Editing process

Hi peops,

I'm studying photography at the mo and I'm really enjoying it.

I've been told I need to have more confidence in choosing the best final images in the editing process for my projects.

I think I can find the best pics in someone elses portfolio, but I don't know how I 'learn' to do this with my own pictures? What you think is rubbish might speak volumes to someone else, or what you're really proud of might be boring to someone else.

Anyone have any practical tips on finding recognition in your own work?

Cheers

Nat

Hi Nat

i shoot professionally (portraits) and i can have anywhere between 30 and 80 shots for a viewing. from my point of view if i have 30 amazing shots but give 50 for a viewing, then am i diluting my own talent by showing images that just dont sell and so make the client press delete 20 times..? which then sets a negative mindset. However, like you rightly state, the images that i could delete may be loved by parents who dont want staged or structured posing. they might like free-for-all images..
the way i go at it is, if your images have more than one of similar posing/framing/viewpoint (depending on what your are shooting) then be ruthless..pick one outside pick 2 from each..i tend to try and get 1 standing, 1 lying down, 1 sitting etc..this way if they like a shot they only have 1 to pick whereas if i leave more in, they may become undecided which wont make a sale. the same goes for landscapes..no point in having 2 of the same unless its really different, ie lighting of time of day..
to be your own critic is really hard but think what is the end result meant to be and who for? how many images do you or they need to complete a project/brief? let that lead you and in time you will just know what to pick and what to leave out.
essay over lol!!!! hope this helps
good luck!

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Hi Andy,

That's really helpful, thanks a lot. I suppose in time I'll learn how people react to my images and what risks have been worth taking... I'm so impatient, I always want to run before I can walk lol, but your practical tips should help me along here to plan my next moves properly.

I think my biggest issue is getting attached to the concepts behind my images, even where they might not have produced the result that communicates best what it is I want to say, but I really want to include them! I suppose you just can't force an image to be what it's not and I guess the viewer is always right, and like you say, they're the ones who buy them at the end of the day.

Cheers, good food for thought.

Nat

Hi Nat, I have the same problem when entering images for competitions, deciding which one fits the competition theme.

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Beacon Images - last updated 29th June