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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> challenge not going so well
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Showing posts 26 - 34 of 34, (reverse)
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 12/22/2004 08:33:43 AM · #26
Breezy, you got nothing in your portfolio for us to look at, and no previous challenges entered. Give us something to respond to and the group will give you a feel for what is missing (if anything) in your photography. If you've got a challenge entry scoring in the 4-ish range, it's probably due to two things: 1) subject matter that doesn't have the basic appeal to make views stay and take a second and third look, and 2) technical errors in composition, focus, lighting, etc. Take a loooong look at the top 20 or so entries from recent challenges, and read the comments closely. Then do the same thing with the bottom 20 entries from those challenges. What did you learn? Take your camera and go thou and do likewise.

Originally posted by SummerBreeze:
I can't help but feel like the biggest loser...I know it's still early in the game, but I really don't see my votes improving. Right now it's around a 4, and it will probably stay that way. I was hoping at least to get in the 6 range. I just don't get it- my pictures never end up coming close to the rest of you guys. For whatever reason, I just can't get that crystal clear image quality most of you get, no matter what I try in photoshop. Maybe it's my camera, I don't know, but the image quality is nowhere near comparable. It's just a big bummer, because I was looking forward to my first challenge, and I was hoping not to be seen as below average.
12/22/2004 08:40:09 AM · #27
SummerBreeze: Firstly don't listen to the Neat Image stories - NI is a good tool, but is not needed at all for good quality images. In fact it's more detrimental as it's used as a tool for correcting things one wouldn't have to correct if they took the photograph properly in the first place.

There is a tendency for NI to be used too much on this site, and it's a fact that the soft, images lacking detail actually do OK on DP challenge.

But bear in mind that this site really is not the be all and end all of the photography world. That is kind of a big lesson I had to learn.

Secondly, looking at your portfolio, I would say it's just a choice of subject matter.

Any man women or dog can learn to use a camera to professional standards, it's no more complicated than learning how to use a computer for the first time.

What is important, and can't be learned very easily is 'seeing' a good image. Many people are naturally gifted at seeing something that looks nice, others have to learn how to see and thus read books on composition and framing etc.

So, my advice would be to browse some good photography site, perhaps that host famous pieces, and try to emulate what you see.

This will server 2 purposes: Firstly you will learn how to expose and shoot your subject, and secondly, over time you will have a better understanding of composition techniques and framing.

hope that helps, and best of luck to you.


12/22/2004 12:46:10 PM · #28
Thanks everyone for the overwhelming responses.

Part of the difficulty I am having, is the image itself. All the critiques I have so far, are dead on, I knew these things yet I submitted the photo anyway. Taking a quick glance at the image, it appears that not much time was spent on it - but I can only assure that I experimented with lots of lighting & took about 40 out takes. Most of the critiques lie within the "focus" of the image, I did use a tripod, but no matter what I tried with the post shots- I couldn't bring in much clairity. I guess that's when I should have picked up & tried a completley differant approach/subject.

Thanks everyone :)
 12/22/2004 01:08:05 PM · #29
If you're having focus problems and you're still using a tripod, seems as though there's definitely something else going on. We don't know what your image is (and site rules would prohibit you from disclosing which was yours) but how was your lighting? Was their enough? Can you give us the technical details of the photo as you took it - such as ISO, focal length, shutter speed, and f-stop/aperature? Do you know how your camera chooses a focal point? Does it indicate it some way in the camera? If so, do you know which point in the frame the camera was trying to focus on?

Some of that might give us more detail to work with.

Assuming good lighting, a tripod, shutter speed, stationary subject, etc. as long as your camera is operating properly my best guess is that it was focusing on another object or part of the frame, thus leaving your main subject out of focus.

Also, sometimes lenses have front-focusing or back-focusing problems. I wouldn't expect this so much from an all-in-one camera like the 4000Z, moreso with DSLR's, but you never know. Does it take any images sharp, ever?
 12/22/2004 02:23:09 PM · #30
The final image I decided on, was the best in focus of all the shots. ISO was 207, aperture was 2.8, shutter was 1/2. I used the preset "sports scene" on my camera, because that usually allows for the best amount of light, without having to make too many manual adjustments. Since the takes were close shots, I even tried using the macro lens, yet it had little effect. The only times my images appear sharp, or more "true to life" are when the subject is more in the distance, 10+ feet away.

I don't have membership yet, don't I need membership to set up a portfolio?
 12/22/2004 03:29:58 PM · #31
Originally posted by SummerBreeze:
The final image I decided on, was the best in focus of all the shots. ISO was 207, aperture was 2.8, shutter was 1/2. I used the preset "sports scene" on my camera, because that usually allows for the best amount of light, without having to make too many manual adjustments. Since the takes were close shots, I even tried using the macro lens, yet it had little effect. The only times my images appear sharp, or more "true to life" are when the subject is more in the distance, 10+ feet away.


Ok, at a shutter speed of 1/2, you would definitely need a tripod. One other issue you might be running into ... how are you triggering the shutter? With your finger? If so, even the slight vibrations (especially at such a close distance) of your hand on the camera can impact the image. My suggestion - if your subject is standing still - is to use the countdown timer and then take your hands off the camera after you depress the shutter button.

Why "sports scene" for an image that is less than 10 feet away from the lens? And how far away is it exactly? These cameras have a lot of processing logic built into them - and "sports scene" will usually render the best photographs when used specifically for sports. Anything else might be questionable.

Does your camera support full manual? If so, try that, and try starting off with the settings you stated - ISO 200, f/2.8, 1/2 sec - and then tweak them from there until you get the results you desire.

12/23/2004 08:46:08 AM · #32
I'm new myself and have yet to enter a challenge, but I will soon.

I do think I have found the secret to all the great photo's I have been viewing on DPC.

In looking at all the great photo's I noticed they have all been taken with many different types of camera's, so I guess it's not what camera you use. :)

From what I can tell it all comes down to experience and talent

I'm going to work on the exerience part and hope I'm lucky anough to get some talent someday.

I would be happy with anything higher then last place in my first challenge.

Good luck,
jp
 12/24/2004 02:15:32 AM · #33
Originally posted by SummerBreeze:
I can't help but feel like the biggest loser...I know it's still early in the game, but I really don't see my votes improving. Right now it's around a 4, and it will probably stay that way. I was hoping at least to get in the 6 range. I just don't get it- my pictures never end up coming close to the rest of you guys. For whatever reason, I just can't get that crystal clear image quality most of you get, no matter what I try in photoshop. Maybe it's my camera, I don't know, but the image quality is nowhere near comparable. It's just a big bummer, because I was looking forward to my first challenge, and I was hoping not to be seen as below average.


The "Wind" challenge ended with #1 being:
Turbulence In The Sky
by K-Rob

1st place with an
average vote of 7.476

Now this was an excellent photo. If you finish even 4-5 on your first challenge that means your well on your way. I'm much more comfortable with my photography since I have been watching this site. You will too. Many photographers will give you lots of advice and you should listen. It will make the learning curve so much shorter.
 12/24/2004 02:27:09 AM · #34
I just found this link in one of the recent posts on this forum, but am sorry to say I already forget where I saw it and who to credit for the link. However, it is somewhat interesting (and unique) info for you to consider:

//www.danheller.com/tech-intro.html

also try:

//www.photozone.de/bindex4.html
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