Forums > Critique > Serious Critique > Would appreciate some serious feedback

Photographer

Visual Sanctity

Posts: 62

Cincinnati, Ohio, US

A little background before I get started on the particular shoot I am requesting feedback for. This year I have been concentrating my efforts on a series of shoots that I am calling "abandonment". Through makeup, wardrobe and location I am trying to capture the essence of women in despair. In addition, I have incorporated my rope rigging skills into these shoots as a metaphor for how these emotions are consuming and seemingly impossible to escape from.

The first two shoots I could not be more happier with them. I really feel they have been the best work I have done so far. You can see those in my portfolio or for the full sets you can go https://www.flickr.com/photos/97145460@ … 845378975/ and https://www.flickr.com/photos/97145460@ … 743979245/

On this particular shoot everything was created with the emotion of "abandonment" in mind. She is dressed in a beautiful dress all ready to achieve her dreams only to be "stood up" by life. Now, her dress is dirty and tattered, she is completely alone crying tears of blood and bound by her thoughts that life has abandoned her.

Ironically, I feel slightly disappointed by this shoot. With the images I got out of the first two shoots I was excited and optimistic about this concept. Unfortunately, I never felt I was able to get the model to convey those emotions I was hoping to capture. As the shoot went on things slowly evolved into some images I am ok with but it was a long evening trying to get to that point. I have gone over these edits over and over all day. One minute I am ok with them, the other I am not satisfied.

I would appreciate some outside thoughts and opinions on this set. The images are the first four in my port or the full set is here https://www.flickr.com/photos/97145460@ … 795614245/

Thanks

Will

Apr 11 14 10:42 am Link

Photographer

David Kirk

Posts: 4852

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Will Mullis wrote:
...  On this particular shoot everything was created with the emotion of "abandonment" in mind. She is dressed in a beautiful dress all ready to achieve her dreams only to be "stood up" by life. Now, her dress is dirty and tattered, she is completely alone crying tears of blood and bound by her thoughts that life has abandoned her.  ...

Interesting concept....here are my thoughts.

I don't get a sense of her being alone in these images.  Maybe part of that is because the setting doesn't seem remote enough and the shots are so tight that it is difficult to imagine where exactly she is.  Maybe it is because it appears to me that she hasn't been in these ropes very long making me think that someone was there recently, but rather than simply abandoning her they have deliberately bound and gagged her.  That doesn't sound like abandonment (lack of presence), but rather the opposite - a recent and very dominant presence.  This looks more like abduction to me than abandonment.

In these photos, the model's dress is torn, but otherwise she does not appear "run down" or derelict.  Her skin, hair and other physical feature appear to be in excellent condition.  To have been "stood up by life" I think you need to have the passage of time (otherwise life could just be running a tad late) and the passage of that time takes its toll.  To be stood up by life is not a single event, but many missed opportunities and chances.  A building freshly abandoned appears no different.  It is only with the passage of time that the lack of attention begins to become apparent.

In the two previous series the setting provides some clue that much time has passed since the last state of "normal".  I don't get that from the outdoor photos.  Perhaps if they were shot in a more desolate and desperate setting (without the lush green vegetation) it would work better?

I hope that's somehow helpful.

Apr 11 14 11:32 am Link

Photographer

Visual Sanctity

Posts: 62

Cincinnati, Ohio, US

I think you are spot on with your assessment. A week ago when I scouted this location the green wildflowers were not there(spring just came to the upper midwest), so the greenery was a bit of a surprise. I was actually optimistic when we got to the location seeing the greenery and thought it might make for an interesting contradiction to be that sad in such a lovely place. I also thought that in some of the shots the dark leafless forest was ominous enough to help it out some but with as tight as some of the shots are I see how the trees get lost. I also agree with your sentiments about her skin needed to be more gritty. In the "Manic" shoot we did not use dirt but I guess the dilapidated location helped convey the isolation. For "Feral" I think we nailed the look and the location but I guess I was trying to avoid being pigeon holed into just adding dirt to convey the abandonment and was pushing to find another way. Live and learn.

Apr 11 14 01:03 pm Link