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The Good Delusion

January 24, 2012 Posted in Taking Pictures

“Advice from friends is like the weather. Some of it’s good, some of it’s bad.” -Anonymous I get emails from folks saying things like “my friends say I’m really good – what do you think?” and I’m really not sure what they’re asking or how much criticism they’re able to take. Seems to me that...

21 comments

Exsondra - January 24, 2012 - 11:45 am

Very well put!

E Brown - January 24, 2012 - 12:20 pm

I agree, ‘good’ and ‘bad’ are defiantly personal perception. However if you would like to display your art work, take a look at
http://www.nationaltradeshowdisplays.com .

Lori P - January 24, 2012 - 1:20 pm

Well said!

Lea - January 24, 2012 - 1:59 pm

I think you’re right on the money! I’ve been a part of a forum at I Heart Faces for about a year and this comes up often when people ask for critiques of their work. And frankly, it aggravates me to see a so called “pro” demeaning someone else’s creativity. First of all, we all start somewhere and it’s likely we all sucked at one point – I know I did. There’s a balance between offering someone constructive criticism as relates to the technical side and telling them their work is no good creatively. Some photographers blow highlights on purpose. Some are known for their soft images. These things don’t appeal to everyone, but that doesn’t mean they appeal to no one. I think sometimes people forget that photography is art. There are no absolutes.

Cathy H - January 24, 2012 - 3:56 pm

Thanks.. I kinda needed to hear that today.. :)

stephanie - January 24, 2012 - 4:04 pm

Well said. I have previously posted my images on a forum (IHF) for constructive criticism. Most of the feedback has been kind, even if not terrible constructive, but I have balked at it after being told by one “pro” that I shouldn’t even take pictures for free. I now take the approach of being extremely self-critical and honest, constantly appraising my progress and appreciating my art as exactly that…art. I understand that this art has to be saleable (in order to make a living) but I also believe there is a market for a wide range of aesthetics.

Stephanie - January 24, 2012 - 4:57 pm

I completely agree. Photography is art and art is inherently subjective. Just because I don’t like a photo or it’s technically imperfect, that doesn’t make it “bad.” For me personally, a “good” photo is one that speaks to me in some way. One that makes me pause and look at it for just a little bit longer than the rest. In the same vein, I’m always grateful when someone compliments my work but I try to take it with a grain of salt. It’s tough, but I try to keep a critical eye even for my own work.

Sandy - January 24, 2012 - 5:47 pm

Thank you for this! I belong to a large photography forum and I’m really uncomfortable giving critique, even in the “just for critique” section. Because it IS art expression. And even if someone is new, and they haven’t developed their style or their craft very well yet, to shoot them down, right at the beginning because something isn’t technically correct, could stop them in their journey of self expression.

So I avoid the critique section at all costs, and I don’t put my own images out their for critique. I’m not there yet — I know I’m not. But I see in my head where I want to be and I’m going to continue to practice, practice, practice until I get it “right.” And that’s MY “right” by the way! :-) Great article, as always!!

Shannon - January 24, 2012 - 8:53 pm

I was in a photography class working on my degree in graphics and photography and for our projects we had to be critiqued in front of the whole class. It was sometimes the worst experience ever. I remember being in love with my project. It was a portrait and I chose to photograph a friend’s daughter. She loved the images, so much that they hang in her store. So much that she has asked me to do her daughter’s photos twice since then. My instructor tore them apart. Technically they were all wrong. I was crushed. I had shot with a purpose, not even close to the spray and pray approach. I nearly quit because of that critique.

Critiques can be rough, especially if you don’t know the intent of the person. How they saw and wanted to interpret the subject.

Kellie - January 25, 2012 - 1:25 am

just a comment on the comments…I won’t post for critique over at IHF either…. there is one “pro” (um, yeah, I can’t find this person’s web-site or any examples of their work) who is very harsh and tactless. I’m not opposed to hearing what i need to change, but I think TACT and kindness are necessary when giving critique.

Matthew Kunce - January 25, 2012 - 12:36 pm

Fantastic post!

Caryn - January 25, 2012 - 1:27 pm

Oh my goodness you’re reading my mind! I’ve been wanting to post about how subjective photography is, and that some of what people rave about, I don’t like, and what some people don’t like, I love. It also brings me to say, who’s to decide what’s good or not!? Aside from obvious technical failure like a badly underexposed photo or something similar, the only person to decide if a photo is great or not, is the person who wants to look at it. And then look at it again. And then perhaps put it in an album or hang it on a wall…

Anonymous - January 25, 2012 - 1:57 pm

Yes, it is always hard to hear what others think… we all have opinions and some people (like my ex husband) think theirs are always right. I wish we could take the word criticism out of our vocabulary and come up with something a bit more soft and loving. Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder!

Gry - January 25, 2012 - 2:14 pm

I love this article!! You manage to put my feelings into words - I always get SO provoked reading forums with so-called pros and all their opinions about what is right and what is wrong! Thank you!

And also thank you for writing about Brooke Snow’s wonderful Lifestyle Photography!

Elsingert - January 25, 2012 - 3:49 pm

Very good article! I agree, too often people forget that photography is art; did Van Gogh’s paintings portray reality? Of course not! That doesn’t mean that they are “wrong”, or “bad”, though, they are just a different expression his personal creative vision.
One personal pet peeve of mine is “experts” saying “Thou shalt not clip your highlights and shadows”, when in fact you sometimes must do just that to properly express the feelings you are trying to convey.

Peggie B. Hensley - January 25, 2012 - 4:02 pm

Really punctuates the old adage, “It’s all relative!” When I was a high school art teacher, I often witnessed that talent and ego are inversely proportional. I try to remember that now that I support myself with my own art…

Npshields - January 25, 2012 - 11:19 pm

Perfectly stated as the whole concept of critique is wide open. We never know what the photographer’s objective was when the shutter was pressed. Yes, some shots are technically not as good but can still be magical in their capture and presentation; guess it’s one of those “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” type thing. I think what truly separates a good photographer is one who consistently has good results and has the knowledge and skill to handle a multitude of situations, particularly bad or challenging lighting, backgrounds over which you have no control, etc. My approach, when critiquing, is to be honest if I see something blatantly wrong technically, something that they could learn from to benefit the next shoot, but I always make a point to find something that I really like, emphasizing that, too. Guess it’s a “Golden Rule” approach; critique to teach but do so gently….

Rhondaelderphotography - January 26, 2012 - 1:07 pm

I think this article was “good” and I that’s my opinion. Lol

Ifong - January 26, 2012 - 4:18 pm

Hi You are just so inspired ! I have always learned something from every blog post you posted! Thank you!

Melissa Jean Johnson - January 26, 2012 - 11:44 pm

What a great post! I know personally I follow a lot of photographers who I revere as amazing artists, but if my photos were to look like theirs I’d trash it as a bad photo. It’s just not my style and what’s good to me – but who am I to set a standard for someone else?

Ann Cockerham - January 28, 2012 - 8:38 am

I am 3 years into this photo-art and I love it! I have many people ask me what do I feel about other photogs in the area and I can’t say anything but they have their style I have mine! Heck I am still trying to get mine set, I have it in my heart and mind… Just trying to grasp it!
Sometimes I will take a picture that will have a blur to it, or the lighting is all wrong, but when I put it in photoshop just to play with tones and shading you can make a fabulous piece of art! I had one bride, picture was a bit washed, slight blur… but involved the Bride, Groom and some trees in the fall! I changed to black in white, played in lightroom with it and was doing this for fun! But in the end, this photo was the one she blew up and has framed above her bed.
I showed one photographer in the area I know and she was like “I cannot believe you even gave that to your client!” But what I saw as a piece of art… she saw crap! What matters is “my” client loved it. Your clients should feel the same passion for your style as you do or sometimes they may not get your view!

Does having your work critiqued sound scary? {video of two critiques}

January 22, 2012 Posted in Taking Pictures, Video Tutorials

When I posted recently to share the link to my Chic Critique, I got one response: “that scares me”. I agree. It scares me, too! I get emails quite a lot showing me photos and asking me what I think. I don’t usually answer them because I never know where the person is coming from,...

10 comments

Shasta Philpot - January 23, 2012 - 5:43 am

It is scary, I cringed at first, but I figure – what do I have to lose (besides my self respect). Haha Anyway, I’ll definitely submit one once my internet service gets restored! I live in the Pacific Northwest region of the US and we got hit with a pretty bad storm that out. :/

Shasta Philpot - January 23, 2012 - 5:46 am

Ugh- that knocked everything out, so I’ve been relying on my iPhone to stay connected the past 4 days.

Marion - January 23, 2012 - 2:27 pm

I so love the idea and wished I could take part of it… maybe some day (just not enough money for this at the moment). I am so thankful that you shared this and am looking forward to your next blog. You keep me going, Elizabeth! THANKS!

Rayleigh Leavitt - January 23, 2012 - 5:24 pm

I used to put photos on Flickr and I’d submit some of them to some of the groups for critique. But that was just frustrating because you get all these people who probably don’t really know what they are talking about, giving you bad advice. I love this idea of getting critiqued by photographers who know what they are talking about. Right now I kind of have a hold on spending any money on my biz because I’ve overspent and under earned. But I want to keep it in mind because it’s not a bad price and I think it would be worth it.

Catie - January 24, 2012 - 12:43 pm

Thank you so much! :) Great advice and I appreciate it immensely and will keep it in mind when shooting in the future. Thanks for choosing my image. It is one of my favorites of him because I had all of .7 nanoseconds to shoot it when he got home from school. When I was post-processing he was “helping” and when he saw it, he said I bet you love my freckles in that one SO much. He was oh so thrilled to see that picture pop up in the video as well this morning.
Catie

Natalie Jones - January 31, 2012 - 12:19 am

Are you going to be doing one each month? I’d love to do this, but it’s not quite photo season here in Michigan at that time.

Anonymous - January 31, 2012 - 12:23 am

This is the only one I’m scheduled to do. You can submit images you’ve already taken if you’d like feedback on those. Doesn’t have to be hot-off-the-press :)

Anonymous - January 31, 2012 - 12:24 am

This is the only one I’m scheduled to do. You can submit images you’ve already taken if you’d like feedback on those. Doesn’t have to be hot-off-the-press :)

Gina Young - January 31, 2012 - 12:50 am

Is the cost the same for those who just want to get their “toes wet?”

Anonymous - January 31, 2012 - 7:50 am

Nope – that’s $34 and it’s open here: http://chiccritiqueforum.com/classes/elizabeth-halford#p7

How to photograph your Christmas tree {how to get twinkle bursts of light}

December 5, 2011 Posted in Taking Pictures

With Christmas upon us, it’s time to break out our cameras and try our darndest to get photos of our Christmas trees but it can be so hard to capture the real warmth and ambiance of all those beautiful little lights. If you twiddle with manual shooting, you may be trying to photograph your tree...

10 comments

Amber M. Phillips - December 5, 2011 - 11:56 pm

I pinned it! Thanks for sharing!

Lindsey - December 6, 2011 - 2:35 am

Love your photo tips. Keep them coming! Thanks.

Teresa Fazio - December 6, 2011 - 5:24 am

Talk about timing – I was just googling how to get sparkly icicles! I imagine that this will work for that too! I have some amazing icicles hanging off the front of my house and every photo I took of them has come out “flat” even though to the naked eye they are glistening. I will have to try this tomorrow. Thanks!

Anonymous - December 6, 2011 - 8:00 am

Yea it works for all that – candles too!

Rayleigh Leavitt - December 6, 2011 - 5:16 pm

I’ve been commenting on all the photos I’ve been seeing on facebook of all my friends’ trees because everybody is posting photos since they are proud of how beautiful the tree looks, yet the photo doesn’t come even close to showing how beautiful it is. But I did’t know how to do any better. Now I do! Thanks so much!!!!

Lindsey Schwimmer - December 7, 2011 - 3:38 pm

I’ll have to try this out! Beautiful pics! Thanks for the great tips! :)

Mooremarilynf - December 7, 2011 - 5:36 pm

I am new to pintrest. How do I pin this?

Toni Boyer - December 9, 2011 - 1:14 am

Thanks for this! I’ve always wanted to try it, but never knew how…thanks to your instructions, my photograph of the tree turned out so beautiful! i love the twinkling lights :) i would post a picture, but…it’s too big lol

Guest - December 11, 2011 - 2:18 am

Thanks for sharing! I’m brand new to my DSLR, but was able to adjust my manual mode settings to what you listed. When I shot our lights, though, the photo was completely dark and barely showed small specks of light where each light is. Any tips? Thanks in advance!

Anonymous - December 13, 2011 - 9:40 am

Those settings are a good starting point but if they don’t work, then you’ll need to explore them. I would slow the shutter down until you get it! And remember that tripod!

Session Wrap-Up – 3 siblings in the forest {lots of luscious bokeh ahead!}

November 16, 2011 Posted in Family, Kids, Teens, Session Wrap-Ups, Taking Pictures

When I found out that these three gorgeous children were being brought from three hours away for their mini session with me, I was pretty honored. So here is the session round-up with a few shots worth mentioning. Camera: 5DmkII Lens: 50mm f/1.2 Weather: slightly cloudy, 3 hours before sundown Processed: Florabella Luxe II ...

10 comments

Beloved

November 14, 2011 Posted in Family, Kids, Teens, Taking Pictures, Weddings & Couples

I’ve promised for a long time that I’m going to talk about Beloved. I mentioned it last week in this post about using the Beloved concept for the first time in a family session and it was very successful. I discovered Beloved by way of The Rock n Roll Bride blog when blogger Kat and...

13 comments

Rhondaelderphotography - November 14, 2011 - 1:11 pm

Great article. So inspiring to get out of the box. Thanks for enlightening us on “Beloved”. Loved the shoot that Marianne did for you and your dear one.

Stacy Woodward Morin - November 14, 2011 - 1:21 pm

I loved this ! Thank you for sharing!!!! You are gorgeous!

Dawn Merritt - November 14, 2011 - 2:11 pm

Elizabeth, thank you so much for this!! After many years of reserving my passion for photography to my personal life only, I am now considering making it a business and this describes my vision perfectly! Well, maybe not the “feel each other’s beingness”… but the results for sure. ;) I also knew about the “Beloved” concept from Brook Snow’s blog, but there seems to be a lot of mystery regarding Jesh’s methods and his website is vague. I use open ended questions that invite people to have natural, unguarded expressions and when the right people come along, it’s *magic* to see connections made. I am definitely interested in learning more… thanks so much for all of the helpful information you share with us.

Angela Kroeker - November 14, 2011 - 2:38 pm

Thank you so much for sharing! I have such a passion for doing Anniversary shoots, would love to shoot them all the time! I think marriage is a gift and people are forgetting to put their relationship first in life. This is something I am going to look into, I love capturing people as they are! THANKS!

dawn rowell - November 14, 2011 - 2:39 pm

Thank you for sharing! Great insight to a great idea. Let things happen naturally:) You and your husband’s shoot was great too!

dawn rowell - November 14, 2011 - 2:39 pm

Thank you for sharing! Great insight to a great idea. Let things happen naturally:) You and your husband’s shoot was great too!

Brooke Snow - November 14, 2011 - 8:42 pm

Hooray! I’m so happy that you blogged about your beloved experience! It truly has been the “missing piece” in photography for me. I have already adapted it into so many different kinds of shoots: family, solo, couples, and even commercial! with great success. I’m so excited to see how people’s images change when they start to integrate these great principles! Thanks for sharing! and thanks for the link, my friend :) Always a pleasure to read your blog!

Brittany Miller - November 18, 2011 - 3:06 pm

Love the images
AND i LOVE your leapord scarf! Where did u get your scarf from?

Brittany Miller - November 18, 2011 - 3:06 pm

Love the images
AND i LOVE your leapord scarf! Where did u get your scarf from?

Anonymous - November 23, 2011 - 3:41 am

yeah, I’m pretty sure my husband would NEVER go for this. If a photographer told him to “feel his beingness” he would probably make some smart-ass comment or fake a fart. He’s not a brute – it would just be his way of expressing his thought of “this is stupid”.

Don’t even get me started how hard it was to keep him polite in our first childbirth-preparedness class. LOL

Anonymous - November 23, 2011 - 3:42 am

I didn’t mean to sound negative… I just mean, the beloved thing is probably not for everyone. I’m sure you already know that.

Anonymous - November 23, 2011 - 7:12 am

Yes, but THAT is his beingness :) My husband is the same. We were downright rowdy during our Beloved session. We laughed and I’m pretty sure he probably farted at least once. Beloved is about photographing who people really are so unless someone hates themselves, Beloved really is for everyone :)

Arika - December 22, 2011 - 5:48 pm

Ok, I know I’m supposed to be focused on the photography and emotion, but I just kept thinking…. she dropped off her 3 kids (and has a stomach like that?!!?). :) Damn girl, now you’re in inspiration in too many ways!

Session Wrap-Up – Family session using the Beloved concept

November 9, 2011 Posted in Family, Kids, Teens, Session Wrap-Ups, Taking Pictures

This session was so touching I just had to jump on the wrap-up over here on my blog ASAP because I wanted to share the way I approached the whole thing before I forget! I’ve been looking into Beloved a lot lately and will write more about it very soon. But in short, Beloved is...

17 comments

Heather - November 9, 2011 - 6:58 am

Your number 1 favourite shot is awesome! Love the emotion in it!

Rayleigh Leavitt - November 9, 2011 - 7:18 am

Thanks so much for sharing some of your invites with us! I’ve really been wanting some more ideas for invites I can use in my beloved sessions!

Amanda Pratt Photography - November 9, 2011 - 7:19 am

Love the inspiration you have here. Can’t wait to read more about the beloved idea.

Holly - November 9, 2011 - 7:34 am

brilliant as always! <3 from a 'wide-open-addict'

Michael - November 9, 2011 - 7:58 am

All natural smiles. Love it!

Karen - November 9, 2011 - 9:14 am

Thanks Elizabeth,that was a very insightful blog. Isn’t it annoying when you get a great photo,but you feel you are on the wrong setting.I still do it all the time,as I am warming up. I LOVE the shot of them looking at the “stangers”.

Gary Mintz - November 9, 2011 - 10:36 am

I have read other site that say you only need to take a limited number of shots because you should know what you are doing from the first shot to the last. That info has always made me nervous when I have tried to photograph people. But reading your blogs and any post you have on DPS has taut me more and has shown me the photography is not perfect every time and there is always a set up test shot. Thank you for sharing and all of the info you give. I’ll always be a fan.

Lisa B. - November 9, 2011 - 12:00 pm

I think I’m gonna wish I bought the 50mm 1.2 instead of the 1.4! I do love my 1.4, though! Wonderful images!! Love how you explain things so well!

Dreaming Hollow Photography - November 9, 2011 - 6:26 pm

Hi Elizabeth, Thanks so much again for another wonderful post! If you have time and don’t mind answering my question. I am struggling with getting good focus sometimes with my Mark II. I don’t want to live with mediocre. I went from 51 point focus in my old Nikon D300 to NINE in the markII (sob!) I miss all those extra focus points! Could you please share, when you are doing a family like this one, do you you put your focus on auto focus (where you let the camera decide what it focuses on) I always use center point focus and then recompose the shot for singles but haven’t had my Mark II long enough to figure out what to do for families. So when you were shooting wide open for the shot five up, did you let the camera grab the focus or did you place a focus point over one of their eyes? I tried this once and I had one person really in focus and one really out so I am trying to get this straight. ( although they may not have been in the same focal plane as my camera, thus the blur) I would love to do an experiment sometime where I shoot wide open vs. small and draw a line around exactly how deep the focus area is and where the focus point was placed. Thanks for your help and hope I haven’t rambled too much here! =)

Melanie - November 9, 2011 - 8:28 pm

Love this post! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous - November 9, 2011 - 10:24 pm

Hi! I manually toggle my focus point for every shot and try to keep it on the face if there is one in that location which we know that sometimes with the mkII, there isn’t. I just get it close to the face.

Dreaming Hollow Photography - November 9, 2011 - 11:54 pm

Glad to know you are selecting your own focus point so I will keep on doing it that way too. It makes me nervous to let the camera decide. Most of the time my Mark II and I get along fine and I am blown away by the image quality it can produce so I am trying to eliminate any pilot error from those times when things aren’t as sharp as I need them to be. Thanks so much Elizabeth!

Margie Duerr - November 10, 2011 - 1:34 pm

Elizabeth, I absolutely LOVE you. Thank you for this post it is fantastic!! Thank you for sharing your gift with us and business savvy. You have changed the way I operate my own business and I’m forever grateful. <3 Thank you.

Catrina - November 10, 2011 - 8:49 pm

Love the idea! It is a great way to make families feel more comfortable and natural. Genius!

Shannon - November 11, 2011 - 5:36 pm

Thank you again. I enjoy reading how you work through your sessions. The images are gorgeous as usual. I just wanted to tell you that I got choked up looking at them and reading your info. You can tell a difference from this and a ‘normal’ session. Seeing those boys interacting with their mom was beautiful. I seriously had tears running down my cheeks. I am totally sold on the Beloved concept now.

Susiearanda - November 11, 2011 - 7:06 pm

These are beautiful and thank you for sharing your thoughts. I was wondering how you shoot wide open at f1.4 with more than one subject. I’m always afraid one of them will be out of focus?

carol - January 17, 2012 - 2:07 am

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience! I’d like to use the ABC idea this weekend in a family session.

First and second curtain flash in plain english

November 7, 2011 Posted in Flash, Taking Pictures

The wonderful world of flash is truly never ending. If you’ve ever been to Strobist, you may have experienced the mind-boggling amount of information there about flash photography and not known where on earth to begin. One of the most important things to get to know if you want to use flash photography at events...

10 comments

Susan Jemesen - November 7, 2011 - 8:13 am

Thanks so much Elizabeth, I have been trying to find someone to explain this in simple terms. Once again u come to the rescue. x

Kelly Tonks - November 7, 2011 - 12:03 pm

Thanks Elisabeth. :-)

jack tinney - November 7, 2011 - 12:37 pm

I agree! It’s great to have a very clear set of instructions to follow. I’ve tried this loads of times with no success. I’m inspired now to have another go!

Liz Stabbert - November 7, 2011 - 11:10 pm

Great info

Dalin Rodrigues - November 8, 2011 - 3:01 am

Amazing explanation. I have been pondering why after 1/250th was my images coming out with a black blurry bar on them. Thank you so much for sharing. You must have been with me in spirit.

Antony - November 8, 2011 - 8:12 am

That’s some serious simple English. Thanks for this :)
I shall try this soon.

Jack Deth - November 8, 2011 - 6:42 pm

I agree with the rest. This was a great video explanation and was put in “user friendly” terms that we all can understand.

By the way, has anyone (except your hubby) told you how beautiful you are? You should get a photog friend to shoot you and post some pics on your blog. :-)

Anonymous - November 8, 2011 - 9:24 pm

Hey, you’ve just made my day! (and I’ve already had a pretty awesome day)

Hilde Haugen - November 9, 2011 - 12:53 pm

Thanks a lot for this explanation! I’ve read about this before, but I did not quite understand. But in Plain English, it gets simple! I’d love to experiment with this in the future!

Avpdan - November 30, 2011 - 6:22 pm

with the advent of DSLR we went from a leaf shutter to curtain shutter. 35mm camera’s mostly had curtains, the leaf shutters were in the lens, example Hasselblad, so you could syn the flash at any speed including 500th sec. The curtain works differently as is described above.

Fun With Photography: Long Exposure

November 3, 2011 Posted in Taking Pictures

There are so many things I’ve always wanted to play with but haven’t had the chance. One of them is long exposure times, particularly with night scenes. The other night our youth group had a ‘light party’ and while they were outside I played inside and this was the result: {How I took it} Canon...

5 comments