[emf]

I disagree with that last statement, there is a lot of that and the ‘awesome capture’ fluff. But there are some really good critique groups too.

[emf]

‘We deliver in spades’ because people here offer honest opinions and won’t fawn over you? I fail to see how that is amusing but whatever tickles you I guess. I have a feeling you are amusing people too.

You could use the opportunity to gain critique and actually improve your photography, but hey ho, that’s your choice.

[emf]

Lol, I’m not nor ever will be a pro, that last pic was the only shot I’d taken in 6 months.

Get at it right in Camera? I’ll make an image I like whether it’s all in camera or not.

You think im precious? You should read your replies, you guys need to relax. Photography is art, not science.

i made a picture of my pet bird I like, and going by the Flickr results, so did others. So who’s critisim is right, Flickr or here?

and for the record, your responses on here are part of the fun I post the odd pic or two, so thanks for the expected giggle this morning.

Everyone’s critique is valid Simon, by only listening to the good stuff you are doing a dis-service to yourself and your craft.

Also photography is an art and a science, imho that’s what makes it so fascinating.

[emf]

Ruts are difficult and I think all creative people have different ways to deal with them. Photography is my main creative outlet these days but when I painted and got into a rut I would go back to drawing, collating information, researching and writing in my sketchbooks. I’m not sure how helpful that is, if any help at all lol! Although, I do still keep ‘sketchbooks’ for photography, in which I write ideas, and self critique photos or shoots I have done (i.e. what I liked and went well and what I need to improve for next time), or sketch out thumbnails of compositions I think of or see. Or paste research and images from magazines that I like.

At art school we were always told to not worry about creating ‘art’. Don’t worry if you’re puzzled as I didn’t understand it for years! Basically they meant don’t worry about coming up with something ground breaking or the next best thing, it’s too much pressure. Just make things that are important and meaningful to you, something you like and are proud of, basically don’t try to impress others. To try and create something that blows you and everyone else away, be it a painting, photograph or any other medium, is too much pressure to put yourself under, and becomes demoralising when it doesn’t happen immediately or maybe even after months or even years. These things take time, maybe a life time, and have to be taken in small increments, with 100’s of duds for every one that ‘works’.

Every time I finished a painting I’d like it for the briefest of whiles, then, look at it and only see the glaring faults! Which would compel me to start again, in order to rectify things. I take the same approach to photography and make plenty of mistakes to keep me going! 🙂 So maybe try to pinpoint what it is you don’t like about your photos and shoot to rectify that.

[emf]

” I know! Did you see how out of focus that picture of her niece was?! lol She sucks! She should charge at least $20. She’s driving me crazy. Doesn’t she know what really goes into all of this?!”

Where these consecutive sentences? ‘She sucks! She should charge at least $20.’??!!! That says it all I guess. It’s really sad. I think a group like that would be fascinating to join, like going on a faux safari or something, However, I worry it would make my head implode with frustration lol!

[emf]

Thanks for the helpful feedback. I’m aware that the page is currently sparse, I was after feedback from what was there. The very first post (the interior photos) was purely shared as I liked the style and full credit to the original photographer remains. I feel my style leans toward a more lifestyle, photo journalistic style and this is what I’m trying to achieve in capturing photos that aren’t pretenous or forced.

I like that about your work too. At the moment though there seems a mish mash of styles, i.e. the more naturalistic, lifestyle ones, then the more contrived Christmas tree ones etc. For me the former are the strongest and most interesting, however I think you need more and to hone this style further.

[emf]

Seeing things like that make me really angry too, and that newborn on rocks the other day!!  I don’t know what the parents are thinking letting it happen. I know it’s illegal to go on the tracks but there should be stricter laws so if images like this become public the ‘photographer’ should get prosecuted.

[emf]

That’s horrible, what parents in their right mind would put their newborn down on rocks! Mind boggling!

[emf]

Vlad I think you just crashed someone elses thread 🙂 Anyway, I won’t comment on the technical side as you are a million years ahead of me! But I just wanted to point out a couple of things. Firstly your website was a little frustrating as once you click on the ‘thumbnail’, expecting an enlarged image, you actually get a smaller one!

Secondly, the thing I noticed the most is; your portraits are almost really nice, interesting light, sharp (I think, was hard to tell as I couldn’t really enlarge them), nice posing and great expressions!! But the compositions are very static and not very dynamic. They are all very similar and because of this similarity I felt I was going through a series of passport photos, (albeit lovely ones) and thus got a bit bored.

With a little consideration to making the comps of these more dynamic and thinking more about negative space and other compositional tools you can apply and mixing them up a little to keep the viewer visually stimulated, I think you will have a great set of portraits.

[emf]

I would love it if someone made a tv show like that!! I don’t know if it’s the same on the other side of the pond but in the UK we have challenge programs for lots of creative things, interior design, hairdressing, sewing, baking, gardening, music etc…  It would be awesome to have one for photography!

[emf]

I think CC’s suggestion of aiming to become a photography teacher is a good one. I taught before I had kids and it is a really full on profession, I can’t imagine running a wedding photography business at the weekends as well, at least a day of my weekend used to be spent lesson planning, marking and what not.  I don’t mean to dampen your enthusiasm, but it does seem like a lot.

[emf]

I’d have to book myself into the workshop  just so I could ask ‘but what about Ansel Adams?’, but I’d fear he may not know who he was lol and it would go from exposing a faux to just plain awkward!

[emf]

 

All we’re seeing here is a bunch of fauxs trying to justify not having the proper equipment. 

 

That’s not the case at all.

[emf]

I’m only amateur but, lens-wise, I have a few prime lenses, 24, 35, 50, 60, 85  but for me my favourite for newborns/families is my 28 -70 f/2.8  zoom- the slightly poorer cousin of the 24-70.  It’s still a really great lens and though I like primes, for family/kid portraits it’s nice to have the flexibility and instantaneity of varied focal lengths, especially for faster moving toddlers!  I also use my 60mm micro for any close ups of little hands and feet for newborns, though this is a great lens too and I mainly use it for straight up portraits, if I’m not using my zoom – it is very sharp though so can show a bit too much – especially on female subjects – who don’t necessarily want to see every pore!

If you are only just starting and don’t have much budget though, the 50 f/1.4 of even the even cheaper f1.8 is a a good place to start.

 

[emf]

Thanks Nesgran, I will check them out as well.

[Author]

Posts