Critique my Photography.. Again.

[honestfool84]

I always enjoy SpursTalk's honest critique.

Here are a few new shoots I have done recently. Please let me know what y'all think!

Thanks,
-David
http://davidteran.com/

* Taken with Android EVO 4G*

PS - mention SpursTalk and get a photoshoot for $150.

[Smooth Criminal]

These are awesome

[Slomo]

Technically you're getting better (and if I remember your earlier threads you were already quite good). I'm sort of missing creative unique shots (or at least failed attempt at such shots). I understand that when you're doing commercial work at the end of the day you have to hand out a likable photo to the client - and having the luxury to fall back on good technique helps a lot.It also pushes you towards cliches and mutes your creativity (and believe me there's nothing wrong with that - everybody does it and you do need to eat). But when/if you're shooting for your own pleasure
/portfolio you need to try and think outside the box. Forget all the good photos you've seen and have liked.

I like your photos and 90% of the photographers I know are not technically better than you are so I definitely see you as somebody who likes photography and has talent. You're good, why not go beyond that?

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

Like her a lot, her expression, pose, don't like the background/surroundings of the picture.

Hate it! Cliche Not sure is he walking on air or just hanged himself from a balcony...

[Bender]

Like her a lot, her expression, pose, don't like the background/surroundings of the picture.

yes that was my first thought on the girl-cello pic. Background is too busy, behind her head especially.

[apalisoc_9]

I always enjoy SpursTalk's honest critique.

Here are a few new shoots I have done recently. Please let me know what y'all think!

Thanks,
-David
http://davidteran.com/

* Taken with Android EVO 4G*

PS - mention SpursTalk and get a photoshoot for $150.

mang, thiz is so awzome. I luv pic wid gurl tennis

[honestfool84]

Technically you're getting better (and if I remember your earlier threads you were already quite good). I'm sort of missing creative unique shots (or at least failed attempt at such shots). I understand that when you're doing commercial work at the end of the day you have to hand out a likable photo to the client - and having the luxury to fall back on good technique helps a lot.It also pushes you towards cliches and mutes your creativity (and believe me there's nothing wrong with that - everybody does it and you do need to eat). But when/if you're shooting for your own pleasure
/portfolio you need to try and think outside the box. Forget all the good photos you've seen and have liked.

I like your photos and 90% of the photographers I know are not technically better than you are so I definitely see you as somebody who likes photography and has talent. You're good, why not go beyond that?

thank you Slomo, i appreciate your critique. this is something that is always helpful, and i can use to get better, as well as see what i need to work out.

i'm the first to admit that i am the least creative person that i know of... ha! seriously, i do not feel creative at all. i know that that is a big downfall for me, but sometimes i feel that i don't "need" to be creative... that if i can be technically great, then the creative directors will just give me an idea and i'll shoot it perfectly, light it well (maybe even a little creatively?), and edit it the way they want (though pretty soon, when i can afford it, i'll send out my work to a professional retoucher).

i know that this is not good, and i need creativity... so that i something i NEED to work out.

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

i don't mind - i'm 20.

Like her a lot, her expression, pose, don't like the background/surroundings of the picture.

yes that was my first thought on the girl-cello pic. Background is too busy, behind her head especially.

i had been wanting to shoot at la cantera mall for the longest time, and i finally got a permit to shoot at 7am.. we actually did most of the shoot in a different section of the mall, and as we were packing away, i noticed the chair and put it in place and asked her to sit there. i love the pose and her expression, but i realize the busyness of the background.. especially her head.

we got a few images from this short shoot, and the image where she is sitting at a base of stairs was the best one, and i loved it... but i just think i liked her expression on this one best.

Hate it! Cliche Not sure is he walking on air or just hanged himself from a balcony...

that's actually me..! haha. the idea is that he is just "floating" over the city? i guess my creativity does fail me when i try to use it. haha. this was more of a "test" shot, as it is the one and only time i've ever used a green screen. i just wanted to see how it worked, and try it out.



please keep the honesty coming!

[honestfool84]

These are awesome

mang, thiz is so awzome. I luv pic wid gurl tennis

thank you!

[apalisoc_9]

thank you!

Bat mang, me tinks bskutbal pic not gud like aders. nut as smoot

[DesignatedT]

I like the Tennis ones the best

[PakiDan]

David,

you know.... something inside still isn't letting me believe that these shots are 100% yours... but if they are, my apologies, and my props cause this is some AWESOME stuff. I think way beyond your 20 yo s .

[apalisoc_9]

mang, me wnt bang teniz gurl

[honestfool84]

mang, me wnt bang teniz gurl

ok, stop, thanks. she's my sister.

[honestfool84]

I like the Tennis ones the best

David,

you know.... something inside still isn't letting me believe that these shots are 100% yours... but if they are, my apologies, and my props cause this is some AWESOME stuff. I think way beyond your 20 yo s .

thank you! yes, they are all 100% mine. we can still work together with yours sons like you've asked, and i can prove that they are mine.


which ones don't you believe i took specifically? i can show you how i did it, and even show you all the images i took during the shoot.

[apalisoc_9]

ok, stop, thanks. she's my sister.

Mang, im sory.

[CuckingFunt]

i guess my creativity does fail me when i try to use it. haha. this was more of a "test" shot, as it is the one and only time i've ever used a green screen. i just wanted to see how it worked, and try it out.

Focus more on what you're trying to get your viewers to feel than what you're trying to get them to see. No matter how successful an image may be technically, an audience will never connect with the picture if it's not emotionally honest.

And also consider that every element within an image should be working together to tell a particular story or convey a particular meaning. Be thoughtful in your choices, because an engaged audience is likely going to be thoughtful in their consideration. "Guy floating over city" is a fairly general concept, and has technically been achieved within the image, but then take it further. Thoughtfully and deliberately. In looking at the image, I have questions about the position of the legs/feet (I, too, get the hanging corpse feeling there), as well as the use of the Hong Kong skyline. Based on the discussion of this image so far, I'm guessing you wouldn't have specific answers to those questions.

Even if viewers don't get your exact meaning or story out of the image, it should still be there. "I wanted to make it look like a guy was floating over the city" is kind of an empty concept, really, and there's nothing much beyond that for the viewer to engage with. Why is he floating? How does he feel about floating? What is the significance of the city? I think that's where you need to go next.

[Sisk]

mang, me wnt bang teniz gurl

But really, these are very good. I remember you using the eclipse picture after the Suns swept the Spurs.

Impressive

[Slomo]

...

i'm the first to admit that i am the least creative person that i know of... ha! seriously, i do not feel creative at all. i know that that is a big downfall for me, but sometimes i feel that i don't "need" to be creative... that if i can be technically great, then the creative directors will just give me an idea and i'll shoot it perfectly, light it well (maybe even a little creatively?), and edit it the way they want (though pretty soon, when i can afford it, i'll send out my work to a professional retoucher).
...

Nothing wrong with good technique. If you suck technically you'll have a much harder time to get anywhere. For commercial assignments you can get away with the creative part if the rest works. You are right you do not always *need* to be creative. As it is you are already good - the problem is you want to be great (which btw is the only correct ambition)

I hate when a photo is blurry, badly framed and underexposed then it's art. You can not be a good photographer if you haven't mastered the technical aspect of your job.

Keep working on the lighting and have as much fun learning as you can.
Don't worry the creative part will strike you out of the blue and then you'll be in a good position to take advantage of it.

If I had an advice (and I hate giving and receiving advices on creativity) I would repeat the only advice that has ever helped me. Don't overthink it. You get an idea, do it, play with it, have fun with it and the see at the end if you think it's telling/showing your idea (and if you like it). Don't try to change a (good) simple idea into a masterpiece - overthinking will usually kill it.

Just keep at it.

[Re-Animator]

For me...............the first one was a waste of film. all that darkness and a head in front of a light just seemed boring. Nothing to the imagination and your better than that.

The second one I didn't like the girl looks pissed off. and she's not playing the instrument. It looks like shes thinking "hurry the f__k up before a car comes by"

maybe a cat on the side watching her or a small child dropping a dollar in a hat would have been better.


The two blue ones look like you found them in the bottom of a U-haul box that was sitting in a parking lot since 1982. not sure what your doing maybe i missed the point. (if so sorry)

The fourth one seemed to look to much like an ad for Gatoraid maybe if the guy on the couch was knitting a sweater or dissecting a frog it would have been more interesting.

but you do have talent so I will give you an 8 1/2 out of 10

those are my takes, I will wait to see how you absorb them before I continue.

[honestfool84]

Focus more on what you're trying to get your viewers to feel than what you're trying to get them to see. No matter how successful an image may be technically, an audience will never connect with the picture if it's not emotionally honest.

And also consider that every element within an image should be working together to tell a particular story or convey a particular meaning. Be thoughtful in your choices, because an engaged audience is likely going to be thoughtful in their consideration. "Guy floating over city" is a fairly general concept, and has technically been achieved within the image, but then take it further. Thoughtfully and deliberately. In looking at the image, I have questions about the position of the legs/feet (I, too, get the hanging corpse feeling there), as well as the use of the Hong Kong skyline. Based on the discussion of this image so far, I'm guessing you wouldn't have specific answers to those questions.

Even if viewers don't get your exact meaning or story out of the image, it should still be there. "I wanted to make it look like a guy was floating over the city" is kind of an empty concept, really, and there's nothing much beyond that for the viewer to engage with. Why is he floating? How does he feel about floating? What is the significance of the city? I think that's where you need to go next.

you really hit it on the spot, on what i need to improve one... or at least an aspect of my photography skills. and thank you.

[honestfool84]

Nothing wrong with good technique. If you suck technically you'll have a much harder time to get anywhere. For commercial assignments you can get away with the creative part if the rest works. You are right you do not always *need* to be creative. As it is you are already good - the problem is you want to be great (which btw is the only correct ambition)

I hate when a photo is blurry, badly framed and underexposed then it's art. You can not be a good photographer if you haven't mastered the technical aspect of your job.

Keep working on the lighting and have as much fun learning as you can.
Don't worry the creative part will strike you out of the blue and then you'll be in a good position to take advantage of it.

If I had an advice (and I hate giving and receiving advices on creativity) I would repeat the only advice that has ever helped me. Don't overthink it. You get an idea, do it, play with it, have fun with it and the see at the end if you think it's telling/showing your idea (and if you like it). Don't try to change a (good) simple idea into a masterpiece - overthinking will usually kill it.

Just keep at it.

thank you, Slomo. that's one thing i would love very much to develop, my own "vision" if you will, not just my own technical style. it's not easy, but hopefully with as much work as i've put into getting the framing, lighting, and focusing down, i can become better and more creative.



we'll see what all y'all think next time i ask for more critique.

[Re-Animator]

Keep in mind I am coming from an artist perspective, As for your talent you can take good pics. and you have skills. But if i was to sell your work it would not be easy given the photos that are out there for sell already.

But if your just showing your different skills in picture taking then I really don't see anything to critique , maybe less lighting here, more lighting there.

Keep in mind I visit 3 photo-shop websites and two photograph websites on a daily basis.
and is a member of MOCA so my 2 cents is worthy of posting.


(also after that last post you probably know I am a member of horn tooters anonymous)

[U.S.A.F.]

If that is really your work then you must make a lot of money. who is your agent?

If you don't mind me asking.

[honestfool84]

For me...............the first one was a waste of film. all that darkness and a head in front of a light just seemed boring. Nothing to the imagination and your better than that.

The second one I didn't like the girl looks pissed off. and she's not playing the instrument. It looks like shes thinking "hurry the f__k up before a car comes by"

maybe a cat on the side watching her or a small child dropping a dollar in a hat would have been better.


The two blue ones look like you found them in the bottom of a U-haul box that was sitting in a parking lot since 1982. not sure what your doing maybe i missed the point. (if so sorry)

The fourth one seemed to look to much like an ad for Gatoraid maybe if the guy on the couch was knitting a sweater or dissecting a frog it would have been more interesting.

but you do have talent so I will give you an 8 1/2 out of 10

those are my takes, I will wait to see how you absorb them before I continue.

hahaha. thank you! this totally made my day. no offense taken - i loved this critique. it was a very entertaining take.


1. your computer screen probably isn't professionally calibrated... you most likely cannot see all the detail in the darkness - there actually is a lot of detail. printed largely on a canvas in my room (that's actually me in the picture), the detail can be seen fine, and it's not all just black darkness.


2. the second one isn't a professional model or anything.. and it was more of a sexy look that we were going for, not so much pissed off. the cat or child comments really threw me off and gave me a good


3. don't be sorry about your opinion, i'm thankful for it. i was going for a little gritty look, yes, definitely. i was just swimming with my friend and we decided to take a few pictures...nothing set up or formal. that was actually taken with my cell phone.

4. i like Gatorade - if i could land a job with them, i'd be exceedingly happy. that's my goal someday, actually.


thank you for your time.

[honestfool84]

If that is really your work then you must make a lot of money. who is your agent?

If you don't mind me asking.

yes, this really is my work.

and i don't have an agent or agency. i've been looking for a good one, but i feel i need to work quite a bit more on my portfolio before i send my work off to agencies.

here are screenshots of my image organizer program, with all the shots i've taken of these shoots... (except the two pictures of me - i usually always delete those RAW files when i'm done editing them)

[honestfool84]

Keep in mind I am coming from an artist perspective, As for your talent you can take good pics. and you have skills. But if i was to sell your work it would not be easy given the photos that are out there for sell already.

But if your just showing your different skills in picture taking then I really don't see anything to critique , maybe less lighting here, more lighting there.

Keep in mind I visit 3 photo-shop websites and two photograph websites on a daily basis.
and is a member of MOCA so my 2 cents is worthy of posting.


(also after that last post you probably know I am a member of horn tooters anonymous)

thank you for your 2 cents, i honestly do appreciate it.

deep down i had a little feeling you knew what you were talking about... but i wasn't so sure, so i didn't say anything.

and MOCA, how do you become a member of that? i mean, any possible way to get a hookup through that?