Please, Sir, I'd like some more - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

04/10/2006 08:04:21 AM · #1

No, this is not the musical of Oliver, but I do come forward with a request.

With over 400 entries, a low voter turnout of 162 votes, and my the first challenge where the stat of "Average Vote per Users w/out Cameras = 0.0000" I need some advice/critiques on my entry.

Too dark, to light, needs more contrast, more saturation, too much saturation, the colors levels are off by my monitor, something more is needed to add to the composition and it is ______, I found the composition appealing/unappealing because.....

Yadda, yadda, yadda - Mostly I am comment starved (I know, so is the rest of the community at large as well). I do appreciate the few comments I did recieve during the challenge but I humbly ask for some additional input. Any help/assistance offered will only help my skills grow.

Thank you.

deapee

Kodak V803

04/10/2006 08:11:06 AM · #2

Well, since you asked, I think there's something odd about the photo...the ground is too dark, and the sky is too bright and almost purple. I think if you could choose which you'd rather include more of (the ground, or the sky) and recompose then you'd do a bit better also...or if you waited for a time when the lighting was more 'evenly distributed' and the sky wasn't so much brighter than the ground.

smilebig4me1x

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

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

04/10/2006 08:28:06 AM · #3

left ya a comment and my thoughts on improving this shot( which is lovely BTW)

tate

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

04/10/2006 08:39:59 AM · #4

OK - I think it's a decent image.

It's tough dishing out criticism when we ALL have our own issues with our images :) ...
I sometimes hesitate to say anything because i am sometimes vctim to the exact same things i critisize :) ... so take this stuff with a grain:

I have 3 criticisms that for me make it a vote of no greater than a 6. I feel that it lacks a great deal of originality. In other words i've seen 2 images on dpc that have these exact elements in almost the exact same premise. Secondly, I think the position of the person is a bit forced and looks a little awkward for the style that you're going for. When reading that you had a hard time getting into this position that might actually be part of the problem. Lastly, and most significant ... the print on the umbrella is a little too redundant and distracting. if it was just yellow or a solid color it would be less distracting and allow the strength of the more important elements to come forth.

hope this helps.

Message edited by author 2006-04-10 08:40:37.

04/10/2006 07:43:05 PM · #5

Originally posted by deapee:

Hmmm, yes, I have to agree with your assesment. I wish that this capture had more cloud cover to diffuse the bright blue sky - photo shoot started at 11:30 a.m when I really should have started at 9 a.m. (problem was there was no clouds at all) or waited for a late afternoon shoot where the light is more even and richer in tone (again a problem in my location as that cloud formation late afternoon typically are not the puffy cloud variety). It is just hard getting nature to cooperate LOL. I may or maynot put this on the backburner for a reshoot when conditions are right and I don't have that Challenge deadline ticking away.

One thing that concerns me on the image as it stands now - you mention it is almost purple. I did not play with the levels or saturation in the sky - nor did I have a filter on the camera. That color is straight from the camera. But now that you mention it, I do see that there is a nod in that hue direction - not what I want to have in possibly ordering the print version. I have some playing around to do.

Thank you for your time and critique.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

04/10/2006 08:27:18 PM · #6

Originally posted by metatate:

OK - I think it\'s a decent image.

It\'s tough dishing out criticism when we ALL have our own issues with our images :) ...
I sometimes hesitate to say anything because i am sometimes vctim to the exact same things i critisize :) ... so take this stuff with a grain:

I have 3 criticisms that for me make it a vote of no greater than a 6. I feel that it lacks a great deal of originality. In other words i\'ve seen 2 images on dpc that have these exact elements in almost the exact same premise. Secondly, I think the position of the person is a bit forced and looks a little awkward for the style that you're going for. When reading that you had a hard time getting into this position that might actually be part of the problem. Lastly, and most significant ... the print on the umbrella is a little too redundant and distracting. if it was just yellow or a solid color it would be less distracting and allow the strength of the more important elements to come forth.

hope this helps.

Tate, by all means a harsh but fair critique is helpful for it gives me some insight into what others think. So I do ponder on all that is said in a critique - some I will agree with, some not, some suggestions are possible some are not.

Two things:

1. As far as originality - And here I thought I was being original. The concept was partly inspired in part by Mary Poppins and is to be an accompaning piece to Rainy Daisy Days. But as the saying goes, 'There is nothing new under the sun'---we can only hope to add a new twist to an idea or new spin. I am very curious though - Could you PM or point me to links of the pictures that my photo bears a resemblance to?

2. Yes, agreed that the pose does appear not come off naturally. But the 'frolicing' stance that I originally had in mind would have had the umbrella at an odd angle to the single hand casually leaning back to toss/summon another flower. So I don't really know what can be done on that front aside from sacrificing the umbrella as a major element which I do not want to do. Hmmmm, have to ponder on this.

Techo

Canon EOS-7D

04/10/2006 08:55:32 PM · #7

I really liked the photo and think it has very good potential. It's very original to my eye. Mostly I found it looking too flat , it needed more contrast. Looking at the photo again, also think the Color Balance is off as well. With the umbrella blocking much of her body I do find the position of the model a tad strange. Perhaps if she wasn't walking away at an angle but with her back straight to us? but again if the back wasn't as dark as it is, that may have helped aswell.

First I tried to keep with the Basic set of rules, levels, color balance, sat/hue and selective coloring to get the colors and contrast.

Under the Advanced set of rules... some burning of the top section of the sky, and dodging the umbrella and the back of the lady, and an extra slight dodge and burn to the grass in the forefront. The burn and dogde helped with the sort of flat lighting.

If I may post the edited version. Not perfect but just an example of what can be done with it. Will link remove upon request.

Message edited by author 2006-04-10 23:19:05.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/10/2006 09:40:45 PM · #8

Originally posted by Techo:

I really liked the photo and think is has very good potential. It's very original to my eye. Mostly I found it looking too flat , it needed more contrast. Looking at the photo again, also think the Color Balance is off as well. With the umbrella blocking much of her body I do find the position of the model a tad strange. Perhaps if she wasn't walking away at an angle but with her back straight to us? but again if the back wasn't as dark as it is, that may have helped aswell.

First I tried to keep with the Basic set of rules, levels, color balance, sat/hue and selective coloring to get the colors and contrast.

Under the Advanced set of rules... some burning of the top section of the sky, and dodging the umbrella and the back of the lady, and an extra slight dodge and burn to the grass in the forefront. The burn and dogde helped with the sort of flat lighting.

If I may post the edited version. Not perfect but just an example of what can be done with it. Will link remove upon request.

{Insert jawdrop emoticon here} Holly cow! Thank you. Yup some of the elements in your redraft of my original definately pop and are a much needed improvement. I definately need to boast my editing skills - Sending you a PM.

Message edited by author 2006-04-10 21:41:07.

seebrown

Canon EOS-30D

04/10/2006 09:45:41 PM · #9

Originally posted by Techo:

My thoughts exactly ... with the colour adjustment really makes it stand out ... well done Techo (would have voted this an 8 or 9 instead of the 6 I gave it)

Techo

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

04/10/2006 11:22:58 PM · #10

Originally posted by C Novack:

Glad I could be of some help :)
You did all the hard work, extra points for the self portrait. Trying some myself, those extra takes do give one a work out ;)

Thanks for the PM. Though I won't be able to reply tonight *sigh* will do ASAP. Will try to add a few touches to the work flow aswell. Not working with layers, the addition of contrast did overblow the clouds a bit more than in the original.

Message edited by author 2006-04-10 23:23:35.

Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG for Pentax

04/21/2006 10:00:37 PM · #11

After trying my hand at Burn & Dodge, going back and playing with Shadows/Midtones/Highlights, Color Levels, Curves, Brightness & Contrast, etc, etc, etc, I finally arrived with a version I am happy with (especially after looking at the 8x10 photo proof).

My thanks to everyone who gave me some wonderful and blunt critiques as well as pointed out some direction on how to improve the image.

It was flat and 'washed out'

BEFORE

AFTER

Message edited by author 2006-04-21 22:00:58.

Leok

Pentax K10D

04/22/2006 03:06:10 AM · #12

C Novack, your edited version is a big improvement. I still prefer the bright, eye popping yellow on Techo's version though, the yellow should be the focus in this image and its still a bit bland in your version (for my taste anyway)

Great concept though, keep on shooting!

lfordhere

Canon EOS-20D

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

04/22/2006 03:56:16 AM · #13

I really like how there is depth and texture to the photo. I saw that it had potential, and couldn't help but to play with it a bit.