What You Decide to Show
Every portfolio is built one decision at a time.
Welcome to This Week’s Edition of The Carty Method Magazine
Every photographer has more images than they need.
The challenge isn’t creating enough work.
It’s deciding which photographs deserve to represent it.
Open Submission weeks place that responsibility directly on the photographer. Without a brief, assignment, or creative constraint, the conversation shifts from execution to judgment.
What stays?
What goes?
And perhaps most importantly, why?
For this week’s assignment, members returned to Open Submission.
No specific subject matter.
No stylistic requirements.
No prescribed creative direction.
Participants were simply asked to submit the image they felt best represented their current level of work.
A portfolio is built through decisions, not photographs.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Photography often celebrates creation.
Open Submission celebrates selection.
The ability to evaluate your own work honestly is one of the most valuable skills a photographer can develop.
It requires objectivity, self-awareness, and the willingness to prioritize quality over attachment.
Because the strongest portfolios are rarely the largest.
They’re the most intentional.
ASSIGNMENT BRIEF
At the end of each review session, CARTY delivers a focused brief outlining exactly what members must create for the following week.
For this assignment, photographers returned to Open Submission and were invited to submit a single image representing their strongest work.
The objective was simple:
Submit a photograph worthy of portfolio consideration.
BEFORE WE GET TO THE WINNERS...
The photographs selected this week weren’t connected by subject matter, genre, or style.
What they shared was confidence.
Each image felt deliberate, complete, and capable of standing on its own.
Denise Tuggle
What made this image the one you chose to submit for Open Submission?
This image represents both growth and perseverance in my photographic journey.
It was actually a reshoot of a previous concept that I had submitted for evaluation.
While the original image showed promise, the feedback indicated that I was very close but needed to make a few key adjustments to elevate the final result.
Rather than moving on to another project, I returned to the drawing board, carefully analyzed the critique, and refined my lighting approach.
Those changes transformed the image completely.
The revised lighting brought depth, dimension, and life to the product, allowing it to command attention and tell a stronger visual story.
Choosing this image for submission felt appropriate because it reflects not only the final photograph but also the process of learning, adapting, and improving.
What does this photograph say about where you are currently in your photographic journey?
This photograph reminds me that success in photography is a marathon, not a sprint.
Every submission, whether successful or not, has taught me valuable lessons that have contributed to my growth as an artist.
This image represents a point in my journey where I have become more confident in my ability to accept constructive criticism, apply corrections, follow a creative brief, and deliver work that satisfies the vision of an art director or client.
It also reflects my willingness to take creative risks and push beyond my comfort zone.
More importantly, it shows that I trust my creative instincts while remaining open to learning and refinement.
What element of the image do you feel contributes most to its success?
The element that contributes most to the success of this image is the ice.
Working with real ice presented a unique challenge because it melts quickly, changes shape constantly, and can be unpredictable during a shoot.
However, real ice possesses qualities that artificial ice simply cannot replicate.
The transparency, texture, imperfections, and natural condensation add authenticity and visual interest to the scene.
Capturing these characteristics required careful lighting and timing to ensure the ice felt believable and enhanced the cold, refreshing nature of the product.
The ice not only supports the story of the image but also adds an element of realism that helps bring the entire composition to life.
Was there a particular decision, either during capture or editing, that helped elevate the final result?
One of the most important decisions I made during capture was to focus on making both the ice and the product label the heroes of the image.
Initially, I considered creating the scene from a top-down perspective inside a container, but ultimately I chose an approach that allowed the product and ice to work together more effectively.
My goal was to make the ice feel “white-hot cold”, a visual contradiction that conveys an intense sense of refreshment.
Achieving this required precise lighting that felt natural and effortless while still creating a sense of magic.
Every highlight and reflection had to be carefully controlled so that the light enhanced both the ice and the can without overpowering them.
Maintaining tack-sharp focus was equally important, allowing every detail, texture, and droplet of condensation to contribute to the final image.
Looking at your portfolio as a whole, why does this image deserve a place within it?
This image deserves a place in my portfolio because it represents both technical achievement and personal growth.
From a compositional standpoint, it is a strong and visually impactful piece that immediately captures attention.
More importantly, it reflects how much my work has evolved over the past year.
The image demonstrates a higher level of confidence in my creative process, from concept development to execution.
It showcases my willingness to trust my ideas, work through challenges, and see a project through to completion.
As part of my portfolio, this photograph serves as a marker of progress and a reminder of the dedication required to continually improve as a photographer.
Social Media Handles:
Website: denisetugglephotography.com
Instagram: denisetphotography
Zandon De Waal
What made this image the one you chose to submit for Open Submission?
It carefully represented the topic at hand.
What does this photograph say about where you are currently in your photographic journey?
I’m grasping more techniques and im understanding light better which is a win in all styles of photography.
What element of the image do you feel contributes most to its success?
The framing and the light.
Was there a particular decision, either during capture or editing, that helped elevate the final result?
Listening to Carty’s advice.
Looking at your portfolio as a whole, why does this image deserve a place within it?
I’m pushing to shoot people more and I think this is a nice representation of what could be.
Social Media Handles:
Website: zandondewaal.com
Instagram: zandon_de_waal
Francis Jeffery
What made this image the one you chose to submit for Open Submission?
This is the one that had symmetrical splashes and made the brown rock look the most likely it was a table made out of root beer.
Also the out of focus waterfall in the background mixed with brown rock gives the colour and texture of creamy root beer.
What does this photograph say about where you are currently in your photographic journey?
This is the turning point in my Carty Method career and it will take off starting at this point.
What element of the image do you feel contributes most to its success?
The cold water droplets on the can.
Was there a particular decision, either during capture or editing, that helped elevate the final result?
Not a side from only using post to make it look as though the viewer was looking at the product in real time.
Looking at your portfolio as a whole, why does this image deserve a place within it?
It is within my niche and is a level up from before.
Social Media Handles:
Website: 500px.com/photogenicconnections
Instagram: francisjefferythebest
Instagram: scenery_michiana_portraits
Donna Crantshaw
What made this image the one you chose to submit for Open Submission?
This image was a redo because the week before I shot it at a 45 degree angle; Carty suggested that I shoot it top down instead.
What does this photograph say about where you are currently in your photographic journey?
This assignment required we use natural lighting and I wanted it to reflect my movement toward minimalism, and simplicity without all the equipment and props.
However I still suffer from wanting to include a few extra items (leaves) that can result in clutter within the image that are not needed.
What element of the image do you feel contributes most to its success?
I think the use of water contributed to the success of the image because the product is a hydration for the skin.
Was there a particular decision, either during capture or editing, that helped elevate the final result?
With this image, I had to adapt to a challenging lighting scenario.
My goal was a refreshing product shot of e.l.f. skincare items in water.
Though a large tree heavily blocked the sun, I embraced the resulting dappled light, using it to create high-contrast highlights and shadows across the water tray.
I believe this shows I can work in a natural environments rather than trying to perfectly control them.
Looking at your portfolio as a whole, why does this image deserve a place within it?
My portfolio is starting show a lot of beauty products that are shot in a vertical format, this top down angle will fit because it forced me out of my comfort zone and pushed me to master new perspectives and layouts.
Social Media Handles:
Website: www.donnacrantshawphotography.com
Instagram: donnacrantshawphotography
Michael Walls
What made this image the one you chose to submit for Open Submission?
I chose this image out of the series because how it popped off of the background and really thought the blue complimented the texture of the burger well.
What does this photograph say about where you are currently in your photographic journey?
I feel that this image broke through a barrier for me by showing the ability to elevate a product that will catch peoples eyes and make the viewer want to buy it.
What element of the image do you feel contributes most to its success?
The styling of the burger and the texture in the meat.
Was there a particular decision, either during capture or editing, that helped elevate the final result?
Yes, I shot around 60-70 photos from different angles and coloured backgrounds.
Then I came across this angle and knew right away that this was the angle to go with.
Looking at your portfolio as a whole, why does this image deserve a place within it?
It set the tone for a new vibe in my portfolio that will hopefully be a scroll stopper.
Social Media Handles:
Website: michaelwallsphotography.com
Instagram: wallsofmemoriesphotograhpy
Sean Thomas
What made this image the one you chose to submit for Open Submission?
This image represents the direction I’m actively building toward.
It combines people, lifestyle, and automotive culture in a way that feels authentic to my work.
What does this photograph say about where you are currently in your photographic journey?
It reflects a transition from photographing vehicles alone to documenting the people, brands, and communities that surround them.
That’s a direction I’m intentionally developing within my portfolio.
What element of the image do you feel contributes most to its success?
The relationship between the subjects and the environment.
The low angle, open sky, and confident body language help create a strong sense of identity and presence.
Was there a particular decision, either during capture or editing, that helped elevate the final result?
Choosing a low perspective was the most important decision.
It allowed the subjects, branding, and sky to work together while giving the image a more editorial feel.
Looking at your portfolio as a whole, why does this image deserve a place within it?
It represents where I’m headed, not just where I’ve been.
The image combines storytelling, community, and lifestyle photography while remaining connected to the automotive world that has shaped much of my work.
Social Media Handles:
Website: www.autoluximagery.com
Instagram: autoluximagery
Khaligraphy
Social Media Handles:
Website: khaligraphy.art
Instagram: khaligraphy
Mike Howell
Social Media Handles:
Website: N/A
Instagram: N/A
Jessica Mendez
What made this image the one you chose to submit for Open Submission?
I was proud of this image because the result matched the vision I set out to create.
It’s a lighting set up I wanted to experiment with and want to recreate in future frames.
I think it represents me bringing together different elements to make an image to represent me well.
The lighting, the props, the shadows and composition finally came together after working my way to this point as a relatively new shooter.
What does this photograph say about where you are currently in your photographic journey?
It says I’m turning a corner toward developing work that references high quality photography for inspiration.
I have a long way to go but I think I’m headed towards developing my own style the more that I shoot.
What element of the image do you feel contributes most to its success?
I think the photo had success because of the cohesion of the elements, the way the background colour and plate are similar tones to help the colour and texture of the ribs to stand out.
Was there a particular decision, either during capture or editing, that helped elevate the final result?
I was originally going to photograph an uncut slab of ribs but decided that cutting the ribs and revealing meat falling off the bone might be better and I was right.
The photo of ribs cut apart is far better than the original idea.
Looking at your portfolio as a whole, why does this image deserve a place within it?
I think it represents the type of photo I can recreate and want to create more of.
It captures the lighting and colour schemes I can recreate for clients.
Social Media Handles:
IG: drjessicahughes
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Watch the replay of these photo submissions below.