Please advise. What do you think of my work?
Diane Allford P... (7 points) | Mon, 2008-10-13 15:20Hello Everyone!
Please help! I could use all the advice I can get from design professionals about my work.
After many years of working as a art buyer, photo editor, and picture researcher for magazines and book publishers, I am finally stepping out as a professional photographer. If you have a moment, please have a look at my work and let me know what you think. While you're at it, if you know of anyone looking for a photographer and you think my work is a good fit, please pass my information along.
Thank you!
Diane
Diane Allford Photographer
Brooklyn | New York
E:
Online Portfolo: http://dianeallford.wordpress.com/
Commenting on this Forum topic is closed.
Diane, great stuff! I'd recommend http://www.treklens.com for some real serious critiques. Designers here probably won't give you very much photography-specific info; just aesthetic.
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Natobasso
dirtandrust.com
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
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Dirt and Rust
Many designers must also have a bit of photog in them, even if not actively pursued, must have had photography in art school right? Got to know what a good photo is to use it, and have to be able to visualize it printed in a halftone because the halftone will always tend to plug the shadows and wash out in the highlights.
Even so, I never went to college, yet B&W photography taught me the use of proper contrast, which helped when I began exposing film in my prepress career. Granted I may turn out to be the only other photogrpher here, but most of the same rules apply, highlight, shadow, contrast, form, composition, etc.
"...and mamma cried: Watch out where the huskies go, don't you eat that yellow snow" - Frank Zappa
would I want to promote a service that I have no proficiency in? Sure, composition and contrast are concepts that transcend all forms of design, but why would I want photography in my portfolio? Besides saying I like a picture and it looks nice, I'm far from qualified from properly critiquing or suggesting technical improvements for photos.
In regards to knowing what a good photo is to use, I sometimes will use a shitty photo, and do my thing to it. Doesn't necessarily mean the photo was good, just good enough to serve my purpose.
Leaky Penny
www.leakypenny.com
“If you do what you love to do, then you won’t do it in an average way.”
~ Angela Bassett
Leaky Penny
Check out what I've been up to lately!
http://petersonjoseph.com
I'm going to print it out and eat it.
-Unknown Artist
Only saying that a person shouldn't be be speaking for us all, when clearly photography (and videography, and animation) is a strong part of many graphic arts jobs.
I'm guessing that whether or not you choose a not-so-great photo rather than looking for a work of art whould depend on the budget in question. ;)
I would guess that she wants the graphic artist's critique of her photos and not another photographer's critique, because it's the graphic artists that will hire her, not other photographers. Plus, by limiting herself to photog sites, she'd be competing with her competition, whereas by posting here, she has NO competition. Very smart really...
"...and mamma cried: Watch out where the huskies go, don't you eat that yellow snow" - Frank Zappa
Do you do photography for a living or as a hobby? I would say most of the users on CB do it as a hobby, if at all.
The point is, if the person posing this question wants even more in depth responses about f-stops, exposures, etc., he/she will most likely get more information on a site whose focus is photography.
You'd agree the main purpose of CreativeBits is to cater to the design, not photographic community, yes?
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Natobasso
dirtandrust.com
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
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Dirt and Rust
"Only saying that a person shouldn't be be speaking for us all"
Did you notice I used the word "probably" in my post?
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Natobasso
dirtandrust.com
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
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Dirt and Rust
But it isn't a matter of budget. Why would I spend 70 - 100$ on a good photograph when I need to paint a portrait when I can just get one from google or take it with my digital camera?
Your last paragraph made no sense whatsoever. If she's asking for other photographers help that wouldn't be a bad thing, or "competition" as you say. It's actually more beneficial to her to ask photographers on a photographers site because at least they'll be able to proper techinical help. If I write a short story, would I go to a web design forum to ask for feedback on it? It has nothing to do with competition, it's about getting proper feedback. Most people here are designers, and granted some do photography as well, but it would be more beneficial for her to post on other more photography related sites on top of Creativebits.
I also have two photographer friends who had to hire photographers because they were either backed up or their client wanted multiple shots at their event. I have yet to hire a photographer as I take my own shots, or use stock photography sites. or even google.
Leaky Penny
www.leakypenny.com
“If you do what you love to do, then you won’t do it in an average way.”
~ Angela Bassett
Leaky Penny
Check out what I've been up to lately!
http://petersonjoseph.com
I'm going to print it out and eat it.
-Unknown Artist
you steal photos that you google? or are you saying google has a stock site i don't know about?
No, not stealing. As an Illustrator, what I do is look up illustrations, then use them as references. Ex: the thunder clouds in one picture, with a castle or house in another, a hill from one picture, and so on so forth. Then, put everything together and voila. Illustrate it all in the desired style. This could also include the creases in someones shirt, the hair from someone else...when I really need something realistic looking. Hence the quality of the image not being an important factor.
Man, I'd really be setting myself up for a heap of trouble if I just stole stuff!
Leaky Penny
www.leakypenny.com
“If you do what you love to do, then you won’t do it in an average way.”
~ Angela Bassett
Leaky Penny
Check out what I've been up to lately!
http://petersonjoseph.com
I'm going to print it out and eat it.
-Unknown Artist
Thanks for sharing...
This looks like a fun site to visit and learn from. Have a good day!
Diane
Diane Allford Photographer
Brooklyn | New York
E:
Online Portfolo: http://dianeallford.wordpress.com/
The only one I don't like is the shot with the sunset and the streetlamp, there's not enough contrast between the model and the background and so the model becomes lost in the photo even though her face is lit.
The one I found most interesting is the photo where the female model's face is partially in shadow of the male model. The shadow adds interest while at the same time presenting a feeling of something being revealed, it also provides a strong contrast which keeps the two subjects seperate and yet ties them together at the same time.
A great photog site is http://photo.net/ lot's of photo's there to make you drool! Some of the photogs have been featured in National Geographic and others should be if not already. Most are not "work" photos though, just art, and there is a great critique system.
"...and mamma cried: Watch out where the huskies go, don't you eat that yellow snow" - Frank Zappa
Hello!
Thank you for taking the time to view my photographs and critique my work. Your information is very helpful. I also checked out the photography website you recommended. It looks pretty cool and the images are awesome.
I joined this site for networking opportunities and to connect with designers, since they often commisson photographers and illustrators.
Thanks again for your help!
Diane Allford Photographer
Brooklyn | New York
E:
Online Portfolo: http://dianeallford.wordpress.com/