Critique Me!

[Tkot]

Greetings, I'm pretty new to this forum, so I'm posting up some of my images for critiquing. I figure that's a pretty good way to gauge the environment here!

First, a little introduction: I've been doing photography for about a year - I'm 18 years old, graduated high school, going to college, also a musician, yadda yadda yadda. I've worked as a photographer's assistant, and my Dad majored in photography and has taught be bits and pieces about it all my life. However, photography is one of my newer hobbies, so I haven't had much time to invest in gear - so all of the following images were taken with nothing but a Nikon D3000 with a Nikor 18-55mm lens and a UV protection filter.

First is one I'm rather proud of - first image I ever sold:


This next one is one that I took for my friend, pictured, who got a free set of the new military camouflage pattern A-TACS on condition that he got reviews and pictures taken for the company's website. I offered to take the pictures, and it was fun and challenging, creating an image that shows the how well the pattern can't be seen... if that makes sense.


Last one, kind of inspired by Andy Goldsworthy - went out and built a cathedral looking thing out of fallen icicles, then photographed it! FUN! (and cold...


So there are my images for review! Rip 'em apart!

Next I'd just like some opinions - maybe even recommendations - on gear to invest in. I know I need to get photoshop ASAP, so that's a given... But what else to get? I don't really have room to set up a studio at the moment (and I DEFINITELY won't have room when I get to college), so I need portable stuff that I can stow away. I have no idea what's what out there, so any info you can give is appreciated!

Thanks everybody! -Tkot

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[LaFoto]

The "cathedral" clearly calls out for a less intrusive background here. I like the idea, I like the fact that you had the sun shine through the ice from behind, but I definitely do not like the dark background-whatever-it-is. An expanse of snow leading towards the sky would have been a lot better. And you ALMOST cut off the bottom part of the cathedral...

As to the camouflage clothing pic I can't say much, other than that I hardly see the guy (which I take for good in this case? ),
And the first is pretty, and when it already sold ... what is there to say?

[fokker]

For the ice one I would have tried to get the sun entirely behind the ice for a bit of a backlighting effect, kind of like this:

Ice Pillars with Icicles 1s | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Tkot]

Thanks for the replies! Yeah the ice sculpture one was difficult, my front yard isn't exactly the most composition-friendly place, haha. Great tips, I'll try them out next time I'm photographing ice!

And anyone have any thoughts about my second question regarding gear? Or maybe I should just make another thread about that...

[AgentDrex]

Here's your critique from a smart-alek (title says "Critique Me"):

You seem to take the time to spell correctly and create good grammar. This says that you find how you talk/write is important to as you want people to have a good impression of yourself. That's good. Saying that, here is one suggestion for improvement, for every one bad thing you say about someone else, say five nice things as well.

As for your photos...what's to say? They look nice, great practice...keep shooting...you already know what you want...you'll figure out how to get there easier with lots of practice...

[Tkot]

^ Hey thanks for the reply, critiquing my character wasn't what I expected, but it's nevertheless appreciated!

Just curious, are you referring to a specific thing that I said on TPF when you make your "suggestion for improvement" or is that just a general piece of advice you're handing out? Not that I don't appreciate it, I just want to know if I've offended at all. Thanks!

[LaFoto]

Well, you did say "Critique Me!" and not "Critique my photography" or "...my three photos, please", so he did what I was about to do myself, too: he critiqued YOU!

[Tkot]

Which I appreciate! Hahaha you get what you ask for in this place, that much is certain! Must check my wording more carefully in future posts...

So, thanks everyone for the critiques (regardless of their subject)! I'd still love to hear from more people!

[AgentDrex]

Just general advice good for almost everyone...yup, I'm a smart-alek...

[Tkot]

Haha, ok, the way you said it just made me worry that I offended someone here. Thank for the advice!

[AgentDrex]

Offend away...if people have that thin of skin...they shouldn't be here...this is the outernet

[Tkot]

Haha, not the way I look at it, but ok.