Courtney Reese... eh.

This is from another Maryland area portrait photographer named Courtney Reese. Her website is fantastic, but her photography is... not special to say the least. It all looks like this; amateur. Way too centered, way too cliche, way too plain; and maybe that is the nature of couples photos but it just lacks a spark that i have seen in other wedding photography.

Sarah Michelle child photo

So, my wife's sister Sarah is a professional wedding/family/group photographer. So i figured i should look at her work and critique it. This is obviously one of her child photo shoots. I like it. The watermelon as big as the kids head is adorable, the bow is adorable, the composition is strong with the child eyes right on a third, and her eyes pop most which is important. However, if your going to show this on an online portfolio, it shouldn't be obviously photoshoped. There is a huge noticeable halo around the kids head and arms.  Photoshop is great, but you should be able to tell it is shopped. It just looks unprofessional.  

Tools on a table

So this is the last nameless photo i am posting but i wanted to post it because i find it extremely interesting, but i dont know if i like it. Like, the tools are very historic and old and used, and the are placed on a white cloth which is very modern and pure so the contrasting ideas give a very unique emotion. Then the photographer placed the tools in a way that they are somewhat messy, but somewhat organized. They are grouped but scattered. Very cool to break down.  I like it, i just feel like it needs more.

Unique ocean photo

This photo is very interesting. You would think the photographer would make the model the point of interest, but i am first drawn to the blues in the ocean by the horizon line. Then, my eyes are led down by the alga/seaweed ploom right to the model. Her position is a little unnerving though. Is she doing stretches or yoga or something? Strange. However this is a unique and interesting shot. Well done whoever you are that took this photo. Lets call him Jimmy McJohnnystien just so i get the points!  :)

Train Bridge

I love this shot. There is so much to see in it. Everything from the moving tree lines in the back, to the fact that the girl is seemingly swinging her legs. I actually like that she is smack in the middle because the girl still has some room to breath, but we also get a go glimps of the drop and the leading lines of the train track. I also like how everything is in focus because usually in photos like this they put the foreground and background out of focus, but it is nice to see everything very sharp and in focus here. I could not find any info on the photographer for this one.

David's super fun time

I just love the action shots. Thank jesus for GoPro! The movement and action that is captured in this one frame is unreal. the crashing wave, the water line in the foreground, the pose of the surfer, the gradient in the sky, it is incredible. I like the surfer in the middle, It puts the top of the wave and the bottom of the bubble on the thirds. Powerful and super cool! This one is by David Skinner.

Holly's Punch

This photo is very unique. It is so simple, but it is extremely interesting. I am just so drawn to the bowl right in the middle. After looking at it for several minutes, i think it is because the deep red of the bowl is so strong and contrasting the white around it. It is also the most angry and energetic color. the rest of the foods are very light and faded, but the red is so bold and powerful. Also, i actually like that it is directly in the middle of the shot. it makes the composition more confrontational. This is by Holly Andres who is know for her photos of tension and disturbing subtext.

Classic Cityscape

This is a historic cityscape of New York City by Louis Stettner from 1954. There is so much going on i could talk about it for days. Compositionally, metaphorically, proportionately; it is all on point. The fence seems like a barrier for the black boy, keeping him out of Manhattan. The skyline seems like it is an upward slope, maybe pointing to a better future. I could go on and on. This picture definitely says 1000 words.  fantastico!

Elvis?

This shot is alright i guess.  It is from Matthew Lloyd, a young photographer for New York Times, Bloomburg and mostly corporate clients. This photo is alright i guess. The composition is very strange.  Why is the door so close and in the middle of the shot?  I cant think of any reason for it. Plus, their is way too much sky and he just gets kind of lost in the car. I'm just drawn to the black blob of the door and i don't even see the man. A great idea, but not pulled off very well.

Cameron Rad's freedom photo

This photo is great. Another great example of life or freedom. Young, free-spirited, topless, what a great generation we live in.....  But seriously, the shot is very strong but could use some attention. The tall grassy field, the tree and the background, her track in the foreground and the action and movement if the girl running is great. I wish the sky had a little more movement being it takes up a lot of the shot, and i wish she was closer to a third, but other than that the shot is very fun and strong. This is from a very young woman's portrait photographer named Cameron Rad. 

cute father daughter photo

This photo is cool. This would be a good example of life. A young father and his kid trying to see a game or a show or whatever it my be. The fact that its centered actually works here, the movement of their arms give a great visual direction, and not to mention the shot is just adorable. This is from an up and coming photographer named Mark Jaworski, in his early 20's.

Joey L. shot of a fisherman

This is another photo from Joey L. This is a fisherman wrestling a catfish with his bear hands. I have no idea how he got this action shot but it is beautiful.  So much emotion and movement it almost seems like a video. The texture on the fish through the splash, the slightly blurred emotion on the mans face, the visual direction, the composition, it is all fantastic. I only with the man's head had a little more room at the top. great shot, great photographer.