Just a quick note to say that I’ve updated my live music portfolio. In addition, I’ve added a series of portrait/promo images to the portfolio page as well. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the new sets, let me know what you think!
Since I started shooting more portraits in late 2008, I thought it was finally time to put together a proper portfolio for this small body of work. While it’s still quite new, I’m really excited to expand this series over the next year, and putting these images out there is one of my motivators.
Both portfolios were refreshed with an eye toward the tips for making a portfolio that I posted last year, but you’ll have to keep me honest. Let me know if I didn’t follow my own portfolio advice.
Regarding the organization, the live music portfolio is relatively unchanged in format and alternates between horizontal and vertical images throughout the slideshow. The portrait portfolio, on the other hand, divides the different orientation, with horizontal images first followed by the vertical shots.
Does one format work better for you? Have your say!
You can view the new portfolios here.
PS: Are the two slideshows too much to load at one time? Let me know how the portfolio page is loading for you.
This entry was posted on Thursday, February 5th, 2009 at 10:45 am and is filed under Portrait Photography and tagged with portfolio. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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love the portraits!
i kind of like the different orientations varied as in the live set. i’m not sure why…maybe i like the visual breakup every once in a while.
Hey Melissa, thanks for the feedback (and quickly, too) on the interplay between the different orientations. I think the preference for a little variety makes sense.
The original reason behind separating the verticals and horizontals was for less abrupt changes between the image sizes, since the heights are standardized and vertical images have less impact. My live music portfolio does keep things mixed up, so I figure this is a good time to solicit opinions while we have a “control.”
Thanks again!
yeah i agree with melissa. i think it’s better to set up the order based on styles over orientation.
Hey Julia, thanks for the input! So, would you prefer to see the live music portfolio changed to this format as well?
I think I like the mixed set-up too, over breaking up the horizontal and vertical.
Also, I can’t decide if I like the portrait portfolio under the live portfolio – I think it might be too easy to miss since it’s “below the fold.” I like that you’re trying to be concise with navigation, but might be easily overlooked.
I missed the picture of TAI at Warped with the buses. One of my favorite shots of yours, ever!
Also, while I love the lighting in the first shot, I don’t know if it’s your strongest (or second strongest) – the frontman doesn’t seem to have enough energy to carry the shot as he should. It doesn’t give me that “wow” effect.
Other than those minor gripes, love it – strong portfolio!
Hey Tasha, thanks for the detailed feedback.
I’m a bit split on having two separate pages for the portfolio. All things being equal, I don’t want to have two separate portfolios in the main navigation, so option is to make the portfolios subpages to the main portfolio, and to link them from there. Of course then there are other considerations for that approach.
Yes, the TAI shot from Warped Tour is absent. While I like the light in the background, there are just other things about that shot that bug me, ha. It was such a quick shoot!
I see what you mean about the first portrait shot. It might mean that SPW are the bookends to this set (if the vertical shots are kept at the end), ha. We’ll see, I have some playing around to do, as I realize that one shot got left out, too. Thanks for keeping me honest! :)
Great set, Todd. Your use of flash and backlighting works well, and I prefer (strictly from an asthetic standpoint) the portrait-oriented group shots over the landscape ones. It can be challenging to get interesting portraits when all you have to work with is what the venue or its surroundings offer.
Hey Doug, thanks for the feedback. Interesting note that you prefer the verticals! For my own shooting (and in concert photography, too) I do tend to prefer vertical compositions, I’ve found. It just seems a little more natural to frame things in a vert for me.
Yes, most of these portraits were shot at or around the venues where the bands were performing. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention!
I’m sorry I don’t have time to give my opinion on every single photo but, across the board, the gallery is great! I’m just missing the Apocalyptica portraits ;)
Hey Cedric, thanks for the comment. No need to comment on all the shots, your general opinion is just great, thank you. Somehow a shot of Toryn Green slipped out of the set, but I will also have a look at Apo shots, too.
Got a sec? I’ve added a set of portraits to my portfolio page and would love your feedback on the set set: http://is.gd/ivch
This probably won’t get you any further but your pictures are always great enough for me man! I just think the Apo portraits are the best you ever did (and I’m no fan of em). But as you said youself: “Portfolios should not be decided by committee”…
Very nice portraits, they remind me of Zach Arias’s work a little. I like the flash from behind ones.
Great stuff
Hey Rene!
Thanks very much for the feedback. Zach Arias does some fantastic stuff, so thanks for the mention! I’m really excited to dive into more portrait work in 2009. I should have my first portrait shoot Sunday or Monday with my friends Semi Precious Weapons (second and last shots in the portrait portfolio, first in live set) coming up in a few days, so the year should be off to a good start.
I’ve gotten some great criticism on the new portfolios, especially the portrait set. Thanks so much, you guys are awesome. http://is.gd/ivch
Looks great – although the portrait section mixes the horizontal and vertical? Although, I like that better. Just my two cents. Looks like you have gotten some more portraits since I left, too. Cool beans, man. Can’t wait to see more, esp. with SPW – how I love thee. My friend and I were talking and I was like “Man, I want some knee high stilettos” and she just gave me this “WTF?” look. I said, “Yeah, I guess I’m not Justin Tranter… *sighs*”. Only he can pull them off. Anyways, funny story. Cool stuff.