Portfolio Feedback

[stillmotionphotos]

Hey I was hoping that I might be able to get some people to check out my portfolio and give me some feedback on the pictures site and any suggestions.

Still Motion Photography


Thanks guys

 

[LBPhotog]

just something real quickly that I see ... you say that you are availible to do weddings and events yet I don't see any examples of that type of work on your site ...

If you are going to say that you are availible to do it, make sure you have examples of what you have done in the past ... what I would get from your website is that you are an "archetecture and landscape" photographer.

 

[Overread]

I would have a listen and a watch at these critiques here: zarias.com :: The blog of editorial photographer Zack Arias Critique

might take some time but I think you will find the advice given well worth it.

The thing is I get the overall impression that you are trying to do everything possible with no real limits. The problem with this is that when I look at your portfolio I don't see everything as being outstanding. Infact it is quite hit and miss overall which greatly damages your chances:
For example you have things such as this: A Josh Bobrowsky Production
which is blurred all over and with a less than ideal background that does not really contribute to the subject.

On the other hand you have some decent shots in your profile - the macro waterbottle shot and this for example http://www.stillmotionphotos.com/Landscape 7.html

What I feel you need to do is stop, sit down and work out where your real strengths are, what your single offered service will be and then go out and get a portfolio of 10-15 really fantastic shots that display that area of work.

 

[matfoster]

looking at LANDSCAPES. the last picture seems to be of a barman (?). you need to level-off some of your horizons etc. go for quality over quantity. the snaps of clouds and trees - there are millions of these made with P&S every week and uploaded onto the web. choose carefully - those type of shots just look like fillers when people start using terms like 'Portfolio'.

the PEOPLE section seems more interesting. but a mistake that seems to be often made is: when a photographer doesn't specialise in something, they try to project a level of competence in everything...and fall between stools. PEOPLE is ok but i'm getting into a street-doc series then #3 i'm shown a shot of a young woman in a garden..then back to the street performers again (?). forget #3, it's unremarkable and messes up the series.

BLACK AND WHITE: again just some navel-gazing snaps. incompatible with a website 'styling itself as a creative ''Production" outfit. it's self-inflicted egg-on-face.

MACRO/ABSTRACT: people who are not photographers are uninterested in being told something is macro or abstract. show it, don't tell it.

ABOUT: unfortunately, your photography falls far short of your mission statement, at this time. although it is a mission rather than an achievement. if you culled 75% of the images presented, your photography would come across a lot better. but it's obvious you lack skills and awareness. i think the whole commercial aspect of the website is far too optimistic, for now.

being available for nighclubs, weddings and portraits is an aim but as previously commented upon, there is no eveidence you can do this and do it professionally. also selling these services with an image celebrating the ritual torture of a bullock is just plain bonkers !!

i'll leave it there! :thumbdown:

 

[stillmotionphotos]

Hey guys thanks for the comments... I think you are really right that I probably have about 10-15 good shots... and about 10-15 not so great shots....

Mat- I really appreciate your insight... I thought of the bullfight picture as something unique and daring... However, I really didn't realize what a harsh negative effect it can have on a viewer's opinion of the site....

Everyone has been really helpful, and yes I have only started shooting professionally about a month ago, hence why my posts are still in the beginners form I look forward to further critiques.


Josh

Still Motion Photography

 

[Overread]

If I might be so bold as to say it might be an idea that you are running before you can walk - it will hurt your long term goals of professional photographic work if you start your professinal line before you are really ready to do so. (I tend to surf in newposts so didn't notice the section you put this in).

Being honest (with yourself) about your level of skill is a very good thing, but you need to also be honest with your customers as well. If you feel that your shots are not really ready to be outside the beginners area then are you really ready to charge people for your time and shots to do work for them?

It would do you a massive advantage to pull back from the professional approach - spend time and money (as I can see you doing in your other thread) on upgrading both your gear and your skills

 

[matfoster]

good man. i want you to succeed.