Am i ready?

Hello all,

Id like to first just say that, im not looking for compliments so dont think im asking this because im fishing for compliments.

But i feel like i have improved aaaa llooottt since i first started..

And now im wondering in investing in an actual site, and make a fb page and business cards and stuff blah blah blah... as of now... ive been doing budget shoots for friends and friends of friends.. and im trying to take it to the next level.. because i want to make this a job :]

Now i know im not great, probably not even good. But i want POTN's honest answer, so it can save me a bit of money and use it on other stuff atm (college lol)

So please can you please check out my work ( flickr/portfolio) and tell me if my work is industry ready? Please dont nitpick... well you can.. lol but what im looking for is your thought on my overall work not just individual shots. But thats appreciated too ^.^

Oh! and ive ordered a test set of business cards and after seeing some of POTN's thoughts on whether i should wait or jump right into it... i will see if i will order..

AND it would be cool if you could guess how long ive been shooting without looking at my bio :]

Thanks! Links to my work will be posted as long as in my sig!

LINKS:
http://www.flickr.com/​dannyoi

http://www.thach.500px​.com

EDIT:

BTW i forgot to mention i have no problem with waiting to get better! Was just wondering since people love my work, i just wanted to hear from the best photog community ;]

Most of the shots I see are a bit high contrast in the faces, especially #s 1-3. I'd rather have more tones, like in: Angeline outdoors

And #s 15-17 have way more wall than I'd like to see in a portrait, unless some art director needs room for type.

I don't think that #14 is a very flattering shot. My first thought was, "Does this angle make my butt look big?"

Instead of going for the "cool shot" & "creative" processing, I suggest that you spend more time making your subjects, as in "CLIENTS", look as good as possible. They are going to be your biggest critics, & if they don't think that they look great, you're going to have a problem prying any money out of their pockets.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #12557317
Most of the shots I see are a bit high contrast in the faces, especially #s 1-3. I'd rather have more tones, like in: Angeline outdoors

And #s 15-17 have way more wall than I'd like to see in a portrait, unless some art director needs room for type.

I don't think that #14 is a very flattering shot. My first thought was, "Does this angle make my butt look big?" Instead of going for the "cool shot" & "creative" processing, I suggest that you spend more time making your subjects, as in "CLIENTS", look as good as possible. They are going to be your biggest critics, & if they don't think that they look great, you're going to have a problem prying any money out of their pockets.

Thanks for the input! Im wondering what site you are refering to, and if you looked at both lol. But i agree i think one of my problems is leaving too much room D: So you think i should wait? :] btw i forgot to mention i have no problem with waiting to get better! Was just wondering since people love my work, i just wanted to hear from the best photog community ;]

.thach wrote in post #12557345
Thanks for the input! Im wondering what site you are refering to, and if you looked at both lol. But i agree i think one of my problems is leaving too much room D: So you think i should wait? :] btw i forgot to mention i have no problem with waiting to get better! Was just wondering since people love my work, i just wanted to hear from the best photog community ;]

Hey hey hey - 18 year old photog here, not too far from you (Dallas)!

You're pretty good, but like PhotosGuy said, you're leaving too much open space and going with the 'creative' filters. Lower the camera a bit and stop down some also - you'll retain the bokeh and get much more sharpness out of that 50L. I'm in the startup phase myself (and keeping things small for another year or so), so that's all I'd feel comfortable saying.

EDIT : Another thing - about the people liking your work. Take that with a very very very hefty grain of salt. Facebook, especially in that age group, is just drowning in low light point-and-shoot shots. I'd say find someone on POTN or Flickr that's much much better at you and is in the same niche/marker, and compare everything you take to them. This is why I'm a bit dulled to Flickr comments, it's nothing but positivity, even if the final product wouldn't be something you'd want to sell to someone.

I'm in a very similar boat as you. I was in the 5Dc + 50mm bracket since I felt that was the most cost effective method of getting into photography. It looks like you know how to shoot low contrast/high contrast, and your color profile isn't bad. But since then, I've really gotten some good experience in the field, and here are some pointers I can give you based on how I've developed as a photographer.

I would first really start learning more about lighting outside the normal outdoor portrait shoot. Get your hands on a strobe or flash and start practicing some indoor strobist techniques. This will make you a much more versatile photographer, and allow you to get a better understanding of ambient vs flash lighting as well as challenging your understanding of color balancing.

The 50L is an amazing lens, but you could definitely put that money into many cheaper primes or even a workhorse zoom to get you into using different perspectives. Each lens has a different feel to it, and learning the advantages as well as disadvantages of other focal lengths will make you a much more balanced photographer. A good photography isn't just about camera settings and composition, there is also a mixture of storytelling as well as mood which you're trying to express.

At this level, I'm very impressed at your portfolio, but there is definitely a long way to go and I hope that you'll really push yourself to get outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself to get better. The one thing that you can't do, is think too much of your photos. You probably shoot better than 90% of "photographers" around you, but you'll soon learn that complacency in your photographic environment leads to wasted years.

jjangsangy wrote in post #12557564
I'm in a very similar boat as you. I was in the 5Dc + 50mm bracket since I felt that was the most cost effective method of getting into photography. It looks like you know how to shoot low contrast/high contrast, and your color profile isn't bad. But since then, I've really gotten some good experience in the field, and here are some pointers I can give you based on how I've developed as a photographer.

I would first really start learning more about lighting outside the normal outdoor portrait shoot. Get your hands on a strobe or flash and start practicing some indoor strobist techniques. This will make you a much more versatile photographer, and allow you to get a better understanding of ambient vs flash lighting as well as challenging your understanding of color balancing.

The 50L is an amazing lens, but you could definitely put that money into many cheaper primes or even a workhorse zoom to get you into using different perspectives. Each lens has a different feel to it, and learning the advantages as well as disadvantages of other focal lengths will make you a much more balanced photographer. A good photography isn't just about camera settings and composition, there is also a mixture of storytelling as well as mood which you're trying to express.

At this level, I'm very impressed at your portfolio, but there is definitely a long way to go and I hope that you'll really push yourself to get outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself to get better. The one thing that you can't do, is think too much of your photos. You probably shoot better than 90% of "photographers" around you, but you'll soon learn that complacency in your photographic environment leads to wasted years.

Thanks a lot! But do you too think i should put off for awhile? And i do try to work on my strobist, a lot of my portfolio is strobist, but being on a budget i only have one light, should i invest in a 2nd light or 3rd instead of making a site and stuffs?

Why not do this in parallel? Get a 2nd light if you think you need one, and work on getting a site up and running.

rick_reno wrote in post #12557666
Why not do this in parallel? Get a 2nd light if you think you need one, and work on getting a site up and running.

College is so expensive. D:

I love the guessing game. I would say you have been shooting for about 9 months.. Just a guess.

A bit overboard with the processing. You can certainly get by with one light. You just need to use the sun as a nice hairlight or back light. Reflectors work as a nice fill too.


Are you ready? Well what do you think? Are you?

scorpio_e wrote in post #12557875
I love the guessing game. I would say you have been shooting for about 9 months.. Just a guess.

A bit overboard with the processing. You can certainly get by with one light. You just need to use the sun as a nice hairlight or back light. Reflectors work as a nice fill too.

Are you ready? Well what do you think? Are you?

I think im ready for small time shoots, with family and friends of friends, but i think im kinda messin up on some small stuffs, i just dont know if im ready to market myself.

Seems liek a lot of people like a more natural cleaner pp,

and nah 5.5 months ^.^ i technically started "shooting" seriously midway thru jan this year :]

also id love to start instudio stuffs lol

one light shouldn't stop you. check out Zack Arias' Onelight DVD.
grab a $30 reflector if you need instead of splurging on a second light.

.thach wrote in post #12557907
I think im ready for small time shoots, with family and friends of friends, but i think im kinda messin up on some small stuffs, i just dont know if im ready to market myself.

Seems liek a lot of people like a more natural cleaner pp,

and nah 5.5 months ^.^ i technically started "shooting" seriously midway thru jan this year :]

also id love to start instudio stuffs lol

See you answered your own question As long as you feel confident and you are able to get clients, you are ready. You are smart as you want to start slow.

There are benefits not trying to make money. You get to work on your personal projects and if you mess up ..oh well...Between school and trying to market yourself..shooting paid gigs, will you have time to develop your skills or style?


My advice... enjoy college.. have fun on nonpaid gigs.

I think too many people are in too much of a hurry try to build a business.

Hi Danny:

I looked at your flickr and the other site you linked. I'm not going to beat you up over your work and have not read any of the other responses you've received so this is an unbiased opinion of your work and readiness to make money via photography.

Good stuff: You've got nice experience with seniors (probably friends and family, I'd guess?) graduating HS seniors and prom dates. This is a great place to begin booking gigs and selling to others. Locations chosen look pretty good. Technically, exposure and focus is there for the most part.

Areas for improvement: Lighting is really harsh in many leading to blown out faces in many cases. Somehow, softer light is necessary. Also, too many very similar shots of same person on site. Processing of shots is equally important once you get the focus/exposure/lightin​g side of the game down. Some of the shots didn't appear as sharp as they need to be--especially the head/shoulders and closer portrait.

Reality: The good stuff you hear from your friends and family is great. What they're saying is 'you're the best photographer in our SMALL circle of friends and family.' Must be taken with a grain of salt.

If you're currently shooting a rebel and a kit lens, it may be time to think upgrade. Improvement in sharpness, clarity, color and white balance will help you get to that next level.

Recommendation: Take 10-20 of your very best images, put them into a Flickr link and repost for more criticism. It's easier to make a determination based on one's BEST work than looking through a portfolio of 20 shots from a grad session or a prom night.

All the best to you, Danny. I think you're well on your way but have to get to that 'next level' to be successful.

dave

snyderman wrote in post #12558507
Hi Danny:

I looked at your flickr and the other site you linked. I'm not going to beat you up over your work and have not read any of the other responses you've received so this is an unbiased opinion of your work and readiness to make money via photography.

Good stuff: You've got nice experience with seniors (probably friends and family, I'd guess?) graduating HS seniors and prom dates. This is a great place to begin booking gigs and selling to others. Locations chosen look pretty good. Technically, exposure and focus is there for the most part.

Areas for improvement: Lighting is really harsh in many leading to blown out faces in many cases. Somehow, softer light is necessary. Also, too many very similar shots of same person on site. Processing of shots is equally important once you get the focus/exposure/lightin​g side of the game down. Some of the shots didn't appear as sharp as they need to be--especially the head/shoulders and closer portrait.

Reality: The good stuff you hear from your friends and family is great. What they're saying is 'you're the best photographer in our SMALL circle of friends and family.' Must be taken with a grain of salt.

If you're currently shooting a rebel and a kit lens, it may be time to think upgrade. Improvement in sharpness, clarity, color and white balance will help you get to that next level.

Recommendation: Take 10-20 of your very best images, put them into a Flickr link and repost for more criticism. It's easier to make a determination based on one's BEST work than looking through a portfolio of 20 shots from a grad session or a prom night.

All the best to you, Danny. I think you're well on your way but have to get to that 'next level' to be successful.

dave

Thanks bud! I guess ill have to work on my photography some more :] ill think about marketing and stuff in maybe a year or so, when i get good enough ill just continue shooting small paying gigs for practice then :]

And basically my 2nd link was some of my favorites, i havent put some of em onto the 2nd link... but mostly my best imo are in there, so yea. thanks everybody, ill make my decision from what ive seen, and ill just hold off and invest in equiptment, i think ill still make some more business cards though just as a small way of spreading my name.. :] moocards ftw!

.thach wrote in post #12557345
Thanks for the input! Im wondering what site you are refering to, and if you looked at both lol.

I did look at both, but I think I referred to this one: http://www.thach.500px​.com/#/0

I don't think that you need to wait, or at least not very long, but you should focus on what the clients will want to see when you're shooting for a client, as in good composition, WB, & lighting.