What I like most about you is that you have always seemed honest to me, your are not the typical youtube showman. Probably you would get more followers if you were LOL, I have the same problem, but it is far more rewarding to be and honest person than and Internet clown. Congrats, keep up the good work!
I am so happy to see you posting again I can't even describe it. Thank you for teaching and for helping with all sorts of information. You are one of my favorites photography teachers(i used to watch a lot of Creativelive back in the day). Be safe and keep on doing what ever makes you feel good!!! THANK YOU!
While your thoughts and feelings are directed to critiquing images, interesting your comments resonate with life. Thank you for your willingness to be open/candid. Encouragement, motivation, and direction can only come with honesty. Thanks Zack!!!
The "self reflective" at the 9:50 mark is so spot on. I'm forever a fan now and I've only watched two of your videos. Self-honesty and truth speaking ++.
I'm so happy you're back! Cooking, critiques,whatever you want to post,I'm there.I still watch your Istanbul video from time to time.You got me to buy an X100s then and now I'm the happy owner of the new V.Looking forward to your post on that one.
Zack is the only professional photographer that i know of that can make you feel reassured about your insecurities. That even someone as successful and talented as him can feel what we feel all the time. that it doesn't go away. no matter the level you are at in your photography. and i wish more photographers were outspoken about these very things. i think more photographers who have given up may have stayed in a little longer if they knew they weren't alone in all the feelings we have about our work and ourselves. thanks Zack for always being you.
Thank you Jeff for your kind words. I speak to photographers in a way I wish others had spoken to me when I was coming up in the ranks AND I say things that I still need to hear myself to this day.
Another great video. One of the things I try to do when hearing a critique of my work is to guess what the photographer doing the critique will say (both positive and negative) and often if you are putting a photo into a competition a 2 judges will see completely different things.
Makes me feel sorry for the people who hang up their cameras when they get a critique that didn't meet their (probable) expectations). It's always great to see people take criticism, reflect on it and then apply it to their work to improve. Whenever I listen to Zack or Sean Tucker, I know their photography lessons/advice can be applied to life in general. I have watched all (or most) of their videos numerous times and will 100% watch again in the future because they have worth on numerous levels. For me, a gazillion subscribers means diddly squat.
I´m not a photographer, I don´t even speak english, I am from Argentina, and yet i really enjoy your videos. Thank you Zack. I hope you became a very successful youtuber.
A portfolio critique is something special. It will hurt at times, suck at times but you have to realize that it is the best kick in the butt you can have. It's not about getting someone saying oh great job or best photo ever, best shadows. If you want that go to Instagram. If you want some ideas on how to improve and can take things away from what is said. It might not seem it but a critique comes from a place of love and dedication to looking at your pictures and picking it apart to find places to improve. No photograph is ever perfect and a professional critiquer will always find something to bring up. If they don't then why get the critique. A message for Zack, Thank you for taking the time to do critiques. It's amazing for you to take the time to help other photographers. The best thing a working photographer can have is a good critique. You know as well as I do that the critique is the hardest thing to take but the most valuable thing for improving your art form. How to not take a critique: You need to look behind your subject, there is to much clutter. This image doesn't work for me because...... Your response: F**** YOU I HATE YOU SO MUCH!! How to take a critique: You need to look behind your subject, there is to much clutter. This image doesn't work for me because..... Your response: Ok I have to make a mental note and try this and see what kind of difference it makes in my work. If it works for me then amazing! I learned something new. If not then it's part of my style and that's ok too.
@@ZackAriasATL No problem, we both know that a critique can be a brutal experience. Could you talk about a time where you got a critique maybe early on that crushed you and made you question photography? I know it would be a hard video to make but maybe give an example of what was said and how you improved from it over time? Maybe kind of like a road map on how you dealt with the criticisms in your work and improved because of it to get where you are today.
That's a humane and insightful set of comments. There's a real equivocation, with all of us I suspect, between ideas of objectivity in art and the belief that 'it's all subjective' . Neither is in fact quite true and I think you hit it on the nail when you introduced the idea of you as a well informed critic. It's not 2+2=4 but neither is it a case of anything goes if we want to do well in the craft of photography, and have people who aren't our moms genuinely appreciating what we do. We improve via practice and honest appraisal. Well done and keep it up.
That dam Dan Winters!!! 😁 He is good. Looks like the Apple pencil replaced the IKEA stick ( I noticed it a few videos ago ). And, finally critics. I am used to it and don't take it personal ( went to school for Commercial Photography in the 90s so we got critiqued a lot ). I remember getting critiqued by you guys a few years back on Dedpxl . My poor toy Penguin photo never stood a chance. 😁 My fault for turning in mediocre work , it was a bad time in my life with many losses including the closure of my little studio and just wanted to turn in something to the assignment to keep motivated. That's what that little critique did for me. Motivation. I once got critiqued by Joe McNally, and I said to my self " if he ends up not liking any of my images , I am going to walk away from photography " , he gave input on the first 3 didn't know what to say about the fourth and said "good job" on the fifth. Well I didn't walk away, still out here struggling but it was dumb to think about walking away because of someone's personal opinion. Keep the critiques alive these new jacks need to know what's up! Thanks for the motivation Zack!
I relate to that anecdote about the model. I am a TAFE student, doing one unit (at a time) of an advanced diploma of photograph. We had a task, practicing Rembrandt lighting. We divided into small groups (to share the equipment around), and we all shot one person in the group - everyone shot, everyone was shot at. My model was an Italian (why a professional portrait photographer is in the course, I don't know, but there he is.) He doesn't look anything special, but the photos came up really well. My wife reckons he looks like an old-time painter.
Good video., thanks for this. I've learned more watching critiques from various people than anything else - as long as the critiques are well done and not just a tear down.
Nice video :) i love watching great photographers like you who critique others, as I learn a lot of different insights in this art of photography.. i am just an amateur, i do have a lot of photos, but it's all over the place and I really don't have a focused body of work to be critiqued at.. but thanks to your videos and the like, at least I am able to get a grasp on what makes a photo technically and artistically pleasing :)
Zack, this is so natural to me but in the mean time very revealing ! I watch channel where so called pro's shoot a "model" which are not models but just nice girls. There is a gap as wide as the Grand Canyon between a real model and those "next door beauties" . Even worse is, to compensate for the lack of talent, both model and photographer side , the photographer advices to show some extra skin. OMG I have seen my share over the last 2 decennia, and I thought I have seen it all, till december 2019 when I ran into a Photography channel , by accident, and that was a revelation ! But what's even better, the Photographer in question, explains, what he is looking for in her eyes, which is more important than the clothes she is wearing (when it is not editorial of-course) In his video's you see people change from puppets to human beings with a soul, and that my friend, is the essence and I haven't seen that for ages. Thanks for your thoughts
Very interesting to hear what you say Zack. I recently upset an over sensitive friend of mine by making suggestions on how he could have shot and edited one of his photos differently. He completely lost it, accusing me of being pretentious and a know all. He also says the same about all of the RUclips pros who do critiques. Even though that's the reason people send photos in. You can say anything you like about my pictures, as I am always willing to learn, and hear the opinions of others. There are some strange people about.
After several years doing landscape I have started with portrait photography about 2 years ago, been to several workshops for it and I would like to have somebody tell me if I am really good enough to offer my services professionally. Please let me know how I could get some of my work critiqued and if there is any cost involved as I dont want to steal your time.
75K subscribers, you're going to grow this pretty large very soon I'd say. to us mortals, it's already inconceivable. you're replicating followers faster than this dang virus.
I think this really speaks to the nature of constructive criticism and a constructive critique. It's easy to critique something if you don't have an interest in sharing anything useful for a person to mull over. It's much more difficult to critique something if the long-term intention is to be both honest and helpful. The goal is not to tear something down but to offer an honest opinion on why something fails to achieve it's goals and/or ways to improve upon what did not succeed. Some people hate the idea of constructive criticism because they have only experienced the criticism part and the source "offering the input" had no intention of actually being constructive. This is really unfortunate because I have always found it to be a pretty thought provoking exercise, even in circumstances where I just disagree completely with the critique; it still provides something to think about. I guess at the end of the day it's all about taking it with a grain of salt. A critique may or may not have any kind if profound impact as each person has the choice as to how to receive it. With the being said, I'll leave my link and ask for a critique if you have time. Thanks and keep up the good work, glad to see you're putting out videos again! -Evan evankanephotography.com
Great video Zack. On a small screen I don't notice it. But on my 30" 4k, that bottom left picture on the wall…being slightly askew. The lines not "just right". Ugh, maybe I have some OCD issues.
You’re not wrong. That whole wall needs to be redone. We recently moved here and haven’t gotten fully settled just yet. Looks like we have a lot of time to work on that now since we are on lock down!
Zack, Namaste from India. 🙏🏻 First of all, thank you for putting this video out and for critiquing.. Secondly, you were ultra sweet in my honest opinion in your earlier video. So i am surprised that ppl created fuss about it. Thirdly, my website sucks... and the content is old.. once it is in some shape.. gonna definitely send it to you 😊🙏🏻
On the "A pretty girl does not a model make" statement, I think it's because a lot of them are in fact not models but rather just attractive friends/acquaintances of the photographer. I know a LOT of them. In my younger days I worked in many a bar/nightclub and met them all the time. I'm not talking about attractive patrons but promo girls from various liquor brands/distributors. Girls hired for the job BECAUSE they were attractive. My friend Lisa was one of them. To say she is 'attractive' is a SERIOUS understatement. I'm talking 'She's all That', Jennifer Love Hewitt slow walk into the room while everyone turns to look, ATTRACTIVE(and yes I'm embarrassed to know that reference). I tell you that to tell you this... After getting her real estate license she went to some local 'portrait studio' to get a headshot for the agencies website/her LinkedIn/her business cards. Besides the fact it came out looking like a 5th grade English teachers yearbook photo, she just didn't look right. I know this girl. Her smile was off. She had the 'crazy ex' eyes. Her entire presence was GONE. When I offered to re-shoot her headshot for her I found out why... She simply sucks in front of a camera. It took a long time to wear her down, stop her from putting on a fake smile and get a natural expression out of her that looked like the girl I knew. A photographer calling up their 'attractive' friend or finding some girl on IG/MM are likely to end up with someone that is nervous and/or simply doesn't know how to act in front of a camera.
now that you mentioned it...would love to watch a video about directing people. I really want to take portraits but I feel weird and uncomfortable. People being photographed can sense that... sometimes with professional models doesn't matter that much because they know how to do their jobs
Set the ground rules,? Check! Offer great advice? Check! Set people up for success instead of failure? Check! Well done. Being primarily a wildlife and zoo photographer, I would not expect you to be an expert in my genre. There are others, many of whom you probably know, who are. But listening to critiques of all kinds is one of the best ways to make sure we don't make the same mistakes when we go out to shoot. If we learn to critique our own work, you will have a more interesting task ahead of you when we send it in to you. Allowing you to concentrate on the finer details instead of basic focus, exposure and composition, will benefit us all.
@@ZackAriasATL Well I find the pictures on your current homepage mesmerising, so don't update too much, unless of course you have so much better stuff to replace it with
As soon as you start putting your work out there, you need to grow a thick skin. You critiqued an image of mine a long time ago online....shredded it really ;-) I didn't take offense I just took what you said onboard and it made my images better for it, so thank you as always for the honesty about what you do and why you do it.
If I were to critique your videos, I would say, just keep being who you are, fidgety and all! That includes any curse words that just HAVE to be said, LOL
With every video Zack, I can't help but have Eminem in my head "Zach is back, back for good" oh no wait, is that maybe take that....errr I mean, yeah go with Eminem tune no idea who take that are Keep moving forward dude
Dear Mr Zack Arias, you worry to much, do not worry about what people are going to feel, let them feel whatever they want to feel, you say what you need to say and if you say "This photo is so ugly it should be burned in public" so be it. If somebody sends you an email saying they're giving up on photography because of your critique, good, let them give up, they're so fragile they were going to crumble anyway. The harder you are on a photographer the better, be unapologetic, be tough. About taking your critiques personally i hope i do take them personally because i don't know any other way, is there an unpersonally way of taking it? But whatever the case, i can take it, if you say my photos suck in the 10th degree i will thank you for being honest and i will try to change whatever i need to change to make better photos (Maybe getting a more expensive camera) i will not give up on my hobby because i love it and i will subscribe to your channel two times. So i would like to send you only one photo for critique how do i do that. Thank You
I like that last part, "we all suck." We sure do! And not only can we learn from other's "mistakes", but I believe we can be inspired by them. To phrase it another way, we all lean by "doing", esp in a craft like Photography. I don't know how to add a photo here, but I welcome you to check out jaysphoto.net and look for photo titled "Healing Hands". It's a shot of a yoga instructor. ;)
I enjoy being judged harshly 🤣 I do photography completely for personal fulfillment, and have no aspirations on making any money on it at all. I’ve done that with my other hobbies and gotten completely burned out, and I didn’t want that to happen again. However, this means I can’t shoot as much, so I was only going to grow quickly if I had someone pick my work apart and tell me what I was doing wrong. Any time I have a shot that I think is amazing, I send it to Randy and he brutally rips it apart and tells me what I should have done better. I make notes, and my next shot is 2x better for it! If you want to do a ruthless critique without fear of hurting someone’s feelings, feel free to look through my Instagram! @mattpowellphotos
I've always loved and respected Zack's straight forward point of view. I learned alot from this man and that squirrel... BTW anyone remember his name? lol
I mostly take wildlife and scenery photos but would still value a critique from you. Norskattimages on Instagram. I feel that if other people look at my photos and enjoy them I’m happy. I would love to know how to direct people for portraits. I’ve tried a couple of times but they were really average.
Critique yes please.. What do I do to get one... 🤓😉 In my honest and humble opinion one must have a open mind and embrace the negative if not more then the positive.. You may ask why embrace the negative, because you learn and improve.
Agree. I been working in advertising for 30 years or so and at the beginning I couldn’t stand when a client rejected a campaign, I felt depressed and consider the client an idiot who do not value my effort... (now I don’t care lol) this apply to everything, photography, cooking, literature etc. Nobody appreciate when other people say “oh that’s your kid? He is so ugly! 😂
I like your candid at times but straight forward views on critiquing viewers photos . I mostly photo wildlife / landscape . As you mention this is not your strong suit . who would you recommend that also has a strong open personalty that works in this type of photography .
I know some great photographers in that genre but I don’t know of any that are doing critiques. If I find someone I’ll try to find this comment again and let you know!
I've always kept to my personal mantra of "life is too serious to be taken seriously", oh and "don't stress about shit you can't control" is my other one. Both keep me sane...ish.
Zack - I'm definitely not a pro level photographer. Rather, I consider myself an intermediate level photographer with quite a bit of technical knowledge. Where I think I'm stuck on the learning curve is the "art" of photography. So while I've watched a couple of your critique videos and feel like the folks submitting were much more accomplished as photographers than I currently am... I'm happy to throw my site in the pot. Getting feedback - no matter how blunt - can only help me grow. (note, it's a new site and I only have a couple dozen images on it). Finally, whether you pick me to critique or not, thanks for the opportunity! www.timfreed.photography/
Good video! Just started following your channel and I am enjoying it very much. I would love to have a critique, but I am not sure how to submit it. Thanks
Zack, Correct me if I am wrong, but the mark of a good critique is in being both Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. Onec your ego gets over being ripped to shit, you have to focus on the" why" it sucks part. I am assuming that follows. I agree, as a photographer you need to pull the best out of your model. If they are indifferent, your toast. Thank you for your honesty & the Unsplash information. As you read this even my son will be sent a model release. I have been at a" camera manufactured "sponsored event, no model releases were provided.
If I may ask why would you do a critique online I feel it should be one on one. Just asking. This vid is the best I have seen addressing this subject. And I have been following you for 5 years. I was in radio for 30 years and I did my critiques one on one then I stopped and hired an outside source do the review with the personalities who worked for me.
Hey Zack, here my small critique about your video.... Keeding it's just a suggestion it would be great if you put something cool and interesting on the table.
@@ZackAriasATL that's hard, a bottle of water with a glass. Nuh?! Something like kitchin stuff. A mug with cool logo that people can buy is not bad too. I don't know just table is empty solid thing there. 😉👍
When i see Dan Winters photo it will inspire me first 30 minutes and i want to take a picture as soon ass possible,after that i slow down and realize that i will never be able to make a photo 0.0001% near his photo and make me fill shit
I asked for a critique from my other RUclips account. It might not be your type of photography and probably never done it, but I think that we all know a decent photo when we see one, but we can always critique the basics, light, background, pose, setup is too simple, it’s missing something, etc. I just want to make sure that my images make you feel something and not just a.... it’s a picture of my newborn/kid so it’s cute. Always trying to improve even when doing it with my wife for many years, and always looking for input from a non newborn/kids photographer. Here is our site www.oephotography.com
If I may ask why would you do a critique online I feel it should be one on one. Just asking. This vid is the best I have seen addressing this subject. And I have been following you for 5 years.
Michael Rogers I really don’t t trust the people you pay to view/review/edit your work. It seems that they try to work as less as possible and give as little input so they can up sell their comprehensive review and help redesign your site/work just to make more money. In theory is good, but they have to sell themselves just keep afloat. I’ve seen it many times (not with my work) Having someone like Zack review the work without paying him could give me a more honest opinion when money is not an issue. Not trying to promote my work for everyone to see, not trying to become world famous, or increase my clientele. All of my clients live within a 30-45 min radius. My wife and I have careers and photography is not a must have source or income, so when I ask for critique on my work, I really want my work critiqued to improve.
Hi Zack- I do mostly landscape photography but I am relatively new. Let me know if you would ever want to look at my shots and offer some free critiques for your channel. I can take it and like to learn from the pro's. Just took a bunch of pics from Death Valley, Zion and Moab so if you want some content, let me know. I've got pics!
You said, What I'm saying about your work is not what I'm saying about you'. Wow! I wonder if you know how profound this insight is? I confess Zac. I am Catholic. The Catholic Church does NOT judge the sinner, ONLY the sin. I know…… off topic right? But is it? We all suck… you said Well said, man. But tell someone there is something wrong with them today and they will put you before a firing squad. But that’s what Catholicism teaches…. We all suck. Man this is sooooooo cool. We don’t have to be perfect! How good is that! We just have to be ourselves. Why I am saying all this.? Universal truths man...... universal truths. Be yourself. Sure the world might ACTUALLY reject you... but... be yourself. In the end, it's perfect
PS We ARE curing cancer with our cameras. What's the most important thing in life? Money? Power? In the end we all die. Can art speak to the spirit? Oh yeah, more than money can.
As cool as curing cancer be... longer life, init also true having something to create... bring to life, might not be merely an optional extra? All who make life better are worthy. Even the odd photographer.
Thanks for stepping up your content game Zack. Always super helpful information. I’ll throw myself under the bus. Super simple website, but would love to hear any insights. www.leviwellingphotography.com/
Thank you for the video. Why a good photographer s*cks sometimes? Is it because of the situation he's put in? My last client (before coronavirus lockdown in France) put me in 3 different situations in a single day: 1) shooting at a farm 2) shooting at a dinner and 3) portraits shooting (posing). First one if you look at the photos you will think that a 12 years old discovering the smartphone took them, so I started delivering 3-2-1 (1 wasn't yet delivered...idk what to do). After each deliver (3rd and 2nd) the client was amazed, she said she's calling me tomorrow for future projects, now...why am I writing this to you? I'll go work on my portfolio...you should update your website too
I appreciate your attitude, too many self styled experts out there. Some day perhaps I'll look for a critique, but right now my Instagram is a bit of a mess. What I enjoyed recently was shooting local musicians who have scheduled jam sessions at a pub. Instagram @crummey .
Zack - you are flying through these videos recently. As always - your honesty and openness are refreshing. Thank you!
What I like most about you is that you have always seemed honest to me, your are not the typical youtube showman. Probably you would get more followers if you were LOL, I have the same problem, but it is far more rewarding to be and honest person than and Internet clown. Congrats, keep up the good work!
I’m thinking of doing a series of ASMR videos and slime comparisons and gaming and 1,000 FPS b roll. 😜😜😜
@@ZackAriasATL LOL 😂
Great to have you back.🏴
I am so happy to see you posting again I can't even describe it. Thank you for teaching and for helping with all sorts of information. You are one of my favorites photography teachers(i used to watch a lot of Creativelive back in the day). Be safe and keep on doing what ever makes you feel good!!! THANK YOU!
Happy to see you are posting again!
Good to have you back , Zack.
Looking very much forward for critiques! They are always so helpful!
Keep up the good work, Zack! We appreciate it so much!
While your thoughts and feelings are directed to critiquing images, interesting your comments resonate with life. Thank you for your willingness to be open/candid. Encouragement, motivation, and direction can only come with honesty. Thanks Zack!!!
The "self reflective" at the 9:50 mark is so spot on. I'm forever a fan now and I've only watched two of your videos. Self-honesty and truth speaking ++.
Thank you. 🙌
I'm so happy you're back! Cooking, critiques,whatever you want to post,I'm there.I still watch your Istanbul video from time to time.You got me to buy an X100s then and now I'm the happy owner of the new V.Looking forward to your post on that one.
i couldn't wait to hear from you and your videos again. you are one of my inspirations
Zack posts a 'simple' reference video and casually educates those (including me) that don't know about Dan Winters work. So glad you're back.
Zack is the only professional photographer that i know of that can make you feel reassured about your insecurities. That even someone as successful and talented as him can feel what we feel all the time. that it doesn't go away. no matter the level you are at in your photography.
and i wish more photographers were outspoken about these very things. i think more photographers who have given up may have stayed in a little longer if they knew they weren't alone in all the feelings we have about our work and ourselves.
thanks Zack for always being you.
Thank you Jeff for your kind words. I speak to photographers in a way I wish others had spoken to me when I was coming up in the ranks AND I say things that I still need to hear myself to this day.
Critiques were and still are Vital for me,that along with a good mentor help you grow. Good stuff man and you seem very humble and down to earth .
Another great video. One of the things I try to do when hearing a critique of my work is to guess what the photographer doing the critique will say (both positive and negative) and often if you are putting a photo into a competition a 2 judges will see completely different things.
Makes me feel sorry for the people who hang up their cameras when they get a critique that didn't meet their (probable) expectations). It's always great to see people take criticism, reflect on it and then apply it to their work to improve. Whenever I listen to Zack or Sean Tucker, I know their photography lessons/advice can be applied to life in general. I have watched all (or most) of their videos numerous times and will 100% watch again in the future because they have worth on numerous levels. For me, a gazillion subscribers means diddly squat.
This video is really great for Zack to reference when:
photographers have their feelings hurt from any critique
That’s why it’s here!
I´m not a photographer, I don´t even speak english, I am from Argentina, and yet i really enjoy your videos. Thank you Zack. I hope you became a very successful youtuber.
Thank you!
Outstanding topic. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you critiques rule a great way to learn I would always like honesty on my work
Zack your work is amazingggggggggggggggg
A portfolio critique is something special. It will hurt at times, suck at times but you have to realize that it is the best kick in the butt you can have. It's not about getting someone saying oh great job or best photo ever, best shadows. If you want that go to Instagram. If you want some ideas on how to improve and can take things away from what is said. It might not seem it but a critique comes from a place of love and dedication to looking at your pictures and picking it apart to find places to improve. No photograph is ever perfect and a professional critiquer will always find something to bring up. If they don't then why get the critique.
A message for Zack, Thank you for taking the time to do critiques. It's amazing for you to take the time to help other photographers. The best thing a working photographer can have is a good critique. You know as well as I do that the critique is the hardest thing to take but the most valuable thing for improving your art form.
How to not take a critique:
You need to look behind your subject, there is to much clutter. This image doesn't work for me because......
Your response: F**** YOU I HATE YOU SO MUCH!!
How to take a critique:
You need to look behind your subject, there is to much clutter. This image doesn't work for me because.....
Your response: Ok I have to make a mental note and try this and see what kind of difference it makes in my work. If it works for me then amazing! I learned something new. If not then it's part of my style and that's ok too.
Well said. Thank you!
@@ZackAriasATL No problem, we both know that a critique can be a brutal experience. Could you talk about a time where you got a critique maybe early on that crushed you and made you question photography? I know it would be a hard video to make but maybe give an example of what was said and how you improved from it over time? Maybe kind of like a road map on how you dealt with the criticisms in your work and improved because of it to get where you are today.
I agreed with your rules of critique 100 percent. It's very uncomfortable, but somebody has to do it. Thanks!
That's a humane and insightful set of comments. There's a real equivocation, with all of us I suspect, between ideas of objectivity in art and the belief that 'it's all subjective' . Neither is in fact quite true and I think you hit it on the nail when you introduced the idea of you as a well informed critic. It's not 2+2=4 but neither is it a case of anything goes if we want to do well in the craft of photography, and have people who aren't our moms genuinely appreciating what we do. We improve via practice and honest appraisal. Well done and keep it up.
Well said. Thank you.
I love your videos! Honest. Thank you!
When a commercial featuring the Property Brothers is on Tv and you see them in the background of a ZA video.... -P
Ha! Love those two! I miss you guys!
That dam Dan Winters!!! 😁 He is good. Looks like the Apple pencil replaced the IKEA stick ( I noticed it a few videos ago ). And, finally critics. I am used to it and don't take it personal ( went to school for Commercial Photography in the 90s so we got critiqued a lot ). I remember getting critiqued by you guys a few years back on Dedpxl . My poor toy Penguin photo never stood a chance. 😁 My fault for turning in mediocre work , it was a bad time in my life with many losses including the closure of my little studio and just wanted to turn in something to the assignment to keep motivated. That's what that little critique did for me. Motivation. I once got critiqued by Joe McNally, and I said to my self " if he ends up not liking any of my images , I am going to walk away from photography " , he gave input on the first 3 didn't know what to say about the fourth and said "good job" on the fifth. Well I didn't walk away, still out here struggling but it was dumb to think about walking away because of someone's personal opinion. Keep the critiques alive these new jacks need to know what's up! Thanks for the motivation Zack!
Give this man the stick he had in the "Crop or Crap" video! :D And Zack, please continue making videos. They are great!
I relate to that anecdote about the model.
I am a TAFE student, doing one unit (at a time) of an advanced diploma of photograph. We had a task, practicing Rembrandt lighting. We divided into small groups (to share the equipment around), and we all shot one person in the group - everyone shot, everyone was shot at. My model was an Italian (why a professional portrait photographer is in the course, I don't know, but there he is.) He doesn't look anything special, but the photos came up really well. My wife reckons he looks like an old-time painter.
Good video., thanks for this.
I've learned more watching critiques from various people than anything else - as long as the critiques are well done and not just a tear down.
Nice video :) i love watching great photographers like you who critique others, as I learn a lot of different insights in this art of photography.. i am just an amateur, i do have a lot of photos, but it's all over the place and I really don't have a focused body of work to be critiqued at.. but thanks to your videos and the like, at least I am able to get a grasp on what makes a photo technically and artistically pleasing :)
Zack is one of the few photographers whose opinion I highly value.
Zack, this is so natural to me but in the mean time very revealing ! I watch channel where so called pro's shoot a "model" which are not models but just nice girls.
There is a gap as wide as the Grand Canyon between a real model and those "next door beauties" .
Even worse is, to compensate for the lack of talent, both model and photographer side , the photographer advices to show some extra skin. OMG
I have seen my share over the last 2 decennia, and I thought I have seen it all, till december 2019 when I ran into a Photography channel , by accident, and that was a revelation !
But what's even better, the Photographer in question, explains, what he is looking for in her eyes, which is more important than the clothes she is wearing (when it is not editorial of-course)
In his video's you see people change from puppets to human beings with a soul, and that my friend, is the essence and I haven't seen that for ages.
Thanks for your thoughts
Thanks, great to know a little more about where you are coming from, giving critique :-)
Very interesting to hear what you say Zack. I recently upset an over sensitive friend of mine
by making suggestions on how he could have shot and edited one of his photos differently.
He completely lost it, accusing me of being pretentious and a know all. He also says the
same about all of the RUclips pros who do critiques. Even though that's the reason people
send photos in. You can say anything you like about my pictures, as I am always willing to
learn, and hear the opinions of others. There are some strange people about.
A breath of fresh air... And common sense... Nonsense, also as requested. Luv Zack.
Fair enough. Bring it on!
That's what a real photographer should be! Thx Zack.
After several years doing landscape I have started with portrait photography about 2 years ago, been to several workshops for it and I would like to have somebody tell me if I am really good enough to offer my services professionally. Please let me know how I could get some of my work critiqued and if there is any cost involved as I dont want to steal your time.
Drop a link in one of my critique videos to get it in the hat!
75K subscribers, you're going to grow this pretty large very soon I'd say. to us mortals, it's already inconceivable. you're replicating followers faster than this dang virus.
😂 Thanks!
Damn dude... you're on a roll !!! Awesome!
I think this really speaks to the nature of constructive criticism and a constructive critique. It's easy to critique something if you don't have an interest in sharing anything useful for a person to mull over. It's much more difficult to critique something if the long-term intention is to be both honest and helpful. The goal is not to tear something down but to offer an honest opinion on why something fails to achieve it's goals and/or ways to improve upon what did not succeed.
Some people hate the idea of constructive criticism because they have only experienced the criticism part and the source "offering the input" had no intention of actually being constructive. This is really unfortunate because I have always found it to be a pretty thought provoking exercise, even in circumstances where I just disagree completely with the critique; it still provides something to think about.
I guess at the end of the day it's all about taking it with a grain of salt. A critique may or may not have any kind if profound impact as each person has the choice as to how to receive it.
With the being said, I'll leave my link and ask for a critique if you have time.
Thanks and keep up the good work, glad to see you're putting out videos again!
-Evan
evankanephotography.com
Well said, Evan. Can you write my scripts for me? 😜
@@ZackAriasATL Haha 😂
Hey Zack, you’re the man!
I would love to hear, why did you returned to youtube? Why did you took a brake 2 years ago?
I’ll address that in an upcoming video.
Great video Zack. On a small screen I don't notice it. But on my 30" 4k, that bottom left picture on the wall…being slightly askew. The lines not "just right". Ugh, maybe I have some OCD issues.
You’re not wrong. That whole wall needs to be redone. We recently moved here and haven’t gotten fully settled just yet. Looks like we have a lot of time to work on that now since we are on lock down!
OMG Where have you been?? . Awesome to see you making content again. .
Haha I'd love you to rip me apart with my images..
Zack, Namaste from India. 🙏🏻 First of all, thank you for putting this video out and for critiquing.. Secondly, you were ultra sweet in my honest opinion in your earlier video. So i am surprised that ppl created fuss about it. Thirdly, my website sucks... and the content is old.. once it is in some shape.. gonna definitely send it to you 😊🙏🏻
Thank you Anand! Namaste back at ya!
On the "A pretty girl does not a model make" statement, I think it's because a lot of them are in fact not models but rather just attractive friends/acquaintances of the photographer. I know a LOT of them.
In my younger days I worked in many a bar/nightclub and met them all the time. I'm not talking about attractive patrons but promo girls from various liquor brands/distributors. Girls hired for the job BECAUSE they were attractive. My friend Lisa was one of them. To say she is 'attractive' is a SERIOUS understatement. I'm talking 'She's all That', Jennifer Love Hewitt slow walk into the room while everyone turns to look, ATTRACTIVE(and yes I'm embarrassed to know that reference). I tell you that to tell you this...
After getting her real estate license she went to some local 'portrait studio' to get a headshot for the agencies website/her LinkedIn/her business cards. Besides the fact it came out looking like a 5th grade English teachers yearbook photo, she just didn't look right. I know this girl. Her smile was off. She had the 'crazy ex' eyes. Her entire presence was GONE. When I offered to re-shoot her headshot for her I found out why... She simply sucks in front of a camera. It took a long time to wear her down, stop her from putting on a fake smile and get a natural expression out of her that looked like the girl I knew.
A photographer calling up their 'attractive' friend or finding some girl on IG/MM are likely to end up with someone that is nervous and/or simply doesn't know how to act in front of a camera.
Well said. I’ve seen that many times. Thanks Jimmy!
Hi Zack I would like to submit a set of my images for you to critique. How do i go about it? Kindly enlighten. Thanks.
Drop it in my next critique video!
now that you mentioned it...would love to watch a video about directing people. I really want to take portraits but I feel weird and uncomfortable. People being photographed can sense that... sometimes with professional models doesn't matter that much because they know how to do their jobs
Set the ground rules,? Check!
Offer great advice? Check!
Set people up for success instead of failure? Check!
Well done.
Being primarily a wildlife and zoo photographer, I would not expect you to be an expert in my genre. There are others, many of whom you probably know, who are. But listening to critiques of all kinds is one of the best ways to make sure we don't make the same mistakes when we go out to shoot. If we learn to critique our own work, you will have a more interesting task ahead of you when we send it in to you. Allowing you to concentrate on the finer details instead of basic focus, exposure and composition, will benefit us all.
Thanks Steven! 🙌
Awesome, this is good. Maybe you can teach more about shooting a lookbook.
I'm looking forward to seeing more critiques soon, maybe even of my own stuff some time :) In the meantime, I should really update my homepage too :p
SAME for me!
@@ZackAriasATL Well I find the pictures on your current homepage mesmerising, so don't update too much, unless of course you have so much better stuff to replace it with
So good to see your ugly mug more often on the RUclipss...No pressure!!! I love seeing you back online more. (All the way from Australia)
Well said!
As soon as you start putting your work out there, you need to grow a thick skin. You critiqued an image of mine a long time ago online....shredded it really ;-) I didn't take offense I just took what you said onboard and it made my images better for it, so thank you as always for the honesty about what you do and why you do it.
🙌🙌🙌
Thank you!
Great video! Love to see you again
If I were to critique your videos, I would say, just keep being who you are, fidgety and all! That includes any curse words that just HAVE to be said, LOL
I’m trying to stay clean! But I’m not too worried about NSFW right now since... ain’t none of us working at the moment! 🤣🤣🤣
With every video Zack, I can't help but have Eminem in my head "Zach is back, back for good" oh no wait, is that maybe take that....errr I mean, yeah go with Eminem tune no idea who take that are
Keep moving forward dude
😂🙌😂
Dear Mr Zack Arias, you worry to much, do not worry about what people are going to feel, let them feel whatever they want to feel, you say what you need to say and if you say "This photo is so ugly it should be burned in public" so be it. If somebody sends you an email saying they're giving up on photography because of your critique, good, let them give up, they're so fragile they were going to crumble anyway. The harder you are on a photographer the better, be unapologetic, be tough.
About taking your critiques personally i hope i do take them personally because i don't know any other way, is there an unpersonally way of taking it? But whatever the case, i can take it, if you say my photos suck in the 10th degree i will thank you for being honest and i will try to change whatever i need to change to make better photos (Maybe getting a more expensive camera) i will not give up on my hobby because i love it and i will subscribe to your channel two times.
So i would like to send you only one photo for critique how do i do that. Thank You
Thanks! Drop that photo in the comments of my next critique!
I often get asked for critiques, but I always tell people that even if I have a following - it doesn't mean I am qualified to do so
I like that last part, "we all suck." We sure do! And not only can we learn from other's "mistakes", but I believe we can be inspired by them. To phrase it another way, we all lean by "doing", esp in a craft like Photography. I don't know how to add a photo here, but I welcome you to check out jaysphoto.net and look for photo titled "Healing Hands". It's a shot of a yoga instructor. ;)
I enjoy being judged harshly 🤣 I do photography completely for personal fulfillment, and have no aspirations on making any money on it at all. I’ve done that with my other hobbies and gotten completely burned out, and I didn’t want that to happen again. However, this means I can’t shoot as much, so I was only going to grow quickly if I had someone pick my work apart and tell me what I was doing wrong. Any time I have a shot that I think is amazing, I send it to Randy and he brutally rips it apart and tells me what I should have done better. I make notes, and my next shot is 2x better for it! If you want to do a ruthless critique without fear of hurting someone’s feelings, feel free to look through my Instagram! @mattpowellphotos
Man, you are a beast photographer, would you pls teach some of your techniques in this videos pls 🙏 . Thank you.
I've always loved and respected Zack's straight forward point of view. I learned alot from this man and that squirrel... BTW anyone remember his name? lol
Carlos Gouveia The squirrel’s name is Carl!
@@cariasphoto thank you... lol 😂
I mostly take wildlife and scenery photos but would still value a critique from you. Norskattimages on Instagram. I feel that if other people look at my photos and enjoy them I’m happy. I would love to know how to direct people for portraits. I’ve tried a couple of times but they were really average.
Critique yes please.. What do I do to get one... 🤓😉 In my honest and humble opinion one must have a open mind and embrace the negative if not more then the positive.. You may ask why embrace the negative, because you learn and improve.
Agree. I been working in advertising for 30 years or so and at the beginning I couldn’t stand when a client rejected a campaign, I felt depressed and consider the client an idiot who do not value my effort... (now I don’t care lol) this apply to everything, photography, cooking, literature etc.
Nobody appreciate when other people say “oh that’s your kid? He is so ugly! 😂
I like your candid at times but straight forward views on critiquing viewers photos . I mostly photo wildlife / landscape . As you mention this is not your strong suit . who would you recommend that also has a strong open personalty that works in this type of photography .
I know some great photographers in that genre but I don’t know of any that are doing critiques. If I find someone I’ll try to find this comment again and let you know!
Zack Arias Thank you . You are refreshing and eye opening with out coddling your viewers... Much needed in this art form.
I've always kept to my personal mantra of "life is too serious to be taken seriously", oh and "don't stress about shit you can't control" is my other one. Both keep me sane...ish.
Both are great! Thank you!
I might include a dandelion. Not sure you would recognise it.
Then I would probably like it!!
Zack - I'm definitely not a pro level photographer. Rather, I consider myself an intermediate level photographer with quite a bit of technical knowledge. Where I think I'm stuck on the learning curve is the "art" of photography. So while I've watched a couple of your critique videos and feel like the folks submitting were much more accomplished as photographers than I currently am... I'm happy to throw my site in the pot. Getting feedback - no matter how blunt - can only help me grow. (note, it's a new site and I only have a couple dozen images on it). Finally, whether you pick me to critique or not, thanks for the opportunity! www.timfreed.photography/
Good video! Just started following your channel and I am enjoying it very much. I would love to have a critique, but I am not sure how to submit it. Thanks
Thank you! Drop you site in the comments of my next critique video!
Could you name for us a couple of known(famous) photographers who you think are good directors?
Dan Winters. John Keatley. Sara Lando. Sue Bryce. Just to name a few.
Zack, Correct me if I am wrong, but the mark of a good critique is in being both Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. Onec your ego gets over being ripped to shit, you have to focus on the" why" it sucks part. I am assuming that follows. I agree, as a photographer you need to pull the best out of your model. If they are indifferent, your toast. Thank you for your honesty & the Unsplash information. As you read this even my son will be sent a model release. I have been at a" camera manufactured "sponsored event, no model releases were provided.
Well said on the ego. Thanks Dave!
11:52 - Was that one of the three you recently reviewed on your channel, or someplace else you did that critique?
No. Long time ago.
I have honour to work with that kind of model. She was so awewsome that i actually cried when she decide to stop modeling.
If I may ask why would you do a critique online I feel it should be one on one. Just asking. This vid is the best I have seen addressing this subject. And I have been following you for 5 years. I was in radio for 30 years and I did my critiques one on one then I stopped and hired an outside source do the review with the personalities who worked for me.
It’s that day and age. Personal critiques are great but there’s a place for these as well I think.
You are the first person in photography that ever replied back to me wow.
@@ZackAriasATL I would pay for a personal critique.
That may be an option I offer soon.
And... I’m glad I replied!
I live by rule #9!
God Bless Dan Winters,his work is on another level that we can't reach him
Right? I love his work so much.
I have seen many times the judge ignores the subject of an image and I wonder why?
Hey Zack, here my small critique about your video.... Keeding it's just a suggestion it would be great if you put something cool and interesting on the table.
Suggestions? What would be cool but not too distracting?
@@ZackAriasATL that's hard, a bottle of water with a glass. Nuh?! Something like kitchin stuff. A mug with cool logo that people can buy is not bad too. I don't know just table is empty solid thing there. 😉👍
When i see Dan Winters photo it will inspire me first 30 minutes and i want to take a picture as soon ass possible,after that i slow down and realize that i will never be able to make a photo 0.0001% near his photo and make me fill shit
As I make this comment, there have been 119 thumbs ups, and 0 thumbs down. That covers it, really.
Oh. Just wait. 😜
In short words, Snowflakes please abstain... great video. It’s all clear.
👍
I asked for a critique from my other RUclips account. It might not be your type of photography and probably never done it, but I think that we all know a decent photo when we see one, but we can always critique the basics, light, background, pose, setup is too simple, it’s missing something, etc. I just want to make sure that my images make you feel something and not just a.... it’s a picture of my newborn/kid so it’s cute. Always trying to improve even when doing it with my wife for many years, and always looking for input from a non newborn/kids photographer. Here is our site www.oephotography.com
If I may ask why would you do a critique online I feel it should be one on one. Just asking. This vid is the best I have seen addressing this subject. And I have been following you for 5 years.
Michael Rogers I really don’t t trust the people you pay to view/review/edit your work. It seems that they try to work as less as possible and give as little input so they can up sell their comprehensive review and help redesign your site/work just to make more money. In theory is good, but they have to sell themselves just keep afloat. I’ve seen it many times (not with my work) Having someone like Zack review the work without paying him could give me a more honest opinion when money is not an issue. Not trying to promote my work for everyone to see, not trying to become world famous, or increase my clientele. All of my clients live within a 30-45 min radius. My wife and I have careers and photography is not a must have source or income, so when I ask for critique on my work, I really want my work critiqued to improve.
Yeah Dan Winters' "Walking Dead" cast images made me think I should never again point my camera at a human being...
Saaaammmmeeeeee
What is up with, gee your photo would make a nice painting?
Hi Zack- I do mostly landscape photography but I am relatively new. Let me know if you would ever want to look at my shots and offer some free critiques for your channel. I can take it and like to learn from the pro's. Just took a bunch of pics from Death Valley, Zion and Moab so if you want some content, let me know. I've got pics!
You said,
What I'm saying about your work is not what I'm saying about you'.
Wow!
I wonder if you know how profound this insight is?
I confess Zac. I am Catholic. The Catholic Church does NOT judge the sinner, ONLY the sin.
I know…… off topic right? But is it?
We all suck… you said
Well said, man. But tell someone there is something wrong with them today and they will put you before a firing squad.
But that’s what Catholicism teaches…. We all suck. Man this is sooooooo cool. We don’t have to
be perfect! How good is that! We just have to be ourselves.
Why I am saying all this.? Universal truths man...... universal truths. Be yourself. Sure the world might ACTUALLY reject you... but... be yourself.
In the end, it's perfect
PS We ARE curing cancer with our cameras. What's the most important thing in life? Money? Power? In the end we all die. Can art speak to the spirit? Oh yeah, more than money can.
As cool as curing cancer be... longer life, init also true having something to create... bring to life, might not be merely an optional extra? All who make life better are worthy. Even the odd photographer.
What format do you prefer if I were to have you critique my work. I don't mind harsh criticism it only tells me where I need to improve.
A web site is good. Flickr. Maybe IG. No facebook gallery please though.
@@ZackAriasATLI completely understand, would an Adobe portfolio webpage be sufficient?
👍
Thanks for stepping up your content game Zack. Always super helpful information. I’ll throw myself under the bus. Super simple website, but would love to hear any insights.
www.leviwellingphotography.com/
Thank you for the video. Why a good photographer s*cks sometimes? Is it because of the situation he's put in? My last client (before coronavirus lockdown in France) put me in 3 different situations in a single day: 1) shooting at a farm 2) shooting at a dinner and 3) portraits shooting (posing). First one if you look at the photos you will think that a 12 years old discovering the smartphone took them, so I started delivering 3-2-1 (1 wasn't yet delivered...idk what to do). After each deliver (3rd and 2nd) the client was amazed, she said she's calling me tomorrow for future projects, now...why am I writing this to you? I'll go work on my portfolio...you should update your website too
I should!!! Best of luck with this lockdown. 😳
I appreciate your attitude, too many self styled experts out there. Some day perhaps I'll look for a critique, but right now my Instagram is a bit of a mess. What I enjoyed recently was shooting local musicians who have scheduled jam sessions at a pub. Instagram @crummey .
Wait. We aren't curing cancer with our cameras? Maybe I should go see a doctor.
Sir.. that's not proper colonoscopy equipment.
What about Corona? 😂
I don't know the first thing about critiquing photos. But I have to say that your wall art hanging "skills" need a LOT of work! ;)