"When I grow up" B&W version....

[rexbobcat]

It's so interesting to see the commentary on this woman's work.

It's as if nobody's noticing that she's making absolutely fantastic images. Stop obsessing with the focus, the exposure, and the weird effects and the vignettes and the logo, all of which are pretty awful I agree.

LOOK at the PHOTO. Her timing is damn near magical. That first photograph? Sure, it's a little soft (which actually works fine with the subject matter) but the moment she's nailed down? That's special and rare. Not to be calling anyone out specifically, but I haven't seen much work here on TPF that comes even close.

Although I do think some of the comments are a bit harsh...

I've taken photos of several moments like that with my cousins. It's not exactly a super rare moment in terms of child behavior. These images are something that you put in a family album, not something you get critiqued on...

"Capturing the moment" only works if people give a damn, and I'm sorry but I don't care about this kid. These photos don't make me care about her.

Why do technically imperfect Photographs make it in Nat Geo? Because there is intrigue and sometimes emotional connection.

These are just average family documentary photos. There's just not enough empathy/interest to make up for lack of good photographic technique

 

[Trever1t]

"Absolutely Fantastic"? Our tastes differ greatly.

 

[Jaemie]

The subjects are adorable, but..... Here's what I think:

#1: head is cropped too tightly; crop out the right side. Feminist comment you can take or leave: I'm not sure I like the image of a toddler looking at a wedding ring while wearing a wedding-ish dress.

#2: Very cute. The jaunty angle actually works quite well. Clone out carpet specks.

#3: meh... I don't like the facial expression.

#4: Jaunty angle doesn't work on this one. Same social comment as #1.

#5: Cute, but I'd like to see her face. Still, it works as part of a set.

#6: Younger girl seems reluctant / older girls appears controlling. Just seems a little bit awkward.

#7: On one hand, the vignette feels a little gimmicky. On the other hand, it seems to fit the olde-tyme theme rather well. So... iunno.

#8: Seems like a more comfortable interaction between the toddlers. I'd still like to see more happy involvement on the part of the younger girl.

Note: The signature/logo is way too big and intrusive. The word "Picturesque" doesn't fit child photography; I think of charming landscapes and rustic cottages and shorelines when I see that word.

Overall, I think you captured a couple nice and cute toddler moments. Photographing kids isn't easy. I'd try to keep the imagery simple and focused on childhood, and I'd keep the special effects to a bare minimum.

 

[vtf]

At one time I thought you couldn't use another's company name? Picturesque Photography is in use, can it be used because "by Erica" is in it?
You have many other companies ahead of you, I would look for something unique and then run a search on it, you want it towards the top of the page.

 

[rexbobcat]

At one time I thought you couldn't use another's company name? Picturesque Photography is in use, can it be used because "by Erica" is in it?

Depends on what the copyrighted company name is

 

[Ballistics]

It's as if nobody's noticing that she's making absolutely fantastic images. Stop obsessing with the focus, the exposure, and the weird effects and the vignettes and the logo, all of which are pretty awful I agree.

You make it sound like these things are trivial. If you can list 5 (major) things you can improve, it's not nitpicking, it's not obsessing, and it's not trivial. It's a poor image.

AMOMENT - I agree with many people in here about your images. If you really want to take better images, you need to learn how to take better images. Practicing the same improper methods over and over will not change anything. Like TiredIron said, take pictures of things... not people. Take pictures of things that are not moving, this way you aren't pressured to miss any "good" shots. Work on the basics and master them. You are obviously looking for help if you post here, so take the advice of the individuals here.

The drive is there, you just need to go in the right direction.

 

[Jaemie]

At one time I thought you couldn't use another's company name? Picturesque Photography is in use, can it be used because "by Erica" is in it?

It is generally a poor business practice. You could always get sued and have to deal with that mess. It's just far better to research and come up with an original name.

 

[amolitor]

I've taken photos of several moments like that with my cousins. It's not exactly a super rare moment in terms of child behavior. These images are something that you put in a family album, not something you get critiqued on...

I disagree, obviously. I'd offer my baby-shooting credentials up and blah blah but what would that prove? Nothing whatsoever.

I offer this theory up, with respect: You're unable to get past the technical flaws to see what's good in the underlying image. That's not intended as an indictment, although I dare say it looks and feels like one. The culture on TPF is to worry about technical details to the exclusion of expression and communication. If I am recalling correctly, you're a fine arts student and are actively working on your craft. It would frankly be surprising if you were NOT a little deeply focused on technical details.

 

[amolitor]

When I assert that things like "focus, the exposure, and the weird effects and the vignettes and the logo" are trivial, I mean that they are trivial.

They're all easily fixable (some in post, some with a little bit of education). Great timing is much much harder to master than learning how to focus a camera, and it's much more important to the final image.

 

[Jaemie]

When I assert that things like "focus, the exposure, and the weird effects and the vignettes and the logo" are trivial, I mean that they are trivial.

They're all easily fixable...

Except when they aren't fixed. Some people just keep doing those things over and over and over...

 

[Ballistics]

When I assert that things like "focus, the exposure, and the weird effects and the vignettes and the logo" are trivial, I mean that they are trivial.

They're all easily fixable (some in post, some with a little bit of education). Great timing is much much harder to master than learning how to focus a camera, and it's much more important to the final image.

Ok, but the images at hand are what's being discussed. Talking about the future and what could be, are not. Also, if you can fix the focus in PP - I have a few shots I would love some help on.
I also disagree about great timing being a hard skill to master. To me, timing is luck and patience. Knowing where to focus and properly expose for that given time to me would take time to master. I'm confident that anyone can sit their kids down in costumes and take 500 pictures while they play and get 5 or 6 pictures worth keeping.

 

[rexbobcat]

When I assert that things like "focus, the exposure, and the weird effects and the vignettes and the logo" are trivial, I mean that they are trivial.

They're all easily fixable (some in post, some with a little bit of education). Great timing is much much harder to master than learning how to focus a camera, and it's much more important to the final image.

Great timing is is one small aspect of great photography. Great timing does not make a good photograph. If I turned photographs of my university's football team with the level of technical incompetence that these show, regardless of whether the moment is awesome, the editor would be like "are you joking?"

 

[Ballistics]

When I assert that things like "focus, the exposure, and the weird effects and the vignettes and the logo" are trivial, I mean that they are trivial.

They're all easily fixable (some in post, some with a little bit of education). Great timing is much much harder to master than learning how to focus a camera, and it's much more important to the final image.

Great timing is is one small aspect of great photography. Great timing does not make a good photograph. If I turned photographs of my university's football team with the level of technical incompetence that these show, regardless of whether the moment is awesome, the editor would be like "are you joking?"

Football photography is specifically what I had in mind when I mentioned timing.

 

[cgipson1]

It's so interesting to see the commentary on this woman's work.

It's as if nobody's noticing that she's making absolutely fantastic images. Stop obsessing with the focus, the exposure, and the weird effects and the vignettes and the logo, all of which are pretty awful I agree.

LOOK at the PHOTO. Her timing is damn near magical. That first photograph? Sure, it's a little soft (which actually works fine with the subject matter) but the moment she's nailed down? That's special and rare. Not to be calling anyone out specifically, but I haven't seen much work here on TPF that comes even close.

I would have to strongly disagree... the subjects are cute, the posing is just the kids doing what they do... and if you shoot thousands of photos of the same subjects, you will occasionally catch one that has good timing. And even the good shots are less then they could be due to the multiple technical and compositional errors.

 

[amolitor]

They're all easily fixable (some in post, some with a little bit of education).

Also, if you can fix the focus in PP - I have a few shots I would love some help on.

See the part where I said 'some in post, some with a little bit of education'?

Some of the problems, like focus, are not fixable in post. They are fixable with a little education. If you can't even be bothered to read what I write, I am gonna have a little trouble believing that you're actually looking at her photographs.

This is starting to get a little acrimonious, and part of that is me. I've said all I have to say, really, so I'm out now.