Julia Roberts MUCH younger twin!

[Steve5D]

Not to derail the thread but, since its closure has now been called for, here ya' go: Take the poll...

 

[Rick58]

TBH, I didn't even note this was in the Professional Gallery. As a casual candid, as it was originally labeled, I think it's fine. As a marketable image, I honestly do feel it's lacking in several areas. Again, it's your image, so if you and your client are happy, that's all the matters.

 

[The_Traveler]

It seems that this thread indicates one of the really difficult obstacles for any photographer - the identification with the image.
The struggle is to be objective enough to recognize where a specific image might have 'defects' as others see it but that you as the maker embrace.

 

[kathyt]

TBH, I didn't even note this was in the Professional Gallery. As a casual candid, as it was originally labeled, I think it's fine. As a marketable image, I honestly do feel it's lacking in several areas. Again, it's your image, so if you and your client are happy, that's all the matters.

90% of the work that I do is candid. That is why my clients come to me vs. Susie Shootsalot. My clients could care less if it is 100% technically correct vs. expressive. As a marketable image? I did not ask, "Who would like to purchase a 30x40 print of this image?" Once again, I stated I adore this image, and I wanted to share it. I didn't say this is the most technically correct image that I have ever taken. I didn't say this is going on the cover of Popular Photography magazine either. Yes, I am happy with this shot because this is MY style. This is MY work. I have made it this far in my photography career, because I have decided to stay true to that. If I had taken the advice of every Tom, Dick, and Derrel, I would not be were I am today. The great thing about critique, disregard this thread, is that I have always taken bites out of all that has been shared with me, and then applied that knowledge with my own style and vision. Derrel was questioning why I could possibly like this image. Well.....I just do.

 

[Rgollar]

Your photos are great. I hope to get as good as this someday. Always enjoy seeing your photos.

 

[Rick58]

TBH, I didn't even note this was in the Professional Gallery. As a casual candid, as it was originally labeled, I think it's fine. As a marketable image, I honestly do feel it's lacking in several areas. Again, it's your image, so if you and your client are happy, that's all the matters.

90% of the work that I do is candid. That is why my clients come to me vs. Susie Shootsalot. My clients could care less if it is 100% technically correct vs. expressive. As a marketable image? I did not ask, "Who would like to purchase a 30x40 print of this image?" Once again, I stated I adore this image, and I wanted to share it. I didn't say this is the most technically correct image that I have ever taken. I didn't say this is going on the cover of Popular Photography magazine either. Yes, I am happy with this shot because this is MY style. This is MY work. I have made it this far in my photography career, because I have decided to stay true to that. If I had taken the advice of every Tom, Dick, and Derrel, I would not be were I am today. The great thing about critique, disregard this thread, is that I have always taken bites out of all that has been shared with me, and then applied that knowledge with my own style and vision. Derrel was questioning why I could possibly like this image. Well.....I just do.

My comment was in no way intended as an attack on you or your photo. It was simply my opinion.
You're right. My comment regarding "marketable image" was probably not fair. After all, your cleints feel differently and have proven that statement false. That's all that matters.

 

[nonamexx]

TBH, I didn't even note this was in the Professional Gallery. As a casual candid, as it was originally labeled, I think it's fine. As a marketable image, I honestly do feel it's lacking in several areas. Again, it's your image, so if you and your client are happy, that's all the matters.

90% of the work that I do is candid. That is why my clients come to me vs. Susie Shootsalot. My clients could care less if it is 100% technically correct vs. expressive. As a marketable image? I did not ask, "Who would like to purchase a 30x40 print of this image?" Once again, I stated I adore this image, and I wanted to share it. I didn't say this is the most technically correct image that I have ever taken. I didn't say this is going on the cover of Popular Photography magazine either. Yes, I am happy with this shot because this is MY style. This is MY work. I have made it this far in my photography career, because I have decided to stay true to that. If I had taken the advice of every Tom, Dick, and Derrel, I would not be were I am today. The great thing about critique, disregard this thread, is that I have always taken bites out of all that has been shared with me, and then applied that knowledge with my own style and vision. Derrel was questioning why I could possibly like this image. Well.....I just do.

Hi, I understand your frustration, but that was a technical critique and not a personal attack. If you want everybody to say "wow. great photo" post on Flickr and share with your friends. Sorry to say, but you're taking it the wrong way.

P.S. Derrel's review did come across as a bit nitpicky, but then that's what must be accepted as part of a critique.

 

[pixmedic]

TBH, I didn't even note this was in the Professional Gallery. As a casual candid, as it was originally labeled, I think it's fine. As a marketable image, I honestly do feel it's lacking in several areas. Again, it's your image, so if you and your client are happy, that's all the matters.

90% of the work that I do is candid. That is why my clients come to me vs. Susie Shootsalot. My clients could care less if it is 100% technically correct vs. expressive. As a marketable image? I did not ask, "Who would like to purchase a 30x40 print of this image?" Once again, I stated I adore this image, and I wanted to share it. I didn't say this is the most technically correct image that I have ever taken. I didn't say this is going on the cover of Popular Photography magazine either. Yes, I am happy with this shot because this is MY style. This is MY work. I have made it this far in my photography career, because I have decided to stay true to that. If I had taken the advice of every Tom, Dick, and Derrel, I would not be were I am today. The great thing about critique, disregard this thread, is that I have always taken bites out of all that has been shared with me, and then applied that knowledge with my own style and vision. Derrel was questioning why I could possibly like this image. Well.....I just do.

the much simpler answer would have been...

"hey Derrel, thanks for taking time out of your busy day to look at and critique a photo I posted on a photography forums critique thread. I understand your technical issues with this picture, and to answer your question, I adore this photo because it has sentimental value to me for "X" reason, and was shot in a style that I (and my clients) personally like. I will certainly take your critique into consideration for future shoots where I am more concerned with technical accuracy."

see? graceful and elegant. and it doesn't make you sound all hurt over getting accurate critique you weren't happy with.
there is just as much a need for gracefully RECEIVING critique as there is for accurately GIVING it.

 

[nonamexx]

To be honest, my artwork (drawings) have often been criticized worse than this when I posted for review, thinking I had something good, I've been near tears and almost abandoned my hobby, but then I came to realize that it was all honest feedback.

And remember, I do it as a hobby and not as a profession. I do it for my enjoyment and having people come down like a ton of bricks is painful. I know it can be very demotivating...

 

[OLaA]

I think this image is awesome. I immediately felt something when i saw it. I do tend to favor the artsy stuff. But i didn't get into photography to sell $8 "technically perfect" middle school portraits.

Since it seems no one else will i'm going to call a spade a spade in saying it was painfully obvious Derrel was intentionally trying to he a (insert favorite adjective here). Nothing personal but i just call it how I see it.

And for the record questioning someone on why THEY adore a photo after they've already clearly stated they do, seems like a personal attack. There are no technical merits about how you should feel about a photo and was the underlying question of the rant. And to be honest there is a million other "elegant" ways to deliver critique even if not positive.

 

[kathyt]

TBH, I didn't even note this was in the Professional Gallery. As a casual candid, as it was originally labeled, I think it's fine. As a marketable image, I honestly do feel it's lacking in several areas. Again, it's your image, so if you and your client are happy, that's all the matters.

90% of the work that I do is candid. That is why my clients come to me vs. Susie Shootsalot. My clients could care less if it is 100% technically correct vs. expressive. As a marketable image? I did not ask, "Who would like to purchase a 30x40 print of this image?" Once again, I stated I adore this image, and I wanted to share it. I didn't say this is the most technically correct image that I have ever taken. I didn't say this is going on the cover of Popular Photography magazine either. Yes, I am happy with this shot because this is MY style. This is MY work. I have made it this far in my photography career, because I have decided to stay true to that. If I had taken the advice of every Tom, Dick, and Derrel, I would not be were I am today. The great thing about critique, disregard this thread, is that I have always taken bites out of all that has been shared with me, and then applied that knowledge with my own style and vision. Derrel was questioning why I could possibly like this image. Well.....I just do.

the much simpler answer would have been...

"hey Derrel, thanks for taking time out of your busy day to look at and critique a photo I posted on a photography forums critique thread. I understand your technical issues with this picture, and to answer your question, I adore this photo because it has sentimental value to me for "X" reason, and was shot in a style that I (and my clients) personally like. I will certainly take your critique into consideration for future shoots where I am more concerned with technical accuracy."

see? graceful and elegant. and it doesn't make you sound all hurt over getting accurate critique you weren't happy with.
there is just as much a need for gracefully RECEIVING critique as there is for accurately GIVING it.

Pixmedic, can we please drop this aspect of the thread? You already addressed this, but you are continuing to bring it back up. Clearly, I feel this is not about the critique as I mentioned earlier. If you look through my 1,182 other posts, I have no problem recieving critique gracefully, and ask for it quite frequently.

 

[tirediron]

Closing per OP request.