Fstoppers Community Critiques: Show Us Your Best Photos

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.

Patrick Hall's picture

Patrick Hall is a founder of Fstoppers.com and a photographer based out of Charleston, South Carolina.

Log in or register to post comments
180 Comments
Previous comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lets hear what you have to say with this photo.

http://fstoppers.com/photo/23695

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

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

@ 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)

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Was there a time mentioned for this live video?

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

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.

Patrick, are we there yet? :P

Please by all means let me know how I can improve on this image.
http://fstoppers.com/photo/13768

hope you can critique my work on your future episode.:) https://fstoppers.com/photo/22560

Leave your views please
https://fstoppers.com/photo/21643

Hi. Hope you guys could check my work out and give it some love and hate critique. Thank you! https://fstoppers.com/photo/24638

I'm open to any constructive criticism. I'm a professional photographer but I know I have a lot to improve. So, your inputs are greatly appreciated.

P.S. Sorry the image is NSFW even though it's not a complete nude.
https://fstoppers.com/photo/25014

And here is another work of mine that I'd like to share. Feel free to comment :)

https://fstoppers.com/photo/25015

More comments