Comments - DPChallenge Forums

09/19/2005 09:09:31 AM · #1

I have to say that I have been bewildered by my score in the color portrait challenge. I am not saying it deserved more than the score I got but the comments I received made me think it was well received. Then I find out that 83 people gave it a score less than 5. Yet I didn't hear from them. Most of my comments were quite positive and so I am left wondering why it scored so low in those peoples eyes. I notice that it scored less than the average, so I am amazed (but greatful) by the positive comments received. Please do not think this is a rant because its not. Has anyone else noticed that most of their comments are positive but their score is lower than average?

09/19/2005 09:13:19 AM · #2

Actually, I just want to add that I have learn't so much here in the short time that I have been here and the comments on each challenge do get better and better so the proof of improvement is in those comments. Thankyou to everyone who took the time.

frumoaznicul

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

09/19/2005 09:51:00 AM · #3

That's because the majority are hypocrits and they just say they are here to learn when in fact many don't welcome criticism especially negative or anything that is not a "wow" no matter how well intentioned or constructive it is. I sometimes leave comments to suggest improovements or to share my opinion in a constructive manner I belive, once I've been called "ignorant" and verry recently "left-handed comment". Many suffered the same and many gave up commenting images they don't like or could be improoved.

I am not one of those who gave you a below 5 I actualy gave you a 5 and I would of gave you more 6 or 7 if the image wasn't so small in size. I think that's one of the reasons why you scored so low.

Message edited by author 2005-09-19 09:54:54.

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

09/19/2005 09:58:31 AM · #4

Couple reasons:
1. Often times people send nasty responses back via PM or call you out in the forums for leaving a comment that says bad things about a photo. This seems to be less common then in the past though.
2. Too many people don't mark comments that are critical of their photo as helpful, and commenters like to have a a high helpful to made ratio.
3. A lot of people just don't leave comments or are too nice to say something negative about a photo.

Nikon AF Nikkor 35mm f/2.0D

09/19/2005 10:00:04 AM · #5

Thanks Frum..I take your comment on board. I agree about the size. I also think 5 is a reasonable score for the photograph. I think it just blew me away today to see just how many thought it sucked! lol I am sitting here telling myself...focus on the comments and just improve on the few things commented on...ie size and cropping out blue blanket. I saw the votes receivedand I guess I was wondering why and it was preventing me seeing the positive scores and comments. (darn the half empty thoughts!) hehe. I probably should have just sat and thought about it all before posting because looking back it does sound a bit rantish.

zarniwoop

Nikon D50

09/19/2005 10:02:01 AM · #6

Originally posted by frumoaznicul:

I don't think that is the main reason. The main reason is that it's a lot easier to say Wow or say why you like a picture than it is to say why you think a picture is crap. No one objects to an unqualified appreciation such as "Great" that's easy to do and so a lot of photos will get that; if, on the other hand one just put "This is shit", that's just as easy but not helpful. If you don't like a photo and you want to comment you should to give constructive criticism and that takes more effort, which means that it'll happen less often.

The worse people do in challenges the more they tend to appreciate honest criticiism.

THe best way to get comments, is in the forums, promise to return a comment for every one you receive. Also if you actively ask for them people are more likely to be honest.

Oh and I woulod have given you an 7/8. (I vote high but that's still well above average)

Message edited by author 2005-09-19 10:03:28.

frumoaznicul

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

09/19/2005 10:09:46 AM · #7

take a look at this and how some people finds criticism as helpful. I mean that image is the perfect portrait, 32 people was totaly wrong to not agree that's a portrait at all, only 2 comments are helpful.

@zarniwoop you are also right positive comments are also easy to produce, but there were a few people who were able to provide constructive negative ones in the past and I remember alot of threads where such people said they give up because harressment over PM's and such persons as the one I posted above who don't worth the time wasted.

Message edited by author 2005-09-19 10:16:44.

Bebe

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/19/2005 10:17:20 AM · #8

I won't be much good at explaining the low scores to you, troberge, but: I gave your image a 7. I thought it was a beautiful portrait, and I liked the softness of the colors and your daughter. I did think the size was an issue, and probably would have scored it higher if it had been larger.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

09/19/2005 10:27:07 AM · #9

I gave it a 5. Portraits are difficult to rate in a competition. In order for a portrait to score well (from me), it has to have some amount of intrigue, whether it be in composition, technique, lighting, or any of the other hooks.

This particular portrait didn't seem to have any of those special elements that draws me, as a stranger, into your image. This is a stereotypical shot of an infant. The composition is static and there is nothing that sets it apart or draws me in.

This, being your own child, creates a special meaning for you, but you have to realize that it may not create the same or similar meaning for others.

09/19/2005 10:34:26 AM · #10

Originally posted by Bebe:

Thanks Bebe, it does mean a lot to me that others thought highly of it as well. Will definately make my entries bigger in the future. (you know, until this challenge, I don't think I was even aware that 640 pixels was a maximum and preferred size). Each challenge you just learn more and more.

09/19/2005 10:39:17 AM · #11

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

Jmseltzer, I agree with you in that perhaps I am just wondering about the lower scores simply because it does have that special meaning to me. I guess, it is the stereotypical shot of an infant. (although it is kinda hard to get an infant to pose LOL) I really liked the lighting in this shot and I thought the colors and lighting might have been what sets it apart from the sterotypical. I have been looking at the photographs that scored well and yes, I agree with you that there is usually there is something "extra special" that sets them apart. Thanks to you for your honesty.