Your “BEST" PHOTOS of 2023! The GOOD, the BAD, the UGLY...

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I asked you to submit your best photos of 2023. There are portraits and landscapes and action and everything else in between. Which are your favorites, let me know down below.
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#FroKnowsPhoto #BestOf #Critique

[@StewartWoodArt]

Number 2 but I may be biased lol Can't believe I made it to the top two and yes that is an Olympus and no it's not AI. Thank you Jared!

[@monaburch9163]

Beautiful shot!!!

[@homayoonsarwari5375]

I voted for your shot. It is beautiful.

[@StewartWoodArt]

@@monaburch9163 Thank you.

[@StewartWoodArt]

@@homayoonsarwari5375 Thanks man!

[@jimgsewell]

Nice work

[@GarrettLucasWV]

Gotta say the frogs pic at 17:46 was pretty fantastic as it was. I agree with you that a lot of people aren't using enough contrast and other functions to process their pics but the frogs pic was spot on for color, context and tone before you hit the edit. Bumping the contrast and dropping the exposure a shade might have worked if there was some light coming from the front, but it was very nice as you received it.

[@davidfarr3591]

I agree. I liked the softer, more delicate look. Sometimes that's better than going bold, imo.

[@whatwhat1345]

I love it when he says add a little bit of contrast... and goes +70 or even higher on it... lol

[@Chickenlol]

"A little bit of contrast goes a long way" adds +79 contrast lol

[@duckyz9]

guess his glasses decontrastify just like mine

[@jrbling25]

Skipped over some bangers imo and picked others that otherwise don't stand out to me, or then proceeded to over-process on some of them lol. I appreciate the reminder to see that others who critique/enjoy look for different things, and we should always photograph and work on what we love as the guiding light.

[@TheHamsterMaster]

yeah I agree, the ones he liked were "meh" to me while many of the ones he skipped look absolutely beautiful.

[@juniorwalter9083]

You shure do like that contrast slider..

[@mattandhisnikon]

I agree that many of these need more contrast and a much more defined black point, but I do think your editing over does it on many occasions

[@Pilot_Jeff]

I agree ☝️

[@Boskibro]

He is mainly a sports/photojournalist photographer. I wouldn’t consider him an artistic savant by any means lol.

[@Twobarpsi]

He's selling Fro Packs, so of course he promotes over editing.

[@LukaszFrankowski]

#2 Stewart's photo is the winner for me. Love the other one too but the amount of skill required for this macro shot is incredible.

[@BlueL1n3]

Wow I’m totally blown away that my image made the top 35 cut! My vote for the last two would be number 2

[@elboogie2324]

I saw my image! I don't care if it doesn't get selected or anything, just the fact that it was seen by Jared Polin makes it all worth it.

[@JaredLeesBass]

As a part timer, it's really cool and beneficial to see such a large volume of work from so many people and hear your comments on stuff... Definitely gives me an idea of things I can work on, but also things I'm doing well.

[@LeRoyaltyMediaProductions]

Thanks, Jared. I'm the photographer at 26:27 who took the photo of The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on the island of Santorini in Greece. My family and I were on a cruise excursion to the island and I was on my way back to the bus meeting area to take more photos of the upcoming sun set when I looked up and saw this nice composition of the cathedral and sky. It was a spur of the moment shot and I am glad that I took it.

[@mouldypretzel]

Voting for #2. I am a sucker for vibrant photos and I just love the unique perspective

[@Heartbeat_Adventures]

I can't. the landscape edits kill me. The skies look way overprocessed when you're pulling blue saturation. then you called a zebra a giraffe, and I can't handle it any more.

[@nickreid5939]

Lol

[@chuckshingledecker2216]

At least he admits he isn't a landscape or wildlife photographer. But yeah, some of his comments on landscapes and wildlife are just head scratchers.

[@chuckshingledecker2216]

Great video, but I do feel like some of your processing is overdone on the landscapes. And I know you're not a wildlife shooter, but Auto ISO is pretty much the modern day standard for wildlife photographers.

[@bighugenews]

Jared add contrast Polin 😂

[@robemich1]

Thank you so much for taking the time to look at so many images. This was a great session. "Meh....It's fine. I mean it's good..." 31:54 Footballer running into the end zone was my shot. I wasn't even expecting that much from Jared. Thank you!

[@MitchellQuiring]

Jared - this critique was super fun. I appreciate the contrast feedback of my image at 46:36 of Odong Samel, a 68-yo Cassava Farmer in rural Uganda. Your heavy contrast edit, stylistically, is too much for me in the end, but it could have had more to begin with. 😉 Also - Joey L is a HUGE inspo, one of the best of the best of the best. Very honored to have a comparison made. Thanks Jared!

What a beautiful image. Would have been in my top-3. I'm a sucker for story seeking portraits! Can I follow you and your photography anywhere?

[@drewhoyle]

I think the one of the kid throwing the baseball should win, on the thought that you didn't adjust any of the settings before 5 staring it. The one of the bug is cool, but you adjusted the contrast and exposure before you rated it.

[@buzzj89]

Great point

[@ElMundoDuro]

I vote for the Olympus Macro shot. Micro Four Thirds works really well for macro photography.

[@joshuaguirguis4268]

Wow wow wow!! The final baseball shot is mine so I say #1, but I'm a bit bias haha. Wasn't expecting this at all when I clicked on the video, thank you Jared! Very honored

[@mikemoros]

Your IG or FB pls? So good!

[@ronaldguy5474]

I shot with a Canon back in the 70's. My brother got me started before i left for the USAF in 78. We shot many pics, developed, used Cokin filters, etc. He passed a few years later, in a house fire( bot dark room related) and I havent shot a pic since, except with a phone. Thank you Jared and I have watched many of your KZbin videos. I'll be 63 in a few days and think i will have my wife to get me a new camera. Probably a Canon R7. I think that's great for fun/travel photography. Loved all the pics.

[@matthewjeffres1289]

# 2 hands down

[@adudenamedruby]

These videos are my favourite on this channel. What would be a really interesting take on this kind video (even if it ends up being 3 hours!) is having the same set of photos critiqued by several different people, to get different perspectives on the same work. Top notch job as always!

[@MrShiffard]

No. 2 for me Jared. Some really excellent work there. Mine was the bird picture after the shot of you. If it hadn't been immediately after that, I'm sure I'd have won 🤣

[@brads1974]

The flamingo photo was mine. Made the top 35… happy with that!

[@jimgsewell]

Nice

[@spenson89]

I agree that some of these photos could use more contrast but it feels like he is over cranking on the contrast and underexposing

[@shaddring]

#2 because I think it was not as planned. They had a moment in time and framed it perfectly at the right time. #1 was probably set up in a studio and planned. STILL a great photo and beyond my skills but #2 gets my vote

[@joshuaguirguis4268]

Nope actually was not set up, was in a game and when I saw the sunset I has the idea and it came out awesome

[@malcolmwhyte5868]

And Stewart wood is a macro photographer in you tube, and is more than likely set up as a lot of his photos are produced in studio settings. All that said, he is a great teacher and photographer, and funny as well

[@rws531]

I vote for #2 as well but this is such stupid reason to. Macro photography is one of the slowest and most methodical types of photography, nothing about it is impromptu.

[@photobeast]

Just a word of advice. I do agree with you on putting Shadows back in some of the Landscapes like the one at 15:56... but a few times when you threw a preset on it you over sharpened the clouds. That's a huge No-No in landscape photography. Clouds are soft and need time stay that way.. fun video though... A lot of IMAGES!!

[@atlas5459]

Agreed. Contrast is fine but you don't want to give it a cheap hdr look either

[@luckybnb1997]

Thank you for putting my photo in the video 35:25 and the photo is B&W just to clear that up. I actually went to check it because I didn't remember using selective color but thank you again for reviewing my photo.

[@chrisjdubs]

#1 would be my choice. I've seen a lot of beautiful macro shots and that it def one of them. I haven't many shots like the baseball shot. Just awesome. Thanks for doing this for the community and have a blast on the safari

[@v_stands_for_value124]

Pretty sure Jared has that display to 100% brightness cuz he's underexposing so many photos

[@chrisortiz6444]

2. But thank you for taking the time to do this for all of us photographers.

[@alphagh0stt]

Thanks for the opportunity!

[@CharlieQueenRPG]

I shot the foggy trees at the beginning of the video. Honored that Jared said he ‘liked the frame’ and to make the top 32. Thanks Jared!

[@monaburch9163]

#2 for me for your final two choices :) Lovely lovely Macro shot!! Mine is the Doggo in the Mountain at 39:24 :) And you are correct, not real leaves. I am shooting a Calendar to raise money for a local Animal Rescue (all critters are rescued/adopted pets) and this one is my November shoot. I added the leaves to give it an Autumn falling leaves feel :) Thanks for stopping and looking closer at it though :D So far this is my favorite shoot of all the ones I've shot (this is my second calendar).....had you questioning if the leaves were real or not though ;) I'll take that as a win

[@bethmoorephotography_]

28:30 that’s mine!!! Thanks Fro 🙏🏻 I pick 2 for the winner!

[@Poe_Tae_Toes]

2! Both final options are fantastic and it’s definitely a tough choice but 2 takes the cake for me.

[@davidfarr3591]

I vote for the macro shot. I shoot a fair amount of macros myself, and it's sooooo difficult. Respect.

[@AdamCasada]

I vote 2. I love 1, but the mark against it for me is that the square-ish frame in the background doesn't make sense. I don't know what that shape is, it doesn't tell a story.

[@LetsBHonest]

All the past videos where you critiqued everyone's photos made me a better photographer. These are my favorite videos of yours

[@user-uz6sy2zq1y]

I shoot baseball and love #1...BUT, for me, #2 was by far a better picture.

[@futurerider103]

#1 for me. That baseball shot is great. I'm happy mine made the top 35! 42:41 Football picture. Taken at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington Tx

[@robertkreger7978]

Many of the photos you thought should be darker I thought should be lighter. Maybe it’s just my old eyes but I like to see everything in the photo.

[@noahdussault6067]

Thank you so much for the critique! It is so cool to get to see so many different styles of work as well as here your feedback! Mine was the volleyball one at 45:27. I'm really harsh on my photos and was nervous to enter it but I am so glad I did! Love the videos!

[@TheRxsamg]

#1 Baseball hands down. Why? Because it grabs you with its simplicity.

[@mavfan1]

some of the best crop. It's hilarious that you count that as a mark against a photo. It was an issue in the 35mm film days. Not anymore.

[@tricialindsey2001]

#2, lots of amazing photos!!

[@Jim_Mundy]

This is an awesome session. Learning more about lightroom edits than most courses.

[@nastasedr]

I do not think he knows what he is doing. There are much better photographers out there where you can learn far better editing.

[@michelv714]

He doesn’t know what he is doing ? But he is in the game since more than 15 years ? 😳 I think there is some things not adding up there… 🤨

[@nastasedr]

@@michelv714 well time does not make one anything. I have watched the work of many world class photographers and their editing, try to do that too. Then please use your eyes watch this video. Look at what he is doing to the pictures by adding contrast, it is hilariously bad. Contrast is the last thing you want to play with especially in the general tab. I remember that is what I used to do 15 years ago to my photos, looking back at them is laughable. Lastly obviously he is pushing to sell his bad presets.

[@michelv714]

Well, you are absolutely right about that. I don't like the way he is "re-editing" the images he finds worth it. I was more referring to the rest of his photographic journey that this particular session which is far from he does best, photojournalism style photography in my opinion @@nastasedr

[@nastasedr]

@@michelv714 maybe so.

[@sameervaidya63]

The macro shot is best of the best. Just for the angle and the insane details captured. It's really hardest subject. Baseball shot is too good asthetically. Best lighting, action, composition all good there but macro shot is a winner for me. Happy shooting 📷📷📷

[@joei.507]

#1 Natural framing, silhouette, just a beautiful pic.

[@jimgrimm2874]

#2 because damn that's crisp and vibrant for an Olympus. Maximal output given his tool 🔥

[@bmcla34]

I saw mine. You didn't stop, but that is ok lol.

[@HikingBob]

Wooo hooo! I got a "Nice Job"! (31:00). Seriously, thanks Jared for taking the time to look through 1200 pics!

[@The_GreenMachine]

no way out of all of those amazing photos did that specific baseball photo make it! #2 all the way.

[@Luke.]

Literally waited a month to see my picture in the video and Jared just goes through it lol

[@MrShiffard]

Same here Luke 😭

[@matthewgale6243]

#2. I had one of the airshow pictures. Thanks for going through these, you gave a lot of helpful information. Cool to see your process a little too

[@kaligar]

1 give the winner a fropack!

[@jRendN]

This was awesome to watch! Thank you everyone for sharing! My motivation is at an all time high because of your work!

[@owlmostdead9492]

#2 the macro shot

[@dhbrklys]

ur picks are honestly funny lol

I loved the blue bird in yellow flowers 21:14, let the winner be 2.

[@youngerbrotherpictures]

This was almost meditative to watch haha. Hypnotic even. Should do more of these!

[@davidcrighton3431]

Can an Olympus win? Yes! Exif data should be irrelevant to the finished image.

[@elmerikarjalainen]

2nd Is the clear winner for me. But the top 30 pics were really nice and I would have picked like 40+ more images to get a 5* rating.

[@p.o.photos]

Number 1. Both of them are sharp and well exposed. But the composition of the first one is more precious for me (using opposite lights and natural borders).

[@jeremyyyy20]

I’m the lacrosse photo guy! It did indeed go in-in fact the photo made it on ESPN‼️ thanks Jared!

[@motointeractive]

Photo 1. So much more planning involved with that baseball shot.

[@mrthrust2144]

“I’m Not Yelling At You” 😆

[@smartduck904]

Love the selective color!

[@TheNewMexicoMan]

First Place - Baseball pitcher silhouette. Second place - I would have chosen the B&W wrestler. The bug was too artsy for me but a nice third place image nonetheless.

[@Nonixification]

Imagine Jared saying "too much contrast" :p

[@jakobbu]

Why do you want to add contrast to everything? It's just not everyone's style to turn the contrast to 100

[@brianmorris6466]

I've looked at his Instagram after watching the first five minutes or so of this video, and I believe this guy may be a hack.

[@EugeneKam]

Oh man awesome video. 2 all the way.

[@seanarmstrong8460]

2 Stuart’s photo is really emotional!

[@homayoonsarwari5375]

I think the Macro photography deserves to win.

[@Hangiinjohnny]

Got to see my photo, after seeing the shots other people submitted i understand why it didn’t stand out. I liked the bridge photo but it’s so subjective, of the two I have to go with the bug ever so slightly over the pitcher

[@abwt]

#2 Fro.

[@adjake1]

2 for the macro win. Ive tried similar shots and if the bug is alive this is extremely difficult to capture

[@TheRoutine99]

40:19 was me wooo i made it lol

[@7DreamVisuals]

I am seeing this SUPER late, didnt pop up on my YT home page. Glad to see my photo made it (24:09), no words but I appreciate the double take LOL

[@hate_broccoli]

#1 sorry it tells a story and that’s what I go for story telling

[@ashrafzurikat4035]

winner No. 2

[@MegaTruck20]

Does Jared sell presets? I had no idea. 🤔

[@jimgsewell]

Or just push saturation & contrast to 100 and save some $$ 🤣

[@steviebronco1]

The damsfly image was phenomenal. The Olympus system is the best about for macro in my opinion as they can can stack images with one press.

[@tylertakesphotos]

My Photo is at 52:56 (eagle eating a deer in the water) , Stoked you paused on it and made a quick comment, I'll take it! Appreciate it. Until next year!

[@SvenDepennis]

#2 Macro gets my vote.

[@_SYDNA_]

Volleyball IS tough: Point of focus, zipping around the room. Sudden velocity as the ball rockets off the last hand. ... Volleyball is why I bought an R3.

[@endlesskillez6253]

Love number 2 but man there were so many good photos in there.

[@GermanVera]

Great video, thanks for doing these type of videos! Futterbly!! Weather it was by accident or on purpose, I loved it!!

[@JenHamon]

Skittles on nature & landscapes 🙈

[@timbelber7342]

2 for sure!

[@pintolace]

#1 Thanks for running this comp. Enjoy Africa

[@botfrank5531]

#2 for me, love the colours.

[@JimHester]

I'd normally say Olympus is a deuce, but #2 is the winner for me. (all puns intended) (also, I don't hate Olympus. I just needed a deuce pun)

[@MajorArchitect-0]

number 2 for sure

[@fionahaughton4912]

What is it with you and contrast? I dislike the contrast slider. I think it's too general and if not used with great care can easily burn out the highlights and make the shadows too dark. I would always go with the black and white sliders first then add contrast selectively.

[@smartduck904]

I hope you are joking about contrast 😂

[@wasefparvez6709]

Photo number 385 is from local stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal, India 🇮🇳 and the man in red and green dress is Sunil Chhetri. He is the 4th international goalscorers in men's football ⚽️

[@krunkgringoez1614]

love your reaction vids