How do I break out of the low 6's?

10/11/2008 03:48:17 PM · #26

I was just getting ready to copy this photo, and you tell me that! Now I have to shoot water?!

Marc923

10/11/2008 03:53:42 PM · #27

Originally posted by Jason_Cross:

I was just getting ready to copy this photo, and you tell me that! Now I have to shoot water?!

Hey, that looks familiar!

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/11/2008 03:55:43 PM · #28

It has the emotion that I am going to shoot for in the next shot. Just picture that look but with a super hot chick.

Message edited by author 2008-10-11 15:56:01.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

10/11/2008 03:57:21 PM · #29

I think Portraiture and Model shooting is not only difficult to do well, but difficult to reach strangers with. The "average" portrait is of interest to and valued by the subject, their family & friends--because they already have the connection to the subject. The portraits that do well with a wider audience have something compelling about them: something that reaches right past the "I don't know this person" filter of the viewer and goes right into "I want to know this person" or "I know something about this person"--some sort of connection. Aesthetic, beauty, emotion, desire, and so on. Eyes in Focus is a portraiture "rule" precisely because, I think, the connection can be almost impossible to make otherwise.

Other shots with people as subjects (environmental portraiture, model, fashion) have, I think, less limitations and more opportunities to connect with the general viewer--but they still need some compelling element(s) to accomplish that.

Now add to the 'challenge', if you will, that here you are exhibiting to viewers who are also photographers themselves--often with strongly established personal styles and tastes. This site tends to have a "collective style" for winning shots which is to be expected, and is neither a good or a bad thing. It is what it is.

So, the Band shots you presented at the beginning of this thread are, in my view, excellent shots. They would, I think, score very well in a Band Shot challenge--edgy and very well done. You clearly know what you are doing, sir.

I find many of your images compelling and well done--some examples:

your images of Jen are always compelling--you have a connection here that really works.

stunning b/w image

So, I have to say that I like your style and vision. I would hate to see you alter it in pursuit of a ribbon. Natural organic growth and change in style is a good thing. If you really do wish to obtain a ribbon, I would suggest compartmentalizing that into a Project or Assignment mentality approach: study the winners, find what works here, and imitate it in some fashion that works for you. Imitation helps you learn craft, technique, disciplines that you can later apply to your own unique vision and style. More tools in your toolbox!

As for entering in Free Studies: I also enter the Free Studies (with low expectations) primarily because the subject is open, and I have a full month to work from. The shorter, specific challenges often just don't work with my schedule--I would be growing faster if I could find the time to chase every challenge, but the Free Studies are the most open for me. So, yes, scoring higher is harder in Free Studies (often 400 entries instead of 100 or so).

And, before you take anything I say seriously, probly oughta check my images and see where I fit on the pontificating putz scale! My style seems to be "Overly Wordy" here, so I'll stop now.

Marc923

10/11/2008 03:57:29 PM · #30

Originally posted by Jason_Cross:

It has the emotion that I am going to shoot for in the next shot. Just picture that look but with a super hot chick.

I look forward to seeing it. Automatic 10 from me.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/11/2008 04:01:00 PM · #31

Super Hot Chicks are always welcome.....

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/11/2008 04:08:01 PM · #32

I am being rained out of my shoots with 2 models today. I had some kick butt ideas, but looks like I will just be sitting around at home getting my homework done instead.

LVicari

Canon EOS-50D

10/11/2008 04:14:41 PM · #33

Hey man
Don't change a thing. I would trade my ribbons for more interesting shots like yours. I often find my shots boring but somehow I have had some success.

Originally posted by Jason_Cross:

I am being rained out of my shoots with 2 models today. I had some kick butt ideas, but looks like I will just be sitting around at home getting my homework done instead.

Don't let the rain or light ruin your shoot. Use it to your advantage. Look at

Larus recent Free Study entry. He placed very well in a shot that was in the rain.

Keep doing what you are doing and the virtual ribbons will come in the form of adoration from other DPCers like me.

Message edited by author 2008-10-11 16:15:09.

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

10/11/2008 04:37:03 PM · #34

Ya, but if my camera gets wet, I will only be able to take photos using my cell phone, and then the fun dies.

Oh ya, and did I mention that it is 40 degrees and raining. COLD.

Message edited by author 2008-10-11 16:37:37.

LalliSig

10/11/2008 04:45:06 PM · #35

Originally posted by Jason_Cross:

Ya, but if my camera gets wet, I will only be able to take photos using my cell phone, and then the fun dies.

Oh ya, and did I mention that it is 40 degrees and raining. COLD.

ThatÂ´s no bloody excuse, you can always get a bag to cover your camera (I did) and as for 40 degrees and raining, try 38 degrees and going out in the remains of hurricane Ike, wind speeds so high that people were warned to stay inside... Where there is a will there is a way, just roll with what is given to you and youÂ´ll be fine, just be glad to get the opportunity to do something different or shoot in "unusual" circumstances.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/11/2008 04:48:28 PM · #36

I shot in the snow...once.

Did I mention that I am a wuss?

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

10/11/2008 06:28:30 PM · #37

If you want to break out of the 6.0-6.3 range you have to keep people from voting 1-4 on your shots. This means not giving them reasons to vote you down. In a free study, that means technicals. The shots you presented are all good enough subject to score 6.5+, but you have excuses in each shot for a handful of 4s or even below if people are grumpy.

I find the least wrong with this, but it's also your highest that you present. I think the light patch on the right distracts from the model. I bet with a burn around the edges and burning the light patch down you would have come close to 6.5.

Great shot, but the easy excuse is the frontman's skin looks jaundiced. Color tones are important.

You need to be very confident you know what you are doing any time you blow a highlight on this site. I'm quite sure you got some 4s simply because his T-shirt was blown.

Well, this is a subtle shot, which is tough to score well. It doesn't follow the rule of thirds well with the negative space sharing almost exactly half the canvas with the drum.

Anyway, the point is you do not need to necessarily change your subject matter, but you need to work on dotting the i's and crossing the t's with your technicals.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

10/11/2008 06:32:18 PM · #38

Great advice, thanks I really appreciate it. That was some good constructive stuff that I can use in getting better.

snaffles

Nikon D7100

10/11/2008 06:37:07 PM · #39

I just take the advice given me by a supervisor I had yonks ago...'don't have any expectations, that way you can never be disappointed.' Harsh, but true, so when I broke 6 last year on what was basically a random shot with a P&S, I was over the moon!

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

10/11/2008 06:50:53 PM · #40

Now way! I want to succeed. By lower my expectations I am just throwing in the towel. I have a desire to be good at what I do. Shoot for the moon, and land on Mars. That is what I am thinking.

snaffles

Nikon D7100

10/11/2008 06:54:12 PM · #41

Then go for it! :-)

And if you don't mind another piece of random advice...if over 50% of your comments say the same thing about a shot, they're probably onto something...

Good luck!

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

10/11/2008 06:56:58 PM · #42

Ya, but Jason gave some good advice on things I need to change based on the particulars of what has been my style. Seems like I am 75% there, and I just need to improve on the other 25% in order to score better.

I hope you don't think I was not taking your advice Susan, I was not trying to be snide. I just want to score high, and I don't want to settle for "good" which is what most of the comments say about my stuff.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

10/11/2008 07:20:59 PM · #43

Originally posted by Jason_Cross:

I just want to score high, and I don't want to settle for "good" which is what most of the comments say about my stuff.

Keep in mind that after we have been here for a while, our senses get dulled by seeing fantastic photos all the time. "Good" at this site is "WOW, OUT-STANDING" to others. I like the goal of hitting the 7's while retaining your own style and doing the shots you like.

Message edited by author 2008-10-11 19:21:35.

raish

Olympus C-2500L

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

10/11/2008 07:39:39 PM · #44

Shadow Curriculum

Each year we see the novices arrive,
eager for Accolade and full of scorn
for our Establishment, already torn
between their need for patrons and their pride.

We teach of shadows - darkened by the light,
contrasting with the cold or warmer tones
around them â�� touched and touching, but alone.
By that which they are not, they are defined.

Over the student body, then, we throw
the shadows of our former selves like nets
to capture animals and so; to set
free from these hallowed halls they need to know
how characters of three dimensions step
from fallen shadows that have only two.

Peter Stewart Richards

BeeCee

Nikon D40

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

10/11/2008 08:12:00 PM · #45

Ooooh Peter, I like that!