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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Website and Portfolio feedback (and a quick question!)
Aleksi Lepisto, Photographer
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Sacramento | CA | United States | Posted: 8:23 PM on 05.11.10 |
->> Hey everyone! I just got approved for a SportsShooter account so I want to finally get some good professional feedback.
I have been trying to seriously shoot sports and active editorial events for about a year now. Times have been tough and work is very slow, mostly self-funded, but I did manage to get on a few freelancer lists.
Anyway, I'd appreciate some feedback on the website and the portfolio that exists on it. Please don't judge on subject matter, as I realize high school sports, with cars in the very background may not be interesting to all, but they are what I am working with right now.
If anyone sees any glaring issues that they think might be keeping me from getting work that I could correct, please let me know!
Thank you very much, and I love seeing all of your work.
p.s. Is it wrong to be tempted to apply for an internship if I am not a college student? I'm thankfully in a position where taking a pay-cut to get a low paying internship at a media outlet is reasonable, but I didn't want to step on any toes in the process. I know some people's definition of "intern" is college student, but what about greenhorns to the business as well?
My website is here: http://www.aleksilepisto.com and my gallery also has some of the same images/different ones and could be commented on as well! Thanks again |
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Israel Shirk, Photographer, Assistant
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Boise | ID | US | Posted: 9:17 PM on 05.11.10 |
->> The delay on loading photos is really annoying. Look at the last few posts on Photoshelter's blog, it would be good input. I like the wide shots but they need to be paired with good close ups too. I'm guessing you don't have access to a 400; it's just one of those things that's necessary to shoot baseball well. Find clean backgrounds and good light; your angles are nice but they need to be paired with good light+backgrounds to work well. Airplanes=same as a million other amateur shots.
Good light: http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=35478
Don't show wildlife that's obviously at a zoo ;) Look at Robin Loznak's work for good wildlife.
It shows that you're distant from all your subjects; what makes that pitcher different from any other pitcher?
If you have access to the games you have access to other pros. Build relationships with them; buy them a beer or lunch and get to know them.
Lastly, if you shoot for cheap you need to be lined up in front of a firing squad :) Ask other pros in your area what they charge and work your prices up to that range so you're not undercutting them (but more importantly not selling yourself short or killing a perfectly good market). Only shoot on spec if you initiate it, and then if they want the photos, don't drop your prices because of it. Your images, time, and effort have value. Educate others of that value as they come along. |
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Israel Shirk, Photographer, Assistant
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Boise | ID | US | Posted: 9:20 PM on 05.11.10 |
->> Oh, also, you can get just as good of portfolio shots shooting t-ball or high school sports as you can pro sports. Practice practice practice! Usually it's not more gear that you need; it's being able to see good light and learning how to take advantage of situations that present themselves.
Take everyone's (including my) advice with a grain of salt. Learn the rules before you try to break them. And prepare to go broke trying to freelance! |
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Mark Loundy, Photo Editor
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San Jose | CA | USA | Posted: 10:37 PM on 05.11.10 |
->> Your site is not accommodating smaller screen sizes. The images extend past the edges. There are ways to construct the site so that it doesn't do that.
--Mark |
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Aleksi Lepisto, Photographer
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Sacramento | CA | United States | Posted: 10:39 PM on 05.11.10 |
->> Thanks for the comments.
I think you're right. I don't have access to a 400mm - and if I do, it's the 200-400 VR which doesn't really work well with the body I have.
I think that once I get a nicer body and can shoot at higher ISOs, I will save myself a lot of trouble as far as cropping in, etc. Right now I'm stretching it at ISO 1600 / f/2.8
I don't shoot for free - other than personal use. I shoot on spec for a paper that got me a pass, but that's not free either. I am very familiar with killing the markets, as I started with portraits and weddings and got nailed by people undercutting me by literally, 50% and couldn't make it fly. The story of everyone here, I'm sure.
Anyway - thanks again, look forward the rest of the comments.
p.s. I removed the animals from the Portfolio. I think it needs a refresh, and you brought that to my attention. The only thing is that I feel uncomfortable portraying images at a zoo, or controlled area like they are wild. I would prefer to show and state they are controlled, because I think it's poor ethics to present something that is supposed to be "journalistic" in light that is not true. |
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