Topic: Photo Critique & Suggestions - brutal honesty

[Jak]

Ok, I have a sort of an internal dilemma going on...

As I look at some of the images posted I can see ways to improve the shot photographically (technically & aesthetically), but I'm hesitant to make honest comments because I don't want to hurt any feelings or bruise any egos.

I've noticed that most of the comments in the competition threads lean towards "ooooh, pretty" when in fact there are ways that the images could be even better.

I thought I'd start this thread and maybe anyone who wants honest critique can post pictures here.  Personally, I find honest opinions much more valuable than a kiss on the A$$... 

Just keep in mind that if you put something up here you should probably be able to take the constructive criticism you might get...

[Steve.Deserved.Better]

Jak, I agree that critiquing and suggestions are the only way to improve.   

However.......they are all soooo pretty.       

[Jak]

Jak, I agree that critiquing and suggestions are the only way to improve.   

However.......they are all soooo pretty.       

     

[Steve.Deserved.Better]

Jak, I agree that critiquing and suggestions are the only way to improve.   

However.......they are all soooo pretty.       

   

Ok, I'm gonna post some in here and if you hurt me, I'll cry all over this room...but I'm gonna take a chance.  I really need to improve and I would rather learn it from someone who knows.   
So, what should I had done to this one, besides not take it... 

[Steve.Deserved.Better]

It was a fresh snow, but it doesn't look like it and there weren't any other tracks but these.   I liked the real thing, but not so much this.

[gunslinger]

Personally, I find honest opinions much more valuable than a kiss on the A$$... 

Just so everyone knows, I'm fine with the kiss on the buttocks

[Steve.Deserved.Better]

Personally, I find honest opinions much more valuable than a kiss on the A$$... 

Just so everyone knows, I'm fine with the kiss on the buttocks

    Oh crap!   Gun!   

[jasonb911]

Pet peeves

1.  Dates on images.  Turn them off, digital images have a date on the file.  I've seen it ruin shots that otherwise would be perfect.
2.  Pictures of kids shot from above and not from at their level.  Kneel down, that shot that you think is great would be stellar from the kids level.
3.  Spot coloring of images.  It was cool long ago, it was cool when it made a comeback with digital.  Its gotten old again.  If they meant for things to be spot colored, the Canon and Nikon gods would have given us a button to do spot coloring.
4.  Focus...focus...focus.  If its an up close bust or tightly framed photo and the eyes are not it focus, it is an instant fail.  If its a close up of a flower and clearly the majority of the flower in question is not in focus, you lose.
5.  Sports photos that are lacking the ball.  If it's just out of the frame, chances are you are losing the real feeling.
6.  Don't lie about the effects that you have or haven't put onto your photos.  Yes, they may look neat, and yes those of us that have been around know what to look for.

BIGGEST PET PEEVE...  People who photoshop the ever living crap out of each and every single photo that they take.  Seriously, spend more time composing a great image from start to finish and you wouldn't need to put filters and effects on to make it look decent.  Did I mention instead of filters, editing, and photoshop that you should worry more about composition?

PET PEEVES THAT WILL GET MY MONOPOD UPSIDE YOUR HEAD...

1.  Don't ever freakin walk in front of me on a sideline.  I take extreme care in never doing it to other shooters...even those that don't have their camera at the ready.  Its common courtesy and it should be observed.
2.  Don't be near me and as I'm getting ready to shoot lean over and block me.
3.  Don't have athletes stop or turn for a pose along a sideline, court, field, whereever during a game, practice, or scrimmage...EVER.  They are there for a reason, to play, NOT TO GET A PICTURE.
4.  Don't freakin shoot flash photography at night at a game to make up for your equipment.  Yes flash in most cases is permitted, but do you like staring into a flash when you're doing your job?  Same goes for indoor sports such as basketball, know the rules because they apply to spectators as well!

[Steve.Deserved.Better]

Jason, make sure you wear a big red flag or something.   I wanna know where you are at all times..........    

Kidding,   good points, though.  Some, I never thought about.   

[sloppyjo]

.  Pictures of kids shot from above and not from at their level.  Kneel down, that shot that you think is great would be stellar from the kids level.

I see this all the time...makes them look like a bobble head...lol

Don't have to worry about me over photoshopping...it was a big waste of money for me to buy that program cause I hate it...lol  really just don't want to read how to use it...lol

3.  Spot coloring of images.  It was cool long ago, it was cool when it made a comeback with digital.  Its gotten old again.  If they meant for things to be spot colored, the Canon and Nikon gods would have given us a button to do spot coloring.

What is this?  A black and white image with color?  I guess I don't know much at all   

[ancients]

Jak

On my photos - were ever they are, firer away. Often I will know they have a problem, but time is going away so I post them. I figured out one problem of my camera on auto, when shooting using zoom, I need to focus on something further away, and hold the button till I get it on the object. I know, that is a diagnoses not a solution. Focus is something not well paid attention to with the tourist mind. Now it is a major problem.

[ancients]

Remember, I was not a camera, or an art person. Lot to be learned.

[Jak]

Pet peeves

3.  Spot coloring of images.  It was cool long ago, it was cool when it made a comeback with digital.  Its gotten old again.  If they meant for things to be spot colored, the Canon and Nikon gods would have given us a button to do spot coloring.

Your opinion may be that you don't like it, but there are many who still happen to like it (myself included).

5.  Sports photos that are lacking the ball.  If it's just out of the frame, chances are you are losing the real feeling.

Not necessarily...   





BIGGEST PET PEEVE...  People who photoshop the ever living crap out of each and every single photo that they take.  Seriously, spend more time composing a great image from start to finish and you wouldn't need to put filters and effects on to make it look decent.  Did I mention instead of filters, editing, and photoshop that you should worry more about composition?

I think I've responded to this one before somewhere, but will say it again.  You can be a "photo purist" if that is how you feel about it, but you can't make everyone else feel the same way.  I think you're in the minority on that one.  Post processing is a fact of life.  I'd even go as far as to say that it's an art form in itself.  Before digital, photographers used tricks in the darkroom to achieve the same effects (it was just more tedious and time consuming).  Even Ansel Adams used darkroom 'trickery' when printing his images.  If photoshopping is your biggest pet peeve, I see a lot of teeth-grinding in your future.  I'd suggest you do your thing and don't get all "peeved" over someone else's thing...   

[ancients]

I saw emotion instead of the ball. Made a shot or two I believe.

[ancients]

And I am logical - I hate Emotion.