Candlelight???? - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

12/13/2005 02:55:08 PM · #2

You have been DNMC nazied.

Move along...............

:-D

Actually, it's interesting to watch the voter trends. Many times voters will place requirements on the photo that were never implied or stated..just because it feels..to them..that it should be that way.

Its very common in pop voting. The secret here is to figure out how the voter will respond...like a game of sorts....Have fun :-D

Post Script....BTW..the challenge did read candlelight...not the image of a candle. The voting could have gone the other way but DP Challenge is very literal. When at all possible..if you are looking to avoid confusion..look for the most mainstream and literal view of a challenge..in this case an actual candle in the photo would have been the prudent way to go.

Message edited by author 2005-12-13 15:02:29.

wavelength

Nikon D300

12/13/2005 02:59:44 PM · #3

yeah, some people can't see past their own vision for a challenge and allow for other interpretations or compositions.

You also have to consider audience though.. having a candle in the shot helps to solidify the idea that the light is actually coming from a candle, instead of a yellow gel spotlight...

DjFenzl

12/13/2005 03:01:12 PM · #4

Originally posted by hokie:

...Actually, it's interesting to watch the voter trends. Many times voters will place requirements on the photo that were never implied or stated..just because it feels..to them..that it should be that way...

yea, like if it has a naked woman in it I give it a 10 (unless she's holding tools). If it has a dog or a horse in it I give it a 1. If it had a dog and a horse and a woman in it well that's a whole different kind of photo all together...
[sarcasm]

I actually agree sometimes there are interesting interpretations of what the rules are and sometimes simple misunderstandings. (I have been guilty of the misunderstandings)

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

12/13/2005 03:02:46 PM · #5

To me, in this particular challenge, I found shooting actual candlelight to be a challenge in itself. Therefore, if one only uses the lighting from the candle, where others took it a step further and made the leap to the flame, so to speak, then those got my higher votes. Not to mention that what "may" be candlelight, COULD be another source of low lighting, and just called candlelight. We, the voters, cannot see the lighting as actually being candle if it isn't seen in the shot. Especially when there is so much that can be manipulated with software and lighting, I think the candle and its lighting should be in the shot, or I know I voted them down.

Rose

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/13/2005 03:04:53 PM · #6

It does seem the nazis are out in full force. I think a few pictures have been hit because they contained other "light sources". (This is just a theory though) The challenge, of course, never said such was not allowed...

hokie

Nikon D2X

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Nikon

12/13/2005 03:05:50 PM · #7

Originally posted by Rose8699:

We, the voters, cannot see the lighting as actually being candle if it isn't seen in the shot. Especially when there is so much that can be manipulated with software and lighting, I think the candle and its lighting should be in the shot, or I know I voted them down.

Rose

That is an assumption against the photographer. Why make the assumption against the photographer instead of for the photographer and just let the photo be.

But that is another trend at DPC to remember. When in doubt..always go against the photographer :-D

Message edited by author 2005-12-13 15:06:25.

mesmeraj

12/13/2005 03:10:26 PM · #8

marvin - my candle is not visible in my photo either - but no one has complained in my instant.
Personally i feel that a lot of people missed the point of the challenge " use candlight to create impact" and just took a picture of a candle. A couple of the pictures of candles have impact (because of other elements also in the photos in addition to the light that is thrown off the flame) but most of them look like bad sears catologue photos. I've never been in awe of a sears catalogiues photography. The "impact" was just as important (if not more so) as the "candlelight" in this challenge imho. I escepted more creativity for DPC. I hope cheese isn't just blocks of cheese in a supermarket fridge.

(edit mind you, i have gotten a fair amoutn of 4's. Probably from people that make assumptions but don't leave a comment. The candle not being visible might justify some of those lower marks)

Message edited by author 2005-12-13 15:15:44.

Apple iPhone

12/13/2005 03:14:41 PM · #9

We have too many people who vote down things... I know of one person who votes down any alcohol picture, any nude, any drug photo, and there are a few more whether they're good or not she gives em poor votes.. doesn't seem right to me ... but thats how she chooses to vote. Sadly we have to deal with those people voting on our photos.

Originally posted by hokie:

Originally posted by Rose8699:
We, the voters, cannot see the lighting as actually being candle if it isn't seen in the shot. Especially when there is so much that can be manipulated with software and lighting, I think the candle and its lighting should be in the shot, or I know I voted them down.

Rose

That is an assumption against the photographer. Why make the assumption against the photographer instead of for the photographer and just let the photo be.

But that is another trend at DPC to remember. When in doubt..always go against the photographer :-D

Marc923

12/13/2005 03:15:57 PM · #10

Originally posted by marvin:

I'm with ya. I received a lengthy comment on why I'm getting voted down because I DNMC. The comment even questioned if I really used a candle. This ticks me off. Just because some people have a difficult time taking a picture in candlelight, doesn't mean others do.

Edit for spelling. Oops.

Message edited by author 2005-12-13 15:21:52.

mesmeraj

12/13/2005 03:19:10 PM · #11

Originally posted by lepidus:

Just because some people have a difficult time taking a picture in candlelight, doesn't mean others do.

Aint that the truth!!
Nothing said it had to be candle light exclusively anyways. Just that the light from the candle should create impact.

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

12/13/2005 03:21:26 PM · #12

Originally posted by hokie:

It's not an assumption, but a fact. The challenge was called "Candlelight". I want to see the flicker, the candle, the light from it. I don't want to see something possibly photoshopped to a harsh yellow/orange/red and a portrait of someone in it (for example).

When candlelight is so hard to take photos of as it is due to the low light conditions of it, yet the brightness of the flame (at least in mine and most cases I would think), then I give those who tried more kudos.

Of course, others took it differently, as in impact from the candlelight, but there are quite a few entries I don't even see that in. Mine has impact from the light, and the candle, and the flame, yet is barely pushing a 5.0...LOL. So it is all in the voters mouse as to what one gets for scores, for sure. I just have my own opinion of how this challenge was really a challenge, and in several ways.

Rose

jduffett

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

12/13/2005 03:26:26 PM · #13

It is one thing to submit a photo without reading/understanding the challenge description, or to misinterpret it--you're only hurting yourself. It is another thing entirely to vote on an entire challenge without reading/understanding the description, particularly if you are going to be militant about voting down for DNMC. There are often different, yet valid, interpretations of the challenge description. If it can be reasonably assumed that an image was created on the basis of such an interpretation (even if that interpretation was different than your own), and was well executed with that interpretation in mind, why vote it down? On a similar note, in cases such as this, where there may be no clear evidence of the challenge being met (ie a candle flame visible in the shot), why vote it down? Why not give the photographer the benefit of the doubt? For that matter, even if candle light was not used, but the lighting and ambiance of a candle was skilfully simulated, does it really matter?

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

12/13/2005 03:32:43 PM · #14

Originally posted by jduffett:

Well, you know? It is all semantics really. This can be argued till the cows come home (utoh, another good pun to use! :)

Someone voted mine down too. Not for the candle. Not for the flame. Not for the composition, the focus, lighting, or anything else that should have been taken into consideration. But because they simply didn't understand why I used the background I did. LMAO!

So, as di53 says "Sadly we have to deal with those people voting on our photos", and with that, I totally agree! :)

Rose

hokie

Nikon D2X

12/13/2005 03:34:31 PM · #15

My theory is this.

Many photographers who enter here are certain that their photo was THE way to shoot the photo. Their photo is the most creative, most inspiring..dare I say..the definition of the challenge.

Then...the vote begins....they see other photos that may have come at the challenge from a totally unthought of angle. It doesn't meet their vision....boom....vote it down.

You know what my biggest thrill is here? To see that idea that I didn't think of but wished I did. All of a sudden...my horizons expand...my creative juices flow.

I wonder who has that sense of "Hmm..that is different...I can dig it" or is it more "What in the world was that person thinking?..It doesn't look like anything I would consider".

Message edited by author 2005-12-13 15:35:38.

DjFenzl

12/13/2005 03:38:14 PM · #16

Originally posted by hokie:

I have v8 moments all the time where I smack myself in the head and say "I never even thought of it like that". Agreed it get's me to thinking as well and is one of my favorite parts of the site too.

Marc923

12/13/2005 03:39:30 PM · #17

I always follow the challenge rules. I even re-read them over and over to make sure I understand it. This one is pretty simple to understand.

So when I get accused of not following the challenge, I take offense.

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

12/13/2005 03:40:18 PM · #18

Originally posted by hokie:

GOSH, I saw some great shots in this challenge. Some I wish I had thought of, and some I did think of but couldn't reproduce. I don't vote them down, I vote them up.

I never vote keeping my own photo in mind. Then that would be voting by comparison too it, and to me that would be wrong. However, I do give out the votes as I feel they are deserved, and I have never entered a challenge here yet (10 so far) where I thought mine should have been the clear winner. I always make sure that those I feel should win get those high votes. On the other hand, those that I feel should be voted lower get those too, for whatever reason depending on challenge.

We all have our own reasoning for voting, while we try to keep the rules or suggestions of voting in mind. Sometimes its a very tight and fine line, because our personal views, likes, and dislikes come into play; however, that is what makes us all individuals. If everyone voted alike, then these challenges wouldn't be much fun.

Rose

Marc923

12/13/2005 03:41:49 PM · #19

Originally posted by hokie:

You know what my biggest thrill is here? To see that idea that I didn't think of but wished I did. All of a sudden...my horizons expand...my creative juices flow.

Ditto. I do look forward to seeing what people come up with.

permapier

Nikon D70s

12/13/2005 03:42:03 PM · #20

Falling candles is my second photo to enter into the contest and currently rated 5.3..... Is my photo that bad, or am I extremely hard on myself.

Justin

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

12/13/2005 03:43:40 PM · #21

Originally posted by permapier:

Falling candles is my second photo to enter into the contest and currently rated 5.3..... Is my photo that bad, or am I extremely hard on myself.

Justin

What do you mean "your second photo to enter"? And did you just reveal an entry called "falling candles" being yours?

Edited to add that I don't see an entry called Falling Candles, so I don't quite understand your post.

Rose

Message edited by author 2005-12-13 15:46:55.

mesmeraj

12/13/2005 03:45:10 PM · #22

5.3 is good permapier, especially in this challenge which is a low baller. Low-mid fives will the the average score. The winner will be in the high-mid 6's.
Check out some of the past challenges (challenge/challenge archives) and see what normally gets a 5.3.
Welcome to the site :)

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

12/13/2005 03:48:11 PM · #23

Permapier, you aren't supposed to reveal your challenge entry during voting. This is really more a matter of site etiquette; you may wish to edit your post to remove the title of your entry.

A score of 5.3 is not really a bad score, especially for a second entry.

PS Welcome to DPC!

Message edited by author 2005-12-13 15:48:45.

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

12/13/2005 03:49:45 PM · #24

Originally posted by Rose8699:

The challenge was called "Candlelight". I want to see the flicker, the candle, the light from it. I don't want to see something possibly photoshopped to a harsh yellow/orange/red and a portrait of someone in it (for example).

My shot resembles this remark, although it was shot by candlelight only.

permapier

Nikon D70s