Dumbfounded (or maybe just dumb?)

03/03/2004 09:20:54 AM · #1

I don't get it... my first three challenge entries have score 5.57, 5.79 and 5.93 (currently, for Fire). I've already learned a lot and my scores are improving, so I had high hopes with my Silence entry...

Good composition, rule of thirds? CHECK
Dramatic lighting? CHECK
Does it communicate silence? CHECK and DOUBLE CHECK

I'm currently standing at 4.91 with one lone comment, "Meets the challenge." Yikes! There are clearly some superior shots in this one, but I was fully expecting a top-20 finish. I must have missed something obvious. I'm just shocked at the results.

Perhaps I could have done better with my outtake- I swapped it out just before the deadline. Does anybody think this might have cleared 5 for Silence?

lindsay

Canon PowerShot SD700 IS

03/03/2004 09:27:14 AM · #2

Wow. I don't know about any of those things. This is my first entry.. but I understand what you mean about the comments. I don't have any. I know my photo isn't the best (currently at 4.7442) but I was hoping to learn a bit from the comments. Doesn't look like that's going to happen. But now, at least, I'll go look up the "rule of thirds" and what constitutes dramatic lighting. hehe

I hope yours perks up a bit.. sorry I can't offer any kind of real advice.

jonpink

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

03/03/2004 09:31:34 AM · #3

Forget the rules, if you have used the rule of 3rds, dramatic lighting and great challenge connection it means nothing if your subject sucks...

03/03/2004 09:36:47 AM · #4

That's probably what happened. What about the gramophone shot below, though?

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

03/03/2004 09:38:25 AM · #5

It sucks not getting a lot of comments, but there are lots of ways to learn. I often read comments left on other shots, or read about how shots are made in the "learn" section, or just study what I like and don't like about other submissions. And like others have said, just because a shot doesn't score 1st place on a particular challenge, doesn't mean it isn't a fantastic shot. You're outtake is great, by the way.

GoldBerry

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

03/03/2004 10:34:25 AM · #6

Originally posted by scalvert:

That's probably what happened. What about the gramophone shot below, though?

Don't like the shot, not because of the subject, just poor focus and composition. Sorry!

GoldBerry

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

03/03/2004 10:35:23 AM · #7

Originally posted by jonpink:

Forget the rules, if you have used the rule of 3rds, dramatic lighting and great challenge connection it means nothing if your subject sucks...

Forget the rules but use the rules? Sorry Jonpink, if he listens to this reasoning he'll be walking into walls pretty soon.
:0

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

03/03/2004 10:42:48 AM · #8

Time for a new monitor, GoldBerry- the focus on this shot was razor-sharp throughout! LOL Composition was fine to my taste, but I think the light should have been more dramatic.

coolhar

03/03/2004 11:02:15 AM · #9

Originally posted by hopper:

It sucks not getting a lot of comments

It wouldn't suck quite so bad if everybody tried to make as many comments as they receive. Someone who has made 26 and received 138 has no room to complain.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

03/03/2004 11:03:56 AM · #10

Originally posted by jonpink:

Forget the rules, if you have used the rule of 3rds, dramatic lighting and great challenge connection it means nothing if your subject sucks...

Ditto. Visual impact, including the subject choice, is important.

coolhar

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

03/03/2004 11:22:27 AM · #11

First thing that came to my mind when I looked at Forgotten2 was "forced use of the rule of thirds". The light is bright on the background and on the wall where the subject's shadow is, but I'd like more light on the subject itself. If the light were more toward the front it would better show the arm, platter, the crank, and the underside of the cover. I perceive someone working hard to get a good shot and trying new things to learn. BTW, I really liked your "Battle of the Bulge". If it was up to me it would have been in the top 10. If you ever do any more shots of sundaes, gimme a call and I'll help you manage the props, LOL.

03/03/2004 11:32:21 AM · #12

Coolhar- you're absolutely right on all counts. Good comments. Edit: BTW- I had MUCH better sundae shots, but it was cloudy all week so I couldn't get the afternoon light I wanted. I ended up using a 500w work light, but it was too harsh and made my subjects VERY temporary!

John- You might as well be a voice from a burning bush. Point taken. The dull subject was unavoidable in this case, so the concept itself was likely my downfall.

It's early still, and my Silence submission just poked it's head above 5, so I feel a little better. ;-)

Message edited by author 2004-03-03 11:39:53.

leaf

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/03/2004 12:19:34 PM · #13

a technically sound image, good light, rule of thirds, and good focus.. is ONE part of an image, however there is also the interest factor, if it has impact, if it is creative, if rule of thirds SHOULD have been used, perhaps an image would be good with little focus (low DOF), and maybe low key (darkish image) would improve a picture as well.
You can't make a picture from a recipe book and if you do, it might sometimes be good, and might sometiems be bad.

I think the outtake, doesn't relaly hold any interest to me. What is the concrete adding?, the image is so small in the corner, with lots of distraction in the forground and on the walls. The angle it was shot at doesn't really appeal to me or create any feelings.

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/03/2004 01:10:38 PM · #14

Maybe they should be called suggestions instead of rules?

leaf