Old-time Color Portrait
by Artyste

Comment:
Thanks.. I've been wondering about the yellow myself, but had let it go for the time being. I think I'll leave this one as is, and work on getting a more neutral skin tone in the future. I also need better lighting options than I currently have, but hey..whatcanyado.

ginny-2-color.jpg
by jpochard

Comment:
oooo.. the texture on the satin vest/shirt is absolutely unbeliveable..

Despair
by Artyste

Comment:
I don't know why this scored so low.. but I have my theories..

1: Too dark. I don't think a lot of people have their monitors calibrated properly, but that's a danger with any darker image you submit here. Were it advanced editing, I could have done things to improve this.

2: Lack of true focal point. The hand is my focal point, which was designed to grab you, then let you wander off up into the fading face and empty eyes.. (which worked for some of you.. woo hoo!). However, because of the lack of advanced editing, I had to do edits which degraded the color quality, and had to use a blur method which took the sharp focus off the fist, making it seem fuzzy too. Le sigh.

3: Scary factor. I had comments that it was *too* creepy. I love that on DPC, you get penalized for doing your job too well.

4: Misunderstanding of Challenge. I'm still convinced that far too many people have no idea what Shallow DOF really *IS*.. Look at the blue ribbon winner. That's not really Shallow DOF. Sure, the background is completely out of focus, but the main subject is entirely *in* focus. The background could have been 3 miles away, we don't know. Anyway, this theory is last because it's the least strong. I'm sure I got hit for it, but not as badly as I thought at first.

Thanks everyone for some wonderful comments. This is currently my best ever lower scoring challenge photo.

Coulrophobia- Fear of clowns.
by BrennanOB

Comment:
How much do I love this?

Especially since I really do fear clowns.

Wonderful.

Mr. Bones
by Marc923

Comment:
It's amazing that in a challenge named "candlelight", you'd get marked down because the candle isn't actually seen in the shot.

My Muse and I
by Artyste

Comment:

Originally posted by nsbca7: Originally posted by Artyste: ...of me holding the instrument of my passion. And your other hand is holding your camera.

bahahahahaa.

Good one.

Santa Clown
by Artyste

Comment:
aww.. you make a tired old photographer smile :)

Santa Clown
by Artyste

Comment:
Heh.. of course, you're right, mk.

At least, in terms of DPC. I personally think the background is what makes this photo. It's a pure candid, and it's supposed to be.

Ah well, I was only making do with what I had shot in November, and it's not likely I'll enter anything stunning when all I shoot in an entire month is 6 lousy little creek waterfalls and one parade.

Looking at the top 10.. I'm more proud of this shot than ever.. because I continue to stick to my own personal principles, even in the face of disastrous scoring. I don't know if I can ever happily be a part of the kind of crowd that loves the shots that won ribbons in this challenge.

Warped
by Artyste

Comment:
It doesn't look as good bigger.. I might work on a better one when I have more time.

ágústa.jpg
by toti

Comment:
Great lighting.. what did you use?