the first one is my favorite. i like that the focus is on the paint cans. it's got a real artsy feel, like it's the kind of photo that could tell a story, but leave you guessing.
i like the look of the edit on that photo too. it looks like the photo was printed from a damaged/old negative, except what draws my eyes to the paint cans is the clarity in that area, which gives it an interesting look. i like the the focus being more toward the bottom left than in the center, and there's still enough going on up in the top right corner to balance it out nicely.
Take the shots your customer thinks they want and then take all the shots you need to take. Even if they don't want those "non-indie" shots you need them for your portfolio. If you had shown any of these to me and Sarah for our wedding I would have said thank you and moved on.
I don't understand why everyone is so annoyed by the out-of-focus, "artsy" nature of these. They're engagement photos for the couple and their friends and family. They aren't for the general public who don't know the couple to look at, unless it is purely for the picture's sake (that is, this blog). Any person who knows these two can look at this picture and see who it is, then appreciate the art of the picture. Besides, these are 3 great pictures out of 30 more that have faces, where strange stalkers who need to see the faces of engaged couples they don't know can fill their void.
We're not annoyed. Niall is asking what we think of the pictures. I take that to mean, if these were my engagement photos, would I like them. What's the point of asking us what we think if we have to take the viewpoint of this couple and their preferred style. If you showed these pictures in a portfolio to potential clients these are the thoughts that would be silently forming in their heads.
I think my friend is more trying to point out the completely objective nature of these pictures. I understand that the three of you would not want this style of engagement photo and thusly if I were talking to you three about a possible photo session I would decline to even put many of these pictures in to the packet that I would show but instead highlight some more "traditional" photos.
I post these on here so that people have a chance to look. If there's something wrong in my technique or something that you think could have been done a little better, then I would love to hear those things. But obviously the couple didn't want standard and normal engagement photos (as do DROVES of other people nowadays) they wanted something different, something that more fits their style. THEY wanted the graffiti, garbage and railroad tracks. I just fail to see why "I wouldn't want these." or "The train tracks didn't do anything for me." even vaguely resemble constructive criticism.
Where I WILL want this type of criticism is when I post possible combinations of photos to be used in portfolios. THEN it will matter as to the content of the shots because it needs to appeal to a large number of people to potentially garner clients.
And Padfoot, I completely disagree that these aren't "engagementy", visual art is completely subjective and these photos represent the principle as such. To their friends and family, these pictures instantly show two people in love and because they are getting married, are by definition "engagement photos". Besides, who wants boring double white button up shirt matching, on the beach engagement photos nowadays? Answer: a lot of people; and I'll help them shoot them if they want. But that doesn't mean that those uber romantic show off the ring shots are ALL that counts as an engagement photo.
Oh and last thing in response to this: He asked for my opinion. I'm not just going to say, "ZOMG AMAZAZING SKIILS AT PICS YO!"
Sometimes people ARE looking for just a little bit of validation from their friends. There is absolutely nothing wrong with saying, "Hey, I really like these." or "These look really nice, good job." When people post poems, art, photos, ideas, stories, ANYTHING REMOTELY CREATIVE, a perfectly acceptable comment is one that praises what they've done. We long for this acceptance from our friends and loved ones, if I didn't care what you guys thought, or didn't think that anyone would enjoy my photography then I would never post them on this blog. I'm just trying to share a part of my life, just as Paul Wallace is, just as Nathan will when we buy that book, as Andrew does when HE posts pictures, and as you will Paddy when we finally start playing your video games. You can sure believe that the first thing I say will indeed be, "Hey Paddy, I really love what you've created, good job my friend."
I just really thought that needed to be said. Critiques are always welcome, but sometimes they just feel cold, and can invalidate someone's hard work, not saying that anyone here has, but eventually the critique first- enjoy later method will really bum someone out.
If it's subjective like you say then you can't disagree or agree that they aren't engagmenty. Or call any other form of photography "boring".
Look, bottom line is you asked for our opinions. And we gave them to you. We've all stated how we like your photography before. You can't get all worked up about us saying what we feel about this particular set.
As soon as you post something you're getting paid for it will change our response. Post artsy/indie photos of a couple in a cool setting like the tracks and you'll get one type of response. Post engagement photos that you're getting paid for (assuming) and you'll get a very different response. Post "art" and you'll get nice comments and suggestions. Posting "work" causes us to evaluate the pics in a different context.
And I think those of us who have dropped piles of cash on wedding photography have some strong opinions about engagement/wedding photography in general.
Personally (should go with out saying, but since objectivity is involved I thought I should clarify) I think these pictures work as engagement photos but definitely not on a conventional level. The couple taking the photos must have been aware that the photos were going to be non-conventional given the setting.
So... based on these obvious relative aspects the photos are great, I definitely get a picture of who this couple is and their relationship which I think is often purposefully absent from other engagement photos. Good job thinking outside the box with out creating art for arts sake. (unlike P.T. Anderson... freakin' douche).
13 comments:
the first one is my favorite. i like that the focus is on the paint cans. it's got a real artsy feel, like it's the kind of photo that could tell a story, but leave you guessing.
i like the look of the edit on that photo too. it looks like the photo was printed from a damaged/old negative, except what draws my eyes to the paint cans is the clarity in that area, which gives it an interesting look. i like the the focus being more toward the bottom left than in the center, and there's still enough going on up in the top right corner to balance it out nicely.
This is what I mean.
Sure, I like them...but...
Artsy-sure.
Engagmenty-no.
I'd have to agree with Nathan and Andrew from the previous post still.
Take the shots your customer thinks they want and then take all the shots you need to take. Even if they don't want those "non-indie" shots you need them for your portfolio. If you had shown any of these to me and Sarah for our wedding I would have said thank you and moved on.
I don't understand why everyone is so annoyed by the out-of-focus, "artsy" nature of these. They're engagement photos for the couple and their friends and family. They aren't for the general public who don't know the couple to look at, unless it is purely for the picture's sake (that is, this blog).
Any person who knows these two can look at this picture and see who it is, then appreciate the art of the picture.
Besides, these are 3 great pictures out of 30 more that have faces, where strange stalkers who need to see the faces of engaged couples they don't know can fill their void.
We're not annoyed. Niall is asking what we think of the pictures. I take that to mean, if these were my engagement photos, would I like them. What's the point of asking us what we think if we have to take the viewpoint of this couple and their preferred style. If you showed these pictures in a portfolio to potential clients these are the thoughts that would be silently forming in their heads.
He asked for my opinion. I'm not just going to say, "ZOMG AMAZAZING SKIILS AT PICS YO!"
I think my friend is more trying to point out the completely objective nature of these pictures. I understand that the three of you would not want this style of engagement photo and thusly if I were talking to you three about a possible photo session I would decline to even put many of these pictures in to the packet that I would show but instead highlight some more "traditional" photos.
I post these on here so that people have a chance to look. If there's something wrong in my technique or something that you think could have been done a little better, then I would love to hear those things. But obviously the couple didn't want standard and normal engagement photos (as do DROVES of other people nowadays) they wanted something different, something that more fits their style. THEY wanted the graffiti, garbage and railroad tracks. I just fail to see why "I wouldn't want these." or "The train tracks didn't do anything for me." even vaguely resemble constructive criticism.
Where I WILL want this type of criticism is when I post possible combinations of photos to be used in portfolios. THEN it will matter as to the content of the shots because it needs to appeal to a large number of people to potentially garner clients.
And Padfoot, I completely disagree that these aren't "engagementy", visual art is completely subjective and these photos represent the principle as such. To their friends and family, these pictures instantly show two people in love and because they are getting married, are by definition "engagement photos". Besides, who wants boring double white button up shirt matching, on the beach engagement photos nowadays? Answer: a lot of people; and I'll help them shoot them if they want. But that doesn't mean that those uber romantic show off the ring shots are ALL that counts as an engagement photo.
Thanks for the comments everyone!
Oh and last thing in response to this: He asked for my opinion. I'm not just going to say, "ZOMG AMAZAZING SKIILS AT PICS YO!"
Sometimes people ARE looking for just a little bit of validation from their friends. There is absolutely nothing wrong with saying, "Hey, I really like these." or "These look really nice, good job." When people post poems, art, photos, ideas, stories, ANYTHING REMOTELY CREATIVE, a perfectly acceptable comment is one that praises what they've done. We long for this acceptance from our friends and loved ones, if I didn't care what you guys thought, or didn't think that anyone would enjoy my photography then I would never post them on this blog. I'm just trying to share a part of my life, just as Paul Wallace is, just as Nathan will when we buy that book, as Andrew does when HE posts pictures, and as you will Paddy when we finally start playing your video games. You can sure believe that the first thing I say will indeed be, "Hey Paddy, I really love what you've created, good job my friend."
I just really thought that needed to be said. Critiques are always welcome, but sometimes they just feel cold, and can invalidate someone's hard work, not saying that anyone here has, but eventually the critique first- enjoy later method will really bum someone out.
If it's subjective like you say then you can't disagree or agree that they aren't engagmenty. Or call any other form of photography "boring".
Look, bottom line is you asked for our opinions. And we gave them to you. We've all stated how we like your photography before. You can't get all worked up about us saying what we feel about this particular set.
I think you missed the point of what I was trying to say.
Nevermind. It doesn't matter.
As soon as you post something you're getting paid for it will change our response. Post artsy/indie photos of a couple in a cool setting like the tracks and you'll get one type of response. Post engagement photos that you're getting paid for (assuming) and you'll get a very different response. Post "art" and you'll get nice comments and suggestions. Posting "work" causes us to evaluate the pics in a different context.
And I think those of us who have dropped piles of cash on wedding photography have some strong opinions about engagement/wedding photography in general.
Personally (should go with out saying, but since objectivity is involved I thought I should clarify) I think these pictures work as engagement photos but definitely not on a conventional level. The couple taking the photos must have been aware that the photos were going to be non-conventional given the setting.
So... based on these obvious relative aspects the photos are great, I definitely get a picture of who this couple is and their relationship which I think is often purposefully absent from other engagement photos. Good job thinking outside the box with out creating art for arts sake. (unlike P.T. Anderson... freakin' douche).
-The Right Reverend
Thanks Alex. :)
You're a good roommate. I don't know that I say that enough.
You too Nathan. :)
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