Critique

A short time ago I had the opportunity to spend some time with an established and successful photographer (Stephen Perry). I wanted to review my photography. To discuss how I had improved over the years. Where I could go in the future.

From my sports photography through the family portraits to the model shoots I have been doing lately.

My family and friends all say they like my pictures, and think they are very good. And I like them too.

But what would an impartial observer say? I don't get the chance to speak to more experienced photographers, so it was good to spend a couple of hours just talking about my work.

We concentrated on the pictures on my website. They are afterall my shop window.

I must admit they were a mixture of mostly older pictures. With a lot of sections. But I liked them and thought they showed what I could do.

At times it was a little difficult to hear. Picking out small imperfections or mistakes I had missed. Or suggesting that they just weren't my best work.

At the end of the review I had a lot to think about.

A change to the website structure was the first action point. I needed to simplify it.

Then I needed to look at the pictures on it, and remove a lot of them. And then pick some new content that would showcase only my best work.

The session gave me a new way to look at my pictures. Not only to be very critical of composition, lighting, posing, but the tools I used.

Could I have used a different lens to achieve a better result or effect?

Was the lighting right for the style, and mood I wanted to achieve?

Could I have changed the pose a little?

Did it flatter the subject, show them in the best possible way?

How could I have produced an image that stood out?

I had to look at each scene. Pull together all the elements and tools. And produce a picture that would draw the viewer in, tell a story or display a product at it's very best.

Overall it was a good and needed experience that I hope will improve my photography.

Please checkout my website and facebook page. And leave a comment on this post. I would really appreciate your thoughts on this or any blog post. And my website.

For more of my work, go to my Facebook page.

and 

website

Confused about art

I was talking to my cycling buddy as we took a break from the ride. I had read an interview with some photographers, one of which was Kevin Abosch. He of the expensive potato picture. We wondered how that massive price had come about. What made it worth so much? We talked about art in general. I guess I just don't get it. Art, when it's painted, or sculptured tends to mean a one off. So I can see how the value, especially over time can grow. 

I am at a lose though to see how some modern art is so highly valued. 

Again it is a one off, even if the piece is produced again. It's not going to be exactly the same. But I don't understand what it is most of the time. Or what it's trying to say. 

It appears to me at least part of it's value is who the artist is, not the piece itself. 

Once a group of people collect the artists work, they buy everything. Why? Bragging rights, a show of wealth, or a way of demonstrating they are part of the group who understand in a way others are just not capable of?

Then I come to art photography. Again this is just my opinion. 

When you buy a piece of photographic art. It can easily be reproduced. Just printed again. I'm not saying because it is a photograph, it can't be art and highly prized though. It's just not unique in the same way.

I tend to shoot pictures that are either personal to me or the subject. Or that satisfy a requirement. So not really art in itself. Although I hope some of them would be seen as artistic. 

Maybe I'm just too literal a thinker. It has to be obvious. And that's my failing, not the artist's problem.

Here is the potato in question.

Pic: Kevin Abosch

Quote from Peta Pixel, I think, illustrates why I am confused about art. “Kevin likes potatoes because they, like people are all different yet immediately identifiable as being essentially of the same species,” “He has photographed many potatoes. This one is one of his favorites.”

What do you think? What am I missing?

For more of my work, go to my Facebook page.

and 

website