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09/20/2010 09:15:30 PM · #1 |
How do you know what to critique about a photograph?
Also, Hi guys! Haven't been on for a while. |
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09/20/2010 10:25:05 PM · #2 |
Welcome back.
Here's my view of it, I think the majority of members are more or less in line with this, but with some variations. Then there are always the members who have totally different criteria and preferences.
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How I vote:
1-totally sucks, blurry grainy, unidentifiable. I usually only give a 1 for something that is clearly an effort to get the brown.
2- brown ribbon for sure. Grainy, blurry, lots of artifacts, shadows and blown highlights. lousy snapshot
3- The average snapshot someone takes if they don't know anything about photography.
4- basic exposure and composition is ok and shows effort and some knowledge. Still lacking somehow compared to other DPC stuff.
5- A good shot, but nothing that stands out over the rest. No shame in getting a 5. Something that averages in the high 5's will probably get wowed over elsewhere.
6- Like it, though it's not wowing me.
7- Really good stuff.
8- Getting into "WOW" territory.
9- How to you do it? Do you have a life outside photography?
10- I am in awe.
Other factors:
-If I feel the entry does not meet the challenge topic (a.k.a. a "shoehorn" entry) I will rate it on the quality of the shot, but then deduct 1-3 points depending on how far off base I think it is. If I am the only one that feels that way, then my slightly lower vote won't hurt it much.
-Sometimes an extra point or two for an outstandingly creative idea, but an average shot.
-I often give a lower vote for visible compression artifacts that could have been easily avoided. If there are visible artifacts and a small file size, I will ding you. I have often low voted high scoring images for this when everyone else wows over it. If I ding you on this, I will leave a comment about it, so that you know why it got that low vote from me.
-Although personal taste is part of the process, I try to rate on the quality of the photo. If I don't personally care for it, but still think it is good work, I won't low vote it.
Due to the compression of opinions, I feel the final averages are a little different:
<3 Pretty bad snapshot, extremely out of the box, or an intentional effort at last place (Known as a "Brown Ribbon", or "Brownie")
4-4.5 Pretty poor, or extremely misunderstood and under appreciated.
4.5-5.0 a good effort that shows some knowledge, but still lacking in some major way.
5.0-5.5 A decent effort that just did not blow people over. No shame in a 5
5.5-6.0 A good shot that appealed to the majority of people, or had very strong appeal for a smaller group. Despite people moaning about scores in this range, it is doing well and is usually a mid-pack or higher placement in most challenges.
6.0-6.5 A really good shot with broad appeal.
6.5+ Killer shot, this getting into ribbon territory.
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09/20/2010 10:28:00 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Welcome back.
Here's my view of it, I think the majority of members are more or less in line with this, but with some variations. Then there are always the members who have totally different criteria and preferences.
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I am astonished, sir, that you did not include the dead horse and/or popcorn emoticons when you posted in this thread.... :-P
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09/20/2010 10:41:11 PM · #4 |
| I have created a very sophisticated piece of software that analyzes sharpness and saturation and votes for me. |
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09/20/2010 10:45:33 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by chromeydome:
I am astonished, sir, that you did not include the dead horse and/or popcorn emoticons when you posted in this thread.... :-P |
My apologies. I actually keep that long winded explanation on my flashdrive for whenever the question comes up. I'll do one better than the popcorn and dead horse. It's ok to give a "welcome back" basket, isn't it?
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09/20/2010 10:48:42 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by smardaz:
I have created a very sophisticated piece of software that analyzes sharpness and saturation and votes for me. |
Now if you can add a way to determine DNMC's to that program you would really have something! |
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09/21/2010 01:02:39 AM · #7 |
| Hmm. I give a good deal of leeway for DNMC but if I don't think an effort has been made to connect in some way I will vote low because it defeats the purpose of a theme with a time limit (exception: Free Study, obviously). A scene that is somehow associated with the theme but is not compelling in any way gets a 4. If it suffers from something that is a "flaw" that I don't feel adds to the effect of the photo, this drops to a 3 or 2. Flaw is really a bad term though, because grain/blur/blown areas/crushed shadows can be awesome when used right. If the presence of such elements is pointless or does not aid the photo, then it results in a lowered vote. If it helps it, it will increase the vote. Something that meets theme and is visually interesting gets a 6. Then there is a gradation up to 10, wherein 9 or 10 are very compelling and strike something in me and have very little if anything that I would say is amiss. Photos that seem to "say" something to me always score higher regardless of everything else because I think that's harder to teach and should be rewarded. Controls can be easily taught through comments, vision and idea cannot so easily. |
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