lynnb
Veteran
thanks Frank and nightfly, this is helpful
Brutally honest critique thread
- Thread starter FrankS
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Replies 509
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nightfly
Well-known
As I've been shooting my mouth off, I'd like to offer one up as well:
gb hill
Veteran
I'm certainly no expert at critiques but I like this. Perfectly composed to my eye. I'm going to enjoy this thread because it will help me to see what you all see.I would appreciate some direct feedback on this street photo taken at Sydney's Central Station. What got my attention was the contrast between the old ladies who were being sociable face to face, and the young woman alone and isolated on the other side of the bench making contact on her mobile phone.
FrankS
Registered User
As I've been shooting my mouth off, I'd like to offer one up as well:
Other than the angled light and lens flare, I see absolutely nothing of interest here. Just a random snap. Feet are cut off too. This would not be a keeper for me. At least the people aren't walking away so that only their backs are visible.
dpetrzelka
Well-known
A four photo collection - Barriers
Would appreciate hearing your thoughts on these as a group, of if you prefer to repsond to any individual.
Would appreciate hearing your thoughts on these as a group, of if you prefer to repsond to any individual.
nightfly
Well-known
Thanks Frank. I'm inclined to agree.
I was taken in by the color, the flare and the look on the woman's face but I can see that it's not enough to carry the photo. I feel like it's too centered and there isn't enough going on in the rest of the frame.
I was taken in by the color, the flare and the look on the woman's face but I can see that it's not enough to carry the photo. I feel like it's too centered and there isn't enough going on in the rest of the frame.
daveleo
what?
Well, I dished it out. Let's see if I can take it.
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In addition to your photo critique, I would appreciate your emotional reaction (not as a teacher/critic) to this one. Thanks.
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In addition to your photo critique, I would appreciate your emotional reaction (not as a teacher/critic) to this one. Thanks.
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FrankS
Registered User
Dave, its a humorous photo, the lenses mimicking eyes. Not sharp. Distracting background. No shadow detail.
FrankS
Registered User
A four photo collection - Barriers
Would appreciate hearing your thoughts on these as a group, of if you prefer to repsond to any individual.
Liked the first one. Feels ominous. Reminded me of orwell's 1984. Second one is okay but light objects at top of frame distract. Last 2 are unremarkable, with only the sun diffraction through the fence having an interest in the lat one.
OurManInTangier
An Undesirable
I wonder if this thread may need some agreement on postings before we end up inundated with images rather than critiques. There's a danger that before an image gets a suitable and in depth review it will be lost among the following images....not sure what anyone else may think?
dpetrzelka
Well-known
I'd be happy to start a separate thread with my images - as I see it can get crowded with photo posts, and light on in-depth critique
Ranchu
Veteran
I quite like this photo, I would call it a 'keeper'. The light and colors are fantastic, and I think the centeredness works because the picture is bisected between warm light and blue shade. The person isn't doing a lot, but I like the dual figures blending into each other. It makes the ostensible subject more visually interesting. In all, I like the visual tensions.
daveleo
what?
Is it possible to open a "critic's room" in the RFF gallery area here?
A "Post at your own risk" kind of room. "Not for the faint of heart". etc etc
A "Post at your own risk" kind of room. "Not for the faint of heart". etc etc
OurManInTangier
An Undesirable
I would appreciate some direct feedback on this street photo taken at Sydney's Central Station. What got my attention was the contrast between the old ladies who were being sociable face to face, and the young woman alone and isolated on the other side of the bench making contact on her mobile phone.
My main concern is the angle you chose to approach the subject. I understand you wanted to get both the older ladies and the younger woman on her phone but I can't help thinking that with all those grey heads bobbing back and forth towards each other you could have got your point across by standing in front of the younger woman to ensure the phone was in shot and have the gossiping heads behind. Maybe even having the older ladies in the foreground and waiting/positioning until the younger woman and her phone could be seen through a gap in the heads of the ladies or off to one side as she appears to be currently. From the angle that my last suggestion would have given you'd also have made more of the similar body shapes e.g. hands clasped over handbags, legs crossed in the same direction ( again a case of seeing possibilities, working the scene and hoping your luck holds out until you feel you've really got what you wanted.)
Already we seem to be seeing how important it can be to investigate as many aspects of a scene as we have time to do
OurManInTangier
An Undesirable
On a tablet in bed so not the best medium to truly join in! Hopefully I'll have time to post something of mine at some point tomorrow or over the weekend.
Could be a really interesting and illuminating thread if we can ensure each image has enough time to receive the time/posts to get the feedback they should.
Could be a really interesting and illuminating thread if we can ensure each image has enough time to receive the time/posts to get the feedback they should.
Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
Frank, I agree that strong criticism is good. Problem is that everyone has their own notion of what makes a good photograph. These preferences vary WIDELY. I think its especially tough to get input that's going to be important to you from such a wide audience that exists on the web. Finding the critical advice you desire/need could be like looking for needle in a haystack. Personally, I prefer showing my photographs to fellow photographers/artists in person where I have a good understanding of their interests and skills, and they mine. I find this in-person back-and-forth critique gives me more useful ideas to move forward with.
FrankS
Registered User
We could agree not to submit a new picture for critique until the maker of the current pic being critiqued, says, "Next."
Or anyone wanting a "brutally honest critique" (TM) can start their own thread with such a heading in this gallery critique sub forum.
The vital part is brutal honesty and no butthurt.
Hi Jamie, no doubt that face to face with a selected fellow photographer is best, but not everyone has that luxury/opportunity.
Or anyone wanting a "brutally honest critique" (TM) can start their own thread with such a heading in this gallery critique sub forum.
The vital part is brutal honesty and no butthurt.
Hi Jamie, no doubt that face to face with a selected fellow photographer is best, but not everyone has that luxury/opportunity.
Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
And one more thing, Frank. I suspect you'll get a much different response to this photo if it was shown other images that put it in context. As a stand-alone image it might seem powerful, but if seen with a series about the man's work or neighborhood or life condition, would evoke much different feelings.
Ranchu
Veteran
I'll start the wiki!
😛
😛
CMur12
Veteran
As I've been shooting my mouth off, I'd like to offer one up as well:
I don't find much of interest here, contentwise, other than the expression on the woman's face. I do like the color and the directional light, however.
I find that in a lot of B&W city photographs, it is so busy that it is hard to distinguish compositional elements that are reduced to shades of gray. Color helps in this regard, and the colors in this scene are pleasing.
- Murray
