Auugh so much conflict!! (portfolio book)

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

02/06/2009 03:37:28 AM · #1

I know I posted a very similar thread a few days back, but this is about something different...I have an interview in less than a week and I want to be able to give the person some tangible representation of my work. I've put together this portfolio book (PDF) but there are some photos I'm a bit iffy on; namely, the images in the "candid" section and the soccer image...

What do you guys think? Impressive or just kind of...blah???

Keep in mind that this interview is for a summer internship at a Christian camp and that I will probably do all of those kinds of images (minus studio) for them...

Oh and the cover is not what the actual cover would be. The picture that will be on the cover will probably also be in the February free study....!!!

ETA: I know it's small....it holds its resolution zoomed in.

Message edited by author 2009-02-06 03:38:04.

roba

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/06/2009 03:47:47 AM · #2

Hey Jessi,
Nice job. I think it definitely looks impressive enough to get you the internship.
My only suggestions would be to lose the pic on page 18 (and replace it with the dual shot from page 20). The "sports cover" talks about timing, and I think it's a good lead in to the BB action shots. The pg 18 shot doesn't really speak to that.
Also - not sure about the first candid image. Not that it's not a good shot... just not really appealing (to me anyway).

Overall - nice collection, and a good sampling of work. Great "theme" to the portfolio :O)
ps. yes, leave the soccer shot.

Lonni

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

02/06/2009 03:52:49 AM · #3

Hi Jessi, I think you've done really well with the book.

Some thoughts/suggestions:

Love page 4 - a very punchy intro
Not keen on the photo on page 5. It isn't very flattering.
Page 6 is great - the eyes are tack sharp.
Page 10 - have you tried reversing the two pictures (so the umbrella is at the top left rather than the middle)?
Page 11 - the whit balance looks a little off (particularly in the image on the right)
Page 14 - Looks like a snapshot (sorry!)
Page 15 - great image, but the white balance needs correcting, or convert to B&W
page 16 - strong candid image on the left - maybe devote one page to it. The image of the girl on the right has white balance issues.
I like all your sports shots. The soccer one is good, actually. The one on the right on page 20 is good enough to devote a whole page to, and there are too many basketball shots in general, so I'd can the one on the left of that page.

ETA Roba posted while I was replying - about his comment re: page 18 - I actually like the composition of the shot, which I why I didn't comment, but the closed eyes are VERY distracting. The fact that roba mentioned it must mean that others agree.
Hope that helps. Sorry for frankness...

Lonni

Message edited by author 2009-02-06 03:56:04.

02/06/2009 04:40:53 AM · #4

Thanks very much, I really appreciate it! I've made a few changes and will wait for a few more people's input before I re-pdf-ify it.

Deleted pg 6, replaced with two images of this girl; yes, they look better reversed; fixed the white balance.
Page 14: I love the old guy though! I've fixed his white balance, and he looks much better.
15: I never thought of that! It looks much better. Also did this to another candid that I liked but had wonky colors, turned out really well.
Page 18 is gone :( maybe I'll see it on the Taylor website sometime or other..that would be sweet.

The reason there are so many basketball shots is that I've only just, in the past 3 weeks, gotten good at shooting sports, and the only sport going is basketball! I'm playing with two football pictures (shot one game with a 50mm prime) and I know I have a good soccer pic somewhere.........hmmm.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

02/06/2009 10:43:30 AM · #5

Morning-ish bump! 5 hours of sleep is never a good amount.

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

02/06/2009 11:40:51 AM · #6

Originally posted by Jessi:

Morning-ish bump! 5 hours of sleep is never a good amount.

better than 3!

pamelasue

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

02/06/2009 12:38:58 PM · #7

I'm not really a fan of the photo on page 5 ... she looks very squished into the corner ... cramped comes to mind ... the candid on 15 seems to have it's white balance off .. and they just don't look like they're having much fun ... I'm also not sure of the pic of the man on 16 ... the man with his back turned to us seems to really hog most of the shot ... I really like both of the pics on 6, the one on 8 and the girl with the umbrella on 10, 11 and 12 are both great also ... your candid of the old man is fantastic, really captures his spirit well.