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05/07/2010 01:05:05 PM · #1551 |
Whoooo Hoooo,
My first entry was NOT PUBLISHED!
They said;
*Too much useless sky
*Great shot
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05/07/2010 01:09:06 PM · #1552 |
Originally posted by bmartuch:
Whoooo Hoooo,
My first entry was NOT PUBLISHED!
They said;
*Too much useless sky
*Great shot
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So maybe you should crop out some sky and try again?
If they said great shot, seems like they liked it |
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05/08/2010 02:47:44 PM · #1553 |
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05/08/2010 02:52:20 PM · #1554 |
I had just faved that one, didn't know it was yours. love it. |
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05/08/2010 02:55:15 PM · #1555 |
| Do they allow ANY kind of frame on 1x? |
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05/08/2010 02:58:57 PM · #1556 |
Originally posted by TrollMan:
Do they allow ANY kind of frame on 1x? |
No borders whatsoever, not even a 1px outline, except very rarely when the border is part of the whole image (as in some "creative edits", and in some diptychs, triptychs).
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05/08/2010 03:45:34 PM · #1557 |
I'm working my way through all the stuff I've had do well on DPC and watching them get knocked off one by one.
Humility inducing, that's for sure!
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05/08/2010 04:48:01 PM · #1558 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
I'm working my way through all the stuff I've had do well on DPC and watching them get knocked off one by one.
Humility inducing, that's for sure! |
It is pretty brutal over there. No reasons for the rejection, no feedback on entries, but the Critique section is pretty good.
I think I had 20 or more rejected in a row before this last one got published. |
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05/08/2010 06:01:25 PM · #1559 |
Originally posted by scarbrd:
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
I'm working my way through all the stuff I've had do well on DPC and watching them get knocked off one by one.
Humility inducing, that's for sure! |
It is pretty brutal over there. No reasons for the rejection, no feedback on entries, but the Critique section is pretty good.
I think I had 20 or more rejected in a row before this last one got published. |
Exactly... I wish they would say why they didn't want it. |
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05/08/2010 06:42:11 PM · #1560 |
Originally posted by scarbrd:
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
I'm working my way through all the stuff I've had do well on DPC and watching them get knocked off one by one.
Humility inducing, that's for sure! |
It is pretty brutal over there. No reasons for the rejection, no feedback on entries, but the Critique section is pretty good.
I think I had 20 or more rejected in a row before this last one got published. |
1 out of 20 is not a bad ratio anymore.
You get some feedback on images sent to member screening, in the form of comments left by members during the screening phase. It is simply not possible for the screening crew to leave feedback, especially any sort of meaningful feedback, at time of rejection on all the images that are rejected each and every day. Critique is the place to go; we've been working hard at improving the Critique section of the site.
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05/08/2010 06:52:32 PM · #1561 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
I'm working my way through all the stuff I've had do well on DPC and watching them get knocked off one by one.
Humility inducing, that's for sure! |
If I may, your comments indicate this to be an off-the-cuff shot done as a joke. That would indicate to me that it doesn't mean much to you. Perhaps that comes across in the imagery. It does to me.
I would say that the majority of photos at 1x are so good because they are not done without care or intent. The photographers there are excellent story tellers. As I often say in comments on photos here: what does this photo mean? To you? To me? Do you really care for what it's all about? No? Then why should anyone else? |
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05/08/2010 08:19:54 PM · #1562 |
Originally posted by Louis:
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
I'm working my way through all the stuff I've had do well on DPC and watching them get knocked off one by one.
Humility inducing, that's for sure! |
If I may, your comments indicate this to be an off-the-cuff shot done as a joke. That would indicate to me that it doesn't mean much to you. Perhaps that comes across in the imagery. It does to me.
I would say that the majority of photos at 1x are so good because they are not done without care or intent. The photographers there are excellent story tellers. As I often say in comments on photos here: what does this photo mean? To you? To me? Do you really care for what it's all about? No? Then why should anyone else? |
I agree. The problem is when you shoot to just convey a challenge theme with sharp details you end up with something that might not have that much a appeal outside of the challenge.
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05/08/2010 08:37:45 PM · #1563 |
Originally posted by yanko:
Originally posted by Louis:
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
I'm working my way through all the stuff I've had do well on DPC and watching them get knocked off one by one.
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I would say that the majority of photos at 1x are so good because they are not done without care or intent. The photographers there are excellent story tellers. As I often say in comments on photos here: what does this photo mean? To you? To me? Do you really care for what it's all about? No? Then why should anyone else? |
I agree. The problem is when you shoot to just convey a challenge theme with sharp details you end up with something that might not have that much a appeal outside of the challenge. |
I think the concept at 1x is pretty straightforward and easy to understand and most of what get's posted here in the reject column is usually pretty obvious, as to why. All you have to ask yourself is "why should they publish my picture?" "Is it unique, special in some way or interesting?"
Message edited by author 2010-05-08 22:37:56. |
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05/08/2010 11:49:29 PM · #1564 |
Originally posted by Louis:
If I may, your comments indicate this to be an off-the-cuff shot done as a joke. That would indicate to me that it doesn't mean much to you. Perhaps that comes across in the imagery. It does to me.
I would say that the majority of photos at 1x are so good because they are not done without care or intent. The photographers there are excellent story tellers. As I often say in comments on photos here: what does this photo mean? To you? To me? Do you really care for what it's all about? No? Then why should anyone else? |
Yes, that ONE image that I've shot in the last 215 challenges was a joke......and one that backfired, completely floored me, and got a blue. That wasn't remotely my point.
I do take care, and there's a fair amount of thought and interest in what I do. I'm just not particularly artistic in my composition, which doesn't much fly on 1x.
I have submitted most of what I'd consider to be my best work, pretty much all of which have been either kicked to the curb in less than twelve hours with no explanation, or some arbitrary bullshit such as "Lacks motif". WTF? HOW is that helpful? I've certainly been led to believe that they aren't much interested in being helpful.....you either have what they want, or not. The site really isn't of much use at all to anyone who is actually trying to understand what it is that they want, has little or no soul, or much interest in cultivating those that would like to achieve the type of imagery that seems to work there. Truth be told, at this point it's just sort of a perverse perspective check that makes me keep submitting at all. I submitted the boots as a joke knowing full well that it would get rejected. Oddly enough, it was one of the three images that lasted more than two days before it got booted....so much for your theory.
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05/09/2010 12:00:15 AM · #1565 |
Originally posted by pawdrix:
I think the concept at 1x is pretty straightforward and easy to understand and most of what get's posted here in the reject column is usually pretty obvious, as to why. All you have to ask yourself is "why should they publish my picture?" "Is it unique, special in some way or interesting?" |
I've never found 1x to be anything but cold, soulless, obtuse, and not particularly inviting to anyone who isn't already at a point where they do whatever it is that they like.
I'm a decent photographer, but I'm not particularly artistic in my style......I'm more someone who puts his own twist on what he finds interesting and beautiful. That just doesn't seem to interest them, or at least my version of it. I really don't know why some of the things I've submitted haven't been accepted as far as they're concerned because they don't bother to tell me. Out of the dozen or so images I've submitted, I might have a total of four comments.
I really should give it up over there......it's fairly pointless for me.
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05/09/2010 04:17:24 AM · #1566 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
I guess the thing that surprises me the most is that people actually expect an explanation when they get a bad vote. Why? If someone just flat doesn't like the image, and votes it low, why would anyone think that they're going to put forth the effort to explain it? |
I think this quote of yours from the other thread about voter comments on DPC makes sense for 1x as well Jeb. No one has to comment and tell you why they don't like your image and i don't particularly find 1x to be a cold, soulless place because of it. In fact, from what i've seen, the critique part of that site seems quite lively and very helpful so perhaps put one of your images up there for discussion. I keep meaning to with one of mine. |
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05/09/2010 09:58:39 AM · #1567 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
Originally posted by pawdrix:
I think the concept at 1x is pretty straightforward and easy to understand... |
I've never found 1x to be anything but cold, soulless, obtuse, and not particularly inviting to anyone who isn't already at a point where they do whatever it is that they like.
I'm a decent photographer, but I'm not particularly artistic in my style......I'm more someone who puts his own twist on what he finds interesting and beautiful. |
Jeb, a few things...
Your anger seems to be misplaced. For one, 1x is not an education site and it's nobody's job or responsibility there to tell you what to do. All you have to do is look at the images and you'll see it's not one particular thing they are looking for in terms of style subject matter or anything else. What they publish is pretty wide open and quite varied. All they want, for the most part is some originality...something special...some style... no more, no less. There are plenty of exceptions but in general that should be fairly clear to anyone looking. Figuring out what they like is super easy...getting the shots is another story.
At the end of the day taking a well executed shot of something that's not that terribly interesting...is just that. If you find something interesting, that's fine but you can't fault other people for not agreeing with you. I think we need to ask what makes our images stand out and that's a fair question...
That image for example, is well taken and you did the best possible job on a subject that's not that engaging. There's no human element which may or may not have added something but at the end of the day it's a drab underpass and a basic night shot...again, well executed but not that stylish in any way and for me personally not at all interesting.
So I would ask myself..."did this particular window take my breath away?" "is there something special about it?" "is the processing unique or original?" "is there some "special twist" (as you put put it)?" "why do I want people to look at this window...out of all the windows that are around?"
What I see getting rejected are perfectly nice, well executed BUT very average renderings of subjects that bring not much new to the party, which I guess we could say about nearly all the images in this thread. I have plenty of my on rejections that fit that bill but for the most part, I understand that and agree with the final assessment.
My last rejection. A cool perfectly fine shot IMO but NOT much of a twist. It needed something else to put it over the top. Maybe too posed...maybe it needed more background context...?
Message edited by author 2010-05-09 10:25:35. |
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05/09/2010 10:26:40 AM · #1568 |
For the record here are my rejections so far (although some are a slightly different edit). Plus i have one in screening at the moment. I will keep plugging away there as i really enjoy the site and, as i said, i'll start putting some up for critique soon.
    
    
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05/09/2010 10:34:48 AM · #1569 |
Originally posted by pawdrix:
What they publish is pretty wide open and quite varied. All they want, for the most part is some originality...something special...style no more, no less. |
That is absolutely on the money. 1x is not for educational purposes, at least, not the submission process. The submission process is for the best of the best; all pandering and cooing about how well-intentioned anyone's effort might be is left behind at that point.
I'm struck by something coincidental for me. This image at 1x today:
...bears a resemblance to one of my entries here from two months ago:
But the differences are very important. The 1x image isn't superior solely because the model is hovering, or because the contrast is gorgeous or the vignetting perfect--although it is those things. The 1x image tells an emotive story that simply doesn't exist in my photograph. It seems to me that the 1x photographer saw the potential for a fairly prosaic image -- similar to mine -- but needed something more. His result wasn't just a trick of imagery, but a deeper sense of story that truly engages the viewer in a way my entry fails to. Add to that the superior image quality and attention to technicals, and you have a 1x winner. It's a beaut. A nicely executed image is vital, but, as I've already tried to say, meaning is more important still, whatever that may mean, and however it is sent. That's the meaning of "motif".
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05/09/2010 10:39:50 AM · #1570 |
| iv'e gone through the thread a lil bit, and it seems like it is almost impossible to get a photo in, there is no way in hell im going to even try. |
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05/09/2010 10:53:49 AM · #1571 |
Originally posted by pawdrix:
Your anger seems to be misplaced. |
It's not anger, it's frustration.
Originally posted by pawdrix:
For one, 1x is not an education site and it's nobody's job or responsibility there to tell you what to do. All you have to do is look at the images and you'll see it's not one particular thing they are looking for in terms of style subject matter or anything else. What they publish is pretty wide open and quite varied. All they want, for the most part is some originality...something special...style no more, no less. There are plenty of exceptions but in general that should be fairly clear to anyone looking. Figuring out what they like is super easy...getting the shots is another story. |
I never said that I *expect* anyone to help out, it was an observation that nobody has bothered save one person here who PMed me and offered to help. I actually did contact them and ask for suggestions and didn't even get the courtesy of an "I'm sorry, but we don't do that sort of thing.". I got no response whatsoever.
It may be readily apparent to you what's needed there, but it isn't to someone like me who has no photography background whatsoever.
What I know about photography, I've learned since being here, and were it not for people who go out of their way to be genuinely helpful and instructive.
So if I'm missing the obvious, then yeah, it may very well be my own limitations that make the place frustrating for me.
There are definitely tastes involved. You stated this image does nothing for you. I like this as well as anything I've done in this sort of run down genre that I like, and have contemplated enlarging this and getting it framed.
Part of what I have done to convince myself that I'm not hopeless is to submit the images that have done well here to assure myself that 1x is just quite different. That's okay, but just don't expect me to to have a good warm fuzzy for a place that I get absolutely nothing from. It has been an exercise in humility, and education from the standpoint that I feel that I have discovered more about my own limitations as a photog. And that has been entirely on me to ascertain. I belomng to about a half dozen sites and this place is far and away the best one as far as a place to work on, and develop my skills and abilities. I also know that I can get help because of how often a helping hand has been extended to me.
As I actually have stated, the effect/impact that I can derive from an image just may never be the kind of thing that will fly over there.
AFAIK, you cannot teach style & artistic ability.......it is what it is.....8>)
If I haven't learned anything else, I'm pretty sure now that I need to just stop both submitting over at 1x, and posting about it here as I've now been thoroughluy dressed down both publicly and privately about it.
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05/09/2010 10:59:35 AM · #1572 |
Originally posted by Louis:
The submission process is for the best of the best; all pandering and cooing about how well-intentioned anyone's effort might be is left behind at that point. |
Nobody asked to be fawned over. Is it too much to ask for *any* reason why an image is rejected?
I've already figured out that I'm not, and prolly will never be a 1x person. That's fine.
I guess my mistake was in assuming that there might be any kind of human interaction during the process.
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05/09/2010 11:43:03 AM · #1573 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
I never said that I *expect* anyone to help out, it was an observation that nobody has bothered save one person here who PMed me and offered to help. I actually did contact them and ask for suggestions and didn't even get the courtesy of an "I'm sorry, but we don't do that sort of thing.". I got no response whatsoever.
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I think it's absolutely crazy to think that they should or would even consider offering you advice, criticism, a formula or a list of things, something, whatever, that would help you get published. I mean, that would be self defeating for the site, if there even was some baked answers they could give you it would be bogus and that's what you need to grasp. If they could have answered your email, I would be bummed out. If the cornerstone or approach to your work is from a "what can I do to make you happy" vantage point, it will show. If you are trying to shoot in their or someone elses "zone" you won't do well. When you have a zone of your own...then they will come around.
The last thing they want are images that emulate something or someone else's work. They don't want to publish images where people have in the forefront, some checklist in mind of what "will fly over there" because at best they will wind up with images that have half a soul, at best. If anything, they are trying to avoid photographers with that mentality or ones who take that approach to their work. They want images that come from the heart, not stuff that fits some notion of popular standards.
Louis' post is great because he compared his image to one that kicks ass, all over that place and was astute in his observation, seeing the clear differences between the two and that kind of analysis is how you WILL learn from 1x. A subtle but keen point is the one about the "vignetting" which is delicate in a sense but hugely powerful in the published shot. In short, they do answer your email 15 or more times a day with what they publish on a daily basis.
I would suggest, simply look at the images they publish...enjoy them, study them, see what set's them apart and at this point you will learn more there than you will here at DPC.
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
I guess my mistake was in assuming that there might be any kind of human interaction during the process. |
They don't really have a process. It's about your process. It's about visual communication, it's not about words and that's the type or level of "human interaction" we are out to effectively achieve, as photographers. Use your eyes.
eta: Not to rub anything in but my last image published has nearly 15,000 views in just over a day. By far the most I've had in such a short period of time. That's pretty powerful coverage. It has to have been linked somewhere and if anyone knows where I'd love to know.
Message edited by author 2010-05-09 14:36:06. |
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05/09/2010 12:56:42 PM · #1574 |
You know, it still stings a bit when I get rejected (and I only submit once every month or two - and only the shots I think might fly) but I can understand it now. I don't have the depth that some get. I have yet to figure if it is in my initial exposure, or my post processing. If anyone wants to lend a hand in that arena, I'd be more than happy to have some assistance! I am quite aware of the need for "story" - that's something I always try to find but it is rather elusive.
At any rate, even DPC has been beating me down quite regularly. I find a moment or two of solace now and then with just me and my own photography, not compared to anyone else. I'd posted five potential "gems" for a friend to have a look at - when I look back at those five, including the one posted here as my most recent rejection, I am still very pleased with all of them. None will be published at 1x, and none will fare well here for that matter. I may, though, print at least one of these for myself. Sometimes that will just have to be enough. |
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05/09/2010 03:52:19 PM · #1575 |
Another nay for me.
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