Average Photographer - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR

12/31/2005 12:31:55 AM · #26

Originally posted by ButterflySis:

Originally posted by philup:

Originally posted by ButterflySis:
Can't really say I agree with your "a pro is a 2+ ribbon winner theory". I would think you could learn from anyone...especially anyone scoring above the 5's you're currently scoring.

Like you said, it's hard to ribbon here and most of the time I don't pick/agree with the winning photos, but that's my taste. Just because someone doesn't have a ribbon, or two, or ten, doesn't mean they are not a pro. Tell him he's not a pro.

Once again, I never said I couldn't learn from somebody who has not won a ribbon..I just wanted some advice from sombody who has won two or three ribbons..what can't you understand about that?????

Okay, fine, strike my second sentence. Still don't agree with your reasoning...

Originally posted by philup:
Maybe some of you pros can help me with that. Pros is what I call winning two or more ribbons. One ribbon is a fluke..sorry..

I still don't think saying a single ribbon is a fluke is very nice or accurate. That's like saying your 6 was a fluke.

Anyway, left you a comment. Hope you find it helpful.

yes, my 6 was a fluke..!! I can't get back there...so it was a fluke.. :-)...!!

ButterflySis

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/31/2005 12:35:52 AM · #27

Originally posted by philup:

yes, my 6 was a fluke..!! I can't get back there...so it was a fluke.. :-)...!!

LOL - okay, you win.

Aim for a 7 and settle for a 6. Then aim for an 8 and settle for a 7. In other words, push yourself and don't underestimate yourself. As always, study the winning photos and comments and see what people like/dislike about them.

BADDBOYY21

Nikon D300

12/31/2005 12:36:26 AM · #28

Originally posted by philup:

Ok, then give me your advice on my picture...and if scalvert gives me some advice I'm suppose to take your comments over his...once again..I will repeat myself...I want some GREAT advice on my picture..!!!

I'm done talking to you...definitely a waste of time.

12/31/2005 12:41:27 AM · #29

Originally posted by ButterflySis:

Originally posted by philup:
yes, my 6 was a fluke..!! I can't get back there...so it was a fluke.. :-)...!!

LOL - okay, you win.

Aim for a 7 and settle for a 6. Then aim for an 8 and settle for a 7. In other words, push yourself and don't underestimate yourself. As always, study the winning photos and comments and see what people like/dislike about them.

That is good advice.. and thank you for you comment..!! It does help!

fitmpdnsthtr

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon

12/31/2005 12:58:17 AM · #30

I understand you want some advice on a photo, why is no one giving you any on the photo, but instead talking about the voting process and recieving good scores.

Here is some, don't know if it will help...
The depth of field could work for this photos, but you must zoom in on the leaf a little more, it's too small of a subject to be the only thing in focus. Also, the branch just behind the leaf is blown out, would have been better if there was more detail in the stick, even if it's blury. And the leaf is too dark, it doesn't help emphasize the fact that it's the only thing in focus.
In other words, lighting is what hurt you hear. I think the DOF could work really well with what you have.

Hope that helped

graphicfunk

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/31/2005 01:02:18 AM · #31

Originally posted by philup:

Thats me....but I'm happy with it. I've had One photo in the 6's and two in the 4's..the rest are in the 5's...I know I can't compete with scalvert, librodo, graphicfunk just to name 3 of the many but I can learn from there work. For 2006 I would like to have my average around 6.0.

I try not to go into challenges thinking I'm going to win. I'm competing with anybody in the 5 range. A 6 is a win for me. At least for now. I think in order to win or at least get back in the 6's I must learn from my mistakes. Maybe some of you pros can help me with that. Pros is what I call winning two or more ribbons. One ribbon is a fluke..sorry..

Maybe a pro a tell me where I went wrong on this picture

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I am the junior in your list but very happy to offer assistance. first let us begin with your High Contrast, Working Hands and then the creative shot bathroom nightlight. These images show that you are searching for a winning image. Some may tell you that winning is not all and they are right, but then tuning yourself up to win is fun and more fun when you do ribbon. And you will. Just keep trucking and meanwhile work on your technique. Your ideas are quite ahead of your capability with a camera, but then it is easy to tweak technique but not so easy to invite ideas. So you have the ideas and here is what will drive you to explore more self education.

Personally, I shoot to please myself and this I can prove. You see, I can tell you what most images will end up with. Some of mine I knew would stay below the 5.5 mark but I liked them and took the hits. Otherwise, I would wait to enter only when I knew I could win. I know a top 5 image.

Now, about your current image. this falls under artistic studies. Why, well, you are offering very little to the viewer. The diagonal composition is pleasant but then there is some ambiguity in the background. Here is the problem with diagonals: the eye will invariably examine both background sides of the subject and if the eye can take in the background in one breath, fine. If the eye has to examine it is because something is not right or something is distracting. Consider also that the leaf at the end offers no real visual reward. So the eyes come to rest at the top and then wonder back up the branch and then listlessly they begin to examine the bg. Now, as an artistic study it passes because an artistic study does not require a polished technique.

You are right. It is not easy to ribbon. Not all pictures that ribbon deserve it but most of them do. I always tell folks to vote and comment on as many images as possible. By looking and commenting you learn a lot and most important you learn what makes an image a winner.

Message edited by author 2005-12-31 01:04:30.

Brent_Ward

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

12/31/2005 01:14:36 AM · #32

I would say the 5.2 was a generous score. The background bokeh is very distracting, the photo could use more space on the bottom, it's soft, you should crop out the in focus branch towards the top, and the highlight of the upper part of the branch and the dark out of focus background spot are competeing with the leaf.

I realize that I have no ribbon, so take it for what it's worth. ;o)

peecee

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/31/2005 01:24:52 AM · #33

I like the overall composition,in my view the colour option with pin sharp focus on the leaf may have been the better choice, depending of course on the background colour,in b/w it is very distracting.
You don't give the details, iso,shutter etc, this would maybe help the "pros" give you more advice.My personal vote would have been 4, mainly because of the lack of a focal point and distracting bokeh.
As for competing, of course you can,you do some good work, just haven't cracked the " what do the voters like " question,same as many of us on this site :-)

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

12/31/2005 10:15:34 AM · #34

THANKS everybody for helping me out..!! Just trying to learn as much as I can...Thanks again..!! And Happy New Year.!!

hokie

Nikon D2X

12/31/2005 11:44:05 AM · #35

Originally posted by philup:

I am not a pro photographer... I work with pros everyday..it would be insulting to them if I called myself a pro..even though I do get paid and make a good side income from shooting photos. My standards are very high and I have shot only a few that meet what I want to do in photography plus...I haven't the guts yet to live on my photography.

That aside....your shot that you asked for help on is a lot like a shot I just did and scored O.K. with.

I think the main difference between the two is your subject is not as well defined.

I really like your depth of field, the isolation of the subject and the Bokeh is very nice which speaks well for your gear. If you could have brought the subject..(the leaf)..inot greater focus and clarity I think the shot would really have improved.

The main way to do well here is....

..Clearly define the subject
..Use the rule of thirds and lots of other camera "rules". The main benefit of that is that there are a lot of aspiring photgs here and they love to analyze photos based on common technical rules they are learning
..Learn dramatic lighting
..Pay attention to your titles. There are a lot of people you can gain points on by being clever and smart with your title.

And a bunch of other stuff other people can tell you...

Then do like me and ignore all of this cause you just like to shoot for fun!!!!!!

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

12/31/2005 11:48:17 AM · #36

Originally posted by hokie:

Originally posted by philup:
Thats me....but I'm happy with it. I've had One photo in the 6's and two in the 4's..the rest are in the 5's...I know I can't compete with scalvert, librodo, graphicfunk just to name 3 of the many but I can learn from there work. For 2006 I would like to have my average around 6.0.

I try not to go into challenges thinking I'm going to win. I'm competing with anybody in the 5 range. A 6 is a win for me. At least for now. I think in order to win or at least get back in the 6's I must learn from my mistakes. Maybe some of you pros can help me with that. Pros is what I call winning two or more ribbons. One ribbon is a fluke..sorry..

Maybe a pro a tell me where I went wrong on this picture

I am not a pro photographer... I work with pros everyday..it would be insulting to them if I called myself a pro..even though I do get paid and make a good side income from shooting photos. My standards are very high and I have shot only a few that meet what I want to do in photography plus...I haven't the guts yet to live on my photography.

That aside....your shot that you asked for help on is a lot like a shot I just did and scored O.K. with.

I think the main difference between the two is your subject is not as well defined.

I really like your depth of field, the isolation of the subject and the Bokeh is very nice which speaks well for your gear. If you could have brought the subject..(the leaf)..inot greater focus and clarity I think the shot would really have improved.

The main way to do well here is....

..Clearly define the subject
..Use the rule of thirds and lots of other camera "rules". The main benefit of that is that there are a lot of aspiring photgs here and they love to analyze photos based on common technical rules they are learning
..Learn dramatic lighting
..Pay attention to your titles. There are a lot of people you can gain points on by being clever and smart with your title.

And a bunch of other stuff other people can tell you...

Then do like me and ignore all of this cause you just like to shoot for fun!!!!!!

Great advice..!! Thank you. I like your picture a lot better than mine. Congrats on your top 5!

joshua

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/31/2005 12:18:34 PM · #37

i took the liberty (hope you don't mind) to put my own spin on things

i see two problems with your photo...the subject as i see it as the viewer is the leaf...which is far too dark in that exposure. in photoshop i used curves to bump up the brightness and contrast and dodged the leaf to bring out the veins, then applied a simple sepia tone to the whole thing. the second issue is your crop. the leaf itself falls on one of the thirds lines (good), but the rest of the photos is not effective negative space (bad), and takes away from the impact of the leaf. so i did a portrait style crop and really like the result. just my .02 but try exploring many different techniques, crops, colors, contrasts before submitting so that you give yourself a good group of variations to choose from

hokie

Nikon D2X

12/31/2005 12:25:57 PM · #38

Good Job achiral!!!

I like the results a lot :-)