Photographic critiques, please...

[jason_jenn]

Hey there, I'm aspiring to get into a new form of photography, well, new to me, anyway.

I'd like your help in two areas...

1. critiquing my abilities (or inabilities, as it were)

2. if you reside in SE NB, Canada... would you consider modeling for me? You get pics, I get to expand my portfolio.

The first two pics are of the same shot, one raw, the other touched up.

I have the model's permission for posting in aiding my photographic endevours, however, I have masked her face for her anonymity.

 

[bumlicker]

Not bad

looks like the same pic though lets see a little more?

 

[JammyJimmy]

Hi Jason,

There's a number of websites around that you can network with other photographers, models, etc, like modelmayhem for example:
www.modelmayhem.com
I have to warn you though, that critiques on these sites are ferocious to say the least, so I'd be very cautious about registering. That being said, if you can handle the blunt and detailed criticism, they'll improve your photography immensely. I'd recommend you stay out the forums though, because they bring a new definition to the phrase 'evil bitches'.

Onto the critique:

1) Photography:
Your basic composition's not bad and improved by the edit, but the chopped off fingers make the shot look a little haphazard and amateurish. The lighting is pretty flat and not very flattering to the subject, and the position your model is posed in makes her stomach push out a little. It also makes her look a little reluctant. (Obviously we can't see her face so there's no way of confirming that) Plus, hair... looks untidy. Attention to detail before you take a shot really helps. Plus it saves a LOT of time in the edit. If you're seeking to make your model look as good as possible, then there's a lot you could have done with her poses to show off her assets as a person and as a physical model. As it is, her hair's messy, her breasts are all over the place and her tummy is bulging at her belt. That all being said, she looks like she has a nice frame, and I've seen thousands and thousands of pictures that are a LOT worse.

2) Editing:
Okay, it's good you've brightened the shot, but you've gone a little overboard with the softening brush on her skin to the point that her skin's lost texture. Makes it look out of focus but when matched against her hair it looks odd. The cloned mark on her stomach looks clumsy because it's not matched to the surrounding area. (I can see the difference in tones) Now, the crop greatly improves the shot, and definitely helps make the image more easy on the eye, but it could be cropped tighter across her left wrist, if you cloned out the watch strap. That would get rid of the tummy bulge too and get rid of the dead space on the right, as well as bring the focus back onto her face. You might want to consider a mono conversion too, as that'll even out the skin tones and let you manipulate some more shadow and light into the shot.


Now, I totally understand that this kind of response isn't what you were expecting and you probably feel like I've torn your picture to shreds then kicked you in the balls too.
I haven't, believe me. You asked for a critique and that's what you got. I've kept it constructive, told you what doesn't work and how to improve it. I strongly urge you to keep going with this, and be your own worst critic. It improves you.
Everyone starts off pointing and clicking. Some develop.
Your eye for composition, editing, tone, detail, for seeing the final edited shot before the camera is at your eye - all that comes with time, practice and improving as much as you can.
Hit the photography blogs, websites, watch tutorials on youtube. You can teach yourself this stuff, and I know because I did.
Hope this is of help, and KEEP GOING!

JJ

 

[jason_jenn]

Thanks JJ!

Was exactly what I wanted! All very new to me, so this is great stuff to start from!

Thank you.

 

[whome1952]

A couple of other points that JJ didn't cover in his post although he might have PM'd you.

The angle you took the shot at, does not compliment the situation. I would suggest either getting at eye level or more directly above depending on what you want to convey.

As for a study in editing shots, look to JJ's own thread on the AmPic forums. A great source of inspiration.

JJ's thread

 

[Tanstaafl001]

In the editd photo, there are also a few spots that don;t quite match the color of her skin. They're too edged and should probably be lended a bit better. it'll be tough belnding them because of what a previous poster said abuot too much blurring of the skin.

 

[FBI_JOEY]

I thought the moles in the original were sexy.

 

[JammyJimmy]

I thought the moles in the original were sexy.

Agreed!

 

[QSco]

Cool stuff.

 

[Honey123]

I thought the moles in the original were sexy.

I have to agree here as well...

If you do take out the face, instead doing what you did, I would suggest just cropping out the face.. or, have the models use a hat, sunglasses or their hair to cover it. I found myself looking more at the smudge then her body....

Sometimes more realistic body flaws are the most beautiful...

I would love to see you improve on that particular photo to let us see how your artistic "tools", so to speak, have improved!



*keep on doing it...it's such hard work, I know, but in the end when a photo comes out that catches your breath...so worth it!!!

 

[FBI_JOEY]

Sometimes more realistic body flaws are the most beautiful...

Hypocrite!

 

[Honey123]

Hypocrite!

Hey. My scar is gross. It's not a flaw!

 

[FBI_JOEY]

Hey. My scar is gross. It's not a flaw!

It's sexy.

 

[MaleNC]

It's sexy.

Thanks for setting Honey straight!!

 

[Phoner]

It's sexy.

It is extremely sexy.