Thread: Some serious CC needed

I am wanting to try to get into PrePro on ILP and would love some HHCC on my set. You are welcome to leave CC in the comment section, or, if you are feeling so inclined, you can make a list and post it here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/5780114...7625833286410/
TIA

ok, here goes. I'm just going to point out things I think make certain photos weaker. I think this set looks really good, and you are getting close. Lots of really fantastic images in there. I really hope you get in!!

1. The bright spot on the grass looks blown, and is a bit distracting.
8. Personally, I don't like how you have the Johnson's soap. It's looking a bit like a Johnson's ad. I just feel like this pic has too much clutter, although I do like the super cute expression.
18. Diapers showing really takes away from this pic IMO
21. I find myself trying my head all over the place trying to see this one properly.
24. I have noticed a few centered comps, but this one especially doesn't work for me.
25. I don't like how the prop is cut off.
26. The horizon is going through their heads.
35. I don't see much connection here.
36. The background is looking too busy, and I can't tell what is behind here.

1 - I agree about the patch of light on the grass, if you can clone it out. Also, the light on top of her head is a bit distracting. I'd like to see you add contrast and pop that background.
6 - Not sure if she is on top of the grass or she is off the ground. I wish I could see the ground below her. Also the color seems flat.
7 - I wish she was not so centered.
8 - I think this picture would work if you recrop and get in tighter. I don't care so much about the prop. The expression you've got is great.
12 - I think this needs more contrast. Looks a bit flat.
14 - Image is centered again.
15 - The arm/shirt looks blown
20 - If you could add more space to the right so that she is in the ROT.
21 - the composition is not working for me.
24 - centered composition
27 - whites look blown.
29 - picture is soft.
30 - something funky going on with his shirt (left of the pic)
31 - Conversion looks flat - Not liking the limb chops - I think you could have shot this horizontally.
35 - no connection.
37 - looks like the focus fell on his vest. Face looks soft.

I've noticed a lot of centered images. You might get dinged for that as part of their required composition.

OH I'll CC later but just wanted to say GOOD For You for trying out for Pre Pro! I hope to get there someday! You have a lot of great shots! I will CC tonight when I get back from being out


eta: You have some variety here it seems. Lots of different shots and poses. Different times of day, different lighting. That's great! But I do agree about lots of them being centered. Not all but a lot of them are somewhat centered. That's all I've got for now

HHCC right?

1. Blown grass, halo around subject.
2. very cute, but the light is a bit flat. Not many shadows to contour the facial features.
3. sweet shot
4. tons of noise in this image. wish it were a true silhouette.
5. background is uneven...I see some bizarre shadings around her head.
6. not digging this one. It feels too posed. Wish she were higher off the ground.
7. I find all the leaves distracting, especially the ones in front of her.
8. I agree about the text on the bottles, but otherwise a cute shot.
9. not really my cup of tea, but nicely done for that type of shot.
10. I love this one.
11. cute.
12. very nice
13. nice
14. don't love this background, it's just very busy which makes it hard to focus on your subject. I don't mind the centered-ness of this because it allows for the tutu, but the background is killing me.
15. composition not working. Eyes are too low in the frame, and I would have had him more to the right leaving some negative space on the left. Could use more processing to make it look really professional.
16. pretty
17. looks really yellow to me. And she looks stiff and posed. Nobody would ever sit that way on their own.
18. a shame about the diapers...that would have been a really easy fix.
19. cute
20. flat light again
21. I guess I'm in the minority because I like this. I find that the orientation is really making her eyes pop. I do see what they're saying though. How does it look flipped right side up?
22. do not like this one. she looks really stiff, shoulders are high, and it just feels unnatural...like you told her exactly where to put her hands. I know that there are photographers that do that, but you've got to find a way to make them look natural once you've got them positioned the way you want them. If she's not the type of person who would go up to a tree and lean one hand against it...it will never look right.
23. this is so cute
24. yikes...centered. Would have been fine if you had turned it portrait.
25. I would have closed the aperture so the entire fire engine was in focus. I agree...the prop is a very important part of this type of picture and it should both be in focus and not chopped.
26. you were not square with the couple, so that makes the horizon look crooked. You will never be able to fix this. In this type of shot...it is really important that you get the lines straight.
27. Lighting is really uneven...the girls on the lower left are much too bright, and Dad is too dark. Whites are definitely blown. If this image is included this way...you most certainly will not get into Pre-Pro. Blown whites are absolutely not acceptable.
28. hmmm...needs contrast.
29. cute.
30. They look great...but the image looks like a snap. Too much background...or something
31. looks like a snap. Background is severely lacking and the conversion didn't fix it.
32. again...who sits like that? Especially in a wicker chair. Looks so uncomfortable and unnatural.
33. I love this one!
34. so pretty
35. no connection
36. I like this.
37. composition needs work...eyes higher in frame.
38. I like the attempt of this, but the shadows just aren't quite right for me. A little bit too harsh. Wish it feathered more.

Thank you to those of you who have CCed so far. I really appreciate the detailed feedback! I am putting all the information into a table so that I can compare impressions across the board of each image and then dump or rework them based on that

I can't HHCC obviously (I'm not at everyone else's level) but I wanted to ask about #29---it looks soft to me, but it must not look soft to everyone else? Good for you for working on this set! I hope to be at that level someday!

Originally Posted by Amy_&_Eva

I can't HHCC obviously (I'm not at everyone else's level) but I wanted to ask about #29---it looks soft to me, but it must not look soft to everyone else? Good for you for working on this set! I hope to be at that level someday!

You are completely qualified to CC! Even knowing which ones you love, hate or ehhh is helpful

Originally Posted by Amy_&_Eva

I can't HHCC obviously (I'm not at everyone else's level) but I wanted to ask about #29---it looks soft to me, but it must not look soft to everyone else? Good for you for working on this set! I hope to be at that level someday!

Well, I love your pictures Amy!

I definitely don't feel comfortable or qualified to provide any CC...but I just wanted to say that I think it's awesome you're going for it! I really enjoyed your pics.

Well thank you that is so nice of you both to say...there is plenty to like in this set and I will definitely be looking at them again & again! and I'll make a note of anything else that stands out to me that wasn't already mentioned.