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04/24/2006 08:38:23 AM · #1 |
After a year off I'm back and stuggling, I can't seem to put my finger on the missing component and feel like I'm doomed to a life of mid 5's on DPC.
Here's my last contest entry:
Now I know that it's not a medal winner but what's it lacking that causes it to attract so many 5's? Does my monitor need calibrating (it does look dull on this monitor compared to my laptop)? Do I need a course in how to crop? Is my subject matter lacking?
Please help!
I seem to be able to do well in the world of prints (won quite a bit in the local photographic society) but here on DPC something is missing for me. Any advise would be most appreciated :)
Cheers
Darren
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04/24/2006 08:53:52 AM · #2 |
i don't think there's anything wrong with your photo, it's lovely, so is the model... top job to both of you. but when it comes to DPC, you really need something to 'POP' something that is a little different to the norm, not something we can all do.
That is what i love bout this site, it pushes me to my limits, just browse the top 20-50 entries in any challenges, you'll soon get those juices flowing... there are so many wonderful photographers and photos here to get inspired by.... keep up your great work...
** EDITED TO ADD**
WOW after looking at your site, i really don't think you have much to worry about, maybe your just entering the wrong photos into the challenges.. great site and photos...!!!
Message edited by author 2006-04-24 08:56:29.
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04/24/2006 01:36:53 PM · #3 |
Thanks Kelly, you can be my bestest friend ;)
Can anyone else help? Please feel free to say it like it is, I'm a big boy now and I can take the comments, be rude if you like, as long as there is a point to what you say I need to hear it
Thanks in advance
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04/24/2006 01:47:05 PM · #4 |
I think the lighting could have been better (can't advise since I don't know much about how to use lighting for portraits, but it seems a little bright on her hands and left side of her hair). I also think it is cropped too close. Not a bad shot, just seemed average to me.
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04/24/2006 02:08:30 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by colda:
After a year off I'm back and struggling... Here's my last contest entry:
... what is it lacking that causes it to attract so many 5's? Does my monitor need calibrating (it does look dull on this monitor compared to my laptop)? Do I need a course in how to crop? Is my subject matter lacking?
Please help! |
Don't know if the other one was your mom, but I was one of the two that gave you a 10 on this image. :) It was one of my favorites so I'm probably not best suited to tell you what is wrong with it.
In a sense it might be too good. It has everything that makes a good portrait... composition, color, lighting, technical quality and non-distracting background. I'd be proud to take a picture as good and is why I gave it a score of 10 ("good" by site definition). But that is apparently not good enough for many DPC voters. That is what makes them think it average.
What it lacks to get a higher score at DPC is a unique feature or gimmick. In this case a unique feature might be an unexpected expression or perspective. A gimmick might be a post processing adjustment that pushes some specific quality of the composition, like colors, to the limit or slightly beyond reality.
The only "real" defect I see, and it is not much of one, is that the right side arm is a little overexposed, but that can easily be corrected in post.
Message edited by author 2006-04-24 14:16:14.
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04/24/2006 02:38:34 PM · #6 |
To me, there's not a lot of "spark" or unity in the image. The model's expression is where I really see the "spark" lacking. Also, there really is quite a bit going on with your model in terms of "extras"(hat, cane, watch, rings on multiple fingers, multiple catchlights in the eyes, the hair being a bit messy on one side, uneven shadows on part of the face) The simple backdrop and color choice (B&W) don't seem complimentary to the "extras".
I hope this helps. I definitely think it's a good picture. Probably just the teeny tiny tidbits that hold it back from being rated higher on DPC. |
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04/24/2006 02:49:14 PM · #7 |
I voted this an 8 because I liked it a lot and I still do.
If I absolutely HAD to change something, I'd say it needs more color - perhaps via a bright accessory, but that would be giving in and selling out.
Sometimes it really isn't our "fault" - many perfect wonderful photos get so-so scores.
Just be proud of the wonderful portrait and shrug it off as a DPC phenomenon. |
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04/24/2006 03:42:52 PM · #8 |
| I would have added somthing red, but that's me and I am new to photography. I really like the photo! Don't worry about the scores, I think they are based more on what stikes the peoples fancy at the moment of voting. |
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04/24/2006 05:46:08 PM · #9 |
Some excellent advice - thank you all very much!
The shoot was chaotic, simply a case of a couple of inexperienced models and me runnning around setting up lights etc and then grabbing pics when I could.
I have to be honest, I did not notice the untidy hair and some of the other imperfections mentioned, indeed it's true that voting will suffer accordingly.
Now I'm not too worried, I know that there is a nature of voting that means that we look for faults in a good photo and mark down accordingly and give average votes to photos that simply don't interest us, thus we have an effect where there are many reasons for a '5'.
One thing that I love about this site is it's push for 'perfection', although I have discovered first hand that there is much more to photography than DPC, I still consider DPC to be the greatest resource available to drive the creative edge that is required to succeed in the world of photography.
If I could change one thing here, it would be to find a way to let those that leave comments that it's a very good and beneficial thing to be honest. Sadly, due to those that take offence from such comments we end up only leaving 'well done' type comments or the safety-in-numbers 'image too small' comments (I am very guilty of doing this too).
Thank you again for the honest and beneficial comments, I will repay in the form of leaving helpful comments for others (and not be put off by the minority that take offence)
Cheers!
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