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10/16/2003 11:56:42 PM · #1 |
I haven't been at this photography thing very long. I belong to another board which has been described by others as a "attaboy/attagirl" board. I usually get a lot of responses, but I want to show a image or two to those that don't know me for good, honest critque.
Can anybody help me out????
Thanks!
Audrey
Message edited by author 2003-10-16 23:59:27. |
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10/17/2003 12:06:13 AM · #2 |
Hi Audrey,
I like the first one better, minus the insigna in the center. The insigna draws the eye away from the girls. Also, I like the girl on the left (in the 1st) and the girl on the right (in the second) shot better. I think it maybe an angle thing or their expression. Van |
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10/17/2003 12:06:15 AM · #3 |
(My comments refer to the top photo only.)
Well, I think that you've done a wonderful job here. You've got a lovely softness on the faces, a pleasing range of tones throughout, the backlighting and the dof really help to isolate the subjects from the background. Compositionally, the balance is fine and the lighting on the faces works well.
If I were to look for negative things here, I might say 3 things. 1) (Montitor difference, possibly) The eyes are not as sharp as they might be, especially on the girl on the left. 2) The pose of the right-hand girl results in her nose appearing slightly odd - more right-hand lighting would reduce the (ever-so-slightly) ugly effect. 3) The initials in the middle really detract from the overall image. They might be placed less obtrusively elsewhere.
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10/17/2003 12:45:48 AM · #4 |
I agree they are both good shots, but the initials really are a huge distraction from otherwise very well done shots.
the girl on the left looks like she got some real attitude, I like it.
the other girl is more 'cute' which I also like, might be interesting to see them on their own or to see their expressions 'match' a bit to give a more unified feel to the photo, they feel a little like they are having very differing life experiences at same time, maybe you are going for that. (esp in first shot)
Message edited by author 2003-10-17 00:48:07. |
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10/17/2003 05:45:49 AM · #5 |
From you're profile (email address), looks like you may be aspiring to become professional or already are ??
I wish you well.
Can the logo (though I do like it) -- make it smaller amd bury it off in a corner or something. It's too distracting on such serious work.
I actually think that both images are commercial as they sit. I see images like this everyday in printed media. However, I will pick at them anyway. It is all my own opinion, for what that's worth.
Top pic:
Of the two I prefer this one most. There is motion. I feel that the left model is coming towards me. The right model needed her head tilt a tiny bit more horizontal. Her hair halo helps offset the height of the other model. Right side crop needs to be maybe 20-30 pixels wider (about the wide of that model's eye).
I like the soft focus effect. I, personally, would have liked to see the eyes absolutely crisp focused and the rest as soft as it is now.
On B+W portraits, eyes get very special in that they are pretty contrasty and detailed. Got to keep 'em crisp. I have no issues with facial expressions and so on. The two models balance each other.
Bottom image:
This is an entirely different picture. Much more of a studio shot and cries out for a neutral background with a soft flare on it. It probably would have taken the halos over the top, but would be more interesting, I think. Again, play with the focus on the eyes being crisper. The left models right eye (looking at the pic) is a bit smaller than other eye. Can't really 'post' edit that one. Right models eyes, both, could have been just a hair wider open. Getting just a bit too much upper lid. Perhaps tilting her head down just a few degrees would have worked.
The models work off each other well. I see things that "I" would do post-production, mostly some minor dodge and burn stuff.
OK, so I got WAY picky.. don't ever believe that media editors don't. I've worked with one. They are so 'retentive' it makes you want to scream. They'd be counting individual hairs in a halo (LOL!). Well, maybe not that bad, but they usually get so many really great images to work with, that their standards are way higher than even make sense.
Now, if you are talking a business taking pics of kids and doggies and things, you are in the groove. Keep it up. I sense you've had training and you certainly paid attention.
Good luck !
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10/17/2003 06:44:55 AM · #6 |
I suspect that you're looking for technical advice, and for that I can't begin to compete with what the more knowledgeable have already told you (although I do agree about the initials being too obtrusive).
What I'd like to say is that I find the pictures very compelling. It makes me want to know more about these girls, especially since there are two shots and I can see different aspects of them. It makes me wonder if they are sisters. Does the girl on the right really have the allog attitude displayed in the top shot or is she gentler, as depicted below? The one on the left looks a total sweetheart.
Maybe it's just the Dad in me, but your photos here really got and held my attention - whatever that quality is, make sure you don't lose it as you fine-tune your technical skills.
Bravo.
Oh, and I also agree that a sharp focus on the eyes is paramount.
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10/17/2003 06:46:53 AM · #7 |
Sorry, where you read "allog" in the above post - should have been "aloof"
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10/17/2003 06:48:34 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by stevenayer:
Sorry, where you read "allog" in the above post - should have been "aloof" |
There's also a possibility to edit your post Steve, just click the edit button.
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10/17/2003 06:57:52 AM · #9 |
| They are both great shots. If I had to pick one I would take the first one. The logo is a distraction right in the middle. I would reduce that logo and place it in a better position. |
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10/17/2003 07:05:57 AM · #10 |
Thanks Kiwiness - you'd think I'd have noticed that......
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10/17/2003 07:12:38 AM · #11 |
| I believe the AW lettering is your signature and inserted by you into the photographs. As mentioned above, the location in the 1st photograph is distracting. I like the second picture better. I think it is the innocence. Very well done. Sharpen the eyes. |
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10/17/2003 07:23:04 AM · #12 |
Attagirl!
Great portraits, I'm looking forward to seeing you take part in the challenges... |
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10/17/2003 08:11:14 AM · #13 |
Thanks everyone! The eyes in #1 are actually very sharp. This is already a low resolution image that I uploaded to snapfish for the purpose of posting. They reduced quality even more, so the eyes are off. I do think the eyes in #2 are soft, and I need to sharpen those. Next time I will not add a logo when posting! I'm sorry for that!
A little more about the shots, my work, etc. They were taken outdoors. The girls weren't really posing for me. They thought I was doing something to the camera. I find that I get more a better look that way. The girls were standing between two tall buildings on a sunny day. The lighting from the top is actually bright sun shining down on the tops of their heads.
I totally needed you all to pick these images apart. You all made EXCELLENT suggestions, and I will definitely be looking to change those things for any of my future sessions! I have had no formal training. Im totally self taught. I guess that is why I tend to doubt myself at times.
Thanks again for sharing your knowledge! Bobster-Shame on you with the attagirl! LOL! :-)
~Audrey |
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10/17/2003 08:12:27 AM · #14 |
I prefer the bottom picture.
The top one there is some feeling of discomfort, anxiety, tension coming from the girls, esp the girl on the left. It feels as if they are forcing it.
The bottom seems far more relaxed and pleasant to me.
Make sure your eyes are tack sharp.
The logo is waaay too big and obtrusive. i know you want to clearly mark your turf and copyright but i would recommend a small line. it just takes away from the pictures as it is.
very nice work, particularly the lighting.
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10/17/2003 10:40:05 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by Photomama:
I have had no formal training. Im totally self taught. I guess that is why I tend to doubt myself at times.
~Audrey |
Self taught !! Wow, you have natural talent that I wish I had. I was just looking at some "Winter" catalogs that dealt with childrens clothing and your shots are very close to that kind of good. My prior comments were actually more 'pre-publish' comments of extreme fine tuning. I truly felt that you already were quite at the 'commercial' level with these shots.
I suspected that these had been taken at a much higher resolution, then reduced for posting. I can see that the eyes may have been sharper in the original.
Very nice.
Hang out here, I think that some of us will like to watch where you go next. (The pressure is on, now !! LOL !)
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10/17/2003 10:49:39 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by magnetic9999:
I prefer the bottom picture.
The top one there is some feeling of discomfort, anxiety, tension coming from the girls, esp the girl on the left. It feels as if they are forcing it.
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Part of that is also in their postures - they are pulling 'away' in the top, sloping out of the picture, but in the bottom they've come together, making for a more integrated picture.
The backlight on the hair gives great separation for these shots though - very nice. I agree with all the comments about the logo though.
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10/17/2003 10:57:25 AM · #17 |
| I prefer the bottom one, agreeing with all comments about monogram, but wish the youngster on the right had a little more 'chin up' posture. The interaction is focal in the bottom shot and seems more relaxed and pleasant. |
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10/17/2003 10:59:11 AM · #18 |
Real nice work :)
I agree with most of the comments especially mags comments on the first photo.
My favorite is the second one, it has such a relaxing and comforting feeling about it.
The lighting is very nice.
Did you use some kind of light reflector or fill in flash?
Was there a problem with static? Their hair seems to be really standing out? Or were they moving into different poses/positions real quick. Like playing around you said they were not really posing ?
I like the AW logo, but I think you placed it where you did for just uploading? Adobe Photoshop has a tutorial on their website on how to place watermarks in your photos if you need or want to check that out.
Real nice work.
Calvus
Message edited by author 2003-10-17 11:01:30.
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10/17/2003 11:05:57 AM · #19 |
I really like the top one. I can see the left one coming at you, wanting to see and know everything and the right one standing back, thinking about what you are doing. The left girls hair falling on the shoulder of the right one brings out a feeling of closeness, even though they are not facing each other. Very good personality contrasts.
I don't know much about the technical things. I like how the sun created a hair light for you.
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10/17/2003 11:08:39 AM · #20 |
| Audrey, I can't add much to what has been said already, they are very good shots. The logo didn't bother me as I took it as just a mark to prevent internet copying that would not be part of the finished product. But, to be perfectly honest, my first thought was that neither of the girls is smiling. I wanted a third shot with just a hint of a smile on those pretty faces. |
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10/17/2003 12:07:08 PM · #21 |
Well, if you want some critiques, here you go
But first, these are great shots! I've never taken anything as nice cause I don't do portraits. With that, you'll have to take this as what it's worth - just pointing out some things.
General - The girl on the left appears to have more spunk and attitude. The one on the right is a more down to earth, humble (humility a Godly characteristic) girl. Both are photogenic.
So keep that in mind when shooting. IMO, In this series, you're displaying contrasting models (spunk verses easy-going).
Both girls have a little static in their hair. Perhaps use some anti-static gel before next shoot.
Top Image
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-Flash in the eyes
-3 dark, vertical lines in the background are nasty
-girl on left has head tilted up, one on right is tiltied down
-girl on left appears to have more light (lighter tone) probably because of the way her head is tilted up towards the light
-girl on right has head titled away from the center (to the right). i'm no pro, but i think in this shot both heads should angle toward the center.
-girl on right has glare on her forehead
- Someone mentioned cropping I think. I think the top one feels tight on the right side.
Bottom Image
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- The light wisp of hair doesn't help (this is a motionless photo)
- Again, flash in the eyes
Well, I hope this helps. These are picky things, so take that as a good sign you've moved past the beginner stage!
Message edited by author 2003-10-17 12:08:59. |
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10/17/2003 03:26:20 PM · #22 |
No flash. I don't even own a flash, and there were no reflectors. The lights in their eyes are natural catchlights. I thought catchlights make a good portrait no?
As for the hair...Their hair was liked that when I showed up. The parents didn't agree about any gel, so I moved on! LOL!! I totally agree. I will watch for the cropping. I agree too tight. Especially on the first one. I will also make a careful attempt to watch for head angles, and tilting!
Im a total natural light photographer. THANKS for the feedback! I really, really needed the nit picky things!!!! :-)
~Audrey
Message edited by author 2003-10-17 15:30:30. |
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10/17/2003 04:14:55 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by Photomama:
No flash. I don't even own a flash, and there were no reflectors. The lights in their eyes are natural catchlights. I thought catchlights make a good portrait no?
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I don't know honestly. I hate red-eye, but this isn't red eye and it's B&W with black eyes, so the light does pop out and maybe it's a good thing.
You're welcome for the nit-picky's. Perhaps when I can get high-speed internet and some time, I'll be posting some photos and you can return the fav!! :) |
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