My Practice Shots Playing with Lighting

[Tmorrison]

Hello all,

I am working on completing a portfolio for the admission's committee for our professional photographer's course here at our local college. Your honest critique of these photo's would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
T

[Marko]

Hi Tmorrison,

Welcome to the forum! - FYI for the future - It's far easier for us to provide good critiques on 1-2 photos per thread..each critique will be fuller. OF COURSE, post as many different threads as you like.

I think these pics show promise. My least favourite shot is the guitar since it's just a guitar in a normal way with nothing really interesting. The egg shot and the whisk on the other hand has some interesting lighting, reflections etc. In both those shots there is a reddish hue though that doesn't add to the shot IMO.

The flower shots are okay and the flower in profile is an interesting angle. The first shot of the boats also shows promise though I'd probably crop the right side.

So yes, I think these shots show enough promise to get you into photo school.

The best shot here is the egg shot.

Hope that helps

Marko

[tegan]

In the first one, the three sailboats are on a diagonal line which is good composition implying motion. Lighting and colour however are problematic. The bright area on the right edge of the frame distracts the viewer's eye and should be cropped or cloned out. The front of the photograph is where the viewer's eye should be directed by the line of sailboats but the front area is too dark and the eye wanders to the back bright area as well as to the boats behind the sailboats without centering anywhere on a subject.

The rose has interesting lighting but the composition with the water droplets is unfortunately regarded as a cliché. I did some of this kind of shot 40 years ago.

The last one would benefit from a more complex lighting set up that separates the egg and beater from the background as well as sculpting their shapes and using reflections extremely well. This would demonstrate a skill with lighting that one apparent light does not accomplish.

Tegan

[Tmorrison]

The picture with the boats was done at about 9:00 at night in the dark, I was trying to achieve light trails and liked the looks of the boats. I see what you are suggesting though, I should have either shot just light trails or the boats as the main subject and not both!

The red hue is because I covered my flashlight with red plastic, thought it might show an interesting reflection. I will give it a shot without it.

I love this forum, I am very new at photography and love the advice you both have offered.

Thanks!