Pro or Amateur?

[tmjjk]

Original....teach me

 

[Kerbouchard]

View attachment 9273I know I am a glutton for punishment.... but is this any better? I took this today

Here is a quick edit from your original...

Before/After


View attachment 9300

 

[MTVision]

Original....teach me <img src="http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=9293"/>

Am I crazy or is this a different picture?

I'm not crazy about the original b/w conversion. Its a cute shot but next time try getting down on her level instead of shooting down on her. With kids sometimes you've gotta lay right on the floor/ground to get to their level but it's worth it.

 

[Kerbouchard]

Original....teach me <img src="http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/attachments/black-white-gallery/9293-pro-amateur-1-1-1-.jpg"/>

Am I crazy or is this a different picture?

I'm not crazy about the original b/w conversion. Its a cute shot but next time try getting down on her level instead of shooting down on her. With kids sometimes you've gotta lay right on the floor/ground to get to their level but it's worth it.

Yes, it is a different picture. It is most noticable in the finger placement, but it still works for demonstration purposes since it seems to be the same light, scene, and settings.

 

[MTVision]

...

 

[elizabethysmom]

After purchasing my first dslr camera and a 50mm lens I began to capture images here and there that evoked feeling. The occasional, wow look at the eyes in that one, or that looks magical, and of course these comments are coming from people who like me. I felt this passion that it was something I really loved. It's been an outright obsession for the last 8 weeks or so. I have been reading as much as I can about shutter, aperture, and iso and how they relate. Trying to wrap my mind around focal length and lens choices... cropped sensor vs full frame. I having been using as many outlets as possible to learn more and understand more. The misleading title was referring to if this is something I could do professionally... of course not now... I am just learning. To take on this endeavor is a risk... I have six children and work very hard every moment of my life... this is something others see as a hobby, and I would like to continue in this direction to eventually earn an income. I have seen other "Pro" photographers work, and some of it is awful... I just didn't want to be one of those american idol contests who perform terribly that says, "my mom always said I could sing"... This is still going to be my passion... I just might not show anyone

It's wonderful that you have found passion for a new hobby. I would keep it as that for now - a hobby. Keep reading these forums, researching, taking workshops, etc and you will realize that going pro is a lot more than spray and pray in raw and hope for the best in photoshop. I've been studying and shooting as much as I can for a year now. I'm no where near ready to accept payment for my work (and I don't think I'm going in that direction anyway). Every time I post new photos to my blog I read my previous posts and roll my eyes knowing I thought that what I shot was pretty great at the time. Next month I'll look at what I shot this month and laugh. My husband and extended family constantly ask me when I'm going "pro". I tell them I'm still learning. From the outside it's snapping pictures and downloading them. In reality it's lighting, composition, editing, business savy, advertising, taxes, insurance, equipment equipment equipment etc. Yes this forum can be harsh espeically for a newbie, I've had my feelings hurt a few times as well but it is helpful to have honest critique. Keep pounding the pavement but be patient and realistic. It's not going to happy overnight. With six kids even if you don't go into business you are going to capture tons of candid and sweet memories, that alone is worth the price of a dslr.

 

[tmjjk]

Yes different pic... Sorry I was running out the door and didn't realize I uploaded the wrong one... Thank you Elizabethysmom... I do have images that I thought were good last month that I already wouldn't show as my work today, learning everyday. Thank you for your advice.

 

[DiskoJoe]

View attachment 9252Looking to go pro... need some advice.... please critique

Definitely to young to be a pro

 

[amolitor]

Being a pro has almost nothing to do with your photography. It's about running a business.

I think your photographs both have potential. The first one was a contrasty hot mess, but what the hell, it has a lot going for it too. It's graphically very strong because of the big white and black masses in it. The kid's cute as hell, and by blowing out the skin you made it look smooth and wonderful. The eyes came out a little weird, for some reason. The second is great, except for the skin tones which someone else pointed out look pretty weird and unpleasant. It's a much more strictly correct composition, and I found it less ultimately interesting than the first one.

You're shooting entirely by instinct now, I suspect, rather than with very much formalism. Be ruthless in your editing, throw out pictures you don't like and try to figure out why you like the ones you do like. Make prints, and stick them where you can see them.

If you want to be professional, you don't need much in the way of photographic skills, but you *do* need a signature look, so figure out what you like, what you can reliably do, and try to turn that into something that people "out there" like and try to find a market for it. Also, you probably need some more gear, people love a photographer with a bunch of expensive crap (I am serious, here, even though I sound sarcastic -- either have a bunch of gear, or figure out how to run your business in such a way as people don't see your gear).

 

[c.cloudwalker]

View attachment 9252Looking to go pro... need some advice.... please critique

DON'T.

Learn photo first.

Either that or become a promateur.