The Quintessence of Doghood: Short Photo Essay

Jwbelvi · 09-08-2015, 09:34 PM

Hey everyone, I am new to this forum and I was wondering if you could give me some critique and tips. My name is Jordan and I am out of Portland, OR. I love photography and I am pursuing photojournalism, landscape, and travel photography. I'm currently studying Photojournalism, and Professional photography at the New York Institute of Photography (NYIP). I Currently shoot with Pentax K-x, but am upgrading in a few weeks to Pentax K-3. I did my first Photo Essay the other day, just practicing. Anyways, here is a pretty short photo essay I did the other day and I love it! All comments welcome. Just kind of practicing with aperture and capturing those moments. What do you like? What do you dislike? How do these pictures make you feel?Thanks everyone.

Here is a direct link to it: http://madebyastarbreather.tumblr.com/post/128616098680/the-quintessence-of-...-a-photo-essay

Hope to see all the amazing things you are all doing!

Last edited by Jwbelvi; 09-08-2015 at 09:57 PM.

**K(s)evin** · 09-09-2015, 06:36 AM

Coming from the point of view of a former TV photojournalist (11 years; Peoria, Louisville, Denver), the thing which I immediately noticed was that these are all tight shots. I was taught at the beginning of my career to always have a variety of wide, medium and tight. Granted, I am talking television, and so you may be being taught something different. The wide shot was to establish the environment you are in. The medium was to establish relationships between different participants in your story. And the tight shot was to establish emotional intimacy with the main subject, not just the face but also with hands (or paws), etc.

I don't want to step on your instructor here, as he or she, may be telling you something different. Always do what they want. But a story or essay needs to have a variety of shots. And while these appear to be technically correct, they just really don't tell a story.

Jean Poitiers · 09-09-2015, 12:10 PM

Bonjour from France, Jordan, and welcome to PF. Hope to see some more images soon ! Salut, J

Jwbelvi93 · 09-09-2015, 12:43 PM

Originally posted by K(s)evin

Coming from the point of view of a former TV photojournalist (11 years; Peoria, Louisville, Denver), the thing which I immediately noticed was that these are all tight shots. I was taught at the beginning of my career to always have a variety of wide, medium and tight. Granted, I am talking television, and so you may be being taught something different. The wide shot was to establish the environment you are in. The medium was to establish relationships between different participants in your story. And the tight shot was to establish emotional intimacy with the main subject, not just the face but also with hands (or paws), etc.

I don't want to step on your instructor here, as he or she, may be telling you something different. Always do what they want. But a story or essay needs to have a variety of shots. And while these appear to be technically correct, they just really don't tell a story.

Thank you so much! That is good information. I actually just finished a unit on what you just said. Too bad I didn't read it before I took the photos! I appreciate it

---------- Post added 09-09-15 at 12:47 PM ----------

Originally posted by K(s)evin

Coming from the point of view of a former TV photojournalist (11 years; Peoria, Louisville, Denver), the thing which I immediately noticed was that these are all tight shots. I was taught at the beginning of my career to always have a variety of wide, medium and tight. Granted, I am talking television, and so you may be being taught something different. The wide shot was to establish the environment you are in. The medium was to establish relationships between different participants in your story. And the tight shot was to establish emotional intimacy with the main subject, not just the face but also with hands (or paws), etc.

I don't want to step on your instructor here, as he or she, may be telling you something different. Always do what they want. But a story or essay needs to have a variety of shots. And while these appear to be technically correct, they just really don't tell a story.

I used to live in Pueblo, Colorado. Denver is pretty cool. and Bonjour Jean! Glad to meet you all!

**Kerrowdown** · 09-09-2015, 03:31 PM

Welcome to the forum, photojournalism is a tough game to be in these days, network work like crazy... even now as you'll need all these folk later in your career for sure.

**K(s)evin** · 09-09-2015, 11:45 PM

Glad I could help. There are hundreds of participants on this forum who seem always ready to offer help and advice. And the responses are generally quick and on point. Use it. I had forgotten some of the basics of still photography after being diverted away to video photography for a few years. After purchasing a K7, I found this forum and was quickly back up to speed. I continue coming back, and after 5 years, I still pick up good info from time to time.

I think Pentax people are a special breed. And it shows!

Oh, and Welcome!

**djb47** · 09-11-2015, 08:17 AM

Welcome to the Pentax Forums.

atupdate · 09-11-2015, 09:20 AM

If you decide to re-shoot this essay, besides the wide/middle/tight information, I think you need to change perspective as well. Most of your shots are shooting down at the dogs. You need to get on their level for more of them.

Here is a pretty good thread on shooting pets.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/38-photographic-technique/251896-shelter-...ps-photos.html

Tim

09-08-2015, 09:34 PM	#1
Jwbelvi New Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 1	The Quintessence of Doghood: Short Photo Essay Hey everyone, I am new to this forum and I was wondering if you could give me some critique and tips. My name is Jordan and I am out of Portland, OR. I love photography and I am pursuing photojournalism, landscape, and travel photography. I'm currently studying Photojournalism, and Professional photography at the New York Institute of Photography (NYIP). I Currently shoot with Pentax K-x, but am upgrading in a few weeks to Pentax K-3. I did my first Photo Essay the other day, just practicing. Anyways, here is a pretty short photo essay I did the other day and I love it! All comments welcome. Just kind of practicing with aperture and capturing those moments. What do you like? What do you dislike? How do these pictures make you feel?Thanks everyone. Here is a direct link to it: http://madebyastarbreather.tumblr.com/post/128616098680/the-quintessence-of-...-a-photo-essay Hope to see all the amazing things you are all doing! Last edited by Jwbelvi; 09-08-2015 at 09:57 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The name of this short story?	SpecialK	General Talk	3	10-25-2013 02:09 PM
Black & White Monterey Bay, California - Photo Essay	sealonsf	Post Your Photos!	4	03-28-2013 06:14 PM
Photo of the Week - Capturing the Short -eared Owls	Adam	Post Your Photos!	2	01-03-2011 06:59 PM
Awesome Photo Essay of Russia	deadwolfbones	General Talk	7	05-06-2009 03:08 PM
Spring: A Gaywing Photo Essay	SCGushue	Post Your Photos!	8	05-17-2007 06:46 PM

09-09-2015, 06:36 AM	#2
K(s)evin Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 476	Coming from the point of view of a former TV photojournalist (11 years; Peoria, Louisville, Denver), the thing which I immediately noticed was that these are all tight shots. I was taught at the beginning of my career to always have a variety of wide, medium and tight. Granted, I am talking television, and so you may be being taught something different. The wide shot was to establish the environment you are in. The medium was to establish relationships between different participants in your story. And the tight shot was to establish emotional intimacy with the main subject, not just the face but also with hands (or paws), etc. I don't want to step on your instructor here, as he or she, may be telling you something different. Always do what they want. But a story or essay needs to have a variety of shots. And while these appear to be technically correct, they just really don't tell a story.

09-09-2015, 12:10 PM	#3
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Bonjour from France, Jordan, and welcome to PF. Hope to see some more images soon ! *Salut*, J

09-09-2015, 12:43 PM	#4
Jwbelvi93 New Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 4	Originally posted by K(s)evin Coming from the point of view of a former TV photojournalist (11 years; Peoria, Louisville, Denver), the thing which I immediately noticed was that these are all tight shots. I was taught at the beginning of my career to always have a variety of wide, medium and tight. Granted, I am talking television, and so you may be being taught something different. The wide shot was to establish the environment you are in. The medium was to establish relationships between different participants in your story. And the tight shot was to establish emotional intimacy with the main subject, not just the face but also with hands (or paws), etc. I don't want to step on your instructor here, as he or she, may be telling you something different. Always do what they want. But a story or essay needs to have a variety of shots. And while these appear to be technically correct, they just really don't tell a story. Thank you so much! That is good information. I actually just finished a unit on what you just said. Too bad I didn't read it before I took the photos! I appreciate it ---------- Post added 09-09-15 at 12:47 PM ---------- Originally posted by K(s)evin Coming from the point of view of a former TV photojournalist (11 years; Peoria, Louisville, Denver), the thing which I immediately noticed was that these are all tight shots. I was taught at the beginning of my career to always have a variety of wide, medium and tight. Granted, I am talking television, and so you may be being taught something different. The wide shot was to establish the environment you are in. The medium was to establish relationships between different participants in your story. And the tight shot was to establish emotional intimacy with the main subject, not just the face but also with hands (or paws), etc. I don't want to step on your instructor here, as he or she, may be telling you something different. Always do what they want. But a story or essay needs to have a variety of shots. And while these appear to be technically correct, they just really don't tell a story. I used to live in Pueblo, Colorado. Denver is pretty cool. and Bonjour Jean! Glad to meet you all!

09-09-2015, 03:31 PM	#5
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	Welcome to the forum, photojournalism is a tough game to be in these days, network work like crazy... even now as you'll need all these folk later in your career for sure.

09-09-2015, 11:45 PM	#6
K(s)evin Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 476	Glad I could help. There are hundreds of participants on this forum who seem always ready to offer help and advice. And the responses are generally quick and on point. Use it. I had forgotten some of the basics of still photography after being diverted away to video photography for a few years. After purchasing a K7, I found this forum and was quickly back up to speed. I continue coming back, and after 5 years, I still pick up good info from time to time. I think Pentax people are a special breed. And it shows! Oh, and Welcome!

09-11-2015, 08:17 AM	#7
djb47 Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Lenoir, NC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,561	Welcome to the Pentax Forums.

09-11-2015, 09:20 AM	#8
atupdate Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dayton, OH Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,724	If you decide to re-shoot this essay, besides the wide/middle/tight information, I think you need to change perspective as well. Most of your shots are shooting down at the dogs. You need to get on their level for more of them. Here is a pretty good thread on shooting pets. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/38-photographic-technique/251896-shelter-...ps-photos.html Tim