NationStates Jolt Archive

Mind critiquing some stuff for me? I'm a little mad about a grade I got on an assignment that I'm really happy with, and I'd like some other opinions.

Okay, so this photo looked like shit, wasn't focused, so I had some fun in the darkroom to see if I could make it work:
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs027.snc1/2470_57894761329_712076329_1966223_855_n.jpg

This next one was boring, grainy, and a little unfocused (but more soft that blurry), I sandwiched the negative with one of a blurry street:
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs027.snc1/2470_57894771329_712076329_1966224_1555_n.jpg

Sure, they could be better, but I think they're a success (and the model loves them). My teacher on the other hand thinks they suck, "dark and blurry" he says. He's always told us we're only successful if the person in front of the camera is happy, and that's what happened.

.. and yet I got a C- for it.

Grade my assignment?

I like them, but then I like really high contrast stuff like Bill Brandt used to do. His portrait of Alec Guinness is pretty dark
http://www.billbrandt.com/focus%20on%20portraits/guinness.html

This is why I would flunk art class. They both look fine. I am drawn to the second model for some reason maybe grainy is my thing. I like dark it brings out the model's personality more.

Is this true I always suspected. H N Fiddlebottoms VIII is Ansel Adams

I like them, but then I like really high contrast stuff like Bill Brandt used to do. His portrait of Alec Guinness is pretty dark
http://www.billbrandt.com/focus%20on%20portraits/guinness.html

See I would say that picture is similar to the model in the second link, wouldn't you?

Did the assignment have a specific goal?

portrait photography isn't my bag, but...

pros: moody and atmospheric, 3d lighting on arm good on first photo
cons: lack of contrast on both, shadow of face on first photo too dark, first one a bit too blurry (even if it is cool, it makes my eyes go funny)

i'd use a unsharp mask in photoshop on the first one (plus a few other things). did you superimpose a zoomed tie-dyed backdrop or something on the first one? the second one looks pretty good

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/6065/ruffyimg.jpg
edit: ok, now the whites are a little blown out >.>

as long as you understand the graders reasons for giving you that grade, accept it and move on.

if you like your work then its good. you have to satisfy yourself first, your "customer" (in this case the model) second and your teacher just gets to put his 2 cents in.

Sorry for possible offense. However, these photos look like the work a person who has bought his first manual-focus camera or/and installed Photoshop two weeks ago. Seriously, their photos ALL look like this - extreme blur outside the focus object, oblique angles, artsy processing, black&white one of the most common staples.

(The lighting is indeed decent, though, indicating this is not the case.)

B if you write a 1 page paper on why you think it was a success.

Ruff, if you're happy with the pics (I like the sandwiched one very much!), don't worry about a grade. For a photographer, a portfolio is much more important than a grade!

I'm not looking at this on the best computer, but I think the first one needs more contrasst (as has been pointed out), and the secondcould have een sharpened up a bit.

TG or emaill me your adress fool! I'm on my way to Gerrmany as we speak. (yay for free airport internet).

Not an expert, nor in anyway knowledgable in Photography... but in my opinion...
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs027.snc1/2470_57894761329_712076329_1966223_855_n.jpg this one, the Blurry hand is distracting. if you could've tried for a 'fuzzier' look with adjustments, then it would've been better.

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs027.snc1/2470_57894771329_712076329_1966224_1555_n.jpg

this one is alot better.

I would give it a C... C+ if I was generous. the first one was just... sorry.

This is why I'm not taking photography. I like the top one so much more, but it seems that the more artsy one is the bottom, according to most of the posters here.

As a shitty don't-know-a-thing-except-that-I-own-an-expensive-camera photographer my opinion on the photos won't count for much. But it has been said before, when it comes to art self satisfaction reigns supreme, unless of course it is truly terrible piece of work.... unless of course again, that was the intent, to make some statement or something. Damnit, being creative is confusing. I guess it all boils down to please ignore this post as it contains a bunch of bullshit spewed from some dumbass on the internet. By the way, the second one is pretty cool.

I don't like the first one. It's boring and looks like one of those "overly blurred to look romantic" pics. Not like your usual stuff.

I love the second one.

the grade might tie into the purpose of the class.