eloquent in pink

[Nathan Leach-Proffer]

please pick apart these photos because i am going to add one of them to my portfolio and i want it to be the best it can be. for now i am not going to post the starting photos but in a day or to i will post it to see if it makes people see new things that should be fixed. please let me know what version you like best.

http://static.flickr.com/69/204355611_ad6a40f7a8_o.jpg

i like this one more because it looks more like a painting and i think it complements the car well.

http://static.flickr.com/76/204355610_752a14deda_o.jpg

if anyone wanted to know the photo is from the pre medowbrook press day

[John Thawley]

I think I like the second one... it is a bit more dreamy.. romantic... surreal... etc.

However, I have to tell you Nate, I'm not sure I categorize the image as strong enough for a portfolio. Personally, I find the composition a bit weak. I think I'd like to have seen a lower angle... I know that would have required more care in the positioning of the bride and background elements... but as it is, the car seems to be less important or at least equal to the background. I find myself struggling to see detail in the car and admiring the location... the car is not the star... and it should be.

I could be wrong... it's a beautiful photo... but I'm not sure if I were hiring you to shoot my car I'd be convinced you'd capture the object of my affection. Hope that makes sense.

JT

[Nathan Leach-Proffer]

Thanks jon, i understand what you mean, the car is not really the focus.

i had no control over the setting of the car, that is the location and stance that was parked in. the reason it is high up because i was on a higher level, i had to wait some time to get the photo with no people. there was a car parked just below the frame so i had little room to work. i did not mean for that to sound like excuses and that is not how i meant them i just wanted to add a little more into the photo.

if i desaturated the background maybe it would help the car to stand out, i will have to do that and post the result.

are you going to the show on sunday?

[John Thawley]

I'd like to try.... I haven't been home much this summer. I'm sure Kristin doesn't mind... but I owe the little guy some face time. We'll have to see.

Maybe there's a landscape crop in there? Bring the car out... cut the top down to the bridge? I don't know... I'm trying to view it as a potential customer for your work... as you said, they aren't in the market for excuses. I want to look at your portfolio and be in "can't wait for this guy to shoot MY car" mode.

JT

[Nathan Leach-Proffer]

well i am pretty sure this went the other way in "can't wait for this guy to shoot MY car" but i almost like it more then the 2nd photo i posted. this is not final, i just edited the small photo/fast job to see if it is somthing that i want to spend more time on.

http://static.flickr.com/68/204417531_d8ff5c30c4_o.jpg

what are peoples thoughts on having two portfolios, one that will me more "i want him to work for me (more classic look)" and one that is "he has his own style / is creative (ya im giving my self credit but whatever:))" i am trying to build a nice full gallery however here are a few of the style of photo i am really liking.

Not for Critique: unless you really want to
http://speed-photos.smugmug.com/photos/85237500-M.jpg
http://speed-photos.smugmug.com/photos/85033484-S.jpg

[John Thawley]

Sadly.... the answer to that is probably not what you want to hear... cause it's the tough portfolio to produce.

As a customer... I want both. I want to see you have your own style... and I want to have an increased heartbeat that say's "I can't wait to have this guy shoot my car."

That may "feel" unrealistic to you.... but that's the truth.

BTW... your editid version of the shot is a complete turn-off. It's a classic romantic shot... it is what it is. You're trying to make it more than that and it just doesn't work. IMO

The pieces you posted as "your style".... represent your "taste".... and as we both know... your "taste" won't sell and this juncture in your career. You have to find a marektable style. This is not different than any other artists that argue..."I don't want to sell out." The only way an artist "sells out" is if he doesn't take the necessary steps to get his work into the hands of people. Be realistic... find ways to package your work for a client... and make them want the package. If I hire you to shoot my car and you come back with a 20x30 of a section of the grill... I'm going to shove it... well, you know. :) But.... if you came back with a beautiful presentation that feature a great shot of my car... and a collection of tight detailed features... and presented in a manner of HOW IT SHOULD be presented in my office or on my wall... then I'm thinking... gee that looks great... and man, this guy is good.

Make it work...

JT

[Nathan Leach-Proffer]

i said it before but thank you for taking the time to teach me :) it is very helpfull.

yes i did mean taste, i am not very good with words, and i also know that it will not sell. i am talking to more people about setting up more photoshoots so i hope that i can set stuff up and not just be making due like i have been.

i guess i am just on a never ending quest to stand out and things do not always work

[John Thawley]

“The greater the artist, the greater the doubt. Perfect confidence is granted to the less talented as a consolation prize.”

[Mike Ditz]

In order to produce a photo worthy of your portfolio, I think you need to set up shoots, rather than going to an event and shooting whatever you come across. Unless you are looking for gigs covering events.
IMO the car makes no sense being on the grass next to the road. It would look better on the road or on the bridge, It's good to go to the shows to meet people and with talking to enough owners you will find one or two who would let you shoot their car for practice. Wrangling the locations might pose a challenge, but by networking with the right people you might find some cool spots to shoot. Might have to pay, might be able work a trade.


MD

[Nathan Leach-Proffer]

mike,

sometimes you have to work with what you are delt, making the best of were you are. some of my favorate photos in my portfolio are about catching the right moment. with some more set up photos i think very select photos from shows (sometimes you cant even tell, if i had not said i had no control i would guess your cratiqe would be different) can add i bit of depth. if he can do that with no control, piture what he can do with my car and time.

and about the car being in the grass, i know alot of people do not like the look but it can make sence with the right story. A newly married couple is going for a drive by the river, then up ahead they see an ice cream stand so they pull off the round to get some. Or in short they parked on the grass. I don’t find it to be something that is that incomprehensible, however I do understand that the it would make a little more sense on the road.

[Mark Delbrueck]

Humm... I think the composition of the first shot is not the greatest. Just too much to look at if you ask me. If you are looking for a "romantic" type of shot, do some research on a plugin called "gothic glow" I think... others like skin softening actions will also produce that effect. Your best bet will be through the skin softening ones, as they tend to keep important curves and details while applying the blur.

I really like that last shot of the Cayanne grill, but would like to see it in a series of 3 next to two other detail shots.

[John Thawley]

mike,

sometimes you have to work with what you are delt, making the best of were you are. some of my favorate photos in my portfolio are about catching the right moment. with some more set up photos i think very select photos from shows (sometimes you cant even tell, if i had not said i had no control i would guess your cratiqe would be different) can add i bit of depth. if he can do that with no control, piture what he can do with my car and time.

and about the car being in the grass, i know alot of people do not like the look but it can make sence with the right story. A newly married couple is going for a drive by the river, then up ahead they see an ice cream stand so they pull off the round to get some. Or in short they parked on the grass. I don’t find it to be something that is that incomprehensible, however I do understand that the it would make a little more sense on the road.

Nathan:

I know what you're saying.... but honestly, think about the old advice about a job resume` ... you've got 1 page and 2 minutes of my time. GO!

I don't care about the show or excuses or imagining what you can do. I don't know from picnics and ice cream. I want you to wow me and I'm going to pay you (your price) to shoot my car.

I know it sounds brutal... because it is. Your customer's DON'T have imagination. They have money... and they hire people with imagination.

You need 10-12 killer shots.... IMPRESS ME!!! And that's the ugly truth. :)

PS: The Corvette sunrise shot should stay in your portfolio for a long time. Now THAT'S a shot!

JT