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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> To blow or not to blow?
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Showing posts 1 - 8 of 8, (reverse)
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 04/02/2008 03:15:39 PM · #1
Dear DPCers,

I have noticed that any photos with blown highlights, however small, tend to get a negative comment.
Is it true that an over exposed highlight is always wrong?

In a number of cases, I see a blown highlight as a high point in a photo that can really add something. Of course, it shouldn't be over used but a carefully arranged highlight can add to a composition.

Am I the only one to think this way?
 04/02/2008 03:33:37 PM · #2
It means whatever you want it to mean, but voters tend to be inside-the-box types.
 04/02/2008 03:36:58 PM · #3
Originally posted by glennc:
Dear DPCers,

I have noticed that any photos with blown highlights, however small, tend to get a negative comment.
Is it true that an over exposed highlight is always wrong?

In a number of cases, I see a blown highlight as a high point in a photo that can really add something. Of course, it shouldn't be over used but a carefully arranged highlight can add to a composition.

Am I the only one to think this way?


one could argue that the whites in these photos are blown:




but all three are blue winners.

i think the main thing is, make the blown highlights work FOR your picture, instead of against it.
if it looks like you meant for it to be that way, it'll probably be taken that way. but if its just a careless over-exposure, it'll probably get voted down.
 04/02/2008 04:01:22 PM · #4
..... and for some reason people don't get so upset about black areas....
 04/02/2008 04:59:31 PM · #5
My personal take is that if it is part of the composition, ie. it belongs, then it is OK. However, if it is an unintended consequence of poor exposure, then it hurts.
 04/02/2008 05:02:30 PM · #6
Originally posted by Trinch:
My personal take is that if it is part of the composition, ie. it belongs, then it is OK. However, if it is an unintended consequence of poor exposure, then it hurts.


how do you know if it was intentional or not? what's your criteria for deciding?
 04/02/2008 05:02:53 PM · #7
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
..... and for some reason people don't get so upset about black areas....


I'm all for black areas...lol :)
 04/03/2008 01:36:52 AM · #8
That is a good point. I don't often read of DPCers mentioning too much black (ie. competely under exposed).
Black is good, white is bad...
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