A few of my attempts for the finals...

Tessa HD

It sure has been hard to get the camera to see what my mind's eye is seeing! Any critique and or suggestions are warmly welcomed!

1. Stage Door


2. The Orchard


3. Music to My Ears


4. Persistance


5. Making Tracks

Izzy Garavito

Tessa I love #2 and #3. #3 seems a bit soft to me (it might be my monitor) but It's a great angle and cool lighting--even though there is a lot of black I like the fall off on the trumpet and the face. If you could re-shoot and get it tack-sharp, IMO, it would make it a great shot from a very imaginative angle.

I also Like #2, but I'm a sucker for photographs that play with light.

#1 has great texture, lines, and color, with strong composition. I read in the sneak peek that you might be adding something to it, and I would love to see the end result.

The last two don't really do it for me when compared to your first three.

I think that #1 has the most potential, but #3 is better developed at this point.

Hope it helps and good luck!

pemmett

Izzy Garavito wrote:

Tessa I love #2 and #3. #3 seems a bit soft to me (it might be my monitor) but It's a great angle and cool lighting--even though there is a lot of black I like the fall off on the trumpet and the face. If you could re-shoot and get it tack-sharp, IMO, it would make it a great shot from a very imaginative angle.

Tessa, I have to agree with Izzy here. I would also add that the trumpet player doesn't actually look like they are playing the trumpet, i.e. no blown up cheeks, or expression of their face, but the angle is very good

Izzy Garavito wrote:

I also Like #2, but I'm a sucker for photographs that play with light.

I also love photos like this, but feel that there needs to be an added element to give it something special, e.g. two people kissing :-)

Izzy Garavito wrote:

#1 has great texture, lines, and color, with strong composition. I read in the sneak peek that you might be adding something to it, and I would love to see the end result.

The last two don't really do it for me when compared to your first three.

Again I agree with Izzy, I'm really intrigued about your idea for this shot, seems to have endless potential, but that might also be a problem

Good luck and I look forward to seeing your final entry, as you've definitely showed that you've got the right stuff

Tessa HD

Izzy Garavito wrote:

Tessa I love #2 and #3. #3 seems a bit soft to me (it might be my monitor) but It's a great angle and cool lighting--even though there is a lot of black I like the fall off on the trumpet and the face. If you could re-shoot and get it tack-sharp, IMO, it would make it a great shot from a very imaginative angle.

I also Like #2, but I'm a sucker for photographs that play with light.

#1 has great texture, lines, and color, with strong composition. I read in the sneak peek that you might be adding something to it, and I would love to see the end result.

The last two don't really do it for me when compared to your first three.

I think that #1 has the most potential, but #3 is better developed at this point.

Thank you so much for taking the time to critique. You have pointed out issues that I wanted to ignore.

Tessa HD

pemmett wrote:

Tessa, I have to agree with Izzy here. I would also add that the trumpet player doesn't actually look like they are playing the trumpet, i.e. no blown up cheeks, or expression of their face, but the angle is very good

Your comments were very nice, thank you. I agree that it doesn't look like he was playing, I think it was taken in between breaths. Your right - it would look so much better with blown cheeks, etc. I've been trying to reshoot and can't seem to get any better. I appreciate the comments, back to square one!

Greensquared

I Love #2!

Swartzy

Tessa
#1 sceams possibilties. #2 is beautiful but might not make it through the rounds of voting. #3 is a great angle but the lighting/dynamic "look" necessary for this shot to work isn't there....also, it would have more impact if an older person were playing the horn (as in a road musician look..think jazz clubs of old).

#1 most likely will give you the best milage as it has so many cool things working for it. Can't wait to see!

cbsnet

Swartzy wrote:

#1 sceams possibilties. #2 is beautiful but might not make it through the rounds of voting.

I like both 1 and 2. I agree that 1 has a lot more potential than 2. Maybe a fan waiting at the door? Don't know, but it needs something.

Keep up the good work!!!

-carl

douglas

Great shots, i really like #1 and 2, possibly a wider shot of #1 would have even more impact.

pyroPrints.com

douglas wrote:

Great shots, i really like #1 and 2, possibly a wider shot of #1 would have even more impact.

I also really like 1&2, but what I would try in case of 1 is a lower angle shot.

Tessa HD

[quote=Swartzy #3 ...would have more impact if an older person were playing the horn (as in a road musician look..think jazz clubs of old).[/quote]

Good point! All the more reason to eliminate this possibility. Thank you!

Tessa HD

douglas and pyro - thank you for your suggestions. i sure hope i get another chance to shoot this scene. we practically had a blizzard here and i'm doubtful that the snow will go away in time to reshoot. i checked out the scene today and it just doesn't look as good all filled with snow. :-(

Greensquared

Hi Tessa,

I also really like #1, but felt maybe it needed something to push the story and knew you were having trouble reshooting. :cry

#2 has fantastic light and mood. When I originally saw it, my window was smaller though and it gave mae a view with some cropped off the top and the bottom. You may want to try that as it made the image even stronger to me, really drawing me in.

Best of luck to you!
Emily

pyroPrints.com

Go grab a shovel =c)

Nikolai

#1 has the strongest potential . Just get that golden dress girl and play around...

Tessa HD

Thanks Emily, I'll mess around with the cropping. I might be able to reshoot this, maybe I should try adding a couple holding hands or something.

Tessa HD

Nikolai wrote:

#1 has the strongest potential . Just get that golden dress girl and play around...

Thank you!

tamplum

#1: stage door. you mentioned you got some snow and bad weather. Maybe a play on that? Perhaps a few "artists" waiting for audition in the freezing cold? Holding sheet music and some dance shoes with leotards on under their large jackets? My brother is a performer and he has been known to stand in pretty bad weather for the cattle calls in LA or NY. Just an idea. I love the idea and with you the best.

eoren1

Hey Tessa,
I vote for #1 as well and think the snow might be of help. How about a model in something extravagant trying to light up just outside the door. Hands cupped to keep the wind from extinguishing the cigarette... May need to zoom out a bit though.
E

Travis

Another vote for #1. I agree, though, that there needs to be something added to create interest and tension. Maybe a down-and-out actor sleeping against the wall?

Tessa HD

tamplum wrote:

#1: stage door. you mentioned you got some snow and bad weather. Maybe a play on that? Perhaps a few "artists" waiting for audition in the freezing cold? Holding sheet music and some dance shoes with leotards on under their large jackets? My brother is a performer and he has been known to stand in pretty bad weather for the cattle calls in LA or NY. Just an idea. I love the idea and with you the best.

Interesting idea, thanks! I may have to do that! What I would miss most in the picture is the ground. I love the old leaves, cracks, loose bricks - and right now the snow has buried all of that. But the added interest of people could possibly be an equal replacement. Thanks for the suggestion!

Tessa HD

Just one more thank you to everyone for your much appreciated critique and suggestions! After much deliberation I will go with the Stage Door which now has a 'human element' (as so many of you suggested) as part of the composition. I chose this model due to his hair, clothes, and thought his position (which matches the staircase) would least likely detract from the background, yet add some depth and interest. I hope it works!

tamplum

Nice touch. Good luck