Bright Light on White??? - DPChallenge Forums

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

03/02/2005 12:10:13 PM · #27

AAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaa-men!

Admitting to "doging" and "burning" the rules....litterally, is bad but that's a whole other topic.

From now on I will ask a few questions upfront before wasting my time entering a contest. I am here to learn, predominently and competing can be fun. I'm not shooting for the blue as a major driving force to this exercise, though it would be nice to at least finish in the top twenty.

But to get slammed with no comments, makes for little motivation.

Maybe they can be a bit more specific about what they are looking for in a challenge without be too, too narrow, so we are all close to being on the same page. Is that a fair request? I think that "don't blow your hightlights" is vague suggestion and why I'm getting buried.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

03/02/2005 01:30:57 PM · #28

Originally posted by BrennanOB:

I submitted a photo of day old snowfall under bright afternoon sunlight. It seems snow is not white enough, nor daylight light enough. You can laugh or you can cry, but laughing is more fun.

Brennan. that's simplistic and borderline silly. The challenge is this: "Take a photo in which the background is white and the subject is predominately a "light" color."

Now, you can (and many apparently did) take the tack that if the BG is white in reality (snow, say) then it doesn't matter what tonality it is RENDERED in. As an extreme, I could shoot a yellow flower against a white wall and then I could invert the colors and have a blue flower against a black wall, and say "The wall was white, the flower was light, it meets the challenge!" but what would I be proving?

Be happy you shot a great picture, is my attitude, and I'm an expert at contorting challenges to meet my own strange conceptions of what they mean. See my self-portrait as an extreme example. When I play these head games I don't expect to get a high score, and I've never been disappointed yet...

Robt.

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

03/02/2005 01:59:25 PM · #29

This was a very tough challenge. I learned quite a bit about lighting and the limitations of the studio lights I'm using. For that reason the challenge was a success for me even though my entry is pulling a 4.9 at present.

I think that those who did hi-key missed the point. I think that those who took pictures of pure white (snow and the like) may have also missed the point. You can take pictures of light subjects on a pure white background and get varying shades of grey based on exposure and white balance issues. I know because I did and could not get all the grey out. I think that what the majority of voters are looking for is that perfect bright pure white background with a light subject with no blown highlights.

Anyway, when the challenge is over we will see. We can then post our entries and ask for more input if needed to try and learn more. So although I'm not happy with sub 5 score I'm happy with the experience.

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

03/02/2005 02:19:52 PM · #30

Ok...I have to add my two cents. My entry is doing fair, not great, not bad. Just rec'd a comment 'where is the "light color"?'. I did white on white, but the white element is very evident and distinguishable. How much lighter can you get than white? Geez...oh well, I'm still having fun and that's what this is all about for me.

03/02/2005 02:20:06 PM · #31

Personally, I enjoyed this challenge. Gave me the opportunity to study the favorites from past challenges, learn how they achieved such fantastic results and try some of their techniques out. My subject is probably boring, but I haven't seen another like it yet, and I was going for something different (I've noticed that often people ribbon on ideas that were previously used. That's fine, and new voters aren't aware of that, but I don't want to copy someone else's idea, just their technique). And ... I'm enjoying voting and seeing what everyone else chose and how they photographed their subject. Fun!

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

03/02/2005 02:44:45 PM · #32

Originally posted by DrewLong:

Originally posted by rex07734:

Can I get an AMEN

Originally posted by pawdrix:

AAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaa-men!

Admitting to "doging" and "burning" the rules....litterally, is bad but that's a whole other topic.

What's up with THIS? Last time I looked, the Seperation challenge was a Member challenge with ADVANCED rules which allows dodging and burning. There were no rules broken. And had anyone read further in the comments posted to the photo in question, you would have read that the person that made the first comment about dodging, burning, posted this as a follow-up:

Originally posted by timmotyka:

I dont mind that you doged and burned its my favorite thing to do....Great pic

I don't know marbo personally, but to take shots like this is cheap, especially when they are unwarranted.

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR

03/02/2005 02:52:48 PM · #33

I guess this is a bit of an ongoing problem by reading a number of posts over the last month. As some of you realize I am a new addicted member and I don't mean to kick up dirt knowing good and well that I'm on new turf.

I think one of the things that I've been driving at is complete clarification of challenges. I seems like some people get nailed for some of their interpretations, even those that are in line with the rules but not black and white(pardon the pun).For example, two of the ribbon winners in the 70's Challenge were of more colsely related, 60's images as were a large number of entries and some not remotely in the 70s...and some from the 50's. I got pretty bummed out in the voting process due to this but still completed my votes. I did rate those two particular images well because they were both well taken photographs.

I hope I'm not out of line and maybe I'll quickly fall into place over time but I am trepidatious about the Sureal Challenge as it stands and since I live in New York City I won't even bother to touch Ansel Adams only having Central Park at my disposal.

BTW I'm dancing between 3.8 and 4.1 but I'm still not too thrilled.

nidan

03/02/2005 02:55:43 PM · #34

I really liked my picture...I knew it wasn't going to be light enough for everyone but the subject really was light. not as light as most of the entries but definately light. so as long as I like it I guess it doesn't matter that I'm at about 3.5........

saiphfire

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

03/02/2005 02:56:40 PM · #35

Okay, I finally got a comment on my light on white picture. (I've been getting abismal ratings, which is fine, although I wish people would tell me why so I have a shot at fixing it.) My picture is a white and tan object on a pure white background. There is also a little blue, orange, and black in the picture. The comment I got was that my picture doesn't have enough color. I don't understand. I feel like my picture has more color than half the other submissions. Any insight?

aznym

Fujifilm X-T3

03/02/2005 03:01:51 PM · #36

saiphfire: I think it would be best to leave the insights until the voting is over. You can post your image and ask for opinions or expalin why you see it differently.

utro

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

03/02/2005 03:12:36 PM · #37

Originally posted by saiphfire:

While I'm at it, what's with all the b/w pictures in this challenge? If you take a color picture, make it b/w, and hike the contrast there's a good chance the subject will look light with some black accents, but that doesn't mean it was.

I completely agree. To me, a black and white image doesn't fit the challenge. The rules say, "Take a photo in which the background is white and the subject is predominately a "light" color.

I'm sure people will say, "grey is a color"...and that's true, but was what is now grey, originally grey? For example, if you took a color photo of a nail against a white background, that would be grey, originally. If you took a picture of a red balloon against a white background, and made it b/w, then the balloon turns grey. That, to me, doesn't work. I don't know. I was just really surprised at how many black and white photos where submitted to a challenge that I thought would consist of color photos only.

But it's all beside the point in my case, as I'm clinging to a 4.4. I failed big time at this one, so who am i to judge. :p

Node

Nikon D300

Tamron SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical IF for Nikon

03/02/2005 03:49:20 PM · #38

Originally posted by DrewLong:

Guidelines are there for a reason. I think that it's called dpchallenge not just because it's a contest against others but more so a way to challenge yourself as a photographer by coming up with an original, creative and well shot photo that falls within the guidelines given.
I was REAL dissapointed to read on a thread about the seperation challenge where 2nd place was accused of using burn and dodge tools and he admitedly said "so sue me,lol" and no one seemed to care. It was a great photo, but he created lighting effects that weren't even there. There are photoshop contests for that stuff. Not following site rules is way worse than not following challenge guidelines. Is it just me?

Can you link to this thread, I can't find it.

This was a members challenge, Dodge and burn are permitted!
Thought it sounded wrong, read the rules before accusing or request a DQ if your not sure and let the SC decide.

Message edited by author 2005-03-02 15:55:39.

03/02/2005 04:34:37 PM · #39

pawdrix has Central Park at his disposal! Wow, I'm so jealous!!!! I can't even begin to express it.

03/02/2005 04:37:43 PM · #40

Originally posted by woohoopepper:

pawdrix has Central Park at his disposal! Wow, I'm so jealous!!!! I can't even begin to express it.

Are you serious or just joking?

03/02/2005 04:53:32 PM · #41

Sincerely serious! Why? NYC is my favorite city and I would love to reside there. I was just there last Oct. Thank goodness, I am not too far from Chicago...

03/02/2005 04:54:25 PM · #42

Scared to ask a question in B & H Photo though. I'm afraid they'll roll their eyes at me and think I'm stupid.

03/02/2005 05:14:48 PM · #43

Originally posted by woohoopepper:

Scared to ask a question in B & H Photo though. I'm afraid they'll roll their eyes at me and think I'm stupid.

The guys at B&H treat everyone like dirt. But you have to grin and take it because they have EVERYTHING.

I go by there at least once or twice a month(if you really want to get jealous)since I live on 47th Street, West and they're just over on 34th AND they treat me like a fool from the minute I pass through the door until the time I fork over my cash. In fact, I can here them giggling at me all the way up until around 39th Street(coming and going). Bastards, but ya gotta love'em!!!

You're not alone.

Central Park seems so small to the Adams photo's I'm familiar with. I know already that I will get reamed here by the voters if even a dash of "cityscape" lands within my crop. Or if the DPCers just smell a street lamp nearby...I'm doomed to The Cave Of Fours. No Thanks!

Message edited by author 2005-03-02 17:16:15.

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

03/02/2005 05:26:34 PM · #44

Originally posted by Gurilla:

Originally posted by DrewLong:
Guidelines are there for a reason. I think that it's called dpchallenge not just because it's a contest against others but more so a way to challenge yourself as a photographer by coming up with an original, creative and well shot photo that falls within the guidelines given.
I was REAL dissapointed to read on a thread about the seperation challenge where 2nd place was accused of using burn and dodge tools and he admitedly said "so sue me,lol" and no one seemed to care. It was a great photo, but he created lighting effects that weren't even there. There are photoshop contests for that stuff. Not following site rules is way worse than not following challenge guidelines. Is it just me?

Can you link to this thread, I can't find it.

This was a members challenge, Dodge and burn are permitted!
Thought it sounded wrong, read the rules before accusing or request a DQ if your not sure and let the SC decide.

Thanks Bob (Gurilla) - I was starting to think everyone just skipped right past a couple of posts in this thread (see mine around 02:44pm).

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS for Canon

03/02/2005 05:35:16 PM · #45

Originally posted by pawdrix:

Central Park seems so small to the Adams photo's I'm familiar with. I know already that I will get reamed here by the voters if even a dash of "cityscape" lands within my crop. Or if the DPCers just smell a street lamp nearby...I'm doomed to The Cave Of Fours. No Thanks!

If the weather is nice (it isn't here) I'd drive up the Hudson a little ways. It's gorgeous up there. That could make a great Adams photo.

ElGordo

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

03/02/2005 06:05:40 PM · #46

Nah, you did alright. The voters will decide what is good and what is poor for their tastes, but if you are pleased with your shot, then it is good. In a challenge like this one, it will be the unusual shot that is also technically well done that succeeds. Meeting the challenge description is no guarantee of a good score, an intriguing composition subject that is well presented will always score well. Wish I knew how to do that!

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

03/02/2005 08:00:42 PM · #47

Originally posted by woohoopepper:

If the weather is nice (it isn't here) I'd drive up the Hudson a little ways. It's gorgeous up there. That could make a great Adams photo.

Well I still have a drivers license but I haven't driven a mile in about 10 years, plus I don't own a car and a cab ride up the Hudson would run me around $200. Still a nice idea.

El Gordo-I do like my shot if your post was to me. It landed me 3 small jobs and sold 3 prints as well. I'm not too worried about the voting the winning, the placing, I just want a clue. One little clue. A single clue.

Again...does "light on white" have to be "bright"? No specific grade of white was given. Correct? Outside of that, I was told not to blow out my hightlights AND I didn't.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

03/02/2005 08:23:02 PM · #48

Look, Pawdrix: we can argue and nit-pick over "definitions" all we want, but at the end of the day when the cows have come home an overwhelming majority of voters will have cast their ballots on the basis that white = no tonality, and everything we've said is like pissing in the wind.

Not only that, most voters will determine (and I believe) that the "real" intention of the challenge was to tackle the technical problems of representing light subjects and pure white tonalities in the same image; and this is a REAL difficult thing to do. So those images that DO this, and do it within the framework of an otherwise exceptional picture, are gonna ribbon.

Robt.