Critique and advice...

[Fedzilla_Bob]

I am going to be a little brave and ask if any of the members of RFF are willing to review and critique my photos. I joined the forum back in January and learned a lot about cameras in general and more specifics regarding rangefinder cameras.

Now I want to start moving forward in my photography.

I have been a graphic designer since 1978 and I am now a Senior Web designer at a corporation here. I think some of the sensibilities I have developed as a designer help me. But, I also think I need your eyes and minds so that I can begin to "see" photographic opportunities more readily.

So, if you will, have at my gallery. I am anxious to hear your criticism, commentary and advise.

 

[mac_wt]

Bob,

I added some comments. I hope you really don't mind getting critique from someone with a lot less experience in the graphic arts and no proof he can do better... I find it difficult to give critique on this forum as the general tone is so nice an forgiving.

Wim

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Its OK, I put myself out there. Remember I am a graphic designer not a photographer. Part of my training as a designer was in taking and giving critisism. We had monthly "crit" sessions as a matter of course.

Thank you for taking the time.

Sincerely- Bob

 

[Kris]

Just a worthless 2 cents: be very critical to your own work. Choose only the best one picture out of a series, e.g. your vehicle or ferris wheel shots. If you get only 1 shot worth keeping out of 3 rolls of film, so be it.

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Thanks Kris- I do need to cull quite a few.

Your 2 cents proves valuable.

 

[wlewisiii]

The other possiblity that I've found of use is to pick a topic to concentrate on. My topic at present is barns and so I can concentrate on trying to learn how to present that topic best. Your ferris wheel images are quite good and make a good start - perhaps a longer series just on the wheels or on the midway in general might give your work a focus?

HTH,

William

 

[Bertram2]

Now I want to start moving forward in my photography.

I.

The only advice I would dare to give you is: Try to find out what makes those photos better which you would rate higher than your own photos.
That's hard, difficult and takes a lot of time but it's better than taking lessons from any "teacher".
Watch pics and try to find out why you like them, check the light first of all which the photographer has chosen, , tonality, grain, DOF , the composition , consisting of tonal contrasts, formal contrasts, chosen POV, perspective."All is nothing without the right standpoint" said AA.
If you have "learned" the light and the choice of standpoint then a big step forward is done. Technically. "Art" comes later .. 🙂)

It helps reading some books but you cannot learn photograpy by reading.

And study your own results too, carefully. Best is a little book to record stop and time for each frame.
And don't think about new gear, concentrate on one focal length , 35 or 50. This will help too.
And be patient with yorself !
Best,
Bertram

 

[captainslack]

Well, from a pure "geek" standpoint, I'll say you have the coolest avatar on this forum. 😀

 

[FrankS]

Kris' suggestion about editing you pics before showing them is very good. Bertram's advice on how to improve is right on. No one can actually teach you photography beyond the basic stuff that you can read in books. They might be able to influence you into taking pictures that look more like theirs, but no one can help you develop your style besides you. Photography is a solitary journey. There are no others on your road. They are all on their own roads (unless they are immitating someone.) There are lots of friends and fellow travellers on the way to sit in bars and coffeehouses to talk with, but each can only speak about their own journey. Their directions would be usless to you.

 

[Bertram2]

Well, from a pure "geek" standpoint, I'll say you have the coolest avatar on this forum. 😀

Not knowing what a "geek" is I agree anyway . A bit over the limit of correct behaviour but that's what I am too. :angel:
Best,
Bertram

 

[Bertram2]

. No one can actually teach you photography beyond the basic stuff that you can read in books. They might be able to influence you into taking pictures that look more like theirs,.

Very important , Frank , I agree ! At this point I wasn't clear enugff I think. Learning from other's work does not mean to imitate their style! Then all the self-teaching efforts lead to nowhere land.
Best, Bertram

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Frankly I think Bertram's avatar is pretty nice 😀.

Thank you for all for the comments. I have begun culling my images based on duplicates, near misses, and the uninteresting shots.

I would love to get more carnival images, that will take more time. The carnival that the ferris wheel came from is in my neighborhood twice a year. If I see more of them I will capture photographs from those. I carry one of my cameras with me everywhere.

The cars and motorcycles are an easy favorite. Southern California is filled with automotive picture opportunities.

I do want to spend more time gathering images of people which I think is the more difficult path. Shooting friends and family is sometimes a chore because they either hate sameras or they start "mugging." Which is a shame because my family is now very diverse and filled with wonderful faces- young and old. I have a few of my family back in Washington, DC. Those were easy to get because of my brother, who is a professional photographer and never missed an opportunity to take pictures. So Mom, and all the others there are used to cameras.

Strangers on the street aren't as hard. Some situations require permission. We will see how that works for me.

I enjoy hearing the various points of view. I don't think I will imitate. I do think I will "synthesize" or take what I read see and learn here and make it my own.

I do try to think of some of my favorites while I am out foraging for images-
Steiglitz
Milt Hinton (a Jazz Bass player who took tons of photos of his contemporaries)
Man Ray (yeah I know - insane)
Charles Schiele (a photographer and painter) (I have to find my book about him. I think I have spelled his name wrong)

Thank you much guys.