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Photo Critique #97

Photo Critique #97

on Aug 12th 2011 with 10 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

  • Canon 7D
  • 1/250
  • f/8
  • ISO 125
  • Auto white balance

Just really trying to keep the focus on her and the engine area really. First time doing a pin up style session.

Photographer: Chris Kruger

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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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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  • KamuiVII

    A nice looking picture, but I think if the model was centered more on the car (on the door) it might’ve been a better picture. Very dark to begin with, so having her up more probably would’ve lightened it up a bit but still keeping the background dark. The idea is there, but the model positioning and lighting, in my opinion of course, could’ve been better, but a good picture overall.

  • writersbloc

    Think you did a fine job. Full lighting setup might help members critique more thoroughly.

    Personally I’d consider a tighter crop, your model, who pops well off the dark scene, still feels a little distant. The angle also seems a little closed off. You’ve got part of the car obscuring your model and we’re losing the lower half of her body.

    The car looks very interesting, but it’s hard to see because you didn’t light it. That’s your call, but I think it would have helped the photo overall. Might be a good excuse to shoot plates at different exposures sans model.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/49518096@N00 lecolazet

    First of all, when i saw this image, i was saying : what’s this, on the left ?
    And, i don’t really understand. A part of a car ?!
    Anyway, i think this object is to dark.

    After, i see the model.
    Why a so wide view ? And why this woman near this “car” ?
    I definitly don’t understand this picture.

    If this picture will be just a picture of the woman, it will be more interesting.
    Because the lightning over the women is really good.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/cristiangalletti/ crisg

    Nice lightening! The car is a bit too dark. I would consider to put a light in the background.
    What I totally disagree is the crop at the bottom: I would have saved the pinup’s shoes.

  • Ricardo

    Realmente no comprendo cuál es el punto esencial en la imagen. Porque veo tanto a la modelo como al vehículo. La iluminación no es total y eso daña un poco la idea que se pretende conservar y como he aprendido con envato “La luz, lo es todo”. El enfoque está bien, pero posee una distorsión de idea y mala iluminación.

  • http://www.2heartsphoto.com Ernie

    The dramatic lighting is effective. However, there are too many distracting elements in this photo. I spent time trying to understand the car elements. I would agree with the tighter crop suggestion. I wouldn’t want the model in the center of the frame, however. Also, a slight change in angle would have eliminated the side view mirror obstruction.

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

    You needs to be focused on what you are shooting; in this case you say a pin up style of shot; in that case the girl has to be center of attention and the props are there to support her.
    You’ve got a good model and great props, try shooting it again and maybe sit the model on the bonnet, or front bumper, or stand her in front of the car.
    Lighting is great, just need to sort out the composition.

    Phil

  • chris

    Thanks for the input everyone! I definitely agree with a lot of the suggestions. There is a lot of things I need to focus on next time. I just tend to get overwhelmed in everything else at times I guess.

  • A/C

    I don’t know if this is too late…but I’d like to offer a little critique :)

    A few things I would change about this photo when I look at it is that the car is a little too underexposed. It seems the lady is supposed to be showing off the car, however the viewer can’t see much of the car at all. I’d put some lights on the car too rather than centering them all on the model. The side mirror is also obstructing the model.

    If I was taking this sort of photo, I would have the model sit on the side of the car probably where the wheel in the foreground is and get more of the “engine” into the photo.

  • Brian

    Is the main subject the model or the car? Both are VERY interesting subjects and because the car appears to be so unique, really odd and interesting at the same time, I feel you’re two subjects are competing against each other instead of complimenting each other, or one or the other. With the crop job, cutting off a lot of the car and part of the model, makes it even more confusing on what the real subject is. The lighting causes the model to pop out terrifically, but loosing her foot in the crop and the mirror blocking a part of her takes her away as the main subject. With me, the model looks fantastic but with such a unique car, I’m tending more to looking at the car and wanting to see more of that! Otherwise, nice job.