DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Make this a better photograph.
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 12 of 12, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 07/23/2003 03:36:27 AM · #1
First thanks to all those who voted for me - I survived :)

//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=28318

Will some of the gurus be kind to suggest improvements to this?

Two things which come to my mind are
1) More decisive use of gray space in the bottom
2) Use Neat Image to remove noise

Do you think adding a silver spoon would be a good idea? OR I should just let the photograph be and move on...
 07/23/2003 05:22:14 AM · #2
I think sometimes the best way to improve is to re-visit a shot and somehow do it differently.. To me the light is a bit harsh, the inside of the cup is very burned out and the reflections on the rim are very bright.. I would also try it with a spoon, it may act as a quick visual clue as to what we're looking at.. Good work..
 07/23/2003 06:19:38 AM · #3
I like it the way it is. But then, I like cups
Is that a clear mug or a black mug? now that I think its black, it is a bit reflective. Sure it could be a bit crisper (as with mine), but its a great arrangement. I don't know about a spoon... I like it because of the simplicity- but it never hurts to try... digital shots are free!
 07/23/2003 06:23:29 AM · #4
wait, I really like it. Its excellent. I can't believe people did not score it higher
 07/23/2003 07:05:56 AM · #5
Originally posted by hortopth:
wait, I really like it. Its excellent. I can't believe people did not score it higher

Thanks - You are kind :) What do you mean by crisper, looking at you cup I presume you mean sharper better defined edges. In that case I can blame my 1.3MP camera ;-)

Alpin99 - Thanks I will try with softer lights
 07/23/2003 08:38:34 AM · #6
I think hortopth got it right.. digital is free.. so there's nothing wromg with re-visiting a shot and trying some variations..
 07/23/2003 09:21:32 AM · #7
Originally posted by tarique:
Originally posted by hortopth:
wait, I really like it. Its excellent. I can't believe people did not score it higher

Thanks - You are kind :) What do you mean by crisper, looking at you cup I presume you mean sharper better defined edges. In that case I can blame my 1.3MP camera ;-)

Alpin99 - Thanks I will try with softer lights


Tarique. the 8000SX is not a bad camera. I get sharper pics with that than I do with the S602 (need to use tripod :). for being 1.3MP is pretty good with its capabilities
 07/23/2003 09:56:29 AM · #8
Originally posted by Aaron:
Tarique. the 8000SX is not a bad camera. I get sharper pics with that than I do with the S602 (need to use tripod :). for being 1.3MP is pretty good with its capabilities

I have had my 8000SX for almost three years now and I absolutely love it, specially the 8x optical zoom

BUT lately since I am pushing it I find the image compression algo used a bit lacking

Even on fine setting the edges are not well antialiased and appear jagged if you take objects against uniform coloured backgrounds.

Did you ever experience that?
 07/26/2003 01:08:19 PM · #9
Maybe a staw in the cup would help with the illusion that there is no cup, just the plate. Personally I see both. Nice shot.
 07/26/2003 02:24:52 PM · #10
I remember this capture acutely well from the challenge. I was one of my favourites, and > ergo, I rated it highly.

What sets this shot apart from many is the unsusual dead-on perspective (although, appropiately offset within the frame) with, really, no other emphasis. It struck me, because no apparent effort has been made to either sharpen or enhance the image to satisfy an eye accustomed to the combined stimuli usually supplied by a picture most would perceive as aesthetically rich and pleasing. The resulting single-minded simplicity, although remarkable and powerful, nevertheless leaves me a little hungry for more.

The more I look at it, the more I feel that the image itself lacks nothing (!) but a context. The context, to me, is suggested by the very way the image impacts on the viewer. Which context would suitably accomodate such a chosen, investigative perspective, if not one as part of a series? I'd consider revisiting the 'sense' of the original shoot and look for variations on the same theme.

I would not change either the camera nor 'technique'. If the (orinigal) shot alone had trouble standing on its own legs, it would, IMO, do grandly as part of several investigations like this, where the aspect of 'study' is not only apparent but emphasized.

Message edited by author 2003-07-26 14:26:29.
 07/26/2003 03:02:17 PM · #11
A bit of texture in the milk surface might add interest. Perhaps gently dropping something into the center just before the exposure would do the trick--not necessarily to capture the splash, just to make some concentric rings in the surface. You got the exposure just right; the milk is white, but not quite as bright as the specular highlights on the rim of the cup and saucer.

You were wondering how to make more decisive use of the gray space in the bottom, and I think that is good intuition. My suggestion is to lop it off. A perfectly square frame would better complement the perfectly circular subject.

I also like zeuszen's suggestion to make this part of a series.
 07/26/2003 10:34:20 PM · #12
Thanks dr rick, zeuzen garrick - your suggestions have been most enlightening.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 05/19/2025 06:47:26 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 05/19/2025 06:47:26 PM EDT.