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Sergio Mottola
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p.2 #1 · senior | dillon

your work is clean and well lit but i just like fonkier processing.

Edited on Aug 16, 2008 at 06:59 AM

Aug 16, 2008 at 06:59 AM

liamh
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p.2 #2 · senior | dillon

Sergio Mottola wrote:
liam- you're simply seeing things. i havent edited the photo since posting it.

I must have been on my wife's laptop! Doh!

Aug 16, 2008 at 07:20 AM

kennmon
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p.2 #3 · senior | dillon

well as someone from your age demographic
i can tell you that your photo processing is getting extremely boring and played out
it also seems like you use it as a crutch to "fix" your images.

and before you go insulting more experienced photographers by saying that they just dont "get" your "art", realize that i get it, and i can fully appreciate the terry richardson's etc of the world, you however just arent doin it

Aug 16, 2008 at 02:34 PM

JustinThyme
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p.2 #4 · senior | dillon

A fleeting glance by the most casual observer tends to reveal most images are blown.
I understand you have your "demographics" to think of but I looked at these images myself, my wife looked and my teenage daughter and her friend looked. Everyone came to the same conclusion. Subject matter, poses etc kicked butt particulary a few of the female and a few were spot on. Most however look washed and lack definition. My daughter actually made the comment to make sure her senior portraits DO NOT look like this. There was one BW of the male that was awsome.

Edit: Stupid question and could be the source of all the issues.
Is your monitor calibrated for color, brightness and contrast?
Does a printed image look the same as the digital on the machine you are using to process? This makes a huge difference....if everyone is viewing on calibrated monitors and you are processing on a non calibrated monitor that is lacking brightness and contrast this would certainly explain a great deal.

Edited on Aug 16, 2008 at 04:16 PM

Aug 16, 2008 at 04:07 PM

john lewis
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p.2 #5 · senior | dillon

Sergio,

I am not a professional photographer, only a hack with a camera. And you can blast my photos if you wish at my flickr site http://www.flickr.com/photos/17149496@N00/

I really enjoyed your style of shooting and processing on your earlier set with the girl and beach photos, I thought they were really good. This set I did not enjoy as much. Keep shooting, and keep learning.

Aug 16, 2008 at 05:29 PM

BenFPhotog
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p.2 #6 · senior | dillon

Like Sergio, I'm still young, and I really like the effect on these shots. I do prefer the earlier set on your blog, such as those of Alexis, but the set posted have a really nice feel to them, and even if the post processing is not to everyone's taste, I think most would agree you captured the emotion well. Lastly, I know my friends would love to be captured like this, and I hope soon I can take inspiration from you and use it to capture the emotion in my friends.

Just my two pence,

Ben.

Edited on Aug 16, 2008 at 06:52 PM

Aug 16, 2008 at 06:52 PM

Sergio Mottola
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p.2 #7 · senior | dillon

i am glad that my post started this discussion on what is acceptable/marketable for senior photos in a rapidly evolving photographic economy. thanks for all the input peeps!

i will be the first to admit i have a harder time shooting guys. maybe i dont have a passion for them

but a lot of the locations i scout out and processing i use is better suited toward girls so i'm having a hard time finding the right approach to take. i think, however, i have found a way to shoot guys that will be more appealing and plan to execute that in the next few weeks.

justin - tell your daughter not to call me. i dont travel for seniors anyways!! :-P

PS - my monitor is not calibrated but prints look fairly close. i plan on getting something this month. thanks!

Edited on Aug 17, 2008 at 01:38 AM

Aug 17, 2008 at 01:37 AM

Jim Rickards
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p.2 #8 · senior | dillon

The critique by Steady described the image well. I feel much the same way.

There is no benefit from a rebuttal of a critique. Read it, accept (or reject) what is said and move on. When you post non-mainstream stuff you can expect comments and critiques that point out the pros and cons of your technique.

A man's website and his skills as a photographer are not prerequisites to making a critique. YOu don't have to BE a violinist to recognize a sour note.

Aug 17, 2008 at 01:50 AM

JustinThyme
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p.2 #9 · senior | dillon

Sergio Mottola wrote:
justin - tell your daughter not to call me. i dont travel for seniors anyways!! :-P

Dont worry,
She wont :-P

Aug 20, 2008 at 05:48 AM

RyanFlynn
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p.2 #10 · senior | dillon

this isn't my favorite shoot of yours, but i do think it's good. guys are harder to shoot in some ways. i think your PP was pretty clean in this series. i do think the poses were a bit repetitive, but that's as much your model as you.

i'm kinda fascinated by the replies you seem to garner, though. especially those of desperately pedantic individuals who would rather throw around etymological nonsense than actually try to see both sides of the issue, or discuss the image at hand.

yes, your style is different. no, not everyone will want it, and not every senior will want their shoot done like this. but some will, and that's the market you shoot for.

it's easy to dog someone's work when you have no website in your profile, and don't even use your real name. eThuggery ... as usual on forums.

i will say that i agree with Jim about taking critiques. accept it or reject it, but take it for what it's worth, and use it however you can to make yourself better. only you know if your ego is getting in the way of your work. if you think it isn't, and you're honest with yourself, then your ego isn't a factor.

Edited on Aug 20, 2008 at 08:34 PM

Aug 20, 2008 at 08:33 PM

leftpocket
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p.2 #11 · senior | dillon

I'm a little late to the table, but I just wanted to step in here for a second. I happen to stumble upon Sergio's work today for the very first time. After looking at his website, I must admit - I'm a huge fan. There is no "right or wrong" in the world of photography. Each photographer has his or her own unique style, which may appeal to smaller niche markets, or to the masses. (Terry Richardson is one of the highest paid fashion photographers in the world, his clients include Tommy Hilfiger, H&M, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, etc. He shoots with point-and-shoot pocket cameras and his images are most often - flat and blown out. There's tons of controversy surrounding his true photographic ability. But yet, he appeals to a niche market). Sergio is targeting a specific demographic - the young, fashionable, cutting edge, non-traditional, hipsters....looking for something different. Me personally? If I were getting married, I would hire Sergio to shoot my wedding, and I would pay him lots of money. I like his style, composition and post-processing. Again, it's not for everyone. But mark my word...this kid is going places. I think there's a large enough audience out there to keep him busy for a lifetime.

Edited by leftpocket on Aug 29, 2008 at 04:05 PM GMT

Edited on Aug 29, 2008 at 04:05 PM

Aug 29, 2008 at 03:22 PM

phil hawkins
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p.2 #12 · senior | dillon

I'm not a big fan of that Lomo look, but Sergio is right. He has to cater to his demographic. If that's what the client wants, that's what the photog should be delivering.

Having said that, I think a photographer has to listen to other opinions, be open minded about critique and be willing to recognize when his own taste does not match that of the general public. Plus, just because you CAN do something in post, doesn't mean you should use it in every circumstance. Of course, there's no hard rule about that, it's a judgment thing. But just don't get caught up in the newest trends or fads in post processing.

For instance, tilted horizons; there for a while everyone was doing tilted horizons, because someone did it and it worked, then every portrait photographer was tilting every image, or every 3rd image they shot without using judicious restraint. UGH!!

I love to go to the fair and do long exposures of the rides... I think that look is cool, and have spent a lot of time winding my way through crowds shooting ferris wheels, Tilt-a-whirls, etc. But when I post for opinions, I get two thumbs down. So, seeing that most people do not share my opinion for that kind of image, I don't include those shots in my portfolio.

In photography, I am a firm believer in "less is more". Don't over sharpen, don't over saturate, don't over "Lomo", and don't go overboard using the latest fad in post procedures. Choose your violation of the rules carefully...

2008 © phil hawkins

Edited on Aug 29, 2008 at 04:07 PM

Aug 29, 2008 at 03:37 PM

Freeskierskip
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p.2 #13 · senior | dillon

As someone in your demographic (maybe, maybe not @ 25) - here are my comments

For the most part, I think your stuff is solid. Not spectacular, but better than average for sure. The not spectacular part does come from a bit of "one-trick pony" styling that is involved. Remember - style should evolve. Eventually, your demographic will shift, and although you might still be shooting seniors in 1,2 or 5 years -- think they will be into the same stuff they are now? Probably not. This is the ADD generation after all (including myself) Think that people who shot people in flannel in the 90's are still doing that!? (i hope not, although its prime to make a comeback)

I think the cross-process/lomo/holga stuff is rad - i use it myself (sorry website down right now, but I assure you I'm not trying to be an online a$$), but I don't use it every time, or even the majority of the time. I think it should be pulled out like 10-15% of the time, as an added bonus on top of amazing posing/composition/concept.

Good luck, continue kicking ass, but be humble. If there is anything that i have learned in my short introduction into the freelance world (as well as getting my photo MFA) its that your portfolio can be utterly amazing - but its equally as important for people to WANT to work with you as a person. I actually took a job that originally was going to be offered to another photog last week because the marketing people thought the guys attitude was horrible. (great for me!) This is less important i guess for seniors, but someday, when you take over the world, you'll have to work with art directors and consultants. They can be less than constructive with their criticism.

Looking forward to more stuff.

John Barduhn
SCAD MFA 2009
www.Johnbarduhn.com (currently being switched to livebooks edu site)

blog (mostly photoJ) -- johnbarduhn.blogspot.com

Edited on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:32 PM

Aug 29, 2008 at 10:30 PM

JubbaKing
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p.2 #14 · senior | dillon

You like funky processing that makes the photos look like old, decaying prints or whatever. Cool. If you like it, do it. I don't want to talk about the photo at all to be honest. The advice given is good enough for now. You mention your target demographic. Trust me when I say that the target demographic is actually their parents. They have the money. They buy the photos. They'll buy expressions, not funky processing. Expressions sell. Posing, lighting, color harmony, processing, etc. etc. is all secondary to the expression. I hope you take a variety of "safe" shots to sell. The boring safe shots are what will earn you money for food and rent. Rarely does funky sell. Develop your style that it will appeal to your demographic in a salable way. If you don't, you'll starve.

I'm 24.

Aug 30, 2008 at 02:02 AM

phil hawkins
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p.2 #15 · senior | dillon

JubbaKing wrote:
You like funky processing that makes the photos look like old, decaying prints or whatever. Cool. If you like it, do it. I don't want to talk about the photo at all to be honest. The advice given is good enough for now. You mention your target demographic. Trust me when I say that the target demographic is actually their parents. They have the money. They buy the photos. They'll buy expressions, not funky processing. Expressions sell. Posing, lighting, color harmony, processing, etc. etc. is all secondary to the expression. I hope you take a variety of "safe" shots to sell. The boring safe shots are what will earn you money for food and rent. Rarely does funky sell. Develop your style that it will appeal to your demographic in a salable way. If you don't, you'll starve.

I'm 24.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Aug 30, 2008 at 02:07 AM

toddmitchell
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p.2 #16 · senior | dillon

criticism is one thing but to to say you looked at his site and it blows is not criticism it is just rude. Criticism should offer something that would be of benifit to Sergio or there is really no need to post it other then to offend imo.

I am not a big fan of sergio's style but i think he is doing a great job doing his thing. He is young and has a lot of time to grow and mature as a person and artist.

I can say one thing for sure he seems to have passion for the things he does and there is no reason to stomp that.

Aug 30, 2008 at 02:35 AM

Paul Prior
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p.2 #17 · senior | dillon

Hey Sergio, I love your work. Our styles are very different, but I definitely am digging your take. Variety is spice after all. Keep sharing, please!

Aug 30, 2008 at 02:54 AM

dilizzy
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p.2 #18 · senior | dillon

I like it. It's edgy and my attention is drawn toward the eyes.

Lurker

Aug 30, 2008 at 03:18 AM

SeanP
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p.2 #19 · senior | dillon

first let me say i like all the work ive seen you do and I understand that this is an internet forum and tone can easily be misinterpreted. That being said, your attitude throughout this thread almost makes me not want to like it! you may want to tone down what could be construed as some serious arrogance. otherwise, keep up the good work

Aug 30, 2008 at 03:48 AM

leftpocket
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p.2 #20 · senior | dillon

I think it's important to look at his website, as a collection, in order to understand his style and technique. It's uniform. He's created his trademark, for now, it's his signature style. Everything from his logo, to his website design - it's appealing to the younger MTV generation. I'm sure that's exactly what he wants. At least he's working towards a style and look. He's experimenting, pushing himself, and I'm sure over the years he'll reinvent himself over and over again. I love everything he's done.

Aug 30, 2008 at 04:13 AM

phil hawkins
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p.2 #21 · senior | dillon

toddmitchell wrote:
criticism is one thing but to to say you looked at his site and it blows is not criticism it is just rude. Criticism should offer something that would be of benifit to Sergio or there is really no need to post it other then to offend imo.

I am not a big fan of sergio's style but i think he is doing a great job doing his thing. He is young and has a lot of time to grow and mature as a person and artist.

I can say one thing for sure he seems to have passion for the things he does and there is no reason to stomp that.

Could I ask with all due respect. to whom are you talking? Seriously, it might help slightly if you could hit the "quote"bottun when responding to someone specific so we will all have the perspective of who you are addressing. Just a suggestion.

If it's Jubbaking, I think he was being very direct in saying that it's the parents who foot the bill and buy the prints. And he's right. It was a little brusk, but very truthful.

Aug 30, 2008 at 04:20 AM

Sergio Mottola
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p.2 #22 · senior | dillon

my peoples! thanks for all the love and i am glad once again that i started such a great discussion with my pictures. i wont take the time to individually address people cause its too late and i had too much wine with the gf's parents.

to start, arrogance is SO passé. forgive the misconstrued nature of internet forums in plain text, but i'm really a pretty nice guy who just really believes in what he does. and part of that belief is that i work for a niche audience, and for those outside of it, i truly don't care if you don't get it. you can't please everyone. call me dismissive but not arrogant.

i know that there are a TON of parents who think i am sacrilegiously different, and a tell-tale sign of the demise of modern youth. well, screw em! i have met some seriously COOL parents in my time. at the same time, there are some parents who are really indifferent, and just want their kids to be happy with their pictures. would they rather hear their kid whine about driving to yuen lui or give their kid a gift of photos that will make them feel confident, cool, calm, collected. they foot the bill, ultimately, but i refuse to market strictly to parents.

i try to market to the high end, fashionable, indie, and savvy. i would rather do 1 $1000 photoshoot than 4 $250 photoshoots. there are a few things i strive for in my marketing and appearance: mystery, trend, exclusivity, and value.

mystery: where did he take that picture? i've never seen something like that before. those colors have an awesome feel to them. can i afford it?

you should all read the latest rangefinder dedicated to senior pictures. this one guy says that when people call asking about prices for seniors, he tells them "price doesnt matter". HOW BAD ASS IS THAT?!
i want to be the louis vuitton in a market full of old navys.

trend: whats cool right now? what kind of pictures are getting the most myspace comments.

exclusivity: the cool kids get sergiomottola.com pictures. i dont even ask them to add "www.sergiomottola.com" to every facebook and myspace caption but they do it. they feel special and entitled. when the girls are REALLY pretty i will spam some myspace bulletins for a few days with the pictures.

value: i maintain a clean but trendy look throughout. when i meet parents/kids at coffee shops if they want to see some stuff or before a shoot, i wear designer jeans and a lacoste polo. maybe a really nice and clean zip hoody from nordstrom. clean shoes. macbook pro on the table. chai tea. i am trying to portray the image of a thriving artist, not a starving one. i use helvetica fonts exclusively because they are clean as hell. everything from my contracts to model releases looks clean and easy.

overdoing my style: not possible! cause its just my style

Aug 30, 2008 at 08:07 AM

liamh
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p.2 #23 · senior | dillon

Chill pill anyone?

Aug 30, 2008 at 08:30 AM

talonop
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p.2 #24 · senior | dillon

Sergio Mottola wrote:
mystery: where did he take that picture? i've never seen something like that before. those colors have an awesome feel to them. can i afford it?

to all my fans --- stay up on the blog and start posting comments. really! oh yeah and head over to my other threads and let me know whats up too.

to all the haters --- come to my other threads and tell me what a dirtbag i am!

trend: What's cool will be dictated by the market, media, events, and crowd forces you have no idea of. Many of these people "outside your age demographic" are constantly on their toes about feeling new trends and trying to predict where the market is going. Many of these "old people" orchestrate what drives your image of hip-indy-edgy-whatevertehell you were talking about. You, my friend, are just living in your generation's mainstream. Some of your photographs are good, but don't fool yourself into thinking they haven't been done before, or that they are somehow uniquely trendy, or that you can bask in that and not be willing to change.

exclusivity: Your clients like your work. Great. It's not a really big deal that other photographers have nation-wide networks or are connected to agencies who regularly patron them. Your high school friends think you're the shit, so...you're the shit. come to the city and we'll see how exclusive you are haha.

value: This is where I know you're misguided. Rocking inflated label jeans and lacoste polos definitely kill your image and relegate you forever to the 15-18 crowd that is decidedly anti- the edgy indie feel you are going for. Oh you have an apple computer, shit you are so hip. My mother has an apple computer. She likes chai tea too.. I daresay we're trendier than you in NY. That kind of clothing is longer than 3-years gone in the way of 'trendiness.'

When you are willing to keep an open mind and accept criticism, we can discuss your fashion options if you really want to appear hip.

Sep 01, 2008 at 04:41 PM

JeanYves Ahern
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p.2 #25 · senior | dillon

some interesting work here. nice poses, nice pictures..
not so sure about the cropping and some forground objects( too much wall in few of them)
I don't like the post-processing: most of images looks flat and way too yellowish, and kind of burn process...

guys are right here: there are great photographers here from whom you can learn a lot from.
One of the first think you should pay attention is lightning and good WB images.

before doing any "special" process, go to your "basis" first.

hope this will help

jean-yves

Edited on Sep 01, 2008 at 04:55 PM

Sep 01, 2008 at 04:55 PM


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