Why is sharpness considered... - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

07/18/2005 12:47:17 AM · #4

Very good question. I think and this is just my opinion and I have the right to be wrong. But I believe some don't look at the photograph long enough to see that soft focus was intended and the best effect and Vice Versa.

Cutter

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

07/18/2005 12:52:29 AM · #5

SDW is close on this one. To add to that, I find a ton of photos to simply be out of focus and poorly shot. So when a soft focus/artistic shot does squeeze into the bunch and is well done, it could be overlooked due to mass voting and minimal viewing.

But to add opinion, I would say soft focus is only achieved through a special eye and talent. It isn't something that can just be pulled off. And I would note, that I am a firm believer in mass attention/respect for any form of work because usually democratic reasoning and attention is thoroughly routed by statistical efficiency and inherent taste.

RKT

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 for Canon

07/18/2005 12:56:06 AM · #6

excellent question... crispy pics will most likely always be king...the answer to this question I think is the "fine art" photography book or any book about photo history for that matter, that have not been looked through by many folks here and probably never will be...I think many perceive "sharpness" as technical excellence and technical excellence is the be all and end all for most...hence the never ending battle between the techies and the artsys...grain and blur don't seem to go over too well either most of the time...{{{big long sigh}}}

crack open them fine art and photo history books peeps...you might be surprised by what you find...

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

07/18/2005 01:01:42 AM · #7

Originally posted by Fetor:

and its seems like most people like sharp photos

I.don't.like.sharp.photos...they.hurt!

...all.though.they.are.safer.than.a.dull.one;-P

Message edited by author 2005-07-18 01:02:32.

pcody

Canon PowerShot G6

07/18/2005 01:03:44 AM · #8

I also think that focus is one of the "solid" things people can see in a picture. Maybe it's been pounded into their brains over time on this site that only sharp focus is desirable. Maybe they haven't been exposed to any pictures that use different types of focus for different purposes. Maybe they want to make all photos look the same so they have an easy way to judge what is good and not so good... Maybe they just need new glasses.

aboutimage

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/18/2005 01:12:37 AM · #9

Maybe the problem is simply attributable to the medium upon which DPC photos are presented? I think the reason why Flash and other forms of interactive audio/visual media became so popular is because the web presents them well. Fine art is probably overlooked in favor of simple striking imagery.

Not to mention the fact that fine art galleries present the media in EXACTLY the same format for each viewer. The only variable between viewers is their eyesight, perhaps. There are so many differences in the way an image is presented to a web viewer, you really never know if what you see on your screen (when you make it) is what your viewers are going to see on theirs (when they view it). Different types/qualities of monitors, varying degrees of correct monitor settings, different browsers, platforms, etc. This may explain why "soft" images of the fine-art genre could be easily misinterpreted.

Message edited by author 2005-07-18 01:13:42.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

07/18/2005 01:18:06 AM · #10

I don't know...and I could be wrong, but I think I see the tide turning EVER so slightly to accepting, and appreciating, but not quite enjoying a tad bit of softness/motion blur/noise/grain.

I was absolutely SHOCKED at the 11th place finish of my family entry...and look at Artyste's 17th place shot. I think it just depends on the challenge and the emotive qualities in the individual images. I hope the tide turning thing is right, though. ;)

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

07/18/2005 01:23:59 AM · #11

I.think.maybe.Laurie's.right.maybe.it's
the.kind.of.thing.that.recycles.and.comes
back.into.vogue
...like.clothing.styles!!!
(never.throw.anything.away,it.will.be
back.in.15.or.20.years)

shadow

Sony DSC-W1

07/18/2005 01:25:01 AM · #12

i can make the entire world a piece of art but i later realize i have just woke up this morning and forgotten to wear my glasses.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

07/18/2005 01:25:58 AM · #13

The sharpness factor is why I didn't submit to the "Zoo" challenge and probably to the "texture" challenge.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/18/2005 01:26:44 AM · #14

Originally posted by taterbug:

...like.clothing.styles!!!
(never.throw.anything.away,it.will.be
back.in.15.or.20.years)

I have some "original issue" bell-bottoms : )

aboutimage

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/18/2005 01:29:05 AM · #15

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by taterbug:
...like.clothing.styles!!!
(never.throw.anything.away,it.will.be
back.in.15.or.20.years)

I have some "original issue" bell-bottoms : )

I don't know if mine were "original issue" - us Navy folks used to wear them as uniforms!

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

07/18/2005 01:31:08 AM · #16

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by taterbug:
...like.clothing.styles!!!
(never.throw.anything.away,it.will.be
back.in.15.or.20.years)

I have some "original issue" bell-bottoms : )

hehe,yeah,I.still.have.some.of.my.old.uniforms,
Bell.bottoms.never.went.out.of.style.in.the.Navy!!!
:-)

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

07/18/2005 01:31:58 AM · #17

Soft focus done well will do well here. Soft focus not done well is, well, out of focus. ;o)

SDW

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

07/18/2005 01:41:13 AM · #18

Originally posted by taterbug:

I.think.maybe.Laurie's.right.maybe.it's
the.kind.of.thing.that.recycles.and.comes
back.into.vogue
...like.clothing.styles!!!
(never.throw.anything.away,it.will.be
back.in.15.or.20.years)

Ok.I.have.seen.a.few.of.your.post.tonight. QUESTION: is your spacebar not working? :) Just wondering and had to ask...

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

07/18/2005 01:50:38 AM · #19

Originally posted by SDW65:

Originally posted by taterbug:
I.think.maybe.Laurie's.right.maybe.it's
the.kind.of.thing.that.recycles.and.comes
back.into.vogue
...like.clothing.styles!!!
(never.throw.anything.away,it.will.be
back.in.15.or.20.years)

Ok.I.have.seen.a.few.of.your.post.tonight. QUESTION: is your spacebar not working? :) Just wondering and had to ask...

This thread.

07/18/2005 01:53:09 AM · #20

beat.me.to.it.faidoi,thanks
:-)

SDW

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

07/18/2005 01:54:02 AM · #21

Originally posted by taterbug:

beat.me.to.it.faidoi,thanks
:-)

The one post I didn't see... Thanks, I was just curious.

skylen

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

07/18/2005 03:33:28 AM · #22

What do you guys think about these 2 images:

I entered the soft focus one in the challenge, the sharp version is my outtake. I had one comment that said "out of focus" and 2 commenters that weren't sure if they liked it or not.

What do you think, soft or not? And did I overdo the softness perhaps?

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

07/18/2005 03:39:00 AM · #23

The soft focus has a nice mood. Some folks may not know the difference between soft focus and unfocus. Depends on monitor calibrations, eyesight, etc too I guess.

Message edited by author 2005-07-18 03:40:42.

jseyerle

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

07/18/2005 03:41:28 AM · #24

Originally posted by skylen:

What do you guys think about these 2 images:

I entered the soft focus one in the challenge, the sharp version is my outtake. I had one comment that said "out of focus" and 2 commenters that weren't sure if they liked it or not.

What do you think, soft or not? And did I overdo the softness perhaps?

I prefer the soft version. I would have voted it higher then the sharper one, but that said in my short time as a member on this site it has become apparent that as we submit our photos for a mass audience, sharper photos do better during voting.

That being said, sharpness is relative. Who says sharpness should be applied to the whole shot, or what degree of sharpness is enough or too much?

If you are looking for a better score, for the majority of the time, I personally think a sharper image is preffered my Mr. Public.

Message edited by author 2005-07-18 03:41:56.

superdave_909