critique for hire?

The reason why art school is great is because you can get lots of crit from many different people, all of them practicing artists, all of them "professional critters", but you are not paying any of them directly. Not everything that gets said is 100% accurate, but it's difficult to find this level of honesty elsewhere.
 
ampguy said:
Hi Joe, the expression on the coffee server's face is good. But the whole left third of the photo - what's with that? could you blur it out with a faster lens, or maybe pan the camera to the right a bit?
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i understand that isolating the primary subject can make for a more impactful image but then you risk losing the feel of the environment.
 
sonofdanang said:
For me, the interaction with others (mentorship, studies, critiques, etc...) was always about getting more out of my work. Not finding out what other people thought, per se, of my work. There is a subtle difference but profound in the effect it has on one's output. Essentially, through their agency, you will find out not only what you think of your work, but how to reflect your thinking more clearly in your work.

For instance, if you look at Josef Albers' book Interaction of Color, you'll find that he drives you to determine your own color awareness through research and exercise/experiment. He doesn't impose his (or anyone else's) color sense. You have to develop your own. It is one of the reasons he was so respected at Yale. Now Joe, I know that you work in B&W but the point is clear.

I've only encountered ego-weirdness in the company of small-time photo editors or other forms of gate-keepers who thought that they could do the work themselves, if only they had time. Not everybody is altruistic, just as not everyone is an insecure jerk striving to diminish you in an effort to gain some self-perceived stature. But you do have to choose your mentors carefully.
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...how to reflect your thinking more clearly in your work...

that strikes a chord...
 
Toronto has everything:

http://scotiabankcontactphoto.com/portfolio-reviews

Don't forget artist run galleries and other co-op organizations. I'm a member of Gallery 44. Here's the latest program available to members:

"Folio Forum Launch!

Gallery 44 is proud to launch Folio Forum, a bi-monthly portfolio review group for members. This new initiative gives members, both emerging and established, the opportunity to discuss their work in a casual environment with members and a guest artist or curator. Each session is limited to 5 members. Each member will present a body of work, completed or in progress, and be given 20 minutes of discussion with the group. A moderator from the Membership Committee is also present to ensure time is kept and discussion is constructive and flowing. Work can be presented in its physical form or as digital images. Members will be required to come prepared with statements and questions about their work."
 
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ampguy said:
Hi Joe, the expression on the coffee server's face is good. But the whole left third of the photo - what's with that? could you blur it out with a faster lens, or maybe pan the camera to the right a bit?
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Steve Bellayr said:
It is a good photograph. You are a competent photographer, which means that you approach the subject honestly without preconceived notions and present the information accurately. If you look for a service or person to review your images you will run into problems. The first being digital v. film but most importantly what style is that photographer working in and is it commensurate with your style.? (For example: I found the movie Avatar unwatchable but American Psycho brilliant. Which film style would you send to me for a review?) My personal recommendation is keep posting your work accept the comments but realize that you are the ultimate judge of your own work or you could use Keith.
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back alley said:
i understand that isolating the primary subject can make for a more impactful image but then you risk losing the feel of the environment.
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You are correct Joe, which leads me to the question of what do you like about the photo?

Obviously some are uncomfortable with putting a photo in context, or at least your way of doing it. I recognized what you were doing, but thought a different angle might have kept the vendor context without putting him in larger vendor area. Of course, that may have been exactly what you were after.

In a series, cropping to the left of the vendor would be more powerful, but that doesn't invalidate what you photo express. And might leave us with more questions.

Don't be surprised when others don't share your idea of what is a good photo. I have had that happen a lot. I think it has to do with we photographers knowing what we have invested in a photo, both technically and emotionally.

Most people are effected by a photo at a visceral level only. It either pushes a button or not. As photographers we look for other things. Maybe we should listen some to those others' visceral reactions? But who do you most like to please Joe, others, or yourself?

It really sounds like you are just in a bit of a funk. I get that from not being able to photograph as much as I would like. Hopefully it will pass sooner than later.
 
www.stellakramer.com

She does portfolio reviews.

I took a "how to get started." type class. And she was the instructor. The class was helpful. It confirmed that I was doing all the right things to get noticed and provided a few extra helpful tips. I knew nothing about her prior to that but she does individual reviews and is often a judge at group reviews and for photo contests.

Honestly I don't understand paying for such a service. Everyone on the forum thinks I suck but I make a living walking around taking pictures for the largest paper in the country. My editors usually run photos I think are horrible and an ashamed of. In college I was the TA of introductory and advanced photo classes and I was pretty harsh to some students. It took awhile for me to realize we all begin at different levels and a good or bad picture isn't black or white. It's very subjective and highly dependent on the audience. My favorite analogy is describing it like music. You may not like Celine Dione. But you have to admit it takes a degree of knowledge and talent to sing and compose music. And ever music artist has their audience and a group that thinks they suck. It's the same for photography.
 
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back alley said:
am i the only one out there that wonders what others think of their work?

i mean, down deep, honestly...
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joe, I wonder all the time. I post images fairly frequently at Nelsonfoto and find the commentary that I get there is what keeps me going and growing. Part of that is how small the active community there is, though. I also got much more of that here when RFF was much smaller a long time ago.

I have my picasaweb site too. I get a comment once or twice a year :bang:

I know my skill set has grown and I feel like I have a look that is slowly becoming my own. But as you ask, I wonder if anyone else likes it too.

William
 
Joe, taking a photo class wouldn't be a bad thing. Get re-energize and get exposed to other ideas and thoughts about photography. Better yet, is there a local photographer or a photographer nearby whose work you like? Even in another city that you can drive to? Give that person a call. Ask to take him or her for coffee and to give you feedback on your work. You'd be surprise that they would actually agree. Paid critiques are just not worth it.

I post to both pBase and Flickr. Two totally different crowds. While I might get a lot of feedback posting an image to one and no comments on the same image at the other. If there is reason for you make images, then do so. Follow your gut. Look at Vivian Maier, who has been discussed here and elsewhere on the internet. She pursued her vision almost anonymously.
 
I read what others write here with interest. However, most of the reviews seem to be done with purpose. Ie: what you have to do for me to represent you. If you are not interested in being represented then clearly that type of review is not useful. So ... perhaps in order to help more you need to say what you want to do with your photography?
 
Like others said, attending an art course would be a good idea, better than paying for a critique IMHO.

It will help you understand the "meta issues" of photography: why are you doing it? What's the point? What goal do you hope to accomplish?

Having a specific goal will help a lot. It will provide a sort of framework to enable you to critique your own work.
 
back alley said:
doh!!


.
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Sorry :eek: dyslexic!

As I see it in a studio environment critique is easy, people know the key-words interact on a regular basis so little or no offence is taken or intended usually. It's easy to communicate because you're all talking the same language and it's the work that's being analysed not everybody's egos

Here, on the interweb it's not possible to recreate those conditions, all you'll get is opinions, the odd person who try to offer an analysis of the actual image will simply be drowned out by the "great capture" and "I don't know much about art, but I know what I like" brigade
 
ampguy said:
What are the odds that some genius in Santa Fe is going to be better at selecting "my best images" over the collective wisdom of the average of flickr viewers?
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The odds of that are quite good. I wouldn't count too much on "the collective wisdom of the average of flickr viewers".
 
Ι think there's obviously a gap between what is popular and what is actually good. I dont think there's anything wrong with pursuing either of the two, but you have to decide which one you're after because they are often opposites. If you want pop, just pimp you work on flickr and pretty soon you'll be able to gauge the reactions.

If you want good, then it gets a bit more complicated. Not all people really understand photography, you can see it when succesful artists are discussed online. Also, understanding it is one talent, explaining it in terms that actually make sense is whole different talent, it requires charisma. Taking about art is a little bit like writing poetry.

Personally I have great respect for people who have what it takes to give proper feedback (I know I'm not one of them) and I would gladly pay for it if I didnt know where to find it for free. If you dont want to pay, peer review is your best bet, get organised with people who are good at what you want to do. The internet is awesome :)
 
not much around here for advanced photo courses. lots of landscape photography...too many pretty pictures.
i used to teach photo basics years ago for the city.

i need to look around more.

i used to belong to a writers group where we met and discussed our latest poems. that was a great group as they were all much better writers than me. i learned lots and had a great time too.

but afa photographing goes...not many folks around here are into what i do or like or try to do. in fact, while i like much of what they produce - what i like to shoot is miles away from their stuff. i like the busy, full of side information images.
 
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