Worst one ever! - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

09/25/2006 09:24:52 AM · #1

I have participated in 45 challenges since joining DPC in April of this year. I have considered each photo that I have submitted to be a success, because it allowed me to gain some insights and learn based on comments.

Except for this one:

This is my first entry where I have received zero (0) comments. Till then the minimum was five (5). So with that said I would very much appreciate you sharing your insights as to why this might be.

I offer my speculations as to why this particular photo received zero comments:
a) The photo was so "technically" bad that voters wanted to refrain from providing strong criticism.
b) The photo presented conflicting thoughts or messages, and voters were left unsure of what to comment.
c) The photo was void of any message or thought, so the voters had nothing to say about it.
d) All of the above.

I can certainly deal with "a)", since technicalities are much easier to improve upon. "b) is a little troublesome, but at least there was something present. "c)" is extremely dissapointing, since I believe that that is one of the most important parts of photography. And of course "d)" is just bad all around.

Well, I would like your HONEST opinion. Which do you think it is, or did I miss an option?

This is not meant to be a whine session, but simply a means for me to improve my work. You will NOT hurt my feelings with your criticism, but please be civil.

Thanks.
Sherwin

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

09/25/2006 09:31:56 AM · #2

left a comment.

roba

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/25/2006 11:37:04 AM · #3

Left you a comment...

roba

bood

Canon EOS-5D

09/25/2006 11:53:04 AM · #4

get over it
and
take more pictures!!

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

09/25/2006 12:17:06 PM · #5

The main reason I posted this thread was to gain some insight as to why this particular photo did not receive any comments, whereas all my other entries did.

In response to my posting I did receive some excellent comments on this shot. Thank you roba, timfythetoo, KarenNfld, Melethia, eyewave, jaded youth and bood! I'll keep your feedback in mind for future shots.

Generally speaking the photo did not present a message well. The subjects in the shot were not clear and believable, and there were some technical issues (lighting, compostion, etc.). I'm still not entirely clear on why this particular shot received no comments, but as bood mentioned I will "get over it". Maybe it was just happenstance.

Bood, there is no question that I plan on taking more pictures and really there's nothing to get over, but I do appreciate your frankness.

Thanks again.
Sherwin

posthumous

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

09/25/2006 12:25:31 PM · #6

I was very confused by what looks like a big pile of sand or salt. It looks like it was just kind of dumped there for the picture. And the light makes me feel like I'm inside rather than outside.

and btw, I am a very big fan of your people shots (not saying you shouldn't branch out, but I do have great confidence in your ability to tell a story with an image).

Shaman

Canon EOS-40D

09/25/2006 12:59:32 PM · #7

Everyone has off days. If 5.3 is your worst, then you are in good shape. My seed entry tanked at 4.9 - the fist below 5 I've had since my very first few entries at DPC - and now my Abstract is trending that way too. Keep on trying. I am.

mist

Canon EOS-60D

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

09/25/2006 01:08:44 PM · #8

Originally posted by Shaman:

Everyone has off days. If 5.3 is your worst, then you are in good shape.

Indeed. My highest score is lower than that. I don't think you've got a lot to complain about - not everyone is going to like all your photos.

Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS USM

09/25/2006 04:33:41 PM · #9

Originally posted by mist:

Originally posted by Shaman:
Everyone has off days. If 5.3 is your worst, then you are in good shape.

Indeed. My highest score is lower than that. I don't think you've got a lot to complain about - not everyone is going to like all your photos.

I measure the success of my photos here at DPC NOT by score I get or the ribbon achieved (although both are great motivation boosters), but the impact they have on the viewers - as respresented by the comments I receive.

Thanks for commenting.
Sherwin

rider

Canon EOS-7D

09/25/2006 04:46:20 PM · #10

you would really be in trouble if you only got the comments that i get------lol

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

09/25/2006 05:02:44 PM · #11

To me, the closest answer is 70% C and 30% A. There's a message there, but it's not a strongly compelling one, and it's not presented well enough to grab the short attention spans of the voters.

Does that make sense to you?

What do you think the answer is?

Dr.Confuser

Nikon D800

09/25/2006 05:27:22 PM · #12

Left a comment.

Photologist

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

09/25/2006 06:18:18 PM · #13

The bokeh is nice, but there is a loss of detail in the right side of the mound (it's a little washed out).

Like the others, I didn't get it. My first thoughts were a pecan (or even a dead leaf) with raisins. With "death" in the title, that's what made me think of a dead leaf.

What did you use for the sand effect? If it was brown sand (or you wanted a sepia effect), then the color cast is good. If it was salt, then there may be some color cast issues.

I've entered dozens of photographs (mostly in other mediums, not DPC)and have come to face the fact that not everyone can be moved, and not everyone's "hot buttons" pushed, by every photograph that you enter or display. There are always a great number of viewers that just won't "get it" and DPC is no different.

At any rate, keep up the good work (I've perused your portfolio) and you'll get some great constructive feedback. "Patience, my young grasshopper." :D

Rebecca

Nikon D80

09/25/2006 06:44:05 PM · #14

The seeds weren't terribly obvious as seeds - they easily could have been raisins. There wasn't much of a color punch (which DPC so notoriously likes that the site addressed it specifically in the Pastels challenge). It looks like a dried yucca pod to me, not sure that voters, who mostly skim, will ever take the time to figure out what it is.

I thought when I saw it that it might be a sort of parody of the sand worms from Dune. The dried flower looks like a sand worm erupting from the desert to eat a couple Fremen.

09/25/2006 07:23:44 PM · #15

Thank you all very much for the excellent feedback. I really do appreciate your honesty and value each comment.

By the way, in response to some questions:
- The pod is a dried up day lily pod
- The sand like stuff is actual off-white/beige art sand.
- The raison-like black objects are actual day lily seeds.
- There is a single light on the right side to give the intentionally sharp shadows.

Thanks again for your comments!

Sherwin

Photologist

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max