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08/26/2002 04:16:00 AM · #1 |
I dont wanna sound all whiny or anything but take a look at my pencil submission and tell me what the heck is so wrong with it that it didnt do better than it did. 47th place is all fine and whatever but I was personally very satisfied with it, it didn't really have any obvious technical errors that screamed "mark me lower!!". Dont want to be a sore loser but I see some images in the higher ranks with obvious problems with white balance especially. I got nothing but wonderful comments... but i"m looking for the other half of you. What do you think is wrong with my picture.
Input would be greatly appreciated. |
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08/26/2002 04:26:01 AM · #2 |
Well, as I said in my comment, I gave you 10, but I think that to a lot of the voters your photo might have seemed a bit busy and confusing. The highlights in the shadow and the pencil shavings in the ashtray all distract your eye from the main subject (the pencil). I love that about your composition, I think it's very dynamic, but most people are trained to look at images through their exposure to advertising. This makes them prefer images with very clear, distinct subjects, with no distractions.
Another photo that suffered from that was the one (I've forgotten the name of the photo and I'm too lazy to look it up) with the girl applying an eyeliner pencil, with the edge of the mirror in the bottom left corner. It never occured to me that it was a distracting element, because it just made it a more candid image to me, but a lot of comments say it was annoying. So anyway, I think this was your main "problem". But remember, it was something that affected the popularity of your photo. The great comments you got are a sign of its true quality :). |
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08/26/2002 04:34:07 AM · #3 |
It is VERY disappointing for so many people to not see the same thing in an image that you liked so much. I was quite excited when the voting started just to see if people saw it my way. Apparenly only a few did so since I got a pretty average score compared to the so-so stuff I submitted. An interesting shadow is much better in a picture than the white balance being completely off even if the shadow is "distracting" to other people. I'm beginning to think people like the boring, uncomplicated images over the artistic and thoughtful ones. I'm almost completely certain that had I submitted JUST a picture of a pencil in an ashtray that I would have gotten remarks about how it was too plain.
There are some comments I received based on the technical aspects of my image... some of which I wonder if they even know what they're talking about.
In my eyes the image is not too dark, the shadow is cool and not distracting. I would have considered the shadow to be distracting if there were funky colours all around.. or if the ash tray was coloured and projected a coloured shadow. However the ashtray is clear. I dont see any problems with the focus.. I adjusted the white balance as best I could.. and adjusted the contrast a little. I think my idea was pretty creative. I still can't help but think "what the heck guys?" |
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08/26/2002 04:48:17 AM · #4 |
BigSmiles, I was surprised as well about your placement. Had given you a 9 and thought your image, its idea and its execution were excellent. All in all much more sophisticated than some of the plain vanilla images that scored better. Perhaps, "sophisticated" is a problem here at times (or perhaps often :)
But, you know what? It makes not a bit of difference. You know you submitted a good image. So, keep that BigSmile :) |
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08/26/2002 05:01:00 AM · #5 |
This BigSmiles is ready to get back to school to get a professional opinion. Amateur opinion is important as well but I"m getting sick of hearing "it's too dark" when in reality it's fine.
I can't sleep. Someone help me.
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08/26/2002 05:03:47 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by BigSmiles:
I can't sleep. Someone help me.
Here, maybe this will help - mine came in 60th. Now go to bed. :-)
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08/26/2002 05:20:07 AM · #7 |
BigSmiles, that "too dark" comment often ONLY reflects the fact that people haven't calibrated their monitor correctly. But, as you probably have noticed, upbeat bright, bright, bright colors make the day here.
Woe, if you make your image too dark to convey something (and yours was not too dark). Woe, too, in many voters' book, if you submit in B&W - lotsa of voters don't like that. Yes, ridiculous.
BigSmiles, just be pleased with your picture and damn the vote.
Edit: Can't spell anymore - it's too late
* This message has been edited by the author on 8/26/2002 5:21:58 AM. |
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08/26/2002 05:32:55 AM · #8 |
Ummm, 5.8 is NOT a bad score by any measure... The reason you (and I) scored down in the 40's was that there were quite a few excellent shots for this challenge... I am thrilled to be in the top 50 of this pack... I think it's your expectations that are a little off :)
(I mean that in the most positive, constructive way it can be taken... Really, I do) |
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08/26/2002 06:19:11 AM · #9 |
I scored your picture as an 8. Here's how I would break down my score.
Meets challenge - yes
Technical aspects - 9
Framing, subject arrangement - 8
Beauty/insight - 7
I will readily confess my personal bias in this one - I hate smoking. For that reason your picture gives me a little pause.
John |
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08/26/2002 06:41:23 AM · #10 |
Hello
I can understand your disappointment, because your photo is wonderful. But I would also say that many of the photos in this challenge are also excellent.
Sometimes a photo which is technically less well taken than yours may score higher just because the content is more appealing.
I was shocked to find some of my favourites, those I gave 10 and 9 to, were well down in the rankings.
I thought they were truly excellent, attractive, well taken etc.
The thing is, although you may not have been able to improve your photo any, because you did such a good job, that still doesn't guarantee how it actually hits people, how much they like it in a purely subjective way.
Anyway, the thing I loved about yours was the light through the glass and how it made such a pattern on the background.
Kavey
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08/26/2002 07:53:24 AM · #11 |
Wait...you are complaining about YOUR placement. I placed 120. With great comments, scores left of 8,9, and 10 - if anyone is confused it is me. I got 9-2s -if anyone wants to explain why they gave me a two, I'd love to hear it.
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08/26/2002 08:20:47 AM · #12 |
It's interesting that the comments mostly always tend to be good. I guess people feel bad explaining why they scored something poorly. I try to comment on the ones I scored down so there's at least some insight into my perception. Total Addiction was in my top 10 for the week.
* This message has been edited by the author on 8/26/2002 8:20:14 AM. |
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