Subject matter or image quality? Rural results

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

12/16/2022 06:30:40 AM · #1

"Discuss challenge results here. Did the winner deserve to win, or did another photograph?"

That's the purpose / description associated with this (Challenge Results) forum area.
Rarely does this get used to ask a question that is less than all accolades, but here goes ...

This image, placed 4th, with a healthy 6.6+ score ==>

.

Here's my question: How did this image maintain that score with obliterated details? At least, that's what I'm seeing on a couple different monitors. It looks like noise reduction wiped out the fence details, fur and feather details are gone, and the foreground grass is funky looking.

Was it the "yay, look - puppies" response (not puppies I know, but the general concept of cute animals)?

Not picking on you Jane (

MeMex2). I've seen this before with other entries in the past and finally decided to ask.

So ... subject matter or image quality? That's the question.

MargaretNet

Sony DSC-RX100 VII

12/16/2022 07:14:26 AM · #2

Artistic license ;)

Rankles

Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel

12/16/2022 07:40:30 AM · #3

I tend to vote primarily first based on 'does the photo meet the challenge theme?'. If it doesn't, it can't get higher than a 4 for me. This comes from my experience with marking English writing exams for students. It doesn't matter how good the piece is, if you fail to meet the requested task then you can't score highly. I think that's a fair starting point.

Then comes everything else - general competence with the photo itself at first, with the higher marks going to those who show great skill with composition, editing, got the perfect conditions etc.

For me this was a 6. I like the image - and I didn't honestly notice any blown-out details but for me it wasn't really important. For me it's a competently taken photo with a great subject. I mean all the animals are lined up like a family portrait and they're even looking at the camera. In this case that trumps the technical side of the photo to a point.

Fix those minor issues and it would creep up to a seven. The conditions and location the shooter had to work with are what they are, if they'd somehow been somewhere more idyllic or interesting then we're talking eight. Could this ever be a ten then? Perhaps not, but I doubt the photographer expected it to be :)

It's a fun shot. That it placed highly may say more about the other entries than about this particular photograph, I think its ultimate 6.6 is pretty fair considering I think my average vote is on the lower side.

mikeee

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/16/2022 09:02:29 AM · #4

Personally, I find a lot of the photos on here are poorly executed, including many of mine. The main benefit of this site is learning from the comments on the photos, whether it's content or execution. I think my photography has improved as a result of reading the many helpful comments I have received, as well as reading those on other photos.

My harsh cut off criteria is "would I like to see this photo again?'. If not, it's not a very good photo. So, in answer to the OP's question, for me it's about content and emotion more than technical excellence. Tell me a story or make me go 'aaah', 'wow' or 'what the heck?' and I'll want to see that photo again. It has made me consider what photos I will submit based on whether anybody would ever want to look at the photo again. My highest scoring photos all fit that criteria.

In the Rural Challenge, there are only 2 photos I'd like to see again. In the Orange Challenge, none. Skyscape Challenge, 5. I've not really thought of it like this before and I'm quite shocked.

Coming back from 4 years away from this site I notice few comments and dwindling challenge entries. 88 photos in the 4 challenges open for voting now? We all remember 10+ pages of photos per challenge and great photos down to 20th place.

Message edited by author 2022-12-16 10:18:58.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

12/16/2022 09:41:49 AM · #5

Thank you. Interesting feedback thus far. Appreciate it!

Yo_Spiff

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

12/16/2022 10:13:58 AM · #6

I gave it a 6. An interesting collection of farm animals, but I did notice the soft details which may have been intentional editing. But a 6 is what I give for something that is decent but doesn't have wow factor or make any impact on me. I actually expected most would have given this a 5 and it would have landed in the mid 5's.I usually vote on the more generous side, with my average cast in most challenges being between 6 and 6.5.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

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

12/16/2022 10:16:13 AM · #7

Originally posted by mikeee:

Coming back from 4 years away from this site I notice see few comments and dwindling challenge entries. 88 photos in the 4 challenges open for voting now? We all remember 10+ pages of photos per challenge and great photos down to 20th place.

Yup. We have a strong core group, however.

posthumous

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/16/2022 10:17:29 AM · #8

I didn't vote, but maybe some people vote relative to other photos in the challenge? If you look at all the photos below it, there are none that meet ribbon hog standards, by which I mean eye candy that fits the challenge in an obvious, cliched way.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

12/16/2022 10:35:40 AM · #9

For me, the processing of the entry seems like a deliberate choice, and I rather like it for this particular image. And the subject matter, of course, and the sheer amazement that the critters are lined up like a grade-school class shot, work entirely in its favor :-)

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

12/16/2022 10:39:00 AM · #10

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

For me, the processing of the entry seems like a deliberate choice ...

ISO 5600 - I suspect it was deliberate, but not in the way you imagine. ;-)

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

12/16/2022 10:45:16 AM · #11

My short answer to this has always been that I prioritize "quality image" (subject, composition) over "image quality" (exposure, sharpness, etc.).

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

12/16/2022 07:09:44 PM · #12

Originally posted by glad2badad:

This image, placed 4th, with a healthy 6.6+ score ==> .

Here's my question: How did this image maintain that score with obliterated details? At least, that's what I'm seeing on a couple different monitors. It looks like noise reduction wiped out the fence details, fur and feather details are gone, and the foreground grass is funky looking.

When I saw it, I kind of wondered what happened. I know sometimes if I'm trying to work through an edit and it starts down this path I often let the original issues go. I'm glad it did as well as it did for you, but I'm kinda surprised at the same time.

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Was it the "yay, look - puppies" response (not puppies I know, but the general concept of cute animals)?

Definitely has the cuteness factor. LOL!

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Not picking on you Jane ( MeMex2). I've seen this before with other entries in the past and finally decided to ask.

From me, less picking than I've rarely seen work with such obvious editing......mishaps from you. Had I seen this image and had to pick from a list of five names under it as to who made the image and yours was one of the names, I'd not have picked this as being yours.

Originally posted by glad2badad:

So ... subject matter or image quality? That's the question.

They both matter. Oh, and don't forget those of us who try and title drive a shoehorn. LOL!

Message edited by glad2badad - Corrected quote association..

mariuca

Fujifilm X-T30

Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS

12/16/2022 10:53:43 PM · #13

Originally posted by posthumous:

If you look at all the photos below it, there are none that meet ribbon hog standards, by which I mean eye candy that fits the challenge in an obvious, cliched way.

mikeee My harsh cut off criteria is "would I like to see this photo again?'. If not, it's not a very good photo. So, in answer to the OP's question, for me it's about content and emotion more than technical excellence.

mikeee

Neat

Canon Canon 1d x Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

12/17/2022 09:33:00 AM · #14

I loved the editing style, think it really suited the whole theme, much prefer noise reduction done effectively than super over processed images anytime.