Open Stage -portrait series

[maxe]

Hey there,

this is a little photo-series with the title "open stage". I took it last sunyday and it's part of my portfolio for my application for the university of applied science in munich.


1st
Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 450D
Shutter Speed: 1/500 second
Aperture: F/7.1
Focal Length: 34 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Date Taken: Jun 13, 2010, 10:48:55 AM

2nd
Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 450D
Shutter Speed: 1/200 second
Aperture: F/7.1
Focal Length: 55 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Date Taken: Jun 13, 2010, 11:07:55 AM

3rd

Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 450D
Shutter Speed: 1/500 second
Aperture: F/7.1
Focal Length: 24 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Date Taken: Jun 13, 2010, 11:05:44 AM

4th
Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 450D
Shutter Speed: 1/1000 second
Aperture: F/5.0
Focal Length: 41 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Date Taken: Jun 13, 2010, 10:59:24 AM

It would be a great pleasure if you could critizice and give me some feedback.

Thank you

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by maxe

this is a little photo-series with the title "open stage". I took it last sunyday and it's part of my portfolio for my application for the university of applied science in munich.
It would be a great pleasure if you could critizice and give me some feedback.
Thank you

Before getting to the individual photos, help me understand how they fit an "open stage" theme? Is it because they're in the open air? What about the stage part? Am I missing the obvious?

#1 - This is my favorite of the series because it's natural and unposed (see comments on posing below). I like the high contrasty post processing you used on the image. I think there is too much dead white space in the top of the image. Maybe a square crop would have helped, or a different exposure to bring more detail in the sky?
#2 - Processing and exposure rock on this one. Nice and sharp as well (as far as I can tell). But I don't like the composition especially with her face so close to the bottom of the frame and I really feel it's overly "posed" feeling. It really feels like you said "stand there, bend over, and make a pouty face" and she did exactly that..doesn't feel natural to me. Oh, nice depth of field, like that a lot.
#3 - Again, really don't like the "posed" feel to this image.. feels like you were trying too hard. Also, some fill flash to put some light in her eyes would really help as I feel they're really dark. The background tree/horizon cutting through her head bothers me a bit. Also, again, lots of dead empty space in the top of the frame.
#4 - Like that you chose to change the perspective, not enough people do that. still feels a bit "posey." I'm not saying you have done so, but the eyes feel a bit weird, as if lots of PP was done.. was there some work done there? She feels much more natural in this image, which is good to me. The b&w treatment was well done though the bright white background doesn't really add much to me, and I still don't see how it fits the theme.

I realize I sound a bit harsh, but I can imagine the panel reviewing your submission could be as harsh IF they feel the need.

Overall, none of the photos are bad. I just don't get how they fit the theme (I tend to be picky) and I think all but the 1st feel too forced, too posed. The processing in most was good and sharpness was good. All but #2 had a pretty standard "in the center" composition which could be improved, and may help with the dead space in a couple of them.

Keep it up and good luck, I hope my opinion (remember, I'm just one guy) helps,
Al

PS in the future.. say "critique" and not "criticize" as some might take that as an opportunity to only say negative things!

[maxe]

Wow, first of all: thank you for your feedback, and it doesn't seem harsh to me. You told me your opinion, and I think you are totally right with it .

To answer your question, we took some photos in another area before we went to the roof of the building. Since we were on it she acted completely different, it was really like she stepped on a stage and kept acting the whole shoot. That's why I thought the topic would fit (well ok... if I think about it... I should have told you the background -_-)

Again thanks for your advices, I will definitly keep them in mind and try to improve. At the moment it's kind of hard to look for all things at one moment, that was my second try with portrait photos (ok, I began with photography 4 months ago).

Thanks for the hint with "critique"

[windrider86]

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