Author Topic: Critiques needed (Read 7532 times)

ale1969 · « **on:** October 30, 2007, 11:58 »

I'm working to collect some suitable images to pass both IS and SS application and I really need some help from most experienced members here to criticize to death those images.

If it's not a problem I'll use this thread to post the images further up my road to reach an accetable quality.

Thanks in advance to anyone so gentle to take the time to help me to improve my stock skills.

Here we go with the first image:

sharply_done · « **Reply #1 on:** October 30, 2007, 15:43 »

No comments so far? Okay, I'll bite.

I find this image very unappealing - food shots are supposed to look appetizing, and this one definitely isn't. The pastries (if that's what they are) are too yellow and appear to sitting on some sort of light table. I know it's an "isolated on white image", but it just isn't working for me. As a whole, it appears overexposed.

The image might be improved by heavily cropping it, adjusting levels and curves, then adding brownish tones. As it is, you should definitely not include this image in your applications.

... hope I haven't been too harsh, but that's my honest opinion.

madelaide · « **Reply #2 on:** October 30, 2007, 16:28 »

I agree with Sharply_done, and I'm not sure a fully isolated set of tortellinis work, and they look too ordered. If using a white background for this type of subject, I would leave some subtle shadow for a more natural look.

Regards,
Adelaide

ale1969 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 30, 2007, 17:22 »

Quote from: sharply_done on October 30, 2007, 15:43

... hope I haven't been too harsh, but that's my honest opinion.

No problem, I want harsh opinion because they usually go to the point.

It's right, they're on a still life table and they're raw (this is the main reason for the color, which is pretty close to original).

Thanks for the inputs, I'll try to come out with a different setting.

leaf · « **Reply #4 on:** October 30, 2007, 18:00 »

maybe try on a wooden counter, with soft window like lighting and a little flour and eggs and perhaps a few kitchen utensils in the background.

ale1969 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 30, 2007, 18:10 »

Quote from: leaf on October 30, 2007, 18:00

maybe try on a wooden counter, with soft window like lighting and a little flour and eggs and perhaps a few kitchen utensils in the background.

Precisely what I was thinking about, the setting I used is more suitable to pastries and chocolate than raw handmade pasta.

ale1969 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 30, 2007, 18:57 »

While I collect some props I try to get some images from these two mangoes:

Be cruel as usual please

vphoto · « **Reply #7 on:** October 30, 2007, 21:41 »

These mangoes are perfectly isolated. But the colors look unnatural to me. they looked like mangoes have been cooked in oil.

vphoto.

ale1969 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 30, 2007, 22:12 »

Quote from: vphoto on October 30, 2007, 21:41

These mangoes are perfectly isolated. But the colors look unnatural to me. they looked like mangoes have been cooked in oil.

vphoto.

LOL, well... the colors are theirs, i just enhanced the contrast and saturation through curves. Take in count that I sprayed them with liquid exactly to enhance colours.

This is another shot I just prepared with on of them inside, so you can judge the colours in a more complex contest together with other props.

(btw, this is the Istock bestselling image of isolated mangoes... just to talk about colours...

)

ale1969 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 31, 2007, 20:59 »

Ok, I prepared another shot for that handmade pasta (last call as tomorrow their capital sentence will probably happen... yummm

)

vonkara · « **Reply #10 on:** October 31, 2007, 21:18 »

I'm not necessarily a professional but, the second mango is much better than the first one(s) (the one in situation). It will be difficult in my point of view to make some good pics whit these particular pasta...

Do you still are in review mode whit IS, because I find your overall DT portfolio, OK to easily pass whit at IS

ale1969 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 31, 2007, 21:27 »

Quote from: Vonkara on October 31, 2007, 21:18

I'm not necessarily a professional but, the second mango is much better than the first one(s) (the one in situation). It will be difficult in my point of view to make some good pics whit these particular pasta...

Do you still are in review mode whit IS, because I find your overall DT portfolio, OK to easily pass whit at IS

Well... IS rejected what I thought were 3 of my best images on DT. The problems weren't technical but composition and "stockability" and on the last one I tend to agree with them. I mainly loved to shot monuments, castles, churches etc, not the best stock images you know

Anyway I'd be happy to know which you think could be the best images to submit to IS out of your experience.

About the mangoes I also liked the second shot a lot more, they're for different purpouses though, the isolated ones I tried to gave them a "fresh" feeling spraying them with liquid (not just water, you know, water don't stand still) and trying to arrange them the best I could into the shot.

vonkara · « **Reply #12 on:** November 01, 2007, 13:21 »

OK, yes the problem is your subjects... church and close landscapes will not make the job. There is some sure value: - Artichokes (are really great) - digital encounter (conceptual) - cellar (good because look particular)

Your signs are great, but you can't add all of them in your submission, because the reviewer want variety. He have to feel your skills to do different stuff. That is not the case.

My advice is, take some pictures who look great at the start like was your artichokes. Try different subjects who are useful for different types of industries: Medical, entertainment, education, business...concept are good too.

My humble advice

ale1969 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 01, 2007, 14:07 »

Quote from: Vonkara on November 01, 2007, 13:21

My humble advice

Thanks a lot for the time you did put into reviewing my portfolio on DT, not being myself even remotely the new Cartier-Besson it wouldn't have been great fun for sure browsing my images

.

I choosed that artichokes shot in my first submission... rejected together with the other 2 (they were the rose in the natural spotlight into the church and the putto angel)

.

Maybe it was because the other 2 but I wouldn't risk submitting it again though.

ale1969 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 16, 2007, 12:27 »

I got approved today by IS. Thanks for the past inputs and suggestions that really made me look at my images with a different (and more critique) eye.

Now, next step is SS.

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Author Topic: Critiques needed (Read 7532 times)

ale1969

sharply_done

madelaide

ale1969

leaf

ale1969

ale1969

vphoto

ale1969

ale1969

vonkara

ale1969

vonkara

ale1969

ale1969

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