twodogs Loc: Billings Montana

Natural light portrait.

(Download)

Robertven Loc: Fort Worth

Why ruin such a beautiful face with piercings?

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

PROBLEM! Critiques should NOT be about the subject. In advanced and professional portraiture the emphasis is on how the photographer treats the subject in terms of technique, lightng, expression and so on and so forth. If the subject comes in with piercings, tatoos, green hair or wahtever, it's up to the photographer to discuss aesthetics with the subject and interpret the subject as she sees fit. It's not up to the photographer to change the subject's personality of manner of dress- he or she can only advise on colors, costume, and accessories and then work aroud colorand costume issues.

Critique on the treatment and technique.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

My critique- Not enough technical information on exposure etc. Please refer to the new rules.

Nice expression and effort.

The available light is striking the subject from directly above leaving her eyes and orbital area of the face in shadow. The face is not the dominant tone in the image. The background (sky) is very bright and is overpowering the subject. You have a low key subject on a high key background.

In natural light situations, there are many ways to control the lighting by means of reflectors, flash fill, augmented flash main light, or relocating the subject in more favorable lighting conditions. A simple method is to gobo the overhead light and redirect some light forward, from an off-camera angle, with a reflector.

You are shooting too low- this emphasizes the subject's nostrils and makes the brig sky the background. A camera position at the subject's eye level or slightly higher will give you a better view of the face and probably prove a better background with improved "bokeh".

You have her hand coming out of nowhere. When hands are included in the composition they need to be posed more carefully and create lines that lead the viewer's eye to the face.

twodogs Loc: Billings Montana

Well, I kinda like it and it printed very nicely. It sold at a local gallery for a fair price. As I mentioned in a previous post, my style is my style and I don't have a problem breaking and bending what some feel are hard and fast "rules".

blackest Loc: Ireland

She is far more than a beautiful face, and she isn't ruined. As for critique i feel the right hand side needs more than pretty much blown out sky it's a distraction from the subject.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Thank you! Your feedback is appreciated.

I did not set or insist on any "rules", I just offered my critique based on my perception of the image. Others may have different opinions and you are certainly entitled to yours and you own way of working. I also did not mention monetary issues or selling prices- that is between you and your client or gallery management.

As I stated in the updated section rules, critique is part of this section but there is no obligation on anyone's part to agree with me or anyone else. Opinions are offered in a helpful spirit and shoud only be taken for what they are worth to each participant.

Please continue to post your work here anytime if you find it helpful.

Thanks again and best regards, Ed

twodogs Loc: Billings Montana

I unsubscribed from this section.

Best Regards,

Tom

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

I guess he did not get the adulation he needed. Too bad.

twodogs Loc: Billings Montana

CaptainC, you don't know me from Adam and yet you make snarky remarks because you can. I unsubscribed from this section for a couple of reasons (none of which should concern you), but honestly the main one is that I got more comments and judgements about how the model looked than the shots themselves. That is uncalled for and is a sad commentary on the mentality of this website in general. I just don't understand. On a site that should have open-minded, creative people why there are so many that are not.

When I look at folks' work here, if I like it, I make sure they know. If I don't, for whatever reason, I don't feel I have the right to condemn or make unwanted suggestions on how I would have done it. It's a moot point, I'm not on here to judge. I'm here to try and learn how other people see the craft and how they look at things. Personally, I wouldn't hang a multi-million dollar Picasso in my garage, but I'm told by others he's a genius. I don't see it, but it doesn't mean he isn't.

Now I get a judgmental comment from you out of the blue, that is completely out of line...way out of line. These kind of comments make me realize that I don't want anything to do with this community. Too bad.

PaulG Loc: Western Australia

The whole idea of a forum is to share ideas and viewpoints with supposedly like-minded people. Some opinions might be beneficial, others may not. As such, it is up to each individual to take on board what they choose and pass over what might not be relevant. On that note you seem rather defensive. Ed's comments were constructive and given with obvious good intent. I've been a professional photographer for more than 30 years and would never profess to know the lot. In fact I would like to think I am still learning and would welcome others' view on my work. I would assume your decision to leave is based on your feeling you are beyond learning or even listening to others viewpoints? Just curious.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

This is the kind of protracted argument I wanted to avoid in this section. I already commented that it is bad form to criticize the model or client and comments should pertain to the photographer's treatment of the subject, the technique and other aesthetic and compositional points. A critique is not a condemnation.

I offered my critique and appreciated your feedback and understood that you disagreed with my assessment of you image- that is perfectly acceptable- no argument. You then decided to unsubscribe from the section but you are still welcome to utilize the section if you wish.

Cliff is a very accomplished photograher and if you had remained on board here, I'm sure he would have offered some excellent pointers and suggestions. Master portrait photogrhaers, earn ther credentials through years of education and experience, by exhibiting their work, participating in professional competitions and taking their criticisms and accolades in stride. I've been at this for over 50 years and have taken my knocks and ribbons- it's fun and it's educational!

I don't know most of the photograhers on this forum from "Adam". I don't know if and what they charge their clients- all I can can judge is the work I see. I hope I can help some of the folks- sometimes.

Ed

twodogs Loc: Billings Montana

"I guess he did not get the adulation he needed. Too bad."

That was a personal comment (attack) that had nothing to do with anything. It's judgmental on a personal level that pissed me off, simply because I decided to unsubscribe from this section.

I too have been a working professional photographer since 1970 so I have a few credentials of my own, but I don't feel the need to flaunt them. Portraiture is not my specialty so I realized I had no business in a section with masters in the genre.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Nobody is "flaunting" anythg! Not everyone who posts in this section are credentialed masters or expereinced of professional photographers- some are and have earned ther stripes and most are just folks who want to share ideas, teach, learn, improve, help others and enjoy portrait photograhy.

I have not deleted this thread because too many folks already read into it and I want it to serve as an example of waht not to do in this section.

I am going to lock this thread but if anyone has further issues, please send me a PM.