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02/28/2006 08:20:16 PM · #1 |
I enjoy reading through the forums from time to time and notice that every now and then there are instances of people complaining that their image is just "over the voters heads" or "nobody understands what I'm trying to do here" - thus a lower score than anticipated. Then today I was viewing the photos of a completed challenge and saw someone who actually edited their comments to rant about the winners not deserving their ribbons. Of course they didn't say that in so many words but I couldn't read it any other way. I tried to come to a different conclusion but when it came down to it - why would such words be put in the photogs comments if they felt the ribbons were deserved?
My question is, have we become a people who deem it easier to blame our own inadequacies and shortcomings on others rather than to simply take responsibilty for what we do? If so, how do you think this relates to the rest of the world outside of photography?
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02/28/2006 08:30:25 PM · #2 |
| I think it's just human nature. In my professional work experience outside of photography, the same theory applies. "I deserved that promotion, but so-and-so just has something personal against me..." They never seem to inspect themselves to see that they are regularly late, unorganized, etc., etc., etc. I think it's natural for individuals to think, or want to think, that they are good in fields of interest. Perhaps some arrogance...some pride...some "that's just the way we are". Mind you, in the online world, there's also a greater sense of anonymity that allows many people to be more bold in words than in a face to face interaction. Just my personal op...sure there are lots of other viewpoints as well. |
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02/28/2006 08:31:10 PM · #3 |
I think it hurts everyone when something they did and something they like isn't accepted so well by others. It's not just photography, and it's not just photographers. As far as complaining, there really isn't as much as one thinks at first glance. If a challenge has 400 entries, probably a good 200 aren't happy with their overall scorring or placement, and probably 350 aren't necessarily happy or don't agree with every comment they received. So I'd say our track record is actually pretty good.
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02/28/2006 08:32:24 PM · #4 |
don't you think that it is human nature ?
it is much easier to blame than accept shortcomings ...
it's that makes a critic as opposed to an artist ..
the artist can see their vision - and a critic can see what they missed
of course some complain for the fun of it ...
it really does take all kinds ...
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03/01/2006 10:48:54 AM · #5 |
I think moonlight and Ralph hit it pretty good. I think it's human nature now but has adapted at a decline over time. How many of our grandparents, great grandparents etc do you see (or have you seen) with the "blame it on others" mentality? I feel that responsibility for one's own actions isn't considered as a quality that we should be expected to achieve anymore.
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03/01/2006 10:59:38 AM · #6 |
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03/01/2006 11:00:24 AM · #7 |
We are all sensitive artists types.
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03/01/2006 11:08:59 AM · #8 |
people can't deal with the fact that they may not be very good so they blame it on others.
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03/01/2006 11:15:23 AM · #9 |
Just my two-dah-lahs worth...
I myself have come to the conclusion here at DPC that DPC is a world in and of itself. It has a lot of people here and a lot of challenges and a ton of entries. With that, you will see a lot of the same things over and over, and you will also see some great shots, and some horrible shots.
I don't feel bad anymore when I get a low score. Right now my "Comfort" shot is barely close to a 5.0, and yet I think it is fantastic! LOL...BUT, of course I do. I took it and entered it with confidence. I also know that the same shot at about 5 other sites would do better then here at DPC, but you just never know who it will appeal to. Here at DPC it is most likely too cliche`, who knows. Then again, I wasn't all that thrilled with my recent "Abstract" entry, and it was my highest scoring photo to date. I thought it would brown. Who knew? Not me. No one knows when a photo will or won't appeal in any particular challenge.
The bottom line IMO is to just enter what you love, or at least try your best to appeal to you, and not to the voters. Keep your own style. Don't think just because a recent winning entry was mostly done in the color red that you will do red next time around hoping for your ribbon, because it just won't happen that way. Blue may appeal to the majority the following week, or crap brown..LOL.who knows.
I think many get angry because sometimes one puts heart and soul into their entry. Many hours of editing, or many props, or setting up models, or cost of products used, etc, etc, etc. When they end up with a 4.7 score, it pisses them off. It used to upset me too, but not any more. Those days are gone. There are too many entries and too many countries involved. Each challenge is a total crap shoot as to who wins IMO.
I just concentrate on my own personal thing now and don't run around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to win a ribbon. I also remember this is just ONE site. On another site, the same week I joined I got a 3rd place medal with a shot that took me about 5 minutes to do and only about 15 takes. Barely edited it at all, and I believe it was just under 70 total entries. STILL, against 70 people, to win third? Amazing to me. On this site I know it would have bombed. Why? Because it was a water splash shot, and it is cliche` here for the most part. People here are used to those shots. There, at the other site, they found it utterly facinating. LOL...HOWEVER, if I want to do a water splash shot here, I will, no matter how cliche`, as long as it fits challenge. Why? Because "I" love them.
Enter what you love, and do your best, and then it is always all good.
Rose
EDITED TO ADD: I really don't think it comes down to who is a good verses bad photographer. ANYONE who enters a challenge and took the time to do so, and feels they did their best, should be applauded. I think it comes down to appeal. What will appeal to a DPC voter. What is different, or not different yet technically more appealing then a previous type entry. That to me is what it comes down to. And when the day comes that we can all read minds, then we will know :)
There is a joke here at DPC I have read that winners come from Iceland, or if you want a ribbon you should move to Iceland. LOL....Those who reside in Iceland may not agree, but like the recent Sydney, Australia shot that won (which was absolutely stunning), we all don't have the privledge to live or visit those lovely locations. So trying to replicate those or accomplish those in a landscape challenge, perse`, or free study, is really futile. However, take your BEST landscape shot, OR ANY shot, and one you love, and you will always be a winner. I wouldn't listen AT ALL to those that say you must not be any good. That is hogwash.
Message edited by author 2006-03-01 11:23:55. |
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03/01/2006 11:19:46 AM · #10 |
I've complained about low votes on good images. Some might remember a several page forum about me ranting that Industrial Bronze (Grinder Girl) was art.
Since then I've learned a valuable lesson. Low votes on good images can be counted a validation on what you had done. Especially with images that seek to make a statement, those low votes can be counted that your statement was clear and people just didn't like the statement you made.
I personally consider, comments more valuable than scores. I've been doing this for 16 years, I better be able to take a good technical photo ... LOL.
The simple point is: If you want a ribbon and can produce a good technical photo, there is a quite simple formula to get to a ribbon. Scalvert has put together a good formula here. It all centers around mass appeal.
So, why do we complain?
Simple psychology - we complain to lessen the dissappointment (even hurt) that accompanies a low score. Passing the buck to "uneducated" voters is easy and lazy. Why improve, when we are already over the voter's heads, right?
The human mind is lazy by default, hince the reasons for stereotypes and heuristics. Both serve thier purposes, but don't help when we seek to improve ourselves.
Message edited by author 2006-03-01 11:20:37.
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03/01/2006 11:19:56 AM · #11 |
| I'd rather read someone lamenting their poor score and wondering why they're misunderstood than people whining about only getting a 6 and wondering how to better suppress their instincts in order to achieve wider appeal. |
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03/01/2006 11:45:57 AM · #12 |
Personally, I know the value of my work. I think I know the difference between a good image and a great image. But I'm not a professional, and I'm far from all-knowing when it comes to the technical merits of a particular photo.
However, DPC competitions are essentially a "people's choice" contest - and that always has the potential for a great technical photo to lose out to a bright, pretty image. What might win in a competition judged by photo professionals may not have a chance in hell of going above a 5 in a people's choice judging.
I don't sweat it. In fact, I find it very interesting to see what people like and dislike. For example, I take lots of automotive photos. I've won awards in photo competitions, my peers have expressed that they like them, and that makes me happy. But I'm not surprised when such images do poorly in a DPC challenge because my interests don't represent the interests of the group. A fact often made crystal clear by the comments I get back.
I'll be the first to say that I pretty much suck at doing studio type photos. I've tried, but I don't really have the time. I'm not surprised and my feelings are not hurt when my attempts at those types of pictures don't do well. Unfortunately, most of the images I end up submitting to challenges are those that I happen to get while I'm attending events or during leisure activities. I try to keep in mind the current themes and try to find something that might fit. |
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