Ok, time is up. Good grief people, couldn’t you have posted some lousy shots for me instead of all these GREAT ones? This was a very difficult decision because so many of them are winners, and I’m still relatively new person on POTN which means a portion of my final choice will driven by my raw inexperience. Again, they are all great shots, so please forgive my amateur criticisms and the decision I make.
Ok, lets go down the list in the order they appeared:
- DAMphyne (David): Great picture – what a bunch of rascals! Did you ever manage to get all of them looking at the camera together? I’m going to guess the answer to that is no. I love the big burly guy in the back row (left) making a muscle. Too funny. Great shot, but maybe it’s a little out of focus?
- Airfrogusmc (Allen): Heck of a great commercial style shot. I’m guessing it was hell to figure out the white balance with fluorescents up above, and pushing from the right behind the X-ray screen. Did you also use a bounce flash? Nice DOF, while keeping both subjects in focus – and great expressions on both of your models (especially the nurse). I’m seeing a little bit of light reflection on that X-ray screen?
- Flo (Gail): Love the red subject on a gloss black set – it’s really got punch, and the reflection is superb! Was this cropped? I’m thinking the subject needs a little more breathing space to sustain the rule of thirds. Love the picture!
- Athrasher: What a great subject with the red hair and freckles! She’s got fine features, and the shot has a very natural feel to it. How does she look for other portraiture?, green eyes I’m guessing. For a sleepy time shot it’s great, but maybe the foreground is a tad over-lit? Just a thought – and I love the shot.
- Dilorenzo1954 (Ed): Haha, he looks so pooped in that picture. Captures the “fun” of modern day airport travel (ok, replace “fun” with “nightmare”). Interesting choice with the black and white, and it works well. The only thing that breaks the illusion a tiny bit is his blurred (moving) right hand. Just my personal taste, but I’d love to see this photo with the outlet, air vent, and vending machine cropped out. Lovely photo.
- Robuk: Who doesn’t LOVE a celebrity photo, especially if it’s some of the Python crew – most excellent, and lucky you! I’m guessing you had other photographers on the scene (since Palin seems to be looking at another camera?). Terry Jones is dead on, the skin tones are correct, and the lighting is good.
- Jason C: Great DOF and your focus is right on the money. Love the low angle, and I often see this type of picture ruined when the nostrils are placed dead center. Double good work not showing up in the reflection of his sunglasses.
- Lavanut: What a unique and interesting entry. I know how much work goes into A) Building a set, and B) Building a model (subject), lighting it – and then shooting it. The light seems a little bright, unless that was the effect you were going for. You should do more of these – it’s got potential for a kid’s site/book. Nifty.
- John B: Heck of a cute pup you have there – what a little ham. Love the DOF so that the face has that “pop” factor! Double bonus for having a Canon camera in the picture. Maybe a little PP color correction on the eyes, and some burning to remove that flash glare around the muzzle and eyebrows?
- MSJGD (Jean-Guy): What a wonderful photo – it’s intimate, and candid. My eyes immediately look at that bright blue dome, and then shift left. Hard picture to take well when the sun is so high like that, but you’ve captured “exotic” feel of being somewhere else. Did you notice the two other photographers (top left) in the picture? I laughed when I saw them, as at first I though the guy on the left was chimping – but he isn’t.
Maybe crop down a bit to get rid of them?
Again, this was a incredibly hard choice to make, but I’m going to have to award this one to:
Jason C! In all respects it’s a perfect picture, and worth printing and framing. Has your loading dock friend seen it? I am particularly impressed that this was shot for a photography class, and if you keep at it, you’ll have a long and happy relationship with photography. Keep up the good work Jason.
