lets not forget here that serg is just 18 (birthday fairly recent, right?). that is not meant as an insult, but I am just trying to put everything into perspective here. do you remember what it was like listening to older people who 'knew more than you' when you were 18?? do you remember being good at something and someone telling you that what you were doing wasn't that good?? i do, and probably reacted in a very similar way as serg did.
serg, THIS IS NOT AN INSULT, just some guidance from a guy (30 year old) who really likes/supports/respects you...a lot....let it go and understand that there is truth in the words of criticism above (both of you and the work).
you are also right in many ways...your clients will tell you when you are off base...but there is nothing wrong with learning it all from everyone. i do believe that you will be very successful in the industry.
all of this may not make a whole lot of sense right now, but there will be an 'ahh haa' moment down the road for you when it does.
as for the work, i've seen better from you. they are sort of unimaginative and dont really have the 'serg stamp' on them.
On the images.....interesting but not my style. In the original image the first thing I notice is the blown out shoulder and that kind of ruins it for me.
fourchildren wrote:
Bro, I just looked at your site, and none of it is good. You are young, and your attitude shows it, but keep trying. You may want to be a little more humble, though.
Regards
you are gonna say something like that and not have a site of your own to show? the internet is great for anonymity. i'm sure your work is stunning.... ha.
Sergio Mottola wrote:
you are gonna say something like that and not have a site of your own to show? the internet is great for anonymity. i'm sure your work is stunning.... ha.
anerino - thanks.
Wow, why do you bother posting things and asking for criticism and input if you can't handle it in a mature fashion? Seriously, are you expecting everyone to just be in awe of your work? It's not that grand or unique. You apparently have a lot of growing to do as a photographer and as a person.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.