Photo Critique #86

Photo Critique #86

on May 27th 2011 with 14 comments

Friday Photo Critique is our weekly community project, where we publish a photograph submitted by one of our wonderful readers, then ask you all to offer constructive feedback on the image. It’s a great way to learn more about photography, express your viewpoint, and have your own image critiqued!

Quick Ground Rules

  1. Play nice! We’ve deliberately chosen photographs that aren’t perfect, so please be constructive with any criticism.
  2. Feel free to offer any type of advice – composition, lighting, post-processing etc.
  3. You can also link to photographs that you feel offer a great example of this type of image shot exceptionally well.

Without further ado, here is this week’s candidate for Friday Photo Critique!

The Photograph

Photo Critique

Photo Details & Inspiration

  • 35mm lens
  • 1/50
  • f3.2
  • ISO 100

I was looking to capture a sense of wonder in the subject, looking up at something out of the frame. I felt that the head tilted back and the slightly open mouth helped create that sense.

Photographer: Madison Voelkel

Please let us know what you think in the comments – how would you have approached the scene or taken the photo differently? A massive thank you to everyone who commented last week.

The most constructive and helpful comments will be featured on the site. Interested in submitting your own photo? You can do so here!

 
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By

Rollover to read this author's bio or click through to see a full list of posts by this author.

I was raised in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. After high school, I left for Western Kentucky University where I obtained degrees in photojournalism and cultural anthropology. I am currently employed by CityBeat, an arts and entertainment weekly in Cincinnati. The work I am doing here is very rewarding and I suspect it will continue to be. I am available for freelance work in all areas of photography.  

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  • http://www.flickr.com/matt-402/ matt-182

    is a great shot.
    somewhat mysterious, and I would not say a sense of wonder
    but something kinda scary. Black and White praises even more.
    My only criticism is about the white burst in the face.
    nice picture, man. :D

  • scott

    I don’t think I would change a thing. Great image!

  • Brandon

    Good shot, I think you caught the sense of mystery like what matt-182 said, The only issue is the big white spots on her face (chin, and cheeks). This could probably be solved by using a black reflector right above the camera (hold it above your head if you’re standing directly infront of her)

  • http://www.shaneparkerphoto.com Shane Parker

    Hm, maybe it’s just me, but the photo looks very soft to me (out of focus). Otherwise, I really like the composition and pose.

  • http://australianphotoprints.com Michael

    Nice capture, a little soft, maybe sharpen the eyes, and a little light on the chin and cheeks, but good work!

    Keep up the good work Cameron :)

  • Peti Morgan

    This is an intriguing photo, I’ve looked it over a couple of times trying to figure out the setting, and wondered what she is doing/looking at. The background is nicely defocused and the photo suits black and white.

    The one thing that bothers me is her left eye (or right, looking at the picture). There is something about it that is incredibly distracting – but I can’t quite pick what it is. Possibly it’s looking in slightly a different direction? Or it could be the way the light is reflecting off it.

    Nice photo overall :)

  • http://www.philcrean.com Phil Crean

    The image is definitely soft. Camera movement I reckon. Notwithstanding that it’s a nice perspective, kinda mysterious. I’d remove the stray hair across her face as too distracting and also burn in the highlights on her chin and left cheek.

    Phil Crean

  • Greg

    I like this picture and I wouldn’t change much Like others have said about the chin, cheeks and stray hair is all the would be to be changed

  • http://www.littletrousers.com rachel lipsitz

    What’s wrong with it being a tad soft? I like actually like that about it – lends itself more to an oldy film feel which the rest of the photo has already. If it was pitch perfect sharp, it might feel a bit too perfect and modern.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/sjgodfrey/ Stephen Godfrey

    Overall a great shot bar one thing. Personally i don’t like how your models left eye looks. I don’t know if it is the lighting or if you caught her about to blink but it looks like her eye is rolling back into her head and because of the black eye liner the eye also merges into that big shadow of her hair. The way he catch light on her eye falls also adds to this. Perhaps some light dodging would help lessen this.

  • http://www.facebook.com/garyhellerphotograph Gary Heller

    I think its an interesting portrait, though not a very flattering one but then this was not to be a glamour shot. Generally, looking up the nose of your subject like this is not adviseable but of course there are always exceptions.

    I agree with some others about the peculiarity of the eyes although it seems to add a little something to the character that makes it interesting. The flap on the right side of her hat looks as if its coming in and touching the eye. I find it a bit distracting and wish it were not that close.

    The last thing for me is that the image on the whole is dark and contrasty aside from the face being lit well. The hat, hair and shirt are practically all black with very little detail and so i think it would help to open up the shadows a bit..

    Overall its not bad, and there is a sense of her looking up in wonder.

  • http://www.janibphotography.co.za Cape Town Wedding Photographer

    I love everything about it!

  • Justin

    I don’t get a sense of wonder at all. I like the photo a lot, but it looks more like a burst of euphoria… or a junkie getting the first blast… It’s the left eye rolling back that does it I think.

  • Joanna

    Very interesting capture. Subject has a haunting beauty about her. My only comment is that my eye is first drawn to her throat…….