• Cotton's photography
    45 replies, posted
I don't post a whole lot here. My freshman year of high school my love of photography grew when I got a Kodak Z740 (6MP, good zoom range). Upgraded to a Canon 450D which I shot with up until a few weeks ago, when I moved up to a 7D (now a freshman in college). I'm self-taught and have only had one formal photography class (sucked balls, high school's photo department had ONE class) and try to learn mostly from online. Hope to major in photography. I'm really awful at taking pictures of people unless I get lucky, because I don't have the initiative or know-how on posing people. I do a lot of macro work but recently I've been trying to branch out and I'm experimenting a lot more with lighting. And randomly chosen pictures: [IMG]http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/241/4/a/4ae81cfbc7bde1b7d1ef0238e73df709-d2xjvnr.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/178/a/0/a04899895b4c4a8b0d056a18e8a96d5f.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/164/8/e/8e616c61e80e5e8b89ad6c67f06a97c2.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/092/5/2/52f7ea0c662871ca85da32e9e15ad970.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/004/4/a/How_to_Hug_a_Fingerprint_by_CottonTheMoth.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs22/f/2009/251/b/a/baaa6f62eb7ef317f37f39c841ac28d9.jpg[/IMG] I just wanted to share and hear people's thoughts on whatever they liked and didn't like. I'm getting my passion for photography again now that I'm in a class that's challenging me to improve.
I really love the last photo and the 3rd photo, you're really good.
[QUOTE=VagueWisdom;24607825]I really love the last photo and the 3rd photo, you're really good.[/QUOTE] Thanks. I totally creeped on that Mexican for a good 10 minutes while he reeled in like 6 really colorful fish. I never said anything to him, he was probably weirded out :P.
[QUOTE=CottonTM;24607889]I never said anything to him, he was probably weirded out[/QUOTE] That's why you say hi, with a big grin, and shout "don't mind me, photo student.' Aesthetically lacking composition, boring subjects, overuse of black and white, snowflakes, macro, giant watermarking. This all screams beginner to me. You seem to lack a developed style/taste. For the amount of time you've put into actively pursuing photography you should be a little more advanced, although that doesn't really matter. I think you've been learning from all the wrong sources. Post in the creative photography thread and we'll set you straight haha. I like the spider, but the legs are cut off and it kills it for me. You've got potential mate, don't let me discourage.
Do you really need 2-3 watermarks each photo?
They're not bad photos, but seriously three watermarks on one image? Come on, most professionals barely have one.
hnnnnnnnnngg watermarks
How many times do you have to put a watermark on your photos, really, I try to ignore them but I can't.
heh, let's make a meme out of it
Nice photo's and like one of the above posters posted don't overuse the black and white colouring because it get s litte bland and you just wanna show the natural beauty of some pictures. Also with the watermark. Only have one if you really need to and make it maore transparent, becuase the one you're using is too strong is kind of ruining the photo's.
Hmm, I think I might be using too many watermarks :v:. Well alright, from now on I'll only use one, and try to make a new one that's less intrusive on the photos. I guess I've been way overly-paranoid of photo theft. Edit: And I'll try and balance out the black and white with color. Our first assignment is based in black and white and I've been focusing on values a lot lately, but some of them are just black and white for no good reason.
Beating the dead horse just a bit more; There is no real reason for watermarking until you actually start making money off your photos. Even then I'd let people download my stuff freely. It just comes off as uptight, pretentious, and old fashioned. No one likes that. It's like the old neighbor that yells at kids on his lawn, vs the sweet old lady who lets the kids play ball in her backyard. I just felt like you needed a proper explanation for the watermarks beyond it 'looks bad'.
[QUOTE=bopie;24653131]Beating the dead horse just a bit more; There is no real reason for watermarking until you actually start making money off your photos. Even then I'd let people download my stuff freely. It just comes off as uptight, pretentious, and old fashioned. No one likes that. It's like the old neighbor that yells at kids on his lawn, vs the sweet old lady who lets the kids play ball in her backyard. I just felt like you needed a proper explanation for the watermarks beyond it 'looks bad'.[/QUOTE] Yeah, I get what you're saying. I really shouldn't be worrying about that stuff at my level. Thanks.
That one on the leaf is genius.
[QUOTE=BillyTalentx;24662969]That one on the leaf is genius.[/QUOTE] Thank you :) it's one of the ones I honestly feel comes out stronger in black and white.
The photos are good, but is it really necessary to several watermarks over the subjects themselves? One in the corner is enough.
1st, 4th and 5th are awesome. As for the watermarks, they don't bother me and I fully understand and can appreciate the reasons you put so many watermarks. Especially here on Facepunch, I'd say don't worry about it.
[QUOTE=kevlar jens;24665745]The photos are good, but is it really necessary to several watermarks over the subjects themselves? One in the corner is enough.[/QUOTE] Derp read the thread. [QUOTE=MisterTickles;24668100]1st, 4th and 5th are awesome. As for the watermarks, they don't bother me and I fully understand and can appreciate the reasons you put so many watermarks. Especially here on Facepunch, I'd say don't worry about it.[/QUOTE] Thanks for your input, I appreciate it. It's really easy to steal a photo.
But who would steal them? And so what if anybody did? I was afraid of that when I was 13, but then I got over it.
I don't think it's worth getting into an argument over. It's simply peace of mind for those of us who worry and don't want to have to think about it. If I feel like adding a watermark I'm entitled to. To each his own, but I do understand the point that it can distract from the work. I've learned to just ignore them and look at the photo. It's kind of hypocritical in that I don't want to have to worry about art theft, so I place a watermark, which shows that I'm worrying in the first place. But I can't help it. I hope you understand where I'm coming from.
I think as you mature as a photographer, you'll understand what chamon is saying. It's like the freshman who physically holds on to his case of beer while seniors don't give a fuck and just share it. I don't mean to be harsh, but at this stage, your photography isn't worth stealing. Another analogy would be a rusty bike chained up with 6 locks on a desolate corner.
i liked the watermark fonts could you make them bigger next time? maybe cover the whole picture, they really put a big impact on your photography :)
Generic "look at me I can take pics" photos. Filters+watermarks and no sense makes you above average hipster photographer. No one wants to steal your photos.
Hey guys, take a fucking breather. Some people appreciate keeping their photos theirs with no risk of them being stolen. Maybe you think his images are shit, he thinks they're great and doesn't want even the slightest risk of them being stolen or reused. He doesn't want to share them and he doesn't have to. Take a chill pill, if you don't like it, don't look at them.
I posted them to get some feedback on them, at least people are brutally honest here. A bunch of people liked them a lot and others seem to think they're garbage and can't see past the watermarks. Won't make the mistake again :v: And I definitely don't use filters. Bopie, fucking harsh.
I've never typed the word 'filter' in this entire thread, thank you. You're starting to give up your dignity man. You came here expecting praise and got criticism, and pretty constructive criticism. You may not like the way it feels, but even if you don't realize it now, you will subconsciously turn the pain of being judged you're experiencing into the drive you need to really begin your progress and development as a photographer. If I took a picture of a blank wall and was told by everyone I knew that it was perfect and needn't be changed, I'd be stuck taking pictures of blank walls. The great advantage to other people's opinions is that they give you an egoless view of your own work. The idea that you shouldn't care what other people think is a blanket people use when they aren't ready to grow as a person. You simply can not change the fact that what has been said is what is thought of your work. If you refuse to accept it, you will only stunt your growth. We all need a good kick in the pants. You'll be glad you got it.
If you did not want people to steal you photos, then do not release them. Watermarks are useless because the people who are stealing them are most likely going to have photoshop or something. Because of that, they can just get rid of them. btw, Ima gunna steal yur snow photo nao. [IMG]http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg290/GenOmega/agodfuckingdamnit.png[/IMG] It just bothers me too much when I see stuff like this.
[QUOTE=bopie;24677011]I've never typed the word 'filter' in this entire thread, thank you. You're starting to give up your dignity man. You came here expecting praise and got criticism, and pretty constructive criticism. You may not like the way it feels, but even if you don't realize it now, you will subconsciously turn the pain of being judged you're experiencing into the drive you need to really begin your progress and development as a photographer. If I took a picture of a blank wall and was told by everyone I knew that it was perfect and needn't be changed, I'd be stuck taking pictures of blank walls. The great advantage to other people's opinions is that they give you an egoless view of your own work. The idea that you shouldn't care what other people think is a blanket people use when they aren't ready to grow as a person. You simply can not change the fact that what has been said is what is thought of your work. If you refuse to accept it, you will only stunt your growth. We all need a good kick in the pants. You'll be glad you got it.[/QUOTE] Sorry, I meant johan_sm about the filters. Sorry for being so stubborn about everything, I get what you're saying. If I'm going to improve it would help if I got specific criticism on particular photos. "Too much black and white" does help but I mean do you feel like none of these have any artistic value whatsoever? I'm looking to hear things relative to the pictures themselves and how I captured them. I'm just going to start over. I appreciate criticism, and yes, I was in denial about a lot of it at first. I need to be more humble and less sure of myself. Please give me your thoughts on this: [IMG]http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss13/CottonTheMoth/Photography%20in%20General/2010_04_18_999_61.jpg[/IMG]
Spider :ohdear:
[QUOTE=Super_Poo;24681653]Spider :ohdear:[/QUOTE] [IMG]http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss13/CottonTheMoth/Photography%20in%20General/2009_11_04_1798copy.jpg[/IMG] :O
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