As they say, your port is as good as your worst image. Let me help you get rid of it. This is a gentle, constructive criticism that will highlight your strong points as well. Consider your portfolio your art gallery where you want to show only your very best work. A portfolio in general should show less than 50 images. A common mistake is for a VIP member to show 200+ images just because he/she can. LESS IS MORE - One of the easiest way to bring your portfolio to the next level is to delete your weaker images. Post only your star images. Don’t let your viewer play treasure hunt by having to sort through volumes of marginal images to find your gems. Prior to responding, I will carefully review your port AND your profile, as my intent is to provide thoughtful, constructive criticism. Your port will be evaluated based on the following consideration: Rule [1] AVOID VARIANT IMAGES Posting multiple similar images from the same scene is the most common problem of poorly constructed ports. Decide which one you like and stick to it. Don't let the viewer chose for you because he will judge you by the worst one. Rule [2] DELETE IMAGES WITH POOR POSE OR EXPRESSION Too many images are ruined by uninteresting expression or contrived pose. ♦ Get rid of images where you are just smiling with no unique concept behind ♦ Delete poses where it looks obvious it is a contrived pose Rule [3] AVOID COLLAGES AND COMPOSITES These are usually detriment to your port for couple of reasons. Like your port, your collage will be judged by its worst image, not by its best. Furthermore, the thumbnail of the composite does not show enough detail to invite a visitor in. An exception in using collage would be for a retouch artist or MUA to show before and after effect. Rule [4] LISTEN TO YOUR AUDIENCE Get rid of images that have been sitting there for months having received only one or two comments. Actually it is neither the number of comments nor the number of image views that counts. Rather, what really matters is what I call "view-to-comment ratio". For example if you got 10 comments but it was viewed over 1,000 times this is a 100 to 1 ratio, a hint the image is marginal. The lower the ratio, the better is the image. A score below 20 I consider quite good. Rule [5] AVOID THESE THEMES ♦ Cliche themes like Railroad scenes, Images with Guitar, Car, or Caution tape is a sign that the artist is not an original thinker ♦ Blood, gory stuff are negative themes. You want a viewer to walk away with a good feeling not disgust ♦ Overcrowding your port with large boobs hints that you have a one-track mind ♦ Open crotch photos. They definitely devalue your port Rule [6] AVOID OVER-POSTING IMAGES OF THE SAME MODEL It is YOUR port, not your model's. Show some diversity. If you are an inexperienced photographer just starting out it may be a challenge to find models willing to work on TFCD basis. Invest in your hobby and hire an experienced model or two. Rule [7] MALE MODELS AVOID ♦ Baring your chest. Unless you have an amazing physique, you have no chance of competing against the multitude of hulks lurking on MM ♦ Underwear shots, all male genital shots Rule [8] DO NOT OVER PHOTOSHOP YOUR IMAGES While I am a firm believer in photoshopping and retouching, doing so should not be obvious to the viewer. After you photoshop your image, stand back and ponder if any aspect of your retouch is noticeable. If it is, retrace your step and do it right. If you cannot hide your track, abandon your efforts and do not post the image. ♦ Avoid creating un-natural complexion. The model should look live and not like some sort of plastic mannequin ♦ Do not create artificial backgrounds or graphics - most people find this is boring Please READ CAREFULLY the above guidelines and try to update your port accordingly, as best as you can, PRIOR to seeking my help. When ready, be specific as to what are your concerns and in what areas you think you need most help. Be thoughtful in your inquiry as I will be thoughtful in my answers. Once your review is posted, I encourage your comments, whether you agree or not. The readers would like to know your thoughts. Thanks Aug 10 12 12:06 pm Link Sure, why not? Aug 10 12 12:08 pm Link DO IT (to be read in the voice of Arnold Schwarzeneggar). Aug 10 12 12:08 pm Link I'll play. though i hope i have some good ones that you can find a worst shot. Aug 10 12 12:13 pm Link I'm game Aug 10 12 12:15 pm Link Sure thing Aug 10 12 12:17 pm Link I'm asking Aug 10 12 12:18 pm Link Aug 10 12 12:21 pm Link Please tell me. Aug 10 12 12:25 pm Link okay Aug 10 12 12:28 pm Link Shoot... Aug 10 12 12:33 pm Link ok, tell me. Aug 10 12 12:35 pm Link I would like to know , thx Aug 10 12 12:44 pm Link Interested! Aug 10 12 12:54 pm Link oh this sound exactly like what I need!! Yes please! Will look at your port too ;D Aug 10 12 12:57 pm Link Me? Aug 10 12 01:08 pm Link Still in the process of cleaning out my port. Please, which is the worst and why? Aug 10 12 01:14 pm Link I would like to know. Aug 10 12 01:17 pm Link Sure, I'm interested in hearing your opinion. Aug 10 12 01:34 pm Link oki:) Aug 10 12 01:45 pm Link please read my profile first and then pkease me! thanks, Loria Aug 10 12 01:50 pm Link go for it Aug 10 12 01:52 pm Link am I too late? Aug 10 12 01:52 pm Link Great! Aug 10 12 01:59 pm Link Jorge Kreimer wrote: While I see creative composition throughout your port using nice soft light, you've got too many images in your port. For example I would delete this one: Aug 10 12 02:07 pm Link Please and thank you. Aug 10 12 02:10 pm Link Drew Smith Photography wrote: Get rid of the first two B&W images of the first row. While Laura is gorgeous, and you have done a great job capturing her in a natural setting with some great light, you are showing three similar photos of her. Make up your mind and decide which you like, and dont confuse the viewer. Her third image is the best, so keep it. Aug 10 12 02:12 pm Link I will play Aug 10 12 02:14 pm Link Yes please. Aug 10 12 02:16 pm Link Chainmaille Treasures wrote: I am not sure MM is the best forum to advertise your product, and I am here to critique the art and creativity of photos as opposed to have input on marketing. Having said that I would delete all images except keep 4. To me the images all look similar, and so does the jewelery. The model is attractive, but lacking appealing expression. In your future photos you should make point to have the image sharply focused. Good luck in your business. Aug 10 12 02:20 pm Link RebeccaChristine wrote: Firstly I see you have registerd 5990 forum posts, meaning you are spending too much time here in the forums. You should be spending more time doing photography. I love the color in some of your images. Aug 10 12 02:29 pm Link please feel free, thanks Aug 10 12 02:35 pm Link JodieMae wrote: I propose getting rid of two images. Here your expression is dead plus there are too many guitar images on MM, you want to be unique. Aug 10 12 02:37 pm Link Mini_ wrote: I would say keep them all. Your port has few images and they are all artistic and interesting. If I HAD to choose one it would be your most recent one. Why? I think your expression is too contirved. Aug 10 12 02:44 pm Link Aug 10 12 02:48 pm Link Please, I'd really appreciate your opinion. I am trying to figure out which pics in my port are weakest, but nobody ever seems to want to critique me. Thanks! Aug 10 12 02:49 pm Link L Raye wrote: Get rid of Lisa, second image in the third row. The capture of her lleft breast in this angle is not particularly flattering. Aug 10 12 02:55 pm Link J Jessica wrote: Get rid of the rabit. While he is cute, you are infinitely more beautiful Aug 10 12 02:57 pm Link I'm in. Aug 10 12 02:58 pm Link Aug 10 12 03:02 pm Link |