"Four Beautiful Women..."

Trying my hand at candid social photos...

And doing a fine job of it, you are!

I've never understood the draw to the genre, though I'd say that this is a good example of what it is all about. Again, no offense to your abilities as a photographer, but personally I get frustrated trying to fill the middle genre between a studio or posed natural light photo and a photojournalistic photo; as a photographer I'd personally never want to be seen in one at an event or wedding or something, though I've taken them at weddings and events. Quite possibly you have better looking people as subjects than the average event photo, fine, I just find it hard to find aspects of the genre that can be critiqued. I have only one photo that I've ever taken in this genre that I've liked of my own images as well, so it's nothing specifically against this image.

Ryan has a valid point - very hard to critique images like this - however, it is these types of photos that have the greatest appeal to many people. It is this type of photo that people scramble to see after the "big event". (not the beautiful swan in the pond or the fantastic sunset setting behind the steeple of the church) For this reason, I think it is important that people learn to take a good photo of this genre (oh boy - I've seen my share of bad ones!) and it deserves a critique and comment like any other. But boy it is hard to critique!!! Or even comment on or rate. But once again, I will reiterate, I think you did a fine job of this one!

Ryan's point was a little too abstract for me and seemed more venting a personal frustration on his part, than reaching out to you. But Jan has a better point. If we live a full life it's the people around us that fill that life. And every now and then one of those people will say, "Hey, you take pictures, how about taking a photograph of..." I did a wedding a few months ago for a friend. Said I wasn't a wedding photographer and she said, I don't want a wedding photographer, I just want good pictures of people having a good time. So I gave in and frankly I was terrified. There's nothing more stressful than knowing you're totally responsible for capturing moments that can't be re-staged. It was the most challenging gig I've ever had, but it turned out very well and the sweetest moment of that wedding out of 300 that I shot was put on photo.net for critiques and in under 60 seconds it had gotten three 3/3 ratings. The point of this much too long story is that, though I'd never do another wedding, I walked away feeling pretty good about myself.