DPC-Forrest-IMG_2499
by Cyrilda

Comment by salmiakki:
In principle this is OK, it meets the challenge, but it's also not very interesting due to the composition. Coming back to the comments I made earlier, simpler images tend to score better. This one is quite "busy". I also believe it could be a little bit sharper, again, watching that shutter speed.

With regard to the composition, I think this would benefit greatly if you had crouched down and perhaps been eye level with the tree stump.

Old Rose
by Cyrilda

Comment by salmiakki:
I think your commenter during the challenge has nailed it with his one line comment. Also the composition is a bit static, it would perhaps benefit from being less centered.

It's also way over saturated

Message edited by author 2016-09-15 14:51:54.

I do believe in Ghost, I do believe in Ghost!
by Cyrilda

Comment by salmiakki:
This didn't score particularly well. Again, I gave this a 4. I didn't find the image interesting. Yes, you met the challenge, you did a double exposure, but that's honestly about it. I suggest studying some of the images that score well on DPC and try to see what you could learn from those. I'm not sure what the story is here or what is the point of this image? what are you trying to show us? Why would we want to look at this?

After 10 yrs looking at images on DPC, I have learned that the images that score the best are the ones that have the most interesting compositions and lighting. Often times those are also the least complex images. Clutter, mess and distractions do not work on DPC.

If you genuinely want to improve your scores on DPC, I would thoroughly recommending looking at lots of images, not just on DPC but also on other sites such as Flickr and 500px.

Into the Wilderness
by Cyrilda

Comment by salmiakki:
Since you have commented that nobody comments, I figure I should at least review a few images and try and give you some feedback. Take it with a pinch of salt.

From the perspecitive of this challenge, the image met the challenge, however, it scored poorly for a number of reasons. I gave it a 4 and I'll try to explain why.

Composition: you shot this straight on, there's nothing leading us into the picture to really make it interesting
Technicals: Even if I couldn't see what the technical information was here, I could have told you immediately that you had a far too slow shutter speed for this image. i assume that this was taken handheld? You have a lot of camera shake in this image as the shutter speed was 0.3s. With a zoom lens such as the one you are using to ensure you get a sharp image your slowest shutter speed should be no slower than 1/60 (if shooting at 55mm) and no slower than 1/250 if shooting at the long end, ie 250 mm. Even with the Image Stabilisation, which this lens has, to be on the safe side, you should aim to have fast shutter speeds. Those zoom lenses are very unforgiving of even very minor camera shake. Don't be afraid of bumping the ISO up to 800 or higher to ensure you get the faster shutter speeds.

post process I maybe totally off the mark here, but it looks to me that you have played with the saturation. To me it looks over saturated, it's very rare to see trees as vibrant as those in nature. I would avoid over saturation at all costs, even though quite a lot of images on DPC that do well are over saturated, the majority that do well are not.

I believe the low score can 100% be attributed to the poor technique used shooting this image. out of focus images like this will never do well on DPC.

Message edited by author 2016-09-15 14:59:57.

Dreaming
by Cyrilda

Comment by salmiakki:
nobody really makes comments here any more unless the image is in an actual challenge. If they are just in your portfolio, then nobody even sees them .

Dreaming
by Cyrilda

Comment by Cyrilda:
I'm having a hard time understanding why no one makes comments on my photos. I know for the most part they are not that bad.

There was a Crooked Man
by Cyrilda

Comment by Cyrilda:
I do agree with each of you except, I can see beauty in some of the ugliest of life. This tree has been through very rough times as you can clearly see. It may not be pretty to some, but to me it's homologous to the struggles of human life. If your life is perfect then you will have a hard time seeing the beauty in the battered and beaten things in life.
I may should have used this one....

[thumb]IMAGE_ID=1187505[/thumb]

Max and Gracie from the Hip
by Cyrilda

Comment by pixelpig:
good buddies

Max and Gracie from the Hip
by Cyrilda

Comment by Teafran:
Great capture - they obviously are buds - very nice capture.

I'll always be there loving you, loving me
by Cyrilda

Comment by Teafran:
Detail is incredible and the obvious trust between dog and human is very evident. Then again, I'm biased as a dog owner. Nicely done.