Attached Link: A guy gets a crap portrait for $700

he does look cute in the expensive photo though :)

Cute ain't the point tho..a portrait is supposed to look like the person and the changing of the eye colour is unforgiveably amatuer IMHO...the kid took a better shot of his own self even having to run and set up before it clicked than the a**hole pro did with all the work he allegedly put into it.. ...

I think it is over softened and over light. I CAN'T BELIEVE HE CHANGED HIS EYE COLOUR!!!

Honestly it was a rip off, but simply complaining on a blog site with no mention of the photographers name or taking the case to small claims court really isn't much...

I believe if you're gonna moan do something about it or don't moan. I supose that's why I get into trouble coz I open my mouth too much to change stuff...

$700 for a portrait is it a rip off? well we cant say we have no idea how many prints she ordered, my last client rang up just over $500 on their engagment portraits (they had a very large family). As for touching up the photo and removing moles and such I myself always find out what the client wants some just want the achne issues removed others want to looking 100% flawless. Changing the eye color is just plan weird unless the client asks for it (why they would I dont know). I can also understand why the photographer removed the "stubble" it would have made him look much older than a senior in HS though I think the method he used leaves a little somthing to be desired. The shoot is a little overexpossed. Is it worth the $700 like I said depends on how many prints she wanted and how much she likes the shot. I his mom wanted a untouch/standard portrait of her son I am pretty sure she knows where her local wal-mart type portrait studio is. She could have gotten his portrait there for 9.99.

I didn't mention the photographer's name because that wasn't my goal in the article. I would rather see people learn what makes a good photo and make a judgment on their own than just take my word for it and avoid this particular photographer.

Good thinking, ch00f..!

Quote - I didn't mention the photographer's name because that wasn't my goal in the article. I would rather see people learn what makes a good photo and make a judgment on their own than just take my word for it and avoid this particular photographer.

But that's what I mean - how can people avoid the photographer when you don't know who it is?

Quote - I didn't mention the photographer's name because that wasn't my goal in the article. I would rather see people learn what makes a good photo and make a judgment on their own than just take my word for it and avoid this particular photographer.

Nice inbound link monitoring, welcome to Renderosity, i hope you enjoy your stay.

But that's what I mean - how can people avoid the photographer when you don't know who it is?

Because photography does not have any laws. Most people agree that there is a set of things you can do to make better photographs, but that does not mean you can say in public that someone is a swindler as nothing is fixed by law.
Like I Loco wrote in his thread: "it's up to them to do their homework." If people buy, then it is their own choice or problem, not that of the seller.

You cannot say "X" is a bad photographer without riskinng having to come to court for slander.

Besides: there are many like him ,and when I read the article this thread is about, I interpret it as being against a practice of people, not an individual person.

If you live in the same town/area, then you could eventually send a pm to get that name (I wouldn't give it) but if not, then its unhealthy curiosity, and a desire to  burn the witch.

ch00F, glad to be among the first to welcome you here.  You will find this an open and honest site for critique, advise, sharing and even fun.  Sorry about the photo..glad you wrote the article.  

Like class ring sales, the vendor gets the contract and usually keeps it a while. Was this a school sponsored photog or one personally selected? If the school, you might have some influence at least on the photographer not being chosen for next year. happened...the eyes are totally not aqcceptable.       TomDart.

And, in the real world it is not at all surprising how many folks would think the portrait just wonderful..what they "expect" in a portrait by a professional.   I had enough trouble in the past with candids of a couple of nephews when my mom-in-law thought of photos as straight armed children staring into the camera with a rigid fixed smile.  I took both.

(For me, what is also unacceptable is my spelling aqcceptable in previous post. LOL)

The photographer wasn't contracted by the school. We had another photographer to take our pictures for the yearbook (he was even more of an a$$hole). This guy was still very popular, my sister used him when she graduated two years before me and I saw one of my classmates leaving as I showed up. I wish I would have emphasized the lack of rapport he tried to achieve. I was actually talking to my sister about this last night. He was rushing through the pictures and gave me about 5 minutes to set up. For every photograph, I felt like I was being such a burden on him. For $700, I think I could have asked for more of his time.

Sure, he was on a "school pics" schedule with who knows how many to do.  I do not do portraits but do know for the best shots of people you do not know, a smile and friendliness..essentially establishing a rapport and comfortable "I care" setting is very important.  And a thank you helps.   Too bad it was not that way.

Have you had opportunity to speak to others who had him take their photos? Some of the ladies may be flattered by the retouching and like it while some of the men may not like that so too soft smooth look.   Also, if wonder if you personally spoke to the photographer if there is any chance of a redo.   It is possible the original shots may be usable without reshooting and without the sort of post work which was done.     Then again, I suspect this an unlikely outcome.         

To each eye there is a preferred look. You said, "My purpose in writing this article is to inform the public about what makes a good photograph. Some people (like my mother) will look at the picture below and think it's great and happily fork over about $400 for it. They say ignorance is bliss, which it is, but in this case, it's just costly..."

I am sorry you are disappointed in the photo render but there is some good there if your family likes it.

Oh, I do appreciate your approach to this subject in your article.  Those who read it may think twice about getting the best for their time and cash.
TomDart.

A good article.  I bet there are a few of these 'cookie cutter' photographers out there...  And most of us don't know the difference.  

As a mother of a Senior, I just went through the process of Senior Portraits and all that.  I liked our photographer, she took the time with my daughter to take several shots hold a conversation and get to know her a bit.  Of course, I spent a boat-load of $$$.  (I have yet to take a decent portrait....)  Lucky for us, she wasn't a 'herder' and I was happy with the Studio kind of photo I received, and her eye color was right ;-)   (I just wish you'd get the "negative" with the purchase of those photos and the sitting fees paid.)

All in all, If mom was happy....  

(I am a complete amateur when it comes to photography, and these are just my thoughts.)

~Melinda~