NEXT
I am posting this very late today because I have been trying to find a decent image to share with you. It is becoming clear to me that I am developing a better eye for photography, at least as a critic, though perhaps not as a photographer. Due to my effort to always deliver a high quality image, photos that I would have shared with you two months ago no longer make the cut.
Now you are probably thinking this is a good thing. I, however, am thinking this is a bad thing. The problem lies in the fact that I can't seem to take very many photos that meet my new higher standard. Today I spent an hour looking through my archives looking at possible candidates for today's blog. I would open a folder and say "next"; open the next folder, sigh and say "next".
Based on a conversation I had with my Dad, I am led to believe this is just a part of the natural development of an artist. Hopefully soon I will come out of this horrendously limiting "self editing" stage, with the ability to take pictures that satisfy my new desire for excellence.
Oh yeah, the photo is of some girl I saw at the park a few weeks ago. I though she was cute, so I was trying to find an interesting way of framing her, using the playground. Do you think this works? I'm new to photographing people, so any hints you can give are more than appreciated.
Canon PowerShot S2 IS, 69mm, f/3.5, 1/100 sec, ISO 50
posted by Bethany at 12:59 PM
21 Comments:
Tim, I think that this works very well. I'm sure that this is a great portrait that her mother or father would love to have. It's so much better than the "standard" static portrait. Well done!
Regarding the ruthless editing, we all do it! So, you are not alone. Since I try so many different angles, exposures, etc. Typically, I would say that I like about 2% of my shots.
At a recent workshop, I asked several professionals about how much of their work that they actually like. The majority of them said that if they shot, for example, 1000+ photos in a day, they might like 2 or 3, of that many. You do the math!
Our standards get higher; we look for more impact, not just another photo. Also be prepared ... not everyone will like what you like, but that is fine. It's your vision.
Regards,
Paul
I have been exactly where you are and am only now just barely beginning move forward to the next phase to be able to recall what I've been studying so hard and think before I press that shutter button...and I can see that there is still a long, long road to go down before this all becomes second nature. One thing that I keep holding onto is that some day, it will. Until then, we keep on shooting and keep on learning and do the most important thing...have fun. 'Cause if it ain't fun, then why do it any more?
I think this shot is precious and you did well. Post your shots with confidence, my friend. Chances are you've looked at them so many times, you aren't even seeing in them what you saw the first time. I think we are all our hardest critics.
Looking forward to seeing your post for tomorrow!!
eeeessss greeeaaat!
excelling in cuteness and expressing emotion.
Shot looks good to me, but I'm the last person to ask. I don't photograph people for the purpose of posting...just my friends and family etc. for the personal photo album.
nicely framed, she's so cute!
I don't see many people shots from you , so this is very nice to see, a wonderful soht, and perfectly captured. Suby : you got competition.
GREAT GREAT GREAT SHOT! (Very rare for me to ever give that to a portrait : very well done man.)
You've captured a great expression and nice warm light on this one.
I think most people are their own worst critic. Don't take it too seriously and have fun! Not every shot is a prize winner but when it all comes together it makes it that much better.
very cute. I wish there was a little more above her, perhaps her whole head and then a little more. This framing does work well though I think. I am always to shy to photograph others children, well done.
I've been that way. I'm certainly much more crtical of my photos than I was a year agao, but my more laid back nature has taken over again. I decided the whole reason for it is to have fun and try different things. Not every picture has to be that amazing shot. I can look at it and think about what might have made it better, but still be pleased with my efforts.
Oh and I really like this shot.
Heya Timmy, This is a beautiful shot. It really depends on what you want to achieve while composing. If it's the looks of the girl, then I'd crop/close up, awesome catch. If it would be what she's focused on, then where's she looking at. To me, photograph should tell itself. Here I see a cute girl, while playing gives her attention to somewhere for a moment, and you captured it. As daily photography, it's not very original, but aesthetic in a way she's in the frame. I think that's why, for my weekly gallery I put those that I think might have those qualities, and in my daily I care not, just random, non-original, low aesthetic, and badly post-processed work. There are websites for serious critiques, e.g. photo.net, photosig and some Flickr groups. Let me know if you consider posting to such places, I'll join up - weekly & comment there.
Heya Timmy, This is a beautiful shot. It really depends on what you want to achieve while composing. If it's the looks of the girl, then I'd crop/close up, awesome catch. If it would be what she's focused on, then where's she looking at. To me, photograph should tell itself. Here I see a cute girl, while playing gives her attention to somewhere for a moment, and you captured it. As daily photography, it's not very original, but aesthetic in a way she's in the frame. I think that's why, for my weekly gallery I put those that I think might have those qualities, and in my daily I care not, just random, non-original, low aesthetic, and badly post-processed work. There are websites for serious critiques, e.g. photo.net, photosig and some Flickr groups. Let me know if you consider posting to such places, I'll join up - weekly & comment there.
ops - double clicked. please delete the above dup and this one. sorry.
She's very cute, love this shot!
Timmy, this is a fantastic shot! I love the whole composition and she is just adorable beyond words.
I have gotten more critical as well, but while dealing with recent issues I've just posted without too much thought to the shot and more thought into my venting on my blog...LOL.
I took the easiest way out: told myself every week I must produce 4 images--good or bad :)
Loving this shot. The framing is just cool and the look on her face is marvellous.
Having just made my 89th post, I suppose I'm a bit like yourself. I try to go out every day with my camera, even if its only for half an hour. Trying to find something new and interesting sometimes is very difficult (a bit like writers block!!).
I have started to become critical of my work and I don't know if this is a good or bad thing. I have started rejecting a lot of my images without anybody seeing them.
The trouble with blogs is half the posts just say 'cool' or 'nice' that does not help any of us that want to progress.
So no - I am not going to say 'nice shot' for this image. I like the lighting and tight crop. Cropping the top of the head is not a problem with me (Bailey was doing it in the 60's). The frame creates a frame and the crop draws you in to the facial expression that sells the image to me. If this was my daughter, this shot would make the album!
Cheers - John
Just a great shot! It's not easy to deliver quality images. This is the problem we all face!
Regards,
Jason
This is well executed, and I like it very much.
I'm almost freakishly anal about trying to get "the whole thing" in the shot, referring to the comment about having her whole head in the shot. It isn't always necessary, and I have to force myself to try a shot any other way. I'll usually take several of the whole thing then several tighter shots and sometimes I'm surprised later at which one I like the best.
What's really good about not having her whole head in the shot is it puts her eyes above center of the upper right third of the photo (those of you familiar with the Rule of Thirds will know what I mean), which is a better composition. If you had her whole head in the shot, the placement would be less dynamic, IMHO.
I also very much like how you framed the shot using the playground poles. That's one of my favorite techniques, using a vertical or horizontal solid object to frame the sides of a shot. It works very nicely here.
I think the tight cropping works for this sort of shot. I like doing this, too. It can work wonderfully, or not at all. but it works here.
I can't say the framing works for me as the upper part of her head is missing. Actually I take that back I have looked again and realised its the playground equipment that is doing the cropping not the image itself.
Keep looking at the archives as you may look at an image with fresh eyes in a few weeks time and realise there is a shot or two to use.
I agree with you we do go into a self critical mode which has in my case brought my photography to a stop as I just couldn't capture anything up to the level I wanted to post but things calm down and you become happier with your work.
Post a Comment
<< Home