New Portrait Series - "Keeping Memories"

anyone??

Unfortunately, I couldn’t see any strong emotion from the photos.

I’m sorry to hear that. What could be improved about them? Did you not like the poses, the composition, was there a lack of connection with the subject? I really like the one of the mother and her children. Is there a better approach that can be taken to a project like this.

Sorry for late reply.
I can understand your idea of the photo “the mother and her children” with your 2 sentences explanation. However, without the text, I couldn’t see enough emotional factor. It can be really rude to say like this, but they look like having a sunday picnic and bothered by harsh sunshine if I can’t see the small part of tombstone.

I do not underestimate your effort and hard work, but I think you can do much better with small preparation.

You don’t need to be a photographer.

If they know you are photographer, they will be nervous and try to run away from the situation. They will never show you their real emotion. Have a conversation, have a long talk, be a friend, show your sympathy, you need to understand them (subject).

You don’t need to take their face.

You’re not taking a photo for a driver license. There are many ways to deliver a great feeling. If you decide your theme, you can use any kind of objects which related with your subject. You can capture their shoulder, back, hands and etc.

I may write too much about my rubbish idea with incorrect English. I am really sorry if I waste your time.
But I’m sure other experienced and senior photographers will add more line (or crush my opinion) and help you.

I really hope you can take a great picture from the work.

P.S Bloody hell, I really hate my English composition skill.

Sang – your English skills are fine. I do get the point you’re driving at. I didn’t want the photos to be the typical crying and holding a photo shot. I felt that many of the subjects were pretty comfortable, but that’s obviously not coming across in the work. Unfortunately, this was front page art for a community newspaper, so it couldn’t be too abstract. I do like the idea of featuring things other than the face, but I don’t think that would have gone over too well at my paper. If I ever get the chance to reshoot this, I’ll have to rethink my approach. Anyway, thanks so much for taking the time to critique my work. I would love to hear your opinions on my other work as well…if you have the time.

Thank you for understanding foolish man’s opinion.

P.S I want to run away!!! Argh!!

i am not crazy about the lighting, especially the first on the motor bike, they all look a bit like poorly done catalog photos selling something. seem over posed and they are looking at the camera in an unnatural manner, even the last where she isn’t it looks like she is thinking about the camera. i like the square format but you shouldn’t be afraid to put the subject in the center, almost did with the trio but there is something uncomfortable about the three people in the corner and then one and a half things of flowers (not to mention the kid is missing a foot).

you wanted to connect them but other then the fact that you can see pretty strong flash in each they feel very different.

i like how the first three look in print more then the single files you have as general brightening make the flash less harsh, the 4th didn’t need to be brightened so much.

sorry for being such a bastard but thats what i felt when i saw them. it is very easy to be a critic and hard to do things perfectly but it is useful to hear peoples real opinions.

Good job. The stories are combinations of photos and copy, that’s what’s important. Neither stands alone, or should.

It was honest journalism to show the survivors simply and in environments, rather than zooming in on their faces, inventing “feelings” for them.

Sascha – I have no problem accepting criticism. Thanks for the input. I don’t ever shoot medium format, so I did face some composition issues while I shot. As for the light, I was hoping to convey the that there was a “light” inspiring these people from “beyond.” It was a vague idea to begin with, but the harsh light might not have worked.
John – Thanks for the compliments, that’s what I was aiming for. At the end of the day, it all comes down to opinion. It’s good to hear that the package worked for someone.