j_sevigny

best to everyone,

 

js

Very nice, man.

 

So many photos from Cuba look exactly the same. With just a slight tilt, you've offered us something new.

 

Best,

 

John

I like this photograph and I couldn't agree with you more about the scratches and the damage. It's one of the benefits film has over digital -- film is a physical thing that suffers/benefits from the passing of time, handling and the rest.

Fantastic work. Is there more we can see?

 

JS

Thanks

...

Lovely light, great lines, and nice composition. I'd love to hear more about this place.

 

John

Fantastic, Susan. So much less direct, less intentionally exotic, if you know what I mean, than some of your other work. This picture is so honest, straightforward and sincere. It gives me a real sense of what things look like where you are.

 

John

Very nice tones and sense of balance. Keep it up. I like photographs that take risks.

 

john

Birte,

 

I see you're a guy on a mission, and we all have our missions. This picture is far better than some of the children of the rainforest shots. You've opened it up a little, included a secondary element besides the face, and toned down the flash. Her eyes are stunning.

 

That said, the title really bugs me (just my opinion, remember). There's something to the idea that a photo shouldn't have to depend on words to make itself understood. This particular title makes me feel like I'm being preached at (and I know people need to be preached at from time to time).

 

My question would be this: did she say, "What future do I have?" or are you putting words in her mouth? Either way, it's cool. But you might want to think a little bit about the power that words have to enhance or weaken a photograph.

 

Keep up the fight,

 

John

I really like this photograph. It doesn't bother me that it's posted in the documentary category. In the end, every photograph documents something.

 

This photo has a really interesting feel. It's not exactly spooky but it does have a certain darkness that I look for in my own work. The guy in the mask is obviously muscular, but he's so relaxed, almost passive. Then, you have some nice, diagonal leading lines on each side of him. You've also done a great job with the tones.

 

I'm going to look at your portfolio because I like this so much.

 

Keep it up,

 

John

Just shooting the color red in Monterrey, Mexico.

 

Best to everyone.

 

John

...

Very nice, man. You nailed it. I look forward to checking out your other work.

 

John

Fantastic color, composicion and shapes. I agree that it's not clear what the woman is doing but it's not important. The strength of the photograph is in the forms. The human activity underneath is just "extra." Excellent work.

 

john

Very cool photograph, Anita.

 

js

Absolutely beautiful color. See? It really is true. Primary colors do wonders.

 

Keep it up.

 

js

more from the same folder. Hope you like it.

Another fantastic shot, Michael. I'd love to hear more of the story behind it.

This is just mind-blowing, Michael.

 

Best,

 

John

Thanks for looking.

 

john

From a portfolio of portraits of rural, indigenous people living in

Monterrey, Mexico's third largest city. Thanks for looking.

Hey Birte,

 

This is my second comment on what is at heart an interesting series. Rather than criticize, I'd like to pose a couple of questions for self-criticism.

 

First, I like this portrait. I never critique photos I don't like for reasons that should be obvious.

 

What I'd like to ask, or for you to ask yourself is this: consistency across a body of work is nice, but at what point does consistent become repetitive?

 

Second, is your flash technique here telling the story you want to tell or is it taking away from it?

 

Seems like you're using a very direct flash which results in revealing every wart and pimple. That works great with this picture, I think. But I'm not so sure it's the best approach for the portraits of children.

 

Then again, there are no rules.

 

Keep at it, man. It's worth it.

Nice shot.

 

I don't think an image gains or loses anything after four years. I mean, we're talking about images on paper, not PCs or Macs. The other critical question is how does it stand up to what? The photo hasn't changed so we can't compare it to itself. I suppose we could look at how was it received then and how will it be received now. B that's a more difficult question. Given that the subject matter is more or less contemporary, it's going to depend on the audience.

 

Apart from all that philosophical stuff, it looks like you've got some streaking near the top of the image due to high iso/low light. For me, that's pretty much a picture killer. The shape on the right side of the frame is a little distracting and I'm not really able to figure out who these women are, what their relationship is, or what the significance is of the title. Not that it's your responsibility to tell us, but I think the photograph is a little opaque.

 

What makes the picture nice -- really nice -- is the light, the pallette and the contrast of front of woman/back of woman.

 

I do like this picture. I don't critique pictures I don't like. :)

 

JS

Absolutely fantastic light, composition, pose and the rest. You maintained detail in the sky, didn't lose the shadows, and got enough of his face to show his "identity."

 

I love it.