Why is this a 4.9? - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

06/07/2007 12:39:06 PM · #1

Hit me hard.
Tell me straight.
I don't get it.
Thanks.

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

06/07/2007 12:39:52 PM · #2

Light is not great. Low contrast. I'd give it 6.

edit: need to be closer

edit II: how is this Science?

Message edited by author 2007-06-07 12:42:01.

LanceW

Nikon Z9

Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm f/2.8D

06/07/2007 12:40:48 PM · #3

Harsh lighting, not very interesting subject and the challenge topic of science is why I wouldn't vote higher than a 4 on this one.

Geocide

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

06/07/2007 12:41:48 PM · #4

The color fringe takes away from the image too.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/07/2007 12:43:53 PM · #5

Originally posted by Nikolai1024:

Light is not great. Low contrast. I'd give it 6.

edit: need to be closer

edit II: how is this Science?

Ornithology is the scientific study of birds.

okiesisi

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

06/07/2007 12:46:27 PM · #6

I would have to say it is the lack of saturation of the colors and the lighting that I would have marked down for...I would have given it a 6 or 7 (it is an excellent catch, and I don't deduct for personal opinion as to the challenge topic.)

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

06/07/2007 12:47:00 PM · #7

1) A severe crop will reveal defects in your lens. The sticks of the nest reveal chromatic fringing which makes the picture less appealing.
EDIT: I see this was done with the 70-200L. Quite a decent lens. it makes me think even more this is a severe crop.

2) The subject is directly centered. This sometimes works, but not usually and not here.

3) The sky is blown.

4) The colors are drab. Whenever color doesn't play a big role, consider a B&W treatment.

Message edited by author 2007-06-07 12:48:14.

LanceW

Nikon Z9

Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm f/2.8D

06/07/2007 12:48:39 PM · #8

Originally posted by Marjo:

Ornithology is the scientific study of birds.

I understand, but the image doesn't speak "Science" to me.

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

06/07/2007 12:48:49 PM · #9

I gave the image a 6 because I have a full appreciation of just how difficult it is to capture a good image of these Osprey. Unlike some others, I do find the subject matter very interesting, since I spend hours watching their nesting and fishing habits.

I would hasten to point out however, that the lighting is indeed harsh,as it seems you might have taken the image at mid day in blazing sunlight. Secondly, the backside of any subject matter will tend to have a negative impact on your score. Thirdly, the image could be a tad sharper, and the cropping does leave a tad to be desired. Lastly, while I can appreciate that the pole does support the nest, its presence does little to enhance your subject matter.

I am currently at work and don't have the time to do a complete analysis of your image, but these few things I earnestly believe had a very serious impact on your scores.

Hope this helps.

Ray

Message edited by author 2007-06-09 02:19:27.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120 f/4 S

06/07/2007 12:53:13 PM · #10

Any more?
I'm remaining open even though.....I know how hard it was to get this photo.
I do see the color fringe (it popped up after processing and I remember correcting it on one of my versions.) :(
I'm not seeing low contrast on my monitor...it looks very contrasty.
The sky was hazy and dull that day. Poor processing on my part?
I could have cropped in more I suppose. I used my 500 and my 200 with 1.4 extender to get it this close. The nest was out in the cove pretty far.
Interesting subject? That depends on who is loooking. :)

Thanks, it's great you all commented. I'm seeing it differently now. :)

Message edited by author 2007-06-07 12:56:42.

bassbone

Nikon Z8

06/07/2007 12:54:32 PM · #11

I gave this image a 6 during voting - below the average I cast during the challenge. I think the position and capture of the osprey approaching the nest is very well captured - but the nest and the post do not add a lot to the image. As others have stated, the lighting is very harsh and the image really has little color saturation. It is a pretty capture of osprey, but I think that some technical flaws, including the lighting, the lack of super sharp focus, and the pale colors - all together result in a lower score than you had expected.

Also, many voters were quite harsh in voting images that did not specifically relate to scientific equipment etc....maybe a little shortsided, but we all have to be allowed to have our own opinions.

Message edited by author 2007-06-07 12:55:43.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

06/07/2007 12:54:39 PM · #12

Originally posted by RayEthier:

I gave the image a 6 because I have a full appreciation of just how difficult it is to capture a good image of these Osprey. Unlike some others, I do find the subject matter very interesting, since I spend hours watching their nesting and fishing habits.

I would hasting to point out however, that the lighting is indeed harsh,as it seems you might have taken the image at mid day in blazing sunlight. Secondly, the backside of any subject matter will tend to have a negative impact on your score. Thirdly, the image could be a tad sharper, and the cropping does leave a tad to be desired. Lastly, while I can appreciate that the pole does support the nest, its presence does little to enhance your subject matter.

I am currently at work and don't have the time to do a complete analysis of your image, but these few things I earnestly believe had a very serious impact on your scores.

Hope this helps.

Ray

cross posted. Thanks for your excellent response.

tate

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

06/07/2007 12:54:59 PM · #13

I think a white-ish sky screams snap-shot to some people - causing them to overlook an excellent captured moment (or at least overlook the numbers 8-10. It is a wonderful capture for sure. If you saturated it a bit it would have scored higher IMO.

Message edited by author 2007-06-07 12:56:21.

fotomann_forever

06/07/2007 12:56:38 PM · #14

Left a comment. I would have given it a 5. It's just somewhat average as it is now.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/07/2007 12:57:27 PM · #15

If the sky is hazy and dull, there isn't much you are going to be able to do, but it will still hurt the picture. Sometimes there just isn't a 6.0 to squeeze out of the scene. Getting to a much higher vantage point would have greatly improved the shot too, but I'm doubting that was available.

On the strong side, the action of the scene is dynamic.

RainMotorsports

Nikon D60

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

06/07/2007 12:58:22 PM · #16

Originally posted by LanceW:

Originally posted by Marjo:

Ornithology is the scientific study of birds.

I understand, but the image doesn't speak "Science" to me.

Exactly a picture taken by a person studying birds does not represent the person studying birds. You would have to have a photo of the person studying the birds and it might help to get the birds in the same shot.... hard!

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120 f/4 S

06/07/2007 01:01:10 PM · #17

Good point about the person in the photo. I see what you are saying, now. Actually, all good points. Very helpful. Thanks!!

bassbone

Nikon Z8

06/07/2007 01:04:53 PM · #18

Here is what a really simple conversion to b/w using channels, a little boost in curves, a crop, and some USM might have done for it.

Not sure it is really much better - that sky is pretty brutal!

Alicia

Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM II

06/07/2007 01:05:46 PM · #19

Your photo is an amazing catch, of course. A bird in mid-landing, the nest and the baby waiting for food make for a great subject. As mentioned, the sky is pale, and there is not a lot you can do about that. I took the liberty to play with it a little - adjusted levels to darken the image, increased contrast, both of which brought out more detail in the bird's feathers and the nest. It could have used a bit more sharpening. Cropped it - could have been even tighter. And I played with a border to distract from the flat sky.

I am not a big fat expert, mind you - just some ideas how this could have possibly been more appealing to the voters. Even so, you got a 5 (for the most part). The brunt of the votes were 5s. There were 58 above 5, which is great.

Edit to add that pccjrose's crop is what I was thinking of - much better.

Message edited by author 2007-06-07 13:09:51.

BakerBug

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

06/07/2007 01:07:07 PM · #20

Left you a comment.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

06/07/2007 01:09:25 PM · #21

Edits look good. Thanks.
It's actually both parents. The babes aren't visible yet. The nest is huge but I was max on my zoom. I was trying to buy a rowboat to get closer. Hubby wasn't too excited about that! After he tredged through the poison ivy and tics with me, he started looking in the trading post. ;) They should be there another month.? My neighbor has a kayak. sp Not sure if I could keep my gear dry in something like that, though.

NstiG8tr

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

06/07/2007 01:12:33 PM · #22

How come you don't try the 170-500 and a tripod?