Chloe + Chris eShoot

I'm not saying that some of the critique wasn't useful, but to say all the pictures were "clearly inferior". I'm sure the customers didn't gawk at the fact that Chloe has no catch light in her eye (#2), they were probably greatly satisfied with these images. Every picture can't be a setup studio shot and I think these pictures show good PP and are a pleasent set.

last one is cool.

scobols wrote in post #12266631
Seriously what? I think this is a good, honest critique.

Although it may hurt to hear these kinds of critiques, a lot can be learned from it and it can really improve your skills if these things are watched for next time.

Look again at number 4. At first glance, it looks nice. It's colorful and fun. Now pay attention to where your eyes go. Mine bounce back from the silo to the couple, and then even the trees. Too much competition. The horizon is dead center in the frame. It certainly had potential to be a killer shot.

Scott

Good point Scott. We should be hear to help each other out.

mrmarklin wrote in post #12240419
I disagree with all the above critiques and will actually try to help you.

1 Aurora note the problem, among others.
2 He's out of focus, and there are no catchlights in her eye. A flash would have been useful
3 What's the point of this shot? Nothing is happening, and your horizon is off too.
4 Horizon in this shot and the silo is the focal point. It'ss the biggest thing in the shot!
5 i like the second shot best but he dress is blown out in both of them.

6 Slightly washed out, actually the sky is blah...............

7 Against a totally dead sky we have what? Some sort of "artistic" flare...............??

I'm really at a loss as to why praise is readily heaped on this segment of the forum on what are clearly inferior photos. Not just this set, but almost all of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry I cannot agree with the people above.

Now that I look at the pictures, I can agree with some of mrmarklin's comments. Harsh, but helpful..

I don't mind the harsh critique at all. Thanks @mrmarklin.

People are entitled to their own opinions and as we all know, many photographic choices are large subjective.

I like them, and the client likes them, but I do agree with some of @mrmarklin's points.

I also can agree with some of the comments made by mrmarklin. He makes good critical arguments.. However, he lost me at the end when he was very rude about the post. These are some really nice photos. Yes, they can be improved and yours points are, indeed, valid ones; But there's no reason to get nasty at the quote on quote inferior pictures in this forum.

wizard2340 wrote in post #12266841
I'm not saying that some of the critique wasn't useful, but to say all the pictures were "clearly inferior". I'm sure the customers didn't gawk at the fact that Chloe has no catch light in her eye (#2), they were probably greatly satisfied with these images. Every picture can't be a setup studio shot and I think these pictures show good PP and are a pleasent set.

Mrmarklin ...

If you're going to give a harsh critique you have to put your work out there too. You did very little that was constructive.

I did some searching and all I could find by Mrmarklin was a few crappy landscape shots from a few years ago. Aside from that, I saw tons of comments from him/her ripping on other members and lusting over gear. So, where's your work? Let's see if you really have the chops to give critiques, or... are you just an equipment whore?

---------------
Here's how you give a worthwhile critique (take notes)
---------------

1. Great shot. A great moment captured. Bright spot on the pants, but you already mentioned the scrim was too small. Maybe a crop would make it better? Most people, clients especially though, wouldn't notice the bright spot on the pants as being an issue.

2. Another great moment. Obviously, the DOF here is on purpose. Great focus on her. IMO, a catch light would look unnatural with the way the lighting is. Technically, the hair is too blown out and I don't like the highlight on the face but this is a lifestyle moment captured so it warrants a more relaxed critique than an actual posed or setup portrait.

3. Another great moment. You can't see their faces which makes this image more about the connection and the relationship than it is about any one person. The lines going left to right draw things in well and the extra bit on the right keeps it interesting. I'd maybe edit out her ring since it draws the eye away a bit.

4. I love this shot. It would be a great landscape shot without them and I've always loved landscape shots with people added. If I had any negative criticism it would be the darkening on the top right and the slight halo around the silo.

5. Both good shots, but a blown out chest. I'd try to recover that in the RAW file. I like the one on the right the best.

6. Love this shot. The composition with the clouds, ground and negative space around them is great.

7. Great use of framing with the branches. I like how, for the most part, the branches just frame them. Although, I'd look at editing out the two branches that intersects his neck. And, the tiny branches that extend into his legs and her butt. Probably the one just below the elbow too. And, again, I love the composition with how you included the ground. It's a compositional technique that you don't see often. The flare adds some added interest to the shot. The positioning isn't the greatest in terms of it being so low, but not much you could do there since this was obviously late in the day. Great job getting it between them though.

Okay, I may have jumped the gun defending Mrmarklin's comments.

I felt he/she was a little harsh due to all of the generic "those are awesome" comments. Looking back, there was no need to be rude by saying all the pictures were "clearly inferior".

Great follow-up sgf323.

mrmarklin wrote in post #12240419
I disagree with all the above critiques and will actually try to help you.

1 Aurora note the problem, among others.
2 He's out of focus, and there are no catchlights in her eye. A flash would have been useful
3 What's the point of this shot? Nothing is happening, and your horizon is off too.
4 Horizon in this shot and the silo is the focal point. It'ss the biggest thing in the shot!
5 i like the second shot best but he dress is blown out in both of them.

6 Slightly washed out, actually the sky is blah...............

7 Against a totally dead sky we have what? Some sort of "artistic" flare...............??

I'm really at a loss as to why praise is readily heaped on this segment of the forum on what are clearly inferior photos. Not just this set, but almost all of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry I cannot agree with the people above.

Inferior photos compare to what??? Yours? Put up some pics is the first thing that came to my mind after reading your lame critique. Your critique is the same nit pick non sightful crap I keep hearing on these boards.

not saying i agree or disagree with his critique, but i think people can still give critique even if their own work is not that impressive to some. there are a lot of pro golf instructors that are great teachers/critics, but would never be able to keep up with some of the players they instruct. of course in photography if you had the work to back it might change your view of what that critique means. at the end of the day, its the op's decision on how he wants to take the critiques.

so beautiful ~~~~~romantic

sgf: Great point you made. mrmarklin's comments made some sense to me, but I felt they were bit harsh on some points. Constructive criticsim is key. This forum is priceless. You can learn so many different ideas in here.

sgf323 wrote in post #12268638
Mrmarklin ...

If you're going to give a harsh critique you have to put your work out there too. You did very little that was constructive.

I did some searching and all I could find by Mrmarklin was a few crappy landscape shots from a few years ago. Aside from that, I saw tons of comments from him/her ripping on other members and lusting over gear. So, where's your work? Let's see if you really have the chops to give critiques, or... are you just an equipment whore?

---------------
Here's how you give a worthwhile critique (take notes)
---------------

1. Great shot. A great moment captured. Bright spot on the pants, but you already mentioned the scrim was too small. Maybe a crop would make it better? Most people, clients especially though, wouldn't notice the bright spot on the pants as being an issue.

2. Another great moment. Obviously, the DOF here is on purpose. Great focus on her. IMO, a catch light would look unnatural with the way the lighting is. Technically, the hair is too blown out and I don't like the highlight on the face but this is a lifestyle moment captured so it warrants a more relaxed critique than an actual posed or setup portrait.

3. Another great moment. You can't see their faces which makes this image more about the connection and the relationship than it is about any one person. The lines going left to right draw things in well and the extra bit on the right keeps it interesting. I'd maybe edit out her ring since it draws the eye away a bit.

4. I love this shot. It would be a great landscape shot without them and I've always loved landscape shots with people added. If I had any negative criticism it would be the darkening on the top right and the slight halo around the silo.

5. Both good shots, but a blown out chest. I'd try to recover that in the RAW file. I like the one on the right the best.

6. Love this shot. The composition with the clouds, ground and negative space around them is great.

7. Great use of framing with the branches. I like how, for the most part, the branches just frame them. Although, I'd look at editing out the two branches that intersects his neck. And, the tiny branches that extend into his legs and her butt. Probably the one just below the elbow too. And, again, I love the composition with how you included the ground. It's a compositional technique that you don't see often. The flare adds some added interest to the shot. The positioning isn't the greatest in terms of it being so low, but not much you could do there since this was obviously late in the day. Great job getting it between them though.

The whole point of a critique is to bring things to the attention of the requesting party that they may not already know. It does no good to anyone to just say the photo is bad or has "problems" without going into what those are. On the same token, it does nothing but pad an ego to say "Beautiful", "Awesome", etc. Either way, those comments are worthless.

If you think a photo is good, then why? Explain it. Chances are you may see something the creator did not. If you hate it, tell us why. If you're completely apathetic, then don't bother commenting because you'll provide no value.

In any critique, I think it's important to outline what you think is right in a photo and what could be better, in your mind. Just bashing a person's work makes them naturally feel that you're totally against them and they won't consider anything you say as relevant. Coming at it from a direction of a sincere desire to help allows them to really consider your comments.

It's up to them to agree or disagree, but at least they feel you're being helpful rather than just bashing their work without any real incentive aside from making yourself feel better.

And yes, there are people out there that can teach but cannot do. But, would you ever see a professional golf coach tell someone "That's the most ridiculous swing I've ever seen. You aren't even standing correctly!" then walk away? Of course not. They'd analyze the swing/stance and make suggestions to make it better.

I can see with the "harsh" critiquing, its just a little hard to take at first. I don't think these are BAD in any way, but its just a different perspective.

I really like #2, that bit of innocent chemistry is awesome.
#5 I like how you gave the female model a little solo camera time. Considering its an e-shoot, I would of loved to see her AND her ring. If #3 was focused on the ring instead of just the female, I think it would be a stronger picture.

You do have nice skill, hope this helps, keep up the good work!

mrmarklin wrote in post #12240419
I disagree with all the above critiques and will actually try to help you.

...............
I'm really at a loss as to why praise is readily heaped on this segment of the forum on what are clearly inferior photos. Not just this set, but almost all of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry I cannot agree with the people above.

The opening and closing remarks are about as condescending as a person can be! Any criticism in-between these remarks, no matter how accurate or far off, has zero value!