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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Make the viewer care
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Showing posts 26 - 34 of 34, (reverse)
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 05/10/2005 05:23:41 PM · #26
Originally posted by bpickard:
I hate portrait photographs in which people have tried to make the subject 'emotive' or represent an emotion. They are cheap shots signifying nothing. I don't want to be told to care about a subject. I want to see for myself. I want personality and character...not pout and pretense...something that is the result of a lifetime, not a momentary performance.


I think what you're saying here is that an emotive portrait needs, pardon the (intentional) pun, "face validity." The emotion needs to ring true. A portrait where the subject has obviously affected the emotion will inevitably fail.
In this respect, a good candid is nearly guaranteed to outperform the vast majority of posed shots, but in the end the viewers will decide whether the emotion is believable.
 05/10/2005 06:13:55 PM · #27
Originally posted by BobsterLobster:


Those are my lists off the top of my head... what are yours?



I couldn't agree more with what you have posted here. One of the main things I see in general here that could use some improvement is that there are lots of photos that simply lack a subject, or the subject is so weak that it doesn't play a role. Landscapes seem to be the greatest problem in this arena. I think a good landscape photo needs to have a single STRONG focal point. They are also enhanced by the general rules of composition such as leading lines, framing within the frame, good use of diagonals and triangulation, layering, et al.

The "make me care" comment is a useful one to some extent. When posting a photo for public review, as in the case of this site, it doesn't really matter how cute YOU think your pet or child is. You need to make the rest of us feel the same way somehow.
05/10/2005 07:18:30 PM · #28
Thanks for the feedback...
I think some people are misunderstanding though, this was just a thought I had today while voting. I don't use it as a hard and fast rule by any means, I just like to come up with theories.
I think it can help a lot of people here though... give it some thought!
We do all care about different things though, that's what makes us all unique. But if you want to do well at DPC, it might be worth considering how to make most people care about what's in your shot.
Even if you only shoot for your own pleasure, are you stepping the fine line into self-indulgent? Edit... maybe self-indulgence would be better grammar there...

Message edited by author 2005-05-10 19:19:17.
 05/10/2005 07:33:54 PM · #29
One of the things I look for is out-of-the-box. By that I do NOT mean taking a picture of a green wall in an orange challenge. But I do look for an unusual physical or mental perspective on a subject. Surprise me. Shake up my world view or my mental picture of a subject, or my preconcieved notions about something. Make me care about an idea.

I am intolerant of a careless photo. Careless in the sense of poor technical quality, poor subject choice, poor composition. My code word for this is "snap" or "snapshot." If you see a comment from me that says for example, "nice snap." You should not take comfort from it.

But give me a decently executed photo that winds up my imagination and I'm "all in."

Now ... I just wish I could take more photos like that!

Message edited by author 2005-05-10 19:35:07.
 05/11/2005 01:11:27 PM · #30
For years now, I have been participating by voting on a site (MSN photojournalists pictures of the week) that routinely draws from 50 to 120 thousand votes that are updated continually. It is a fascinating study in polls of what appeals to average viewers. Assuming the shot is rotated and cropped correctly, in good focus, with appealing textures and tones, these are the winning subject factors:

1. Bright comfortable colors - washes away angst
2. A baby or cute immature offspring
3. Seldom seen weather or galactic phenomenom - Hubble shots are sure winners
4. An animal with defined eyes - animal + baby = sure winner
5. Pastoral scenes - reminiscent of our past
6. Interesting compositions of juxtapositioned shapes
7. Human drama relating to determination or tenderness - not violence
8. Buddist monks with orange robes
05/21/2005 12:29:32 PM · #31
Although I can agree with a lot that's been said, also remember that those of you who have been in photography a long time may be tired of flowers, pets, or other things that get photographed a lot, but.....to those of us who are new to photography all of these pictures/subjects are new to US. We still feel the excitement of taking pictures of these things.

Message edited by author 2005-05-21 12:31:31.
 05/22/2005 09:49:21 AM · #32
I am new to DPChallenge. I have never had to vote on 300 photos! I only have dial-up, so you can see my suffering. It takes me a week, voting on pictures for about an hour each night. But I am committed!! I want to vote for everybody. I still miss a few, but here is how I break it down. (I had to come up with a system so I wouldn't vote just on my own opinions)

Fits the theme--starts out at 5
Doesn't fit the theme--starts out at 0
(the theme also has to be very obvious to me--i shouldn't have to figure out the relationship to the theme)

Great colors or contrast (BW) -- up 1
Not great colors or contrast -- down 1

Great cropping of the subject -- up 1
Bad cropping--down 1
(that doesn't mean that it has to be centered)

Photo quality (grain, noise, etc) up or down 1

Uses Creativity -- up or down 1

If I LOVE the picture (if I say, "honey, you need to see this one!! Oh my gosh, HOW did they do that!!!) -- up 1.

I really don't like a lot of ps work done to photos. I do if I can't tell that you did it. I do not have Photoshop. I have thought about getting it, but I want to take better pictures first and then maybe work on editing skills to just enhance some abstract or digital art shots.

05/22/2005 10:57:14 AM · #33
Bobster - Amen.
BradP - Amen, Amen, Amen

Even if it has been done a million times. If it was done one more time, really well, or just slightly more uniquely, it should never be cast down due only to subject.

Maybe we need to have a Flag Challenge to prove the point. A whole bunch of ones and twos and 5-6 6-10's.
 05/22/2005 11:08:20 AM · #34
Originally posted by theSaj:
So I've changed my personal goals toward the following:

a) garner strong comments (either "touch people" or "constructive criticism")

b) break 6.0



Saj: I have taken a very similar approach. The comments I've received have certainly been varied, but I feel like I've accomplished something if someone says it made them FEEL a certain way or that my shot conveyed an EMOTION.

I certainly haven't broken the 6.0 barrier, but I'm not giving up. I completely agree that my purpose (today) here is to achieve the 2 goals you outlined above. Thanks for putting it into words for me too!
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