Professional opinion please?

Question

I posted this question once before and got some good answers but I would like some more opinions. I took up photography in June, and everyone tells me that I take beautiful photos. I would like to have a professional opinion on my photos to see if this is just a fun hobby or if I should pursue photography further and try and make a career out of it.
All photos are taken with a digital concepts 2.1 mp camera

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fearno1/...

Try this one.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fearno1/

Answer 1

You have some great ideas coming out in your images, I think time and more shooting will garner more!

Seems that your images borderline on the abstract to get some emotion out of them, but they aren't going far enough. Example: Cottonwood#2 and Tree#1- there is definately a target to focus on here, but the lines are too symmetrical (like the knot in the wood is in the direct center of your compostion). So it feels too contrived, like you didn't catch some great effect or feeling, you merely aimed for the middle and snapped away.

Cottonwood#3 would be a great 'textural' statement but the sun's glare is too centered (I feel) to give a real quality to the natural abstraction of the tree itself. My focus leans toward the light source instead of the cool gritty surface of the tree... make sense?

Minn#7- works really well for me because to me it does a nice cross over to abstract, though it isn't. I have a feel of desolate blurriness, though it's obvous that it's a river's edge. Spawns more feeling... you know? More than one degree, that's something you can 'shoot' for.

Images whether they are painting, photos, or even a person walking by captured in your head, you are stopped by it because something caught r eye. But the reason why it caught your eye should be more that the object itself, whether it be the object and lighting, or the object and what it's doing. You want another layer for the viewer to look at your image and really then... look at it some more. Here's a picture of a boat on the water... neat. But visually as object on a canvas what forms take place? A triangle here, and line there, etc...

Unfortunately this takes more experience and real discipline. Pick something to focus on each time you go out and shoot, see if you accomplish that one goal. Change the goal to the next and the next and the next. What this does is train your eye, soon these particulars will become second nature to you and as a shooter you will not have to focus on each particular one at a time.

I think anyone with a passion for photography can become a good photog givne the right disciplines, just take some time to sharpen your act within various disciplines, soon you will find a niche that you enjoy and then you as a photog will really shine! Good Luck in your pursuit!

Answer 2

They are pretty good, but definitely look like the work of someone who is just starting out - that is to say, lots of beginners choose the same type of imagery, and it's not all that original. But you do have a good eye - I'd suggest taking a class in a university or college in which you can talk more in depth about the meanings behind art and the philosophy of it, etc. You should also educate yourself on the history of photography - you'd be amazed at all the things that have already been done!! It's not that hard to take pretty pictures; but you have to know WHY you're taking them and what you are trying to see/feel/depict in them. It goes FAR beyond the aesthetics of it. I'd recommend getting into a situation like a class where you have weekly critiques - this way you have constant feedback. You can learn as much from the kid next to you as from the teacher, and sharing ideas and images face to face is crucial if you want to be an artist. The most important thing is KEEP WORKING, and don't forget to DIG DEEP and think about why you are making the choices you are making when you click the shutter button. Good luck!

Answer 3

I think they're great. And I don't think that a picture HAS to have a meaning or any symbolic underpinnings to be successful.

Yes, a photo of that kind will win you more points with people who love/live/study photography, (provided they catch what you mean to say) but I would rather make a photo that gets an emotional reaction from a wider audience. I want them to like my photos, but not be able to verbalize why.

I think the symbolic nature of a photograph is very much like lyrics in song. For some people, its the most important part. Others could care less what's being said, as long as the melody is good. Your pictures have melody.

Answer 4

They are good for a start, but you can make them better. Start by editing. Instead of 3 similar shots, pick out the best one of the three. Some of your pics are too light or too low-contrast. Others can use some cropping. Don't put your horizon in the center. It makes the photo rather static and boring. The same goes with putting a subject dead center. Imagine dividing your picture into 9 equal sections, like a tic-tac-toe grid. Put your main subject on one of the intersections. Put your horizon on one of the lines.

With some work, you can be a much better photographer. I think you do have potential. You have an eye for interesting detail and colors, and that's good. Work on your composition and editing, and you'll get there! Good luck!

Answer 5

Not bad. I am a painter myself, but I can tell you have a good eye for composition. I wouldn't mind seeing more of your work with people in them although the landscape stuff isn't bad at all.

If there was any post processing work done or special filters used then I would say you have a good eye for color as well. Good job! Keep at it, you seem to have a talent for photography.

Answer 6

Okay dude---tried your link---it says I can't access because the link is flawed--sorry--I am a professional commercial photographer with close to 30 years in the business--you can check out my profile by clicking on my avatar and jolting over to my profile page---would be more than happy to give you a straight up answer if I could just see some of your stuff

Answer 7

THANKS FOR FIXING THE LINK..I CAN SEE THEM NOW.

I REALLY LIKE YOUR PHOTOS AND DO THINK YOU SHOULD PURSUE THIS INDUSTRY. AND I HAVE SEEN BIG TIME 'ARTIST' PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKE A HELL OF A LOT WORSE AND CALL IT PRO! I AGREE WITH 'LORI' ABOUT FURTHER STUDYING THE PHILOSOPHICAL ASPECTS YOUR ART WHICH YOU WILL DO IF YOU GO TO SCHOOL. BUT I ALSO THINK YOU SHOULD GO AFTER WHAT TURNS YOU ON AS FAR AS WHAT YOU WANT TO SHOOT EVEN IF OTHER PEOPLE THINK IT'S NOT UP TO THEIR STANDARDS. EVERYONE HAS AN OPINION OF WHAT'S GOOD INCLUDING THE PROS. IN THE END, IF YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING YOU LOVE IT WILL SHOW IN YOUR WORK AND YOU WILL BE VERY SUCCESSFUL. BEST OF LUCK!

Answer 8

Hey You Are The Genius, Man. Keep on Studying. You will be successful in your Career. They are so great, man, like the professional. You are born with it.

Answer 9

i think your work is average. i can tell your a beginner. but there not bad for a beginner. i say take more pics, the more you take the better you get, and get a better camera, that wil help also to make the pics more sharper. keep up the good work.