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04/21/2007 11:11:02 PM · #1 |
I know most people here are more interested in winning a ribbon than anything else.
I really think the coolest thing about winning a ribbon was simply the exposure.
And that helped with my favourite stats, which are the fav stats. I am most honoured by people either picking one of my shots as a fav, or me as a photographer.
And it seems I have hit one siginificant milestone, and am closing in on another.
Selected by other users:
Photographer: 103 times
Photographs: 498 times
Thanks to everyone who has helped boost my confidence over the past couple of years.
I trust my taste a little more..I suppose that is one of those good news/bad news kind of statements, depending on your own taste.
And I know people always want comments that help them learn...and so here is an example of a comment that I learned a lot from:
By  Artyste
Ahh.. Hello, I'm from the Critique Club, and I see I'm returning to the scene of my crime (commenting on this during challenge).
Let's get to it shall we?
Initial Thoughts
This struck me as a very "Sally Mann" type photo. The B&W treatment is close to how she did some of her work, and the boy resembles her son Emmett so much, it gave me a double take. I was taken with the feeling of this photograph from the start, and that's always a positive thing.
Composition/Content
For me, the composition couldn't be better. Left side subject with right side negative space in portraitures always seems stronger than the other way. I'm no expert on why this is, but I've always found it to be so, and so do some of the greats, as it seems to be the dominating form. You've given your subject a great presence, allowing enough room for his expression, and to show his malady. Great job, regardless of if this was intentional, or intuitive.
Background
I personally love how the background halos the subject, and fades to black. This is a wonderful technique in keeping the focus on your subject. The background is also nicely OOF, keeping it from becoming distracting.
Camera Work/Technical
A few minor things to work on here.
1. Your focus is a little off, having centered on the boy's mouth and nose, instead of his eyes. The mouth/nose area, and part of his hair, are tack sharp, but his eyes, which should, IMO, always be the center of focus in a portrait-style shot such as this, are out of focus. A deeper DOF would have helped here a little. (Say, closing the aperature to 5.6). This also would have helped the focus be sharper on the chicken pox.. your secondary focal point. That being said, the focus isn't off enough to *really* hurt the image, but it is noticeable, and a few people touched on this.
Also, where personally, I love the subtle graininess of this photo, and believe it only enhances the mood.. DPC is infamous for voter hatred of the slightest bit of grain. Still, you can't always shoot for voters alone.. but just a reminder.
Digital Processing
Your processing is really good here, and kudos on noting what you've done. Makes my job easier. lol. The background, as I said, is very well done. I don't see anything that seems over-processed really, and you did a good job staying away from over-sharpening to compensate for the lack of focal depth. Your B&W conversion treatment is really nice too.. as I said, it reminds me of the work of Sally Mann (look her up sometime), which is a huge compliment, from me :)
Fits the Challenge
This is where you may have fallen off a little bit. While the mood of the photo is evident, the mood of the subject could be a little less subtle. Perhaps a more intensified look of discomfort, or grumpiness, and I'd have really been able to feel it. As it is, I just sort of get a little touch of disinterest. It's not *bad*, but it's not hugely moody either. Outside of a "Moods" challenge, the expression and feel are priceless, and I wouldn't change a thing.
My Opinion on the Photo
I really like this shot, and what you've done with it. You have great instincts, and I expect you'll go far in the future. As I said, this has really good feel, it reminds me of the work of a well-reknowned photographer, and it stirred emotion at first sight. You really can't beat that. Good luck in challenges to come.
I don't know of any critical comment, or technical correction that taught me nearly as much.
And now it turns out we are statistical twins. A real honour for me to be sure! |
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04/21/2007 11:19:47 PM · #2 |
you are one of the reasons why i am here,
you are the golden child
congrats on a brilliant porfolio |
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04/21/2007 11:30:54 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by bucket:
Photographer: 103 104 times |
I'm surprised you weren't already on my list. I keep seeing your photos on the Browse or Favorites pages and thinking, "Dang, this guy's GOOD!" |
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04/21/2007 11:37:48 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by scalvert:
Originally posted by bucket:
Photographer: 103 104 times |
I'm surprised you weren't already on my list. I keep seeing your photos on the Browse or Favorites pages and thinking, "Dang, this guy's GOOD!" |
I laugh..think, 'I wonder when it was that I picked scalvert as a fav'..glance down list, get annoyed decide to go over again...crap that is funny...I think you are at around 700 now (would do the cross out thing but don't know how..) |
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04/21/2007 11:40:06 PM · #5 |
I'm honored that I crossed your mind enough to get a mention out of the blue :)
You're one of the most down-to-earth guys on this site, and you know I've always admired you and your work.
Thanks stats twin! BTW.. I just got my 100th person favoriting me as a photographer yesterday! woo hoo! |
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04/21/2007 11:50:42 PM · #6 |
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