The First Three Grads
March 13th, 2008 by Benji Mast
I am doing this awesome project for yearbook staff here at SMBI. It’s a ton of fun.
The project is basically this. We decided that this yearbook was going to have better than average yearbook portraits. This is mostly my project, with invaluable help and feedback from other staff members. I am very excited about this project and have had very much fun so far and am looking forward to shooting the rest of the massive graduate class of 18.
Oh, and I want massive amounts of feedback. What do you like? What can’t you stand? Be specific. Thanks.
favs: #2 & 3 of the Lady,
and the last one.
The last is just… i don’t know, almost perfect! love the angle in which you captured it. The picture just looks so complete, if you know what i mean. Nothing is missing.
BTW, question for you. I know you have used Picasa2 quite often. Is it just me or does Picasa’s straightening feature mess up the sharpness of the original photo? have you ever noticed a difference?
The pic of the lady throwing her books is brilliant.
The first picture of the dude with the piano is sub par because of the tremendous amounts of backlight in my opinion, but all the others are bordering on perfect.
Very nice! They are all great, but the first and last ones of Peter are amazing!! The one of Anita on the slide made me smile, and my favorite one of Brian is the white one. Great Job!
Have to admit that I like the 2nd one of Peter with the extra backlight. It looks so joyful and it matches his expression. The background is great on the first picture of Peter, but it doesn’t fit. I think it is more solemn or serious and his expression isn’t. But maybe it is supposed to be showing how a Christian is in the midst of dark circumstances.
For some reason I don’t like the last picture of Brian with by the cemetery fence.
I like the black and white of Anita as well.
They are all good. I am just nit-picking because you asked for it. Keep up the good work! I am glad that there is someone who has the energy to do that kind of a project. I take it that you managed to get in for 4th term? Anyway, have fun and enjoy it while it lasts!
Just an overall comment: I prefer the ones of people doing things, like playing an instrument versus leaning on it. That said, I can understand why a lot of commenters liked the first and last one of the pianno player b/c of the nice focus. Not quite sure about throwing the books though…but of the girl I like that one or the black and white best. Oh and I don’t like having the picture angle tilted! But all that said, I think you have a good idea!
Okay, you asked for it.
My favorite of the first set is # 2. The third one would be my least favorite of all of them - it makes me dizzy. I think it has something to do with the branches and too many angles. Second set I like #2. #3 is definately an original and that is cool.Third set I like #’s 1 and 3. I don’t like the lighting on #2.
My favorite it #2, with that white background and black shirt.
Also love the shot of the girl and books and slide.
The final photo is great as far as lighting etc. but in my opinion it looks very Southern Gospel, which may be the effect he wants, and may not.
Oops, forgot the link so you know which Dorcas this is.
Great work Benji, I like #2 of Brian, 1st of Anita and the last one of Petie.Definitely fits him. I look forward to seeing the rest!
Looking forward to see more pics of my friends! You do a good job. I’m not much of a camera person, so I’ll let other people do the critiqueing. Happy picture taking!!
I like the first of Brian, second of Anita, and third of Peter. That’s my opinion. - Kristi
Okay here goes. One of the first two of Brian. The third one is too busy. For Nita I like the pose of the first one the best, but I like her expression better on the second one. For Pede one of the last two. I’m not sure which I like better. I do kind of like the strong back lighting on the second one, but it’s not real formal. The third one is definately formal but as one of your other commenters said is maybe a little too southern gospel for the yearbook. I’d go with which ever one he likes the best. Overall great work. Can’t wait to see the finnished product.
You should post the other grads.
wow. i wonder what kind of person would take such great photos?
seeing these pictures makes me miss you! hope you are happily taking many pictures in the rain….
lauren
Great memories. May I say publicly that you are a great photographer? Then I’ll say it: you are a great photographer! Keep it up…
-lee