OOT:P Serious Critique Thread.... Welcome to the thunderdome

xander2188 · 12-31-2011, 08:33 PM

The point of this thread is for your photos to be nitpicked and torn apart in the hopes that we all become better photographers both by having our work critiqued and by thinking critically about other's work.

The critiques are not meant to be taken personally. Also, your critiques are not required to be negative, feel free to talk about the aspects you like and those you do not like. Also, please try to go into detail, short answers arent really going to help that much.

As much as I hate to do this, I will edit my post with a photo when I home from work and back on my own computer.

PaintedSaint · 01-01-2012, 01:31 AM

ITT: Dont get your ***** in a bundle.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jgk_eni...ream/lightbox/

Bluewolf · 01-11-2012, 04:52 PM

There is enough going on in the photo that I don't get bored looking at it right away. I think that the window reflections from the right building onto the left building are somewhat interesting. Also, good job getting the helicopter dead center.

I think that it's interesting that you chose to flip the photo. It's a distraction for me whenever I see writing that's mirrored.

I can't find a reason to want to come back and look at this photo. It's not terrible, it's just not that interesting. If the helicopter wasn't there, I would have zero interest in the photo.

Note: I don't consider myself great at critiquing photos (or hardly even qualified). I just wanted to try to get this thread started.

physco-IoN · 01-11-2012, 08:35 PM

Anyone know how I can grab a free version of LR? or PS?

Cmizzle · 01-11-2012, 08:49 PM

physco-IoN · 01-11-2012, 10:10 PM

**** im an idiot..didn't even realize this was the critique thread ahahaha

Bluewolf · 01-11-2012, 11:02 PM

therealmr · 01-12-2012, 12:02 AM

FIRST IMPRESSION CRITIQUE: the event you captured is rare. however, the elements that give it this distinction are kindof like a beginners magic trick.

the subject of your photograph is the light play off the windows. don't be a teasing dick about it. the fact that a helicopter made it into your photograph is by pure chance, but is what gives this photograph any spark at all. perhaps a series would persuade me to think otherwise - there's more room for me to make comparisons between images and think of your process. as a single image, it says "hello" and then falls flat.

[second thoughts after viewing largest image available on flickr]

I seriously think that the light play is the most interesting thing going on here. The feelings I'm getting from the overall environment don't appear to be anything out of the ordinary. So, the details of the image that are of greatest concern to me have now been tucked away to live in 1/8th of the overall frame.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaintedSaint

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jgk_eni...ream/lightbox/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluewolf

[img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6528187483_ed685427ed_z.jpg[/mg]

I imagine you're looking for technical critique. I know you posted as well, but I don't feel compelled to give this type of crit since I feel it's largely irrelevant to the photography I wish to endorse.

chris_arnet · 01-13-2012, 01:08 AM

My setup for these was my Canon 60D w/ Canon 50mm f/1.8, and a 430EXII in a 24" softbox, triggered by the 60Ds pop-up flash function. The pop-up did not affect exposures. The thing I had the most trouble with was focus, since I have no wireless trigger at the moment, and it was a guessing game. I've already realized that I need to be less afraid to use lots of light, I had the flash exp. comp. set to -1, and coincidentally, I pushed them +1 in Lightroom

. The first pose is pretty sinple, and the second I'm just messing around, but general thoughts on lighting, etc? Any C&C welcome!

Self by Orange Imaging, on Flickr

I chose B&W here because of opposing color balances:

Self by Orange Imaging, on Flickr

#2 at ISO 6400. I am utterly shocked at how well it cleans up from the 60D.

Bluewolf · 01-13-2012, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_arnet

My setup for these was my Canon 60D w/ Canon 50mm f/1.8, and a 430EXII in a 24" softbox, triggered by the 60Ds pop-up flash function. The pop-up did not affect exposures. The thing I had the most trouble with was focus, since I have no wireless trigger at the moment, and it was a guessing game. I've already realized that I need to be less afraid to use lots of light, I had the flash exp. comp. set to -1, and coincidentally, I pushed them +1 in Lightroom

. The first pose is pretty sinple, and the second I'm just messing around, but general thoughts on lighting, etc? Any C&C welcome!

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/orangeimaging/6688464951/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6688464951_a719cea6bc_z.jpg[/ig][/rl]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/orangeimaging/6688464951/]Self[/rl] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/orangeimaging/]Orange Imaging[/ul], on Flickr

I chose B&W here because of opposing color balances:
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/orangeimaging/6688464775/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6688464775_10bc81b8bf_z.jpg[/rl]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/orangeimaging/6688464775/]Self[/rl] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/orangeimaging/]Orange Imaging[/rl], on Flickr

#2 at ISO 6400. I am utterly shocked at how well it cleans up from the 60D.

#1: I like the lighting. However, it is WAY soft. The pose works well with the mood of the background. It bugs me a little bit that the practicals behind you aren't the same intensity.

#2: It's a snapshot with a pose and some flashes. Why did you compose the frame the way you did? There doesn't seem to be a relationship between you and the building. Theres a bench and a tree with lights. None of these things flow together well.

chris_arnet · 01-13-2012, 02:11 AM

Did you read my opening paragraph at all?

#1, I know its soft, it was pretty tough to focus wide open without a remote, and those arent flashes behind me, I mentioned I was only using one. Thanks for the comment about the lighting though.

#2, I mentioned I was just messing around, and again, just one flash being used, I was just looking for comments over the lighting...

Bluewolf · 01-13-2012, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_arnet

Did you read my opening paragraph at all?

#1, I know its soft, it was pretty tough to focus wide open without a remote, and those arent flashes behind me, I mentioned I was only using one. Thanks for the comment about the lighting though.

#2, I mentioned I was just messing around, and again, just one flash being used, I was just looking for comments over the lighting...

I did read your opening paragraph. There just isn't a lot to comment on. This is supposed to be the serious critique thread, so I assumed that you would want more than, "nice lights brah." Also, I'm aware that the practicals (existing lights) aren't flashes, just something to think about (being aware of your backgrounds).

If you're having trouble focusing, close the aperture down some. You could have closed it down and increased the power of the flash (adjusting shutter speed to keep the balance with the ambient).

Lighting wise, #2 is alright. It's balanced well. Somewhat flat and unexciting, but nothing in the picture warrants anything else.

therealmr · 01-13-2012, 10:43 AM

I would recommend shooting someone other than yourself. It's hard to self-direct for portraiture, and it's a crapshoot for learning lighting,

chris_arnet · 01-13-2012, 10:52 AM

I'm shooting a beautiful young lady tonight, then we can go through this all again.

EDIT:

Lighting critique? I felt like the hot spots accented it well here.

Rossi M68 by Orange Imaging, on Flickr

Little_PB_Newb · 01-18-2012, 09:44 AM

I like the lighting but the subject is getting lost in your background, try putting it on something lighter to create more contrast so the gun draws the eye more.

pbjunkiee · 01-18-2012, 04:50 PM

Hey urr one

SID wanted some shots for a new player.... He told me literally 5 mins before he could shoot. I had all my gear in my car, so I grab everything and plugged it in and winged it.

5 minute setup, 5 minute shoot right before the game.

Edited in about 10 mins... Im sitting court side with like 30mins before the game starts...

CC plx.

1

2

3

4

5

chris_arnet · 01-18-2012, 05:04 PM

Too much DOF for my tastes, need subject isolation. #2, #3 are my favorites. I really don't like your background either. The photo has no life in it to me. Really boring.

PaintedSaint · 04-29-2012, 09:56 PM

wow, this is not being used at all..

rip it apart, guys

pbjunkiee · 04-29-2012, 09:59 PM

that light on the far left, the barn looks crooked and star trails could be longer

but if this wasnt the thunderdome, i wouldnt care, awesome shot!

maddermaxx · 04-30-2012, 12:52 AM

The random strobe to the left is distracting. And the barn makes me go wtf.

Maybe if you strobed that entire tree-line it would add to it. Just a thought.

IplayforRelentless · 04-30-2012, 02:26 AM

I think if you got rid of the strobe on the left and on the shed and strobed the barn, it'd look better. Just me, though, diff'rent eyes see diff'rent things.