What do you think of this budding photographer??

Question

*pssssst...it's my daughter*

http://phantomwrays.deviantart.com/gallery/

Hmm...actually, not only don't we have photoshop, but the ones of the snow she JUST took and immediately uploaded.
As for the subject/content comment...I DID say budding, did I not??

Hmmm...I know I need to get thicker skin, but, there is a difference between being rude and constructive criticism.
I have no problem with constructive criticism, but when people just answer rudely...THAT, I do take offense to.

Now, Jack...no, she is not a photography student. She has been homeschooled since she was in first grade. She just recently began to show interest in photography, saved her money for a decent camera and is still learning how to use the camera. She has had no one show her anything...it is all on her own.

Oh...is THAT what you guys are talking about photoshop for? The colors of the sunsets, etc.?
Because those effects were done with filters.

THANK you, Pooky!! Now, THAT is criticism I like! Nothing nasty or personal, just constructive.
*hugs*

BTW...SORRY!! I just found out from my daughter that some of the photo effects I THOUGHT were filters, were actually done with a graphic program, like photoshop...my apologies.

Answer 1

I looked at some of these and here are my thoughts.

the "Cemetery" (on 3rd page) http://phantomwrays.deviantart.com/art/Cemetery-68392271

The camera did not focus on the subject, Elijah Instead it focused on the background. She may not have been aware of this, and it may have been her intention. But I felt that she wanted to show him (with the background which would have been out of focus due to depth of field).

http://phantomwrays.deviantart.com/art/Cold-day-68391051

Elijah isnot in focus here either. I am not guessing why.

http://phantomwrays.deviantart.com/art/The-glare-68391262

I don't think it is a good photo of him. The timing may have been off?

http://phantomwrays.deviantart.com/art/Snow-2-71116321

I do like this one in the snow. It's a bit blurry, but it 'spoke' to me. The composition is really nice. He is looking away and there is not a dead space on the left side, because of it.

http://phantomwrays.deviantart.com/art/Snow-71116239

This is a snap shot.

http://phantomwrays.deviantart.com/art/Row-of-Guitars-2-71128751

I think I might have tried to shoot this from the other side to show the strings?

http://phantomwrays.deviantart.com/art/Window-71104494

Pretty underexposed due to back light. Not moved by this.

http://phantomwrays.deviantart.com/art/Playing-with-Fire-71052917

This is an artsy one. I liked it.

I hope I am not being too critical.

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p.s. Thanks. :-) Tell her to keep taking photos! "Film" is cheap nowaday!

Answer 2

No information on how old she is but I assume a teen from the content.
The best that I can say is that she is 'trying'. In some cases trying too hard. There is creativity and there is creativity for the sake of creativity. Sometimes, very often in fact, simplicity is far more attractive than the alternative.
We all have to start somewhere and this start is a lot better than some I have witnessed - but not by much.
Encouragement is the key word and she should not be DIScouraged.
Something to bear in mind. Photography is the same as any other branch of the arts and is as subjective as them all. One will never please all the people all the time, as we all have differing tastes. This is what makes photo critiques a little wild and woolly, as many views will be offered and not all from those with an eye to see.
The experienced artist will see many faults in this collection. The enthusiastic young beginner will see something 'avant-garde' shown and will like everything. You take your pick.

Answer 3

She looks like she has some raw talent. Conceptually they are more than the usual "snapshots" that people take so I can tell she's trying.

Compositionally and in terms of formal skills like exposing properly and her developing she defiantely needs some work....but a few classes and some time can develop that.

YOU need to get a thicker skin. If your daughter is anything like you she won't make it either. Part of being an artist is accepting constructive criticism. It's not all going to be warm and fuzzy. As a mom I realize you are proud but without critique we don't develop so a big, big thing the professional artist has to grasp is how to objectify their work and step away from it emotionally once it's complete.

Answer 4

I think they're ok.
She should take photographs of objects more instead of her face, and if it is of her face, then it should have a meaning.
ALSO overly photoshopped pictures are cheesy, such as changing the color of a sunset to make it look green or something (just and example)
I think Photoshop is ok with a restriction, such as changing it to black and white, or the exposure.
Theres a lot of room for improvement.
Also her focus on her photographs aren't that great.
Basically the only photo that really catches my eye is the one with the candle thats centered.

Answer 5

I won't critique individually, I will say I liked some and some were just teen snapshots that are so popular and trendy now. Encourage her interest and make sure she gets some books on beginning photography. "Understanding Exposure", by Bryan Peterson is a great one for beginning composition and, well, understanding exposure. I will also say that Mousse is a GREAT name for a brown dog!

Answer 6

Those are very good. I especially like the converse and the one where the girl is holding up his hand and looking through his fingers. Some of those look super photoshopped though... like the first few of the snow.

Answer 7

The pictures are nice and moody and a good start for a young career.....let me guess photography student but promising.
Question what are the fathers features in her face?
Just like her mother ......hopefully as nice as her.

Answer 8

My favorite was Mousse 2

Answer 9

boring, actually. there is a subject, but no content.

maybe she could work on some excersizes with light and shadow, or try to capture a dream she had once. Anything but just straight on pictures of herself.

Answer 10

She's good and will be excellent once she settles into her own skin.

I added her as a friend on DA.