Thursday Photo Shoot

[Utopium]

It's been a while since I worked in the studio but I was finally able to get some time in on Thursday night. I figured I would show off the results. Some of you may be familiar with these girls.

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album128/P2230393.jpg

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album128/P2230385.jpg

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album128/P2230356.jpg

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album128/P2230329.jpg

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album82/P2230417.jpg

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album82/P2230336.jpg

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album82/P2230314.jpg

[EmmaK]

Fun! You take pretty pictures. That is all :)

[juicyjay]

beautiful photos.

i love the ones of rachel

[Funshine]

<3dramaticpics<3

[E:go's Bitch]

Very nice pics. I'm a fan of the dramatic/artistic focus

[Shakey]

Raine is fine.

[Shakey]

Very good pics Nat!!

[Lynchx]

raine is hot

[ShiftyStar]

Yo how can I get on some of this action?

[metagrapher]

Excellent range of tonal values. I like the various and creative perspectives you get as well. But why do you crop so close to their heads? it kind messes with the composition a bit. In some cases you even barely clip their hair/head an iota. why?

[Funshine]

I like the look of it being cropped so close :yes:

[metagrapher]

perhaps. I figured I'd give the benefit of the doubt because the values were so developed and the creative perspectives all indicated someone that knew what they were doing.

I am really curious cause usually cutting peoples heads off is considered bad form. Like I said tho... benefit of the doubt. :)

[Funshine]

Ha! But none of them are really cut off per say.... I believe (atleast with the first girl and her photos) that the cropping job accentuates her eyes/hand/necklace....

This is the only picture I can see where I think he would have done better to not have cropped so close, but as I said before - overall I enjoy the look, I don't think anything gets detracted from... :
http://www.utopium.net/albums/album82/P2230314.jpg

[metagrapher]

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album128/P2230393.jpg
http://www.utopium.net/albums/album128/P2230329.jpg

I see what you are saying, however, it's like my teachers used to tell me. If you are going to break a rule, do it big. If you do it small, it's gonna look like a mistake.

[metagrapher]

I really want to wait to see what the photographer has to say, however, until I start a critique here...

:)

[Funshine]

I *really* like this one tho
http://www.utopium.net/albums/album128/P2230393.jpg

[Funshine]

I really want to wait to see what the photographer has to say, however, until I start a critique here...

:)
No worries, we're just gabbering so far :)

I'm sure Nat will be in the thread shortly.

[metagrapher]

I do too. :)

now, I await anxiously for response from the photographer, as I have a full blown critique for each image waiting in the wings. :wink:

[Utopium]

Well I've never taken a photography class in my life, but I am aware that there are some "rules" to photography people try to follow. The way I see it though, thats for photographing portraits and stuff for people getting pictures of the family and things like that. I don't photograph those kinds of things and basically just frame things the way I like to see them.

[kathy v]

Nat, these are beautiful. You truly bring out the best in people.

I was actually looking on your site yesterday and thought the one below was very cool. Love the foreshortening, the pose of the model, the composition all around, the silver prop--very cool.

Great promotional/ad material!

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album128/P2230363.jpg

[metagrapher]

Ah ok. Well, I am curious, what is not portrait about these photos? all that portrait means is an image of a person's face, right?

I don't know if the majority of the buzz board is ready for in depth critiques. people will think im wierd. ah well. screw them. ;)

Well... First off. damn I wish I had a studio. :)
I haven't run your photos through the histogram, but I don't think it's necessary to tell that you have good tonal ranges throughout your photos. They are good. You have a good eye for composition, though it could use a little refinement. What I mean by that is that these pictures are average and you have potential to be great. The light is a touch harsh, but that seems to add to your style.

oh man, you have so much potential I would love to sit down with you with a marker and show you what I am about to say...

rule number one. you can't break rules until you have demonstrated that you know how to follow them. The masters break rules all the time. but the break them in the right way. amateurs break rules all the time as well. it's rare that they break them proper. The only other way I know to explain this is thus: Native english speakers break grammar rules all the time, but we break them a certain way. Foreigners break the wrong rules, or generally break the rules incorrectly. Does that make sense?

So, the rules I am about to preach about are rules of composition. Like I said, you have a good general eye for composition, but it could use some work.

There are different rules for photography than for painting and drawing... but they are similar. The primary reason for this is that each medium presents its own challenges. One such challenge typically unique to photography is the severing of extremeties.
1. Never cut off a limb at the joints. this is a hard and fast rule. You didn't do it, but it's worth mentioning in this context.
2. Never cut off the top of the head. There are exceptions... well, I'll get into that.
3. Avoid cropping too close to the top of the head. People need space above their heads. I can't explain why, they just do. This varies with how they are zoomed ect.. it's something you just have to feel, I guess.

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album128/P2230393.jpg
This image is pretty nice. there is something about the way you cut off her shoulder that bothers me, though. It's one of those things where if you are going to do something, do it big. If you do small it looks like an error. If you can't seem to get it just right and you know you are cutting off a small chunk of something, well... it's wrong... or at least, it's gonna look like a mistake. It can be intentional all day long, and it's gonna look like you didn't mean to do it.
On the other side of the photo I the way her arm kinda comes back in but doesn't, I dunno.. with the shadow like that it makes me feel like she has some kinda gimp arm. No offense, it's just what I see.
Overall the composition is good, though it feels backwards, as if someone whose first language reads right to left set up the composition. Perhaps if she was looking into the light...
The contrast and color are great. The lines are great. Overall I like this shot quite a bit, save for the limb chopping. Really it's just the two bottom corners of this one that bother me at all...

next...
http://www.utopium.net/albums/album128/P2230385.jpg
This one is interesting. I like the perspective. But, her wardrobe combined with the perspective makes her look anorexic. I can tell she's not, btw. Certainly there are more flattering angles you could have cought her legs at so that they don't look so thin? Really, I think it's the pants combined with the strange way she has contorted herself. What sort of lense did you use with this one? Good for experimental photography. This angle seems like it was inspired from the common self photography angle as featured on myspace. It doesn't really work well for them there, and well.. it's not my favorite anyhow. Remember, you are the photographer, you set the poses. If you don't like the poses, tell the model to change.

next..
http://www.utopium.net/albums/album128/P2230356.jpg
This one is great. Very Britanny Spears sassy and sexy look. I love the silver background. What did you use for that? The atire, the pose, the angle, the lighting, gah. everything great. Excellent work.

next...
http://www.utopium.net/albums/album128/P2230329.jpg
This one is my favorite. Seriously. I love this photo. It's great. But why did you cut her head off? that bothers me a little. (her nose is shiny, too.) I want to think her head rounds up top of the hood, but I can't tell... and the lines cut off at just the right moment to make me think it's actually pointy. I can't tell.... it really bothers me. But the overall beauty of this picture. I mean, wow. It's really great. Her expression is wonderful, the attire is great. The lighting is absolutely perfect. Not too harsh but just bright to get the right exposure... sigh. If only you had cropped it up about a cm. I saw that you used the rule of thirds here (conciously or not) and it helps this picture greatly. Really I think it's the contrast and the emotion you bring out though this photo. Fix that crop and I'd consider buying it if I saw it at a gallery. And I don't buy art all _that_ often. (I really should tho! :( )

next...
http://www.utopium.net/albums/album82/P2230417.jpg
This is a great photo as well. Though this is what I had in mind when I wrote about space above peoples heads. It feels constrained or constricted. She needs a touch more room over her head to really make this photo great. It's so close. Oh, and take her a smidge to the left. slightly off center is killing me. (remember what I said about slight...)
I love the lines. I like how you cut the bottom of the image just at the bottom of the seat of the chair. Your eye easily flows through the lines of created between her and the chair. very nice work. The back of the chair in particular adds to the beauty of this shot.

next...
http://www.utopium.net/albums/album82/P2230336.jpg
This one is very nice. I like the composition overall. The lighting is good and her pose seems natural and somewhat candid. I don't really have a whole lot to say about this photo. It's good. It's well developed. Really, that's about it.

last one... (sigh... so many critiques! Im getting worn out!)
http://www.utopium.net/albums/album82/P2230314.jpg
Something doesnt sit right with me on this one. I can't tell if its the pearls or the conflicting curvy lines that cause my eye to get confused. It just feels like there is something unnatural about this pose. It seems so, well... posed. Which, it is. heh. but still, I guess I could liken this pose to when someone is slightly double jointed and their arm bows out a little. It looks like she is under duress to hold this pose long enough to take the shot. That and there is some optical illusion thing going on with her hand and her hips. The more I look at it the more it befuddles me. Cover the top half of the photo with your hand cutting her off at the waist and tell me it doesn't look like she could be facing her back to the camera. But that's just the way she's standing... :P did you pose her, or did she chose this pose herself? She seems slighly... contorted?
In the other shots it didn't bother me near as much, but her head getting slightly cut off in this one really does. Especially since you have the top of her actual head but that it's her hair do that gets cut. I think her hair being up like that adds significantly to the elegance of the photo and it doesn't do her justice to cut it off like that.
Overall this is a very elegant photo. I think thats what you were going for with this one and you definitely achieved that. It looks very good and I am certain that you will create an even more beautiful image of elegance next time.

By the way, I would highly recommend picking up a book called: "Adobe Photoshop CS : The Art of Photographing Women" by Kevin Ames. I think you would enjoy it very much and could glean alot of information from it.

Your work really is great and you have alot of potential as a photographer. Keep it up. :D

[metagrapher]

omg that took me like an hour to write.

[Funshine]

Well word - thanks for the reviews (even tho they're not my pictures) - this is the sort of stuff I want to have happen in this forum!

[Utopium]

Umm... not sure if I can remember all that...

[Jungle Jessi]

OMG these pics are AMAZING!!!!

i can't wait until i have some time to do this!!! :hyper:

[metagrapher]

whom did you intend to reply to? Your post doesn't make any sense following funshine's comments.

[Utopium]

whom did you intend to reply to? Your post doesn't make any sense following funshine's comments.

Well, you wrote quite a bit and I wasn't about to quote the whole thing. It definitely is a lot to absorb. I appreciate your attention to detail though, I just tend to point my camera somewhere and push that big button on top without thinking. Its all instinct for me.

[Phoenix]

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album128/P2230393.jpg

I'm totally going out and buying that outfit. I love it!

[jibboo]

Well, you wrote quite a bit and I wasn't about to quote the whole thing. It definitely is a lot to absorb. I appreciate your attention to detail though, I just tend to point my camera somewhere and push that big button on top without thinking. Its all instinct for me.
you REALLY should think about taking some art classes to hone your skills

[EmmaK]

Well, you wrote quite a bit and I wasn't about to quote the whole thing. It definitely is a lot to absorb. I appreciate your attention to detail though, I just tend to point my camera somewhere and push that big button on top without thinking. Its all instinct for me.
Instinct is powerful and in the case of your talent, leads to beauty...Art classes or not, critiqued or not.



Also, the angles feel fresh, possibly because so many photographers are told not to do this, not to do that, etc etc.

[E:go's Bitch]

Metagrapher, i'm just curious, what is your background/training in all this?

[jibboo]

Metagrapher, i'm just curious, what is your background/training in all this?
unemployed

get a job steve

[bubblzdc]

nice pictures :D

[metagrapher]

Metagrapher, i'm just curious, what is your background/training in all this?unemployed

get a job steve
Ahahahahahahahahahaha

oh shit. OK. I've picked myself up off the floor now.

I have grown up with various forms of artwork all around me. I was cocky about my artwork until I was about 11. I thought my talent would get me everywhere. I was proud to show off my "raw" talent. my parents informed me that talent is only half what needed to happen. They showed me that while I was good, I could be even better. I wanted to break all the rules and I didn't know any of them. They showed me that I couldn't break the rules until I knew them. That seemed fair enough

Abridged Version:
11 yrs old studied anatomy and life drawing @ Houston School of Art & Design (continued extracarricular training through 10th grade)
7th & 8th grade : Jonston Arts Academy (a visual art magnet school)
Attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (another visual art magnet school)
Taught weekend classes at the Houston School of Art & Design for spare cash senior year....
Johns Hopkins University for Web Design / Develeopment / and E-Commerce

Man, I want to go to New School so bad... sigh. It's gonna have to wait though. No funds right now. I would probably be a permanent student if I could.
I want to get into animation so badly. I just need to get off my ass and create a few shorts. :)

If you like you can check out my experimental crap at http://scalamia.deviantart.com
I also have a portfolio online at http://www.coroflot.com/metagrapher

I don't know how much info you were looking for....

[jibboo]

Man, I want to go to New School so bad... sigh. It's gonna have to wait though. No funds right now. I would probably be a permanent student if I could.
I want to get into animation so badly. I just need to get off my ass and create a few shorts.
umbc has an animation program

and its a state school so tuition would be cheap

and its right down the road from you

i'm just sayin'

[SydneyBristow]

meta, just looked at your myspace. We went to some of the same schools in the military, although I did mine a while ago longer than you.

[sassypance]

i'm looking at the corcoran school of art + design currently, but who knows, i'll probably wind up at UMCP or something... :shrug:

[jibboo]

i'm looking at the corcoran school of art + design currently, but who knows, i'll probably wind up at UMCP or something...
take my advice

don't go to a research university to study art

i think the corcoran is an excellent choice

[sassypance]

i'm actually considering UMCP because i ultimately want to teach art... corcoran has a 5 year masters & BFA program that i'm looking at and UMCP has an art education/secondary education double major that i'm also looking at, so we'll see what happens.

[jibboo]

ahhhh, teaching is a whole nother ball of wax

i fogot you're thinking about ed

must be the alzheimers

[Utopium]

So metagrapher, got any photographs of models we can critique? :D

[jibboo]

rofl

[E:go's Bitch]

If you like you can check out my experimental crap at http://scalamia.deviantart.com

There's some cool stuff on there :)

[E:go]

Okie, time for my $.02.

Nat, I really like the perspective and angles and lighting for all of the pics. I know what meta is saying about cutting off people's heads, but in these particular pictures, I think it really works well because of the rest of the framing that you did (unintentionally or otherwise). I don't have all the training and background as meta, but I have had an art class or two here and there over the years, and my mom's done some professional photo stuff and some of that has rubbed off. One of the nice things about what you're doing is that you really enjoy it. I've seen too many people get into art classes and grow to hate what they're doing. If you're having fun, don't worry about what other people say...just go out and do your thing.

[metagrapher]

take my advice

don't go to a research university to study art

i think the corcoran is an excellent choice

I'll second that.

[metagrapher]

So metagrapher, got any photographs of models we can critique? :D

Unfortunately no. I might be able to dig up drawings somewhere however...

But photos, no. I have not had access to a studio in some time.
which I regret.

My mentor in photography is my uncle, Ron Calamia, though. So if you would like to see sort of where I am coming from in that regard then search him on google. :) His work is not hard to find.

[metagrapher]

If you're having fun, don't worry about what other people say...just go out and do your thing.

Totally. I wasn't trying to discourage you at all. And I have seen people go to art school and get bored or fed up because they don't understand the reason for all the mundane sh*t you have to do. Hell, I definitely went through it. I was actually kicked out of one of my schools because I stopped caring. :P

But don't let that discourage you from studying. While it's possible to be really good on raw talent it doesn't make you any better than someone with training. And once you go to school, or at least educate yourself a little bit, your photos will only get better. Trust me, they won't get worse. I have never seen anyone get training in something and become worse at it as a result. And if you have natural talent, then it will become refined and you will develop your own style.

It's easy to gain the respect of non-artists. It's difficult to impress people who know what they are talking about.

Your work is good. But do get training. You are ready for it. You could be GREAT.

[Utopium]

But photos, no. I have not had access to a studio in some time.
which I regret.

You don't need a studio. Most of my stuff is done outdoors. Here are a couple examples:

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album16/model47.jpg

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album19/P6120290.jpg

[metagrapher]

now, if you could get me acess to a studio I have several models that need new sets of photos...

[jibboo]

now, if you could get me acess to a studio I have several models that need new sets of photos...
you really ARE that guy

[Utopium]

now, if you could get me acess to a studio I have several models that need new sets of photos...

Umm... Did you see my post just above yours?

[metagrapher]

no no. not THAT guy. that's ssb's job. ;)

The models I am speaking of have seen my photography, my artwork and my design and _ask me_ to make them look better than 10. :wink:

Man, if I had a studio... shiiiit. www.onemodelplace.com
great models and great photographers. :)

[metagrapher]

true true. good call.... hrm... I might have to give ashley a call...

where do you find these dresses and such?

[metagrapher]

damn. I feel all inspired now.

*sigh*

wow... I honestly haven't picked up my camera for a shot in almost a year... I really should.

Thanks man.

[metagrapher]

http://www.onemodelplace.com/member.cfm?P_ID=15111

speaking of onemodelplace that's my uncle's page there. Really really great photographer. Studied under him for a summer. :) One of the coolest learning experiences I have ever had. I learned so so much. :D

You are so so right tho utopium. I don't suppose I need a studio. A teacher once said "you are an artist. art is all around you. you could be in jail and you could still draw with a rock on the concrete." It's all relative isn't it?

[Sloane]

I will come straight out and say it. Meta stop acting like a tool. Utopium started this thread and didnt ask for anyone to critique his work. I have never met him but you can tell his passion and drive for taking photos. I have no idea what is good or correct in the photo world but I know I like his pics. Plus from reading his site he does this all free and always has the buzz pics up super early. Also the man doesnt have an ego.

[metagrapher]

You are entitled to your opinion. I am kinda new around the board and I read the guidelines for this forum and it said that critiques are highly encouraged. I am sorry if something has been wrongly inferred from my posts or if they weren't welcome. I never once said that he was a bad photographer. not once.

but people make assumptions while skimming text all the time. I am sorry if I have offended anyone. Perhaps I should add to my sig that 'critiques are never meant as personal attacks but as a means through which artists grow'?

[Russell Christ]

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album128/P2230393.jpg
SEXY!

[BPMninja]

Well I've never taken a photography class in my life, but I am aware that there are some "rules" to photography people try to follow. The way I see it though, thats for photographing portraits and stuff for people getting pictures of the family and things like that. I don't photograph those kinds of things and basically just frame things the way I like to see them.

Rules, schmules. Some of the best photographers ever have stepped over and dropped kicked many rules in the balls. When you start to let rules take over your creativity, you lose your edge.

Sidenote: Read through the page more...

"Ah ok. Well, I am curious, what is not portrait about these photos? all that portrait means is an image of a person's face, right?"

NO. A portrait doesn't even necessarily have to include a human subject. You can take a portrait of a tree. The point of a portrait is to emphasize an object, rather than the space they emcompass. It's a thin line between a landscape and a portrait of an object in that space. If you are pulling into the realm of human portraits, it could be a portrait no matter how much of the body or face it shows, it's all dependent upon the overall compositition of the image.

[metagrapher]

NO. A portrait doesn't even necessarily have to include a human subject. You can take a portrait of a tree. The point of a portrait is to emphasize an object, rather than the space they emcompass. It's a thin line between a landscape and a portrait of an object in that space. If you are pulling into the realm of human portraits, it could be a portrait no matter how much of the body or face it shows, it's all dependent upon the overall compositition of the image.
http://www.google.com/search?q=define%3A+portrait&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official

a painting of a person's face
portrayal: a word picture of a person's appearance and character
any likeness of a person; "the photographer made excellent portraits"
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn (http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=0&oi=define&ei=-RIFRM6lLqXc-AHlt62aDg&sig2=Bi2h20DrL4vKRKfF9qLTgQ&q=http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn%3Fs%3Dportrait)
it can also refer to page orientation, but that was not a relevant definition in the context.

[jibboo]

:popcorn:

[BPMninja]

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album128/P2230393.jpg
I really like this one. The lighting is well done and really does the model justice. I like the monochromatic feel of the background and the wardrobe, and the flirty look on the model gives the picture a good feel. It's a tight crop, but it works.

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album128/P2230385.jpg
Good angle on this shot, and I'm liking the lighting - what are you using as a catch light? I think a border would be a nice touch, but not necessary, something to add a gritty feeling.

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album128/P2230356.jpg
Fun background on this, and a good set up. But I don't know if this is the most flattering angle for the model. If there was a bit more lighting coming from the upper left to fill some of the shadows on the nose and around the eyes, I think it would be do-able.
http://www.utopium.net/albums/album128/P2230329.jpg
A good shot, but needs a little pizazz. With two fairly earthy colors as the main color focus of the shot, it needs something to make it pop.

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album82/P2230417.jpg
I love this background, it's working for your shots. I'm really digging on this shot, it's a great mix of fancy and urban.


http://www.utopium.net/albums/album82/P2230336.jpg
Very flattering shot for the model. Not my favorite of the bunch, but good stuff.


http://www.utopium.net/albums/album82/P2230314.jpg
Very elegant, I kind of want a slightly looser crop at the top, but I don't think it distracts too much. This could be a nice shot for a B/W grouping.

Lovely as usual babe. :affection:

Try getting some shoots with guys!

[sassypance]

meta:

pre·ten·tious Audio pronunciation of "pretentious" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (pr-tnshs)
adj.

2. Making or marked by an extravagant outward show; ostentatious. See Synonyms at "showy".

[jibboo]

meta:

pre·ten·tious Audio pronunciation of "pretentious" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (pr-tnshs)
adj.

2. Making or marked by an extravagant outward show; ostentatious. See Synonyms at "showy".
:hilarious: :owned:

[Utopium]

what are you using as a catch light?

Catch light? Sorry if I don't know what you are talking about, I just point what I got in a certain direction and really don't know the terminology.

Try getting some shoots with guys!

I was supposed to photograph John Deke on Sunday, but work came up and kept me busy when we were supposed to shoot. Really bugs me cause that was the second time I had to cancel on him. I've had a few other DJ's say they were interested in photo shoots as well but none of them have scheduled anything yet.

[BPMninja]

http://www.google.com/search?q=define%3A+portrait&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official

a painting of a person's face
portrayal: a word picture of a person's appearance and character
any likeness of a person; "the photographer made excellent portraits"
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn (http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=0&oi=define&ei=-RIFRM6lLqXc-AHlt62aDg&sig2=Bi2h20DrL4vKRKfF9qLTgQ&q=http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn%3Fs%3Dportrait)
it can also refer to page orientation, but that was not a relevant definition in the context.

I'm a photography major. EVERY professor I have spoken with in regards to portraits versus other formats has gone by this.

And if you're going to try to one-up a person by doing something like posting definitions from google, don't cut the information so that it suits your needs. You can also find the following on that page:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&hs=ruw&lr=&c2coff=1&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&oi=defmore&defl=en&q=define:portrait

a representation of a person or group or animal on a two-dimensional medium that typically also shows some aspect symbolic of the subject.
www.worldimages.com/art_glossary.php (http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=7&oi=define&q=http://www.worldimages.com/art_glossary.php)

Yes, portraits tend to be of people and especially faces, but it's not an absolute.

[jibboo]

:wave: we need to go out for stout some time

[BPMninja]

Catch light? Sorry if I don't know what you are talking about, I just point what I got in a certain direction and really don't know the terminology.



I was supposed to photograph John Deke on Sunday, but work came up and kept me busy when we were supposed to shoot. Really bugs me cause that was the second time I had to cancel on him. I've had a few other DJ's say they were interested in photo shoots as well but none of them have scheduled anything yet.

Catch light...it's a lighting practice where you have a small, bright light behind you and elevated. It's how they give that 'starry eye' effect in a lot of model's head shots. If you're at the right angle when you're using a flash, you can get a similar effect.

I can't wait to see some work with guys. I'm curious where your style will go with that....:D

[metagrapher]

meta:

pre·ten·tious Audio pronunciation of "pretentious" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (pr-tnshs)
adj.

2. Making or marked by an extravagant outward show; ostentatious. See Synonyms at "showy".

I wasnt trying to upstage him. I apologize. I did feel kind of attacked for a second there. But yeah. Do unto others..., right? I would hope that my work could elicit similarly detailed critiques once I decide to post it.

[Utopium]

Catch light...it's a lighting practice where you have a small, bright light behind you and elevated. It's how they give that 'starry eye' effect in a lot of model's head shots. If you're at the right angle when you're using a flash, you can get a similar effect.

Ahh, I see what you mean. I remember in the Lord Of The Rings documentary how they setup a grid of lights to get that kind of effect for Galadriel. Didn't know thats what they called it. If you ever see that stuff in the eyes in the pictures I take, it ain't intentional since I really don't think about details like that.

I can't wait to see some work with guys. I'm curious where your style will go with that....:D

I do have a few:

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album19/model56.jpg

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album19/model85.jpg

http://www.utopium.net/albums/album37/bands40.jpg

[BPMninja]

Nice. One day when it's not 11pm at night, I'm going to go through all of your galleries.

And I REALLY want to photochop one of those knuckle length gold rings that spell things out (from the 80's) on that middle shot.

[Utopium]

And I REALLY want to photochop one of those knuckle length gold rings that spell things out (from the 80's) on that middle shot.

Feel free to photochop anything under the events gallery since those pictures are meant for everyone to have for themselves, but I prefer to keep everything else untouched if you don't mind.

[BPMninja]

Haha...I won't, just my silly mind at work. That guy looks really familiar though.

[Utopium]

Haha...I won't, just my silly mind at work. That guy looks really familiar though.

He's the bass player for Army Of Me.

[SiKniSS]

lol @ pretentious ... meta is just mildly critiquing utopiums photos.. he shouldn't be ousted or scolded on photos that were put up for critique. the truth is he is correct on every point he made... based on loosely followed rules of photography.
meta has knowlege in theory and composition and was trying to lend a hand ...

[Funshine]

I will come straight out and say it. Meta stop acting like a tool. Utopium started this thread and didnt ask for anyone to critique his work. I have never met him but you can tell his passion and drive for taking photos. I have no idea what is good or correct in the photo world but I know I like his pics. Plus from reading his site he does this all free and always has the buzz pics up super early. Also the man doesnt have an ego.
No offense please, but this forum is here for artists of all kinds and critiques are more than welcome and encouraged. Just because someone says they think something should be a certain way doesn't mean the artist has to do what they said.

This forum is here so that we can hear new ideas, maybe get inspired to try something different, to learn new things, then apply them and grow as artists :D

Yay!

[SiKniSS]

the photos are good... the crops are definitely tight...
(chopping off heads is a big no no unless its a proposed macro shot)
a more brain pleasing photograph could be guided by the rule of thirds in almost all of them... its only theory but theory has basis.
utopium has the skills ... composition just needs polish.

im only an amateur / freelance photographer working mostly with trucks and cars... and i take every critique i can get from people with more knowlege under their belt... it only makes me better and it allows me to shape my raw into polished art.