Hi,

I submitted attached picture for SWPP monthly competition. The picture was ranked as "Deserving Of A Review (Above Average)" with a 76 points. So I needed 4 points more to get "Deserving Of A Merit".

I submit my picture to SWPP monthly competition just to know where I am in photography, but I found myself more than often just above average. I post this new thread only to hear about your suggestion of what I can improve in my photography. All suggestions are welcome, so please don't hold back. Your comment means a lot to me and many thanks in advance.

Well, Hammar-man... First I want to say I like the image very much. For some reason I want to see a rose, or rose petals...or a big skeleton key...or maybe a champaign glass somewhere in the image....but that's probably just me...

My monitor on this machine is a little off, and the plain fact that monitors differ, and a print is going to look different than on a monitor anyway, so it's very difficult to make points of technical issues. For example, there is no detail in her gloves as seen on my monitor, but I'm betting that's not the case with the print.

Personally, I like the lighting, and that the image puts me on edge a bit. I think it's the extreme angle of her head...But the point is here, that art is very subjective.

Let me ask you this: do you see the other works that are entered in the competition? The ones getting better rankings? And if so, what do you think of them, and the relative quality of your own images?

Aloha,
SPC II

Hi Robert,

I've got a couple of points to make---the first is related to the score. I entered print competition a lot when I was in Los Angeles and I judged a few in Hawaii. I know that "76" doesn't bring home the ribbon, but remember that the "above average" range is above average for PROFESSIONAL photographers. Not a darn thing wrong that. We would all groan at the dreaded "79"...until a friend of mine whispered "I can sell a LOT of '79's" the 76-79 range represents a darn good photograph.

This particular photograph is very powerful. Stan liked it an pointed out that it put him on edge. I would go further and say that it makes me uncomfortable--I find it a bit disturbing--my reaction is that I am looking a corpse. Please keep in mind that that is not meant as a negative critique--some of the most powerful images ever created are uncomfortable for me to look at. My point is that it is strong image because it definitely evokes an emotional response.

Stan thinks that a rose or a champagne glass would add to image...I see vampire puncture wounds [in color] completing the image! Name it "The Countess!"

[Sorry if that was a bit too off-beat!]

Thanks a lot Steve and Stan your comments are very important for me, when I'm still learning. For me the eyes are important and I want to leave other details of the body out.

I'm asking you (and others who are reading this) because two of my pictures recently got better ranking then my last one in glamour shots. I haven't developed myself yet in collecting right picture so your thoughts are helpful

June:



May:



I love your suggestions and I will work on them to next time. My subject is like "not all the picture where great".

"June" is VERY sexy! "May" is a beautiful example of light and form--I really enjoy shooting figure studies but I don't shoot them very often.

Thanks Steve! May was shot with a Canon 580EX in umbrella on a light stand on my right towards my camera.