scratchin & pickin
by Skip

Comment by jpochard:
Excellent shot. You use these low angles really well and the combination of the angle and the lighting make this a stand out shot IMO.

scratchin & pickin
by Skip

Comment by asimchoudhri:
it's disappointing that this was pulled, as i think it was a great shot. hopefully many others would feel the same way. one thing to keep in mind is that, from what i see, only 21 votes were cast at the time you withdrew this submission. from a quick look at the statistics for the challenge, an average of 230 votes were cast per submission (70295/305), so the average of 5 you mention was after less than 10% of the expected votes. a cynic would even say that the trolls are often the first to vote... regardless, in my limited time in this community i've noticed that the average score increases after the first ~12 hours. i wish i could have seen where this ended up. don't give up... the photo, and you, deserve better!

scratchin & pickin
by Skip

Comment by Bernard_Marx:
If it helps... the handle skiprow is DPC legend to me.

Actually I have nothing to say about your competing in challenges - that is a completely personal matter. But I will be most dissapointed if your photos no longer grace the recently uploaded box.

scratchin & pickin
by Skip

Comment by theSaj:
Just goes to show that the photos on DPC are better than most in newspaers and media print.

;-)

scratchin & pickin
by Skip

Comment by sfalice:
Hello Skip -

I hope you reconsider your thought of bowing out of competition here at DPC. Your work is an inspiration to many photographers on the site. It's obvious from the feedback you get every time you post!

Now, I almost never bother looking at the scores of previous work, but this time I looked at yours. About 2 - 3 times a year your work doesn't connect with the DPC gang. but the rest of the time it does. Please try to get past this one and look forward to all the pleasure and photographic knowledge your images give DPC people.

Of course this image is good. I don't know why it didn't connect here. But I sure do want to see more of your work...

Take care, Skip.

scratchin & pickin
by Skip

Comment by pineapple:
Your pride is getting the best of you, Mr. Rowland. (Edited for spelling).

Message edited by author 2006-10-26 12:07:42.

scratchin & pickin
by Skip

Comment by noraneko:
This is an amazing image. It looks real, which many of the photos on DPC, as technically good as they are, do not.

scratchin & pickin
by Skip

Comment by Cam:
I question you pulling the photo so fast. Man, most of the early voters are low balling. I really think if you would have left it for the entire contest it would been in the mid 6's.

I know you are not a rookie...just saying. Awesome shot man !

scratchin & pickin
by Skip

Comment by rex:
Skip,

I really love the low angle on this shot. It is a very excellent shot IMO. I think it should have scored better but it is DPC and DPC looks for the prfect pretty landscape and we all know that. I have had plenty of images here were people rip it apart. Composition, lighting, pose of the model. Yet the model loves all the images. So it doesn't matter what anyone else or I think it only matters what you and your customer think and you both love it so bask in the glory of pleasing yourself and your customer. I still think it is a great image. The composition is interesting, the lighting is great, color is spectacular, and the focus is spot on. This would get a high scroe in my book any day of the week.

scratchin & pickin
by Skip

Comment by digitalknight:
I feel your pain.

So many of my "middle of the road" DPC images are commercially viable for me. It leaves me wondering what all this input really buys me -

Especially when I blur part of the image for effect and then the DOF police come out - am I a better photographer for knowing that some people vote me lower because they don't agree with my artistic interpretation?

It's an interesting place to say the least.

I'm sorry you feel the need to withdraw, although I totally understand. I've always looked up to you and frequented your portfolio for inspiration. Thanks for that!