Working to a Brief Review – Shoe

Celebrating standout work from the Visual Education community. We’ll also take a fresh look at recent brief entries—what worked, what didn’t, and why.

Comments

  1. Maybe what I’m going to say is outside the scope of this training, but I’m going to make an effort. I want to suggest that, along with the regular briefs, there should also be briefs that are not followed by images, but by text without details and instructions, which the photographer should build from scratch. The photographer should find and develop the creative style and the elements of the image. It’s something I would like to develop and I think that’s what makes it most difficult for me. Developing an idea from scratch

    1. Hi, I think I understand the idea of what you mean but how could that be executed? For example if it’s mean to be an idea from scratch then how do we give a brief without instructions? Do you mean we just say ‘Red’ or ‘bright’ or any word as a concept and then you develop it from there? Of course you could do that yourself, that’s a bit like our competition categories? I think with our new projects for 2026 the photographer will have more scope to create what they feel is right on the project but with some guidance from us we feel is a better learning tool.

      1. Hi Karl. Yes, that’s what I mean. For example, in the pasta brief, imagine the instructions like, we want a picture of a pasta dish with minced meat for our cookbook. Then some description of the desired atmosphere of the picture from someone who does not now exactly what he wants. Details such as olives, oil in a jar, parmesan, or light table surface etc. should be at the discretion of the photographer. If it were up to me, I would completely neglect the basil and olives due to lack of aesthetic perception or diligence. I wouldn’t even think about it. If this is something that doesn’t fit the briefs section, it is completly understandable. Could you suggest me ways I can practice the artistic process? Thanks for your time

        1. Hi, well I think then based on what you’re saying that our new ‘projects’ in 2026 will be exactly what you need which are essentially very loose briefs without specific requirements, just some simple guidelines and suggested ideas. There will be 6 of these projects in 2026 as well as the Briefs and competitions and they will also earn points towards the grand prize.

  2. The background colour I changed to after the critique was a more burgundy shade, with a graduation. The lighting of the shoe, I debated with myself whether to submit the image I submitted or to soften the lighting a bit more.

    I did have a few images with softer lighting that I didn’t use in the final image.

  3. Remig

    Thank you Emma, thank you Karl for your honest review: as usual, I agree! It really is a chance to have one’s work reviewed by an expert eye, and I am really thankful for that! Too bad I couldn’t enter the pasta brief 🙂

  4. Hi Karl,

    You asked about why a Blue background was chosen. In choosing the colour, I surveyed my friends, and the majority preferred the blue background.

    1. Hi, it’s always good to get second opinions. What did you think you should choose and now you’ve seen the other entries too what do you think?

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