pictures lacking the "wow" factor...

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/11/2004 09:09:24 AM · #1

let's say someone takes a photo that is technically good, compositionally good and meets the challenge, but the only thing that is lacking is the "wow" factor... what kind of score do you typically give? or, if you'd like to go into more depth, how do you typically vote over all? and do you ever adjust your voting once the voting period is coming to a close and you're seeing what your score is? i actually did this last night... i saw my score and went through to see what i had voted higher/lower and tweaked my scores IN COMPARISON to my own score and what i thought was better/worse than mine. for instance, if i thought mine was better than another, but had originally given it a 6, i bumped it to a 5 (which was below my own score). i felt a little guilty (and because of that, won't do it again), but i think maybe i'm a little too generous with my scores in that middle grouping of photos that are technically/compositionally sound but lacking the "wow" factor. i often give 7s and 8s to photos like these, but there aren't a lot of people doing the same for me.

i'm working on adding that "wow" factor... i just haven't achieved it yet... but when i look over some results, i just think "how did THAT score better than mine?" i'd love to post examples, but i would never slam someone else's work like that.

anyway, just some thoughts...

smokeditor

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/11/2004 09:19:19 AM · #2

Usually for me, if the photo meets the challenge is well composed and has proper exposure, it will get a 5 or 6. A 5 for somewhat interesting and 6 for kinda interesting. 7,8, and 9 are reserved for the "WOW" factors and 10's are for those amazing photos that just blow you away.

colda

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

08/11/2004 09:39:19 AM · #3

I think that there is a certain loss in how pics are judged, naturally pics that lack an 'in-your-face' quality are not going to stand out when your going through approx. 250 pics.

I have to be honest I was hoping for a 5+ with my first entry

but I'm not upset, I'm still happy with the outcome :)

I wanted to create a pic that was original and natural (lighting etc), I only used a low-end compact camera so all in all I thought that I did quite well (voters have no way of knowing my intentions etc)

My VP challenge entry is doing a bit better, I opted for something with good contrasts and looked good as a thumbnail

I think that we have to look at the input that we get on here in context, it's very competitive and the need to stand out from the crowd is paramount. It's an excellent training ground for those that want to use photography for product marketing, but subtle creations can easily get looked over.

Message edited by author 2004-08-11 09:52:17.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

08/11/2004 08:31:09 PM · #4

colda, i gave you a 7... i thought it had great composition. and yours certainly did deserve a better score. it's images like yours that make me wonder... because yours was a lot better than some that scored higher. i just don't get why! anyway, just a minor frustration.

my VP isn't doing well at all, i'm barely clinging to a 5, and i've gotten two fairly positive comments... i knew that one didn't have the "wow" factor, bit i still think it's better than a 5.

ScantyNebula

Canon EOS-5D

08/11/2004 08:40:04 PM · #5

Hey,

Here's how I break down my voting structure. Completely "what the hell were they thinking" phots, a 1. Out of focus, grainy, unattractive photos 2-4. Technically well composed photograph gets 5-6. Technically well composed with great subject, meets the challenge very well, and overall gets my attention to take a closer look, 7-8. Total eyegrabbers and amazing shots get 9 or 10. I don't give out a lot of tens cause a picture is rarely ever perfect .. I save those for the ultimate WOW shots ;)

About your pencil shot - I didn't vote on the miniature challenge, BUT looking at it now I would give yours a 6. Its technically good, but for me lacks in wow factor. I'd like to see more "drama" in the lighting, and the pencil (the top of) isn't properly exposed to the light.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/11/2004 08:59:35 PM · #6

I'm still rather new to the whole challenge and voting scene here. But here's my 2 cents worth:

I figure '5' should be an average score. So... I vote every photo that "meets the challenge" as a 5. Then if the photo itself is above average, I give it an above average score. If there are technical problems (poor lighting, focus, etc) it will score below average.

Those that have that "wow" factor end up with 8's and 9's (maybe a 10).

Those that I feel are good pictures but which didn't meet the challenge are the ones that I have a hard time scoring! If it's a good picture, I want to score it high and have to talk myself down for not meeting the challenge. I'll generally drop a point or two off of my score if I didn't think it meet the challenge.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED

08/11/2004 09:03:21 PM · #7

thanks to all of you for your opinions. :) i appreciate seeing how others work/think.

joebok

Fujifilm X100F

08/11/2004 09:21:34 PM · #8

For me a 5 is the base score for a photo that meets the challenge and is not bad photographically. Good photography (composition, focus/DOF, lighting) will raise the score to the 6, maybe 7 - but the ones that I immediately flag 8 or better are the ones that cause me to think outside my box. If there are some serious photographic flaws I'll down it to a notch and give a comment. Off topic I will rate a 3 unless it's fantastic, in which case I give a 4.

After I've gone through once, I'll look at the top few and then raise/lower scores to reflect the ordering that I think they ought to be in. That usually means I'll have a 10 or two, and a handful of 9s and 8s.

Bud

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

08/11/2004 09:40:29 PM · #9

I notice that in most challenges, a score between 7 and 8 is what wins the competition. So, there is ALOT of personal preference in play. I see photos that I think are awesome, but they end up in 20th place and other that I think are only in the top 40, end up winning.

I personally give a 5 for anything that meets the challenge and strikes me as an average photo. I grade down for out of focus, bad lighting, wrong or very weak topic association. I grade up for originality, composition, and good lighting. Things that make me see the competition in a whole new light or look twice go to 8+. I rarely give 1's or 2's. Of course, it is subjective and that is what makes it all interesting!

Chiqui

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

08/11/2004 09:52:04 PM · #10

I really had high expectations for my "miniature" entry. It didnt' do bad compared to my other entries, but I really thought it was gonna do better.

June