Need some critique on my project

[Sylvester]

Hi everyone
I want to show you my project about Costco.
What do you think of it? What's missing? It's not finished yet, I think. I need to shoot more.
I just want some honest and constructive feedback.
http://mistersylvestre.com/costco

Thanks a lot,
Olivier

 

[furbs]

Quite a few more backs of people and out-of-focus people than I'm comfortable with. I have seen these things done artfully but here they feel random and distracting. Also I'm left feeling like these photos don't really express your opinion about the subject matter, but simply state "these things exist". I think your project would benefit from more selective editing and spending more time on creating unique compositions when shooting.

 

[aad]

It feels like you were afraid to be seen. Faces were blurred, feet and groceries were clear.

 

[Sylvester]

Quite a few more backs of people and out-of-focus people than I'm comfortable with. I have seen these things done artfully but here they feel random and distracting. Also I'm left feeling like these photos don't really express your opinion about the subject matter, but simply state "these things exist". I think your project would benefit from more selective editing and spending more time on creating unique compositions when shooting.

It feels like you were afraid to be seen. Faces were blurred, feet and groceries were clear.

You both are exactly right. Thank you. I'll do my best making this project better!

 

[froyd]

It feels like you were afraid to be seen. Faces were blurred, feet and groceries were clear.

In the US you cannot photograph inside Costco. That probably explains the low angles, blurry shots, and less than careful framing in some images.

However, furbs is right and the OP should definitely eliminate the weaker shots (e.g. child in front of videogame cards). One of the better picture was that of the fish packages, because it was frames well and exposed correctly. However, thematically, it did not work for me because it looked too much like a product shot, not part of a reportage.

One of my favorites was the one with the two workers in the refrigeration/butcher room (hard to refer to the images since they are not numbered or titled).

If you want to do this properly I would suggest trying to get permission to photograph from the store manager. Or at least shoot openly until somebody forcefully removes you from the store 😱.

You should also consider pictures of the parking lot, the checkout, the receipt-checkers at the exit, and the workers' break room. If you drive around the back, you'll also see the docks where the merchandise is received.

 

[daves]

Personally, and I don't mean this to sound rude, I would recommend that you scrap this project completely and find another subject that you can develop your skills on.
This one appears to be doing the opposite and actively *making* you make mistakes. The composition is very clumsy. As for the lack of focus, I actually love blur but this this techique only really works in a setting where something is really happening. Garry Knight is a great example of someone who uses it brilliantly. I can't imagine him ever using it in a supermarket, though.
Also, it's difficult to get right, and definitely not a shortcut to artsiness. If you want your photography to get better, I'd concentrate on trying to consistently make sharp (in every sense) insightful images that stick to the rules. When you've mastered this, then you can start to think about getting clever and breaking the rules.
Most importantly, think exactly what you're trying to say here. I don't get any sense of commentary or message from this set. It's obvious that you want to make good pictures and the best way to do that is to shoot things that you actually care about. I don't think you're really very interested in this at all and it shows.

 

[Ansel]

I would say try and get a lot more depth of field and create depth interest in your images by composition instead. Think about what story you are trying to tell.