What equipment do you shoot with?
Giving feed-back on something is easy. Giving useful feedback on a subjective matter - such as photography - is difficult. I have not considered best pactices (if any) for photographic critiques, because I spend time taking images, as opposed to analyzing other folks images. That being said, I would like to let you know my comments are really not about images you captured, rather about how you may be able to develop as a photographer, both technically and artistically.
For me to say, I like a particular photo you have taken because it is "nice - would not add value to your development as a photographer. However for me to say, "I like the images you posted, because first of all your model is a beauty, and the captures show your thought about composition. Perhaps a quicher shutter speed would lessen the wash-out in some of the images, as well a conversion to black and white may add to the overall impression of an image", is more useful as feedback.
I have also found what some consider right or wrong in photography is also subjective. Technical errors (such as exposure problems, for example) can be universally wrong, but artistic considerations are not universal. Personally, I have a strong affinity for macro and expansive images of nature, landscapes, and cityscapes. I have a friend who loves to do tightly cropped black and white images, and I find it difficult to give her useful critiques, because its not my usual style of photography.
Early into my photography skills development, when being critiqued I did not get defensive (In fact, I just shut up and listened). Getting people to talk to you about your photos is a rare opportunity. Let people talk (even if you think theyre full of hooey), its their opinion, and they can help you to develop a target audience for your photography, which should be important to you. But if you really feel the need, defend yourself afterward. However, I suggest you keep something in mind (as I did when getting into photography), if I felt a need to defend myself - I took a step back and considered why.
In my opinion, the best way for you to grow as a photographer is to do just what you are doing now take photos and enjoy taking them. I can spend time boring you with a discussion of sensor size, exposure times, ISO speed, lens specifications, or which camera is the best. That type of information is available to you through formal schooling or seminars if interested - (and through assimilation as your interest in photography grows should you allow it).
Keep taking pictures and have fun in the process!
dhelix33
Here are a few samples of my photography:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73877479@N00/6281632724/in/photostream/lightbox/http://www.flickr.com/photos/73877479@N00/6175955345/in/photostream/lightbox/http://www.flickr.com/photos/73877479@N00/6212872123/in/photostream/lightbox/http://www.flickr.com/photos/73877479@N00/6113224126/in/set-72157627986277766/lightbox/NOTE: First three images captured with a Nikon D700 FX and Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 lens
Last image captured with a Nikon D5100 DX and Sigma 50-200mm f/4-5.6 OS lens
ceg341 wrote:
Hey,
I love this forum.
I would love opinions on these pieces I did today of someone I went to high school with. I'm 18, a young photographer, but I love photographing people.
Thank you,
Cady