Critique of Sorts - Need help with set of photos for a fellowship application

[emraphoto]

i agree that v4 is stronger than previous offerings.

 

[emraphoto]

"This always good advice. Apply for this grant, and the next one, and the next one.

Working to show always makes your work better."

that's the mantra!

 

[shadowfox]

Gabriel, you are one of my favorite photographers in RFF. I have always liked your images, whenever you chimed in a discussion, I am waiting for you to post some images.

I am not a critic by any means, so I'll just write my impressions.

The good, I think you have an eye for beauty, to me, your signature is atmospheric (strong, wide composition) shots with a single woman in it. Almost all of your pictures that I like has a woman in it, not as the centerfold, but on a side, a face, a figure, something, but it adds so much to the picture.

Think "classy" (as in the exact opposite of vulgar or erotic). IMHO, your portfolio should take advantage of this (it does already, but could be more so).

Edgy and artsy may win a critic's mind, but beauty will win his/her heart also... maybe.

The bad, I tend to agree with Fred's comment about your portfolio shows that you're more of a spectator standing on the side. But please balance this with my comment about "the good" above.

As for the slideshows, I think no.2 and 4 are better than no.1 and 3.

No.3 has a lot of strong pictures in it, but it's not strong enough as a set. Too many shots at eye-level, me think.

Thanks for the opportunity to chime in, good luck with the grant.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

OK, I made a few more (well, five more) sets. This is exhausting. My main problem isn't the theme itself at this point, it's keeping a thorough consistency in look when it comes to B&W + Color.

I have thought that I could just turn to B&W those that would be color in a mostly-B&W set, but then the visual impact of the photo, I'm afraid, may be compromised.

I've been wrestling with this for over a month (getting a small, congruent set). Like I said before, there are aspects which make sense to me but to others it's just disparate, so narrowing a theme down to simple, no-need-to-explain relationships is quite the task.

RE: the female-coffeeshop shots; I'm reluctant to narrow it down to that; it's very simplistic and it's only one facet of what those shots really are; but I'll gave that a go...later.

So, here are a few more. The last one is a mix of B&W and color.



V5:

V5 Set
V5 set Slideshow


V6:

V6 Set
V6 set Slideshow



V7:

V7 Set
V7 set Slideshow


V8:

V8 Set
V8 set Slideshow


V9:

V9 Set
V9 set Slideshow



I also need to reiterate two things:

- This is a mental/discipline exercise; I do not mean to get a set from anybody here. I just need a bit of "Marco / Polo!" so I can go on in my right direction

- I really appreciate your engagement. All constructive criticism/comments are and have been welcome. Thank you.


Oh, and also, btw, there have been a few shots in a set which I meant and thought I had deleted, but it didn't "take".

I'm going to get rid of the first two later today. Looking at them again, they indeed are a trainwreck.

 

[Sparrow]

All images Copyright of Gabriel M A 2009

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Stewart: I've picked most of those photos at some point for a given set, but once I edit and clean up, they end up being removed.

I could make a whole series with the type of shot for the last photo, but I find it (no pun intended) flat and static as a group.

The staircase shot really stands by itself, but it's dissonant with any other set I've tried. I've tried lines (architecturally-speaking) + women, but I always end up short. Although...I should I just thought of something, I'll try something.

Off to make another batch of coffee...

 

[emraphoto]

"is the photographer able to organize, pursue and finish a cohesive project?"

the number one, most consistent criterium i encounter. don't forget...

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

"is the photographer able to organize, pursue and finish a cohesive project?"

the number one, most consistent criterium i encounter. don't forget...

That's the thing: I know I can. That lingers heavy on my head. It's balancing strength of images within a set. I've considered the ability to not box myself in within a single idea/subject as a strength. I should add to the roster the ability to switch gears at will without giving the impression of lacking focus.

As I've said before, I find that a narrow focus is limiting in a monotone sort of way. But doing 200 lbs. weights doesn't help you catching flies with chopsticks. I'd like to show both at the same time; that's what's bothering me.

Thank you for whispering me back on track.

 

[Sparrow]

I tried to run a vague “arts” theme through it, the Flat-Man was just the finale, the blast of cold air as one leaves the theatre

I couldn’t leave the Woman on the Stairs out too strong, and I was hoping the handrail looked enough like a musical stave to tie it in

PS sadly the best stuff often wont fit in

PPS v.5 scans very nicely