CLOSED
This thread is closed. There are no plans to reopen it anytime soon. Thank you everyone for your participation.

This is NOT about whether I would work with you or not - for that, please go HERE.

This is a continuation of The Dark Critique Parlor.

Please read this post in it's entirety, including The Rules before requesting a critique.

This is a place for alternative model and photographer critiques.
(Those already in line at the time the above thread was locked will be critiqued first) If you are an alt model or alt photographer, you may request a critique here. If you do not know if you qualify, please see below.

The critiques are thorough, and there is a high demand for them, so you should be prepared to wait a LONG time - you will not get an immediate reply. If you do not want a critique that could come months later, this is not the thread for you.

When you have been critiqued, I'll let you know in the tags of your profile page.


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********** THE RULES **********

One - all MM rules apply (of course). Because of the nature of this thread, all links posted within it should be considered 18+ regardless of whether or not they are so designated.

Two - The Dark Critique Parlor (DCP) is the MM critique thread for ALT models, photographers, MUAs, etc. You may resubmit portfolios that have substantially changed since the last critique, or ask about individual photos.

The primary genres/subgenres we are dealing with here are:

* Artistic / Fine Art Photography
* Body modification as subject matter (unnatural hair color, piercings, tattoos, scarification, prosthetics, implants, etc.)
* Body types outside the mainstream (petite, extra muscle mass, etc.)
* Extreme digital manipulation
* Fetish photography of most types (fetish fashion, bondage, erotic fetish, etc.)
* Genre fiction inspired work (fantasy, magic realism, action, sci-fi, horror, etc.)
* Gothic / Goth inspired images
* Pin-up
* Retro styling
* Sub-culturally oriented images (rockabilly, mod, glam, punk, etc.)
* Surrealism and experimental photographic techniques (infrared, fisheye lenses, multiple exposures, pinhole, Polaroid, vidcap or other non-mainstream camera devices, light painting and other lighting techniques)

Please have at least a few of these type shots in your port, unless you are asking for a critique on a particular photo.

Three - I put a lot of time and effort into these critiques. I am under no obligation to review anyone and can refuse to do so for any reason. Some reasons I might refuse, include:
- You do not have a portfolio that is "in genre", or does not have at least a few genre photos. (genre-ness determined by me)
- I have already critiqued your portfolio or photo recently in another thread or by PM (recentness determined by me)
- I just don't like you

Four - I may chose to only review certain photos, or I may review an entire portfolio based on a multitude of reasons (time, whether I've already reviewed the same shot for your photographer/model/mua/stylist, etc.)

Five - I will usually tell you if I am deliberately skipping you for some reason. I do occasionally miss someone. If so, politely remind me. If you whine too much about how long it takes to get to you, I may skip you entirely.

Six - This thread is mostly just for requests for critiques and the critiques themselves, however, I may occasionally banter back and forth. Thank yous are appreciated, and short responses to critique are fine, but in-depth discussion of the critiques or the DCP in general should be done by PM. Please refrain from commenting on other critiques. Any post not in direct response to a critique will be taken as a request for a critique.

Seven - I claim no particular expertise, solicit no critiques of my own and freely admit to being a better critic than photographer as well as a terrible judge of my own work.

Eight - I freely admit to a number of biases which may/may not impact my critiques I usually mention them in the critiques, and try to keep them from influencing me, but in the interest of full disclosure, some of these are:

* A preference for blondes (unusual for an 'alt' person, I know)
* A distaste for a number of photographic techniques and modeling clichés and styles (dutch angles, hands over breasts, etc.)
* A bondage fetish
* A bias in favor of certain color combinations (red and black, purple, etc.)
* A bias against certain fashion trends (70s retro)
* A penchant for some body characteristics (especially long legs)

Nine - I may disappear for a whole month or two at a time (maybe even longer), rest assured, I will be back.

Ten - Have fun!

Bonne Nuit wrote:
Are you going to Evergreen, by any chance?

You are no longer here.
No critique for you!

suzyncarroll wrote:
IF YOU GET TIME STOP HERE PLEASE...

I'm sorry. At this time your portfolio doesn't meet the criteria for inclusion.
Please do a few more photos in the genres above, and resubmit; We will be happy to give you a critique at that time.

Letzte Schatten wrote:
May i?

Приветствия Това́рищ!

Letzte Schatten

Photos 1: Your first shot is nice enough. You look very pretty.

Photo 2: This is a great self portrait. Very nice.

Photos 3: O.K., the caption is a bit trite, but the photo is lovely.

Photos 4: Again I could do without the caption. The photo speaks for itself.

Photos 5: Great image manipulation -  I could have done without the red flower on your neck, but hey, overall I don't normally see images this good in a 6 month old model port.

Photo 6: Nice pose and a fine image.

Photo 7: You did fine here, but Anaida could have framed you up better. Not one of your better shots.

Photo 8: Not in genre.

Photos 9: You have the posing and the look down. This is an O.K. shot for getting approved on MM, but not really something you want to keep long term.

Photos 10: Again, this shot shows you have a great look, but isn't really a quality photo. I'd delete it.

Photo 11: This is a better close up photo than #10.

Photos 12: The focus is off. It looks like a snapshot.

I highly recommend removing #7, 9, 10 & 12.

Насладитесь ночой!
- Fotographia Fantastique

Mechanical Whispers wrote:
Wow, this is a long thread.

Not anymore!

Mechanical Whispers

Photos 1: Awesome work here! Especially by the MUA.

Photo 2, 3: Both also great, but not as great as #1.

Photos 4: I like the transparent clothes thing, but not the facial effects.

Photos 5: This gets added to the list of great shots from the recent tentacle craze.

Photo 6- 8: More nice tentacle shots, none as great as #5.

Photos 9: The effects makeup is great, but the portrait is just O.K.

Photos 10: Love the anatomical detail!

Photo 11-12: Two more shots sans skin, #10 is still the best.

Photos 13: Great piece of art. Very intriguing.

Photos 14: Fantastically macabre piece! Wonderful light and shadow composition.

Photo 15: TRON - how cool! Excellent.

Photo 16: Moody and beautiful. Good job!

Photo 17: This is a really nice figure study. Beautiful lighting.

Photo 18: This shot image is kind of plain for you and not really as exciting as most of your port.

Photo 19: Another great composition of light and shadow - and a model pose you don't see very often!

Photos 20: I have a self portrait in port too. Both of ours aren't too exciting, but it's nice to let people know what we look like.

Like the work of virtually every SCAD grad I've ever seen, your work is fantastic.
I really haven't got anything bad to say. I'd just like to see more. Maybe you could take out some of the multiple shots from the same shoots and add some more great stuff. If you do, be sure to come back and let us know!


Enjoy the night!
- fotographia fantastique

Fotographia Fantastique wrote:
This is a continuation of The Dark Critique Parlor.
Please read this post in it's entirety, including The Rules before requesting a critique.

This is a place for alternative model and photographer critiques.
(Those already in line at the time the above thread was locked will be critiqued first) If you are an alt model or alt photographer, you may request a critique here. If you do not know if you qualify, please see below.

The critiques are thorough, and there is a high demand for them, so you should be prepared to wait a long time - chances are you will not get an immediate reply.

When you have been critiqued, I'll let you know in the tags of your profile page.

SPRINGHEEL began the thread in December of 2006 and continued until July of 2007.
FOTOGRAPHIA FANTASTIQUE took over the thread from July of 2007 to the present.

SPRINGHEEL wrote:
So I see all these people offering up critiques and have noticed that people who do dark, alt., pin-up, etc. type work usually get short shifted....
So i thought, why not offer up critiques for more specialized photographers and models....

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.
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One - all MM rules apply (of course).

Two - The Dark Critique Parlor (DCP) is the MM critique thread for Alt models, 'togs and MUAs. You may resubmit portfolios that have substantially changed since the last critique, or ask about individual photos.

The primary genres/subgenres we are dealing with here are:

* Artistic / Fine Art Photography
* Body modification as subject matter (non-natural hair color, piercings, tattoos, scarification, prosthetics, implants, etc.)
* Body types outside the mainstream (petite, extra muscle mass, etc.)
* Extreme digital manipulation
* Fetish photography of most types (fetish fashion, bondage, erotic fetish, etc.)
* Genre fiction inspired work (fantasy, magic realism, action, sci-fi, horror, etc.)
* Gothic / Goth inspired images
* Pin-up
* Retro styling
* Sub-culturally oriented images (rockabilly, mod, glam, punk, etc.)
* Surrealism and experimental photographic techniques (infrared, fisheye lenses, multiple exposures, pinhole, Polaroid vidcap or other non-mainstream camera devices, light painting and other lighting techniques)

Three - I put a lot of time and effort into these critiques. I am under no obligation to review anyone and can refuse to do so for any reason. Some reasons I might refuse, include:
- You do not have a portfolio that is "in genre", or does not have at least a few genre photos. (genre-ness determined by me)
- I have already critiqued your portfolio or photo recently in another thread or by PM (recentness determined by me)
- I just don't like you

Four - I may chose to only review certain photos, or I may review an entire portfolio based on a multitude of reasons (time, whether I've already reviewed the same shot for your photographer/model/mua/stylist, etc.)

Five - I will usually tell you if I am deliberately skipping you for some reason. I do occasionally miss someone. If so, politely remind me. If you whine too much about how long it takes to get to you, I may skip you entirely.

Six - This thread is mostly just for requests for critiques and the critiques themselves, however, I do appreciate acknowledgment, and may occasionally banter back and forth. In-depth discussion of the critiques or the DCP in general should be done by PM. Any post not in direct response to a critique will be taken as a request for a critique.

Seven - I claim no particular expertise, solicit no critiques of my own and freely admit to being a better critic than photographer as well as a terrible judge of my own work.

Eight - I freely admit to a number of biases which may/may not impact my critiques I usually mention them in the critiques, and try to keep them from influencing me, but in the interest of full disclosure, some of these are:

* A preference for blondes (unusual for an 'alt' person, I know)
* A distaste for a number of photographic techniques and modeling clichés and styles (dutch angles, hands over breasts, etc.)
* A bondage fetish
* A bias in favor of certain color combinations (red and black, purple, etc.)
* A bias against certain fashion trends (70s retro)
* A penchant for some body characteristics (especially long legs)

Nine - I may disappear for a whole month or two at a time (maybe even longer), rest assured, I will be back.

Ten - Have fun!

im up for it

Jinx1313 wrote:
Ooh, I'm game if this thread is still going...

Jinx1313

From fine art nudes to fetish fashion, bondage to bizarre, your port hits almost all the Dark Critique Parlor bases.

Some quick comments:

Photo 1: I can't really figure out what is going on in this photo, but I like it.

Photo 2: It is a shame that this shot has zero comments or lists - I think it is quite possibly the best shot in your portfolio.

Photos 21 & 39: These backyard snapshots are kind of boring compared to the rest of the port, but given how out there most of your portfolio is, maybe it's good to have a 'boring' casual shot. You don't need both, though. #21 is the better of the two.

Photos 29: This foot fetish shot is not one of Collin J. Rae's better shots, and you already have better ones by him here, you could probably let this go.

Photos 31: Amazingly cool.

Photo 15: This Dutch angle shot is the weakest shot here (with the possible exception of #38 & 39), I'm sure there's a story behind this tribute that is meaningful to you, but I would drop it.

Photos 20: I don't care for this "Dutch" angle shot here. The off kilter-ness doesn't enhance the photo, and the photo doesn't enhance your portfolio.

Photo 38: Bad lighting and annoying watermark - this looks like some image a random Google search would turn up for "bondage" or something. Your work is better than some random Internet pic.

Photo 44: This one may be nice, but it is too similar to the much better Photo #8. Keep #8 and drop this one (I know it's hard to let go ).

On the whole - excellent.
You are a bold, experienced, uninhibited model, and your work stands out.
On another note, you might consider revising the text of your profile page - it is a little hard to read and understand (revise it a bit, organize it into paragraphs, etc.)

Hope I helped you.

Enjoy the night!
- fotographia fantastique

Fotographia Fantastique wrote:
.






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Woo hoo! I'm on page 39!

Scarlette OHarlette wrote:
Oooh, me too please! All advice appreciated.

Scarlette OHarlette

Photo 1: Not in genre.

Photo 2: Fine styling, but this attempt at retro pinup doesn't work. You have a bit of a sourpuss expression here that undermines the effect.

Photo 3: Interesting colors here. Kind of reminds me of an old slide.

Photos 4: Not in genre.

Photos 5: This is O.K., but doesn't really hold my attention long.

Photo 6: From a technical standpoint, this is probably the best one so far in many ways, but it's kind of hard to tell what you are doing and/or what this shot is supposed to convey.

Photo 7: I like low key light, but I'm not sure this shot does much for you.

Photo 8: I like the sparseness here. Nice.

Photos 9: Nice concept, well executed.

Photos 10: Now here's a low key shot that I like. Very nice.

Photo 11: A classic black and white nude.

Photo 12: Very effective vintage slide emulation.

Photo 13 & 17: Not quite in genre.

Photos 14: O.K., I love the vintage pinup shot here with vintage wardrobe on a vintage mixing board. Well done.

Photo 15 & 16: Old fashioned striptease shots. Nice.

Photo 18-20: Hard to judge these. I wish they were bigger.

Enjoy the night!
- fotographia fantastique

suzyncarroll wrote:
you wanna do mine please

No.

Zephra wrote:
Me Please )

Zephra

At this time your portfolio is pretty much mainstream fashion work, although photos 6, 7, 9 & 13 do sort of border on genre fashion which is not surprising since a lot of the subculture aesthetic is making it's way onto the catwalk these days. The shots are nice, with the collage (#7) being my favorite. You do know how to pose. If you end up doing more work in the genre - even if it is just modeling Blu Vintage stuff - feel free to stop back in.

Enjoy the night!
- fotographia fantastique

Model Stacy wrote:
I would love a Critique..Thanks in advance for your time

Model Stacy

Photo 1-7: Not in genre.

Photo 8: This retro styled shot is fine as far as your modeling goes, but the car hood should be down - it just leaves a big black space that's unattractive behind you. This looks like it was taken on the sly at a car show.

Photos 9: Retro pinup advertising - nice - but watch your expressions, you have a bit of a sneer here.

Photos 10: Another nice tribute to classic pinup.

Photo 11: Not in genre.

Photos 4 & 12: These are cute and well done.

Photo 13-18: Not in genre.

Photo 19: This is a decent attempt but somehow falls a little short mostly due to the photographer. Your pose and expression are great.

Photos 20: Not in genre.

Your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness: your expressivenes.
Sometimes your expressions really make the photo, other times they seem to break them.
Don't know what advice to give you on that - it's not my area of expertise. But, I thought I'd mention it, because as long as you are aware of it, you can improve it or seek help elsewhere.

Enjoy the night!
- fotographia fantastique

Manda Something wrote:
I just started modeling recently..Me please

Manda Something

Most of your portfolio falls between fair to poor. There are a few shots that are downright terrible.
You have been here for about a year and a half, so you really ought to ratchet it up a bit.

The good news is that I don't think it is a lack of talent on your part, therefore it is easily fixed.

You can start by getting rid of photos: 3 (you look funny and uncomfortable), 7 (blurry), 14 & 16 (awful angle) and 17 (bad lighting).

Once you've done that, book another shoot with a good photographer.
I highly recommend hiring someone really good - trust me it will be so worth it. You can even skip going to the movies or out to dinner a few times to be able to afford even a semi-decent one to get you one really good image for your port.

Enjoy the night!
- fotographia fantastique