Photographer
Star
Posts: 17966
Los Angeles, California, US
As some of you know professional portfolio reviews (as an example Palm Springs Portfolio Review) have started turning away photographers who they feel are not yet ready for a serious critique of their work. In that spirit I invite you to embed 5 images into a reply to this topic, along with some information about yourself. If you are ready for a serious critique you will get one, if you are not you will be told so.
Photographer
TDSImages
Posts: 1017
Salt Lake City, Utah, US
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/33240304 18+ https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/32018628 18+ I am a self taught hobbyist photographer who enjoys creating stories with pictures which I think is why I lack a particular style and is also why my images are all over the place. The technical aspect of my photography as well as my photoshop skills (I do all my own retouching) could be improved, but other than that, what advice do you have for me? I really want to get my photography to the next level and would appreciate your critique.
Photographer
David Kirk
Posts: 4852
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Photographer
Star
Posts: 17966
Los Angeles, California, US
Shirin McBennett-Sheen wrote:
2 different styles of hair, too much repetition, you are not ready for a serious critique
Photographer
Star
Posts: 17966
Los Angeles, California, US
TDSImages wrote:
you have trouble counting, the three images are actually one image since you have placed them together. I also just don't have time to follow links to 18+ images.
Photographer
Star
Posts: 17966
Los Angeles, California, US
David Kirk wrote:
you are not yet ready for a serious critique. Try a rim light from time to time, and make sure to adjust your exposure before placing onto MM. Some of your images look underexposed. Here is an example of a rim light in a darker image that still looks properly exposed
Model
Axioma
Posts: 6822
Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
Photographer
TDSImages
Posts: 1017
Salt Lake City, Utah, US
Star wrote: you have trouble counting, the three images are actually one image since you have placed them together. I also just don't have time to follow links to 18+ images. Um...not really. I uploaded the images separately and this is how they came out. And if you didn't have time to follow 18+ links you should have stated so. Have a nice day...
Photographer
Star
Posts: 17966
Los Angeles, California, US
TDSImages wrote: Um...not really. I uploaded the images separately and this is how they came out. And if you didn't have time to follow 18+ links you should have stated so. Have a nice day... ok, lets be frank. The three images i saw gave me no reason to follow your link to 18+ images. The are dark. They look overphotoshopped, and not in a professional way. Out of the three only one looks like it has anything approaching a personal style that is marketable as a profession. See what I get for trying to not hurt your feelings earlier. AGAIN, you are not yet at a level where you are ready for a serious professional critique. The only critiques that can be given are hurtful and likely to not be helpful as they will only upset and make you feel bad about yourself. I am offering professional critiques to people who have a portfolio at a level where they will benefit from a pro critique.
Photographer
TDSImages
Posts: 1017
Salt Lake City, Utah, US
Star wrote: ok, lets be frank. The three images i saw gave me no reason to follow your link to 18+ images. The are dark. They look overphotoshopped, and not in a professional way. Out of the three only one looks like it has anything approaching a personal style that is marketable as a profession. See what I get for trying to not hurt your feelings earlier. AGAIN, you are not yet at a level where you are ready for a serious professional critique. The only critiques that can be given are hurtful and likely to not be helpful as they will only upset and make you feel bad about yourself. I am offering professional critiques to people who have a portfolio at a level where they will benefit from a pro critique. I have no problems with honest, constructive, hurtful (if needs be) critiques for that is the way that I can grow and get better as a photographer. Outside of photography, I own a successful manufacturing company that I started 20 years ago and trust me, on the way to the top, I've had my feelings hurt more times than I can count. Never the less, thank you for your time.
Model
Jupiter Red
Posts: 521
New York, New York, US
I'm not sure if this was open to models, but I'd love a critique! As I'm on mobile, it's impossible or me to imbed images, so I welcome you to check out my port!
Photographer
closed up shop
Posts: 3176
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Photographer
Star
Posts: 17966
Los Angeles, California, US
Axioma wrote:
I have not looked at your profile so this is based on the four images. while you have some nice images, you are photographing very short. I would say you are 5 foot 4 or shorter. Part of this is the styling, you need to find people with better styling. The first image in your portfolio is with a large prop and a suit that does nothing to make you appear taller. the second image, especially as it is forshortened by the pose and the angle is again making you look very small. The third the head room, the arm in front and the fact that the photographer is shooting a bit above you at their "eye level" would make you seem even shorter than you are. I can't see the last image well enough to judge well, but of the three the second two read short. Also wayyy too much photoshop. Right now you are inbetween. I would suggest nudes if you want to do it for the art, or a stylist if you want to do it for the look and the fashion. Better hair and make-up wouldn't hurt either. You need professional headshots. I would suggest bangs, or a more "edgy" hair cut, something that would keep your neck from disappearing quite so much. You definately neeed better photographers, something with natural light and a more quiet type of look. Something like this the above image shows the hair that might work for you, as well the style of photography you would benefit from. 18+ http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8335/8096 … 47fb_z.jpg Image of me by Ken Merfeld. as you can see i am not a beautiful woman, but the right photographer, style and lighting can make an image of me have impact. You need to be more fearless. You need better photographers, and you need to find a style of hair and make-up more suited to your facial structure. Your images should look effortless. Why not abandon the "sexy" girl and instead play to your strengths of looking young, small, and find a natural vulnerability.
Photographer
Star
Posts: 17966
Los Angeles, California, US
Shahzaade wrote: I'm not sure if this was open to models, but I'd love a critique! As I'm on mobile, it's impossible or me to imbed images, so I welcome you to check out my port! think about it, if you wanted a professional job and there were certain requirements and you did not meet them, such as turning in a resume to be considered for an interview, would you expect an interview with no resume? Please do not reapply for a critique from me in this thread, I will have to say no.
Photographer
Star
Posts: 17966
Los Angeles, California, US
Rex Maverick wrote:
you are not ready for a critique in a serious manner. You need to find a personal style. Right now you seem to be letting the fact that nude sexy girls are in front of you overwhelm any ability to see beyond them to the art you could create. I would look to trying having girls pose in front of you and not letting them get sexy. Right now you are not in control of your set, the models are. Go simple, outdoor light in shade with a white reflector (or several). A good adobe (like an adobe house) background, or hang some red paper. The background should be simple, like the image of me in the previous critique. Shoot in raw, make the preview black and white, and use lightroom to go to black and white. A 50mm lens ONLY. Try multiple exposures, multiple f-stops and experiment with what the camera can do that your eye doesn't see. Don't let the model move, place in in a chair or on a ladder. Something simple though. You move around her, seeing her from all angles. Step back and then step forward. Go very low, then very high. Play with dead space above and below and to the side. Do horizontal then vertical. Work with her for a while, see what happens when she gets to a point that she is honestly there and not playacting. Do this five times in a row and see what you get. See what you learn.
Photographer
L Raye
Posts: 5045
Petaluma, California, US
Photographer
Star
Posts: 17966
Los Angeles, California, US
L Raye wrote:
sorry but no thanx. Usually a critique is something i give out based on at least one image, this time i asked for 5 embedded images and a little about yourself. For this posting all I had was your avatar. You are not yet ready for a serious critique. Please do not resubmit, I can't critique anyone who doesn't follow the criteria and i don't allow people to resubmit.
Photographer
L Raye
Posts: 5045
Petaluma, California, US
Star wrote: sorry but no thanx. Usually a critique is something i give out based on at least one image, this time i asked for 5 embedded images and a little about yourself. For this posting all I had was your avatar. You are not yet ready for a serious critique. Please do not resubmit, I can't critique anyone who doesn't follow the criteria and i don't allow people to resubmit. No problem. I missed the info part. But you may want to edit the OP to say that you don't have time to look at 18+ links.
Model
Axioma
Posts: 6822
Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
Star wrote: I have not looked at your profile so this is based on the four images. while you have some nice images, you are photographing very short. I would say you are 5 foot 4 or shorter. Part of this is the styling, you need to find people with better styling. The first image in your portfolio is with a large prop and a suit that does nothing to make you appear taller. the second image, especially as it is forshortened by the pose and the angle is again making you look very small. The third the head room, the arm in front and the fact that the photographer is shooting a bit above you at their "eye level" would make you seem even shorter than you are. I can't see the last image well enough to judge well, but of the three the second two read short. Also wayyy too much photoshop. Right now you are inbetween. I would suggest nudes if you want to do it for the art, or a stylist if you want to do it for the look and the fashion. Better hair and make-up wouldn't hurt either. You need professional headshots. I would suggest bangs, or a more "edgy" hair cut, something that would keep your neck from disappearing quite so much. You definately neeed better photographers, something with natural light and a more quiet type of look. Something like this the above image shows the hair that might work for you, as well the style of photography you would benefit from. 18+ http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8335/8096 … 47fb_z.jpg Image of me by Ken Merfeld. as you can see i am not a beautiful woman, but the right photographer, style and lighting can make an image of me have impact. You need to be more fearless. You need better photographers, and you need to find a style of hair and make-up more suited to your facial structure. Your images should look effortless. Why not abandon the "sexy" girl and instead play to your strengths of looking young, small, and find a natural vulnerability. Thanks a bunch for looking at my stuff and taking the time to critique. I will address some things you brought up if that's alright. First thing; well I am short, I'm 5'2, there is only so much you can do about that . Why do I have to appear taller per se, if I'm never going to be a fashion model? If it looks proportionated, isn't that enough for the type of work I do(?). I have professional headshots and I have more arty nudes and more raw looking nudes. But since you said you wouldn't bother looking at 18+ links to a previous poster I didn't link them. Those last shots have literally zero photoshop and retouch done to them. Only the ghost-figure was added in, but everything else including the light was done in camera. Thanks for your suggestions and I will also think about getting bangs. Although I think it's going out of style? And will try to do more natural and quiet with impact. Thank you Star.
Photographer
closed up shop
Posts: 3176
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Model
Jupiter Red
Posts: 521
New York, New York, US
Star wrote: think about it, if you wanted a professional job and there were certain requirements and you did not meet them, such as turning in a resume to be considered for an interview, would you expect an interview with no resume? Please do not reapply for a critique from me in this thread, I will have to say no. You're offering critiques on a website? On which there are thousands of threads? Look's like someone's taking themselves a little too seriously. Haha, thank's for nothing. ~Shahzaade
Photographer
Paul Albert
Posts: 448
Los Angeles, California, US
Photographer
Shifting Colors
Posts: 59
Washington, Pennsylvania, US
Post hidden on Sep 12, 2013 06:42 pm Reason: violates rules Comments: Please do not hijack the OP's thread with unsolicited critiques
Photographer
Star
Posts: 17966
Los Angeles, California, US
L Raye wrote: No problem. I missed the info part. But you may want to edit the OP to say that you don't have time to look at 18+ links. You don't understand,. I don't have the inclination based on your avatar to take the effort to see more of your work. You gave me nothing about yourself, so all I had to work with was the avatar. People who can't follow instructions are not worth my effort.
Photographer
Star
Posts: 17966
Los Angeles, California, US
Shahzaade wrote: You're offering critiques on a website? On which there are thousands of threads? Look's like someone's taking themselves a little too seriously. Haha, thank's for nothing. ~Shahzaade you're welcome. It is a hard truth from life, if you don't follow the instructions when applying for anything- from food stamps to jobs, to help from a website- you won't get what you are applying for. That if you choose to ignore the criteria before asking for help you will not be given the time of day. Think about this from a casting perspective. Someone is hiring a 5ft 10in model with a shaved head. You apply, but you don't have a shaved head. You don't get hired, AND the casting agent is angry you wasted her time and puts you in a do not hire list. She now knows you are unprofessional and will apply for jobs without reading the criteria. The same is true for me, you applied for a critique and purposefully did not follow the instructions. You are now in a do not critique pile.
Photographer
Star
Posts: 17966
Los Angeles, California, US
W Hughes Studio wrote:
I have some pretty good advice to a hobbiest photographer earlier in this thread. I would suggest the same for you.
Photographer
RBM Photo
Posts: 557
Bellbrook, Ohio, US
Photographer
closed up shop
Posts: 3176
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Star wrote: A 50mm lens ONLY. I have a 50mm, I've been shooting with a 35mm though since I'm using a fairly low rent camera. I've only got a t3i that I'm shooting with and without a full sensor I've read that the 35 makes more sense. Do you think I should still stick with the 50mm?
Photographer
Dwight Smalls
Posts: 83
Jacksonville, Florida, US
Post hidden on Sep 13, 2013 10:10 am Reason: 18+ Images
Photographer
W Hughes Studio
Posts: 28
Fort Collins, Colorado, US
I have some pretty good advice to a hobbiest photographer earlier in this thread. I would suggest the same for you. Check. Thanks for taking the time.
Photographer
David Kirk
Posts: 4852
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Star wrote: you are not yet ready for a serious critique. Try a rim light from time to time, and make sure to adjust your exposure before placing onto MM. Some of your images look underexposed. Here is an example of a rim light in a darker image that still looks properly exposed
thanks!
Photographer
Quay Lude
Posts: 6386
Madison, Wisconsin, US
Star wrote: I don't have the inclination based on your avatar to take the effort to see more of your work. This is just shitty, regardless of the implied intent of the thread.
Photographer
Star
Posts: 17966
Los Angeles, California, US
Paul Albert wrote:
Paul you haven't found a voice yet. You seem to be either looking at other people's work and attempting to emulate it or just plain not reaching far enough yet. The most important thing you will learn is how to pair a model with a concept. Until then you aren't ready for a critique.
Photographer
Star
Posts: 17966
Los Angeles, California, US
Cuica Cafezinho wrote: This is just shitty, regardless of the implied intent of the thread. no it isn't. I gave clear guidelines, the person didn't follow them. The only image I had to go on was his avatar. Also no personal information, as was asked for in the OP. His avatar did not make me need to see the linked images. That is how it goes in the professional world. You send an email blast and the hope is that it entices the art director, ad manager, etc... to click on a link to see the rest of your work, and then hopefully hire you. I saw a single image of his work and decided to pass on critiquing because it wasn't good enough for me to click on his links. I was polite the first go around, but he seemed to need more exposition so I gave it to him. No matter what I have only ever spoken of his work, not him as a person. I have been polite and not made derogatory comments in order to belittle him. I stated at the start I would treat this as a professional critique and would pass on critiquing those who weren't ready for it. He was unable to follow the rules and his (available) work wasn't so amazing that I could ignore those rules in order to attempt to critique his work. This is a professional level critique and people who don't qualify will not get a critique.
Photographer
Star
Posts: 17966
Los Angeles, California, US
The Signature Image wrote: Star, Okay if I comment on/critique you? no. I would elaborate- but just no.
Photographer
Star
Posts: 17966
Los Angeles, California, US
Dwight Smalls wrote:
you are finding a voice but you need to edit, here is a play by play https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/27876282 this image is what you should be doing. I don't like that her legs are blue, but that is an easy fix in photoshop with a single 50% color layer matched to her face color and brushed in to keep the legs from looking like a mistake. Also some of the prefab little things bother me, the fact that the veil is obviously a wedding veil since it has the ribbon at the end, and the tassels at the end of the scarf. I would consider going to a garment district in a nearby major city and picking up dozens of yeards of tulle in different colors, and if you can afford it some silk tulle as well. Then pick up some un dyed muslin to wrap with. https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31823041 I would prefer this with a plain backdrop. Also if you grid your main light you will get more the the 30's effect on her face. The legs and arms are blue again. From a styling stand-point if you are going to go blue in post you should have the model in a more orange based lipstick. Personally I would have preferred this one with a nude lip, and her arm coming outward. People who know me know I have hands, but in this case two palms seem like two too many. And with that amazing hair style why not play a bit, do some three quarter shots where the light almost behind her, someone who has just missed divinity. https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/32955333 this image does not belong in a professional portfolio. Doing pin-up is very very hard and while it is fine to play with pin-up every detail must be perfect before you put it up for critique. For me this image is playacting, but it is not pin-up. Clothing, hair, make-up it all misses the mark. Also pin-up is done using hard lights, no softboxes. The retouching doesn't serve the image well with all the blur on the background and the model. https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31634429 again this is a no for me. She doesn't seperate from the background. It also feels just a bit crass. It is not the same quality as the first two images. https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/31988431 get girls with better skin so you don't have to do the horrible blur retouching. The first two images you are showing are at a professional level, the last three are not good. They don't show a finesse or an understanding of what you are trying to achieve. If you want to shoot glamour buy a vagbond and go outside. Put the light behind the subject to the side and one in front using the natural light to do most of the work for you. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid … =1&theater the above is a one light image, and the light is in the back of the car. in front is a shiny board. Overcast day, 2 minutes to get the shot, did what I could. Looking at your portfolio as a whole you seem to be going somewhere with your netting series, but the other images really suffer from the retouching you are doing. I saw at least three that because of the blur affect are not suitable for a professional level critique. I critiqued you cause you do seem to be going somewhere, but much of your portfolio is just not to the level of the first two images you linked to. You need to figure out who you want to be and go from there.
|