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04/28/2007 11:51:09 AM · #1 |
Hi!
I recently turned this picture in as a project for my photography class [under subject texture] and I got a 75/100, but in my personal opinion, I thought it was better than that.
Who do you agree with? Any thoughts, ideas, comments?
Ps.
It's on a "before/After" mode because that's the way my photo teacher makes us turn in our assignments. Maybe it'll help your judgement better though.
Here's the link to the picture.
Once again, thanks for taking your time.
I appreciate it a lot! |
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04/28/2007 02:15:20 PM · #2 |
I think you chose a good subject for the theme. I like the way you brought the reds out in the bricks, and the greenish hue in the background sets the reds off really well.
In terms of bettering the image (IMO) I would have cropped out the background far more - leave a little in to give it context, and to allow the curvature of the wall come through, but I think I would have gone as far as to crop out the table and chairs - they're distracting and draw the eye away from the bricks, instead of following the lines "around" the wall. I would have cropped the top off until that white pole was taken out of the image ( alternatively were you allowed to clone out perhaps?)
I am also a stickler for verticals - I would have straightened the image out (using Picasa) to get the vertical lines of the brick pattern to line up with the frame.
If I were to go back there and re-shoot, I would have got down a little lower too: to see the wall more head on.
I think that the changes I would have made all come from the same place: the subject is not comfortable to look at, because of a) it's angle and b) the distracting surrounds.
I do like the concrete textures that come through however: the crack and stains.
Caroline
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04/28/2007 02:23:38 PM · #3 |
| Was it an exercise in photography or post processing? Because it looks like you used the latter more with this example. |
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04/28/2007 02:30:29 PM · #4 |
What Ben said and I think your evaluator was kind to give you more than a 50. It is RUDELY PP'ed in my opinion and not something that I think would shine in MOST "photography" classes.
HEAVY saturation ... inconsistent light ... what is with the vignetty shadow bottom left? ... and what is with the yellow sky top center?
You blurred the texture in the concrete path (or main surface or whatever) AND cloned out cracks and shadows that showed even more texture and glossed up the rich texture in the rough dry brick to make it look like ... varnished and painted ... which in my mind destroyed the real texture of the brick. I would, for SURE, not have given you 50 on this. I think he was being kind.
IMO ... You sure as HECK would not have got a 7.5 out of 10 here in DPC in a challenge called "texture" ... that is pretty darn sure.
But ... of course ... that is only my opinion and I am no expert.
Sorry ... you asked ...
Message edited by author 2007-04-28 14:42:02.
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04/28/2007 02:33:25 PM · #5 |
Excellent post processing to get the bricks to look perfect but the shot itself could have been more inspired.
Still, nothing to be ashamed of. 75 is what, a B? |
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04/28/2007 02:48:11 PM · #6 |
I can see a few thing that could justify the 75/100. Tilted, oversaturated, and background a bit distracting. I hope you don't mind but I did a little edit to show what (IMO) would of worked better. Posted just to show what I was thinking, not to say it's better than yours. Keep up the work.
Message edited by author 2007-04-28 14:48:28. |
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04/28/2007 02:52:14 PM · #7 |
| 75/100 is equivalent to a 7.5 on DPC.. a ribbon in most challenges! |
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04/28/2007 03:00:47 PM · #8 |
I'd like to ask why you feel it should have been scored higher than it was. To me, it looks uninspired and overproccessed with no thought given to the composition or content.
Comparing this one to the one where you got 94, your instructor was very kind when he gave this one a 75.
edit:changed did for was
Message edited by author 2007-04-28 15:01:38. |
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04/28/2007 03:21:14 PM · #9 |
I happen to like the oversaturated/deep contrast look you've gone for... I think it works well for showing texture in the brick. I also really like vignetting (even fake vignetting, the only kind most of us have access to) as a way to frame a picture.
My criticisms; the line between the concrete and the brick is too sharp and obvious; it doesn't look natural. The vignetting could be more subtle; it really stands out a bit much here. The background lends context, but not much interest; might do better with a clearer focal point.
I'd also say that in a photography class, your instructor may be more interested in pushing you to explore texture when you make the capture than in developing it afterwards; they are both legitimate but different disciplines and I think it's fair to push you to do more of the work with the camera and less in post. And, from this thread its clear that you've moved in a direction that is, shall we say, aesthetically controvercial. |
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04/28/2007 03:41:50 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Revecca:
Hi!
I recently turned this picture in as a project for my photography class [under subject texture] and I got a 75/100, but in my personal opinion, I thought it was better than that.
Who do you agree with? Any thoughts, ideas, comments? |
I have no idea what country you are from and that makes a big difference when answering your question but I will try to answer based on American K-12 grading standards and within the norms of DPC.
Under USA K-12 grading your score of 75/100 basically indicates middle "C" level work. In laymen's terms... average. In DPC terms it would get a blue ribbon in most challenges.
You really did a good job highlighting and bringing out texture and your choice of subject is excellent for the assignment. Your picture is a lot better than your DPC submissions have been.
That means either you are in a class full of very good photographers or your teacher grades tough.
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04/28/2007 11:47:02 PM · #11 |
First off, I want to DEEPLY thank everyone who gave me their opinion on this. It's all very valuable to me [whether it was good or bad] and it will only help me improve so again, I appreciate it!
And okay, just to give some "explanations" or something.
I live in the States so yes, that means that the grade I got was a "C" which is "Just an average picture" in my teachers' eyes.
The reason why I had such heavy photoshopping/saturation and whatnot is because I had learned this new trick on photoshop that I REALLY liked and I guess you could say, I sorta fell in love with the effect, so I decided to try it out with a project [guessing my teacher wasn't too fond of it, eh?]. But then again, maybe this is not an appropiate picture to use with that effect, OR maybe I did overdo it.
Who knows at any rate, we all learn from our mistakes, correct?
Also, my teacher doesn't really specify whether he wants us to work more with the camera or the post-processing of the picture. He's okay with both, I suppose because I've seen that he's graded some pictures that were majorly different in the before and after with A's and such so yeah. As stated before, I may have just overdone it with this one.
And as usual, it also depends on opinion. Some of my friends loved and I did too, but now that you've all pointed out possible reasons for low grading, etcetera then... I'm sort of hating on that picture. LOL.
:D But it's okay.
SWHIDDON: I think what you did with the picture is rather amazing, and WAAAY better than what I did [again I fell in love with the effect first used] and I was wondering if you're willing to give me some insight into the post-processing you used?
STDAVIDSON: Thank you. My DPC submissions have been actually pretty bad, I must admit. Not trying to be modest or anything but it's usually cause they were "last minute pictures" and well... those don't always work out. Besides, I'm usually so busy and I get overwhelmed... Reasons why I haven't entered a challenge in a while, hehe].
And to your last statement.. My teacher grades tough, EVERYONE agrees on that. So I do too. But really [in all honesty, and kind of sadly], a lot of kids take photography class in my school because they assume photography will be an "easy class, easy passing grade". Obviously, they don't understand that photography involves a lot more than just getting behind the camera and snapping a picture. But oh well. So I'll just say that I don't believe it's a class "full of great photographers". BUT! my highest grade in that class has been 94% A's in 3 assignments.. That I'm rather proud of and might even share later with you if you all wish [btw, I was even mentioned in the yearbooks' especial photography and art page].
Okay.
So, I think this about covers everything I wanted to say and once again, thanks to everyone who commented me. I GREATLY APPRECIATE IT!
And sorry this was a bit long, I'll shut up now.
=X |
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