Reply To: Constructive Criticism

[IHF]

I think Davey Nailed it.  I went a step further and looked up your full portfolio, and there seems to be an on going problem with misuse of light.  More attention needs to be paid there for sure.  Seems to me that more attention is paid to props, than over all comp, or the subject/subjects.  Exposure is all over the place which leads me to think an automatic mode is being used.  I could be wrong, but if I am, your missing something skill set wise.  Post processing looks to be done with actions instead of fine tweaking each image.  Now batch processing can work, dont get me wrong, but when you want to specialize in “natural light”, and more on the side of “custom portraiture”, which is what all your statements lead me to conclude, batch processing, and/or actions aren’t the way to go at all.  My advice:

slow down.  Shoot for yourself, not others.  This step alone will improve your photography immensely.

you should work on your photography skills and not business at this point.  Learn the foundations of photography  first, then the foundations of business. Work on perfecting shots in camera, and only then develop your editing style.   It’s not necessary to have a “clientele” or a million faces to work with when you are first starting out.  Now is not the time for “portfolio building”.   No need for people to get taken advantage of, or you yourself to be taken advantage of.  Use objects, and willing family members to teach yourself lessons.  Learning lighting and exposure and in camera work doesn’t require tons of people invested in your photography, to achieve.  No need to “advertise”, market, or seek out “models” when you are clearly just learning the basics of photography.