I Need Hard Critiques!!! My exhibit pieces

[theantiquetiger]

I have started editing on my images that I want to place in the Photo Exhibit. I will be adding images to this thread as I complete them. I am taking my time, not rushing the PP.

Here is the first one. It is one of the oldest operating grocery stores in Baton Rouge (mostly a convenient store/antique store now). What I mostly did here was burn many of the boxes in the candy case at different exposures and a few things here and there. I cleaned up a few spots and cloned out a florescent light fixture.

I am wondering if the WHITE ice cream freeze in the center is robbing too much attention away from the candy case?

As always, click on my Flickr to get the full version.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/11848969836_21f43b14ef_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11848969836/)
capitol Grocery (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11848969836/) by Theantiquetiger (http://www.flickr.com/people/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr

[Runmonty]

AT - I went to look at Flickr version as I find these easier to identify any artifacts and the image is set to private

[theantiquetiger]

AT - I went to look at Flickr version as I find these easier to identify any artifacts and the image is set to private

OK, you should be able to see it now

[Marko]

I can give a critique on this tomorrow - but i do have 1 piece of advice....
Try to make your selections work with each other on some level...OR have sets of images that work together.

[theantiquetiger]

I can give a critique on this tomorrow - but i do have 1 piece of advice....
Try to make your selections work with each other on some level...OR have sets of images that work together.

Are you suggesting a theme of some kind? I am going to try and stick to similar subjects. I cannot use LSU (my favorite subject) because of licensing rights, so I am going to stick to two themes, Baton Rouge and New Orleans landmarks. A little cliche-ish, but that's about my only decent subjects I capture well. I am heading to New Orleans in a few hours for a walk about, so I hope to grab some great shots (I had this trip planned before I got the offer of the exhibit).

[theantiquetiger]

Here is the original version I did last year. I am kind of digging the sepia tone, it tones down the harsh white of the freezer. (of course I will re-work it and not just use this copy)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8504/8423986067_c9d851636a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/8423986067/)
capt grocery1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/8423986067/) by Theantiquetiger (http://www.flickr.com/people/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr

[Anuj]

yup sepia seems easier on eyes than B&W

[Marko]

For critique, I find the whole exposure off on the left side of the image. It's too dark for me and it will be difficult to balance with the rest of the image.
I hate to say this but if this were mine I'd likely reshoot it or choose another image.
I'm not suggesting a theme so much as using images that work together on some level. You remember Sesame Street? "One of these things just doesn't belong". Start with two images, then add a third, fourth fifth etc. As you add them one at a time make sure they all 'belong'. Hope that makes sense, hope it helps and know in advance that it's not simple.

[theantiquetiger]

For critique, I find the whole exposure off on the left side of the image. It's too dark for me and it will be difficult to balance with the rest of the image.
I hate to say this but if this were mine I'd likely reshoot it or choose another image.
I'm not suggesting a theme so much as using images that work together on some level. You remember Sesame Street? "One of these things just doesn't belong". Start with two images, then add a third, fourth fifth etc. As you add them one at a time make sure they all 'belong'. Hope that makes sense, hope it helps and know in advance that it's not simple.

OK, after feedback here and similar feedback on other sites, this one is scrapped.

[theantiquetiger]

Here is my second pick for the exhibit.

This image has grown on me so much in just one day, it is my favorite image I have ever taken.

Other than the faux bottom, there was very little PP done.

Some critiques I got from other forums were:

- the sharpening halos are to hard (I don't see anything)

- her left breast needs darkening (I disagree, at full size, she is not complete silhouette, you can make out details of her)

You HARD critique wanted

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3756/11860492705_401b2d5a57_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11860492705/)
jogger3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11860492705/) by Theantiquetiger (http://www.flickr.com/people/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr

[Runmonty]

Just a couple of quick comments AT. Will try to have a longer look later when I get more time. You wanted harsh to so here goes..

There does seem to be some artifact (whether it be from sharpening or some other reason) alongside the right side of the lamppost. There appears to be CA on the right edges of the runner.

I find the crop ratio a little "not right" to me. It isn't square nor 4 x 6 or even 8 x 10. It just feels wrong to me, but I would be interested in how others find it.

I find the small pin points of light coming from where the buildings are, a little off putting.

I really like the image though and will try to have another look later.

[theantiquetiger]

Just a couple of quick comments AT. Will try to have a longer look later when I get more time. You wanted harsh to so here goes..

There does seem to be some artifact (whether it be from sharpening or some other reason) alongside the right side of the lamppost. There appears to be CA on the right edges of the runner.

I find the crop ratio a little "not right" to me. It isn't square nor 4 x 6 or even 8 x 10. It just feels wrong to me, but I would be interested in how others find it.

I find the small pin points of light coming from where the buildings are, a little off putting.

I really like the image though and will try to have another look later.

The image is 3:2 ratio, I know that much.

I went back and looked, the pin points of light are not coming through through the buildings, they are reflections off railroad spikes right at her feet (easily removed)

As for the halo, I don't see it. I see the edges of the sunlight wrapping around the lamp post. I am not defending the image on this, just not sure what to look for (you are not the 1st person to say this)

***Edit***

I went back and looked again. Are you talking about the darker orange line just to the right on the yellow sun on the right side of the lamp post? If that is it, how do I rid it, just lower sharpness?

[theantiquetiger]

While you at it Run, here is my second possible image

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2846/11882825913_3b99d1d7b6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11882825913/)
Live oaks1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11882825913/) by Theantiquetiger (http://www.flickr.com/people/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr

[Runmonty]

The image is 3:2 ratio, I know that much.

I don't think so. I think it would be better at 3:2 though

I think you are right with the lamp post - I was looking at the reflected sun rather than an artifact.

The orange alongside that area is probably the same as the Chromatic aberration on the runner. As to getting rid of it - ? Marko did a podcast on this last year and it helped me enormously with CA, although I will admit to still not always getting it perfect. To remove it I would use the "lens correction" - "Color" option in LR or Adobe Camera Raw. Having said that, with the tones of this image and the nature of the fringing, you could almost get away leaving it there. I would be interested on other peoples take on this.

By the way what program are you editing in this days -Are you using PS or LR or both?.

Will look at the seond image a bit later. (I have beer waiting by the BBQ that is getting warm :))

[theantiquetiger]

You were correct. The ratio got out of whack when I added the faux bottom. It was 2:2.6 ratio.

Here it is at 3:2 ratio. i did lose some top and bottom. I played around trying to rid the darker orange line just to the right of the post, no luck.

I did tone down some of the orange sky.

BTW, I do 99% of my editing in LR

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2855/11884015274_a1826f8c2d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11884015274/)
jogger final (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11884015274/) by Theantiquetiger (http://www.flickr.com/people/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr


Here is the original image untouched (only changed to jpg)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3773/11883693355_af5441cee7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11883693355/)
jogger orig (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11883693355/) by Theantiquetiger (http://www.flickr.com/people/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr

[Barefoot]

Are you talking about the darker orange line just to the right on the yellow sun on the right side of the lamp post? If that is it, how do I rid it, just lower sharpness?

Have you tried the HSL sliders using the eyedropper and adjustment brush or targeted selection tool? Doesn't really look like an artifact as much as just sunlight wrapping itself around the lamp post.

[Barefoot]

The Oaks: The color copy is much more appealing to me that the b&w. Difficult to do these old oaks justice in b&w unless your able to master the task from exposure all the way through to post. The foggy conditions are likely what led to the flat/low contrast copy you first showed. Try spending some time with them under harsher lighting.

This lens you're using seems to produce a ton of CA. (or maybe its your CP filter?)

[Bambi]

I just have one question: what is the main theme of this exhibit?
are you trying to sell photos? then go with the scenery and art type photos?
is it to show the area that you live? then some of your shots of buildings and scenery would be the way to go.
Is it just for fun? then I would show some of your people shots- they are terrific.

Other than that, I think that you have much better photos in your flickr stream then the ones you've chosen here.

[theantiquetiger]

I just have one question: what is the main theme of this exhibit?
are you trying to sell photos? then go with the scenery and art type photos?
is it to show the area that you live? then some of your shots of buildings and scenery would be the way to go.
Is it just for fun? then I would show some of your people shots- they are terrific.

Other than that, I think that you have much better photos in your flickr stream then the ones you've chosen here.

It is an exhibit for sell (but I don't expect to sell any). The coffee house is in an artsy-fartsy section of Baton Rouge, just outside LSU. I am trying to stick to scenery of South Louisiana (the live oaks and the old grocery store, for examples). Don't worry, the grocery store is out

I went through my Flickr and made a set of possible candidates. Most of these need to be re-worked:

exhibit - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/sets/72157639639553875/)

[JAS_Photo]

Here are my choices from your flickr set:
1st row: 4
2nd row: 1, 2
3rd row: 2,3
4th row: 1, 2, 3, 4 but is there any way to bring in a little more detail in the blacks in #1?
5th row: 1,3,4
6th row: 1,4
7th row: 1,2,4
Of those I would pick no more than 12 at the most. Depending on the space they provide, you might even go to less than that. I would also have them printed and framed in an art gallery style format.
Three Tips for Selling/Showing Your Photos in a Gallery - photo.net (http://photo.net/learn/art-photo-galleries/three-tips-for-selling-showing-your-photos-in-a-gallery/)
http://creativitypro.com/how-to-hang-an-art-exhibition
Hope this helps. First impressions are everything!! Good luck!

[theantiquetiger]

Here are my choices from your flickr set:
1st row: 4
2nd row: 1, 2
3rd row: 2,3
4th row: 1, 2, 3, 4 but is there any way to bring in a little more detail in the blacks in #1?
5th row: 1,3,4
6th row: 1,4
7th row: 1,2,4
Of those I would pick no more than 12 at the most. Depending on the space they provide, you might even go to less than that. I would also have them printed and framed in an art gallery style format.
Three Tips for Selling/Showing Your Photos in a Gallery - photo.net (http://photo.net/learn/art-photo-galleries/three-tips-for-selling-showing-your-photos-in-a-gallery/)
How to hang an art exhibition | Creativity Pro - Get a Creative Life! (http://creativitypro.com/how-to-hang-an-art-exhibition)
Hope this helps. First impressions are everything!! Good luck!

Thanks for the FB. Many of these need completely re-worked. Many of the old ones were done (poorly) in GIMP a couple years ago.

And, you are correct, there is only room for about 12 images at the most.

[Bambi]

okay, here are my choices from your set. my flickr view seems diff't then JAS' so I'm not sure of the overlap:
In no particular order:
Convent 2 (but perhaps a bit more contrast?)
New Piano
old church hdr
angels in the rain
stained glass (but maybe a diff't crop)
clock
forever new orleans (but to keep the theme, try converting to b&w)

Just my :twocents: but probably worth less than that. :)

[theantiquetiger]

OK, here is another. I am done editing but cannot decide color or BW. I am leaning BW

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/11938358284_4b7f0c46b3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11938358284/)
du monde color final (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11938358284/) by Theantiquetiger (http://www.flickr.com/people/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7365/11938755046_6f2b195a72_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11938755046/)
du monde bw final (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11938755046/) by Theantiquetiger (http://www.flickr.com/people/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr

[Marko]

I like BW as well over this colour version.

[theantiquetiger]

I like BW as well over this colour version.


Here is the final edit of the Cafe Du Monde. The version above had some horrible mistakes in the sky

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7360/11975910266_4e705d76c7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11975910266/)
cafe du monde final BW (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11975910266/) by Theantiquetiger (http://www.flickr.com/people/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr

[JAS_Photo]

Much cleaner looking. Very nice. :)

[theantiquetiger]

OK, one more BW or color

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/11976765626_ce0e81f00b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11976765626/)
gallery final color (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11976765626/) by Theantiquetiger (http://www.flickr.com/people/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/11976766456_968e29ee43_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11976766456/)
gallery final BW (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11976766456/) by Theantiquetiger (http://www.flickr.com/people/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr

[Marko]

the last 2 bw's (post 25 and 26) looking really nice.

[theantiquetiger]

I got a lot of good reviews and compliments on this one, but I am just not feeling it (too noisy)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/11981217693_26728ce4df_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11981217693/)
the piano BW (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11981217693/) by Theantiquetiger (http://www.flickr.com/people/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr

[Marko]

Regretfully, not feeling it either. There isn't enough 'engagement' for me.

[theantiquetiger]

How does this look without the cars? Does it look as bad as I see it (I know it is there)?

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/11982641365_7235ca0e9f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11982641365/)
gallery no cars (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/11982641365/) by Theantiquetiger (http://www.flickr.com/people/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr