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04/16/2003 08:27:08 AM · #1 |
| I have to admit I am somewhat disappointed by my score in the color challenge although I have to admit I did expect some low scores. The fact of the matter is that the theme stated that "Color was supposed to be the most important element of the photo" It did not say that the photo had to be a COLOR photo. If you look at my picture there is no question that it is ABOUT color. I set this up to be as near perfect a picture as I could get as far as exposure, set up, focus etc. Granted it may not be that exciting or interesting but it IS about color. The object was to use the imagination to think about what these colors were. Isn't that what DPCHALLENGE is all about; imagination and creativity. Only about 30% of the people looking at the picture seemed to understand the point. 70% figured if it wasn't a picture in color it didn't satisfy the theme. If it were a Black and White Challenge I believe I would have scored significantly higher just on the merits of the picture. Sorry to vent here but I now understand what is acceptable in the future. I do greatly appreciate the comments that were made and have learned alot. I am having trouble getting my picture on this forum but you can look at it on my portfolio. It is called "Colors In Black and White" Thanks for reading this. |
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04/16/2003 08:38:03 AM · #2 |
Originally posted by lnede:
Granted it may not be that exciting or interesting but it IS about color. |
Maybe that was the problem? |
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04/16/2003 08:51:40 AM · #3 |
It is an oft lamented fact that most DPC voters tend to interpret challenges VERY literally.
Personally I love your take on the challenge which was very well set up and executed. Your concept for the challenge was more creative than most.
There are two possible solutions to the way you feel. Either
1. Be more literal in your interpretation of challenges. Shoot more flowers, kittens, flags and sunsets.
or
2. Don't worry about your score. Judge your success instead on the number of comments you receive.
Personally I'm happy with how my own colour challenge submission fared despite the low score. I was just happy to see comments from those people that understood my meaning.
John |
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04/16/2003 08:52:13 AM · #4 |
I did not enter nor vote on the 'color' challenge (I missed the deadline to enter, and decided not to vote as well - needed the break).
You are probably right though. You did an excellent job on your color entry, and if it would have been a challenge called "absence of color" or similar, you probably would have done better.
I am finding a given entry fairs better if it has some 'pop' to it. I think most of the successful entries (initially) grab the voters from the 'thumbnail', then real them in further with the 'full size' image. Have your heard the saying "You have one chance for a first impression", I think it applies to these challenges more times than not.
P.S. I really did like your entry, really.
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04/16/2003 08:53:37 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by joebar:
Originally posted by lnede:
Granted it may not be that exciting or interesting but it IS about color. |
Maybe that was the problem? |
That doesn't usually result in so many 1s & 2s though.
I thought it was a clever interpretation of the challenge but, predictably, many didn't. |
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04/16/2003 09:39:04 AM · #6 |
Well, I understand your point, but then there's no accounting for taste. I think the best approach is to do your best to produce a picture which you like and are happy with, and if it scores well, then that's a bonus.
My first entry in a challenge here, Gin and Tonic (which I was pleased with) did quite well. I also really liked my color entry, Techno Rainbow, but that didn't do nearly so well.
The moral is, you just can't tell what an audience will and won't like. Given that, you're much better off pleasing yourself. I'm happy with both of these shots.
It seems to me that all the great success stories in life have come from people doing something which they believed in and which happened to catch on. If you try to please the masses, you end up with something which nobody likes or which isn't very good.
And this isn't meant as a flame, but I don't really see the point of complaining about it - that's just life, deal with it :-)
For what it's worth, I liked your entry, thought it was a clever take on the challenge, and gave it a 7.
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04/16/2003 11:00:20 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by lnede:
Isn't that what DPCHALLENGE is all about; imagination and creativity. . |
Actually, I think it is about learning to take pictures that don't look like snapshots. Many of us here are not "artists" and could not care less to look for the "hidden" messages in photos. I personally just like to look at the pretty pictures and vote on their quality and how well the challenge is met.
Message edited by author 2003-04-16 11:35:26. |
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04/16/2003 11:07:40 AM · #8 |
"Photograph anything you like, but make color the most important element of your photo."
When I read this challenge description, I interpreted it as saying that the 'color' should be the most important element of the photo :) Color that is implied by black and white doesn't meet the challenge in my opinion.
Your interpretation of the challenge is creative. You can always get as creative as you like...
Your photo is a good photo, but I don't think it's a good photo in the context of this particular challenge...
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04/16/2003 11:16:00 AM · #9 |
| I personally gave your shot a 7. I think that the crayons definitely make color an element of your photo. While it is true that you haven't shot a perfect 10 shot there, I really liked it. I also really liked that you chose the crayons that no one has ever heard of. Timberwolf? I love it. |
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04/16/2003 12:27:22 PM · #10 |
I know your photo is about color but I don̢۪t think that color was necessarily the dominant artistic element used here. Because there is no color here the other elements are dominant, therefore I don̢۪t really think your photo met the challenge as well as most of the others did. I also don̢۪t particularly care for the subject though it is a very well done photo.
Just my 2c
Greg
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04/16/2003 12:33:04 PM · #11 |
I'm on the side of "does not meet the challenge."
It's been said 100 times, but I'll add 101 just for the weight of it - the ONLY reason to have a challenge at all is to force ourselves to do something we may not otherwise do. Any of us can put an egg on the carpet or black bg and shoot a shot. BFD. The challenge (imho) is to do what the rules say to the best of your ability. A black and white photo of a rose does not suggest red. A black and white picture of crayons...it's ok, but. And the but is color is not "the most dominant element" - it's there. I see the color as well...but is it dominant?
My problem with a few pictures last week was that they looked like they were just normal pictures, good ones at that, but that they were using the color challenge as an open challenge - "oh, but xxx thing in my picture is blue!! that's color!" Um...yeah, but is it dominant? Does it have meaning? Is there any reason for it?
I like your picture's composition. Remove the b/w and I give it a 7 or 8. As is, I gave it a 2 because I don't believe it meets the challenge.
I hope that's the kind of inside the head of the voter you wanted. :)
Good luck!
M
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04/16/2003 12:47:23 PM · #12 |
Follow the instructions,most of the voters are not philosophers!
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04/16/2003 01:34:24 PM · #13 |
| If you are happy with the photo, put it in your portfolio and smile. |
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04/16/2003 01:35:01 PM · #14 |
| Thank you for your responses to my post. It certainly helps to hear the varied opinions of the members. As I said I was "somewhat" disappointed by the score, but that was certainly not the issue. I think we would be fooling ourselves if anyone said that they did not get a thrill out of seeing the approval of other viewers at the end of a contest as indicated by a score of 5 or above. That is not the purpose of the challenges but just an indicator of public opinion and the need for possible improvement in technique or ideology. One can take it or leave it. Thanks again for all your input. I will certainly use the information you have provided to continue to improve as I feel I have done since joining DPChallenge. Have a great day :) |
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04/16/2003 03:31:37 PM · #15 |
We need to keep in mind that "art" is in the eye of the beholder. What one sees as "colors", others may not. Should the challenges be defined in detail to clarify any questions or place artistic limits, or left more open to creativity with the understanding that some will judge more narrowly! What a problem! Being creative is wonderful, while judging others creativity is sooooo difficult!
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04/16/2003 03:38:33 PM · #16 |
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04/16/2003 04:09:04 PM · #17 |
Another thing to keep in mind, and this is just speaking for myself, is that some of the voters are obviously not as good at photography as others. What are my qualifications to vote on Karmat or Gordon's photos? I've only recently learned half this stuff - they are applying it in advanced ways. Someone who gives you a 1 or 2 on an obviously not so bad submission - think about what kind of voter it COULD be (someone who knows pretty much nada about photog).
M
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04/16/2003 04:18:48 PM · #18 |
I'd disagree. You have eyes, you have an opinion, you are perfectly qualified to vote or comment on my pictures.
I want to know what people think about them, what they like, what they don't like, what maybe makes them laugh or smile or wish they were there.
I don't really care too much about comments picking on small technical flaws or things I could improve about how I took the picture - unless of course it is pretty extensive and detailed with some experience behind it, but the other stuff is what is important and helps me improve.
Mind you, if you just want to say 'good job' or 'it sucks' it isn't really worth wasting anyone's time |
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04/16/2003 04:19:59 PM · #19 |
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04/16/2003 04:42:32 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by Gordon:
I'd disagree. You have eyes, you have an opinion, you are perfectly qualified to vote or comment on my pictures.
I want to know what people think about them, what they like, what they don't like, what maybe makes them laugh or smile or wish they were there. |
I agree with what you are saying. I do vote and comment. I'm only saying that the original poster should think about WHO is voting and commenting - some great photogs, some normal average people. If you want to please the whole crowd, you have to do things differently than if you want to take a technically good artistic photo.
As far as what I say about your photos and Karmat's, I was referring to the original poster who said they were trying to imply the color and make you think about it, etc. I was adding that it's quite possible we don't see it, don't get it...and it IS our 'fault.' Though not one we can correct yet.
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04/16/2003 04:49:11 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by mavrik:
As far as what I say about your photos and Karmat's, I was referring to the original poster who said they were trying to imply the color and make you think about it, etc. I was adding that it's quite possible we don't see it, don't get it...and it IS our 'fault.' Though not one we can correct yet. |
Every few weeks we get threads about how everyone didn't 'get' a picture and that it is the fault of the viewer somehow. Although it is hard for the person who made the image to swallow, it is probably that their message wasn't very well communicated, or not as clear as they thought it was. If it was obvious, and still only a small percentage of viewers got it, then I'd respectfully suggest it isn't as obvious as was first thought. Photography is about visual communication and we are all trying to learn how to communicate better - both photographers and viewers, but the majority of people are actually extremely sophisticated at understanding visual communication - just due to the daily bombardment of images in normal life - the harder part is learning how to put the message into your pictures |
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04/16/2003 05:03:22 PM · #22 |
I have to agree that the end result is the only thing that counts. It doesn̢۪t matter if it is some picture that you took in fully auto mode that took you 3 seconds to get. A good picture is a good picture and a poor picture is a poor picture even if it took 15 hours to get and used the most advanced technique you could come up with. Anyone is qualified to vote on the pictures here in my opinion.
Greg
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04/16/2003 05:04:29 PM · #23 |
i second that, but i'd also add that people should realize that most people vote within 10 seconds of seeing an image.
We're not at an art gallery where a large print can be seen and visualized and scrutinized. An intricately photographed landscape work may not do well on DPC because NONE of the real details or lines or rhythms may show up in 640x480 resolution (it'll look very busy), but would look a lot more interesting printed out 8x12.
Also, it's interesting to see the difference in voting between people with cameras and people without cameras on here. They don't always match up in their opinions. i have seen gaps as much as 2 points between the averages.
Originally posted by Gordon:
Originally posted by mavrik:
As far as what I say about your photos and Karmat's, I was referring to the original poster who said they were trying to imply the color and make you think about it, etc. I was adding that it's quite possible we don't see it, don't get it...and it IS our 'fault.' Though not one we can correct yet. |
Every few weeks we get threads about how everyone didn't 'get' a picture and that it is the fault of the viewer somehow. Although it is hard for the person who made the image to swallow, it is probably that their message wasn't very well communicated, or not as clear as they thought it was. If it was obvious, and still only a small percentage of viewers got it, then I'd respectfully suggest it isn't as obvious as was first thought. Photography is about visual communication and we are all trying to learn how to communicate better - both photographers and viewers, but the majority of people are actually extremely sophisticated at understanding visual communication - just due to the daily bombardment of images in normal life - the harder part is learning how to put the message into your pictures |
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04/16/2003 05:08:23 PM · #24 |
Here's my example:
Sunrise
I got an average 5 from people with cameras, and average 7 from people without cameras :) But there are a lot more people on here with cameras, so it averaged to be about 5.1
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04/16/2003 05:21:23 PM · #25 |
I always make sure I always meet the challenge head on.
I want my photos to be marked on how good they are and how much impact they have on the viewer, not on whether they meet the challenge or not. Once you've done that you can be as artsy or clever as you want and the final score will truly reflect what the viewers thought of your shot.
I have pulled shots out of challenges when I've realised that they're going to get 'doesn't meet the challenge' votes - why subject myself to a low score just for the sake of it? |
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