Anyone mind talking a look

[japanwindow]

I would really appreciate your critique. Also, a couple of people recently had trouble accessing my site. I still don't know why. If you have a problem, PLEASE let me know.

I'd like to improve my technique AND hold on to those things that make my photos unique. So I'm trying to identify what makes my photos unique (vision, strengths, etc.). Any insights are much appreciated.

I'd suggest going to the gallery section and clicking on the "Best" category. But it says I should provide a few specific images. Here are some links to images of people:

Japan Photo Blog: Having Fun (http://www.japanwindow.com/index.php?showimage=439)

Japan Photo Blog: Human Sign, Part Three (http://www.japanwindow.com/index.php?showimage=438)

Japan Photo Blog: School Boys (and a Day at the Park) (http://www.japanwindow.com/index.php?showimage=419)

Japan Photo Blog: Me Colored Purple (http://www.japanwindow.com/index.php?showimage=421)

Thanks.

[Connie]

Andy,

I checked with Firefox, Opera and IE

ok in FF and OP, in IE the text starts to early at the left side, out of the div..

What I saw is very interesting and the explanations are very helpful as well
the only thing I would change is the size of the watermark!

I like streetphotography and I think you got it!

I commented about my first scary movie...

what I like with your photos is the concentration on people and the joy which you "catch" as well as more silent moments.. you are very close to the people, a very human approach!

[mykodachrome]

I don’t mind giving some critique for what it is worth.

First some template issues: I use IE and on the left I think there are some alignment issues, the text goes over what I think should be the margin.

As for the photos, this is all subjective right, but in my opinion the ones you gave links to are okay but nothing special. But browsing your site I found some of your others truly amazing! Like the expression you caught here http://www.japanwindow.com/index.php?showimage=176 and here http://www.japanwindow.com/index.php?showimage=174. These two images are also better quality in terms of the eyes of the subjects being sharp and in focus. This too is an amazing shot http://www.japanwindow.com/index.php?showimage=231 but this does nothing for me http://www.japanwindow.com/index.php?showimage=438 – this latter one does nothing for me because I don’t really understand the story from the image (I need to read it in the image not the text) and it is out of focus.

You ask what makes your blog unique, well my 2cents is that some shots are amazing and some are just good – there is not much consistency in this regard (why not post just the amazing ones). Also the contrast, color and focus on a lot of them is not great but on some it is brilliant – so again no consistency. What I do see in almost every shot though (with great consistency) is truly great framing and composition and so for me this is what makes your blog unique. In fact the way you frame your shots and some of the expressions you capture make me want to check back and so I will likely be a regular visitor!

Hope these comments help – take what is useful and disregard the rest – an keep on shooting!

[JFleck]

some shots are amazing and some are just good – there is not much consistency in this regard (why not post just the amazing ones). Also the contrast, color and focus on a lot of them is not great but on some it is brilliant – so again no consistency. What I do see in almost every shot though (with great consistency) is truly great framing and composition and so for me this is what makes your blog unique.

For me the difference between a blog and a gallery is that you only post your better images to a gallery, but to your blog you post whatever takes your interest that day - might not be one's best work, but with a blog you post the good with the not so good, then you filter out the better ones for a separate gallery. Just my 2p.