Fstoppers Community Critiques: Show Us Your Best Photos

July 17th, 2014

180 Comments

Fstoppers Community Critiques: Show Us Your Best Photos

Last week Lee Morris wrote an article outlining the community rating system and we have been flooded with emails. The most common question has been "now that I have a rating associated with my images, how can I get honest critiques and suggestions about my work?" Well today is your lucky day because this weekend Lee and I are going to examine 15 images submitted to us and break down what makes each image great and not so great.

Over the last couple weeks Lee and I have rated over 4,000 images in the Fstoppers Community. It's pretty obvious after browsing through the most popular and highest ranked images that we have some real talent lurking on Fstoppers.

As fun as it can be seeing how your own images rank among the entire community, sometimes it is more helpful hearing first hand how you can improve your work and make even stronger images. That is our plan for this Sunday as we go through 15 user submitted images and break down the good, the bad, and the ugly. It's not always going to be pretty and I'm honestly a little nervous about having to dish out my own personal thoughts on some of your photos.

Here are a few of the areas we will be looking at and considering when giving our praise and criticism:

Mastery of Lighting

Creativity

Selection of Talent/Models

Post Production

General Photography Technique

Emotion and Mood

Commercial Viability (can this image book you work)

If you think you have the guts to have your work critiqued or simply want to get our opinions on how you can push yourself to the next level, leave a link to a specific image in your Fstoppers Portfolio below. On Sunday July 20th, Lee and I will hand pick 15 images to talk about live on video. We are not going to reveal your name unless your entire portfolio is world class and hopefully everyone can take something constructive away even if it isn't their own work.

This idea is sort of a test as I'm not exactly sure what to expect, but if this turns out to be something you guys find valuable then maybe the Community Critiques will become a regular occurance on Fstoppers.com.

Fstoppers Originals

Critiques

180 Comments

Boris Urumov July 18, 2014 - 6:02 am

One of my favourite candid shots of my little bro.
http://fstoppers.com/photo/23610
Let me know what you think! Thanks!

Dave Copithorne July 18, 2014 - 6:07 am

Alright mines a bit alternative, but lemme have it.
http://fstoppers.com/photo/16713

ferhatyalcin July 18, 2014 - 6:13 am

Count me in :)
http://fstoppers.com/photo/22184

Daniele Zedda July 18, 2014 - 7:32 am

Fun! I'm in: http://fstoppers.com/photo/16673

Robin Browne July 18, 2014 - 7:51 am

Great idea, thanks. http://fstoppers.com/photo/23222

Marius Budu July 18, 2014 - 8:04 am

Part of my 'Thought Tension' series shot with handstand contortionist, Martha: http://fstoppers.com/photo/20343 - NSFW

Keegan Evans July 18, 2014 - 8:06 am

All I received was a "needs work" rating but would love to hear some constructive criticism on it! Thanks!
http://fstoppers.com/photo/21147

Rodrigo Capuski July 18, 2014 - 8:18 am

Excited by the idea: http://fstoppers.com/photo/19855

Charles Gaudreault July 18, 2014 - 9:53 am

studio noob, this is a one light setup, what could i do better?
http://fstoppers.com/photo/23688

Percy Ortiz July 18, 2014 - 10:00 am

hang on… let me get my box of tissues… ok Lee/Patrick, go ahead, make my day :P
http://fstoppers.com/photo/12212

Stuart Kinnear July 18, 2014 - 10:07 am

Lets hear what you have to say with this photo.

http://fstoppers.com/photo/23695

Eivind Hamran July 18, 2014 - 10:14 am

I hope u like it!
http://fstoppers.com/photo/23658

omar juarez July 18, 2014 - 10:16 am

Don't be too cruel: http://fstoppers.com/profile/12679/portfolio

Tony Guillaro July 18, 2014 - 10:16 am

I'm down, I would love to hear what you all have to say
http://fstoppers.com/photo/21409

Patrick Burger July 18, 2014 - 10:43 am

Be honest till it hurts! http://fstoppers.com/photo/20589

Bryan Dockett July 18, 2014 - 11:21 am

@ Patrik and Lee, speaking of critiques I would like to see/suggest that when rating photos "needs work" at least one item / area is pointed out. Sometimes those needed improves aren't as obvious to the photog ...(not that I leave feedback all the time)

Patrick Hall July 18, 2014 - 5:54 pm

Bryan Dockett

That's the issue, 1) if you don't take the time to leave feedback you can't imagine anyone else would and 2) few people want to come public with the fact they just rated an image a 1 or 2.

Bryan Dockett July 18, 2014 - 6:11 pm

Patrick Hall

Is it possible to add a feature which flags photos which welcome feedback. Then I would be okay rating a 2 and leaving feedback.
Maybe a lil C&C watermark or tag

Sam Merkel July 18, 2014 - 12:53 pm

This is one of my favorite photos from this season, let's see what you guys think of it
http://fstoppers.com/photo/15671

Brandon Dewey July 18, 2014 - 1:43 pm

Thanks Guys, http://fstoppers.com/photo/16198

Kristi Woody July 18, 2014 - 2:00 pm

I'd love to have this one critiqued: http://fstoppers.com/photo/23776
I'd be fine having any of the photos in my portfolio critiqued, so feel free to choose a different one.

Denis Girard July 18, 2014 - 2:39 pm

I'm bracing for impact! Thanks for any comments! Love you guys!

Josiah Moore July 18, 2014 - 4:23 pm

"Out of the Rubble" - Continuing my quest to make the most epic wedding pictures I can for my friends! http://fstoppers.com/photo/23820

Gary Martin July 18, 2014 - 5:06 pm

Go for it
https://fstoppers.com/user/3266/portfolio
Thanks!

Matt Wade July 18, 2014 - 6:05 pm

Get at me http://fstoppers.com/photo/23850

Alen Kirn July 18, 2014 - 7:53 pm

I'll give it a try: http://fstoppers.com/photo/23884

John Towner July 19, 2014 - 12:55 am

I'll throw my hat in - http://fstoppers.com/photo/23953 Cheers

Rob Berg July 19, 2014 - 1:20 am

Critique welcome - not a professional here. A few options in case you are looking for various photo methods and processing...

Still life: http://fstoppers.com/photo/23967
Black & White: http://fstoppers.com/photo/23956
HDR processing: http://fstoppers.com/photo/23964
Color adjusted old cars: http://fstoppers.com/photo/23955
High contrast: http://fstoppers.com/photo/23951

Thanks in advance if you choose one!
Rob

Scott Krebs July 19, 2014 - 8:48 am

Here is one from one of my recent shoots http://fstoppers.com/photo/24036

lee arthur July 19, 2014 - 5:47 pm

Not sure if I am late on this or not, but would love any comments or critiques available. thanks http://fstoppers.com/photo/24106 http://fstoppers.com/photo/24107

Drew Quizon July 19, 2014 - 7:31 pm

I'm still new on the site, but here take a look at mine.
Dusk: http://fstoppers.com/photo/24110

Drew Quizon July 19, 2014 - 7:31 pm

And one other, Wedding Bliss
Would love critique: http://fstoppers.com/photo/24115

Joe Chirilov July 20, 2014 - 3:27 pm

Was there a time mentioned for this live video?

Patrick Hall July 20, 2014 - 8:50 pm

Joe Chirilov

We are filming it live and releasing it in the next day or so. It's actually not going to be a real time critique

Joe Chirilov July 21, 2014 - 2:23 am

Patrick Hall

ah, a subtle point there that escaped me. btw, not being a video guy forgive this question, in what situation would you say "filming it live" versus just saying "filming"? isn't all filming basically "live" by that usage? I always thought "live" meant that the broadcast of the show to the audience happens at the same time as filming.