portrait of my brothers girlfriend at my uncles wedding several months back.



i'll post the color version too. i can't decide which one is works better.

-mike j-

should i take the lack of response as a sign of this photos mediocrity? or is it just flat out bad?

well, its certainly an interesting facial expression. Does she know you posted this More of a candid than a portrait if we want to constrain ourselves. The focus is off and she is chopped up by the crop. The main issue though is the focus, if that were good this would make a nice shot to pull out at family gatherings.

i am not a fan of this one at all.. the cropping is awkward and its WAY too soft.. also, the expression is not flattering.. sorry to be harsh, but this one really had me wondering why it was posted..

-dustin

lol gosh dustin.
i can fully understand you hating the photo but suggesting i not post photos i know aren't going to be completely recieved well is going a little far.

lol thanks IsoS. yes it is the same girl.
tastes are varied so i expected an array of reactions to this one.

i think what dustin is trying to convey is...what was the motivation/process behind this photo? what was mike trying to accomplish and did he? what were you looking for in critique- technical information or artistic merit? to me this is a fun snapshot of a family member or friend. technically it is unremarkable, as i agree that the crop is awkward and the focus too soft. artistically, this doesn't speak to me...but if i knew this person i might feel a different connection to the photo. i don't think dustin was telling mike what to post or not post just to question his own motivations.

sorry for being blunt earlier.. i was busy and was trying to do 3 things at once..

what i meant was, when i look at this shot it looks like a missed shot.. we all have them.. wrong moment, wrong focus, etc..

so i was looking for you to explain to me why this shot that looks like a missed shot has merits to you the photographer? and if these merits are something that could be passed to a general audience and why?

-dustin

p.s. sorry mike, i tend to be more blunt w/ you than anyone..