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03/08/2006 06:23:03 PM |
Greetings from the Critique Club
by strangeghost
The first three parts of this critique are written based purely on examination of your photo. "Final thoughts" is written after reviewing your score, photographer's comments, and voter comments.
TECHNIQUE
Several issues to talk about here. First is the obvious focus issue on the left. The robot doesn't seem to have an compositional reason to be out of focus. If it was intentional, it doesn't seem to me to work. Second is the very bright background behind the robot, seeming almost blown out, with the light level decreasing sharply behind the barbie. Barbie is quite well lit, and the exposure seems to have been perfect for her but not the rest of the photo. Then there's the awful shadow of his arm holding the gun. Looks like possible on-board flash. This would have worked much better, imo, with two or more light sources, giving a more evenly lighted, diffuse feel. I don't feel that the black/white conversion adds much to the composition either. It's not a bad BW conversion, it just doesn't feel as though it has any real purpose in the photo.
COMPOSITION
Apropos of the subject of the challenge, it certainly is an odd couple. I appreciate the humorous aspect of the shot, but the technical issues really detract from the whole, as mentioned above. The composition is fairly centered. I think it might have been improved by having an interesting or more emotional take on the comp. For instance, Barbie with her hands up and back to the camera, with the point-of-view looking over her shoulder into the face of the robot. Or conversely, looking over the shoulder of the robot, into the joyously vacant stare of the Barbie. Either way, making the face the focus of the composition, and letting the other elements organize themselves around that focus. As shot, it looks a little too bland, as though it's an incidental setup on a toy shelf.
EMOTIONAL IMPACT
It's a somewhat unusual picture, but toys rarely make for impactful shots unless they're truly stunning or breathtaking in some way. If this had been sharply focused throughout, with bright vibrant colors, it might have been a more attractive shot, but still probably not a true eye popper. For me, it doesn't really evoke much in the way of a reaction at all, it's rather bland. A more creative approach to composition as mentioned before, might have helped also.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Your commenters were a mixed bag, but really offered some insight into how to improve the photo. I also can't help but appreciate the fact that you marked them all as helpful, even the ones that bordered on rudeness!. Your final score of 4.0 was probably a little disappointing to you, but I'm sure you can see the reason for it. Voters need to be hit over the head with impact and emotion. If that's not available, they need to have a steady dose of technical perfection. Failing those two things, low scores are almost certain. I also very much appreciate the fact that you wrote an excellent photographer's comment, letting me know exactly your frame of mind in shooting this. It makes perfect sense. Keep shooting. I looked at your profile and portfolio. You've got some great stuff, and a pretty good eye. I look forward to seeing more of your stuff in the future. |
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 Photographer found comment helpful. |
Comments Made During the Challenge  |
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03/05/2006 03:36:49 PM |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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03/05/2006 09:01:17 AM |
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The robot being out of focus runied this for me, otherwise a great idea. |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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03/02/2006 07:32:45 PM |
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the more i look at this the more interesting it becomes. barbie is perfectly lit, perfectly in focus and the robot dude is horrible with the gratuitous shadow. quite like their personalities perhaps. the composition could use some space at the bottom below the shadow, so I'm going with unintentional. |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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03/02/2006 02:03:59 PM |
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Look...it's Babie and a scary robot-like thing. You obviously couldn't have known there would be so many. I think I'd like this one better if the whole thing were in focus. |
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03/02/2006 07:02:17 AM |
Sorry but have to say this; BAD picture!
Off focus
Ugly shadow
Bad lighting (to bright on the left, to dark/gray on the right)
Terrible background
bad setup
Don't meen to offend you but hope it will get you thinking before next entering. |
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03/01/2006 08:46:24 PM |
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Nice idea, the background has a nice contrast changing from light to dark. Not sure about having the robot thing out of focus, maybe just a personal preference. Good luck in the challenge. Neil |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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02/27/2006 11:46:52 PM |
haha ha
Our fearless hero bravely confronts the evil terror known as Barbie TM |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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02/27/2006 11:51:21 AM |
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EVIL is out of focus and lighting is uneven. (If anything GOOD should have stronger lighting than EVIL). |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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02/27/2006 06:48:31 AM |
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Normally I love shallow DOF but here I think you would have fared better if both dolls were in focus, it´s just too distracting like it is now. |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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02/27/2006 02:19:40 AM |
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cute setup, harsh flash shadows. |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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