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 02/13/2007 12:40:16 AM · #1
So I've been commenting on people's pics and even posted a new thread about new pics. To no avail, really.

So, I have to ask; how do I get people to comment on my pictures and leave some constructive criticism/critiques? I try to leave good comments that are constructive, so I hope that's what most people look for in comments. Do I just go unnoticed around here? *sadness*
02/13/2007 01:21:10 AM · #2
you've only entered one challenge ... it doesn't seem like you've been contributing for long.

just give it time mate ... participate in challenges and threads and just build up your collection.

i haven't been here long either, but i've made lots of friends through the 'photo a day' challenge for 2007 ...

patience grasshopper! :)
 02/13/2007 01:40:27 AM · #3
The secret is to submit really, really good pictures... or really, really bad ones.
 02/13/2007 01:45:27 AM · #4
I once posted a request for 1-4-1's that had the stipulation that I would return in kind, the longer/more in depth the comment given, the longer and more in depth I would return. I got so much good feedback that it almost killed my carpal tunnel ;)
 02/13/2007 01:54:14 AM · #5
I took some time to leave you some comments this evening. What software are you using for post processing?
 02/13/2007 11:00:49 AM · #6
Originally posted by super-dave:
you've only entered one challenge ... it doesn't seem like you've been contributing for long.

just give it time mate ... participate in challenges and threads and just build up your collection.

i haven't been here long either, but i've made lots of friends through the 'photo a day' challenge for 2007 ...

patience grasshopper! :)


Yeah, I've only done one challenge. I'm less of a "Here's a subject, go take a picture" kinda guy than I am a "Field-inspiration" kinda guy. I find it seriously hard to take awesome pics when I'm given a subject.
02/13/2007 11:01:24 AM · #7
Originally posted by stdavidson:
The secret is to submit really, really good pictures... or really, really bad ones.


Hmmm, then I'm in trouble because I guess I just take mediocre pictures.
 02/13/2007 11:02:51 AM · #8
Originally posted by wavelength:
I once posted a request for 1-4-1's that had the stipulation that I would return in kind, the longer/more in depth the comment given, the longer and more in depth I would return. I got so much good feedback that it almost killed my carpal tunnel ;)


So, a 1-4-1 is a "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" type thing, right? Well, I'm going to add that to my original post; but I think it's too late for that now. I reckon the people who have wanted to read this thread have already read it.
 02/13/2007 11:17:16 AM · #9
Originally posted by rasdub:
I took some time to leave you some comments this evening. What software are you using for post processing?


To be honest; I don't do any PP. From the comments I've received; I probably should. I aspire to be the kind of photographer who can take naturally good photos. I reckon I have a loooooooong ways to go still.

I do have PS CS2 so I can play with pictures if I decide to. I think I'm going to play with some of my pictures then post them to see if I can make some of them better.

Also, I wanted to thank you guys for commenting on my pictures! For anyone else who is reading this thread. You comment on my pictures; and I comment on your pictures. Of course, you get what you give; so make 'em good.
 02/13/2007 11:54:06 AM · #10
Originally posted by bigalpha:
I aspire to be the kind of photographer who can take naturally good photos.

You can take perfectly framed pictures, and ensure your light is top-notch, have an engaging subject, and so on, but, particularly with digital photography, at least some post work is likely going to improve your straight out of the camera photos. Issues like sensor dust, soft focus in RAW, and white balance can really only be corrected once you get your image file onto your computer.
 02/13/2007 12:17:27 PM · #11
You asked for some feedback on your images. I looked through your 'good' pics portfolio selection. I saw a whole lot of images that looked very much like the sorts of things I shot when I started out with a camera. I shot stop signs, textured manhole covers and bits of wood as well. My early pictures were full of that sort of stuff.

There are a whole lot of things you can do to improve - the first would be to start paying attention to the light. Really see it. Notice the quality of it - is it harsh, soft, warm, cool. How does it interact with the subject - does it enhance, detract ? Really pay attention to light. See if you can see the difference in colour temperature between the indoor tungsten light and outdoor light (e.g., in a well lit room, with mixed daylight and electric light). Or find a subject outside in the sunlight and walk around it. Shoot it from the full 360 degrees and see how the light changes on that subject - pay attention to what works or doesn't work and start noticing it.

So that's light. There's a lifetime to be spent just getting sympathetic to that one aspect of photography. Next thing would be subject matter. You mentioned not working too well on the idea of assigned subjects but prefer to find things. That's certainly a valid way to go - but try going out with a particular theme in mind. Go out and shoot 'circles' or 'S shapes' or 'lines' The key is to pick a concept that gets you shooting things like that. You might worry about all the other things you'll miss - but you always miss things - so let that go. Pick a theme and work it for an hour, or a week or a year or 10. You'll start seeing that theme in other shots later on - consider it like playing scales practicing piano. Work on themes like leading lines, or complimentary colours - while you are at it, read about colour theory - if you are going to shoot in colour, you really need to know how the colours interact and work together or against each other.

Go shoot just red things for a day, or blue things. Then pick a pair of complimentary colours and go shoot just pairs of those or things in those themes for a while.

But enough practice. Now you want to take some pictures - so what motivates you ? What are you interested in ? Where do your passions lie (other than 'photography' or 'cameras') Go shoot those things. Shoot projects based around the things that excite you. Shoot racquetball. Shoot ultimate frisbee. Try to tell the story about what you like about those subjects. Shoot food if that's what floats your boat. The key is to find something you are passionate about and use photography to communicate & explore that.

Print the pictures you like, stick them up somewhere where you can see them. Look at them every day. See what you like, or don't like about them. Focus on what you like and go shoot more. Shoot a lot more. Print those out. Look at them. and so on.


02/13/2007 12:22:45 PM · #12
Also - look at photography that inspires you. Look at lots of it. Check books out of your library. Buy photo books at second hand book stores. Look at pictures. Find the ones you like - really study what works in it for you. The more visually literate you get, the better your pictures will be.

Copy ideas. Copy as many as you can find. Steal from anywhere you can. You'll add yourself into the mix and make it your own, so don't be afraid to borrow every and any idea that appeals to you.
 02/13/2007 01:07:30 PM · #13
Gordon gives great advice. It sounds like a lot of work, especially if you have trouble with being given subjects to shoot. But if you love taking pictures, it won't really seem like work. I think the idea of finding a theme and shooting it for a while is an excellent one. You really do start seeing your theme in different places. Speaking personally, I started shooting formal arrows about two years ago, and now I go out of my way looking for this subject, and it has started to take on its own life and its own meaning in many of my photos.

His suggestion to review others' work is also an indespensible one. Pick up magazines too - you seem to like black and white, so Black and White Photography and B&W are great magazines to check out. Also visit plenty of online portfolios, especially of longtime photographers like Saudek or Keith Carter, or popular web-based photographers like Lars Raun.
 02/13/2007 07:44:30 PM · #14
Hey guys,

I really appreciate the critique and suggestions. Gordon, you have a lot of really good ideas, and I'm going to start trying to incorporate them into my photography. I'm going to do a little PP on some of my pictures; and I'd appreciate some feedback on those too, if you don't mind?


02/13/2007 08:11:10 PM · #15
Alright, so I took a couple of shots and did a little PP. They are in the PP Shots folder.
02/13/2007 09:14:46 PM · #16
I did a little Adjust Levels in PS on the table leg to give it a little more pop. IMO it really brings out the character of the leg more. Good contrast is something that makes images more appealing.



Other suggestions would be to zoom in on the leg a little bit more and shift it to the right just a bit. I think it's a little too centered right now. Rule of thirds and all that stuff ;)

Message edited by author 2007-02-13 21:16:21.
 02/13/2007 09:21:41 PM · #17
What do you think of the re-crop? I also boosted the highlights in Levels even more.

02/13/2007 09:25:33 PM · #18
Originally posted by Gordon:
You asked for some feedback on your images. I looked through your 'good' pics portfolio selection. I saw a whole lot of images that looked very much like the sorts of things I shot when I started out with a camera. I shot stop signs, textured manhole covers and bits of wood as well. My early pictures were full of that sort of stuff.

There are a whole lot of things you can do to improve - the first would be to start paying attention to the light. Really see it. Notice the quality of it - is it harsh, soft, warm, cool. How does it interact with the subject - does it enhance, detract ? Really pay attention to light. See if you can see the difference in colour temperature between the indoor tungsten light and outdoor light (e.g., in a well lit room, with mixed daylight and electric light). Or find a subject outside in the sunlight and walk around it. Shoot it from the full 360 degrees and see how the light changes on that subject - pay attention to what works or doesn't work and start noticing it.

So that's light. There's a lifetime to be spent just getting sympathetic to that one aspect of photography. Next thing would be subject matter. You mentioned not working too well on the idea of assigned subjects but prefer to find things. That's certainly a valid way to go - but try going out with a particular theme in mind. Go out and shoot 'circles' or 'S shapes' or 'lines' The key is to pick a concept that gets you shooting things like that. You might worry about all the other things you'll miss - but you always miss things - so let that go. Pick a theme and work it for an hour, or a week or a year or 10. You'll start seeing that theme in other shots later on - consider it like playing scales practicing piano. Work on themes like leading lines, or complimentary colours - while you are at it, read about colour theory - if you are going to shoot in colour, you really need to know how the colours interact and work together or against each other.

Go shoot just red things for a day, or blue things. Then pick a pair of complimentary colours and go shoot just pairs of those or things in those themes for a while.

But enough practice. Now you want to take some pictures - so what motivates you ? What are you interested in ? Where do your passions lie (other than 'photography' or 'cameras') Go shoot those things. Shoot projects based around the things that excite you. Shoot racquetball. Shoot ultimate frisbee. Try to tell the story about what you like about those subjects. Shoot food if that's what floats your boat. The key is to find something you are passionate about and use photography to communicate & explore that.

Print the pictures you like, stick them up somewhere where you can see them. Look at them every day. See what you like, or don't like about them. Focus on what you like and go shoot more. Shoot a lot more. Print those out. Look at them. and so on.


This was FANTASTIC advice Gordon.

I'm new here, have entered a few challenges and vowed to do whatever it takes to become as good as Librodo!

I came here primarily as a portrait taker - LOVE unposed people photos, but have pushed myself to do challenges because they make me PRACTISE - a key for sure.

And now I'm currently doing the 30 Day Where I Live challenge and it's totally changed me again - for the better.

The people in the challenge are so generous with their comments and I in return aim to comment on most every one (time permitting).

I'm learning SO MUCH - but even more importantly I've discovered areas around where I live that I've ignored - and they are RICH with interesting subject matter that has absolutely nothing to do with people photography - GRIN!

I see this place as my university - the top photographers here as not just my inspiration but as my lecturers.

People here are SO generous with their knowledge and Gordon what you said is AWESOME!

bigalpha - look forward to seeing some of your future work.
 02/13/2007 11:16:46 PM · #19
Rob -- that's a good lookin' rendition of my initial pic. I like the final up close crop. I guess I should just suck it up and do some PP.

I guess it seems like cheating to me. From what I've read and stuff, it's the norm, so I need to stop feeling like that.

Thanks iamwoman; I also look forward to seeing more from ya.
02/13/2007 11:34:28 PM · #20
Originally posted by bigalpha:
Rob -- that's a good lookin' rendition of my initial pic. I like the final up close crop. I guess I should just suck it up and do some PP.

I guess it seems like cheating to me. From what I've read and stuff, it's the norm, so I need to stop feeling like that.


Don't think that the film guys don't manipulate their files. They use Dodge and Burn all the time to accentuate what they want to accentuate. And they can lighten and darken the photo in the dark room as well. Also, it almost ALWAYS takes manipulation to get the picture to where it looks like what you originally saw.
 02/14/2007 12:42:46 AM · #21
Originally posted by Gordon:
You asked for some feedback on your images. I looked [snip] Look at them. and so on.


clap clap clap

I'd like to sticky this comment. It's the answer to 90% of all questions asked in these forums.
 02/14/2007 09:40:30 AM · #22
Originally posted by Pedro:
Originally posted by Gordon:
You asked for some feedback on your images. I looked [snip] Look at them. and so on.


clap clap clap

I'd like to sticky this comment. It's the answer to 90% of all questions asked in these forums.

Maybe a "practical beginner's guide to improving your photos" tutorial or something.
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