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DPChallenge Forums >> Individual Photograph Discussion >> Could I please have some honest critique?
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05/30/2010 07:43:41 PM · #1
I really need to improve on my photographic skills, and it's been a very long time since I have picked up my camera until recently. Please give me honest critique, contructive critique. I will not be offended. I would just like to know what to do better next time.

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate it!

05/30/2010 08:08:08 PM · #2
ok I am not the best in the world but I will give you what my eye sees OK...

The first thing I notice the the angle. It looks off to me. Your not above her totally nore are you beside her so it looks offplace and messes with the depth for me.

The way it is cropped looks "uneven" part of her hair is cut off which makes it look like a mistake...

The grass... the grass on the bottom is lighter then the grass on the top... I dont know if this is just the lawn or if its the capture... but im just pointing it out.

Otherwise I think it is a very cute image!!
05/30/2010 08:37:27 PM · #3
The only issues I can critique are subjective in nature. Exposure, colors and detail I can't find any issue with. The pose and the look on her face seem a bit awkward and forced to me. The composition and perspective seems an effort at doing something unique, but I'm not sure it works for this.
05/30/2010 09:15:20 PM · #4
I agree that the exposure, color, detail..is all great. What's bad is..I can see you setting up the shot.. laying her hair out.. telling her not to move her head..but still look at the camera and smile.
05/30/2010 09:15:55 PM · #5
Hi. Here are my 2 cents worth of opinions:

Technically, everything is fine, the exposure is good, its sharp, there are no annoying shadows cast. My person opinion is that it could be a little warmer. By the looks of it, you allowed the camera to use the auto white balance, but didn't do any correcting afterward. There is a mix of warm/cold colors which is often cast when photographing something with a lot of green in it.

As for the composition, there is something awkward about the pose. The first is that she is laying on an angle to the crop, which seems a bit unnatural. I'm guessing purple is one of her favorite colors, and the hard navy contrasts well with the skirt. But, the Hanna Montana shirt just makes me chuckle. Unless she really wanted to wear that shirt, I would have opted for something a little less busy.

Next, there seems to be a slight squint in her eyes, and her smile looks a little forced and uncomfortable. I like her folded hands, it gives her a sense of childhood innocence, but at the same time, it makes her look a little stressed. Together these add a sense of tension.

Finally, I see how you fanned her hair out. The problem is that it is fanned out unevenly, and a little chaotic.

So, altogether, the angle, hands/face, and hair, add a strong sense of tension. Photographs of children are best when the illustrate a sense of carefree, childlike qualities.

Unfortunately, I can't say what the best way to pose is. I just don't have the experience for that.

I hope it helps, and you aren't offended by my direct comments, I'm just being honest.

Paul
05/30/2010 09:26:56 PM · #6
the composition is static, too stable, too simple. the model is clenching every muscle in her face. I recommend spending more time with her, catching her offguard when she's more relaxed.
05/30/2010 09:30:24 PM · #7
FWIW - This is a very posed shot. Others have given good feedback, and I pretty much second all that the others have said - except the position of the hands.
I think my biggest complaint is that there is no apparent natural reason for her to be laying down on the grass, the position of her body, or her hands, or the position of her head. To me, her arms & hands are in a very awkward position that is unnatural. The neck of her top is sagging open, and there is a hole through it that is unmatched on the other side. Generally, for balance, if you chop off one side, you should also chop off the opposite site. Also, it is unnatural not to turn your head to look at something, so the position of her head and eyes don't match. Also, her body is turned away from the camera.
Generally, a natural position is the most pleasing and is received by the viewers most positively.
Also, she needs to appear to be unaware of the camera. A candid smile (or one that appears so) is much more pleasing than a forced one.
05/30/2010 09:42:49 PM · #8
So i think like what most people are say is true. technically everything is great! :) But i do agree that things looked too forced. like her hair is too perfectly laid out, and her smile and pose is too forced as well. Too set up i guess.

Like Paul said, her shirt is too busy... maybe next time, whether this is a job or just for fun, make sure that your model is were things with textures and NO graphics. Just something that seems to make most pictures better. unless it is for a clothing store and its for advertising... :]

Which direction was the sun? did you use any reflectors? She seems to be squinting.

Also like paul said, this is my opinion and please dont get offended.

Hopes this helps :)

~Sofia
05/30/2010 09:46:01 PM · #9
distract her, talk to her until she forgets the camera is there, or even better wait and wait and wait until she lies down or does what she does and you can find her and capture her not a forced creation...
05/30/2010 10:03:11 PM · #10
Thank you so much everyone for all the critique, I will take it all in, and use your advise in my next practices.
FYI - Her hair just naturally laid out that way lol.

The shirt, she had to wear it, she's only 5, couldn't fight with her on that one! : )

BTW, Im not one to get offended, I love constructive criticisim, keep it coming, it helps me improve!

Thanks again everyone!

Jamie
06/08/2010 04:16:07 PM · #11
Beautiful girl is not natural. Dont try to pose her. Let her be herself play around and shoot. Ask her how she would like to be photographed. Amazing ideas find you will (master yoda said :)
06/08/2010 04:42:55 PM · #12
When shooting people who are as tight as your model here, wait, talk, relax. Eventually they will stop posing. With kids of this age, help them get the expression you want, have them tell you the story of their favorite story or movie, ask them how they feel when they are hot, or cold, or bored, or get their favorite food. Once they are working with you they stop clenching.

Secondly, no one can look good at this angle. She looks like she is about to fall off the edge of the world. Shooting from above works, if the model can deal with the fact that you are on top of them, or slide over to the side as if you are resting next to them. If you can get a comfortable angle, then the viewer can relax enough to settle in to really see the subject.
06/08/2010 05:07:03 PM · #13
Originally posted by bennettjamie:

Thank you so much everyone for all the critique, I will take it all in, and use your advise in my next practices.
FYI - Her hair just naturally laid out that way lol.

The shirt, she had to wear it, she's only 5, couldn't fight with her on that one! : )

BTW, Im not one to get offended, I love constructive criticisim, keep it coming, it helps me improve!

Thanks again everyone!

Jamie


Would of been nice if you had the decency to reply to the comments I left on your last "please critique my shots" thread.

However, to show that I am not a bad sport, I will critique this one in a similar fashion.

Again it has no depth, an uninteresting subject in a contrived pose. It may be great to a prent/friend of the subject - but to me it really does nothing. You really need to think a bit more about your composition and how to make a normal shot something a bit different.
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