competition results and honest critiques

[Linda G]

It was a busy weekend!

I had a wedding Saturday until 12 AM Sunday morning and then took off at 5:30 AM to attend a KPPA (Kansas Professional Photographer's Association) seminar 3 hours away. We entered prints for competition and critiquing to learn how to get better images for the upcoming PPA (professional Photographer's of America) area convention in April.

I learned tons, even in my sleep deprived state.

I am attaching three of the photos I entered (I entered four, one was sent packing) and the befores and afters of the artwork they suggested.

The first, the Romanian Shepherd, they loved but it was marked lower score because of the white in the sky. They also suggested I darken down his right arm and crop up higher and remove dust from his hat and jacket because it made lighter spots where your eye would be drawn.

The second was titled 'Catcher of Light' and they liked it much better but it got lower marks because of the title. Help me find a better one. Catcher of Light is inappropriate because although she herself is catching light, she's not applying it to her artwork. If the artwork was lighter, it would work with that title but then compete with her for attention. I also darkened down the areas they suggested to darken.

The third, I've shown here before and they also loved it but wanted the material under her leg to be the same as the other and for her to move her foot so her ankle doesn't look fat. I couldn't move her foot but did shave it off in photoshop.

The title of it is Red on Porcelian.

Suggestions? Critiques? Ideas? The two took third place in two different categories out of hundreds of entries, so I was quite proud.

[Jacqui Jay]

Linda, I know it's corny but the first thing that came into my mind on the second one was 'Artiste sur l'herbe', because she reminds me of an Impressionist painter catching the light. I think your title was spot on, actually, maybe Catching the Light instead of Light Catcher. They're very picky, aren't they , to mark you down for that.
I love the pictures, couldn't begin to critique them.

[NZDoug]

Hi Linda
They are all great shots.
I think judges have to say something, because , if they say "Its all good" then theyve "attaboyed".
Its their job to be " The La De Dahs".
I wouldnt lose any sleep over their comments.
Re: Names, who cares? Its visual, not wordical!!!
If I had one of these on my wall, it would be the "Nekid Lady" with a light, porcelainy frame. :clap: :cheers: :righton:

[Camarochas]

Linda,

I guess I'd agree on the first photo. As far as the second, I feel a photograph should stand on it's own merit and a title should not be a part of the critique. I'd prefer to see a bit more of the subject's face in the third. They're all extremely good photos in my opinion.

Charlie

[Linda G]

Thank you all for your comments.

The judges and audience all gave great advice, it's to help me advance to a higher level with pickier judges.

Realize, two were third place winners and the Shepherd didn't even place, there were ones better than mine. The name for this competition does matter, it must reflect what they see so it IS important for this competition.

I know many who want to see more of the face but I wanted it anonymous....and the judges didn't mind that, they just wanted either more face or less....as in hide her nose in hair, too! :dunce:

[Steve P]

Linda, I too agree with NZDoug in that their all outstanding in their own way and those pesky judges have to find fault one way or another. I love the colours and tones in the third but the first pic is more me in the sence that I like the capturing people, portiture or reportage!

Well done indeed. It's things like this that spur me on the better my own ability :)

[Igor]

Congratulation, Linda!
#2 and 3 are just wonderful arts!
I will never dare critique any of such artworks, it's beyond my "tech" approach to photography...

[LiVe]

Linda hands down these images are great, I like the subject matter, and the lighting.

[Johnelle]

hi Linda, yes I agree with their comments and you have reacted well and produced superior prints for it.

You are absolutely right to be proud of your award in what must be a highly competitive arena.

regretably names for pics - especially those submitted to scrutiny by those who are trying to lift your visual awareness, is a pit to fall into. One has to look at the subject and create a name for it in objective terms not the subjective and 'artsy' way we all do - me included.To explain further perhaps ' In the Light ' may have been accepted more readily than 'Catcher of Light'.

our old MPA - I dont know if it is still active, produced a series of active profiles on how to lift your awareness and their printed magazine was extremely rewarding in the portrait and wedding market. If I remember correctly there was a similar organisation in the states and probably more than one :)

Well done again , you have produced some stunning work there

JohnL

[puntisaks]

I like only B in all images.
very good images.

[bchan3rdi]

Hey Linda! For starters,..these are so cool, makes me want to go shoot right now! Very much the caliber of what I am aiming for in image quality.

Image 1) I dont mind the white area in the background. My eyes are drawn to the subjects very interesting face. I opt for version B (i like the crop better)

Image 2) Not that it is so different but if I'll choose it would be version A. Since the crop is sliiiiightly tighter. The title?,..."Pusher of Paint"? "Just Me And My Canvas"?,..."Hope It Doesnt Rain"? ok,..thats why I dont name any of my stuff...eeeks,...

Image 3) I like version A with the mutted fabric. In version B my eye goes right to the blue. Great color in both,.nice photo either way.

Great work Linda,

Brian

[Auminer]

No critique here either Linda, not my field. I do know class when I see it though. :goldcup:

Dave

[BadpicKev]

this one was a nice change.

1. B - a more fullness of body

2. A - being smaller it draws you into the subject faster and holds you longer

3. B - the red hair (nice shade of red as well) captures you hard and fast. the arm draws you away from the red hair, the blue gives you a reason to go. its a fuller richer, more complete phtograph.

[Theo2005]

First of all Linda, beautiful pictures, but you already new that :)

All prints all good. If I would have to choose I would say:

#1 version A (no distracting white sky)
#2 not enough difference there, A or B
#3 version A (no distracting blue cloth) (why was that lying there anyway?)

Of course, when I would have handeled the originals, I probably would have found different crops but thats normal since cropping is a very personal thing.

Again, pictures to be proud of. (And I don't supply such critics easily/often).

Theo

[Linda G]

Thank you all!

I agree, on this screen, the painter one doesn't show the differences as well as larger but there are subtle differences, made to keep your eye on the lady.

I was shown a method to see if your focal point draws you first thing by turning the print upsided down to see where your eye goes first. Your mind can't make out what it is fast enough and you automatically look at the brightest spot which in B is under her chair. That had to go and there were other points that competed for her figure so they were darkened.

The blue cloth, well....I had run out of backgound so had her sit on the white cloth that, when darkened, turned blue. It's a case of concentrating on other details and not on the whole. I don't like the dark, right side of the image, I feel she's leaning into the night but am at a loss as to what to put there when/if I do it again.

[Linda G]

This one and three others are headed next week to the convention in Omaha, a four state regional. I am not attending but my prints will be. This is one you've seen before....with changes and I'll let you know how they do!

[High ISO!]

Linda,
That photo is simply elegant! Looks like a painting. I love the new background you added as well. The woman looks like porcelain, very delicate!

I wish you the best of luck in your competition!!!!!

Alissa

[Serge]

Have to agree, very elegant and painterly, love the backdrop effect.

[Linda G]

Thanks! The backdrop is what was there originally, it just ended before her foot on the right so I took it out the first time, this time I reshot just it and added it back there.

[Theo2005]

Did I see this correctly? Is this image called "rug"? :)

That's very funny: "rug" is the Dutch word for "back", very appropriate for this picture :)

Theo

PS I know what "rug" means in English, don't worry :D

[Linda G]

Did I see this correctly? Is this image called "rug"? :)

That's very funny: "rug" is the Dutch word for "back", very appropriate for this picture :)

Theo

PS I know what "rug" means in English, don't worry :D


That is too funny! Yes, I called it rug to differentiate it from other versions of this image because of the background rug image I inserted! how appropriate but I dont' think I'll change the title of the image to "Rug". As strick as they are, they'd not understand in time!

[Mrs. Swampy]

Good luck in the competition next week Linda. !!!

[Theo2005]

That is too funny! Yes, I called it rug to differentiate it from other versions of this image because of the background rug image I inserted! how appropriate but I dont' think I'll change the title of the image to "Rug". As strick as they are, they'd not understand in time!

Can't say I blame you :)

Good luck with the competition!

Theo

[Camarochas]

Linda,

I can agree with the improvements, however; all of your initial captures are extraordinary. I judge many of our local camera club competitions and I also enter my prints in competition, so I know it is much easier to critique a photograph than it is to make the photograph. Keep up the great work.

Charlie