[IHF]

I agree with the above.  I notice that you also removed some pictures of a woman that had some questionable lighting choices.  I can’t remember her name, but I remember her face.  She has a VERY interesting face.  She’s beautiful!  You need to photograph her more.  I hope she is someone readily available to you to practice with.

The biggest thing you need to work on is light.  Because it’s not that animal pictures and flower pictures are a bad thing to shoot, it’s just that magic wasn’t there.  The magic that the right light can give.  Think of light as the medium and not your camera.  Start here and work your way around to more lighting techniques and basics http://digital-photography-school.com/6-portrait-lighting-patterns-every-photographer-should-know/

Learn how to use the golden hours and how to manipulate and use light.  I think compositionally you’re ok and it seems you have the settings for good exposure and focus down.  I see potential.   There was one picture in particular that you have removed from the port.  The session with the beautiful and wonderfully interesting lady (and just so you know I’m not a creeper. I’m female and happily married lol), that looked to be shot when the sun was quite high.  The light was split, and if she had been directed/posed correctly using this given natural light, or if this session had been shot at a different time of day… WOW!  Seriously I hope she’s your sister or something so you have lot’s of time with her shooting.  I’d love to photograph her.

[IHF]

Abobeck,
I had came and had a look when you first posted.  Had some criticism and compliments, and I didn’t know quite how to word myself.  When I tried it came out wrong.  So I sat on it, came back a few times to try to articulate… Then, to be honest.. I forgot all about it until I peeked on YANAP today.
I noticed you simplified your page/port a little, and oh my what a difference that made.  A good difference.  Your photography shows much better than it did when you first posted, and my mixed up feelings and photography OCD subsided a little.
There are only a few things about your port that give away that you are a beginner.  They’ve all been pointed out, and that consistency that only comes with time isn’t there, but it’s obvious you are honing in.  But, now IS the time for experimentation and inconsistency.  Finding your thing and changing and evolving etc so really, just keep keepin on, can’t speed up time, and there’s no race to win anyway.
My first impression was “My goodness!  This kid is someone to watch.  I can see him making some wonderful pictures during his life”.  You’re going to kick my ass that’s for sure (if you aren’t already) As long as you stay on track, keep moving forward, and don’t fall into traps, or let this fabulous critique you have received on this thread go to your head 😉
I think you might like, and get a lot from Kelby’s blind critiques, if you haven’t checked them out already.  Especially when they cover landscape photography.  Their special guests are always great too. And if by off chance you came here for more negative feedback on your images (I hope you don’t think I’m crazy, and I’m reading you right, but harsh, honest, negative feedback is hard to find out there), do a google search for “the shark tank”, it’s a forum that only allows negative feedback, and you might get quite a lot from posting a few shots there.

[IHF]

And I agree with eyedoc.  If you are going to do shots like these that have been way over done, you have to BRING it.  Otherwise it’s just ho hum even when technically sound.

[IHF]

I don’t get it.

So you took this guy out to teach him how you make your shots using steel wool.  Then you post one of his images from your lesson, and talk about how yours is superior.  Then you also start talking about his other photographs, and his photography in general.

First, if you felt he had no potential and didn’t agree with or like what he’s been doing, why offer to teach him?

second, if he failed at getting the shot while working with you, then doesn’t that just reflect badly on YOU the teacher?

you offered unsolicited critique to someone who isn’t receptive.  Unsolicited critque rarely, if ever helps a fauxtographer.  They already “know” they are good enough to go pro and charge people for their expertise. (Just as you know you are good enough to teach)  They will almost never respond kindly.  To top it off, you put yourself in a mentor type position and then stepped all over it by posting his pictures along side critisism, unless that was agreed upon before hand and it was understood that that is what you would be doing, it was a major asshole move.  You just shut a Fauxtog off even more tightly to learning, and to critisism by behaving the way you did.  That is IF I’m understanding correctly.

You may be right in your assessment, but you were very unethical in the way you went about things

[IHF]

Oh my Simon!  I think that might be the very best picture of a parrot that I have ever seen.  I’ve never seen anything quite like it.  The color, the light, the focus and POV… PERFECTION!  I’m blown away by the way you’ve captured this animal’s spirit.   Brilliant.  Nice, wonderful, great capture.  Congrats on your explore feature.  Wow!  NatGeo may be knocking on your door soon.
Is this more of what you were expecting?
It really IS a nice picture of your pet, you SHOULD really like it, and just enjoy it for what it is, not offer it up for criticism.  What would be the point?  You’re not looking to improve the shot, or have some direction for your next shoot with him, to take things further.  Not looking for help in anyway…So why then are our opinions and input so desperately needed by you?
I have a very difficult time understanding where you are coming from.

[IHF]

I’m really creeped out right about now CameraClicker.  Like WTH?!  Creeped out lol  Guess what I did directly after posting this sappy crap post?  I cleaned my kit, updated firmware, organized my files, cleaned out my computer desk, and cleaned house while listening to my music.  Then I got out my physical paper portfolio and thumbed through it.  Confirmed to myself that I’m not at a stand still and that I HAVE improved (Good lord!  There were some in there that just made me laugh), and then I turned it all off and enjoyed my day.

Just checked my email this morning, and I received a comment on my online port, that was exactly what I needed to hear.  I have a suspicion it may have been one of you (or someone reading this) who left it, because the timing is just too coincidental.  If so, Thank you, it made me smile and giggle rather than eye roll and groan.

While buying gear isn’t the best idea there was still something to nesgran’s suggestion that hit me.  I’ve decided to buy a couple rolls of film for my brownie for me to play with, and WAIT a few months until I have ALL the funds to buy anything else photography related.

Pressure’s off… and the Zack Arias video was a great reminder.  “At art school we were always told to not worry about creating ‘art’”  Thank you emf I’ll remember that one.

I’ll get out of this funk, but until then… I think I’ll take a break from even trying to get out of it (just saying that makes me feel better).  Happy Holidays everyone.  Thank you for helping me think this through.

[IHF]

Thanks CC 🙂

I really DO think it will make an impression

“Firstly, I don’t truly care about what fauxs think. I’m not trying to be elitist. It’s just that no matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to wake up someone who is pretending to be asleep. And that goes for those who think the output of these people is just amazing. So if the faux thinks I’m overpriced and those beneath them are wrongly shooting for free, I don’t care”.

In the sense that it doesn’t interfere with what I do, or affect me in anyway, I don’t care either. But, in the “I can’t look away” during a car wreck kind of way, I’m just so very compelled to be interested in what they do, think, and say. I can’t help it. It’s almost a reflex or instinct that I don’t have control over. “I must study this faux phenomenon”. hehehe

“Elitist” To me you don’t sound elitist at all… but I’m beginning to think that being an elitist isn’t such a bad thing to be after all. Most of my photographer friends are (or more accurately, have been accused of being) elitists, including myself (which is strange considering I’ve never stepped up to play the game of going pro). So if someone ever accuses you of elitism from here on out, just take it as a compliment. It just means you give a shit about your photography, and photography in general, and that’s A OK in my book.

[IHF]

Oh gosh emf, I apologize.

those last sentences were just me imagining a convo between two fauxs about amateurs, and not actual quotes. Sorry, it was misinterpreted. Just me trying to understand the anger and frustration over a person taking their own portraits/pictures of their own family and friends for free. Isn’t this what my camera is for? Taking pictures of what I want to keep with me.
I know that anyone that has a new camera and shares their photos or expresses any interest in photography instantly gets pressure and/or encouragement to go pro “You should charge for this. I’d pay you”, but I had no idea they were also getting pressured by fauxtographers that know them.

Camera clicker,
Makes a little more sense after your explanation.

I remember when our NatGeo would show up. I’d start salivating lol but I was the youngest in the family and had to wait for my turn with it. I’d take a while because my older sister was an aspiring artist and she’d spend days and days with it, sketching ideas and tracing and studying. Same with our Wold mag, TV guide, readers digest, Cricket, etc, but the a National Geographic was the very hardest to wait for. Sometimes just looking at the pictures can make me physically cry. That’s powerful stuff right there.

It seems while my standards for good photography keeps rising, everyone else around me is lowering theirs. I find all of this faux stuff so strange, and very interesting at the same time. Maybe it’s because of lack of exposure? Not ever having a Nat Geo right in their hands in front of them. Not ever having a well done portrait in their hands. Not smelling or feeling the paper, not seeing the images except online. They don’t get it, because they aren’t exposed to it?

I was having a discussion with my teen daughter one day who thinks photography isn’t an art form or a true medium. Same girl who uses photographs all the time to sketch and come up with ideas, ugh! “Why do you think you are attracted to this picture? Yes, the subject looks fantastic and you have a super star crush on him, but… Would it have given you the same feeling without the wardrobe, without the lighting, without the environment, without the POV?”. We had plenty of discussions like this in the past, but this time I showed her Steve McCurry, Dorothea Lange, Alfred Eisentaed (oops spelling lol), and anyone else I could come up with that might spark her insides. She was closer to getting it, but not really there. But, when I bought her a special edition of Life and brought it home to her, she got it. I will never forget the way she felt it. Yes, my pictures may not be art to her, and her friends pictures, and paparazzi photos may not be art to her, but real great photography is. “Look at the light. Look at the shadow. Look at the expression, the emotion, the color, the tones, the feel. A photograph can change the world inside you”. She may not be as big of a fan as I am, but she gets it now. Only because she was exposed. Shame on me for not exposing her to it her whole life. But, I’m like anyone else these days.

[IHF]

I don’t get it. There’s only five pictures when you take away the shots you took to show your set up for a portrait session.
This is a fine amount to show your very best work, but… I’m not getting that vibe at all from viewing them. Especially since there’s only three sessions, with multiple shots used from them. Were there originally more, but they were lifted from another artist???
The tooth and bike ones just seem to be nice snaps to me, and don’t look like paid work. Which leaves us with your Christmas portrait and one vsco black and white. The vsco cam pic is my favorite, minus the editing leaving the blacks crushed. Don’t get me wrong, I play with vsco and “film stimulation”, but I don’t think I’d ever use this type of editing for professional work. But, this is only my personal preference/opinion. I realize it’s trendy and popular right now.
I like the Christmas portrait ok, but it almost looks as though it’s a pulled back view, rather than the actual finished portrait. Like you should have dropped, moved a few steps to your left, and inched in a little closer.
Your color isn’t bad, your focus is good, and your exposures seem fine… But, I can’t say I feel like I just looked at a professional’s portfolio. It felt very sparse and snap shotty to me.

 

[IHF]

I decided to investigate a little and look up the this poster’s page/online info, mostly because I don’t like getting lied to. I won’t post links here because that seems unfair, and kind of mean. Two wrongs don’t make a right and all that jazz.

Sure enough she has a FB page that just opened mid November, and she “specializes in senior, portrait, family and newborn photography”.
Her 6D just arrived on the 10th, and right now she’s offering mini sessions from $35 to $75 (no regular prices posted).

From her mini session post here at YANAP: “I work for a well known professional photographer in my town and he’s allowing me to use studio space. (These sessions are completely free but is also requesting donations for the domestic violence shelter in my town in exchange for photos. Again, I am not making a profit”.

No mention of donations or the “well known professional photographer that’s considered the best in town” on her business page. Just some cute package names and price lists and “book now” reminders.

No surprise, but not registered or licensed or any of that jazz either

In her defense, it looks as though she’s been at this longer than just mid November. She had another photography page in the past that’s no longer up, so it looks as though this could be her second attempt

Look Braixten,
I have no problem with you learning photography and being really excited about it. We all get that. I even don’t have too much of a problem with you being “in business”, but the dishonesty makes me really uncomfortable. Why not be completely honest with your audience/potential clients and friends and family. Why not be completely honest with people you seek help from? It will serve you better, and help any sort of future business you might hope to have. I much rather be told I’m a lousy photographer, or a horrible business person AKA fauxtographer, than be called a liar, delusional, full of … or any sort of negative personality flaw that could potentially make people distrust me. Be honest with yourself, and with others. It will get you so much further than faking it until you make it, or any sort of pretending or covering up will.

keep shooting, be humble and honest (maybe study the business side of things a little before jumping in any deeper. Insurance, taxes, pricing, cost of doing business etc) and you’ll do just fine. Take care, slow down there’s no race
Or ignore everything I said and embrace being a fauxtographer until something better comes along. No biggy.

[IHF]

AHHHHHHHHH worst case!  NOOOOO!!!!!  What’s sad is someone will take them up on the offer lol

[IHF]

Fstopper,

OMG!  I think I had an acid relapse going through that port!  lol  She’s marked as a favorite to keep an eye on 😉

As for licensing… We all know that would never happen.  And do we really want it to?  But, I DO think it would be really cool to have a reality TV show “So you want to be a photographer”.  Think about it.  They have them for fashion, cooking, makeup, costume, modeling etc  And I LOVE watching them.  A photography show would be so much fun, and with everyone getting into photography, it would be a sure hit that would be full of laughs and groans, and even some ooooohs and awwwws.  Someone needs to pitch this idea.  They could have different genres and challenges…  are you feeling it?

[IHF]

Here’s another clipping path company for you Photo Trims  It’s all about that clipping path isn’t it?  Just can’t find good clipping path services anymore, what with all kinds of people opening up shop and selling their clipping path services… well… it’s hard to find the quality in the clipping path service industry anymore, am I right?  We are always talking about the clipping path over here, and how God Awful it is to find a good clipping path service to fit our needs.

Perhaps you have heard of Photo Trims?  They too use stolen unlicensed imagery to sell their editing services to the photographers, who have created the imagery they use to try to sell their clipping path services.  In fact you use quite a few of the same images that the other clipping path service has used…. hmmmmm….

Continue to spam us here and you might find out what happened to the other clipping path service I mentioned.  Using other people’s work to promote your business and attempt to sell to the very people you steal from, isn’t a great business model.

Oh and BTW

Screw YOU

[IHF]

I’m with Don.

I guarantee theres an S and B studios Facebook Photography page out there that just launched.  Couple this post with the pictures offered for critique by OP in another post, and the Christmas Minis question… Doesn’t seem to be a person who has interned/been mentored and took classes for three years.  More like someone who just got a camera and thought “Hey!  This is fun.  I’m going to ask people to pay me, and call myself a photographer”.  Sorry OP just being honest.  If it’s not the case, and I’m way off, I think you may want to look for a new mentor because they don’t seem to be helping you much.  I just can’t imagine assisting a photographer and still not knowing what lenses I want/need or what camera would suit my needs best.  Just doesn’t seem legit to me at all

[IHF]

Ha ha!  I think  it’s HIS landscape photos that should never be black and white, because the tonal range = mud.  No, I wasn’t there  and have never seen his photography, but I still feel completely safe in saying it.  He most likely tried to polish a turd one too many times and jumped to this conclusion based on his own inaccurate observations.  Funny stuff.  And just think!  This guy is teaching others.

[Author]

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