Mali street photography project

[fqd3]

Hi guys,

I have been working on this project for years and I have trouble editing. I don't know any serious photographer and I haven't posted any picture on internet for years. Put it simply, I have no idea of the value of this work and if it is worth putting more energy in it. I feel that I’m too close to it to have an appropriate perspective.

Here is the link to the project: https://fqd333.wixsite.com/fqdumont

I would appreciate honest opinion and advice.
I’m aware that the contrast is too high is some of the pictures. This is due to my poor skills in scanning from prints and the low quality of the scanner. If I end-up continuing working on this project, I would have the prints scanned by a professional.

Thank you very much for your support
François

 

[retinax]

Great photographs! Visceral and poetic, and I get in impression of a special mixture of tradition and modernity. After my brief look, I don't understand the order and organization in chapters. And as a lot of the pictures make me curious who and what exactly I'm looking at, I'd like some text to accompany the pictures. The picture of a young mother, or older sister, with child on her back seems like a mere cliché, unless it fulfills a function I don't get, maybe leave it out. There a few more that seem more of touristic interest, like the person playing a stringed instrument and the slaughter of the goat. I'd like to encourage you the think more about whether you want to make a book of all the impressions you had there, or of a specific topic. I think the latter is actually easier to do well.

 

[fqd3]

Great photographs! Visceral and poetic, and I get in impression of a special mixture of tradition and modernity. After my brief look, I don't understand the order and organization in chapters. And as a lot of the pictures make me curious who and what exactly I'm looking at, I'd like some text to accompany the pictures. The picture of a young mother, or older sister, with child on her back seems like a mere cliché, unless it fulfills a function I don't get, maybe leave it out. There a few more that seem more of touristic interest, like the person playing a stringed instrument and the slaughter of the goat. I'd like to encourage you the think more about whether you want to make a book of all the impressions you had there, or of a specific topic. I think the latter is actually easier to do well.

Thank you retinax for the feedback. It is much appreciated. You have very good points. I would like to convey and ambiance/impression rather than a narrative/subject. These pictures were taken during a conflict but are not about it. It is rather about the heaviness of the ordinary life when it is getting harder in many small ways and there is no clear future in sight : calm dejection, resignation, but also small and hidden hope. I guess that may be too ambitious. It is unclear it convey this. After looking it again, it's true that the girl with the baby is a cliché. I will remove it. Thank you again

 

[Out to Lunch]

My two cents: provide context. Why were you there and what compelled you to take these pictures. If this series was taken during 'a conflict', the visuals don't match your description. They could have been taken at any time.

Film, digital... no one cares.

Cheers, OtL

 

[jarski]

Link don’t seem to work on iPhone. Blank page without images

 

[Freakscene]

Link don’t seem to work on iPhone. Blank page without images

Click on ‘the book’ and select the sections. I had the same problem at first on ios on an iPad.

This would be my strongest suggestion to the original poster - make your website more up front and clearer. When you open it you should see an image.

The photos are fantastic, from a place we don’t see very often in the rest if the world. Keep at it, and do, as mentioned here, provide some context.

Marty

 

[JoeV]

I think it’s important to sequence the images properly in order to tell a narrative. Eliminate redundant images that don’t speak to that narrative, then order the remainder in such a way to enhance the story.

Also, if this is going to be a book, if images are facing each other from opposing pages they should work together, or provide contrast and counterpoint.

Learning to sequence an assortment of images into a cohesive work is an entirely different skill from creating those images in-camera, but essential to the success of a book. Good luck.

PS: I’d recommend you check out the blog and YouTube channel of Daniel Milnor, for excellent advice on sequencing images into a book project.

 

[mrtoml]

I second the Daniel Milnor recommendation.