A good friend of mine who is an avid professional photographer looked through some of the pictures I shot and provided some valuable comments. I realised at which part I could improve on and what are the steps that I can take to do so.
For example the photo below, my friend suggested that the orientation can be made better by finding a focus point. The model is pretty but I didn't maximise her beauty. Instead of revealing her entire hand right up to the bend of the elbow, which deviates from her attentiveness and the glow of her eyes, it is artistic composition to pull the attention of viewer to her well proportionate face.
With a cropped version of the same photo, one can straight away focus on her gentle smile and her penetrating stare. Over and above this, a viewer can clearly see her leaving of a signature below her art work. This portrays a kind of completeness and relationship between the object and her actions.
There is much to learn and apply in photography and I am thankful that I have a friend who puts me on the right starting track. There are certain guidelines that I must be aware of, that can be of assistance to my making the photos pleasing to viewers. Nevertheless they remain as guidelines that are flexible, which can be bent and ignored in the name of creativity. But before I embark on being ignorant of such guidelines, it is best for me to learn them well so that I truly understand the art and science of photography.
As another friend voiced out my arrogance, I shall not try to be humble but embrace my ego trip with pride. If this is the way I am, then accept it. What I resist, persists. It is really about time I begin to honestly love myself.
