Constructive Criticism, please

[viakairee]

Hi everyone,

I’m really looking for some constructive criticism to improve my work. I’m very passionate about doing this and love photographing people. If I could make a living off of doing this, I would in a heart beat. I still need a lot of improvement in order to do that though. Here is my Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/KaireeLynnePhotography

I know that I’m not always spot-on with focusing, and my post processing isn’t always ideal- but I’m really looking for any kind of tips to help me get better. Please critique my most recent work (although feel free to go back and see how far I’ve come from my first photographs). Most of these were shot on a Canon Rebel XS (owned this for about 6-7 years), as I only upgraded to a 5D a couple weeks ago.

Thank you in advance!

[cameraclicker]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=527016267365059&set=pb.147629415303748.-2207520000.1366108845&type=3&theater has a tree growing out of her head.  Yes it is blurred but try to keep an eye on the background.

Some like https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=527016267365059&set=pb.147629415303748.-2207520000.1366108845&type=3&theater look a bit too bright.  The white is very white but also there are burned out areas.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=507691442630875&set=pb.147629415303748.-2207520000.1366108845&type=3&theater would have benefited from a circular polarizing filter, a smaller aperture, and perhaps from moving the camera back a little to get the whole book in sharp focus.  It takes a bit longer but it’s the sort of shot that is easier with a tripod.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=487235308009822&set=pb.147629415303748.-2207520000.1366108845&type=3&theater:  “SORRY WE’RE CLOSED”!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=445511875515499&set=pb.147629415303748.-2207520000.1366108845&type=3&theater is about half a stop over exposed.  That kid has the most incredible blue eyes!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=427785737288113&set=pb.147629415303748.-2207520000.1366108845&type=3&theater:  his smile looks like he has been holding it for an hour and his face has frozen.  Sometimes, no smile is a good look.

 

In https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=420598178006869&set=pb.147629415303748.-2207520000.1366108845&type=3&theater and a few of the others, I think her tattoo says:     力美愛   or Strength, Beauty, Love.  The lowest character is difficult to resolve in your photos.  The one on the inside of her left leg looks like Joel.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=205718999494789&set=pb.147629415303748.-2207520000.1366108845&type=3&theater:  in addition to watching backgrounds, watch foregrounds!  What is that blurry thing in front of the bride’s dress?  You can mask out a busy background if needed but something in front of your subject is a major pain to fix and probably easily moved in this case.

I enjoyed your photos.  I saw some that had focus problems, some that I would change the contrast, some that are a little burned out, so your assessment of focus and post processing efforts seems accurate.  As noted above, also watch for stuff that sneaks into the viewfinder either foreground or background, because it is often easier to move it in real life than with Photoshop.

 

 

[AndreCosto]

I’ve seen a great deal worse. Some of the pictures have a bit of a catalogue feel. That’s not good or bad, just an observation. You seem to have a knack for catching people when they look happy.

[Thom]

Hi Kairee,

Enjoyed looking thru your portfolio. You have a breezy lifestyle cut to your work that reminds me of Peggy Sirota. One thing I do see that is missing is a tad bit more contrast. Maybe a hard sun backlight kick. An edger that just pops your subject from the background. You have the poses down, but it seems like overcast. I think also you may be wanting to take a “perfect” shot. Which is balance it without having lens aberrations. I feel a lot of lifestyle work (in particular Gap ads) tend to allow certain edginess to the camera to come forth. The 5D to me is just so clean. It strips away a lot of personality and texture. I fight it all the time. Which is why I shoot film for the most part.

Hope that helped.

Best wishes,

Thom

[viakairee]

Wow, cameraclicker.. Thank you so much for taking so much time to go through my portfolio as thoroughly as you did 🙂 It looks like you went back to images from 2011, lol. Thank you for pointing out that I should be more aware of my background- I’ve struggled with that in the past and I hope that I have improved from my earlier images. It’s difficult for me, especially if I’m chasing after young children for a shot, haha. Also, happy that you enjoyed my photos 🙂

Thom- Thank you for your thoughts/suggestions! I looked up Peggy Sirota- I can see the similarities! Do you think you can post some examples of lifestyle photos with more contrast/an “edgier” look so I can get an idea? It sounds interesting. And my last few sets of photos have actually been photographed on overcast days so you were right about that- I haven’t been able to experiment with the sun too much. I would definitely love more “pop” or “edge” to my photos. And I actually only shot the last 4 sets of families with the 5D, so I’m still learning how to use it/experiment. Everything else was taken with a rebel.

It’s funny that you guys compared my images to the Gap/”catalog” style, because back in college during my Intro to Photo class… My classmates had very similar comments (7 years ago?), haha. They said my images were like an advertisement for happiness. I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing… But I suppose my clients like happy photos.

[Thom]

Hi again,

Mike Henry seems to be a really great example: http://www.mikehenryphoto.com/index.php#mi=23&pt=1&pi=10000&s=2&p=1&a=0&at=0

His work seems to not mind some kick. He builds a lot of contrast in his shots. And mixes in a lot of natural light as you do.

Cheers

Thom

[IHF]

I apologize, I don’t have much to add.  I feel you are above my skill level, and I don’t feel comfortable offering critique to you on your photography. I really enjoyed going through your work 🙂

I DO think it’s time for a proper website though.  I have been shopping for a photographer to create my daughters graduation pictures.  It’s a flippin mess out there!  OY!  So I’ve been to a lot of websites of all shapes and sizes this past year, and I have to be honest with you… Wix gets passed up automatically.  Not because it’s wix, but because it doesn’t function properly.  It’s frustrating and clumbsy.  Zach Arias could have a wix as the only way to see his newest work, and I would pass it up.

get a real domain, make it clean and easy.  It’s so important.  Please!  Make it easier for people to find you, And get the info they need.  It’s been a nightmare from a consumer’s point of veiw.  Your photography would be a breath of fresh air if it was presented properly

[viakairee]

Thom- That was a perfect example! That’s actually a style that I’ve been trying to replicate for a while now, but haven’t had much opportunity yet since a lot of my photos have been shot during overcast days. I attempted it during my last couple shoots this week since it was actually sunny- I had trouble though because  we were on the beach and the sun was so harsh- not being obstructed by any trees/structures (even at 6 in the evening). If you have time, please take a look at my last couple maternity shoots on the beach and let me know how I could have improved the lighting there. I don’t think  I’m quite there yet with the sunset lighting I’m trying to achieve.

I hate Fauxtography- I’m glad you enjoyed going though my work 🙂 I agree about needing an appropriate website by this point. I’ve been trying to get one together for a while now, but I always give up/postpone it because I can’t figure out how to make it work correctly. I think it’s time for me to actually sit down and dedicate time to that though. I actually forgot I had my wix site on my FB- so thank you for bringing that to my attention as I did not want that to reflect my work (it didn’t even work haha). I’ve been attempting to create something through wordpress- feel free to take a look (it’s still being worked on) http://kaireelynnephotography.wordpress.com/ and I’m also looking at other web/blog sites. Once I get something solid in place, I’ll definitely buy a domain.

[Thom]

Hey again,

Hope you don’t mind, but I took one of your photos and putter’d around with it (it’s a really compressed image):

[http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomaskuo/8662863377/in/photostream]

The pose you caught them in, is spot on. The light is a bit flat. I gave it more black. Probably would scale back on the vignette as well. but this is just my take on how I would adjust quickly.

[viakairee]

Thom- Thank you for taking time to do that. Unfortunately, that’s a really old image and I have learned to work with the sun a lot more since then, haha (as well as my post-processing skills). Were you able to take a look at the recent beach maternity photos I did?

https://www.facebook.com/KaireeLynnePhotography/photos_stream

First 9 images. I think I was unclear with identifying which photos to look at- I’m sorry! That “beach maternity” album is from 2011, haha. All my recent work is in my “timeline photos” album.

[Thom]

Hey Kairee,

No, it looks great! I’m sure they’re happy with it, and by no means falls into the “fauxtog” label. Light years away =). Facebook compresses images, so I’m sure the original raw is superior. Great work. Especially with capturing the expressions.

Thom

[viakairee]

Thank you, Thom! I was definitely keeping your “lighting” tip in mind during those shots! 🙂

[viakairee]

I Hate Fauxtography- I just wanted to let you know that I took your advice and finally got together a real website 🙂

http://www.kaireelynnephotography.com

It’s nothing fancy, but it works for now!

[Author]

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