I got a suggestion from someone at another site that I need to "learn how to edit" my photos. Now this is indisputably true -- I'm about as new to photoshop as I am to working with models. I only started playing with CS2 about a year ago.
What bothered me is that this "critique" came from a model who was specifically asking if she thought my current body of work was of the standards that she would work with.
Let me make this clear: I'm glad she phrased it exactly as she did. It tells me a lot. It means that she likes my vision, but is not impressed by the final results. However, as a model and not someone who necessarily knows the ins-and-outs of creating the great portfolio that she has (I'm not being sarcastic - she's worked with some good people), her critique was woefully shy of being able to tell me precisely what she perceives as "wrong" with my editing skills. I don't fault her for this. This was a good lesson. This is exactly how most models will look at my portfolio and make their decisions (present company excluded - I've got quite a number of modelographers watching me).
So I'm asking all of you who know what you're talking about: I know we all strive to get the best in-camera, but if there's something I could be doing better in PS, and I'm missing the mark? tell me.
This next part has nothing to do with art, but I just fucking feel like ranting about it. Tonight I had a table of 4 at the dinner theatre I work at. There is assigned seating, as there would be in almost any live theatre that had limited seating. As a result, we bring people from the front curtain to their tables. As I was seating this table, which happened to be in my own section, I had to bring them past another table in my section which had already been seated. As I attempt to greet my patrons as quickly as possible, and the two tables were right next to each other, I told them that the table was theirs and to make themselves comfortable as I greeted the other table (people from their own office that came with them in the group), and I'd be with them in a few moments.
I went to the other table, introduced myself, and quickly pointed out the essentials before getting their drink orders and sending them to the buffet - a process which usually takes about 30 seconds on average. By the time I went to the table which I had told to remain patient, they had grown impatient and decided to help themselves to the buffet by going the wrong direction, cutting in line, and generally blocking traffic. It happens every day. I've learned not to let it get to me, though I still hate it with a passion when they get up and walk away from me while I'm making eye contact and my fucking lips are still moving.
No problem. They could have had drinks waiting for them when they returned from the buffet line, but now I'll do everything I can do get to them as soon as they return to the table, and only have them parched for a minute or two while they eat. Their choice.
So they return to the table . . . and immediately do a touch-and-go to go get their salads. So once again, I watch as they walk away from me.
They return from the salad bar. By blind luck, I'm not preoccupied by my other 9 tables (yes, 10 is a typical number, in case you're wondering). I make sure the 4th person is with them so I'm not excluding anyone as I FINALLY introduce myself. Verily, as I reach the range of their table as to be audible, they join hands and give grace. I have no choice but to not interrupt them, and find an excuse to be at a nearby table the instant they break hands.
As I pass the table, the woman in seat 4,
MID-PRAYER, reaches out her hand to me and snaps her fingers . . .
Oh hell, no. Really? This is how you want to start the night? I went through about 20 "Scrubs" fantasy scenarios in that second.
Let me explain what happens when you snap or whistle to a waiter. You ensure that they will go to every painstaking detail at every other table in their section before they come to you, even if it means cleaning an empty table that nobody has been sitting at. Don't fucking do that. We're not dogs.
/rant
I'm trying a new way to get people to promote each other. If you want a feature from me, read the following link to see how!
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[link] [link] [link]P.S. Santa? If you're reading this, I really like the dA pro camera bag. It's on my wishlist.
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