The reason people like bitter leave short comments is because after repeating themselves hundreds of times to forum members they just hate having to write out every single thing every single time. I myself have answered what bitter said in at least 30-40 of my own posts with long explanations as to how badly over processed a poster's image is, and just so you know this is not a matter of opinion there is in fact a technical point where you have crossed the line and have done too much work because the image quality actually degrades.
- The processing you did has erased any level of contrast and definition that was natural to the original image. I knew this without ever seeing the original, I recognized it immediately. This can be a decisive choice, however to this day I have never seen someone "over process" an image and it look good. Professional graphic artist CAN do this because they have the skills needed to go back and actually correct the errors they cause, thus enabling them to get more mileage out of the editing they do before hitting that fake zone.
- The self portrait is just eyes, which any quick look at a site like deviant art tells you that eyes have been done to death. If you were to come up with an interesting spin on it, then we can talk. Look, I understand you can't always be completely unique as just about everything has been done. I however have created very many self portraits, using many elements that have been "done before" but what makes them all different is that I bring my own style and personality into them.
- I suggest reviewing more images in your daily life. When you see a picture, stop and really examine it. What are they doing that makes this picture pop? Besides this forum, I have an entire wall that I have covered from floor to ceiling with photos from magazines and newspapers. On average I really break down hundreds of photos a day, and I will do so with my friends right there as if they have a clue what the heck I'm talking about! They just always end up rolling their eyes and saying, "Oh Joe! Silly you, thinking we care
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- You had an idea, that you wanted to reflect an image in your eye. Ask yourself, "Sure it may look fake, but does that really matter?". Consider taking your idea and really owning it. All ideas are corny or cheesy while they are immature and in the mind. It takes you the artist to bring life to the idea, and to help it mature into a more complex thought than just "Oh I know! I'll put a reflection in my eyes of a camera because I love photography!!" Its the hours of brainstorming to come up with the concept, the hours of working in photoshop perfecting that reflection, those are the elements that make a great photograph (or in this case a graphic work, or art in general).
Hope this wasn't too long to read, and that you get something out of it.
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