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08/11/2004 12:35:57 PM · #1 |
I really loved this photo, my favorite that I've taken for a challenge, I even kept it on my desktop background the whole week :) It did get 3 1s and a significant number of 2s and 3s, so I was wondering if anyone could express why they voted it low? Some comments indicated they couldn't tell it was miniature, can someone explain that viewpoint as well?
PS-Yes, I wish I could have cloned out the spot on the planter.
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08/11/2004 02:40:21 PM · #2 |
| I am one of the people who gave it an 8. I don't understand either why people would give it 1s and 2s. But don't be disappointed - it happens to all the images. Keep pushing and you can only get better. |
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08/11/2004 02:54:00 PM · #3 |
| I voted it a 4, for two main reasons, first that it didn't have something that really showed me that it was 'miniature.' Second, was the lack of interest in it, I couldn't really tell what it was that the pitchfork was in (sort of looked disgusting), nor could I see any detail in the green stuff towards the back. So overall, besides the sharpness of the tools, it didn't have much to keep my interest. |
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08/11/2004 02:54:01 PM · #4 |
I didnt vote on this image but to be honest I dont have a clue what it is. It looks like vegetation with garden tools. It could be full size, it could all be miniature, it doesnt have any reference that I can see to indicate that an element is smaller than the other elements. The lighting is a little flat and it looks a tad underexposed, but I think mainly it's lacking the obvious reference to the challenge.
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08/11/2004 03:00:05 PM · #5 |
having a real size shovel or fork might have helped to make the miniature aspect more visible - looks like full size tools as is.
you're lacking a sense of size perspective.
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08/11/2004 03:07:41 PM · #6 |
But it's in a pot. How many plastic windowboxes are big enough to hold pitchforks? I can see the fact that it's slightly dark, and I could understand not knowing what the material in the pot is (miniature mint in the background and peat moss in the foreground), but to me it's very clear that this is a potted plant. Is this really not obvious?
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08/11/2004 03:16:37 PM · #7 |
I also didn't vote this challenge, but have taken a look at your photo. I notice right away what size these elements are, and that they are in a plastic pot, but as mentioned earlier you do not have a sense of scale. Even though my mind knows what they are, and the size, you haven't conveyed that to my eyes. All I can make out is that there are some gardening tools in a somewhat interesting arrangement. As someone else mentioned, a real sized shovel, or garden gloves, or a boot, or hand or something else, to show the relative minature size of the tools would help convey your idea better to the viewer. Remember, the average viewer probably only spends 5 seconds or less looking at your photo before voting. You need to have a quick, clear connection with them, or you will suffer in voting.
On a more technical side, this image is lacking in light. It is under exposed and as a result lacks in contrast as well. Your colors and white balance seem fine. I'm not sure the angle of your camera to the elements in the shot, plus the placement of these elements is as strong as it could be. Did you try other arrangements and camera angles? What was the choice of the black studio background? Did this help or hurt in what you were trying to achieve?
There is more to taking a picture than one thinks... all to often we just walk by and take a shot, without modifying the elements that we can in order to MAKE a photo. Is this really as good as it gets, or could you push, tweak, modify and create something even better?
-danny |
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08/11/2004 03:18:57 PM · #8 |
| I thought it was a raised planter bed with real tools. Looks just like the one in my backyard. |
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08/11/2004 03:44:36 PM · #9 |
i gave it a six because i felt it met the challenge and that it was technically in bounds. it didn't wow me the way it might have if you'd shot it on a different angle, with something to put it in perspective (ie, a colorful watering pail, or something similar).
sometimes, it's not a matter of taking a gazillion shots; it's a matter of being able to ask yourself why the one you like sux.
one thing i try to do after a competition is to go back and reshoot or rework my entry, based on the comments i got. little by little, i'm building a better checklist of things to consider before hitting the submit button for the last time.
compare these from blue:
 
the 2nd one never would have happened had it not been for the comments. it might not have scored much higher, but i like it better.
good luck,
skip |
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08/11/2004 04:19:11 PM · #10 |
Thanks for all the comments, I see what you're saying. I really appreciate everyone's help with this, you are all contributing to what makes this site such a great place to be. Now, off to Neon... :)
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