Headshot C&C

[Ballistics]

im just at a loss. you say you want the critiques, but you fight with those who give them because you don't like the fashion in which they are presented. heck compared to some responces people recieve on here derrels critique was mild at best. If you don't care about something why should someone bother spending there time on critiquing something you don't care about. saying you don't care about it almost seems like a cop out. that well you guys hated it, but i didn't like it either. almost as if your trying to protect yourself from the critique.

You used a plural term with "those". Who are "those"? Because I refuse to consider Derrels posts since they are riddled with condescension, you sum that up to ALL?
If you want to defend Derrel, so be it. I don't give a flying truck how "mild" his post was. His was the least inflammatory of his posts, so therefore it should be tolerated. Roger that.

I took everyone elses posts into serious consideration.

How does me not liking the shot seem like a cop out? LOL. This place is twisted sometimes.

why should someone bother spending there time on critiquing something you don't care about.

Read post #19 again. That should answer this in great detail.

Sorry. with the type of responce I was assumming you were tired of everyones bashing and I didn't realise it was just a single issue with Derrel alone. If it is just a single issue with derrel why not just ignore him? Then you wouldn't have to waste your time responding to him,seems like that would solve the problem easy enough.

Thank you for your understanding.

 

[Derrel]

I don't ascribe to any standard or theory; I look at a picture and try to figure out what my subconscious response is to the various elements, what makes the picture either work or not work for me.

To some one who looks at only content and superficial impact, this is a great shot - great color, great sharpness, damn nice PPing.
What does bother me is the placement in the frame.
I look at the picture and my subconscious person, who believes that everything in an image is left there for a purpose. tries to parse where you've put her and to figure out what message you are giving with the placement.
Her head touches the top, she's almost cut off at the neck at the bottom, with that little piece of dress pointing down.
Yet there is room behind her and lots of room at the left. It isn't balancing anything, why is it there?
And she's merging into that dark background - why?

I'm not saying there are answers to these questions, just that you did this and my inner person is trying to figure out why.

If she was pretty close to the edge all around, then the clipping at top and bottom would make sense to me; those empty spaces would be gone mostly and the merge into the background wouldn't be as important. I wouldn't care about little things being clipped off; it makes sense and doesn't cost any real info.

So I would be happier with something like this below.

IMO, everything in the frame is put there or left there on purpose and should have an artistic reason.

See how an EXPERIENCED photographer has shown you how to use compositional space more effectively? Her head is still kind of floating, but despite that, it's a better presentation,and much less jarring, than what was originally shown.

 

[amolitor]

Derrel's pretty inflammatory, but it often boils down to an enthusiastic use of uppercase and bold. The actual words are usually milder than the post suggests. He's a bit tough to take at times, and I disagree with him now and then, but I gotta say the dude's one of the sharpest guys on here. He's not going to hit you with a bunch of stupid rules, if he's disagreeing with your choices you can pretty much guarantee that he's actually looked at your photo and taken some time. That right there puts him in the 90th percentile for TPF.

Your choice though, of course. I don't mean to dictate, just suggest.

I am a fan of negative space, especially black negative space. I think I "get" the original photograph in a way -- I've made a bunch of photos a lot like it, but with a lot less color and a lot less clothing. I don't love it, I don't hate it, I like it ok. With the color it unfortunately makes me think it's an ad for vodka.

Leaving aside the fact that I basically like the original, the criticisms are all also correct as far as I can see. There IS a floating head effect. There isn't any separation of the hair from the background. The negative space IS pretty large. These are all clearly choices you have made that fly in the face of convention. A conventional photograph, per Lew's crop, for example, is much more acceptable to the.. Viewing Public, let's say. Your model would probably like it better. It it is, however, a different photograph.

Now, I will be the first to tell you that if YOU like an image, and EVERYONE ELSE hates it, you are probably wrong and they are probably right. Still, ultimately you make photographs for yourself first. I do not hate the original (so there's two of us!), nor do I hate Lew's crop. I like both images, in different ways and for different reasons.

 

[Ballistics]

I am a fan of negative space, especially black negative space. I think I "get" the original photograph in a way -- I've made a bunch of photos a lot like it, but with a lot less color and a lot less clothing. I don't love it, I don't hate it, I like it ok. With the color it unfortunately makes me think it's an ad for vodka.

Leaving aside the fact that I basically like the original, the criticisms are all also correct as far as I can see. There IS a floating head effect. There isn't any separation of the hair from the background. The negative space IS pretty large. These are all clearly choices you have made that fly in the face of convention. A conventional photograph, per Lew's crop, for example, is much more acceptable to the.. Viewing Public, let's say. Your model would probably like it better. It it is, however, a different photograph.

Now, I will be the first to tell you that if YOU like an image, and EVERYONE ELSE hates it, you are probably wrong and they are probably right. Still, ultimately you make photographs for yourself first. I do not hate the original (so there's two of us!), nor do I hate Lew's crop. I like both images, in different ways and for different reasons.

I agree with you. Thanks.

 

[Ballistics]

For me, I find it helpful to verbally describe what I want (talk to myself, to my assistant, and/or to the model) about a certain shot. If I can describe it and not just visualize it in my own head, then I can make it happen. I'm not sure if that will work for you but if you haven't done so, give it a try.

I don't even know where to start, in terms of putting what I see in my head into words. I think that's a big issue. Being able to verbalize it.

 

[12sndsgood]

When do you begin to think about the photo? are you trying to think of the shot when yoru standing there behind the viewfinder, or are you starting a few days ahead of time. As I have been getting more experience shooting I have started thinking of what I want before we shoot. giving myself a few days to think of the shot and how I want it, so that when the day comes I allready have a few shots in my head and how I want them to be presented. I still suck and sometimes don't make that image. but this helps me get closer to what I want and gives me more options when it comes time to shoot. my problem is trying to fit 4 hours of thoughts into a 2 hour time frame.

 

[Ballistics]

When do you begin to think about the photo? are you trying to think of the shot when yoru standing there behind the viewfinder, or are you starting a few days ahead of time. As I have been getting more experience shooting I have started thinking of what I want before we shoot. giving myself a few days to think of the shot and how I want it, so that when the day comes I allready have a few shots in my head and how I want them to be presented. I still suck and sometimes don't make that image. but this helps me get closer to what I want and gives me more options when it comes time to shoot. my problem is trying to fit 4 hours of thoughts into a 2 hour time frame.

Oh yeah, I wing it. But that's also because the majority of these "shoots" are done on the spot out of boredom and my model is usually always my wife. I am now learning that a plan usually equates to better pictures. I'm yet to plan yet though lol.

 

[Designer]

Ballistics;

this shot should be in portrait format
the crop is too tight top and bottom
a little space on the left would be fine, but just a little
need more hair light or another one on the left side (as viewed)
hair over right eyebrow should have been brushed off eyebrow
thin spot in hair should have been filled in more
feathered earrings or hair feathers (can't tell which) are competing with hair
model's expression is "in between" and hard to relate to (would be better if smiling, for instance)

I like the key light, the black background, and the general pose.

 

[Designer]

To be completely honest, I think this picture sucks. Flat out. If I were to grade it, I'd give it a D. The main reason why I posted it, is because I haven't shot in a few weeks and I needed to get back in a rhythm of shooting.

IMO, the best way to receive valuable feedback is to post an image that you have a question about, and tell what you attempted, what you did to achieve it, and the various equipment involved. This idea of posting an image that you already know to be a "D", and simply asking for feedback is frivolous at best, and inviting harsh words when you already know what will be said.

 

[Ballistics]

To be completely honest, I think this picture sucks. Flat out. If I were to grade it, I'd give it a D. The main reason why I posted it, is because I haven't shot in a few weeks and I needed to get back in a rhythm of shooting.

IMO, the best way to receive valuable feedback is to post an image that you have a question about, and tell what you attempted, what you did to achieve it, and the various equipment involved. This idea of posting an image that you already know to be a "D", and simply asking for feedback is frivolous at best, and inviting harsh words when you already know what will be said.

I disagree with all of your points.

 

[The_Traveler]

I think you're making a mistake by really attempting to 'win' over the those who've either made comments that you don't like or made them in a way you don't like.

TPF has changed pretty dramatically the last six months. Many of the unpleasant and/or non-contributing yahoos have moved on and what is left of the commenting corps is a mixture of talents and abilities, but all reasonably decent people. Best of all, none of them that I have noticed, are trying to build a rep as a hard guy by jumping on other contributors.
I think you will get the truth as each person sees it. If you want to take the tone or the idea as an insult ratehr than just a viewpoint and respond offensively, it's your loss.

I don't think anyone expects you to absolutely believe everything anyone says and to grovel, just listen, take what you want to use and be thankful for the gift of time and keystrokes..

 

[Ballistics]

I think you're making a mistake by really attempting to 'win' over the those who've either made comments that you don't like or made them in a way you don't like.

TPF has changed pretty dramatically the last six months. Many of the unpleasant and/or non-contributing yahoos have moved on and what is left of the commenting corps is a mixture of talents and abilities, but all reasonably decent people. Best of all, none of them that I have noticed, are trying to build a rep as a hard guy by jumping on other contributors.
I think you will get the truth as each person sees it. If you want to take the tone or the idea as an insult ratehr than just a viewpoint and respond offensively, it's your loss.

I don't think anyone expects you to absolutely believe everything anyone says and to grovel, just listen, take what you want to use and be thankful for the gift of time and keystrokes..

I have my reservations. Let's leave it at that. I'm ignoring one person. That's it. It's time to get over it now.

 

[mwild]

The biggest issue I have is that her head just sort of floats, with no visible means of support on the left hand side of the frame--she's been lopped off at the neck. In terms of percentage, she's 50% of the frame,the right hand side of the frame, and the entire left hand side of the image offers absolutely zero visual interest. To use an old term, she's shown as "a floating head". Her head and hair are quite large in the frame,ands the top of her head touches the edge of the frame. Her head's touching the top of the frame, and her chin is uncomfortably low in the frame. Are you shooting this as a horizontal just because you don't know how to compose? Or to get a rise out of the few of us that do? You know what's coming...

You desperately needed to turn the camera to vertical, to show the head as more than just a head and neck. She's cut off right at the neck/body juncture, and that looks bad. The "photography" part is somewhat okay. The approach to posing and framing is very unsophisticated. She did her part though. On the lighting front, I'm not sure why the camera-right catchlight in the eye is so much smaller and weaker than the one on the off side...that does not look natural, or "right" visually. I'd clone in some more catchlight on the camera-right eye, to even that up. Maybe straighten up her lipstick arch a bit too. Sorry if this sounds harsh. I realize it probably does. Can;t help it. It's what you need to have said. Unless you just want an "Atta' guy!, nice pic!" type of comment and nothing actually valuable.

I always love reading your advice on other posts.. I find you're very knowledged, and I feel like I learn a lot from your feedback!!

 

[Designer]

...simply asking for feedback is frivolous... inviting harsh words...

I disagree with all of your points.

O.K.

 

[The_Traveler]

I think you're making a mistake by really attempting to 'win' over the those who've either made comments that you don't like or made them in a way you don't like.

TPF has changed pretty dramatically the last six months. Many of the unpleasant and/or non-contributing yahoos have moved on and what is left of the commenting corps is a mixture of talents and abilities, but all reasonably decent people. Best of all, none of them that I have noticed, are trying to build a rep as a hard guy by jumping on other contributors.
I think you will get the truth as each person sees it. If you want to take the tone or the idea as an insult ratehr than just a viewpoint and respond offensively, it's your loss.

I don't think anyone expects you to absolutely believe everything anyone says and to grovel, just listen, take what you want to use and be thankful for the gift of time and keystrokes..

I have my reservations. Let's leave it at that. I'm ignoring one person. That's it. It's time to get over it now.

You don't get it.

You insulted and alienated others and now you're telling them that its time to get over it?

The way to have made this go away was to say something like, "OK, I over reacted. Sorry about the fuss.' and it would have been all over.