Honest Advice for YOUR portfolio. =] (name changed)

NSFW

Hi Harvey Gordon,

lets start with your avatar,

I really do not know what to say about this image, is there a reason behind your choice of editing? i.e, for cutting out the head, placing it on a one colour background, liquifying the eye and adding a multicoloured border? Or did you do it just because you could? Personally, I can't see any conceptual reason for creating something like this and the editing is strange in my opinion. Then again maybe I just don't get it?

I love the composition and hair style in this shot, a very interesting model. It is quite grainy/noisy depending on what you shot it with, is that intended? If shot in a studio you should have had creative control to improve image quality by changing your ISO and lighting levels.

This one is a little underexposed and this is emphasized by how her eyes are overly white in comparison to the light on her face. Nice composition and framing though. 

A fun idea but underexposed.

This is one of your better images but I feel the border and your copyright notice detract from the image. Would you ever consider uploading without a border?

Again I think the border detracts from the image and I'm not sure why the jacket looks as it does, with no detail and a strange dark effect to it. 

I like the lighting in this shot it shows her off well. nice use of colour also. Personally I would prefer it without the colour border.

Nice natural colours in this shot and nice interesting piece of jewellery.

May be better if we could see her face and if her elbow was in shot.

Love the idea of this shot and the border doesn't detract so much as the colours go with the image. The only thing about this image that lets it down is that it needs to be straightened up so the pillar is stood upright as at the moment it leans to the right.

this image is really cool love the pose and model. 

Your quality of work varies quite a lot, I think you should definitely narrow down you portfolio, keeping only your best work in such as the image above. I'm sorry but I don't think the first image does anything for your portfolio as it has no story, it's not the best editing and the image is not technically well shot plus it doesn't show off the model. I would keep in your best work the shots with good exposures, interesting models and the ones that are photographed to the best of your ability.

I hope this helps.

Thanks for taking part.

I was literally about to post a thread asking for crit, but I love your honesty. If you can fit me in I'd love you to give me some food for thought.

Stephen.

Yes please if you still have time.

mcroshaw said

If you have time...

Hi!

First impression, a good clean, varied portfolio. 

I like the concept of this image it shows off the model from two different angles in one image, nicely shot too, a good addition for your and her portfolio. 

Love the different composition and colour in this next shot, nice and simple and well lit too. 

This next shot is really interesting love the contrast and how it suits her look the only thing that lets it down is that her eye is a little too closed, I know it's part of her expression but it's just that tiny bit too closed for my liking,

I love the energy in the next shot but there is a little noise which lets it down. 

Love this next shot, awesome composition, colour tone and model.

love this next shot, great theme.

Overall You have some really good images in your portfolio. Good colours and you have strong technical skills, I would suggest shooting some more black and white images and more themed images like the one above as they are really interesting. Just keep doing more of what you are doing! :D

I hope my feedback helps!

Ok readddddy.....go!

Thanks for your critique :) The avatar .. just my weird taste :) I cannot disagree with anything you said and it is always good to have images seen with a fresh eye. The only thing I did not get was your choice of images, but thanks for spending the time

h

Simon Cole said

 

Yes please, I think *gulp*.

Hi! 

Your cover image is good fun although it is overexposed but I guess this is what you were going for in post production? Love her pose and light colours.

what is the story behind this next image? The model and dog look really bored and I don't understand why she is in such an elegant outfit and reading a book on what looks like something to do with science. I also think you have smoothed her skin out too much. Less is more when editing skin, if her skin is clear to begin with then a little spot blemish may be necessary otherwise you just lose the texture and models start to look pearly skinned or plastic.

Is there a reason for the big border? I guess borders are down to person preference, I don't see the point in them personally, but if you like them don't let my opinion stop you using them.

This shot has loads of potential I think you have overdone the editing on the eyes, they have been brightened so much that they look stuck on to an otherwise softly lit image. The light on the face and the light on the eyes should be of the same brightness as they are lit from the same source.

This shot is really cool I love how creative it is and how the model is enveloped by the white material and background.

Her expression keeps the eye lingering on the image. Love it.

Lovely simple image. good contrast and post processing.

My advice to you would be to keep it simple, the above image is great and the second image I posted of yours and one similar to it that you have in your portfolio would be better with simple editing and no overly bright editing to the eyes. when you take your photographs make sure that they eyes have catchlights in them so that you dont have to lighten them after in photoshop. Use editing software sparingly if you can. 

Keep shooting and get your focusing, lighting and framing perfect to get the best photographs possible. 

I love your high key images with the model behind the fabric, they are different and creatively lit, more of this kind of work would be good for your port, more experimenting with lighting and form to make your images awesome would be cool.

I love your style and look forward to seeing more of your work. =]

I've not got much at the moment but you're quite welcome to dissect what little I have.

Harvey Gordon said

Thanks for your critique :) The avatar .. just my weird taste :) I cannot disagree with anything you said and it is always good to have images seen with a fresh eye. The only thing I did not get was your choice of images, but thanks for spending the time

 

h

I'm happy to help. I usually pick an image and that's my starting point, then I go through and comment on those that I can talk about. =]

I am game :) Hit me . x

Thanks for the feedback, I was just thinking I'm a bit short on black and white images at the moment, so your comment was right on the button!

Many thanks for taking the time to look through my port and comment :o ) 

The only thing I'd mention is that, believe it or not, there was no post-production work done on the eyes in image#3. What may have given the impression of "brightening" was a horizontal reflector positioned relatively low to throw reflected daylight back at Laura who had her back to the only lightsource, a pair of windows (her eyes needed no other help from me as they're the most brilliant pale-blue I've ever seen - as other pics of her will show). I always steer well clear of messing about with eyes unless absolutely necessary and fully agree with the point you make.

Thanks again - much appreciated,

Si

Edited by Simon Cole

mcroshaw said

Thanks for the feedback, I was just thinking I'm a bit short on black and white images at the moment, so your comment was right on the button!

You are welcome :D

Simon Cole said

Many thanks for taking the time to look through my port and comment :o ) 

The only thing I'd mention is that, believe it or not, there was no post-production work done on the eyes in image#3. What may have given the impression of "brightening" was a horizontal reflector positioned relatively low to throw reflected daylight back at Laura who had her back to the only lightsource, a pair of windows (her eyes needed no other help from me as they're the most brilliant pale-blue I've ever seen - as other pics of her will show). I always steer well clear of messing about with eyes unless absolutely necessary and fully agree with the point you make.

Thanks again - much appreciated,

Si

Edited by Simon Cole

Wow, that's crazy they are so bright! :) You're welcome. 

Oh, go on then.. let me have it..

I would love to get some feedback please