Constructive Criticism

Marvins Scope · Oct 13, 2019

Hello everyone,

I was writing to get some advice on advancing my photography career. I have started out doing freelance photography specifically networking events, headshots, family and individuals; however I am wanting to number one create a steady stream of clients and two how to market myself to do so. I would really appreciate any insight as to how you have done this. I would also like some criticism, and suggestions on if I should submit my photos or not.

MDonald · Oct 13, 2019

Those photographs are really great. Do you need to make all of your income from photography all at once?

If you could sidle into it it would be easier. Much easier

I don’t know where you are or your local market. Message me if you want advice (I’m not selling anything, I’ve just been around for a while)

Do good

PhotoTeach2 · Oct 13, 2019

Marvins Scope said:
Hello everyone,

I was writing to get some advice on advancing my photography career. I have started out doing freelance photography specifically networking events, headshots, family and individuals; however I am wanting to number one create a steady stream of clients and two how to market myself to do so. I would really appreciate any insight as to how you have done this. I would also like some criticism, and suggestions on if I should submit my photos or not.

Your first problem is too much headroom (on top), especially the second photo. Move camera angle down to just "barely" include the backboard, and you would automatically have more of the lady below.

In the first photo, you really do need the "ball", and ALL the arms. Otherwise you are telling an incomplete/confusing message.

techjedi · Oct 14, 2019

Marvins Scope said:
Hello everyone,

I was writing to get some advice on advancing my photography career. I have started out doing freelance photography specifically networking events, headshots, family and individuals; however I am wanting to number one create a steady stream of clients and two how to market myself to do so. I would really appreciate any insight as to how you have done this. I would also like some criticism, and suggestions on if I should submit my photos or not.

I like this photo overall. The model is well suited to the theme and has a good expression. The scene is technically well captured, in focus and generally well exposed. The highlights are a little hot, but not too bad. In the future, have a sun shade could help, but you might also bring down the highlights in post. You shot too narrowly and cut off the arms nearly at the wrists which can lead to the arms seeming too long. If you dont have a wider or uncropped version of this photo, you might experiment with some closer crops, but any crop around a joint is going to have a similar problem. I also think there is too much dead space (sky) at the top of the image. Perhaps going from 4x6 to 4x5 ratio would work. You can always crop to any arbitrary ratio, but if your intention is to print, 4x5 is a logical choice (e.g. 8x10)

Marvins Scope said:

I like the action in the shot and the model has attractive body position. I want to see more of the model in this shot. The crop through the model's left arm is not flattering to the image and there is dead space at the top. That said, sometimes dead space is useful in some print where there would be a magazine article title and paragraph of text overlaying the image. I think its good advice to always shoot a tad wider than you need and crop for the eventual purpose.

Regarding self-promotion, you may want to post int he pro photography forum and do some searches on youtube. Someone on here may have some compact advice, but its a big subject. At the end of the day, having a steady stream of clients is going to require you to have worked with a lot of people so you are getting a lot of referrals and your business is already large enough to advertise your work in enough locations that they are seen by a lot of people. You might see if there is an established photographer in your area that you can assist for a large wedding/event as second camera.

Best wishes on your venture!

--

http://www.instagram.com/foundry412

Jestertheclown · Oct 14, 2019

techjedi said:
techjedi said:

Click to expand...

The crop through the model's left arm is not flattering to the image and there is dead space at the top. That said, sometimes dead space is useful in some print where there would be a magazine article title and paragraph of text overlaying the image.

Good advice.

Another reason for including dead space may simply be that you want to.

I, quite deliberately, disregard all of the so-called rules of composition and all of the twaddle that goes with them and simply compose images as I see fit, including the use of dead space.

I do find though that it's at its most effective if you use lots of it. People will consider a small amount to be a mistake.

"It's good to be . . . . . . . . . Me!"

AcquiredTaste · Oct 14, 2019

Marvins Scope said:
Hello everyone,

I was writing to get some advice on advancing my photography career. I have started out doing freelance photography specifically networking events, headshots, family and individuals; however I am wanting to number one create a steady stream of clients and two how to market myself to do so. I would really appreciate any insight as to how you have done this. I would also like some criticism, and suggestions on if I should submit my photos or not.

If you want to be successful, you need to work on creating images that other people cannot. In what way is your imagery different? In the examples above, I don't see anything that anyone with an iGadget couldn't do. That's not a slam on you, just a statement concerning these specific images.

--
Any opinions I express are my own and do not represent DPReview. I'm just a regular poster unless explicitly stated otherwise in the body of the post.

500px

500px.com

Michael Fryd · Oct 14, 2019

Marvins Scope said:
Hello everyone,

I was writing to get some advice on advancing my photography career. I have started out doing freelance photography specifically networking events, headshots, family and individuals; however I am wanting to number one create a steady stream of clients and two how to market myself to do so. I would really appreciate any insight as to how you have done this. I would also like some criticism, and suggestions on if I should submit my photos or not.

Take a business and marketing course. Your business and marketing skills are more important than your photographic talent when it comes to having a successful business.

Br prepared to spend more time on business and marketing than you do on photography. Running a business is not trivial. Most businesses fail. Photography is particularly challenging as the market is shrinking as more people are moving away from professional photographers to just shooting with smartphones. In addition, the easy availability of high quality equipment means that more people are trying to be photographers. Many mistakenly think that they should grow their business by giving away their service with the hopes of later convincing customers to pay for what they now think they should get for free.

It's isn't easy to compete with "free", even when you are a better photographer. That's why marketing is so important.

If you don't want to spend time on the business aspects, then get a job being a photographer for someone else's business.

Christof21 · Oct 14, 2019

Hello,

Really great pictures !!!

It is among the best pictures I can see on this site.

Because perfection does not exist, it is true that the framing could be slightly better, especially for the first picture and the left arm.

In 2 words: Well Done !

Chris

Sean Locke Photography · Oct 14, 2019

“Your first problem is too much headroom (on top), especially the second photo.”

Incorrect, regarding the second. Excellent composition, aside from slicing the arm in half horizontally.

PhotoTeach2 · Oct 15, 2019

Sean Locke Photography said:
“Your first problem is too much headroom (on top), especially the second photo.”

Incorrect, regarding the second. Excellent composition, aside from slicing the arm in half horizontally.

Rule of "thirds" does not mean to have a full 1/3 of image be a clear-blue sky, at the EXPENSE of CUTTING OFF the MAIN "SUBJECT".

Just simply "angling" the camera down to remove (most of) the sky would include the subject to the "waist", (I suggest about correct for the context of the arm/ball -- that shot does not need legs -- but "waist" up -- yes).

Victor Engel · Oct 15, 2019

PhotoTeach2 said:
Sean Locke Photography said:

“Your first problem is too much headroom (on top), especially the second photo.”

Incorrect, regarding the second. Excellent composition, aside from slicing the arm in half horizontally.

Click to expand...

Rule of "thirds" does not mean to have a full 1/3 of image be a clear-blue sky, at the EXPENSE of CUTTING OFF the MAIN "SUBJECT".

But what is the main subject? Is it the player? Is it the sport? Is it basketball goals? The "correct" composition really depends on what message should be portrayed.

Victor Engel · Oct 15, 2019

techjedi said:
Marvins Scope said:

Hello everyone,

I was writing to get some advice on advancing my photography career. I have started out doing freelance photography specifically networking events, headshots, family and individuals; however I am wanting to number one create a steady stream of clients and two how to market myself to do so. I would really appreciate any insight as to how you have done this. I would also like some criticism, and suggestions on if I should submit my photos or not.

Click to expand...

I like this photo overall. The model is well suited to the theme and has a good expression. The scene is technically well captured, in focus and generally well exposed. The highlights are a little hot, but not too bad. In the future, have a sun shade could help, but you might also bring down the highlights in post. You shot too narrowly and cut off the arms nearly at the wrists which can lead to the arms seeming too long. If you dont have a wider or uncropped version of this photo, you might experiment with some closer crops, but any crop around a joint is going to have a similar problem. I also think there is too much dead space (sky) at the top of the image. Perhaps going from 4x6 to 4x5 ratio would work. You can always crop to any arbitrary ratio, but if your intention is to print, 4x5 is a logical choice (e.g. 8x10)

techjedi said:

Click to expand...

I like the action in the shot and the model has attractive body position. I want to see more of the model in this shot. The crop through the model's left arm is not flattering to the image and there is dead space at the top. That said, sometimes dead space is useful in some print where there would be a magazine article title and paragraph of text overlaying the image. I think its good advice to always shoot a tad wider than you need and crop for the eventual purpose.

Regarding self-promotion, you may want to post int he pro photography forum and do some searches on youtube.

Ah... That explains it. I was a bit curious why this was posted here - as well as some of the responses. So it looks like this thread started elsewhere and was moved here.

--
Victor Engel

PhotoTeach2 · Oct 15, 2019

Victor Engel said:
PhotoTeach2 said:

Sean Locke Photography said:

“Your first problem is too much headroom (on top), especially the second photo.”

Incorrect, regarding the second. Excellent composition, aside from slicing the arm in half horizontally.

Click to expand...

Rule of "thirds" does not mean to have a full 1/3 of image be a clear-blue sky, at the EXPENSE of CUTTING OFF the MAIN "SUBJECT".

Click to expand...

But what is the main subject? Is it the player? Is it the sport? Is it basketball goals? The "correct" composition really depends on what message should be portrayed.

BAK · Oct 15, 2019

RE: >> I was writing to get some advice on advancing my photography career. <<

Does "photography career" mean earning your living as a professional photographer, putting a roof over your head, eating two or more nutritious meals a day, etc?

I'll check back in a day or two.

I'm helping my grown-up son focus on a career change, and one of the major factors with him is whether he should go to the same factory everyday for the next 40 years or if he should go the a shop half the time and go to job sites half the time.

Go to Youtube and look up Daniel Norton Photographer and watch the videos he has made sitting on his front porch>

BAK

PhotoTeach2 · Oct 15, 2019

techjedi said:
techjedi

techjedi said:

Click to expand...

I like the action in the shot and the model has attractive body position. I want to see more of the model in this shot. The crop through the model's left arm is not flattering to the image and there is dead space at the top. That said, sometimes dead space is useful in some print where there would be a magazine article title and paragraph of text overlaying the image. I think its good advice to always shoot a tad wider than you need and crop for the eventual purpose.

Yes .. this could be a "sellable" shot for "stock" photography if someone needs to add text in the dead space.

techjedi · Oct 15, 2019

Victor Engel said:
techjedi said:

Marvins Scope said:

Hello everyone,

I was writing to get some advice on advancing my photography career. I have started out doing freelance photography specifically networking events, headshots, family and individuals; however I am wanting to number one create a steady stream of clients and two how to market myself to do so. I would really appreciate any insight as to how you have done this. I would also like some criticism, and suggestions on if I should submit my photos or not.

Click to expand...

I like this photo overall. The model is well suited to the theme and has a good expression. The scene is technically well captured, in focus and generally well exposed. The highlights are a little hot, but not too bad. In the future, have a sun shade could help, but you might also bring down the highlights in post. You shot too narrowly and cut off the arms nearly at the wrists which can lead to the arms seeming too long. If you dont have a wider or uncropped version of this photo, you might experiment with some closer crops, but any crop around a joint is going to have a similar problem. I also think there is too much dead space (sky) at the top of the image. Perhaps going from 4x6 to 4x5 ratio would work. You can always crop to any arbitrary ratio, but if your intention is to print, 4x5 is a logical choice (e.g. 8x10)

Victor Engel said:

Click to expand...

I like the action in the shot and the model has attractive body position. I want to see more of the model in this shot. The crop through the model's left arm is not flattering to the image and there is dead space at the top. That said, sometimes dead space is useful in some print where there would be a magazine article title and paragraph of text overlaying the image. I think its good advice to always shoot a tad wider than you need and crop for the eventual purpose.

Regarding self-promotion, you may want to post int he pro photography forum and do some searches on youtube.

Click to expand...

Ah... That explains it. I was a bit curious why this was posted here - as well as some of the responses. So it looks like this thread started elsewhere and was moved here.

Yep, it started in Open Talk if I recall correctly and that is where I replied to it.

--

http://www.instagram.com/foundry412

Victor Engel · Oct 15, 2019

PhotoTeach2 said:
Victor Engel said:

PhotoTeach2 said:

Sean Locke Photography said:

“Your first problem is too much headroom (on top), especially the second photo.”

Incorrect, regarding the second. Excellent composition, aside from slicing the arm in half horizontally.

Click to expand...

Rule of "thirds" does not mean to have a full 1/3 of image be a clear-blue sky, at the EXPENSE of CUTTING OFF the MAIN "SUBJECT".

Click to expand...

But what is the main subject? Is it the player? Is it the sport? Is it basketball goals? The "correct" composition really depends on what message should be portrayed.

Click to expand...

In the context including the first (closer) shot, I suggest it is the player.

Except for the (corner) "peek" of the back-board, (which didnt inc the basket), most may not even identify the "sport".

In fact there was a recent article about some criticism of the new cameras they have installed to shoot runners faces as they position before a "race".

It was actually a rhetorical question. No answer required. The point is that there is more than one potential use for the photo, and appropriate cropping would depend on the intended use.

j_photo · Oct 16, 2019

IMO the unconventional framing is making for interesting images. The light, color, and tonality are also very nice. In the first I am a distracted by the missing hand (subject's right). Second, you really should include the full arm. Overall, good choices to take chances and make something original rather than follow the crowd.

BAK · Oct 16, 2019

1. Can anyone imagine any client paying even $20 for either of these pictures?

2. Does anyone imagine the original poster coming back?

BAK

nipprdog · Oct 17, 2019

BAK said:
1. Can anyone imagine any client paying even $20 for either of these pictures?

BAK

Not #2. When viewed in original size, the image quality is very poor.

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