What’s Your Preference?

victoriavoodoo · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 09:39 PM

Hi, my name is Victoria and I'm a senior in highschool. I'm a new member here, nice to meet you. =] I really, really want to go to college next year for photography. I'm to the part of the application process where the college has accepted me(LSU) but now I have to send in a portfolio of pictures I've taken to be accepted as an art major. I'm very scared they won't be good enough.

My school's photography teacher was going to help me select which of my pictures are good enough(if any) but he quit halfway through last year so I have no one to ask this of.
Can anyone here take a look at my deviantart gallery here and tell me which (if any) are suitable for a college acceptance portfolio?

If none of my pictures make the cut in your opinion, maybe you could give me a tip or two? Or if you think I'm barking up the wrong tree and won't get anywhere with this please say so.

Please and thank you =].

sorry if this is in the wrong forum =[

windrider86 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 02:58 AM

You're fine with posting here and welcome to DPS!
I took a moment to look at your album on Deviant.
This is just my humble opinion but I really liked the underwater ones the best out of all of them. Reason I liked them? Because they were different. They showed you took the iniative to to take a chance and do something out of the norm.
Would a college teacher like them? hard to say as tastes vary.
To tell you that you are barking up the wrong tree is like telling a dog he shouldnt chew on a bone. With work, practice and a lot of studying you could certainly make a go of it.
I'd really love to see your progresss if you would care to continue your photography journey with usps. I aso liked the lifes a stage image, quite interesting

PowerPix · #3 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 03:00 AM

Hello and welcome!

First off, there were not any photos that really grabbed my attention ("make some noise for detroit" was interesting, though.). In my opinion, some of the photos were overdone PP wise. Some were poorly composed, and other would be good if not for so much noise in them. Don't get me wrong, you do have potential. A portfolio should be made up of your absolute best work. Think about when a prospect opens up your portfolio, you want to stun them. I would go out shooting with the intention of using the photos solely for you portfolio. Go out one day and just pay attention to your composistion, lines, settings, etc. Really focus on your technique. You obviously already have a "style" set out for yourself. Build on it. Since this is for college, they will probably want to see who you are as an individual. Once you get a portfolio built, show it to other photographers. Your peers will be honest and have keen eyes. Friends and family will tell you what they think you want to hear! Which is not always the truth.

* When in doubt, leave it out.

If you're not excited about the image, your prospect probably won't be either.

victoriavoodoo · #4 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 12:44 PM

Thank you both so much for taking the time to look =].

Quote:

I aso liked the lifes a stage image, quite interesting

That was fun to make =] but can I use something so clearly edited? I suppose thats a question for the college though.

Quote:

I would go out shooting with the intention of using the photos solely for you portfolio.

I suppose I'm going to have to. And yeah I tend to get carried away in photoshop =D gonna have to work on that.

I don't understand how to make them less noisy yet(we didn't get past rules of composition before my teacher quit). I'll hit the bookstore =] thank you both very much for the feedback.

PowerPix · #5 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 01:01 PM

A lower ISO will produce less noise. ISO 100 will have much less noise then ISO 1600. I don't know what you use often but just keep that in mind. I hardly ever take mine off of 100. But that's just me.

victoriavoodoo · #6 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerPix

A lower ISO will produce less noise. ISO 100 will have much less noise then ISO 1600. I don't know what you use often but just keep that in mind. I hardly ever take mine off of 100. But that's just me.

thank you =] mine is usually on 400..i'll have to play with that.

Niresangwa · #7 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 01:45 PM

I can't speak from a position of experience when it comes to preparing a portfolio for a fine art department at a university, but can speak as someone who prepares students for college and athletics.

I think generally they're not looking for a sparkling diamond in an applicant, more one that they can shine themselves. By that I mean they're generally always looking for the potential rather than a finished product.

If, as the other posters suggested, you can focus upon demonstrating a solid grasp of fundamentals in terms of the technical aspect, as well as a slice of creativity, you'll be fine! Overall, try not to stress too much about it!

Remember, you're already into the school, you dont have to declare a major yet! You still have time to develop your portfolio, and can even take care of general ed courses frosh year if you're not confident in your work. In the meantime, you can introduce yourself to the professors in the department you want to be admitted to, as well as join a photographic club (there must be one at a school the size of LSU) and generally hang with that crowd to get you going.

All in all I think as the other posters said, you're not as far behind as you seem to think you are, and have plenty of time to get yourself moving towards your goals!

If you'd like any more advice, or even more thoughts on your current port, just PM me

Good luck

dakwegmo · #8 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 03:04 PM

In general I think they're looking for potential not masters, it is a school after all and they're going to want to mold you to some extent. You do have some really nice work there, but there's also several shots mixed in that I wouldn't consider more than a snapshot. Also, you may be able to take the intro courses in art before you have to declare, so you can work with the professors on campus to build a portfolio that will get accepted into the program.

OsmosisStudios · #9 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 03:06 PM

A portfolio is meant to show two things: style and versatility. You want to have a good variation in the subjects, techniques and looks, but you still want to be able to convey a certain cohesiveness.

Looking at your portfolio, you've got a great assortment of portraits and some other things. My advice would be to put them in a folder somewhere (with any other images you like) and scan through them quickly. Like, very quickly. 1-2 seconds, MAX. Which ever ones pop-out at you as being best, take those. Have some friends do the same, and maybe some family, the neighbours... the more the better.