So this morning I threw 16 images on here for critique. I've cut it down to just 6 in the hope of getting some helpful feedback. This was an e-session from the weekend.
I like 3 a lot, but the horizon should not be tilted, and I'd throw a vignette on there.
Average? What's that? It's helpful when people know your work, so they can point out when you're improving.
On 6, is the left side of the image desaturated?
I like 5, too.
1. I like the feeling of the image. Because the tones in her jacket so closely match the rest of the image, I sort of would like to see it in color, perhaps to see more contrast.
2. I don't like the posing on this. Looks like he's giving her the Heimlich Maneuver. The saturation is also punched up a wee bit too much. I'd guess due to adding the slight glow processing.
3. Like this one too. However I rather wish there were more tree and less grass.
4. Nicely done. Good leading lines into the image. A little fill might have prevented loss of detail in his jacket, but it doesn't really bother me all that much.
5. Sort of wish that we could see her hand, rather than the chopped off arm at the bottom. Still, a nice multi use image of them.
6. An okay image. I find the oof area at left a bit annoying. The blue of his collar is also a tad distracting.
The couple will notice NONE of these things, and will probably LOVE these. Well done.
1. I like the feeling of the image. Because the tones in her jacket so closely match the rest of the image, I sort of would like to see it in color, perhaps to see more contrast.
2. I don't like the posing on this. Looks like he's giving her the Heimlich Maneuver. The saturation is also punched up a wee bit too much. I'd guess due to adding the slight glow processing.
3. Like this one too. However I rather wish there were more tree and less grass.
4. Nicely done. Good leading lines into the image. A little fill might have prevented loss of detail in his jacket, but it doesn't really bother me all that much.
5. Sort of wish that we could see her hand, rather than the chopped off arm at the bottom. Still, a nice multi use image of them.
6. An okay image. I find the oof area at left a bit annoying. The blue of his collar is also a tad distracting.
The couple will notice NONE of these things, and will probably LOVE these. Well done....Show more →
Thanks SingleMalt. I don't think I could disagree with your comments.
I have a variation on 2 that I'll post later. On 5 it was poor framing but the expressions were good so I kept it. You live and learn! Here is a color version of 3 with more tree less grass:
57suzi wrote:
I like 3 a lot, but the horizon should not be tilted, and I'd throw a vignette on there.
Average? What's that? It's helpful when people know your work, so they can point out when you're improving.
On 6, is the left side of the image desaturated?
I like 5, too.
yes on 6 it is desaturated on the left. It was green there with a yellow daffodil, which I thought took the focus of the couple. Maybe it was a bad choice.
mpaul73 wrote:
yes on 6 it is desaturated on the left. It was green there with a yellow daffodil, which I thought took the focus of the couple. Maybe it was a bad choice.
I don't think it was a bad choice. The colors you have left work nicely together. It's just, as a photographer, the BW area is a curiosity.
After reading the original thread again, I noticed the PP more. Sometimes it's very easy to over-do the PP, and I find myself taking the image back to the way it came out of the camera to bring me back to real life - I constantly ask myself whether or not each thing I adjust is actually enhancing the image or not. If yes, keep it (think about it!), if not, trash it.
I like 3, 4, and 5 the best -- I think it's the expressions. But the colors are very striking on all of them. Couldn't answer about whether they are better than average (I'm just starting out), but I'm sure the couple is/will be extatic about them.
Keep in mind that the only critic that actually counts is the one writing the check. When you see posts critical of you or others with no supporting information as to why the criticism was merited, the comment can be safely ignored.
But.... in this case you DID ask that specific question rather than for a critique.
Keep in mind that the only critic that actually counts is the one writing the check. When you see posts critical of you or others with no supporting information as to why the criticism was merited, the comment can be safely ignored.
But.... in this case you DID ask that specific question rather than for a critique.
You're right SingleMalt. I also realize that most people commenting on here are pro photographers and way more critical of images than any non-photographers. And also that it is all too easy to post a comment on here without any justification at all. This is only my second season as a wedding photog, and I have only done 3 weddings, so I am still very unexperienced. I came away from this shoot feeling pretty good about what I had done and when I got the images on the computer I was very happy. I feel confident that the couple will be at least satisfied, and I hope delighted with what I have done. I have got much room for improvement and for me a lot of it comes down to having the confidence to make the couple be relaxed and me giving some good directions for posing. Right now my strength is composition (see my non people portfolio), I have never had too much problem with that. But when you bring real live people into the picture it is a very different game.
I've seen praise heaped on pics a lot more 'average' than these. Some people would do a lot more PP on these images than you have, but that's personal preference really - I quite like seeing something a bit more subtle for a change.
Yeah, I think we can safely say that these are better than "average," but I don't think that's really what you're shooting for, is it?
These are very nice Martin. I'll give you some feedback in this spirit of nit-picky things to consider in a nice series of photos that the clients will undoubtedly be thrilled with.... some of these comments are quite subjective.
1. Its a wee bit up the nose on her.... not a deal breaker here but something to watch out for. Cool framing with the OOF foreground elements.
2. She looks a bit OOF... not sure if its the capture, the post, or the JPG conversion.
3. I like the way you've used the tree to "gather them in" compositionally. I can see your strength in comps.
4. I'd like a LITTLE more room for his feet at the bottom.... feels a trifle cramped down there. Its very heavy value-wise on the right of the frame. Maybe a little burning down on the left to balance?
5. Watch the wrist amputation here.... especially angled as it is, it makes her arm look weird.
6. Maybe pull back the desaturation to 50% on the left? Its a bit much as it is, but I think I understand why you did it? What about something a bit more subtle.
Again, Martin these are very nice shots. I'm just trying to offer something helpful here.
The bokeh in #3 is disturbing. It almost looks like a mirror lens up in the blossoms. I think I'd retire that lens, at least at that aperture.
More than anything, many of the photos look like you just missed the moment. For #1, I'd like to see one just before or just after this image. It looks like "they're about to, but haven't yet". In #2, she's looking one way and him another. He doesn't look comfortable. They look most connected in #4. #5 has split attention. She's looking at the camera and he's staring off into space. I prefer photographs where both are either looking directly at the camera or both are looking elsewhere.
It looks like you didn't have optimum weather. It would have been nice to have a small softbox to just soften the raccoon eyes and add a catchlight. It would have to be very subtle, I normally hate flash fill.
I think you're on the right track. With just a little refinement, they could be above average.
Evan Baines wrote:
Yeah, I think we can safely say that these are better than "average," but I don't think that's really what you're shooting for, is it?
These are very nice Martin. I'll give you some feedback in this spirit of nit-picky things to consider in a nice series of photos that the clients will undoubtedly be thrilled with.... some of these comments are quite subjective.
1. Its a wee bit up the nose on her.... not a deal breaker here but something to watch out for. Cool framing with the OOF foreground elements.
2. She looks a bit OOF... not sure if its the capture, the post, or the JPG conversion.
3. I like the way you've used the tree to "gather them in" compositionally. I can see your strength in comps.
4. I'd like a LITTLE more room for his feet at the bottom.... feels a trifle cramped down there. Its very heavy value-wise on the right of the frame. Maybe a little burning down on the left to balance?
5. Watch the wrist amputation here.... especially angled as it is, it makes her arm look weird.
6. Maybe pull back the desaturation to 50% on the left? Its a bit much as it is, but I think I understand why you did it? What about something a bit more subtle.
Again, Martin these are very nice shots. I'm just trying to offer something helpful here....Show more →
