What did you say???

Yes... I use LOL Cats, it gets my point across.

As many of you may know, when technology and people meet, some pretty ignorant happenings will occur. Lets start out by saying everyone has those brain fart moments, okay, but when a person constantly defends a bad decision, it is hilariously annoying.

Question: What do you think of my photography?-please keep in mind I'm only 14 =)
thank you!

I spent some time looking over the typical teen shots that are over edited and toned to look "vintage." Many of which were just underexposed shots of trees with "artsy" titles like Light.

My Answer: Most of your images are over processed. Tone down the post processing and work on giving your images meaning. That is what differentiates a snapshot from a photograph.

Her Response: I would like to reply on your answer, since I don't think you're being fair at all. I shoot some of my images with filters, and very few of my pictures are edited, edited in a way of spot-healing and fixing the white balance. And as for 'giving my images meaning', that made me really sad. I shoot pictures of people I love with all my heart, of animals I visit every week in a zoo and play with, etc. I shoot those pictures with a lot of effort and with a lot of will. And that gives my photos all the meaning in the world they need. They mean a lot to me and I would cry every day for the rest of my life if I lost them.
So, have a good day, sir :)

My Reply:  No young lady the fact that all your pictures have added vignettes and added contrast from lightroom 3.3 means they are indeed edited. If fact, I do believe that since I posted this, you have went through and deleted the EXIF data on most of your Flickr images to hide the fact that I have pointed out that you are, indeed, a fraud. You clearly have no idea how to use a camera other that point lens, press button.

Yours Truly,
Freeman.

PS- I couldn't care less about your age, it is a sign of a bad photographer to blame anything but themselves for the way their images turn out. 

Here's a little hint, don't ask a question if you can handle the answer.

Portrait Personality

            Any one that shoots portraits knows that getting the natural look of a person is hard to do. People tend to freeze up around a camera, or, as we have been taught since we were little, put on a fake smile. So, How does one make a portrait look more natural?

            There are a few ways of relieving the tension between the subject and photographer.
First and foremost, is be a human yourself. Talk to them. If you fall silent behind the camera, the subject's mind will wander causing them to become nervous. Simple conversation relaxes the subject and leads to a natural expression. As Joe McNally stated, the most important tool in your bag is your attitude.

              Candid shots capture people at there most natural state. Now there is a point in which candid pictures can go to far, Make people aware of your presence first. As time goes on they will go back to their own doings, ignoring you.

Mother and Son having fun at the beach.

 These two were in their own world, and it shows in their expressions even though you can not see the child's face.

              A good starting exercise for any beginner that wants to get into portraits is to practice with a friend. This makes it easier for both of you. Conversation is easier between the two of you and a friend is more likely to trust you than some compete stranger. This will allow you to be more open and creative.

This is one of the few of my images where photoshop was involved. It was planned from the beginning.

More to come....