Engagement Ring-Feedback?

[Ernicus]

Or realize that ones perception of rude could be flawed. I mean really...all I said was the comp was terrible. I could have been rude...and I believe I was far from it. If I had replaced that one word "terrible" with "not so great" would I then not have been rude? Replacing a single word with many words that ultimately mean the same is silly. It's all quite comical actually. While my advice may not be the greatest...I can see it was wasted nonetheless. Sad really, I thought I had some valid points...too bad they were overshadowed with rudeness. I'm such a terrible person. Guess I'll go back to look at boring flowers in the nature gallery now....I almost forgot I was in the professional gallery where photographs were to be held to a higher standard.

Your advice wasn't wasted. I took your advice. I didn't say your whole post was rude.

That's cool. I look forward to your next shoot, like I said, if comp is your only issue...you're ahead of the game and I think you'll do well.

 

[howtophotograph]

There are ways of judging someone elses work regardless of quality

You can say: your work is terrible
or you can say: there are ways that your work could be improved

Same message, different delivery!
which one is better?

Christian
http://www.howtobecomeaphotographer.biz

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Judgmental spammer.

 

[Ernicus]

There are ways of judging someone elses work regardless of quality

You can say: your work is terrible
or you can say: there are ways that your work could be improved

Same message, different delivery!
which one is better?

Christian
how to become a photographer - complete course on how to become a professional photographer

Or I could say what I'm thinking, be a real person, and not be concerned with being judged by others. Yeah, I think I'll stick to being me. Thanks for the advice on how to pretend to not be ones self though. ;-)

 

[3bayjunkie]

The ring doesnt look very sparkly

 

[YoungPhotoGirl]

See...
Some people are just like that.
I feel its much more beneficial to you to say what I feel was right and what was wrong,
Then you know what NOT to change.
And you get a bit of positivity in my opinion

 

[YoungPhotoGirl]

Ignore the rudeness and take the advice.
I have found almost everyone here doesn't word things as nicely as they could but ignore it, its not worth fighting back

I'm starting to see that. Thanks. I wasn't trying to pick a fight... That worked out well, eh? Haha

Every fight that's ever happened on my thread wasn't intentional too.
As I said ignore it.
At the end of the day if you are happy and your client is happy then you're doing fine.
Screw the other crap!

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

The ring doesnt look very sparkly

Mostly because it's not lit well, using "natural light". It could need a good cleaning too.

 

[Ernicus]

See...
Some people are just like that.
I feel its much more beneficial to you to say what I feel was right and what was wrong,
Then you know what NOT to change.
And you get a bit of positivity in my opinion

I think that's how most Facebook photographers got started.

yeah..that was rude. Funny too though. :-D

 

[tirediron]

Ring? What ring?

You're being sarcastic, right? I'm not wry good as deciphering sarcasm.

Yes, that was sarcasm! No offense intended. It was meant to reflect my opinion that the ring does not occupy nearly enough real-estate in the image. It's fine to say, "The client wanted it that way", but as the professional and subject-matter expert, sometimes we have to suggest alternatives, and show them why what they think they want is not necessarily the best choice. The basic ideas here are fine, but I really feel that the execution could have been greatly improved with a little more work.

 

[unpopular]

Judgmental spammer.

passive agressive spammer.

 

[tirediron]

...I'm LEARNING. That's why I posted here...

You posted in the Professional Gallery; implicit in the term professional is skill and knowlege of the craft. We all had to learn, and most of us still are, BUT the composition of these images don't, IMO, reflect the work which should be associated with a professional.

 

[tirediron]

Ya...pictures between friends are all fair game IMO

What a load of crapola (rude enough?). Who the client is, your relationship with the client and if there is a client or not has no bearing on the value or success of an image.

Ab-so-friggin'-lutely!

 

[The_Traveler]

Look at the impressions given by the photos.

Ring on boot (where things get kicked and crap gets walked on)
Ring, quite small, against background of bright spots that draw the viewer's eyes away.
Ring hanging upside down from a twig so it isn't easily seen.

The associations from each of these shots are negative - and viewers make these associations.
The center of the picture, the big thing metaphorically, should be big in the picture sense, taking up some space, being in an important spot and being the center of attention.

 

[manaheim]

FWIW, generally speaking I tell people NOT to explain their pictures when they post them. This would be an example of an exception. I think if folks had known your objectives they would be commenting more on how you had executed them and less on your choices of settings. (except Bitter, who is a jeweler and is going to comment on the BRIDE'S choice of setting regardless... )

Now the problem is that people have their chests puffed up and need to continue banging on them or lose face.

FWIW, my general comments to you are...

1. I think the ideas are actually kind of cute.
2. The idea is only part of the equation, you need to find a setting for each idea that -really- compliments the main subject well. If there is no object that obviously compliments the subject, you can look for patterns of lines in color in the objects in the setting and see what works. You can almost always find something but you have to let your mind go.
3. I don't think having the ring face straight down like that works well. A tiny bit of hidden tape on the inside of the ring might have been enough to hold it so the setting was facing the camera more, which I think would have helped a lot.
4. You have to watch the message that each thing conveys even if it's something the bride wants... ultimately if you think it communicates a bad message that you don't get you can get around, you're going to want to advise her on something else. But also keep in mind your choice of composition can greatly affect the message... REALLY zoomed in on the boot one, almost no one would know it was a boot and the detail of the green star embroidered there might make an interesting setting.
5. You need to make sure you have ample light on the subject or other brighter things in the picture will carry the eye away.
6. Doing shots like this is a GREAT time for things like the rule of thirds, magic triangle, etc. because you want EVERYTHING possible to drag your eye to the main subject.
6. As Schwetty said... you need a macro lens.