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04/20/2003 02:13:32 AM · #1 |
not sure if this is the place for this or not, but here goes anyway. I'm reasonably new to DPC, but I've noticed a few things since I've been here. First off, It seems that I would like most of the people who come here to play. There aren't many egos or attitudes: just people who like to learn and show off a bit, and judge, and maybe go out on a limb and expose themselves. Kinda like me. I like that.
Here's one thing that throws me: how to judge.
When I photograph (I've always been like this), I try to capture the world as it is around me. I don't try to create the photo, I let the situation happen, and if I'm lucky my camera can capture it in a way that others might see it as I do. This is one of the reasons I think I could never really be a professional photographer. I've done weddings etc, but I can only do them for people I know; I can't seem to really get ahold of the spirit of people I don't know. I have to really want to share what I'm seeing to be able to put it on film (or flash, I guess).
So my problem is this: when I judge these photos, I'm often torn between the photos that I really like, and the ones that seem to meet the criteria of the challenge. In the time that I've been here, the ones that seem to win are the ones that are the most creative design and setup... not the best pictures. I've chastised great photos because they don't meet the criteria, and given reasonable marks (basically for suitability) for pictures that would otherwise end up at the bottom of a box in an estate auction.
So what are we supposed to be doing? Giving high marks for someone who has some really original ideas and a mediocre eye for photography, or for someone who makes the best of what surrounds him or her and can share their vision by communicating what they see in one frame of time?
There's probably no real answer..just find the best combination of the two and see who comes out on top. just a thought...comments are welcomed and appreciated.
thanks to everyone who takes the time to share themselves here.
Pedro
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04/20/2003 05:12:19 AM · #2 |
I think you've hit the nail on the head - it's a combination. The photos that get high marks from me have to stir something in me (like make me say "wow" involuntarily) as well as being technically good pictures and fitting the challenge.
Good ideas not well executed get a lower mark, usually with a comment, as do good shots without a lot of inspiration. I will mark a shot down for not fitting the challenge, but in my (limited) experience, most shots do.
I don't have any formula, mostly a gut feel - "that's a six" or "wow! a 10!" but I do try to judge the shots in a challenge on the same scale.
I think if a shot has inspiration or spirit behind it, that will usually show through. And as for poor technique, well, we're all here to learn, right?
My €2
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04/20/2003 10:26:15 AM · #3 |
Welcome Pedro,
The good thing is that there's no "right" way to make the judgements you describe, so you can't make a mistake.
We all suffer the same dilemma (at least I do) when deciding on a shot to submit -- go for the creative or wacky interpretation, or a straight interpretation and technical excellence (or pretty-goodness). Since I'm not gambling the rent money on this, I usually go for the creative view and don't worry too much about the score...
One of the really good things about the challenge format is that we're "forced" to shoot subjects we wouldn't ordinarily use and stretch ourselves both intellectually and technically.
Hope to see some of your photos in there soon! |
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04/20/2003 10:36:50 AM · #4 |
I try to analyze what I perceive a photo is trying to do or trying to communicate, and then base my vote on how it succeed and didn't succeed. A photo should be true to itself, whatever its style. So if you like shooting the world as it is, for example, and you submit a photo with some kind of candid or journalistic feel, I would look for that photo to express the world as it is. Other photographers spend lots of time with studio work, manipulating props and what-not to show the world as it is.
I myself find it fun to explore. I've never done studio photography until I joined DPC. Now it is another tool I can use to communicate my thoughts and feelings about the world.
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