Young musician
Apr 29, 2020 08:34:22 #
Working on improving portraiture shots. I worked with this young man and would like your constructive criticism if you would. Thanks.
Marty
Marty
Apr 29, 2020 08:46:56 #
No. 2 and three for me. I would crop some from the top on No. 2. For No. 3, I would clone that object above the head and the white stripe on the right.
Apr 29, 2020 08:49:24 #
camerapapi wrote:
No. 2 and three for me. I would crop some from the top on No. 2. For No. 3, I would clone that object above the head and the white stripe on the right.
Thank you! I appreciate other's opinions and will work with those suggestions.
Apr 29, 2020 09:56:39 #
I appreciate the textures and the mood as well as the expressions.
I like the natural fall-off of light at the bottom of the compositions but a little more contrast and detail will preclude the "muddy" look in these shadow areas.
The negative space in the colour shot lends the atmosphere but it is a bit excessive and draws the eye away from the subject. In that composition, he is falling out of the frame at the bottom and his hand is cut off at the wrist.
Some of the compositional issues are difficult to explain without pictures so I did a few rough edits to illustrate.
The second image needed more space in the direction the subject is facing. I dodged for a bit more detail in the guitar. I slightly increased the warmth in the image tones of the monochrome. If I were making custom prints, this is what I would do.
I like the natural fall-off of light at the bottom of the compositions but a little more contrast and detail will preclude the "muddy" look in these shadow areas.
The negative space in the colour shot lends the atmosphere but it is a bit excessive and draws the eye away from the subject. In that composition, he is falling out of the frame at the bottom and his hand is cut off at the wrist.
Some of the compositional issues are difficult to explain without pictures so I did a few rough edits to illustrate.
The second image needed more space in the direction the subject is facing. I dodged for a bit more detail in the guitar. I slightly increased the warmth in the image tones of the monochrome. If I were making custom prints, this is what I would do.
Apr 29, 2020 10:10:49 #
E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
I appreciate the textures and the mood as well as ... (show quote)
Yes! I love it. Thank you for taking the time to post!
May 1, 2020 03:01:25 #
I like the second shot best. First shot, the guitar is too dark IMO. Nice series though.
May 1, 2020 05:11:15 #
Hi
Thanks for your input. I have received some good advice. I too think I took the dark, dark fall off too far. I hope to keep working on this.
Take care.
Thanks for your input. I have received some good advice. I too think I took the dark, dark fall off too far. I hope to keep working on this.
Take care.
Jun 8, 2020 16:50:03 #
"... I worked with this young man and would like your constructive criticism..." no criticism only questions...
Who initiated this session Marty? You, the musician or a third party.
How was the narrative (i.e. theme) negotiated?
Did the musician furnish concept imagery?
Was a "Story Board" or "Mood Board" created prior to the shoot?
How was wardrobe handled?
Did you have the talent sign a Model Release?
Are you going to provide a Usage Release to the talent?
Do your have professional liability insurance to protect both yourself and the talent?
What was agreed upon for "Deliverables" for the shoot, and in what format...
Is there a time frame for the Deliverables a.k.a. when are they due...
Most importantly did you meet and/or exceed your client's expectations?
At the end of the day nothing else really matters quite as much as the aforementioned...
Experience is a brutal teacher.
As for the imagery? The second image totally rocks... Ed's vignette enhancement is stellar... albeit the crop is still a tad tight to camera right in my humble estimation.... the headstock and tuners on the guitar seem cramped in my mind's eye albeit this is an likely an EZ fix to provide it breathing space...
As for dark falloff? if you shot RAW then there is likely amply latitude i.e. dynamic range to bring up the
shadows, albeit getting it right in camera is always the hallmark of a craftsman...
If you actually did create a Story Board I'd love to see it...
Thinking here of something similar to the composite montage Ed did for your Couples shoot on Feb 8, 2020
All the best on your journey Marty...
Who initiated this session Marty? You, the musician or a third party.
How was the narrative (i.e. theme) negotiated?
Did the musician furnish concept imagery?
Was a "Story Board" or "Mood Board" created prior to the shoot?
How was wardrobe handled?
Did you have the talent sign a Model Release?
Are you going to provide a Usage Release to the talent?
Do your have professional liability insurance to protect both yourself and the talent?
What was agreed upon for "Deliverables" for the shoot, and in what format...
Is there a time frame for the Deliverables a.k.a. when are they due...
Most importantly did you meet and/or exceed your client's expectations?
At the end of the day nothing else really matters quite as much as the aforementioned...
Experience is a brutal teacher.
As for the imagery? The second image totally rocks... Ed's vignette enhancement is stellar... albeit the crop is still a tad tight to camera right in my humble estimation.... the headstock and tuners on the guitar seem cramped in my mind's eye albeit this is an likely an EZ fix to provide it breathing space...
As for dark falloff? if you shot RAW then there is likely amply latitude i.e. dynamic range to bring up the
shadows, albeit getting it right in camera is always the hallmark of a craftsman...
If you actually did create a Story Board I'd love to see it...
Thinking here of something similar to the composite montage Ed did for your Couples shoot on Feb 8, 2020
All the best on your journey Marty...
Jun 8, 2020 18:12:52 #
Hey
Thank you for your input!! Actually this all came about because I’m friends with this young man’s parents and I asked him if he would stand before me and my camera and let me practice. Which is exactly what happened. I’m not even familiar with a story board. I kind of knew I wanted an edgy look, that’s all the pre-planning I had.
As for releases etc. there was none. I gave him the files to use as he wants. I do hope to get good enough to charge. That is the goal. Thanks. Marty
Thank you for your input!! Actually this all came about because I’m friends with this young man’s parents and I asked him if he would stand before me and my camera and let me practice. Which is exactly what happened. I’m not even familiar with a story board. I kind of knew I wanted an edgy look, that’s all the pre-planning I had.
As for releases etc. there was none. I gave him the files to use as he wants. I do hope to get good enough to charge. That is the goal. Thanks. Marty
Jun 9, 2020 10:28:40 #
And thank you for getting back to me on my thoughts...
"... I do hope to get good enough to charge. That is the goal..."
Your goal is precisely what achieving credentials of "Professional Photographer" is all about.
What this translates to is having the majority of your income derived solely from photography...
This is a timeless industry standard which as been reinforced over and over again...
To qualify for Nikon Professional Services they predicate you must have photography as you primary revenue source. To become an ASMP Full Member you must generate the majority of your income from photography. This list goes on an on...
Please realize that the queries I presented you with are simply to help you understand that to shoot commercially it is all about the business (and legal) aspects involved. Oft said by those in the industry that 80% of one's effort is devoted to business and 20% (at best) involve photography. Being able to generate breathtaking imagery without developing a functional business plan is likely not going to end well.
What I would suggest (my time is rather limited at this juncture) is to join the PPA and the ASMP... There you will find appropriate guidance on how to achieve your goal... The ASMP especially serves that needs of those who actually make their living from photography. UHH is primarily a site for hobbyist and not so much for working professionals.
"...I kind of knew I wanted an edgy look, that’s all the pre-planning I had..." As a commercial shooter it is appropriate and germane that you establish agreed upon deliverables. Concept images are a stellar first step in insuring both you and your client are on the same page... I always have my clients provide imagery on where they want the narrative to go... and I share these with all my team members.
I would also suggest you get on Instagram, this is by far and away where you may find the lion's share of professional photographers. Those with considerable merit have many thousands of followers... which is a good metric to go by.
Of critical importance is to discover what you wish to have for your visual statement and remain true to this as best as possible... food for thought... family and child portraiture is the overwhelming cash cow and this is my path now... here is an example of where I'm endeavoring take my journey.
https://www.instagram.com/irinkac33/ Notice how amazingly consistent @irinkac33's visual statement is... Having a strong consistent visual statement is what brings in clients... and likely trumps all other marketing in my humble estimation.
Hope this helps Marty, again all the best on your journey...
"... I do hope to get good enough to charge. That is the goal..."
Your goal is precisely what achieving credentials of "Professional Photographer" is all about.
What this translates to is having the majority of your income derived solely from photography...
This is a timeless industry standard which as been reinforced over and over again...
To qualify for Nikon Professional Services they predicate you must have photography as you primary revenue source. To become an ASMP Full Member you must generate the majority of your income from photography. This list goes on an on...
Please realize that the queries I presented you with are simply to help you understand that to shoot commercially it is all about the business (and legal) aspects involved. Oft said by those in the industry that 80% of one's effort is devoted to business and 20% (at best) involve photography. Being able to generate breathtaking imagery without developing a functional business plan is likely not going to end well.
What I would suggest (my time is rather limited at this juncture) is to join the PPA and the ASMP... There you will find appropriate guidance on how to achieve your goal... The ASMP especially serves that needs of those who actually make their living from photography. UHH is primarily a site for hobbyist and not so much for working professionals.
"...I kind of knew I wanted an edgy look, that’s all the pre-planning I had..." As a commercial shooter it is appropriate and germane that you establish agreed upon deliverables. Concept images are a stellar first step in insuring both you and your client are on the same page... I always have my clients provide imagery on where they want the narrative to go... and I share these with all my team members.
I would also suggest you get on Instagram, this is by far and away where you may find the lion's share of professional photographers. Those with considerable merit have many thousands of followers... which is a good metric to go by.
Of critical importance is to discover what you wish to have for your visual statement and remain true to this as best as possible... food for thought... family and child portraiture is the overwhelming cash cow and this is my path now... here is an example of where I'm endeavoring take my journey.
https://www.instagram.com/irinkac33/ Notice how amazingly consistent @irinkac33's visual statement is... Having a strong consistent visual statement is what brings in clients... and likely trumps all other marketing in my humble estimation.
Hope this helps Marty, again all the best on your journey...
Jun 9, 2020 16:44:48 #
Thank you very much for the info and encouragement. I will be checking out the above link shortly.
Take care
Marty
Take care
Marty
Aug 17, 2023 14:52:27 #
No 2 Has the more observer look to it. I agree with those who would like a little more light on the guitar. The overall effect is that of a musician involved in his craft, and an observer who photographed the scene in motion. No 1 seems to be a subject responding to a direction, and no 3 is a snapshot of a guitarist with his instrument. No 2 is a good result, with or without the light correction. I don't object to eyes, but, in this case, they should not be interacting with the camera.
Aug 17, 2023 17:38:28 #
" I do hope to get good enough to charge. That is the goal. Thanks. Marty"
Marty we both work the same market demographics... I'm based out of Northern VA and you're a little south in NC.
Thus all you have to do is meet and/or exceed the level of expertise that I bring to the table...
To this end I'm posting a sample of a paid assignment for a very young and extremely talented 12 year old feminine musician... This tween rocked her studio session (which btw I had my studio's top hair stylist aboard (she is formerly with VOGUE NYC)... And our studio makeup artist which I trained). If you are serious you need to nurture a relationship with Hair; Makeup and Wardrobe Stylist in your market if you wish to work on the commercial side of the image equation Marty.
Best advice? Work as an assistant for other commercial shooters in your marketplace first...
That was my path... Focus on your single purpose i.e. "your Passion; your Love and your Mission"
A Japanese proverb
Hope this makes sense Marty.
Marty we both work the same market demographics... I'm based out of Northern VA and you're a little south in NC.
Thus all you have to do is meet and/or exceed the level of expertise that I bring to the table...
To this end I'm posting a sample of a paid assignment for a very young and extremely talented 12 year old feminine musician... This tween rocked her studio session (which btw I had my studio's top hair stylist aboard (she is formerly with VOGUE NYC)... And our studio makeup artist which I trained). If you are serious you need to nurture a relationship with Hair; Makeup and Wardrobe Stylist in your market if you wish to work on the commercial side of the image equation Marty.
Best advice? Work as an assistant for other commercial shooters in your marketplace first...
That was my path... Focus on your single purpose i.e. "your Passion; your Love and your Mission"
A Japanese proverb
Hope this makes sense Marty.
Musician Gia Bambini (an acoustic guitar street performer) © 2022 Reston Studio
(Download)
Musician Gia Bambini (an acoustic guitar street performer) © 2022 Reston Studio
(Download)
Aug 17, 2023 18:24:55 #
This is an old thread but nevertheless. it's good to see some, well a little bit, of renewed interest in this connection.
So, you all YOUNG gues are shooting your musicians. The problem is, I'm getting too old for all this rock 'n; roll, heavy jazz, and rap. I'm shooting "classical" musicians to get a little peace. Here's a talented YOUNG lady with her "STRAT", That, ain't a Fender Stratocaster, it's a Stradivarius Viilon made in the early 1700s. That instrument is worth more than my studio and the building that it is in!
Nowadays, I get harpists, flutists, percussionists, brass players, and even conductors (not of the train kind)!
I still get no peace. If y'all think that classical musucans are straight-laced serious folks, you haven't been in a room full of them! And all call music is not "easy listening" I sat through a rehearsal of "The Firebird" by Stravinski. Old Igor must have been on a trip when he wrote that piece!
Then I got to shoot the "Band of Ancient Brass" at Queen Elizabeth's (Canadian) memorial service. Cool- if you are into funeral dirges!
So, you all YOUNG gues are shooting your musicians. The problem is, I'm getting too old for all this rock 'n; roll, heavy jazz, and rap. I'm shooting "classical" musicians to get a little peace. Here's a talented YOUNG lady with her "STRAT", That, ain't a Fender Stratocaster, it's a Stradivarius Viilon made in the early 1700s. That instrument is worth more than my studio and the building that it is in!
Nowadays, I get harpists, flutists, percussionists, brass players, and even conductors (not of the train kind)!
I still get no peace. If y'all think that classical musucans are straight-laced serious folks, you haven't been in a room full of them! And all call music is not "easy listening" I sat through a rehearsal of "The Firebird" by Stravinski. Old Igor must have been on a trip when he wrote that piece!
Then I got to shoot the "Band of Ancient Brass" at Queen Elizabeth's (Canadian) memorial service. Cool- if you are into funeral dirges!
Aug 17, 2023 19:49:00 #
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