Why do I make the wrong judgement re challenges..

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

11/12/2007 07:37:05 PM · #1

I am at a loss to why I keep making the wrong judgements most of the time, re my entries for challenges.

I seem to get one out of three right, and then the other two entries, one nearly there and the other just completely flops.

They often mean a lot to me, so is it my eyesight, is it my ideas, my technique, or my processing. I am at a loss to know what my mistakes are, and where to begin to fix them. I am learning new way to process at the moment, and have tried hard not to overprocess my photos, like I sometimes do. I have a mentpr and will be wprking with them now that my health has improved

I jump up and down so much between my scores, and feel like a total failure sometimes.

Yes, I know I finally got it right with my first ribbon entry last month, but if you look at my other images they have not done very well at all.

Message edited by author 2007-11-12 19:37:57.

TooCool

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

11/12/2007 07:55:05 PM · #2

We all do it hon! Some of my worst scores come immediately after my best scores... It's very hard to step back and subjectively look at a shot that you have taken the time to take and then process.

Moatz

Nikon D80

11/12/2007 07:59:54 PM · #3

I can definately relate. I started here at DPC not too long ago, so expect to not receive the greatest of scores. But as hard as I am trying, and as much as I may like my own entries (speaking now specifically of my Duotones entry, which I expected to be a high 5 low 6) all of my scores have been 4 something. It is definatly difficult to continue entering photos you love only to have them shot down by the masses...

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/12/2007 08:05:37 PM · #4

Originally posted by Moatz:

but we have all been there.. I know what its like to have some low scores, what separates those who will achieve something against those who will not is perseverance. If you stick at it, actually learn from what people say instead of just thinking "they are shooting it down in flames", pick yourself up and dust yourself off then you will eventually achieve the score you think you deserve. But you do have to try new things, just entering snapshot after snapshot will not get you anywhere. I have recently hit a pretty good scoring run, but I know that soon I will have to break out of my safety zone in regards to processing and try something new, otherwise I will get bored, the voter will get bored and my scores will suffer.

Apple iPhone 5

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

11/12/2007 08:06:01 PM · #5

Originally posted by sherpet:

I jump up and down so much between my scores, and feel like a total failure sometimes.

You should relax a bit about the whole DPC thing. Getting stressed about scores won't help your creativity. You surely don't expect 7+ scores in every challenge you enter? Not even Tiger Woods is that consistent.

Besides, you've got your ribbon now, so you can take it easy!

sher

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

11/12/2007 08:08:41 PM · #6

Originally posted by Moatz:

It is definatly difficult to continue entering photos you love only to have them shot down by the masses...

This is where you have to make a choice...continue shooting the photos that you love and that make you happy and accept the score or shoot the type of photos that score well here at DPC and win ribbons...and maybe not be so happy when you look at your portfolio. That's what it all comes down to...shoot for yourself or shoot for ribbons. Sometimes you get lucky and the two will merge and you'll end up with a shot you love on the front page. That makes it all worthwhile. :)

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/12/2007 08:13:56 PM · #7

Actually Sherpet, the thing is, you need to move on from that your ribbon winning shot now, you have had plenty of mileage out of it (thats for sure :/ ) and you need to think ahead about your next step - do you stick with the same formula which seemed to work well for you, or do you try and push the boundaries.

Dwelling on past glories will not win you any more ribbons.

Tip for Sherpet - Check out your 5 highest scoring shots.. 4 are Square crop, thats obviously where you are strongest compositionally - exploit it.

Message edited by author 2007-11-12 20:18:23.

Moatz

Nikon D80

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

11/12/2007 08:19:12 PM · #8

Thank you Mark and Sher for you input, it does make me feel better to not get discouraged and to continue doing what I do, and that is to take pictures, whether they suck or not =) I do hope to learn as much as I can from this site because (obviously) I don't know everything there is to know about photography or post processing, and I want to. Well, at least as much as I can. Thanks again for that little kick in the butt so to speak, haha.

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

11/12/2007 08:21:48 PM · #9

n/m

Message edited by author 2007-11-12 21:35:43.

rider

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS USM

11/12/2007 08:22:03 PM · #10

it seems to me that you have to think of each shot you expect to enter as a studio shot - you have to make every detail of the shot perfect- just a pretty picture doesn't cut it here

CNovack

Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel

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

11/12/2007 08:27:05 PM · #11

Sherryl,

you have to ask yourself with the compositions that scored low: did you try something new and/or learn something new?

Be it angle, how you composed the shot, lighting, DOF, Bokeh, processing, etc. with EACH & EVERY shot we take, if we sit back, we will realize hey I found out that "x" works for these set of conditions or "x" doesn't work so well with these conditions.

If it scores low it does not necessary mean that the shot was bad. It could be a variety of factors - one of which is that the viewers just don't see it the same way you do. Differences do make the world go round. I am my most harshest critic with 80% of the shots I take being tossed - and even after they pass my highest scrutiny there are times I will scratch my head and wonder why. Sometimes I will get a comment or two giving me insight into some of the viewer's minds as to dislike. Ultimately I take it in stride if I looked or did something new I have learned. To know success you have to countermeasure it with some failures...and even those 'failures' can turn into happy gems either through another lesson learned or just something that turned out better than expected. I hope I am explaining myself well. Hmmmm, let me go to your profile and pick out a couple of photos to leave really good comments on.

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/12/2007 08:27:46 PM · #12

Originally posted by rider:

it seems to me that you have to think of each shot you expect to enter as a studio shot - you have to make every detail of the shot perfect- just a pretty picture doesn't cut it here

Not at all, a lot of my shots are a bit rough around the edges straight out of the camera, I always shoot with a "I could do XYZ in Lightroom/Photoshop to fix that".. sloppy I know, but it works for me.

SJCarter

Canon EOS-7D

11/12/2007 08:33:04 PM · #13

I have to kinda agree with some of the sentiments already set forth - especially about deciding whether to shoot for yourself or shoot for ribbons. At least for me - there is a difference. I know what I like and it is not always generously received at DPC. I sometimes think I've figured out what DPC voters want - and am usually thwarted in those endeavors, although occasionally I do manage to meet their standards.

To achieve high scoring votes (IMHO) you have to pay close attention to what the current voting DPC public seems to like. There are certain photogs here that seem to have that model down to a tee (I'm obviously not one of them). Frequently, there are images on the front page that I scored only 6 (or below) - that doesn't mean that they aren't fantastic shots, just that I don't appreciate them the same way the majority of DPC voters do. You do need to decide - and get comfortable with - which avenue you want to pursue.

My highest scoring images are certainly not my favorites. However over time, I have grown to appreciate the DPC voters' perception of shots. I have started shooting for myself first - and if it meets the challenge, great. This has made my blood pressure much lower and my evaluation of personal scores much more satisfying.

It's a fine line you have to walk. You just need to decide "where" you want to walk - FOR YOU. Blah blah blah... I think you get the idea... :-)

For what it's worth, I find most of your work beautiful, creative, skillful, and engaging. Not everyone achieves greatness with every shot (very very very few indeed). Enjoy your successes, revel in your -personal triumphs, and take everything else with a grain of salt.

SJCarter

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/12/2007 08:36:22 PM · #14

edit

Message edited by author 2007-11-12 20:37:15.

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

11/12/2007 08:44:06 PM · #15

Originally posted by Moatz:

... It is definatly difficult to continue entering photos you love only to have them shot down by the masses...

Everybody (who was born on this continent) is all too familiar with the suggestion that it's benefecial to be and remain positive. Yet no one has told us where to take the strength to handle our disappointments.

What's needed is not some unrooted positivism but negative capability. The fact that 90% of viewers don't "like" a thing, has after all nothing to do with its intrinsic value. Just look around you, apparently it isn't all that "easy" to appreciate anything at all. Why else would so many people willingly wreck a perfectly good world? :-)

If, however, we accept this as a reality (the way things stand and fall), wouldn't it come far more natural to us to appreciate, say, 10%?

Message edited by author 2007-11-12 20:45:00.

11/12/2007 09:33:24 PM · #16

I think you have said exactly what I needed to hear..... Thank you very much and I feel you are so right re deciding to shoot what you like and forget about the scores, or shoot for ribbons and do less submitting.

I have to live with what ever decision I make, so it is all up to me, which way I want to go.

I always read the comments and always agree with so many of the rhings people suggest. My failure is definately with my processing and sometimes my sight. I LOVE DPC so much, as it really takes me into a world, that is so fullfilling.

I also want to learn the best way to process as I find it so hard to learn new things now, so guess that is due to my age, and health issues that I have to deal with.

I not complaining about my scores. I always accept what scores I am given, and feel the process is completely fair, re the voting. I always try and vote 100% and give as many comments as I am able to. Not as many as I use to, due to errors with spelling (my sight) and the times it now takes for me to do my commenting.

It just that I have no real judgement on my own images anymore, as I cannot guess what my scores are going to be like, even now after beong with DPC for more than two years.

THANKS heaps for all your support, and I will keep on submitting images that I love, and hopefullt improve my processing skills as well along the way...... I really do enjoy the side challenges.

Originally posted by sher:

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/12/2007 09:40:07 PM · #17

To me the ribbons are a bonus, like the icing on a cake, and if one gets a ribbon of course one will be happy, over the moon in fact.

I for one really prefers a top score or better, for an image, rather than a ribbon. In saying that, yes, I was very pleased to get my first ribbon, but it was with an image that I personally didn't think would be a ribbon winning shot. Does that make sense.....

FireBird

11/12/2007 11:48:00 PM · #18

Originally posted by sherpet:

I am at a loss to why I keep making the wrong judgements most of the time, re my entries for challenges.

Maybe like me it's your mind's vision. (not eyesight) I'll think of something and shoot a while and talk myself into it. Hey this is great! You know. Then comes voting. You'll see what I mean when you see my topless with no people. If I leave that entry in there it's gonna tank.......
heheheh But I like it. BTW I like many of your entries Sher.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

11/13/2007 12:27:51 AM · #19

Don't feel bad, Shez. I think I make the wrong judgement in entering challenges to begin with - I really should just stop all together. But I'm too stooopid to take my own advice. :-)

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

11/13/2007 12:50:45 AM · #20

Heck, Shez, if you want to see some bad decisions just check out my challenge entries for the last few months. It doesn't faze me, and don't let it faze you :-)

R.

tnun

Ricoh GR III

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

11/13/2007 01:05:16 AM · #21

Gosh, if everyone stopped submitting less than page one photos I'd never get to see the stuff I really like.

kolasi

Nikon D300

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

11/13/2007 01:12:25 AM · #22

I dont know if this happens to any other new (or maybe even veteran) photographers but,

Many times i catch myself liking a photo of mine just because i devoted a lot of time to it, or had fun shooting it, or just because ive seen it so many times its grown on me (the way a pop song sticks in your head).

When I look back at some of the photos, i find myself often not liking photos that i thought were great

(im not talking about 'artsy' photos which may score low but get lots of great comments)

anyone else suffer from this too?

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

11/13/2007 01:46:45 AM · #23

Originally posted by kolasi:

anyone else suffer from this too?

You betcha :-) I get so invested in the trees I can't see the forest anymore...

R.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/13/2007 02:31:22 AM · #24

Oddly, I still like the ones that DPC hated. And yet I persist. I'm thinkin' there needs to be a 12-step program, Step 1 of which is "Thou shall not submit" which should be repeated to one's self many times over...