Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic - Critique for first ten please... Bring it on...

oljensa · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 3:10 pm

Hello experts! What do you think about this?

Thanks for your help, I appreciate it!

jeffbanke · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 3:15 pm

Nice, looks just a little soft though, have you added any sharpening yet,? You may be able to add some if not

oljensa · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 3:18 pm

And also this please :)

oljensa · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 3:22 pm

jeffbanke · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 3:31 pm

If you save as a RAW file in camera, every image needs sharpening!
If you save as a JPG, the camera has already done some sharpening, unless you turned it off.

So, the moral of the story is that you apply sharpening judiciously and or only to the areas that require it like eyes.

On your second image, very nice and dramatic, but may be a tad too dark especially around the subjects eyes.

Eyes are key always.

rinder99 · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 4:52 pm

totally agree with jeff. I shoot jpeg in the off position and sharpen Only with NX2 at maybe 20% Max But definitely on just certain Images for effect only not to try to help focus. and #2 shot needs a catch in the eyes at least and a slight False catch in lower Iris..Nice work BTW.

triceratops · Joined: 15 Nov 2006 Posts: 7933 Location: The other Nevada

Agree with both Jeff and Laurin. You can add a touch of sharpening to the first image without incurring any artifacting. You just need to look at the image carefully when you apply this to be sure nothing untoward occurs. You may wish to try unsharp mask to the eye area only, leaving the rest untouched.

I like the drama of the second image, but agree with Laurin it needs a catch light in the eyes. SS is extremely touchy about shadows, so don't be disappointed if this one gets rejected. It's still a great shot. Perhaps hold off with this one until you're in and then submit it.

jeffbanke · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 8:09 pm

Laurin and I are on the same page :-)
I would give it just a slight curve and a tiny bit of lightening up in the whites of the eyes like so, and you would have it.

oljensa · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 1:35 am

Wow guys and girls, thanks a lot, this was really helpful!

I really like the catch lights in the eyes, will insert some and lighten the eyes a bit.

One more question about the first ten though, how diverse do the images have to be. I mean do you think I can use like three or four images from this shoot given that they have some difference (B&W, OnWhite, Single modell, Both models together...)? Or does it have to be ten totally different subjects?

hhltdave5 · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 7:06 am

oljensa · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 8:26 am

Ok, thanks Rinder. I will prepare ten images and post them here first and see what you guys think about them...

rinder99 · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:03 am

Good Idea and your welcome. If your gonna submit B&W for first 10 Only do one....Your best One.

oljensa · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 1:11 pm

royster · Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Posts: 299 Location: England/Greece

Looks like your going to have some great shots.
It will be interesting to see your first 10 if those two are an example of your work.
Get some images of them in a gym as well if you can to add some variety using the equipment having a trainer with them etc.
Do a search on here and have a look at other images to give you a good idea what is needed

jeffbanke · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 2:59 pm

I have to tell you that your images are a breath of fresh air!
We see so many newbies who post images that are nowhere near the quality of yours, I expect that you will be one of the few who get accepted first go round. There are many who got in first go round 5-6 years ago with nothing as good as your images are going to be :-) Bravo, and good luck!