Average Photographer - DPChallenge Forums

12/30/2005 11:27:39 PM · #1

Thats me....but I'm happy with it. I've had One photo in the 6's and two in the 4's..the rest are in the 5's...I know I can't compete with scalvert, librodo, graphicfunk just to name 3 of the many but I can learn from there work. For 2006 I would like to have my average around 6.0.

I try not to go into challenges thinking I'm going to win. I'm competing with anybody in the 5 range. A 6 is a win for me. At least for now. I think in order to win or at least get back in the 6's I must learn from my mistakes. Maybe some of you pros can help me with that. Pros is what I call winning two or more ribbons. One ribbon is a fluke..sorry..

Maybe a pro a tell me where I went wrong on this picture

xuan768

Casio Exilim EX-Z750

12/30/2005 11:37:43 PM · #2

I don't think you went wrong. But again, I'm below average. And I'm also a little bit annoyed at the tone of your post. So the only people on this site that you think you can learn from are multiple ribbon winners?

12/30/2005 11:40:42 PM · #3

Originally posted by xuan768:

yeah..you don't win a ribbon unless you are good....don't take it personal....and yes, one is a fluke..Dude, this site is very hard to win a ribbon...you and I are up against very great photographers..

Message edited by author 2005-12-30 23:42:57.

xuan768

Casio Exilim EX-Z750

12/30/2005 11:43:01 PM · #4

Not my point.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/30/2005 11:43:33 PM · #5

Originally posted by xuan768:

Not my point.

whats your point then?

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

12/30/2005 11:43:36 PM · #6

OK, by your def, just barely a pro here,but I can offer at least my view.

1) I would have preferred the branch in focus because it is almost a sillouette. Because color plays little part in this picture, shapes take over and the OOF of the branch is less appealing than if were in sharp relief compared to the background.

2) The blurring of the branches(?) in the back is unappealing. The three straight lines look more like artifact and less like a natural background. I'm not even sure how you got that effect, but I don't think it helps. It almost looks like something you'd see under a microscope.

3) The composition, however, is nice. The curved line of the branch leading to the off-center leaf is well done.

Just my 0.02

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

12/30/2005 11:48:21 PM · #7

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

yeah, the three lines are branches....I thought it went good with DOF..guess not..

DrAchoo...your pictures are great....Thank you for your comment..!!

xuan768

Casio Exilim EX-Z750

12/30/2005 11:49:19 PM · #8

Originally posted by philup:

Originally posted by xuan768:
Not my point.

whats your point then?

Bear_Music is pretty well known. He has just one ribbon. That means he's a fluke. Does that mean you can't learn from him?

livitup

Nikon D70

12/30/2005 11:54:03 PM · #9

Phillip, in a contest about the lack of focus, something has to be critically sharp. I'm not sure if it's because the leaf is so dark (as one of the original commenters mentioned) or because it's really not in focus, but nothing looks to be in focus.

I also agree that the background looks odd, but I probably wouldn't have known to say it unless it was pointed out to me.

I hope this is helpful, even if I've only broken 6.0 once.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/30/2005 11:55:28 PM · #10

Originally posted by xuan768:

Originally posted by philup:

Originally posted by xuan768:
Not my point.

whats your point then?

Bear_Music is pretty well known. He has just one ribbon. That means he's a fluke. Does that mean you can't learn from him?

I never said Bear_Music was a fluke. His WIN may have been a fluke. If he really knows his photography then he should win two or three more ribbons. I never said I couldn't learn from him, I just need some great advice from people who have won two or three ribbons..thats all..

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

12/30/2005 11:55:46 PM · #11

Keep your chin up philup. Check this thread out. A few months ago I posted almost the exact same idea. I could only score 5's...

Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Zuiko Digital Zoom

12/30/2005 11:58:29 PM · #12

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Keep your chin up philup. Check this thread out. A few months ago I posted almost the exact same idea. I could only score 5's...

That is almost the exact same thread..how funny is that...Thanks again..! I will keep trying..!!

MQuinn

Olympus OM-D E-M1

12/30/2005 11:59:59 PM · #13

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Keep your chin up philup. Check this thread out. A few months ago I posted almost the exact same idea. I could only score 5's...

Someday I will score above 5 again:) But I agree with DrAchoo assessment of the photo.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/31/2005 12:01:38 AM · #14

Originally posted by MQuinn:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Keep your chin up philup. Check this thread out. A few months ago I posted almost the exact same idea. I could only score 5's...

Someday I will score above 5 again:) But I agree with DrAchoo assessment of the photo.

WOW, what a great photo..I gave it a 10...!! Should have ribbon..!

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

12/31/2005 12:02:43 AM · #15

Originally posted by MQuinn:

Someday I will score above 5 again:) But I agree with DrAchoo assessment of the photo.

haha, dude, you just hit one out of the park two challenges ago. Take a deep breath and revel in it...

LaMerry

Kodak DX7590

12/31/2005 12:04:57 AM · #16

Originally posted by philup:

Originally posted by xuan768:
I don't think you went wrong. But again, I'm below average. And I'm also a little bit annoyed at the tone of your post. So the only people on this site that you think you can learn from are multiple ribbon winners?

yeah..you don't win a ribbon unless you are good....don't take it personal....and yes, one is a fluke..Dude, this site is very hard to win a ribbon...you and I are up against very great photographers..

One day I read that winning a ribbon doesn't mean you're good... It just means you're doing something that other people like...

But hey, don't listen to me, I'm an amateur, I'm in fives too and I'm barely starting. There are a lot of talents here. I participate to gain experience and also learn from my mistakes, I don't expect to win, but actually I'm winning by dunno, how to say it, be with the greatest, compete along them. Hehe.

ButterflySis

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/31/2005 12:07:26 AM · #17

Can't really say I agree with your "a pro is a 2+ ribbon winner theory". I would think you could learn from anyone...especially anyone scoring above the 5's you're currently scoring.

Like you said, it's hard to ribbon here and most of the time I don't pick/agree with the winning photos, but that's my taste. Just because someone doesn't have a ribbon, or two, or ten, doesn't mean they are not a pro. Tell him he's not a pro.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR

12/31/2005 12:11:46 AM · #18

Originally posted by ButterflySis:

Once again, I never said I couldn't learn from somebody who has not won a ribbon..I just wanted some advice from sombody who has won two or three ribbons..what can't you understand about that?????

BADDBOYY21

Nikon D300

12/31/2005 12:18:28 AM · #19

Originally posted by ButterflySis:

Can't really say I agree with your "a pro is a 2+ ribbon winner theory". I would think you could learn from anyone...especially anyone scoring above the 5's you're currently scoring.

I totally agree with this statement. I guess all of us that haven't won a ribbon might as well throw our cameras away. We are just wasting our time.

Ribbons are great, but some aren't here just to win a ribbon. I don't take pictures to please other people... I take them to please myself!

MQuinn

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Zuiko Digital Zoom

12/31/2005 12:21:49 AM · #20

Originally posted by philup:

Originally posted by ButterflySis:
Can't really say I agree with your "a pro is a 2+ ribbon winner theory". I would think you could learn from anyone...especially anyone scoring above the 5's you're currently scoring.

Like you said, it's hard to ribbon here and most of the time I don't pick/agree with the winning photos, but that's my taste. Just because someone doesn't have a ribbon, or two, or ten, doesn't mean they are not a pro. Tell him he's not a pro.

Once again, I never said I couldn't learn from somebody who has not won a ribbon..I just wanted some advice from sombody who has won two or three ribbons..what can't you understand about that?????

To win here (not like I have) You have to have 'POP' or as I call it Cowbell to your image, everything has to be dead on, DOF, Focus, exposure, composision, Right on for the challenge. The it has to have that instant greatness that gets them from the get go, makes them want to look deeper into it. Shannon posted a great tutorial on this, just too lazy to look for it...

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

12/31/2005 12:23:57 AM · #21

Let's give Philup a break, shall we? He wasn't asking for general comments; he was asking for "how to ribbon" advice from people who had won more than one ribbon. It goes without saying that there are many photgraphers here that shoot to please themselves rather than ribbon, no need to take offense over it. There are lots of professional photographers here that have never won a ribbon as well.

12/31/2005 12:26:29 AM · #22

Originally posted by BADDBOYY21:

Originally posted by ButterflySis:
Can't really say I agree with your "a pro is a 2+ ribbon winner theory". I would think you could learn from anyone...especially anyone scoring above the 5's you're currently scoring.

I totally agree with this statement. I guess all of us that haven't won a ribbon might as well throw our cameras away. We are just wasting our time.

Ribbons are great, but some aren't here just to win a ribbon. I don't take pictures to please other people... I take them to please myself!

Ok, then give me your advice on my picture...and if scalvert gives me some advice I'm suppose to take your comments over his...once again..I will repeat myself...I want some GREAT advice on my picture..!!!

ralph

Nikon Z9

12/31/2005 12:26:30 AM · #23

an interesting image

but what it's missing is context
there were several tree/plant/leaf images in the challenge

and (IMO) to get as ribbon you have to different
and it wasn't different enough ..