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DPChallenge Forums >> Individual Photograph Discussion >> I'm disappointed and confused
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Showing posts 1 - 11 of 11, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 07/01/2005 09:47:46 AM · #1
Hello all,

I just received an email today saying my entry for Fantasy World - "Alien Birth" (6th place) had been DQ'd. They put the normal little paragraph there stating:

"Cloning, dodging, burning, etc. to improve your photo or remove imperfections or minor distracting elements, etc. is acceptable. However, using any editing tools to duplicate, create, or move major elements of your photograph is not permitted."

I did do some minor Cloning, but I didn't use editing tools or create or move major elements???

For the light rays I used the "Sunburst" filter, but under Advanced Editing rules it states:

"Filters: At your discretion, you may apply filters to your photo, in whole or part. (Be aware that extensively altering the "look" of your photograph with an "effects" filter is often not well received by voters.)"

I'm very disappointed at this stage, I hope someone can shed some light on what happened.

Thanks,
Stephen
 07/01/2005 10:04:48 AM · #2
That was a great photo. The only thing I can think of is that using the Sunburst filter added a "major element" to your photo. Without it, the photo would be dramatically different. Just my 2 bits, sorry to see it happen to you.
 07/01/2005 10:06:07 AM · #3
Stephen, DARN!!! That was my favorite picture in the whole challenge, which is saying a lot because I thought there were so many amazing ones. I'm so sorry you got dq'd, but it's still one of my favorites. I think I added it to my favorites, If I didn't do that, I want to!

I guess there is a really fine line on what you can and can't do with filters. For that challenge, it seemed like the rules were a little more lenient. I'm really surprised it got dq'd. I think it should have ribboned.

07/01/2005 10:06:56 AM · #4
Stephen, I'm sorry you got DQ'd (we really hate doing that). For my part, I felt that the large burst of light and rays of light amounted to a major, created element that wasn't in your original. Yes, there was a highlight in your capture, but the editing made it look as if something was actually emerging from the shell and changed the whole composition of the image. You shot a very cool glowing shell that I really liked, but in your edited submission all attention is drawn to an emerging light that was mostly created in post processing. To me, you went over the line from enhancement to creation.
 07/01/2005 10:18:17 AM · #5
I'm relatively new here and still learning the ropes but I have to say that my reading of the rules would have led me to interpret them in exactly the same way as Stephen. I assume that other entries that used a starburst filter didn't get DQ'd so it seems hard to DQ a picture because a technique that is in widespred use by many competitors just happens to have a particularly enhanced effect in this picture. It seems to me that it might be fairer to try to clarify the rules or just to stick to 'hard' rules in a way that minimises photos being DQ'd for subjective interpretations.

I know this is hard for the judges and it's difficult to get totally 'hard' rules but I feel for Stephen and his wonderful picture in this case.
 07/01/2005 10:22:19 AM · #6
It's not what tools are used but how they are used.

Stephen, if you're up for it why not upload a web sized copy of your original and let others have a go at it within the basic rules. We know what your vision is based on the copy you entered so this may help with future challenges.

Just a thought.
 07/01/2005 10:29:04 AM · #7
Originally posted by joezl:
I'm relatively new here and still learning the ropes but I have to say that my reading of the rules would have led me to interpret them in exactly the same way as Stephen. I assume that other entries that used a starburst filter didn't get DQ'd so it seems hard to DQ a picture because a technique that is in widespred use by many competitors just happens to have a particularly enhanced effect in this picture. It seems to me that it might be fairer to try to clarify the rules or just to stick to 'hard' rules in a way that minimises photos being DQ'd for subjective interpretations.


Actually, many photos that used this sort of effect have been DQed. Here are a few that I can think of off the top of my head.

//dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=180988
//dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=169554
//dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=170159

I can understand how maybe Stephen felt that creating a major element is only prohibited using tools and not filters, but any method of creating a major element that is not in your original picture is prohibited. Major element is a somewhat subjective idea which is why a)we have so many people on the SC to vote and b)we're working to clarify the idea further.
 07/01/2005 10:40:40 AM · #8
I appreciate the clarification and all of the replies. I can understand that the light rays did add a major component. I guess the two rules kind of contradict each other, depending on how you look at it - You can use filters, but you can't add major elements. No big deal, just wanted to clarify. I was pumped with a 6th place. Maybe next time...

See yall,
Stephen
 07/01/2005 10:46:54 AM · #9
Stephen, just to clarify... it wasn't just the light rays, it was the whole enchilada. If the large white burst of light was already there and you added equally subtle rays of light, I might have been OK with it. In my opinion, the combination of the large burst and rays of light amounted to a significant created feature.

Edit- I don't want to suggest that things like starburst filters or motion blurs are illegal in advanced (they're not), but it's especially easy to create or obscure Major Elements with such tools. You should be really conservative with filters and distortions and make sure that you're only enhancing what's already there.

Message edited by author 2005-07-01 10:50:59.
 07/01/2005 10:49:14 AM · #10
z

Message edited by author 2005-07-12 11:08:33.
 07/01/2005 10:50:21 AM · #11
Originally posted by scalvert:
Stephen, just to clarify... it wasn't just the light rays, it was the whole enchilada. If the large white burst of light was already there and you added equally subtle rays of light, I might have been OK with it. In my opinion, the combination of the large burst and rays of light amounted to a significant created feature.


I understand totally. Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to be much more careful from now on. I appreciate it.

Stephen
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