re-educating DPCers - DPChallenge Forums

09/05/2005 09:37:31 AM · #1

Thinking about the High Contrast Challenge as an educational move and seeing the same style photo's always hitting the top places, does anyone have any Challenge suggestions that might gear DPCers to think in different directions.

There are plenty of exceptions to what hits the Top 10 and so on but what if there was a Challenge that forced people to open up to different criteria....? High Contrast is totally in the right direction.

"Out Of Focus" (that's a tough one...) or something of that nature.
"Strange Crops"

Does anybody know what I'm driving at?

Message edited by author 2005-09-05 10:14:52.

photodude

09/05/2005 09:43:34 AM · #2

Not sure what you mean about the same style? In browsing the entries, they seem to be quite diverse, both in subjects as well as what seemed to be interpreted as high contrast.

Tamron AF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical for Nikon

09/05/2005 09:49:58 AM · #3

I wasn't refering to the HC entries at all. Just the same qualities that DPC voters gravitate towards which have become "slam dunk" standards and don't really encompass all that's out there to be seen and enjoyed.

vtruan

Nikon D5100

09/05/2005 09:55:28 AM · #4

I know what ya mean. Lately, blackened backgrounds are doing very well. Other less obvious points.

frumoaznicul

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

09/05/2005 09:58:40 AM · #5

"unpleasant and sad realities" I think photographs that treat subjects that are not shiny, colorful and pleasant don't do to good on this site. I always seem to be attracted to that, so I challenge everyone to find the most unpleasant thing around them and tell it's story in a photo the best you can. It also has to be something serious not something like the "unpleasant smell of my socks" for example.

09/05/2005 10:02:13 AM · #6

7 of my last 10 entries have all been in the 6 zone and four of those in respectable 6 territory. I've figured out how to shoot for DPCers...not ribbon material yet but what they like isn't too hard to figure out.

I'm starting to shoot and vote that way myself. Not a great thing. I feel like a zombie doing so.

I'd like to see people get squeezed a little more. In a positive way, of course.

09/05/2005 10:04:59 AM · #7

Originally posted by frumoaznicul:

I've been doing lots of that lately....

The first photo is totally DPCed-up. Done specifically to get votes but I do think it looks cool and I learned a lot about processing by testing with this image.

Message edited by author 2005-09-05 10:08:25.

frumoaznicul

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

09/05/2005 10:14:26 AM · #8

Originally posted by pawdrix:

I've been doing lots of that lately....

The first photo is totally DPCed-up. Done specifically to get votes but I do think it looks cool and I learned a lot about processing by testing with this image.

All 3 are verry strong , I especially like the first one, what a strong expression, composition and everything. Goes to my favorites.

09/05/2005 10:19:06 AM · #9

I could actually give Heida some credit for that one. Her tutorial on Post Processing really pointed me in the right direction. I didn't use her settings but her approach...which I assume is standard for people who know what they are doing, worked like a charm.

frumoaznicul

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

09/05/2005 10:26:13 AM · #10

Originally posted by pawdrix:

That matters less, you are the one who cought that expression and framed it so well, i don't care much about the postprocessing but since we are at it, maybe I don't know I feel like there is some neatimage there, or something that makes it so soft, IMHO images like this are more powerful without that, regardless of the noise amount I think i'd like it even more. But that doesn't matter so much, I know people here are obsessing on noisless images, maybe you are one of them, that's fine, but I like people to look like human beings not like plastic dolls. I think librodo's image for example regardless of the ribbon is ruined by that. Looks like a manequin more than a human being to me.

scales

Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3

09/05/2005 11:00:57 AM · #11

Originally posted by pawdrix:

I think I know what you mean, but don't forget that lots of us can only dream of getting a 6 or higher, let alone getting over 6 regularly. My aim is to improve and learn how to take good photos... if that means that I have to learn to take photos that appeal to a certain audience (your 'zombies') than I don't think that is a problem.

Personally I like challenges that are fairly vague (high constrast, macro, etc) as there's more chance I'll come up with an image that is worth enterring.

Having said all that, some users do seem to get ribbons because they are good in one area - e.g. portraits, and it would be good to have some challenges that don't always let people play to their strengths.

Canadian_eh

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

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

09/05/2005 11:05:31 AM · #12

I agree

Matthew

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

09/05/2005 11:24:40 AM · #13

Originally posted by pawdrix:

Hey Steve - hope that you are well. Those photos remind me of us towards the end of our night out in London...

They are really interesting. I have noticed that you have managed to propel yourself into the regular sixes. Impressive consistency in the last 7 challenges.

I think that part of the reason for high scoring is a better technical appreciation, which is prized highly at DPC. I agree that sharp, focussed images tend to be prerequisites to do well. Colours with depth are also good scorers, and you seem to have picked that up very well. Time for some ribbons!

I think that it is a mistake to feel that the technical strengths of your photos are type cast or their designation as DPC-popular-appeal images detracts from them. When you can create images with a high degree of technical merit, your decision to do something different becomes deliberate and more meaningful.

I would quite like to see your take on some "dirty" post processing for the homeless shots that you have taken. I quite like the gritty, dirty, urban look, which might be quite interesting for these. Also, it would be interesting (perhaps not feasible) to get the opposite: fashion mag/National Geographic quality style images of the poor and destitute, to highlight the disparity between the image quality and their situation.

Message edited by author 2005-09-05 11:25:22.

eschelar

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

09/05/2005 11:29:34 AM · #14

I'd love to see more like the april fools challenge. I'm still looking around for different shots of grapes. I was almost thinking of doing a Dr Jones type shot with creative skinning of a grape, but I don't think I could get away with it... My mother sometimes views this website :)

Here's one:

Odd Couple. Two elements that are not normally related either as complementary or as opposites that have been brought together.

09/05/2005 02:34:43 PM · #15

Originally posted by scales:

... if that means that I have to learn to take photos that appeal to a certain audience (your 'zombies') than I don't think that is a problem.

I guess the word Zombie can only be taken as a perjorative but I do love Zombies...always have. I look at DPC as a client that I need to please and my client likes and needs a certain look. That has pushed me into many cool areas and directions and I don't mean to belittle it's value. DPC is great but I wish people would educate themselves a little better and broaden all of our horizons. The mindset here is too set in stone and I don't really want to completely follow in (name of top DPC photographer here) footsteps all the time. I might learn a lot by doing so but I'd rather find my own voice. May never happen here and I would like my voice to meet with a ribbon. I feel as if I'm not communicating if I'm not being heard and I don't want my best work to fall on deaf ears.

Originally posted by legalbeagle:

Originally posted by pawdrix:
I've been doing lots of that lately....

Hey Steve - hope that you are well. Those photos remind me of us towards the end of our night out in London...

They are really interesting. I have noticed that you have managed to propel yourself into the regular sixes. Impressive consistency in the last 7 challenges.

I think that it is a mistake to feel that the technical strengths of your photos are type cast or their designation as DPC-popular-appeal images detracts from them. When you can create images with a high degree of technical merit, your decision to do something different becomes deliberate and more meaningful.

I would quite like to see your take on some "dirty" post processing for the homeless shots that you have taken. I quite like the gritty, dirty, urban look, which might be quite interesting for these. Also, it would be interesting (perhaps not feasible) to get the opposite: fashion mag/National Geographic quality style images of the poor and destitute, to highlight the disparity between the image quality and their situation.

Matt-That was probably the most fun night I spent my whole stay in London. I may not have looked liked the guy to the far right but I sure felt like him the next day. I might try and get back to GB in the Fall and hit Ireland for a few....beers! I look forward to another night out but next time...no holding back. No more Mr. Nice Guy. Are you game???

Now, about this "dirty" look, tell me more about it or point me in the right direction. Maybe DPC is primed and ready for a little "Dirt A La Pawdrix". Maybe I'll change my call name to UncleSticky and dish out lifes underbelly, unabridged.

Anyone know about this dirty processing? How's it done?

Message edited by author 2005-09-05 14:36:57.

Rikki

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

09/05/2005 02:36:34 PM · #16

Originally posted by pawdrix:

Originally posted by frumoaznicul:
"unpleasant and sad realities" I think photographs that treat subjects that are not shiny, colorful and pleasant don't do to good on this site. I always seem to be attracted to that, so I challenge everyone to find the most unpleasant thing around them and tell it's story in a photo the best you can. It also has to be something serious not something like the "unpleasant smell of my socks" for example.

I've been doing lots of that lately....

The first photo is totally DPCed-up. Done specifically to get votes but I do think it looks cool and I learned a lot about processing by testing with this image.

Steve: I'm curious. Would you mind posting the original of the first photo so I can see the steps you've gone through to achive this "DPC" look?

Artyste

Sony Ericsson W810i

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

09/05/2005 02:37:55 PM · #17

Although I'm in a very minor camp.. I also have been seeing a trend toward giving very recognisable and distinct members over-inflated votes lately. I'm not taking away from the skill level of said members, but sometimes it's 100% obvious to me that a few people are being worshipped to an extent that is almost bewildering.

However, that's life in the Human Nature lane, so we either just have to run with it, or distance ourselves from it.

I've made my decision.

love

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

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

09/05/2005 02:41:48 PM · #18

Originally posted by Artyste:

Boy ain't that the truth!

Rikki

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

09/05/2005 02:43:00 PM · #19

Originally posted by Artyste:

I agree. I am in that "minor camp" as well.

Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 HS

09/05/2005 02:46:05 PM · #20

Originally posted by rikki11:

Steve: I'm curious. Would you mind posting the original of the first photo so I can see the steps you've gone through to achive this "DPC" look?

Here's the original. I threw the kitchen sink at this one and over used Neatimage without question. I also used a lot of selective Color Layers, back and forth, then finished with a Sepia Filter Layer plus a few other standard goodies in between.

Arty-Bravo. Couldn't agree more.

Message edited by author 2005-09-05 14:54:51.

sittingonthegrass

09/05/2005 02:56:52 PM · #21

If 'neatimage' was banned most dpcers would be lost!

sittingonthegrass

Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 HS

09/05/2005 02:57:15 PM · #22

or rather the voters.....they would not know what to 'like'!

photodude

09/05/2005 04:02:38 PM · #23

Originally posted by Artyste:

How do you know who submitted a given image during voting?

love

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

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

09/05/2005 04:10:47 PM · #24

Originally posted by azoychka:

If 'neatimage' was banned most dpcers would be lost!

HAHAHAHA Love this comment!!!!

Just say NO to Neat Image!!

Message edited by author 2005-09-05 16:11:27.