Forums > Critique > Serious Critique > Updated port, looking for thoughts

Photographer

MGENOVESE PHOTOGRAPHY

Posts: 10

Albany, New York, US

I have recently updated my port and was just looking for some feedback, what you like, what you don't, and any tips for improvement. Let me know what you think!

-Marcello

Feb 08 13 06:41 am Link

Photographer

David Kirk

Posts: 4852

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

What I don't like:

- very distracting logo
- repetitive portfolio
   - select the best from any one shoot and scrap the rest
   - nearly every photo in the top 3 rows has that same wood floor
- constantly shooting from a high angle

What I like:
- good care taken to ensure flattering lighting
- model's skin retains texture - I would prefer less skin smoothing, but this is not too overdone

Tips to improve?
  - vary your shooting angle and space
  - attempt some more sophisticated lighting - work with shadows rather than completely eliminating them

I hope that is helpful.

Feb 08 13 11:19 am Link

Photographer

MGENOVESE PHOTOGRAPHY

Posts: 10

Albany, New York, US

David Kirk wrote:
What I don't like:

- very distracting logo
- repetitive portfolio
   - select the best from any one shoot and scrap the rest
   - nearly every photo in the top 3 rows has that same wood floor
- constantly shooting from a high angle

What I like:
- good care taken to ensure flattering lighting
- llama's skin retains texture - I would prefer less skin smoothing, but this is not too overdone

Tips to improve?
  - vary your shooting angle and space
  - attempt some more sophisticated lighting - work with shadows rather than completely eliminating them

I hope that is helpful.

Thank you very much for the input! Great advice. I am constantly looking for interesting angles so I will most certainly be working on that.

Feb 08 13 01:12 pm Link

Photographer

Marin Photo NYC

Posts: 7348

New York, New York, US

2 things - cropping - missing hands, elbows at times, just a pet peeve of mine. The other is you edited the face in some shots and nothing else but it's obvious. Try and make it more balanced maybe. Less is always better if you aren't great at it or don't have time.

I think your lighting is very good so that's half the battle. The angles, just don't over do the same technique for every shoot. Aside from that, not bad at all.  Good focus on all of your shots and good camera control. 

Disclaimer - "I am not an expert!"..haha

Feb 08 13 01:28 pm Link

Photographer

MGENOVESE PHOTOGRAPHY

Posts: 10

Albany, New York, US

Marin Photography wrote:
2 things - cropping - missing hands, elbows at times, just a pet peeve of mine. The other is you edited the face in some shots and nothing else but it's obvious. Try and make it more balanced maybe. Less is always better if you aren't great at it or don't have time.

I think your lighting is very good so that's half the battle. The angles, just don't over do the same technique for every shoot. Aside from that, not bad at all.  Good focus on all of your shots and good camera control. 

Disclaimer - "I am not an expert!"..haha

Thank you very much for the feedback it is much appreciated!

Feb 08 13 01:35 pm Link

Photographer

MisterChristian

Posts: 46

Bethesda, Maryland, US

I think the first two replies nailed it; I agree with everything they said... the only thing I have to add is perhaps that the combination of the above issues led the first 8 images to run together for me.  Very similar color palette and composition, and the prominent watermark made for almost a tile effect to my eyes.  The images have their strengths technically as they said, I just feel that the presentation takes away from that and weakens them.

And the last four almost feel as though they belong to a different portfolio and are tacked on the end as an afterthought.  It's made me realize that I need to focus more on my layout as well.

Hope that's helpful even if it is a little less technical of a reply.

Feb 08 13 02:37 pm Link

Photographer

MGENOVESE PHOTOGRAPHY

Posts: 10

Albany, New York, US

MisterChristian wrote:
I think the first two replies nailed it; I agree with everything they said... the only thing I have to add is perhaps that the combination of the above issues led the first 8 images to run together for me.  Very similar color palette and composition, and the prominent watermark made for almost a tile effect to my eyes.  The images have their strengths technically as they said, I just feel that the presentation takes away from that and weakens them.

And the last four almost feel as though they belong to a different portfolio and are tacked on the end as an afterthought.  It's made me realize that I need to focus more on my layout as well.

Hope that's helpful even if it is a little less technical of a reply.

Thank you. I just upgraded my account to premium a few days ago and haven't gotten around to adding more albums but I will be doing that shortly to separate the different styles. Also, the first two rows have similar tones and backgrounds because both models were at the shoot at the same time and it was shot simultaneously. Thanks for your opinion it is very appreciated!

Feb 08 13 02:54 pm Link