| Author | Thread |
|
|
05/02/2014 02:06:04 PM · #1 |
Yes, it is, at least for me.
A couple of weeks ago I've been quite impressed with this Christophe's image:
So I thought I could give it a try and waited for the right challenge.
When the Eggs challenge was announced I thought that it was the right one. Then I worked on this focus stack on camera
(20 seconds exposure, a paper wall in the middle and a change of focus during the shot).
That's what I like most, when I can try something new.
 |
|
|
|
05/02/2014 04:53:32 PM · #2 |
|
|
|
05/02/2014 05:08:52 PM · #3 |
| I've really wanted to try something like this, but you can't see through the viewfinder during a long exposure. Are you figuring out your focus before hand, and just remembering where it was on the dial? Is that really good enough? |
|
|
|
05/02/2014 05:09:39 PM · #4 |
| (btw, I liked the shot quite a bit. :) |
|
|
|
05/02/2014 05:23:30 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
I've really wanted to try something like this, but you can't see through the viewfinder during a long exposure. Are you figuring out your focus before hand, and just remembering where it was on the dial? Is that really good enough? |
Yep. The distant one was at 70cm. from the camera while the one in the foreground was at 45cm.
50 1.4 has the focus distances written on the lens, so I just had to be accurate considering that i was shooting at 2.2 (not more since below 2.0-1.8 the wall in the middle almost disappeared).
|
|
|
|
05/02/2014 05:26:52 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Alexkc:
Originally posted by vawendy:
I've really wanted to try something like this, but you can't see through the viewfinder during a long exposure. Are you figuring out your focus before hand, and just remembering where it was on the dial? Is that really good enough? |
Yep. The distant one was at 70cm. from the camera while the one in the foreground was at 45cm.
50 1.4 has the focus distances written on the lens, so I just had to be accurate considering that i was shooting at 2.2 (not more since below 2.0-1.8 the wall in the middle almost disappeared). |
Great! Thanks for the info. |
|
|
|
05/02/2014 08:09:50 PM · #7 |
In answer to your question, I think the answer is definitely Yes and definitely No.
Yes, it's still a learning site if you're searching to learn from other people's images... to do the research yourself. But, as a newbie to this site, I don't think I knew enough to do that by myself. I certainly wouldn't have understood what Christophe said about his image or how you accomplished your image by his description. I needed something specific to MY image. And I got it. I loved the good and the "bad" comments. I was telling someone today about this site. She asked how I learned about photography. I told her part of it... about "a" photography site that helped me grow by anonymously critiquing my images... Not like my family who thinks I poop rainbows. *grin* (They don't know that ladies don't poop at all.) I learned more from critiquing OTHER images... after getting brave enough to venture to do it... studying what I liked and didn't like in their images. Commenting made me look and study and learn. But, I stopped myself during my telling her of the site. I stopped because I know that coming here as a newbie is not like it was when I came here as a newbie. People don't critique an image anymore. They just comment. In the end, I didn't give her the site address, as I would have (and did) a few years ago.
That makes me sad.
I know that people don't critique images anymore because, it's what's happened to me. I'm afraid to say anything at all negative... even if it's said in a positive way. I'm tired of the PMs coming afterward.
No, it's not the site it used to be if you're a newbie (as I was) and poured over each comment looking for ways to learn.
For the most part, learning from comments on your images is gone. One, because comments are vary rare these days. And Two, because the people who do leave comments are tired of getting backlash from the comments they leave and only blow sunshine in them. I might as well ask my mother what she thinks of my image. :D
Message edited by author 2014-05-02 20:14:48. |
|
|
|
05/02/2014 10:49:02 PM · #8 |
Oh dang.
I think you've inspired me to riot. *grin*
I'm going to critique images now for a while... with honesty and kindness.
I can't imagine how many PMs I'll get.
Perhaps I'll go BagHead for my experiment...
NAH! Bring it!
I'll give the truth... as I see it. Feel free to return it from your viewpoint.
Anybody with me??
BRING BACK THE HELPFUL COMMENTS!!
Bring them Back!
Bring them Back!
Bring them Back!!
|
|
|
|
05/02/2014 11:24:33 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by LydiaToo:
I know that people don't critique images anymore because, it's what's happened to me. I'm afraid to say anything at all negative... even if it's said in a positive way. I'm tired of the PMs coming afterward.
For the most part, learning from comments on your images is gone. One, because comments are vary rare these days. And Two, because the people who do leave comments are tired of getting backlash from the comments they leave and only blow sunshine in them. I might as well ask my mother what she thinks of my image. :D |
I don't know. I don't participate too much, but I do appreciate the comments I receive, especially those that aren't just 'blowing sunshine'. Below are two I received last week from two different members. My first reaction is usually WTF? But then I force myself to look at the image differently, and maybe that's when the learning starts. On the other hand, I will admit to saying nothing if I can't say anything nice, most of the time. So I should work on that...
Needs more cowbell. Blur, grain, maybe some light leaks. Like I said; more cowbell.
Feels a little unbalanced to me with all that space to the left
Also the flowers don't seem that sharp
I am not so sure about the composition of the picture in the background like this - personal preference I guess.
Hope this was helpful - just my personal thoughts and others will probably not agree:)
Message edited by author 2014-05-02 23:26:31. |
|
|
|
05/02/2014 11:26:34 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by LydiaToo:
BRING BACK THE HELPFUL COMMENTS!! |
Sounds good to me. |
|
|
|
05/02/2014 11:28:42 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by tph1:
...On the other hand, I will admit to saying nothing if I can't say anything nice, most of the time. So I should work on that... |
I'm guilty of that, too. |
|
|
|
05/02/2014 11:39:00 PM · #12 |
Most certainly the reason I went baghead. I refuse to censor my writing, which I do hope is mostly helpful. And 90% of the time, the PMs are a knee-jerk reaction to someone used to getting rainbows blown at them. Usually, by the end of voting, the indignity of imperfection has blown over, and I don't get PM'd.
I really do encourage everyone to write honestly about what they see in the image. Not only what works, but what doesn't. We don't have to be mean about it either. Whether we are beginning our photography career or already on the road a while, what we the viewer see and feel in an image can be helpful. |
|
|
|
05/03/2014 12:17:42 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by LydiaToo:
I know that people don't critique images anymore because, it's what's happened to me. I'm afraid to say anything at all negative... even if it's said in a positive way. I'm tired of the PMs coming afterward.
No, it's not the site it used to be if you're a newbie (as I was) and poured over each comment looking for ways to learn.
For the most part, learning from comments on your images is gone. One, because comments are vary rare these days. And Two, because the people who do leave comments are tired of getting backlash from the comments they leave and only blow sunshine in them. I might as well ask my mother what she thinks of my image. :D |
I have to agree with you...
I don't comment much at all these days. Not even a member anymore since last week...
|
|
|
|
05/03/2014 06:05:58 AM · #14 |
It's sad to hear of people getting backlash for posting honest critiques. I actually prefer the comments that have something negative to say, as they get me to look at my photos from a different viewpoint than I would have otherwise.
Recent example, I currently have 2 photos getting hammered in voting, both mid 4's. 3 comments between them, 1 positive, and 1 on each image stating a dislike for the PP. And while I still happen to really like both shots, having some context as to why they aren't to taste for some, or most voters helps. Knowing that the PP isn't to everyone's taste is better than wondering why the shots I thought were really good are getting such low votes. |
|
|
|
05/03/2014 10:09:57 AM · #15 |
As a newbie (been submitting to challenges since Sept) I am finally beginning to be able to use this site for solid learning. Even when there aren't comments on my photos I am starting to be able to think critically about the photos that I really liked in the challenge, then look at my photos and come up with strengths and weaknesses.
For commenting, I think the hardest comments are the 5's and 6's I give. Sometimes a photo just seems ordinary. Not bad, but not great either (at least to my eye). With those I have a hard time knowing what to say. Although I guess saying that the photo just did not come off terribly strongly to me but that I don't see anything wrong either is probably doable.
But hey, this site had me out last night with my husband and Saran-wrap playing around with making an abstract photo. (I was not successful, but where else in this world could I have been motivated to try something that felt so wild and crazy.). |
|
|
|
05/03/2014 10:47:19 AM · #16 |
| Sorry for my ignorance but is Saran-wrap one of your offspring ? |
|
|
|
05/03/2014 11:00:48 AM · #17 |
| Nope, sorry. No kids. Took a roll of plastic wrap out to the park. That sounds way more risqué than it was. |
|
|
|
05/03/2014 11:25:14 AM · #18 |
Personally, I think the default setting for comments during voting should be "anonymous", and then revealed at rollover.
It distresses me to no end that people don't feel they can express an honest opinion because they fear some sort of "backlash". It also doesn't speak well for those who DO lash out at a commenter. Unless the comment is a personal attack having nothing to do with the image, there should be no reason to argue about how someone else feels about a photo.
Jules: Glad to hear DPC is getting you out and experimenting :) |
|
|
|
05/03/2014 11:44:48 AM · #19 |
| As usual there is more than one side to this. Obviously someone replying badly to neg comment or trying to justify why their pic is so good is not on, however I currently find myself in the position where someone has left me a neg comment (not nasty) which I don't necessarily disagree with and would love to discuss further but I'm now afraid to 'cause it may be seen as me 'lashing out'. |
|
|
|
05/03/2014 11:57:00 AM · #20 |
I never thought the comments were the way of learning here. I thought they would be -- I thought that I would get so many helpful comments, that I'd get so much better.
But that's just not the way it works.
First -- you learn more from commenting on others' work than people commenting on your own. By commenting on others' photographs, you find out what works for you, what doesn't, why you like things, why you don't like things. And you expand your horizons much more than you would simply by viewing your own photos and nothing more.
And then, you get out of it what you put into it.
If you're in college and you simply look for the professor to say "nice job, A" at the top of your paper, you're wasting your college experience. If you seek out the professor, spend time going over your work, ask for critiques and comments, you'll gain a lot more.
There are so many people here who are happy to help. I've watched the forums, and when there's a processing tip that I don't understand, I play with it, I ask about it, I search for more. When I find a photo I love, and I have no idea how it was done -- I ask. This site helps those who help themselves. Ones who want to learn, and go out and actually do it.
The best thing I can recommend is shooting for every challenge. If I shot just what I wanted, I'd get better in a small area. When I shoot for everything, I get experience in ways that I never had imagined when I first started here. And it also makes me better at the things I enjoy.
This is just an awesome place with endless opportunities. You just have to find them. |
|
|
|
05/03/2014 12:23:25 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by MichaelC:
As usual there is more than one side to this. Obviously someone replying badly to neg comment or trying to justify why their pic is so good is not on, however I currently find myself in the position where someone has left me a neg comment (not nasty) which I don't necessarily disagree with and would love to discuss further but I'm now afraid to 'cause it may be seen as me 'lashing out'. |
There is absolutely nothing wrong with reaching out to the commenter AFTER rollover, if you still have questions. But only if you have questions. Not to reprimand or to disagree or try to change their mind. Most of the time we can figure it out for ourselves, if not from other comments left on the same image, then from sitting and thinking about what was written. I did not mean to instill fear in anyone, just some common sense :) |
|
|
|
05/03/2014 12:53:28 PM · #22 |
For me this is definitely still a learning site. If you want to use DPC to learn photography you should not expect the comments on your photos to be your best resource.
I have learned so much thanks to this site, and I think Wendy summed up well the things that have helped me most.
1) Studying and commenting on other peoples photos. Figuring out what the camera setting should be for proper exposure is not that hard. Figuring out what makes one photo interesting and another photo boring is tougher. Study the photos you like and figure out why.
2) If you have a question about a photo or technique -- just ask. The people here are amazingly generous on sharing their knowledge.
3) Enter every challenge you can. Personally, this has been the biggest factor for me. I've learned a lot and produced some nice images from challenge themes I have groaned at when they were announced. |
|
|
|
05/03/2014 01:29:18 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by LydiaToo:
In answer to your question, I think the answer is definitely Yes and definitely No.
Yes, it's still a learning site ... But, I stopped myself during my telling her of the site. I stopped because I know that coming here as a newbie is not like it was when I came here as a newbie. People don't critique an image anymore. They just comment. In the end, I didn't give her the site address, as I would have (and did) a few years ago.
That makes me sad. |
Your post made me sad, because I think there are lots of opportunities for newbies to learn here. For example, we have the "Welcome" section of the forums, where newbies can introduce themselves (or be introduced by a mmeber like you), laying out their experience, goals, and questions. The forums are littered with threads on specific technical and aesthetic issues -- I find it extremely rare that any question goes completely unanswered. And as been pointed out innumerable times by myself and others, you really "learn" more by making comments than from receiving them, no matter how constructive they might be.
Originally posted by tanguera:
It distresses me to no end that people don't feel they can express an honest opinion because they fear some sort of "backlash". |
To me, it's both distressing and mystifying. Exactly how is a text message disagreeing with you going to hurt you?
If the person' opinion -- and it's only their opinion, just like your original comment -- is BS (in your opinion) then discount it and forget. If it's excessively rude or profane in violation of the site's TOS then report it (submit a ticket) and forget it. This applies whether you are making or replying to a comment.
It's entirely possible to learn something from a "discussion" between people with different opinions, as long as you talk about the pictures and not each other. |
|
|
|
05/03/2014 02:31:25 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
.........as long as you talk about the pictures and not each other. |
Bingo! |
|
|
|
05/03/2014 03:11:20 PM · #25 |
| Tonight and tomorrow night are my daughter's dance company performances. I shoot the final rehearsals, performances, and company photograph (volunteer). I can look back over the years, and see the improvement I've made. A lot of the credit for that belongs to dpc. The learning here isn't always conscious or immediate. DPChallenge does two crucial things well, imnsho. It encourages you to shoot, shoot, shoot - different subjects, different techniques, different locations, different approaches, different moods. It also puts you in contact with some very nice, very talented, very helpful, very patient, wonderful people. |
|
