can some please tell me...

folio.ld-images.com

Thanks
Les

well, i've been reading your previous posts Les, and it's very hard to give any assessment without knowing what you are trying to achieve? As others have said, if you're enjoying yourself, and improving that's all that matters. If you have different aims and ambitions, well i could assess your images based on that.

Problem is though the enjoyment tend to go out of it when some models don't rate your work.

I have no wish to be the next David Bailey, but I do want to improve and be as good as he is, but from the comments of some people, and I don't mean those w**nkers on PS but people I respect, I am not improving and not that good.

I am serioulsy at the stage of packing it in and going back to landscapes, since after this weekend the fun has gone.

Cheers
Les

If you dont enjoy it, try a change of style or direction. Or come on one of my workshops lol

I amy just take you up on that offer

I think a fresh perspective is the way to go Les.

captiv8 wrote:

If you don't enjoy it, try a change of style or direction.

That is very good advice and something that I do a fair bit, while my base work is generally similar the style changes as I find that it keeps you fresh and makes you think rather than doing the same thing over.

Taking a sabbatical and doing landscapes wont hurt either, I do that too from time to time.

Your work is technically good, generally well focused, exposed and composed but it dose lack the final kick in some instances, I honestly think with a little guidance with PS process and light handling technique you would see some significant improvement.

Hi Les,
I had a look through your portfolio and on a positive note I'd say there are shots that I'd describe as great portraits, but you’re asking what you are doing wrong. There is a look and style to your pictures overall and maybe if you think you’re not improving it’s because this look and style has been consistent and not developing.

I think it would take too long to give a proper critique and go over all the elements of the shots, but since you are asking specifically what you are doing wrong, I'd say you’re not planning the shoots in terms of what look/expression/mood/atmosphere you are trying to achieve. Most of the shots look like "record" shots, where you held the camera to your eye and just pressed the button to record what was in front of you. I can't tell if the nude shots are meant to be artistic nude or glamour. To be honest, most just look like the point is to photograph a naked girl. There is little expression or “story” to them.

To improve, I would recommend that you think about your favorite shots, or photographers work, to influence you. Maybe even keep a desktop folder on your PC and download any pictures you really like. That will give you something to be inspired by, and aim for. Plan your shots to try and achieve a look/style/expression/mood along the lines of the pictures you most admire. If you don't manage to pull off your intention then lots of people on here will help figure out what’s needed. If you’re not sure how to achieve what you want then you know lots of people on here will help. I guess that’s why you keep getting asked what your intent is with the pictures you post - people will be able to give their opinion on whether or not you achieved it, and offer advice on how to achieve what you want.

Lastly, there is no harm in just continuing to do what you’re doing if you really enjoy it.

I took up fishing for about six months. Believe it or not I never caught one fish! But it was always a great day out with my mates, cooking stuff on a fire, relaxing and enjoying the banter. So it didn't matter whether I caught a fish or not, of course, I was a crap fisherman, but who cares I had fun!

Cheers
The other Les

having looked at your site all I will say is you may want to play around with photoshop a bit more.

I know PS isnt everyone's cup of tea but you talk about models rating your work...models generally like a bit of retouching.
You have worked with some very beautiful models but sometimes a wee bit of extra help wont go amiss!

Find a muse of some sort, like your wife or someone if they are up for it and maybe sit back and ask them upon looking at the shots how they would prefer to have been shot, what's good what isnt. Women like to be flattered and models rate flattery very highly

Dont know if that would have made much sense....Im obviously no photographer!

[quote="LesD"]Anyone up for this? No specific ideas or themes, lets just see what happens.[/quote]

(above from your LFW TFP post)

Les, if I can make a couple of points that may assist, these may just be reinforcing what you already do

Using your quote above I think your mindset prior to a shoot could be looked at. Especially so on a TFP shoot as your model has an expectation of good useable images as her payment.
It's a bit like repapering a room or mending a dent in a car wing, the better the preparation the better the end result. Part of that is getting totally familiar with the tools to be used.

If it's your first time in the studio for a while, maybe with a different set of lights you are used to, then book it an hour earlier.
One set up you could use in this time to check lighting, shadows and the effects of the different focal lengths on your zoom lens: Take along a coat hanger, a patterned jumper, a white rough towel, (or kiddies cloth nappy, if clean ) a hat and possibly a balloon (could be stuck with newspaper).

Using a spare lightstand hang the jumper on it with the white towel over one side of it. Stick the hat on top and set it to the height of your model.
By altering the lights you can check exposure, focus, detail, texture is in the white towel (not blown), camera white balance to flash or use gray card.
By altering your postion, height and focal length you can check whether sides on the backgrond roll are in shot, how low you can shoot before the top rail is in shot or ceiling. Make notes on light settings as you change them round.
I also agree with the points the Other Les wrote.
Know what outfits(or lack of) the model will bring before the shoot and let her know what is expected of her re style/poses.

I agree with the others that a Professional model given sufficient input from you about your idea or shoot concept will free you to cope with the techy bits and will also be able to offer suggestions to enhance your ideas.

So Planning: prepare your concept, prepare your model, prepare on all equipment.

hope that is of some help.
H

Hi Les, first of all, keep the pecker up, I had a wee look at your portfolio and I particularly liked the section headed Gothic, nice lighting with the candles.

I have to agree with most of the comments above but in particular the suggestion that the images are record shots. When I first started doing wedding work I quickly realised that the camera work was only a small part of it, it was having the ideas, the purpose of the shot, how I got on with the subjects, keeping the conversation going and so on. These are not things that come easily and Im certainly not a sales man so I find talking difficult. These are additional skills that you have to find.

Heres my suggestion, why not try some of the shots clothed and make sure the clothes go with the location eg a long flowing gown, the window light spilling in, maybe place some candles so they look like they should be there in the room, the model gazing out the window etc etc. Dont take lots of shots, concentrate on that one shot. Add a little blurr in PS and you are done.

Good luck

And by the way, anyone who slates another photographers work isnt very professional and probably isnt a professional. Professionals in any sector dont do that.

Lee