High contrast or overexposed - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

06/02/2009 04:58:54 PM · #1

Why do voters comment on high contrast processing as being overexposed?, overexposed is the whole image is bright,high contrast retains a sharp subject in normal exposure.

this is the original converted to a high contrast B/W

Message edited by author 2009-06-02 17:21:52.

moriadelacroix

Canon EOS-7D

06/02/2009 05:02:26 PM · #2

Do you have an example of a photo to explain what you see as high contrast and others see as overexposed?

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

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

06/02/2009 05:09:39 PM · #3

Individual perception? Or perhaps trying to identify why they don't care for the entry? Maybe we train people to be fault finders on this site. In my case I have sometimes nitpicked in an effort to explain my low vote to someone. Other times, I have found something enhances a photo, while others have just seen it as a flaw. Depends on the image. This recent entry, for example, had severely blown highlights on the child's face, which I thought gave it the impression of a dream. Others voted it down as a serious flaw.

I guess if it can be perceived as a flaw, then some will always take it that way.

06/02/2009 05:24:33 PM · #4

Photo added to thread start.

Nikon AF Nikkor 35mm f/2.0D

06/02/2009 05:32:02 PM · #5

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

So we have to move past the purist look at photography, sharp clean crisp, in order to really look at the art form, and see what others are trying to convey, I do agree with your analagy time seems to be the main essence for achieving this.

edit spelling

Message edited by author 2009-06-02 17:33:34.

Leo

Apple iPhone Xr

06/02/2009 05:42:32 PM · #6

Originally posted by BrianR:

Why do voters comment on high contrast processing as being overexposed?, overexposed is the whole image is bright,high contrast retains a sharp subject in normal exposure.

Speaking as an amateur, it's not knowing what different types of images are, i.e. "high contrast", "high key", "low key", etc. I didn't know that a photographer meant to have a high key, low key, high contrast image, etc., so I thought images were over exposed, underexposed, etc. But having been on this sight and reading the comments and threads, I have learned that these are "intentional" types of images if you will. I'm still learning and that's what makes this a great site for me, for learning.

Well, that's my two cents worth... I hope that sheds light on your question... People like me are learning.
Later

edit for spelling mistakes.

Message edited by author 2009-06-02 17:46:27.

zarniwoop

Nikon D50

06/02/2009 05:48:47 PM · #7

It's a lot easier to talk about the exposure than about the photograph.

Ken

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

06/02/2009 05:49:13 PM · #8

Originally posted by BrianR:

Why do voters comment on high contrast processing as being overexposed?, overexposed is the whole image is bright,high contrast retains a sharp subject in normal exposure.

this is the original converted to a high contrast B/W

I'm viewing this in bright lighting but it looks very close to being overexposed, although I don't think it is. My guess is that many people don't have calibrated monitors and that may push the photo into being 'overexposed'.

IMO, parts of a photo can be overexposed and the photo be considered overexposed. The example

Yo_Spiff posted is overexposed but works for the mood and not a flaw.

millsa

Nikon D7100

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

06/02/2009 06:46:54 PM · #9

We tend to vote favoring well exposed, sharp, colorful pictures. I entered the following shot where I had edited it to get the creepy effect I was looking for with the ghost bear. I had a perfectly well exposed version but went with this over exposed one because I liked the feel. DPC voters in general didn't :(

I partially blame the over exposure for the low score, but happy I entered it, and received good feedback from those who got what I was trying to achieve.

After all this IS a popularity contest, and the photos that only appeal to the few will never do well. If you're happy with your shot just enjoy the comments from those you've appealed to.

millsa

Nikon D7100

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

06/02/2009 06:56:02 PM · #10

Originally posted by Ken:

I think bad monitors are an issue, I'll edit a photo that looks fine on my monitor but looks washed out and overexposed or too dark or to saturated when I view it on some other monitors that are a bit dodgy. When I view ribbon winners on the same monitors there is a less of a detrimental effect from the bad monitor. I keep meaning to work out some rule of thumb that means a photo will look good on a wide range of monitors.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

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

06/02/2009 06:58:00 PM · #11

Can I ask the question of what the OP is gaining from giving a high contrast treatment to his shot? It may be more beneficial instead of asking whether this is overexposed or high contrast (and whether the voters are too dumb to know the difference) but rather to ask why the treatment was done (and whether the voters are smart enough to know whether it succeeded).

Citadel

Nikon D7500

06/02/2009 07:31:32 PM · #12

I think there is a tendency so to view certain elements as a bad thing. Blown highlights are one of them. Blown highlights means no detail in that area but in Yo_spiff's example why do we need detail there? Its a soft image and it DOES have a dreamlike feeling because of how the detail is presented. In Brian's image I find that I am not missing the detail in the stark white areas areas. Where there is a problem is when there should be detail in the highlights. So using Yo_Spiff's shot again, if it had been shot with a regular lens in the same light, there would be no detail in the highlights and it would be a distraction rather than an enhancement.

I face the same type of thing in my local photoclub. Some judges feel that you need detail throughout regardless of the image. Others feel that it is dependent on the mood and subject of the image.

So um...you'll get a different answer depending on who you ask....

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

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

06/02/2009 07:57:40 PM · #13

Again, i think it goes back to the concept of broad appeal. Some people like to experiment with different styles, others have a style that only appeals to a narrow range of people. I think if you enter such a shot, you need to keep it in mind when tossing it in the ring of mass appeal. I have some entries that scored low, and I knew they would, however they were a success because I received comments telling me I had nailed the target audience.

06/02/2009 10:59:16 PM · #14

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

This Photo was done as an example, not as a rule for reason or treatment and is mainly to see if the difference of the question of the thread can be seen.