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05/01/2013 09:45:36 PM · #26 |
Votes: 30
Views: 56
Avg Vote: 6.4333
Comments: 1
Favorites: 0
Wish Lists: 0
Updated: 05/01/13 09:44 pm
Gonna be a long week |
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05/01/2013 09:47:29 PM · #27 |
Originally posted by Hussar1812:
... high structure... |
What's high structure?
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05/01/2013 10:01:45 PM · #28 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
Originally posted by Hussar1812:
... high structure... |
What's high structure? |
Detail Enhacement (as frequently seen in HDR / pseudo-HDR and occasionally in B&W). Stucture is more a Nik Software detail enhancement term used in some of their plug-ins like Silver Efex Pro. Global Structure Adjustment |
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05/01/2013 10:11:02 PM · #29 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
Originally posted by Hussar1812:
... high structure... |
What's high structure? |
Originally posted by Hussar1812:
Detail Enhacement (as frequently seen in HDR / pseudo-HDR and occasionally in B&W). Stucture is more a Nik Software detail enhancement term used in some of their plug-ins like Silver Efex Pro. Global Structure Adjustment |
Tonemapping. Hussar is clearly one that dislikes the look. Personal preferences are why it is soooo hard to pull a high average score here. I do my part to keep averages down by not giving high votes to flowers.
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05/01/2013 10:18:44 PM · #30 |
Votes: 29
Views: 57
Avg Vote: 6.6552
Comments: 2 |
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05/01/2013 10:21:24 PM · #31 |
Originally posted by Hussar1812:
First challenge back in more than a year and a half. Have to say while there are some great shots in there, there is also quite a significant number of duds. As a general observation, I was amazed how many Free Study submissions were shot in the mid-day sun, burned out highlights, horribly over-saturated / over sharpened / vignetted / high structure, etc, poorly composed (distracting elements, crooked horizons on landscapes, etc). Also, notice some members still blatantly shooting exact same thing 2 years later...does it not get boring? or is that a strategy for buddy / sympathy votes? As for as scores, same story as the other folks here....started ok, took a dive day 1. Same 'ol fun :) |
Sounds like you're really enjoying the place. |
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05/01/2013 10:23:02 PM · #32 |
Originally posted by Hussar1812:
First challenge back in more than a year and a half. Have to say while there are some great shots in there, there is also quite a significant number of duds. As a general observation, I was amazed how many Free Study submissions were shot in the mid-day sun, burned out highlights, horribly over-saturated / over sharpened / vignetted / high structure, etc, poorly composed (distracting elements, crooked horizons on landscapes, etc). Also, notice some members still blatantly shooting exact same thing 2 years later...does it not get boring? or is that a strategy for buddy / sympathy votes? |
Shirley I deserve just a little bit of credit for ticking every single one of those boxes. It's not as easy as it looks. |
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05/01/2013 10:29:08 PM · #33 |
Originally posted by bohemka:
. . .
Shirley I deserve just a little bit of credit for ticking every single one of those boxes. It's not as easy as it looks. |
LOL
But who's Shirley and how did she get into this discussion? :) |
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05/01/2013 10:31:54 PM · #34 |
first 15 votes 6.7, then crapped out
Votes: 31
Views: 56
Avg Vote: 5.9677
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05/01/2013 10:40:44 PM · #35 |
Originally posted by bohemka:
Originally posted by Hussar1812:
First challenge back in more than a year and a half. Have to say while there are some great shots in there, there is also quite a significant number of duds. As a general observation, I was amazed how many Free Study submissions were shot in the mid-day sun, burned out highlights, horribly over-saturated / over sharpened / vignetted / high structure, etc, poorly composed (distracting elements, crooked horizons on landscapes, etc). Also, notice some members still blatantly shooting exact same thing 2 years later...does it not get boring? or is that a strategy for buddy / sympathy votes? |
Shirley I deserve just a little bit of credit for ticking every single one of those boxes. It's not as easy as it looks. |
Don't call me Shirley. |
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05/01/2013 11:18:09 PM · #36 |
I miss the forums and the laughs of this place that's for sure. :)
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Tonemapping. Hussar is clearly one that dislikes the look. Personal preferences are why it is soooo hard to pull a high average score here. |
To be fair, we all have personal preferences of what we find aesthetically pleasing (although I do feel certain elements are universal). Having said that I don't mind tonemapping if done tastefully (which sadly isn't often). To me tonemapped "HDR" look only works in certain images and there is a fine line between tasteful and cheaply gaudy (for lack of a better word)....that line is too often crossed IMHO. I think most people know when they've "gone too far on the slider" but are either lazy to go back or lack enough confidence in the outright image and feel it needs the extra "zazz." As a side note, Yo Spiff typically been a fan of your work.
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
I do my part to keep averages down by not giving high votes to flowers. |
I try to be partial when judging. I nearly never award 1 or 2s and extremely rarely give 9s and 10s on the first vote...( ALWAYS make a point to comment on any image I've voted 3 or lower to explain to the photographer why I voted that way). 99% of my votes are in 3 to 8 range. I will also review my votes after the fact for potential upgrade / downgrade based on the rest of the field in the challenge.
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05/01/2013 11:55:59 PM · #37 |
Originally posted by PapaBob:
first 15 votes 6.7, then crapped out
Votes: 31
Views: 56
Avg Vote: 5.9677 |
lol...I'm with ya there...started out great, then at 30 votes....5.9333...you'd think we would get used to this type of voting after all these years...lol |
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05/02/2013 12:14:41 AM · #38 |
Originally posted by Hussar1812:
I try to be partial when judging. I nearly never award 1 or 2s and extremely rarely give 9s and 10s on the first vote...( ALWAYS make a point to comment on any image I've voted 3 or lower to explain to the photographer why I voted that way). 99% of my votes are in 3 to 8 range. I will also review my votes after the fact for potential upgrade / downgrade based on the rest of the field in the challenge. |
I didn't say I lowballed flower shots either. They usually get the "Good enough, but does nothing for me" vote. I suspect that is how many of my own entries come off on others.
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05/02/2013 01:08:20 AM · #39 |
In a step towards my goal of winning a brown ribbon with a shot I like I now have more clues. Flowers, vingettes, and must do some research into high structure.
Sadly this one lacks some essential quality.
Votes: 35
Views: 57
Avg Vote: 5.2857 |
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05/02/2013 01:42:38 AM · #40 |
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
In a step towards my goal of winning a brown ribbon with a shot I like I now have more clues. Flowers, vingettes, and must do some research into high structure.
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Don't forget to shoot it at high noon to blow out all f'ing highlights :) You know really "High Key" ;) |
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05/02/2013 02:04:21 AM · #41 |
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
In a step towards my goal of winning a brown ribbon with a shot I like I now have more clues. Flowers, vingettes, and must do some research into high structure.
Sadly this one lacks some essential quality.
Votes: 35
Views: 57
Avg Vote: 5.2857 |
Ha.
I did this twice in a row this year.
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05/02/2013 02:18:48 AM · #42 |
Originally posted by Hussar1812:
Don't forget to shoot it at high noon to blow out all f'ing highlights :) You know really "High Key" ;) |
You know - I don't know how to take that statement and your previous one. I work, I have kids, I do photography as a hobby and am trying to improve my skills with the finite amount of time that I can to allot to it. I don't always have the time or the chance to create the perfect scene or get somewhere at sunset or sunrise. But my camera goes with me everywhere. I'm shooting pictures daily. Some snapshot-like, some more 'composed', some planned. But I often can't go re-shoot and get the perfect shot. Some of my entries are really great moments that I captured, and I choose to enter those even if not technically great. I'm assuming others are that way as well.
I enjoy entering the challenges, learning, and trying to get better. It would be much more helpful if folks commented on photos and offered advice rather than posting general comments that literally degrade others' work just because many are not award-winning. Without people like me and others, there may be 20 entries instead of 200, and that shot that placed 20 would be last place instead of top 10%.
Message edited by author 2013-05-02 02:19:38. |
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05/02/2013 03:28:15 AM · #43 |
Originally posted by mariahdc:
Originally posted by Hussar1812:
Don't forget to shoot it at high noon to blow out all f'ing highlights :) You know really "High Key" ;) |
You know - I don't know how to take that statement and your previous one. I work, I have kids, I do photography as a hobby and am trying to improve my skills with the finite amount of time that I can to allot to it. I don't always have the time or the chance to create the perfect scene or get somewhere at sunset or sunrise. But my camera goes with me everywhere. I'm shooting pictures daily. Some snapshot-like, some more 'composed', some planned. But I often can't go re-shoot and get the perfect shot. Some of my entries are really great moments that I captured, and I choose to enter those even if not technically great. I'm assuming others are that way as well.
I enjoy entering the challenges, learning, and trying to get better. It would be much more helpful if folks commented on photos and offered advice rather than posting general comments that literally degrade others' work just because many are not award-winning. Without people like me and others, there may be 20 entries instead of 200, and that shot that placed 20 would be last place instead of top 10%. |
Dear Maria,
First and foremost, if my comments offended you, please accept my apology. I fully understand the burden of a full time job and being a parent. In fact, the birth of my son in 2011 is why I took so much time off from this site as my hobby took a back seat.
However, while I appreciate not being able to shoot at certain points of the day and having limited time to devote to a hobby, i don't except it as an excuse for mediocrity or complete disregard for technical aspects of this craft. There are ways of getting around things like blown highlights for example....cloudy days, diffusers, spot metering, external lighting, etc. Bottom line, we should all be striving to improve ourselves and my comments are not meant to wound touchy egos but rather be taken as points to keep in mind when taking a shot:
1. Does is have a purpose / subject / story?
2. Is this the best possible angle / framing / composition for this image?
3. Is there anything I can do to improve it now so that I don't have to spend so much time post-processing (i.e. is my white balance appropriate, does my aperture make sense for what I'm trying to achieve, do I possibly need circular polarizer to reduce the glare of water / greenery, perhaps an ND grad / ND filter to get a slower exposure)?
That is all I'm asking. I don't have time nor the inclination to lie to people and tell them how talented they are and they earn brownie points for trying....Sorry that's just tough cookies. I believe if you're going to do something, you should make every effort to do it well.
I'm my worst critic and feel I've achieved some commercial success due in part to that aspect of my personality. It is very rare for someone to make a critical comment about my work which is something I've already not thought about / noticed (albeit not always had a chance to improve / correct). When it comes to this free study, looking at the images in play, I'll be happy to finish in the top 100. However, that expectation is realistic given the effort put forth and the quality of other's work. Our egos are the biggest impediments to our growth while humility is the pathway to success.
Best of luck to you.
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05/02/2013 06:31:14 AM · #44 |
Originally posted by Hussar1812:
Originally posted by mariahdc:
Originally posted by Hussar1812:
Don't forget to shoot it at high noon to blow out all f'ing highlights :) You know really "High Key" ;) |
You know - I don't know how to take that statement and your previous one. I work, I have kids, I do photography as a hobby and am trying to improve my skills with the finite amount of time that I can to allot to it. I don't always have the time or the chance to create the perfect scene or get somewhere at sunset or sunrise. But my camera goes with me everywhere. I'm shooting pictures daily. Some snapshot-like, some more 'composed', some planned. But I often can't go re-shoot and get the perfect shot. Some of my entries are really great moments that I captured, and I choose to enter those even if not technically great. I'm assuming others are that way as well.
I enjoy entering the challenges, learning, and trying to get better. It would be much more helpful if folks commented on photos and offered advice rather than posting general comments that literally degrade others' work just because many are not award-winning. Without people like me and others, there may be 20 entries instead of 200, and that shot that placed 20 would be last place instead of top 10%. |
Dear Maria,
First and foremost, if my comments offended you, please accept my apology. I fully understand the burden of a full time job and being a parent. In fact, the birth of my son in 2011 is why I took so much time off from this site as my hobby took a back seat.
However, while I appreciate not being able to shoot at certain points of the day and having limited time to devote to a hobby, i don't except it as an excuse for mediocrity or complete disregard for technical aspects of this craft. There are ways of getting around things like blown highlights for example....cloudy days, diffusers, spot metering, external lighting, etc. Bottom line, we should all be striving to improve ourselves and my comments are not meant to wound touchy egos but rather be taken as points to keep in mind when taking a shot:
1. Does is have a purpose / subject / story?
2. Is this the best possible angle / framing / composition for this image?
3. Is there anything I can do to improve it now so that I don't have to spend so much time post-processing (i.e. is my white balance appropriate, does my aperture make sense for what I'm trying to achieve, do I possibly need circular polarizer to reduce the glare of water / greenery, perhaps an ND grad / ND filter to get a slower exposure)?
That is all I'm asking. I don't have time nor the inclination to lie to people and tell them how talented they are and they earn brownie points for trying....Sorry that's just tough cookies. I believe if you're going to do something, you should make every effort to do it well.
I'm my worst critic and feel I've achieved some commercial success due in part to that aspect of my personality. It is very rare for someone to make a critical comment about my work which is something I've already not thought about / noticed (albeit not always had a chance to improve / correct). When it comes to this free study, looking at the images in play, I'll be happy to finish in the top 100. However, that expectation is realistic given the effort put forth and the quality of other's work. Our egos are the biggest impediments to our growth while humility is the pathway to success.
Best of luck to you. |
+ 1 |
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05/02/2013 03:35:23 PM · #45 |
Originally posted by Hussar1812:
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
Originally posted by Hussar1812:
... high structure... |
What's high structure? |
Detail Enhacement (as frequently seen in HDR / pseudo-HDR and occasionally in B&W). Stucture is more a Nik Software detail enhancement term used in some of their plug-ins like Silver Efex Pro. Global Structure Adjustment |
Thanks, I didn't know that. I think I'm usually guilty of it, too.
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05/02/2013 06:53:26 PM · #46 |
Started with a run of 6's then someone ran off with them...swapped me their bog average 5.5's.
I have a blown BG but I managed to get the rest of the shot exposed correctly...I think.
My excuse is I am on leave and using the wife's laptop. Maybe her monitor contrast is dialled down... |
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05/03/2013 02:06:29 AM · #47 |
Votes: 46
Views: 84
Avg Vote: 5.3478
Comments: 1
This is my highest score (by quite a long way) of my four entries I have in voting tight now. But I'm not concerned by this. What I do find sad is that this is also my highest number of comments. I was hoping some of my entries may have been interesting enough for some sort of verbal response. I guess they appeal to no particular taste. |
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05/03/2013 06:12:00 AM · #48 |
WooHoo! It climbed above a 5.
Votes: 46
Views: 71
Avg Vote: 5.0217
Comments: 1
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05/03/2013 07:28:07 AM · #49 |
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
I do my part to keep averages down by not giving high votes to flowers. |
I am feeling quite contrary this morning. I think I shall go shoot a flower for the May FS. Consider it part of your desensitization therapy. And you, in turn, can continue to desensitize me to low scores. It's all about helping each other out ;-) |
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05/03/2013 09:27:20 AM · #50 |
Votes: 48
Views: 81
Avg Vote: 5.6458
Well, it's rebounding back to where I had expected it might land.
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