Critique the Community Episode 4: Architecture and Interiors with Mike Kelley

Patrick Hall and Mike Kelley review and critique architecture and interior photographs from the fstoppers.com/...

[@DerekKind]

It's funny, normally my opinion lines up close to you guys' on these critiques, but this time I had radically different views on many of the entries! This makes it more interesting and useful, actually, because I was analyzing the photos myself more than normal and trying to figure out where you're coming from, and why my ideas were different. Good stuff - I've really enjoyed your critique series - I like the format. Keep it up!

[@ReelFilmGeek]

I found my self doing the same on a few of the images as well, and like you said it's interesting to see someone else's viewpoints on an image. Also if you don't mind me asking what did you think of the movie theater picture around the 9:40 mark?

[@DerekKind]

Austin Burke you want my opinion? Since you're asking, you might be the one who took it, but I'll pretend it's blind and not hold back. I would rate it a 2+, since it's okay, but not special. It's not a 1 - none of the photos in the critique were a 1 - there's thought behind it. Was shot at the right time of day, likely with a tripod. Nice exposure, with the lights from the theater. But the composition needed a bit more thought, IMO. Very simple things like taking one step to the right to introduce a slight separation between the palm leaves and the sign would already make this more refined. I dislike having the yellow road line in the foreground, and I think there is too much sky. A different crop, or stepping back farther and compressing the scene with a longer focal length might help. Either way, getting a bit closer in on the theater, removing distractions (don't think the extreme right of the theater needs to be there either), would begin to make this a 3 - a solid photo to have taken if commissioned by this theater. Again, it's not bad, but it's close enough to being better that I feel it SHOULD be better, and deserves to be critiqued harshly, so that the photographer takes more time to get it right next time. To use the standards they used in the video, it might be great for the client, but I wouldn't call it a portfolio piece. So, in my opinion, it's a 2 that could have been a solid 3. But this location, shot from this angle, likely never a four. Moving around, finding different, cleaner, more artistic ways to shoot the building, I'm sure a 4 would be possible here, but for me, this view is too snapshotty to reach that level. It's a view you would have to shoot if being paid to do the building, but it's not the photo you need to show everybody. If I'm being harsh, it's because I thought they were too kind. Fair? :)

[@DerekKind]

Austin Burke Also keep in mind that Mike Kelley does this kind of stuff professionally, and I don't. But you did ask me. :)

[@ReelFilmGeek]

Derek Kind completely fair and thank you. And yes the photo was mine and I appreciate the feedback as its the only way I will get better. As for the shot it was just to build my portfolio. I simply asked if the theater mind if I took the picture and went at it. After the shoot I do agree with Mike and Patrick that I should of added in people and I totally agree with you on the tree being to close to the theater. Sadly this was the best angel I had as I would be standing in the middle of the road for this image if I took a step to the side (and since this is multiple flash exposures painted together I couldnt leave a tripod in the middle of a busy road ). Now that yellow line in the road, I totally didn't pay attention to it and looking at it now I will be going back to remove it and maybe cropping in the right side and top a little bit. Sadly the sky that day was cloudy so I think that hurts the image in making the sky seem so empty. Thank you again for the input I really appreciate it.

[@DerekKind]

You're very welcome! Happy to help, and hope all this was encouraging and not discouraging, because, especially considering you're just starting and working to build a portfolio, this is good stuff. More important than the photo itself is the fact that you're out there and practicing and taking the time to ask permission and to paint the scene, etc (I didn't realize it was flash-lit). Things like the yellow line...that's why it's good to get external opinions. Most of us are blind to that kind of stuff in our own photos; it's only when looking at fresh photos from other people do we notice the small details - that's why I like watching critiques - it's good practice for looking at my own photos and thinking about things differently. As for the sky, I think plain twilight blue is nice as a background for this kind of thing, it's just that there's too much of it. Keep up the good work! :)

[@Tubekeny1]

Mike Kelly is excellent. Really useful to hear his concise views.

[@cornelio8703]

I also enjoy your critiques a lot, keep them coming more often :)

[@cadinhosouza]

Excellent! I had a good time watching this, learned a lot from it and I'm going to watch the previous ones and look forward to the next ones. Just one suggestion: we don't really need to see the guys on the small screen on the top left corner while they're commenting on the photo. I'd prefer to see the image in question full screen (like on 1:08).

[@clamberry]

You're definitely right with your comment at 1:00:22. That looks exactly like a print of one of the images from the landscape critique video with Elia.

[@Nicholas-Doyle]

Mike: "There was thought put into the composition" Patrick: "WAS THERE!?" hahahaha

[@Tubekeny1]

Great critiques guys. Thanks.

[@tubebukful]

The white balance in this video is totally off. This is very easy to fix :P I'm between 2 and 3.

[@phaskellhall]

We filmed this impromptu with no additional lighting. I do blame the videographer for the less than stellar quality though.

[@talltom0690]

Good stuff! The house with the big driveway.I throw big parties and it's nice to know the house has lots of parking.Just goes to the purpose of the photo.Thanks for the insight.

[@nixpix5978]

Its funny. The picture of the fireplace in the last few pics, with that bridgepic on top. Its the exact image that you guys critiqued in your second critique, with Elia Locardi. :O

[@barretttt]

If anyone is interested: the third(?) photo is of Frank Gehry's building at the University of Technology, Sydney. www.smh.com.au/nsw/frank-gehrys-uts-dr-chau-chak-wing-building-opened-the-most-beautiful-squashed-brown-paper-bag-ever-seen-20150202-132seq.html

[@Tubekeny1]

Please do not use picture in picture. We need to see the whole photo like you do.

[@AlexPletcherPhoto]

On multiple occasions, Mike says flash on the umbrella "out the window" does he mean physically place the flash outside shooting through the window? If so, cool. Otherwise I'm not sure what he means there... Any ideas??? Thanks!!

[@RealHankShill]

That is exactly what he means. You can see him do it in his tutorials or in the BTS videos

[@BenMensah]

Still can't believe that the sixth image got a two and a three. (the image of the interior of a living room, mainly white with blown windows)

[@rogersliu1200]

Hi, I look at the picture at 49:03 vary carefully. And my 3d max experience tell me that was a rendering picture by renderer rather than taking from a cam. Please tell me I am wrong

[@rogersliu1200]

Junyan Liu If you look at my webwww.arclightimage-perth.com/ you may find those very similar style. Because computer image dose not distort, no matter how wide the angle is

[@jelle8071]

The third picture is actually by the same architect as the Disney Concert Hall, Frank Gery. Just google 'paper bag Sydney' and you should find it.

[@annettehurd9391]

The mls doesn’t allow you to have people in them.

[@huwpenson2678]

COOL HAIR ON THE LUMBERJACK

[@BenMensah]

Harsh ratings, but mostly greatly justified.

[@Axelsypkenssmit]

Re-upload?

[@FStoppers]

yeah, it had some problems from the export :/

[@Timanator]

No attempt to fix any of the issues?

[@quirkd33]

Really a shame to have this on the same list as Mike Kelley (RIP). New Mike Kelley you have some reading to do

[@italianreviewer]

As single images the interiors photos lose a lot of sense. I'm sure that in a brochure/ads with 3/4 other pictures a lot of these photos would work perfectly.

[@phaskellhall]

Oh yeah def, but we try distinguish great photography from images that just "work perfectly". Your portfolio should be stronger than images that just get people to look at a property

[@italianreviewer]

Patrick Hall I agree completely: in a portfolio a photo should stand out on its own. I was just thinking about some of these photos that reminded my own pictures (last year I worked for a real estate agency) and I feel that as single photos they wouldn't work, but as a body they gain sense. (Disclaimer: I'm not anywhere near 4/5 points photos, but as soon as possible I'll go back training myself)

[@emilymarsden7449]

Are all the people who submit photos to be critiqued male? Just seemed like the default reference in this series seems to be 'he'.

[@kaygee301]

d1kiz so eloquent，无知的混蛋。 你是男性吗😂?

[@UserName________]

"Hedge fund manager-type people..." 😂

[@becomingintermediate5390]

Half life 3 has been pushed back to 2050

[@GifCoDigital]

Man Patrick says some stupid things in this one. Would have been a lot better if it was just Mike giving ratings and advice!!! lol

[@reluctant_engineer]

Nice critiques BUT man,their body movement & conversation's awkward as hell!