Two contests - DPChallenge Forums

05/16/2002 02:21:13 PM · #1

From surfing around the forums I've seen that what you can and can't modify on a photograph is a huge issue. So, why not have two contests? One for raw photos (i.e. absolutely NO post processing) and one for altered photos (process to your hearts delight).

Kinda like natural vs steroid musclemen contests (or would the politically correct phrase be "musclepeople contests")

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

05/16/2002 02:56:54 PM · #2

Originally posted by dpchallenger:
From surfing around the forums I've seen that what you can and can't modify on a photograph is a huge issue. So, why not have two contests? One for raw photos (i.e. absolutely NO post processing) and one for altered photos (process to your hearts delight).

Kinda like natural vs steroid musclemen contests (or would the politically correct phrase be "musclepeople contests")

think we argued this to death a few weeks ago - you can probably find it in the forums history.

Short summary is that you can't easily define a 'raw photo'

After all - have you looked at a Canon G2 RAW file, without any post-processing ?

It is blurry, in a different gamma space, still requires sharpening, colour enhancement and white balance adjustments.

All these post processing steps get done either automatically or manually before you can see the image. Do you mean people should enter the data straight from the camera sensor ? Or the output of the post-processing that's done on camera ? Or the output of post-processing that is done with the tools that ship with the camera ?

Basically in digital and traditional photography there is no such thing as a usable image that hasn't had some degree of post-processing applied. E.g., developer time for film photographs can have a big impact on the resulting picture, even ignoring exposure, type of chemicals used, and so on.

I think this site has tried to strike a balance for limited post-processing to maintain realism, so that the picture is still a reflection of the picture that was taken, without things being added, but the current rules still limit it us to something like about half of the tools used for traditional developing (think dodging & burning for an obvious example that is verbotten for these challenges, but has been a standard photographers tool for decades.

Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di for Nikon

05/16/2002 03:11:22 PM · #3

I just signed on a week or so ago so I didn't see those previous posts. :/

I agree with what you say so now I'm even more confused about the rules of the contest. Does that mean if you have certain functions in your camera that you shouldn't use them? Such as specific G2 processing: saturation, contrast, sepia tone, etc?

Maverick

Nikon D200

05/16/2002 03:26:24 PM · #4

Originally posted by dpchallenger:
I just signed on a week or so ago so I didn't see those previous posts. :/

I agree with what you say so now I'm even more confused about the rules of the contest. Does that mean if you have certain functions in your camera that you shouldn't use them? Such as specific G2 processing: saturation, contrast, sepia tone, etc?

I believe that anything the camera does itself is fine, we're just limited to post processing with computer software. Those items you mentioned are acceptable with computer post processing anyways.

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

05/16/2002 03:32:30 PM · #5

Sepia is acceptable? But I thought to get sepia tone in Photoshop you had to run the action which itself runs MULTIPLE actions on the picture?

hokie

Nikon D2X

05/16/2002 03:35:05 PM · #6

What it appears we are trying on this site is to restrict our photos to a more traditional style of photography.

This does two things.

1-We teach ourselves to get the most out of what we do with the camera without the crutch of post production to fall back on.

2-We allow those of limitied experience and equipment a chance to compete with less expensive cameras and digital dark room equipment and skill.

The things we allow are the same type's of post production modifications anybody can do with a minimum amount of practice.

Even though we are limited to about half the capabilities of the typical digital post production there is still an EXTREME amount of freedom allowed in adjusting exposure and color levels.

My photo I am entering in next weeks challenge is good, my best in my opinion to date with my digital camera.
However, a small amount of digital manipulation would be required to remove some miniscule but irritating elements to raise the photo even higher.

I decided to crop the photo differently to exclude some of the elements but my preferred (and framed) version is photoshopped and cropped as it would be in any magazine.
I know I could get away with my photoshopping but that would ruin the intent of this particular site. Do the best you can with the camera, not the software.

We could argue all day the various levels of editing and what constitutes "traditional" photography but the formula seems to work here so far in leveling the playing field a degree or two.

* This message has been edited by the author on 5/16/2002 3:36:33 PM.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

05/16/2002 03:37:07 PM · #7

Originally posted by hokie:
What it appears we are trying on this site is to restrict our photos to a more traditional style of photography.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....I have seen the light! :)

They should post that objective up on the rules.

drewmedia

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

05/16/2002 08:18:06 PM · #8

Give me a break.

What else do you want from Photography? DPChallenge - A Digital Photography Contest. There really isn't much more we can allow in the manipulation rules without turning this into a Digital Manipulation Contest. And until today, I thought just about everyone was happy with them.

Drew

shortredneck

Olympus C-3000Z

05/16/2002 08:29:40 PM · #9

I'm happy.

cameo

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

05/16/2002 08:40:35 PM · #10

Originally posted by drewmedia:
Give me a break.

What else do you want from Photography? DPChallenge - A Digital Photography Contest. There really isn't much more we can allow in the manipulation rules without turning this into a Digital Manipulation Contest. And until today, I thought just about everyone was happy with them.

Drew

I agree wholeheartedly with Drew! Not just because I'm of the "older" generation, and not because I don't know as much about digital manipulation as most. But, because when we look at the entries here, we can usually see the thought and effort each photographer put into their offering. If extreme manipulation is allowed, you will end up with a handful of professionals dueling to the last man(or woman)over pictures that become more and more extreme!

justine

Canon EOS-50D

05/16/2002 09:40:07 PM · #11

I agree with Drew/shortredneck/sandip and who ever likes things the way they are. I'm happy too.
Maybe a few times a year we could have a filters/manipulation free for all. <?>
:0)
My 2Â¢

Dangerous_blues

HP PhotoSmart C618

05/16/2002 09:48:03 PM · #12

I am happy with things the way they are. Heck I am still learning how to crop properly and not mess up the lighting too bad.

On a brighter note I just got my submission for this week in and I am happy as a clam.

irae

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8

05/16/2002 10:19:03 PM · #13

I think Drew and Langdon have got the allowable modifications worked out really well. As things stand, you can bring out the best in your photo while still having a photo as the end result.

moondoggie

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

05/16/2002 10:22:31 PM · #14

Another voice in the chorus. I really like the rules as they stnd.

Maverick

Nikon D200

Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di for Nikon

05/16/2002 11:32:41 PM · #15

Originally posted by Moondoggie:
Another voice in the chorus. I really like the rules as they stnd.

agreed

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

05/17/2002 08:44:36 AM · #16

Originally posted by drewmedia:
Give me a break.

What else do you want from Photography? DPChallenge And until today, I thought just about everyone was happy with them.

Drew

Don't know if you thought I was asking for more or not, but I'm happy with the way the rules are set right now.

pnicholls