Critique my photo set from India please.

[jbot]

I am looking for an honest critique of my photos from India. I was in Delhi and Mumbai for 2 weeks and came home with a large number of photos. I have selected 20 photos I feel work well together. These are not "vacation photos," as I went to India with photography in mind. I am an amateur photographer and shoot for no reason other than passion.

I'd love to hear:

1) Which are your favourites/least favourites and why.
2) What you think of the set as a whole.
3) How can I improve?

...as well as anything else constructive you have to offer. Please feel free to be as direct and honest as possible. I'm really trying my best to improve and honest feedback is helpful.

You can view the photos on Flickr.

 

[Nigel Meaby]

Hi Jared. I think for me "Climber" is the stand-out photograph of the twenty, by a distance. The rest are very typical first time/short time in India photo's. It's very easy to take photo's of the children there with their pureness, innocence, captivating faces and curiosity. The senses are also bombarded there and in a short space of time, it's difficult to find your own vision.

Trains, bare feet, children, the style of the women and colours of their clothing have been photographed so many times, it's difficult to find a new way to portray these themes.

What were your reasons for choosing those two major cities over any other parts of India?

 

[jbot]

The senses are also bombarded there and in a short space of time, it's difficult to find your own vision.

I definitely agree. It was very overwhelming. I plan to spend more time there in the future. I feel like I could spend a year there and not even touch the surface.

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[kmallick]

I am surprised that nobody has commented yet. I thoroughly enjoyed your entire set - not just for the uniqueness (I am originally from India) but for the interesting angles and the viewpoints on people in general. I am curious to know what camera or lens you used (not that it matters). Its hard to point out any particular picture I really liked, because I liked the change in viewing angles across the set. I am sure you had a great experience shooting these.

 

[Araakii]

Favorites: Climber, Flies, Fast and Bombay trains. I see that you have a stronger sense and style in shots that don't really show the faces.

I like the set as a whole. For a 2 week travel, it's a decent amount of output.

For the shots that show faces, maybe slow down and think about the moment a little more, rather than just grabbing a shot in front of them.

 

[daveleo]

In general I think it is a very nice set of pictures.

I am not going to pick favorites or comment on details of this or that (cropping, etc etc) , but I feel that your photos in this set are *extremely* nice compositions.

 

[anerjee]

I liked the set a lot too.

Personally, I'd prefer to see all the pics in color or all in b&w.

 

[jbot]

I am curious to know what camera or lens you used (not that it matters).

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I used a Panasonic Lumix GF2 w/ a 20mm f/1.7 lens. I really enjoy that setup and it fits in my pocket, so it's nice for shooting street.

I see that you have a stronger sense and style in shots that don't really show the faces.

For the shots that show faces, maybe slow down and think about the moment a little more, rather than just grabbing a shot in front of them.

Wow, thanks for pointing that out. I think you're right. I think when I shoot faces I rush the shots. I guess it's a subconscious fear of losing the photo. Thanks for this feedback, I will definitely be keeping this in mind when I shoot in the future.

I feel that your photos in this set are *extremely* nice compositions.

Thank you very much!

I liked the set a lot too.

Personally, I'd prefer to see all the pics in color or all in b&w.

I did actually consider doing that as I think it's a bit tacky to have both colour and B&W in the same set. Not sure why I mixed them. You have a good point. Thanks.

 

[Thardy]

I liked Brother as well as some of the others. I think I liked the way the kids were dressed but still playing as kids do. It is different than the way the other kids are in that set are depicted.

 

[umcelinho]

really liked the set overall. straw, rickshaw and climber were my fav. flies is good too, eerie.. i've never been to india so i cannot comment on how common all these scenes are, to talk about originality, but even so i think you captured them well.

 

[jippiejee]

I liked your set a lot, they brought back memories of when I was there long time ago, and even when most of those photos were what one would expect to find when just walking around: kids smiling and playing, it still felt consistent and with enough variation in perspective and composition. Spending more time in India next time will probably bring a little more depth, but then, India is not disclosing itself in one visit. 'Climber' is probably photographically the most interesting shot, but they were all fun to go through.

 

[astro8]

I like the whole set...nice work.

Climber is interesting, but for me, Brother is by far your best shot.

 

[jbot]

I liked your set a lot, they brought back memories of when I was there long time ago, and even when most of those photos were what one would expect to find when just walking around: kids smiling and playing, it still felt consistent and with enough variation in perspective and composition.

I think your right. I would love to spend a lot of time there and really challenge myself to take unique and meaningful shots. Thanks for writing feedback for me!

I like the whole set...nice work.

Climber is interesting, but for me, Brother is by far your best shot.

Thankyou!

 

[mdarnton]

Overall, I liked them. I wish there were some longer shots with more in them, just for context and I could do with fewer children doing nothing but staring at the camera, but the overall level and variety is good.

 

[shadowfox]

"Stroll", "Street Cricket", and "Climber" are my favorites.
The shadow play in each are very good.

 

[anjoca76]

Any specific comments I have would be purely nit-picky. I thought it was a terrific series overall. Nicely done. I would be happy to have shot any one of those images. I especially love the color ones.

 

[jbot]

Overall, I liked them. I wish there were some longer shots with more in them, just for context and I could do with fewer children doing nothing but staring at the camera, but the overall level and variety is good.

Good point, I did focus on children a lot. Probably more than I should have. I think that was probably a bit of a cop out since children in india are so easy to photograph. Cheers.

"Stroll", "Street Cricket", and "Climber" are my favorites.
The shadow play in each are very good.

Thanks!

Any specific comments I have would be purely nit-picky. I thought it was a terrific series overall. Nicely done. I would be happy to have shot any one of those images. I especially love the color ones.

Wow. This is a high compliment. Thank you so much.