Honesty, What Would You Do?

I don't know if this has been discussed before, but here goes:

My best friend's daughter hired a local photographer to take shots of her two little girls. The pro has a studio in her home and works just to supplement her income. My friend received 2 of the shots, I presume they were the best 2 of the bunch. The photos were B&W, not in focus, with little PP, that didn't look that great and the cute children, didn't look very cute in the pictures. I didn't quite know what to say except, "Cute kids!" My friend didn't say they were the best photos she's ever seen either.

1. I didn't offer my honest opinion because I didn't want to hurt my friend's feelings, but those pictures were not worth paying for. What would you do?

2. If you have shots that were not great, would you even show them to the client? Or would you insist on a reshoot?

3. Would you offer a discount because the pictures were not that good, but the client doesn't want to reshoot? Or would you just pretend they were the best shots you've ever taken?

4. Am I being a complete coward for not speaking my mind?

1. It depends on how close the friend. I tend to be honest with close friends and they sort of expect this. For less close friends I would have done what you did and look for something good to compliment.

2. I would offer a re-shoot and state up front that none are up to my standards. If they wanted them anyway thats something else.

3. Would not offer a discount but would a reshoot. I would not pretend that they are great.

4. Not really, all depends on how close you are with your friend.

SuzyView,
Honesty is the best policy
Ask her if she wants your honest opinion, and if so let her know how you feel about the photos, and give her tips on what to say to the person she hired.

ex. I am not happy with these photos, do you have any others? etc. etc.... etc.........

This way your giving a helping hand and yet not volunteering for the shoot

Just my opinion of course, as I have been in similar situations before

Recommend this website to her and have her post the images. We will tell her for you!

How about just giving us the kids and we'll do the reshoot?

We'll feed them TONS of sugar and give them back to mommy and daddy!

I am evil incarnate.....and tall....

Tom D

I'd be honest, but in a careful and considerate way.

I have offered to reshoot when the results weren't up to my own standards, but no one has ever taken me up on it, as they seemed fine with the results.

All your responses have been helpful. I am now encouraged to tell my friend that the work was mediocre, not up to standards for the work I would have done. She is my best friend and her grandkids are cute, so this was a disappointment for me, but maybe not for her. I think being a pro makes me more critical sometimes.

Thanks, everyone. I don't normally critique others in a bad way, but this time, I may have to say something.

I'm not a professional or anything, but you should tell your friend the truth. If he is a professional he shouldn't be giving customers photos that are not in focus. Hopefully your friend can get a re-shoot.

You could perhaps point out the flaws as your trained eye sees them. I find many times in general people don't 'see' the way we do. I gave a parent a shot of an event her kid was in, someone with a p&s had also given her a yellowed blurry shot and she looked at mine and said, thanks but so and so already gave me that exact photo!

Skrim17 wrote in post #4932428
You could perhaps point out the flaws as your trained eye sees them. I find many times in general people don't 'see' the way we do. I gave a parent a shot of an event her kid was in, someone with a p&s had also given her a yellowed blurry shot and she looked at mine and said, thanks but so and so already gave me that exact photo!

Well, that's the problem, isn't it? I don't really want to come across as being a spoiler. If she liked the shots, then who am I? But I think my friend knows I didn't like the photos very much. I have a hard time keeping my opinions to myself.

People that aren't big into photography tend to have a whole different perspective of what makes a good photo...as photographers, we check for sharpness, accurate colors, appropriate DOF, noise and other little details...the general public just looks at a picture and says yep...looks like Junior.

I got a note from one of my best friends saying that they had "borrowed" one of my images from my website to have printed for their living room. They had an 800x640 72dpi image printed at 16x20....and have it proudly on display in their living room...I saw it when I was back in NY for Christmas...I wouldn't display that in an outhouse....

I've noticed this phenomenon too. Sometimes the non-photographer sees that the image isn't good, but in my experience there are a lot of things that would cause a photographer to trash an image that a layman simply doesn't see. By drawing them to the attention of the viewer you're causing them to become dissatisfied, and for what?

My mother-in-law wanted to frame a photo she had taken, and it was the worst picture I'd seen in a long while. Out of focus, camera shake and a dirty lens, all in the one instant-camera grainy blown-out horror. I asked why she'd want to frame such an image, and she said she liked it. I said that it was out of focus, smudged and blurred, and that if she wanted a picture she should let me know. I then handed over a set of shots from a previous weekend. Each was chosen for its appeal as an image, but each was technically pretty good. She was quite "Meh" about them, and later my wife said it was because she "doesn't like candids; she prefers posed shots".

So, it's all in the eye of the beholder. I wouldn't say anything, but I'd make sure I knew the pro's name, so that I could avoid hiring them in future.

My response is "Ah... Hmmm... Great looking kids."

I wouldn't offer an opinion on photos unless I was asked to give it. Then I'd be honest.

Suzy, did you ask your friend how she feels about the pictures? If she's happy then I wouldn't disabuse her, but if she isn't happy she might need you to explain to her just what is wrong with the shots.

Honesty can be hurtful sometimes, and apart from that it might leave you in a bad situation with another photographer.

Suzie,

Tought call here. Unless you were specifically asked for your opinion then I would be tempted to leave it alone. I get photos all the time from friends and relatives asking for my review and input...I always apply the "golden rule" of trying to provide positive critique and comments.