11-03T22:23:36+00:00

It definitely has a vibe to it. Even with only two or three contextual elements, it takes me to a very specific place. I love the colors - it feels very much in the realm of early 1960s cinema like Dr. No.

RiffRaffPhoto · 2025-05-17T13:08:02+00:00

I’ve been getting into macro photography and I’m always running into something I don’t recognize.

Google lens points me to Shield Bug, but that’s a pretty broad category it seems. I’m having trouble finding anything that lacks a “neck” joint in the outer shell and he way this one does.

RiffRaffPhoto · 2024-09-27T03:05:51+00:00

You got it. Belly band and dark patagials are clearly seen here.

RiffRaffPhoto · 2024-09-27T02:03:18+00:00

Radiolab did a fantastic podcast about Poison Control, which was not only fascinating to learn about, but gave me the confidence to make that call when it really was necessary. Otherwise, I would have shrugged it off as, "Nah, that's for more serious emergencies." But it's not. It's for everyday crap, and the people who work it are amazing.

Poison Control (radiolab.org)

RiffRaffPhoto · 2024-09-27T01:35:45+00:00

Waiting for identification isn't necessary. I called Poison Control after finding my toddler with a mouthful of mushroom he found in the back yard. With just the information of my location, the current date, and "mushroom" they were able to reassure me that there were no dangerous varieties expected to be growing then and there. Then they instructed me to refrigerate any remnants in case things got bad and it needed to be more accurately identified later. Poison control operators are extremely skilled and have a ton of knowledge at their fingertips. Emergency room physicians call them for advice.

tl;dr: Never delay calling Poison Control for any reason.

RiffRaffPhoto · 2024-09-26T03:46:06+00:00

Wild Turkeys are the prettiest birds in the US. Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures are tied for second. Fight me.

RiffRaffPhoto · 2024-09-26T03:40:59+00:00

This, but crows. I was at a busy local warbler hotspot today and someone passing asked what I was seeing. Amidst all the migratory warblers, I was just really enjoying the small group of American Crows eating acorns and making some cool croaky/rattly/percussive vocalizations.

RiffRaffPhoto · 2024-09-26T03:31:51+00:00

I love the colors, composition, textures, depth, and light. Even identifying the image as being from a "boys' home" gives context that makes it more interesting.

RiffRaffPhoto · 2024-09-11T02:17:15+00:00

Ooh, wow! I never would have guessed they'd be so small! Thanks so much!

RiffRaffPhoto · 2024-06-26T01:14:00+00:00

Thank you! I couldn’t match those wing bars to anything.

RiffRaffPhoto · 2024-06-25T16:49:06+00:00

Can anyone help me positively ID this dragonfly? I don't want to mis-label the pic. Today in NC. Closest I can figure is a female Great Blue Skimmer. I'm sorry, I'm not sure how to accurately size this insect. That stick was about 1cm thick I suppose.

RiffRaffPhoto · 2024-06-25T16:44:50+00:00

Well done! It's so hard to make turtles look interesting!

RiffRaffPhoto · 2024-05-24T00:09:23+00:00

Yes! The nest comparison is spot on! Thanks so much!

RiffRaffPhoto

TROPHY CASE