Emulating A Professional Photographer

I love how the overhanging branch naturally frames the little fountain and leads your eye up into the rolling hills—it gives the scene real depth. My biggest challenge was keeping everything sharp under that leafy canopy and then turning it into a black-and-white image without blowing out the sky or losing tree detail. Next time I’ll use a tripod (or bump up the ISO) for crisper shots, shift my position to remove distracting leaves, and crank up the contrast in post so the clouds and hills really pop.

I’m drawn to the peaceful mood—the soft ripples feel calm yet alive, and the distant ridges feel strong. I shot with a small aperture so nothing would blur, but it made the frame a bit busy; a slightly shallower depth of field or tighter crop could isolate the fountain better. I’d also look for stronger side light or golden-hour glow and boost contrast to add drama, which would bring me even closer to that classic Ansel Adams style.

Comment on classmate (Pham):

I love how your photo on the left makes the paper feel almost touchable—its soft curve and tiny dimples really stand out against the dark table. When I compare it to the pro’s shot on the right, I feel it’s more personal and curious, like you’re discovering that simple form for the first time.

I think it would be even stronger if you boosted the contrast so the paper really pops off the wood, moved in closer or shot from a lower angle to turn that edge into a clear path for the eye, and used a wider aperture to blur any background distractions. I’d also experiment with a slightly cooler color cast to set a more dramatic mood.

link: https://rpham2.wixsite.com/lux-by-pham/post/emulating-a-professional-photographer