Trying to create a similar space to /r/photocritique
I think you want the subject to be more prominent within the photo. If you can zoom in so those green reeds take up the majority of the photo and the dragonflies are the focus. This picture would really benefit from being vertical as well. You have a lot of dead space that doesn't add anything.
I had a go at cropping it, to show you what I mean.
Great idea! I agree with the dead space, but I also like all the texture of the water in all of the dead space you mentioned. Vertical really works well here.
Haha wow, thanks. I just tried to get my phone as close as possible without scaring them! You made it quite a bit better tho!
Zooming in is your friend when taking pictures of wildlife!
Keep taking pictures of things you find interesting. You'll get better as you try new things. You don't need a fancy camera to take good photos.
I would say find a way to make the subject stand out more against the rest of the picture - either with depth of field or some colour editing?
Aside from that, I love the subject, love all the textures in here. Great shot!
Haha ty, the picture was really just me trying to catch them mating on my Pixel 6a
I like where you're going with the photo. The greens of the reeds really make that light blue of the flies really pop. And the texture of the water is so nice.
I would really like to hear from you what you yourself like or don't like about the photo and what you'd do differently next time if you were to retake the photo. I'm also curious to know why you say you're not good at taking photos? I think you're selling yourself short & constructive criticism even to yourself from yourself is very beneficial when learning! So let's hear it! :)
Haha Im satisfied with the picture. Took it on a whim. Just saw this subreddit opened so though I could contribute and maybe learn something!
There are so many great elements in the photo. From the color to the movement in the water and also the stillness of the dragonflies.
I agree with yenahmik on the cropping. I’ve done a different cropping solution that keeps the movement in the water and also guides the eye around the photo (compositional/visual flow). I think moving the dragonflies off to the side and utilizing their verticality as a reference to the edge of the frame gives the photo more drama or tension. I also added a little more black and contrast to improve the depth of field.
Oops! Forgot to add my version:
