Pet portrait scores... - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-210mm f/4.0-5.6D

04/04/2005 11:38:32 AM · #77

I guess so... I wonder how differently the scores would be if we all could not see our current scores (no update button).

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

04/04/2005 11:38:37 AM · #78

Originally posted by pawdrix:

My guess is that people are voting in a very personal way(subconciously) because it's not just an object they've photographed but something they love. Nobody wants their Skittles, Bingo or Darla to place 189th.

I'm having a hard time voting low knowing that it's a bit more personal on an sub level and I don't want to metphorically step on someones pet.

I was thinking the same thing . . .it's like posting a picture of your baby. . "hey what do you think?" . . ."The shots out of focus and should be croppped, or it could be because he looks like a freakin alien . . a 3. . .that's what i think!"
. . .so yeah, it's kinda like that. . .

scuds

Canon EOS-30D

04/04/2005 11:39:01 AM · #79

Originally posted by lenkphotos:

Your 'problem' is that you're using your head to actually think about the quality and creativity of an image. ;-) The norm around here is to view these challenges as popularity contests...

That's why ppl get low scores. They voted based only on their personal taste. Ahhhhhh, I don't like a pet snake, so I'll vote it down, no matter the picture, if it's technically perfect or not.

I knew this was coming for this challenge, it's the "cuttie" factor against a good image, overall. If you're not found of the poodles, the snakes or the rabbits, OK, but PLZ don't vote it down cz of that!

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/04/2005 11:40:31 AM · #80

Originally posted by lenkphotos:

The norm around here is to view these challenges as popularity contests...

Don't the better photos (those with good lighting, composition, etc.) tend to be the most popular? Meeting the challenge effectively and creatively plays a big role of course, but what would be the basis for popularity if not the quality of the image?

EDIT- ah, yes... the "cuteness" factor of the model. That does play a part, but I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing. A more appealing model can yield a more appealing portrait, but creativity, angles and lighting can (and should) be used to make the most of any subject.

Message edited by author 2005-04-04 11:47:50.

clarmore

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-210mm f/4.0-5.6D

04/04/2005 11:42:14 AM · #81

I found myself starting to do that in the cemetery challenge... when I started commenting on those I gave low scores to then I realized that technically nothing was wrong with the photo and boosted them up quite a bit. It's hard to judge taking personal taste aside... but this IS a photography contest and is here to help us improve our skills... I do not like snakes... but the ones I saw in this challenge were great!!!

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

04/04/2005 11:46:51 AM · #82

As long as the subject fits the challenge . .I don't care what it is. . .as long as it's a great shot. . good angle lighting composition. . it's getting a good score from me. . .

nothing below a 4 unless it's just technically poor and no thought about quality or any basic photography principle was put into it. ..

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

04/04/2005 11:52:28 AM · #83

i don't remember who or what thread, but someone summed this up perfectly:

1) there are snapshots of pets (or animals)
2) there are candids of pets (or animals)
3) there are candid portraits of pets (or animals)
4) there are portraits of pets

i'll reserve my higher scores for #4

as far as portraits go, what i learned from the self-portrait challenge is that a portrait attempts to capture the essence of the subject's character. to do this effectively, the photographer should focus on the subject, and take care to exclude distracting elements. this being under advanced editing, there really is no excuse for not taking advantage of the rules in order to deliver an image with the least amount of distracting elements in the background.

i will do my best to comment on those i don't score high, but i am not going to simply give out 5s just because someone submitted a picture that has an animal in it.

kdkaboom

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

04/04/2005 11:56:49 AM · #84

Originally posted by skiprow:

a portrait attempts to capture the essence of the subject's character.

I couldn't agree with this more. I think a portrait is more about evoking the personality than just positioning and snapping away. And I'm voting that way, too. My top choices (10s) are all about personality...but of course the photo must look stellar, too :)

clarmore

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-210mm f/4.0-5.6D

04/04/2005 11:59:09 AM · #85

Originally posted by skiprow:

Yes, that was me in the "Suprisingly few entries" thread... //www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=192791

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/04/2005 12:01:19 PM · #86

I think the voting still fits the typical bell curve and I wouldn't worry about the 1's & 2's. It's the overall score that counts and generally I think the best photos win or place in the top ten.

I admit I give 1's or 2's to obvious "crap" - I mean I could easily find examples and it doesn't seem like there was even any attempt to fit the challenge, take a good photo, take the lens cap off, etc. I don't leave comments for those because it's a waste of time. I could be wrong and some of these could be someone's legitimate attempt - usually I think you can tell.

Marjo

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

04/04/2005 12:02:24 PM · #87

Originally posted by clarmore:

I am really confused about the voting... aren't scores of 1-3 reserved for pictures that are technically challenged (bad focus, very under/over exposed, no composition, etc) or does not fit the challenge??? I seem to be only getting scores of two extremes... either 1-3 or 7-10. All of my comments are very positive... I just cannot figure out why I would be receiving the low scores? I wish people who gave those out commented on them. This is very confusing.

Perhaps the low votes reflect your lack of anonymity?

roadrunner

Canon EOS-20D

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

04/04/2005 12:09:52 PM · #88

Originally posted by clarmore:

I guess so... I wonder how differently the scores would be if we all could not see our current scores (no update button).

YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD........ i do believe this would be a great idea.... take away the update buttons for one of the challenges and see what happens...... OR don't allow others to broadcast there ratings over these threads..... i know from just reading this today, some ppl really get upset over it, and i can tell you now, out of frusutration i can bet you they are scoring low as they are mad.....! and it's more like the innocent victims getting hit.... like us..... i'm having a horror with my rating, but the way i see it is the more you lose, the more you win.... you can only get better, and i actually think you learn more from losing than winning......so lets get even and thrash them next time.....lol....
and remember this is all suppose to be fun, so far i am having fun with it... i am not losing any sleep over it anyhow......

Shannon

Nikon Coolpix 5700

04/04/2005 12:12:27 PM · #89

Originally posted by roadrunner:

Originally posted by clarmore:
I guess so... I wonder how differently the scores would be if we all could not see our current scores (no update button).

YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD........ i do believe this would be a great idea.... take away the update buttons for one of the challenges and see what happens...... OR don't allow others to broadcast there ratings over these threads..... i know from just reading this today, some ppl really get upset over it, and i can tell you now, out of frusutration i can bet you they are scoring low as they are mad.....! and it's more like the innocent victims getting hit.... like us..... i'm having a horror with my rating, but the way i see it is the more you lose, the more you win.... you can only get better, and i actually think you learn more from losing than winning......so lets get even and thrash them next time.....lol....
and remember this is all suppose to be fun, so far i am having fun with it... i am not losing any sleep over it anyhow......

I have to admit that I am very disappointed in my current score, however, I have been very careful to be sure that it isn't interfering with the scores I am giving.

Marjo

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

04/04/2005 12:25:16 PM · #90

I think it would be interesting for one challenge to have a panel do the voting. The panel could be picked by Drew & Langdon and not have any members or registered voters on the panel.

Shannon, you have an average vote cast of 5.6 or so. I think you're voting just fine.

autool

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

04/04/2005 12:34:32 PM · #91

How would we all fare if we had no idea what our score was until it was all over? What would we do all week, and how productive would those that work be? Would their bosses have to make cutbacks because everyone was carrying their part of the load? How many would fall out from the shock of the final result? Oh! let it be.

Ha! Ha! Ha! ROFLMAO reading this thread.

Message edited by author 2005-04-04 12:38:25.

Chinabun

Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

04/04/2005 01:01:41 PM · #92

i totally agree, a lot of these photos are not portraits. If the challenge was just to take a photo of your pet, than yeh.. but it's not

Originally posted by skiprow:

SandyP

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 USM

04/04/2005 01:06:30 PM · #93

I've often thought that any score of 3 or lower shouldn't count unless the voter gives it a legitimate comment. I don't think it's a waste of time because a lot of people who enter for the first few times really don't have it all figured out yet and it would really help them. But there are wayyyyyyyy too many great pictures that are beautiful, techinically perfect, and have great averages that have several people giving them 1's. It just shouldn't be allowed.

I like the idea of everyone not being able to see their score until after the voting to see if it affects how they vote everyone else's

Oh well. My pet portrait started out doing great. I gave my sweet dog an extra treat this morning for being such a great model. But now it's dropping, and I'm disappointed in that :(

pawdrix

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

04/04/2005 01:15:21 PM · #94

Originally posted by SandyP:

I like the idea of everyone not being able to see their score until after the voting to see if it affects how they vote everyone else's

Oh well. My pet portrait started out doing great. I gave my sweet dog an extra treat this morning for being such a great model. But now it's dropping, and I'm disappointed in that :(

You might be right about hiding the voting but that's half the fun and excitement about the site. Jeez....if I didn't have that silly update button to hit every few hours/minutes, I'd actually might have to take up painting again or playig my guitar...or worse, reading.

And regarding the pooch: I'd say no more treats until he breaks a 6. That'll teach him a lesson.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

04/04/2005 01:32:11 PM · #95

lol. ya beat me to the pooch comment pawdrix!
anyway, I would love to see a challenge not have an update button. it would definetly effect the scores. especially on a challenge so personal as pets. People see their scores and say to themselves "WELL, i think my little muffy wuffy looks cute and it's a good photo, and if a four is what people want to give good photos, then fine that's what i'll give good photos too! . . .isn't that right mr. muffkins. . yes it is. ..kiss kiss kiss. . ."
But i do feel that not showing the update button would not effect the top pictures as they will survive the bell curve of the "disgruntled voter" it will just effect us midlevel non ribboners.. . like me. . so let's do it!

bledford

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

04/04/2005 01:38:12 PM · #96

If you don't want to see your scores, just go to the "My Preferences" section of the site and uncheck the "My Scores" option.

aerogurl

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR

04/04/2005 01:40:33 PM · #97

Votes: 73
Views: 115
Avg Vote: 6.3014
Comments: 2

I think I know the photographers in about 75% of the shots. Seems like everyone has their pet photo (even some outakes) in their portfolio...