Yet another 'what's wrong with this pic?' thread

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120 f/4 S

01/16/2013 09:21:20 AM · #1

OK all, I'd love to get feedback on this image, my entry in Resolutions, which I honestly thought would finish in the top ten.

Yes, I realize that this is simply a variation on the image of a fridge with a chain and padlock around it, so it isn't the most original idea. But I think the technicals of this shot, considering the high gloss of the main subject, are pretty damn fine.

So tell me what you think. Constructively, please.

smardaz

01/16/2013 09:55:26 AM · #2

it sucks.......oh wait, I just saw the "constructively" part....nevermind

smardaz

01/16/2013 09:58:06 AM · #3

ok i want to remain friends with you, so in all seriousness, i personally never really cared for pictures of statues and the like. I think the technicals, like you say, are good. There is however a kind of harshness to the light that i can't really articulate.

bassbone

Nikon Z8

01/16/2013 10:00:32 AM · #4

A couple things come to mind. The hand written note AND the chain with the lock appear to be overkill to get your point across. I think picking the lock by itself would have been a bit more subtle and less pound you over the head. As it is, the image may have come off as a bit bright in the background and a tad shiny on the bear itself.

paynekj

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

01/16/2013 10:22:13 AM · #5

I found it rather obscure. At first glance I didn't see what the point was - "Why is this bear chained up?" It was only after looking for a while that I saw the cookie and got the point of it, but that means that my initial impression was puzzlement rather than thinking it was a good photo.

Kevin

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

01/16/2013 10:23:59 AM · #6

I gave it a 6. Lighting is ok (maybe a bit much on the chain) and the other technicals are ok, too. I didn't realise it was a cookie jar (I'd never let pieces like this in my home, honestly, I didn't even know they exist) - oh, is that a cookie in his paw? , but thought it was piggy (well, Beary) bank. That didn't make enough sense to give a higher vote.

On a side note â�� top 10, really? With a household object on white background? Haven't you been around here for long enough to know better?

mikeee

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/16/2013 10:24:56 AM · #7

I didn't get it and I only realised that it was a 'cookie jar' once I read the description. I gave you a 5, mainly because the technical aspects were very good.

01/16/2013 10:48:25 AM · #8

.

Message edited by author 2013-01-16 10:49:08.

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

01/16/2013 10:48:34 AM · #9

Originally posted by h2:

Thanks for the 6. But *deep sigh* I bought the bear solely as a prop, otherwise I wouldn't have it in my possession. I would think the cookie is pretty obviously a cookie.

As for the lighting, I don't know if you read my notes or not, but I don't have a studio full of lights. And yes, I suppose I set my hopes too high. I've seen tons of whitefield studio shots do very well, so why shouldn't mine?

Yes, I should and *do* know better, but I suppose I'm either really stupid or really optimistic - you choose - to be brave enough to take a chance with my work, and get some experience lighting a studio shot without an arsenal of studio lights at my disposal. Shame on me.

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

01/16/2013 10:57:02 AM · #10

I didn't vote -- but I'm the same way -- I'm really not crazy about pictures of objects. I actually like the chain, but the chain on a statue doesn't make much sense, because it was pretty obvious that it wasn't a cookie jar. So I probably would have given it a 6 for a good attempt. If it was a cookie jar, it would make a lot more sense, and would have scored higher, probably a 7. But it is pretty bright...

nygold

Nikon D5000

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G

01/16/2013 11:09:18 AM · #11

It also took me a bit to figure out the shot. It's not the type of shot that really has an impact on me.
I tried to look deeper and figure out a story behind it.
The messsage I got was the cookie was the reward for working out.
As silly as it is, it tells a story so I was one of your higher votes.
It's like jogging to Burger King.
To me the background is too bright, the note and the chain on the bottom left seem to get lost in it.
But I assumed it was my monitor and not your image so it didn't reflect in my score of the shot.

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

01/16/2013 11:17:59 AM · #12

Originally posted by snaffles:

I've seen tons of whitefield studio shots do very well,

Again, really? Of all my ribbons there's 4 with white background and of my top 10s another three. Only 3 of those 7 would be comparable and I was surprised they did so well. All of them scored relatively low.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/16/2013 11:30:14 AM · #13

I'm with some of the others. It took a while to realize it was a cookie jar and in that length of time most people would have voted already.

Tiny

Apple iPad mini 4

01/16/2013 11:33:29 AM · #14

I gave it a 3.
Took me a while to "get it" and the object is so abysmal I just loathe it.
The lighting is too harsh by far.
Sorry if this sounds beastly but you are so much better than this image and you know I adore you.
Neilx

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

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

01/16/2013 11:37:02 AM · #15

I recall voting that one and giving it some examination. Gave it a 6 for the concept, but felt the glossy hand painted jar was busy and found it hard to discern the relevant aspects of the image. The chain and lock have some nearly blown highlights. Light was kind of overly bright and straight-on without any subtlety.

RyanW

Nikon D7000

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

01/16/2013 12:06:13 PM · #16

i think because the bear isn't the most "photogenic" in the world people may have not voted it up as much.
objects like this generally mean more to those who own or passed along the object than to others, so sentimentality is part of your perception.
if this was a more natural feeling cookie jar, or if it was a bit cuter i can see the score going up some.
the shine on the bear, as mentioned by some, does make it feel "object-y" more than a cuddly bear reminding you of something.

hope this helps