So I'm getting my portfolio ready for the philadelphia portfolio review. I honestly cannot pick the best out of my own images... because well, i like all of them. So if you could help out a little and take a few minutes to look through my flickr and post a few of the photos that you guys like it would help A LOT! I need 15 photos, so even if you pick one it will help me out. oh, and please don't look at the football photos.
1)
2)
3)
(darkroom print)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
(darkroom print)
10)
(darkroom print)
11)
12)
(darkroom print)
13)
14)
15)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)
also, do you guys think it would be better to have the photos matted or in a portfolio with sleeves?
Ok, here are my favorites;
1 - nice product shot, I like the simplicity, lighting and the color
4 - I like the lighting and his expression just somehow makes me think, 'what is he staring at and what is he thinking?'
5 - just a nice peacful landscape with the reflection and the scenery. although some may say that the horizon is right in the middle and breaks some rules, it works for me
7 - I like this one for the really cool effects
13 - another nice landscape, a little more balanced and although there is some missing sky detail, I like it
17 - I like this one with the lightning but unfortunately there is no real foreground focal point
18 - I like this one because it is not something you normally see a shot of. I like the framing and that there is a person in the shot. Looks more spontaneous that way.
1. nice product shot... the color is quite nice.
5. just like it. Its' got a great depth to it.
7. Very interesting... to see that someone took the time to do that.
18. In the small urinal for such a big guy...interesting?
20. I like it... what did it look like in color?
Could you guys maybe pick a few out of the darkroom prints too? They are numbers 18, 12, 11, 10, 9, 3. I think where the picture might be lacking, the fact that it's a traditional print might bring it up a little bit, or atleast thats what my art teacher told me.
What is the portfolio review for/about? Are you a student? At what level?
What I see are random snapshots with little or no point of view. Most of these images look like no more than finger exercises; with several exceptions (4, part of 13 and 14), you haven't captured special light and the compositions to me are pedestrian.
\
Not trying to start a flame war here; just trying to be usefully honest.
If I had answers to the questions in the first paragraph I might feel somewhat different.....
Honestly none of these "strike" me. Some are obviously stronger than others. For example, #1 is a decent product shot, not amazing, but clean and well executed. I don't care much for any of your darkroom prints. If I had to pick a favorite it would be #13. Good luck on your review. I'm sorry I didn't have anything better to say...
#1 and maybe #7 at a stretch but sadly I don't see much artistic merit in any of the others. I mean really, do we need to see a shot of someone peeing in the bathroom? I think part of the problem here is that there is no consistency or overall theme to the portfolio, which as someone else pointed out makes them come across as random snapshots.
Some of the portrait shots would have been better as landscape and vice versa. Also pay attention to backgrounds (the bathroom shot for example, and the boy on his father's shoulders), and don't light people from below unless you're deliberately trying for that halloween effect, it's not flattering to much of anyone. Lastly don't be afraid to get in close, much closer than you have, it's probably the most common mistake photographers make (framing is probably the other one).
I agree that 1 and 7 are maybes. Too many are static due to centering the subject or have the horizon in the center. Others would have benefited from a lower or higher perspective. I was taught that the eyes go to the highlights and too often my eyes just wandered around the pic not getting a sense of what is important. Some vignette, dodge and burning, or selective focus would have helped. I agree with Camey that you need to get closer. Finally, learn to be your worse critic.
Good luck with your portfolio. Let us know how it goes.
papageno wrote:
What is the portfolio review for/about? Are you a student? At what level?
What I see are random snapshots with little or no point of view. Most of these images look like no more than finger exercises; with several exceptions (4, part of 13 and 14), you haven't captured special light and the compositions to me are pedestrian.
\
Not trying to start a flame war here; just trying to be usefully honest.
If I had answers to the questions in the first paragraph I might feel somewhat different.....
I am a sophmore in high school and these are for the governor school competition.
all great shots. but i'll go with 3, 9 and 18. Why? because they tell some sort of story, they are different. The rest while very well excecuted and rich in detail, is more mainstream stuff. Don't get me wrong here, but if i visit any photography forum i get shots like these. Well maybe not so well excecuted, but still... The ones i just mentioned are above that...
But that's just my opninion... as a mainstream photographer
I am a sophomore in high school and these are for the governor school competition.
Given your age and presumed experience I would up my rating of your work--but the criticisms still apply. I don't want to be discouraging. Enter, see how you do and what wins and go forward from there.
Since I am clueless about the competition it is hard to be specific about editing. A good rule to remember is that if the image requires an explanation, toss it. Never, everuse an image you have to apologize for.
One thought that might help is to shoot your life and the lives of your friends. Look for the high notes, the excitement of winning the big game, passing exams well, doing anything that is special involving people. Use your relatives; that's what they are for.............
