Portraits of people only? - DPChallenge Forums

03/14/2004 11:09:31 PM · #26

Originally posted by Koriyama:

There is a silent sect who will vote down any entry which does not have a human subject. I'll go so far as to say that some will also vote down full-length human subjects.

I've been bitten very deeply by the 'off-topic' sect and know that they are out there in droves.

It is a challenge to meet "the challenge"!Anything you post there is always a group with comments of "stretching the subject".
My off screen photo have about 20 comments "WOW,beautiful photo "etc..but the score is only 5.7 !

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

03/14/2004 11:14:08 PM · #27

Originally posted by moodville:

Or are you letting those that allow an ounce of creativity show in their images that they will be crushed beneath those that are striving for the purity of photography.

you've been around dpc too long to be making statements like that about voting trends. his sentiment is not new and has been discussed for 2 years on dpc. there is a very definite sect of people that vote strictly on challenge description. i am one of those people. why is that wrong? we're all part of the voting curve

KevinRiggs

Canon EOS-1Ds

03/14/2004 11:15:05 PM · #28

Originally posted by pitsaman:

..but the score is only 5.7 !

Heck. I'd love to just get a 5.7 with any kind of regularity.

LOL

:)

crabappl3

03/14/2004 11:19:36 PM · #29

Originally posted by achiral:

there is a very definite sect of people that vote strictly on challenge description. i am one of those people. why is that wrong? we're all part of the voting curve

Why so strict? Isn't there any grey area in your world? There's plenty in mine, that's why I enjoy voting on these challenges. I like to see how creative people can be. Yes, there are times people are just so off base it's impossible, but I'd say 90% of the people meet the challenges. Portraiture is a technique, and isn't strictly limited to people, and this challenge did not say PEOPLE ONLY. Grey up!

03/14/2004 11:24:03 PM · #30

Originally posted by achiral:

Originally posted by moodville:
Or are you letting those that allow an ounce of creativity show in their images that they will be crushed beneath those that are striving for the purity of photography.

you've been around dpc too long to be making statements like that about voting trends. his sentiment is not new and has been discussed for 2 years on dpc. there is a very definite sect of people that vote strictly on challenge description. i am one of those people. why is that wrong? we're all part of the voting curve

Voting trends has been discussed, sure, but I never realsied it was a gang of people who had newsletters and monthly meetings about what subject to pick on next. He has made it out to be a conspiracy against anyone that does not conform to the 'sect's' very literal and very narrow-minded views. We are also not talking about challenge description. I'm all for meeting the challenge, that is not even up for debate, what he is basically doing is making up his own description for the challenge. No where does it state that the challenge is for PEOPLE only and he has condemned any photographs that are non-human. How can you strictly monitor a part of the challenge that is not listed as being part of the challenge?

And yes, I have been around DPC for a while and I have mostly ignored stuff, but maybe it is finally getting to me. The challenge is no longer taking a photograph but complying to challenge descriptions that only exist within the mind of a minority of people, a sect, who seem to want to go out of their way to nitpick every single thing posted here.

Message edited by author 2004-03-14 23:25:56.

03/14/2004 11:26:00 PM · #31

i guess i'm not as strict as i sound when it comes to voting but i just don't understand people who complain and try to argue how portrait of a person could be understood any other way. if the subject were simply portrait with no subtitle, it would be different, then there would be lots of grey area, but i'm an analytical person i guess, i don't see how taking pictures only of people could be that restrictive. true creativity to me is overcoming specific boundaries while preserving creativity in that specific category.

edit: maybe we should start a newsletter :P

Message edited by author 2004-03-14 23:28:34.

03/14/2004 11:28:43 PM · #32

Originally posted by achiral:

It's restrictive because it does not state that you have to take pictures of people only. If it did state such a thing then that would be fine and people only portraits should be taken. It does not state such a thing and therefore it is open to other types of portraits.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/14/2004 11:29:48 PM · #33

Usually, around about now, someone will trot out a dictionary definition, as an alternative to original thought. Just to save the trouble:

porÂ·trait ( P ) Pronunciation Key (pÃ´rtrt, -trt, pr-)
n.

1. A likeness of a person, especially one showing the face, that is created by a painter or photographer, for example.
2. A verbal picture or description, especially of a person.

Now, if I was a member of the cult of the literal, I'd be banging on about the fact that 'person' or 'face' is used a lot.

But if I was bowing down to the sect of the artyfarty, I'd be pinning my entire hopes on the terms 'for example' or 'especially'

Dictionary defintions, being useless and a good example of how words used to be, not how they are, prove to be about as much use as ever.

03/14/2004 11:30:34 PM · #34

you're right. so maybe descriptions of challenge topics can be left up to the interpretation of the photographer instead of site council?

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/14/2004 11:32:34 PM · #35

Originally posted by achiral:

you're right. so maybe descriptions of challenge topics can be left up to the interpretation of the photographer instead of site council?

huh ?

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

03/14/2004 11:34:37 PM · #36

instead of having a challenge description that 'usually' produce conversations like this one, why not scratch the whole idea of the site providing challenge descriptions and let the photographers decide what portrait or any challenge topic means on their own

Message edited by author 2004-03-14 23:35:23.

crabappl3

03/14/2004 11:35:29 PM · #37

Meaning no descriptions would be provided, just: Portraiture or Egg or Yellow, with no added description

Originally posted by Gordon:

Originally posted by achiral:
you're right. so maybe descriptions of challenge topics can be left up to the interpretation of the photographer instead of site council?

huh ?

Koriyama

Nikon D200

03/14/2004 11:35:41 PM · #38

Originally posted by achiral:

you're right. so maybe descriptions of challenge topics can be left up to the interpretation of the photographer instead of site council?

In the final analysis, the descriptions are left up to the voters.

Silent critics for the most part. Achiral, I'm glad you showed your voice.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/14/2004 11:35:49 PM · #39

Originally posted by achiral:

Because you'll just convert them to long rambly threads trying to debate what the less precise description said.

It might be fun, but it wouldn't change much.

03/14/2004 11:36:27 PM · #40

Originally posted by achiral:

you're right. so maybe descriptions of challenge topics can be left up to the interpretation of the photographer instead of site council?

In the case of portraits, even if they did not have a sentence trying to describe the challenge there would still be people claiming that portraits can only be taken of people.

03/14/2004 11:36:48 PM · #41

Originally posted by Gordon:

Originally posted by achiral:
instead of having a challenge description that 'usually' produce conversations like this one, why not scratch the whole idea of the site providing challenge descriptions and let the photographers decide what portrait means on their own

Because you'll just convert them to long rambly threads trying to debate what the less precise description said.

It might be fun, but it wouldn't change much.

you're probably right...lol...somebody shut this place down

03/14/2004 11:38:41 PM · #42

Originally posted by moodville:

Originally posted by achiral:
you're right. so maybe descriptions of challenge topics can be left up to the interpretation of the photographer instead of site council?

In the case of portraits, even if they did not have a sentence trying to describe the challenge there would still be people claiming that portraits can only be taken of people.

i see nothing wrong with someone having it in their mind that portraits mean only people or only people and dogs, for example. in the end only the voter defines what portrait is and if that lines up with the definition the photographer chose, the score will be high

pitsaman

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

03/14/2004 11:40:16 PM · #43

What happened to the gay thread?

KevinRiggs

Canon EOS-1Ds

03/14/2004 11:44:58 PM · #44

Originally posted by pitsaman:

What happened to the gay thread?

Dammit. You mean this one isn't it? Well, where's that Forum Search?

Wow. What a way to get excited on Sunday nights.

Luck all.

Kev

03/14/2004 11:46:06 PM · #45

Originally posted by achiral:

Yup, everyone is entitled to their opinion and of course are very free to hit the 1 button on any image they do not like, whether because it's a bad picture or because it doesnt fit in their pre-conceived idea of what the challenge really means. It is also good for any people that may be on the fence of knowing what is and isnt portraits to know both sides of the views when they start to vote, less they become unwilling members of the silent sect. Talking of opinions like this is especially good for getting to know our fellow photographers.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

03/14/2004 11:53:04 PM · #46

i totally agree

Everyday Renee

Nikon D80

03/16/2004 12:26:20 AM · #47

I personally try to keep in focus that this is a photography website and not a "define-that-topic" website -- and so when I see a good photo, I rate it appropriately.

Often times, I gain a new perspective by trying to view things out of the (my) box. I learn to see the world from another angle.

Usually good and unique photos apply to the challenge, it's just their perspective on the challenge is from a uncommon perspective-- and when that is the case, more often than not, it is usually the silent sect who just can't see it : p

Renee

jefalk

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

03/16/2004 10:47:14 AM · #48

I am very surprised in my Portraits entry. I shot it for two reasons, one for the person in the photo is going into a magazine and for the challenge as well - kinda two birds with one stone. In the comments I am getting, just about all, we'll they're warm and great, but the voting is only a 6.26 with a ton of people obviously voting in the 4's and 5's. I have never worked so hard in a studio step up with huge props and the lighting was inn fact the most complicated I've ever done, and personally, I've never totally loved my work more that this one. The customer has already printed a huge 30x40 on canvas and is currently getting it framed for their studio; and everyone that has seen it including my bud's at the local camera/lab house were all basically just, "man ----- whata sweet shot". I really thought I had a winner for DPC too, and again I was way off base. I just about think you have to shoot specifically for DPC which will probably go against the task or grain at hand professionally. Though I will admit that the shot looks better printed than on the screen, its not a night and day difference - I really don't understand the DPC field sometimes and who do we shoot for anyway?

John

katlyn

Kodak DX6490

03/16/2004 11:15:45 AM · #49

I notice that alot of the portraits are off center, I know that's normal for most things, but should the persons be center in a portraits?