Sharpness overrated?

Robin Usagani · Dec 25, 2011

I like that Scott. That one is even more blurry.

SCraig · Dec 25, 2011

Schwettylens said:
I like that Scott. That one is even more blurry.

I agree. From a technical standpoint it was TERRIBLE. I've forgotten the reason for her doing that but she was so proud of being able to do it for my parents that I got what I could. She's married now with a daughter about that age but that crappy shot is still one of my favorites.

I guess my point is that some times even the shots that aren't perfect have promise.

xposurepro · Dec 25, 2011

If it's not dead on then I trash it. What will happen if they order a 20x30 custom framed job for their home .. take one look at it and say this is total crap, I don't want this, My kid is completely blurry !!! .. Now you're stuck with a product that needs replaced (well can't be replaced .. so it's just bad word of mouth). The only option would be to explain the situation up front. However, its not uncommon for a client to not fully understand something no matter how clearly you pound the information into them. So they ok it .. you order it .. they go "Ohhh Wow I didn't realize it would look that blurry .. I changed my mind I don't want it." Now you can either stick them with it because technically they did ok the image beforehand (it will give you bad word of mouth though) or you can eat the cost (probably still give you bad word of mouth). Some people will be ok with it, Some people are too far gone to even notice and some will give you very bad direct word of mouth & some will indirectly give you bad word of mouth by not explaining the situation to their friends who see the image hanging there and think "Holy crap I'm not going to that photographer."

Artsy Fartsy for personal satisfaction is one thing but beyond that you're basically playing russian roulette with your business.

GeorgieGirl · Dec 25, 2011

I think its a keeper, Schwetty. Not sure you have any deletes with the entire set that I've seen so far. BTW what was your Exposure + for your outdoor shots?

GeorgieGirl · Dec 25, 2011

xposurepro said:
If it's not dead on then I trash it. What will happen if they order a 20x30 custom framed job for their home .. take one look at it and say this is total crap, I don't want this, My kid is completely blurry !!! .. Now you're stuck with a product that needs replaced (well can't be replaced .. so it's just bad word of mouth). The only option would be to explain the situation up front. However, its not uncommon for a client to not fully understand something no matter how clearly you pound the information into them. So they ok it .. you order it .. they go "Ohhh Wow I didn't realize it would look that blurry .. I changed my mind I don't want it." Now you can either stick them with it because technically they did ok the image beforehand (it will give you bad word of mouth though) or you can eat the cost (probably still give you bad word of mouth). Some people will be ok with it, Some people are too far gone to even notice and some will give you very bad direct word of mouth & some will indirectly give you bad word of mouth by not explaining the situation to their friends who see the image hanging there and think "Holy crap I'm not going to that photographer."

Artsy Fartsy for personal satisfaction is one thing but beyond that you're basically playing russian roulette with your business.

I think that for this one particuar photo we are speaking about these clients are people are probably intelligent enough to see the entire set as a whole and would take a professional recommendation form Robin on what will not be to their best liking based on the sizing limitations of a print and why.

ababysean · Dec 25, 2011

I like it. I think it tells a nice story and would go wonderful in a photo book of the session. If the client wanted to print it 40*60 and hang it up in their house, who cares? It is a nice photo and it shows kids being kids. Some people enjoy posed shots, studio type, fake background, kids perfectly still looking at the camera, forced smiles, while others enjoy more feeling and lifestyle photos. Now if the entire set was like this, I would have a different opinion, but obviously there are some wonderful in focus more posed types of shots, that go along with this photo.

Good job!

and I dont care what you say, take your girls to that location and shoot them!!!! please? or fly me out there and I'll do it for free!

fokker · Dec 25, 2011

Could be a good candidate for some creative editing, orton effect style perhaps?

Kerbouchard · Dec 25, 2011

IMO, you missed the shot. Yes, it could have been a great one. I have tons like it...

It looks to be a great moment, but you missed it. Personally, if it were me, the client would never see it.

If you do decide to go through with it and share it with the client, IMO, you should pick one direction or another. At this point, your editing shows that you are trying to 'save' the shot and it's kind of in between out of focus and dreamy. Either go nuts with sharpening or go completely dreamy. Neither are my style, so I wouldn't even attempt it, but IMO, you are currently in 'no-man's land'.

It's just good enough for a client to love and be upset at the limitations and it's just bad enough where those limitations will really show in any sort of print above a 4x6.

If I were you, I'd trash it.

manaheim · Dec 25, 2011

I'm on the fence about it.

It's a really nice moment. Sharper would have been better, but it's a really nice moment.

MissCream · Dec 25, 2011

I think you could keep it if you bumped up the contrast just a bit. If something isn't sharp FOR ME it drives me nuts and I end up trashing it

Very cute shot though

GoldenBokeh · Jul 16, 2012

great capture. the snow and the smiles - print.

paigew · Jul 16, 2012

Keep!! Emotion trumps technical issues every time for me! I always ask myself "if it was MY kids would I want it?". I am sure the parents would cherish this photo and it doesn't seem all that soft to me.

paigew · Jul 16, 2012

wow just realized this is an old thread. I started thinking about all the snow and checked the date :lol:

Lenschecker · Jul 16, 2012

I do actually like the pic very much. It contains an element of randomness and focus at the same time. I think that due to the softness, the emotion is even stronger. It looks like a memory, partly sharp, partly blurred. And the children's expressions are priceless anyway. I do not know if sharpness is necessarily the most important factor. It you shoot one for a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch of course you need sharpness, in order to show all the tiny details. It depends on what the picture is about.

amolitor · Jul 16, 2012

The main thing is to make it not look like an accident.

Soft is fine. Mistakes are not. So, make damn sure it looks like you meant to do it that way.