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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> from snapshots to photos
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 12/04/2006 04:16:05 AM · #1
Most of my challenge entries and portfolio images seem to be snapshots. It is kind of all right for the early Canon S1is ones and even the shot I took when started using 20D or Bigma, but it doesn't really improves.
I know and use (and sometimes consciously break) some basic composition rules like thirds, golden ration, light and shadow, etc. I do alter lighting conditions when I need and am able to. I mostly avoid harsh setups. I browse through a lot of photos here, from all score ranges, reading the comments, often formulating why I like or don't like a particular picture. I read this topic on snapshots, found great descriptions and tips there. But there are still many cases when I do not know what went wrong (looking at the processed image at home) or don't know what to do in a different way (when I'm not pleased with whatever the viewfinder shows me on the scene).
I'm not whining about scores, the mid-fives just reflect what I feel and that's all right. I just want to see a way out of mediocre pictures, even if not of mediocre scores.
Could you help me with any tips (either general or to a given picture) or sources I can learn from?
 12/04/2006 04:19:52 AM · #2
try a cheap and fully automatic camera like mine, and enjoy the process of pressing the shutter button without having to worry about camera settings again - it might change your whole experience.

THEN return to your expensive equipment.
 12/04/2006 07:25:38 AM · #3
I took a look at your portfolio.. from fauna, to flora, to misc, to people, to places and ya know what? I'm having a hard time finding the supposed "snapshot" that you're worried about.

I suspect you're being hard on yourself. You've got some good shots in there. That makes me think that the only real problem is your "average vote received" isn't up where you'd like it. And looking at your challenge entries, it seems like maybe you just didn't "connect with the voters". Don't worry about it. Sometimes it's hard to please the masses even when you take good pictures. Just keep shooting. :-)

12/04/2006 07:48:53 AM · #4
I've been in the same boat since being on DPC. Alot of my photos that I like, just don't appeal to the masses. Often on DPC it's hard to be creative also. Most of my latest scores have been in the mid 4 range and my highest score was from the one photo I didn't even edit. Actually it was a photo I took for myself and then got home only to find that it fit a challenge on DPC. The low scores actually had me take a break from entering challenges for a while, and I found myself happy taking pictures for just me.

I've come to the conclussion, that you can't let your scores on DPC bring you down. Alot of times DPC voters are over critical. Believing that every shot should be straight in the frame, you cant over expose some spots for effect, you can't use certain filters. Everyone is going to be critical of what you do. It doesn't necessarily matter what everyone on DPC thinks, if you like your work and constantly see improvement (meaning you are liking your work more and more), then that's all that matters.
 12/04/2006 08:07:07 AM · #5
I've felt the same way, (but then I still have a million things to learn about photography).
 12/04/2006 08:32:42 AM · #6
Forget the rules
Forget the camera technical nonsense
just be yourself
and certainly dont judge yourself by scores you get here.
Enjoy!
 12/04/2006 08:54:46 AM · #7
I was hoping you didn't misunderstand me. It's really not about the scores, it's about the general quality of my shots compared to many others here. I take one, compare to another similar from here, and found mine being dull. So what? :)

edit: Ah, almost forgot to thank you for your kind words.

Message edited by author 2006-12-04 09:02:21.
 12/04/2006 10:09:16 AM · #8
I'd start playing with your colors more than anything else. The compositions are pretty good. Also, I'm thinking one thing you might need to do is to sharpen a little more after re-sizing, usually 95%,.5,0 does nicely for web size (depending on detail and inherent contrast)
 12/04/2006 10:16:13 AM · #9
For your consideration:



Message edited by author 2006-12-04 10:16:20.
 12/04/2006 10:22:28 AM · #10
Looking at your portfolio uploads and your challenge entries, they are two different styles. Some of your portfolio images a bright, vibrant, sharp and really easy to look at. Your challenge entries though are very different, they lack that sparkle, and WOW factor.

My guess is you are trying to put entries in to challenges which don't really grab your imagination and that this is showing through in your images.

I suggest that you ONLY enter challenges where you have that real spark of inspiration, see what happens. I predict you will start getting 6's and maybe 7's.

I often suffer from tired challenge entries, so I take a rest and wait until I get an idea which I believe I can do justice.

Message edited by author 2006-12-04 10:23:07.
 12/04/2006 10:51:37 AM · #11
Originally posted by Falc:
I suggest that you ONLY enter challenges where you have that real spark of inspiration, see what happens. I predict you will start getting 6's and maybe 7's.

Exactly the reason I have only entered 2 challenges. Even those 2 shots weren't taken specifically for Challenges. I got home, looked at the challenges that week and decided to enter them to see what would happen. For now, anything over a 5 is great. Though my portfolio is limited, each shot I take, I learn something. I had a few shots of 2 babies I took (since deleted) and even though they got mixed reviews on here, the parents LOVED them.

So,take photo for YOU first, DPC second. Nowhere in the TOS (Terms of service) does it say you HAVE to enter Challenges. If you need some critique, want some feedback how to improve, etc.....upload and ask away. I've found most comments to be VERY helpful.

P.S. I have already concluded I suck at 'setting up' shots. I actually PREFER to take 'natural' photos. Actually, action shots are MY preferance.
 12/04/2006 10:54:07 AM · #12
I also think you are being hard on yourself. I looked at your portfolio and you definitely have the idea. Actually some days ago I remember seeing some of your pics and thought those were good.

The only comment will be that sometimes your colors look a bit washed out as steve pointed out with his example, other than that you have real photos.

I realised when I went digital that, in general, the better the camera the more PP you will need to bring out the wow factor. Since you take most of the decision and not the internal camera pp.
 12/04/2006 04:24:53 PM · #13
Thank you all, it was nice to quickly browse through the answers. Now I have to get in bed (it's 10:23pm here and I'm through a hard day from 6am) so I'll have to do the reading tomorrow, will respond then. I just wanted to say thanks, you're a great microcosmos to belong to. :)

Message edited by author 2006-12-05 02:57:29.
 12/05/2006 02:57:39 AM · #14
So, the morning came, so do the answers now in order.

wavelength: Thanks for the hint and your work put into my image. Even if it's a bit too much of contrast/saturation for me (or both my home and work monitors), and maybe I - as a pixelhunter - won't use USM such hard, I get the point of these modifications and will be using them. It was a good lesson for me to see my best challenger enhanced greatly in some simple steps.

Falc: Yes, "tired challenge entries", that hit me in the heart, so true in many cases. Lesson taken, not to post when I have to think about it, post when an image comes up by its own. Thank you.

MrEd: Pretty much the same as for Falc. I also should stick to my style of shooting and not let the high number of views draw me towards studio shots. Thanks.

ivaldovi: Such nice words, thank you.

Now, it's time to go out and shoot (if only I could, instead of working in a dull office, but that's a different story). And this time, put more effort, care, and patience to postprocessing. :)
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