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11/20/2008 05:54:34 PM · #1 |
Do you feel that people take normal, everyday pictures and try to make them fit the challenge???
Personally, I at least put a considerable amount of thought into the photo that I want to submit. |
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11/20/2008 06:01:28 PM · #2 |
Originally posted by Physics_McG:
Do you feel that people take normal, everyday pictures and try to make them fit the challenge???
Personally, I at least put a considerable amount of thought into the photo that I want to submit. |
We all put thought into our photos. It seems like normal, everday pictures don't work anymore. Street challenge was a good example of this. I never shoehorn a photo, I go out with the intent to make a shot match the challenge. However, unless you PP the crap out of it, you won't score high against the pro type shot.
Message edited by author 2008-11-20 18:01:43. |
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11/20/2008 06:09:06 PM · #3 |
| Sure, there's always a few shoehorns. Sometimes someone has a shot they really like and want it out there, so they'll make it fit, sometimes they just want to be in the challenge and didn't/couldn't get a good fit, sometimes they see it as a fit where most of us see it as a stretch (that's called an OOBIE, out-of-the-box thinking), some are trying for the brown and some, I think, just don't care! :) |
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11/20/2008 06:18:50 PM · #4 |
I shoot for the challenges. That's probably why I don't score well. Usually my best pics are from just random shoots.
Any picture could have been entered in the last two color challenges. Just change the color to match the challenge, and you've got a shot to enter. |
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11/20/2008 07:25:54 PM · #5 |
The secret here is "liquid drop".
If challenge is titled:
Fast: Use water drop and title it - Fast but Frozen
Slow: Use water drop and title it - Fast Slowed Down
Red: Use red water drop
Blue: Use blue water drop
Green: well you get the picture
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11/20/2008 07:30:31 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by SteveJ:
Originally posted by Physics_McG:
Do you feel that people take normal, everyday pictures and try to make them fit the challenge???
Personally, I at least put a considerable amount of thought into the photo that I want to submit. |
We all put thought into our photos. It seems like normal, everday pictures don't work anymore. Street challenge was a good example of this. I never shoehorn a photo, I go out with the intent to make a shot match the challenge. However, unless you PP the crap out of it, you won't score high against the pro type shot. |
That's not entirely true. I have several ribbons that were with very little editing.
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11/20/2008 08:31:33 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Physics_McG:
Do you feel that people take normal, everyday pictures and try to make them fit the challenge???
Personally, I at least put a considerable amount of thought into the photo that I want to submit. |
I'm not entirely sure what you are asking here. What do you mean by "every day pictures"?
As for putting considerable amount of thought into your photos, there are many people here who do the same. |
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11/21/2008 11:14:02 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by Judi:
Originally posted by SteveJ:
Originally posted by Physics_McG:
Do you feel that people take normal, everyday pictures and try to make them fit the challenge???
Personally, I at least put a considerable amount of thought into the photo that I want to submit. |
....
However, unless you PP the crap out of it, you won't score high against the pro type shot. |
That's not entirely true. I have several ribbons that were with very little editing. |
Same here. 3 of my 4 ribbons have very little editing, mostly just crop and levels adjustment.
The key to a ribbon, at least for me, is starting with a good idea and executing it well. The execution part can be learned. The good idea? I'm still working on that. |
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11/21/2008 11:18:32 AM · #9 |
And what do all the current ribbon winners have in common?
The answer is good lighting. This means interesting lighting that adds to the scene.
The landscape shots were all taken at optimal times - low angle light, generally diffuse, and warm and rich.
The studio shots all had excellent control of the placement of light on the subjects and backgrounds.
Photography is first about light and those shots that use it the best will regularly score the highest.
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11/21/2008 11:58:18 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by Ann:
Originally posted by Judi:
Originally posted by SteveJ:
Originally posted by Physics_McG:
Do you feel that people take normal, everyday pictures and try to make them fit the challenge???
Personally, I at least put a considerable amount of thought into the photo that I want to submit. |
....
However, unless you PP the crap out of it, you won't score high against the pro type shot. |
That's not entirely true. I have several ribbons that were with very little editing. |
Same here. 3 of my 4 ribbons have very little editing, mostly just crop and levels adjustment.
The key to a ribbon, at least for me, is starting with a good idea and executing it well. The execution part can be learned. The good idea? I'm still working on that. |
..
Which means a lot of thought went into the image before pressing the shutter.
Message edited by author 2008-11-21 12:01:00. |
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11/21/2008 12:16:28 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by cpanaioti:
Originally posted by Ann:
Originally posted by Judi:
Originally posted by SteveJ:
Originally posted by Physics_McG:
Do you feel that people take normal, everyday pictures and try to make them fit the challenge???
Personally, I at least put a considerable amount of thought into the photo that I want to submit. |
....
However, unless you PP the crap out of it, you won't score high against the pro type shot. |
That's not entirely true. I have several ribbons that were with very little editing. |
Same here. 3 of my 4 ribbons have very little editing, mostly just crop and levels adjustment.
The key to a ribbon, at least for me, is starting with a good idea and executing it well. The execution part can be learned. The good idea? I'm still working on that. |
..
Which means a lot of thought went into the image before pressing the shutter. |
Exactly. |
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11/21/2008 12:38:06 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by bassbone:
And what do all the current ribbon winners have in common?
The answer is good lighting. This means interesting lighting that adds to the scene.
The landscape shots were all taken at optimal times - low angle light, generally diffuse, and warm and rich.
The studio shots all had excellent control of the placement of light on the subjects and backgrounds.
Photography is first about light and those shots that use it the best will regularly score the highest. |
Bold by me. Well said bassbone and if there is one thing to remember when making a photograph, this is it. IMHO. ;) All the other stuff is important but light is king. Want to score well at DPC? Mind the light. Want to sell prints for big bucks? And so on and so forth...
So, if you are submitting a run of the mill image, make sure it has good light and at least a tenuous connection to the challenge topic. |
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11/21/2008 02:11:09 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by kenskid:
The secret here is "liquid drop".
If challenge is titled:
Fast: Use water drop and title it - Fast but Frozen
Slow: Use water drop and title it - Fast Slowed Down
Red: Use red water drop
Blue: Use blue water drop
Green: well you get the picture |
LOL...water droplets, splashes, wine glasses, lakes, oceans, ducks/swans on lakes, lemon slices in water, anything liquid related and well edited and lit. Or, Icelandic scenes, skies etc.. ;-))
Second...fire, smoke and reflective surfaces...well edited.
Thirdly....flowers, bees, macro bug shots...well edited.
Fourth....models with beautiful faces and bodies...well lit and very professionally edited. (Forget your family unless they are beauties with fabulous and flawless faces and especially unless they can contort themselves into oddball poses, NUDE! ;-))
Fifth.....anything with a blown out white or darkened black background behind it.
Sixth....anything with a great depth of field...well edited and well lit in the foreground.
Seventh...great and fabulously edited poverty shots.
Eighth.....a dog, kitten or really cute children, especially blond haired and blue eyed ;-)).
Nineth...fantastic scenery/landscapes with dense clouds, dodged, burned and saturated to the hilt with color.
Tenth.....great fruit, vegetable and food shots..with black or white backgrounds and fabulously edited, especially with great DOF.
Last, but certainly not the least and in a category all of its own............
 Timfythetoo in his Tutu and wings, complete with black socks, shoes and cigar from his mouth, unshaven!!! ;-)) That can even nearly overcome the Iceland night skies!!! ;-))
JOKING People...but, there's my "Top Ten Ways To Win A DPC Ribbon".
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11/21/2008 02:14:33 PM · #14 |
After reading the title I thought you had been through my portfolio......glad to see it wasnt me. :D
Matt
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11/21/2008 02:47:57 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by PhotoInterest:
well edited
...and well edited
...and well edited
...and well edited
...and fabulously edited |
I think I see a common thread here. The secret is revealed at last.
Message edited by author 2008-11-21 14:48:45. |
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11/21/2008 03:21:35 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by Ann:
The key to a ribbon, at least for me, is starting with a good idea and executing it well. The execution part can be learned. The good idea? I'm still working on that. |
I struggle with the execution. I often have good ideas but I can never capture the image as well as I envisioned it when I came up with the idea.
I do agree about lighting, I think that is often where I have my problems. My internal vision of a photo is always perfectly lit and the actual image is often no where close.
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11/21/2008 03:30:20 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by Moose408:
Originally posted by Ann:
The key to a ribbon, at least for me, is starting with a good idea and executing it well. The execution part can be learned. The good idea? I'm still working on that. |
I struggle with the execution. I often have good ideas but I can never capture the image as well as I envisioned it when I came up with the idea.
I do agree about lighting, I think that is often where I have my problems. My internal vision of a photo is always perfectly lit and the actual image is often no where close. |
You struggle exactly where I struggle.
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11/21/2008 03:36:44 PM · #18 |
To Add, something I recently learned that is one of those cardinal rules that I never used to listen to...
ALWAYS USE A TRIPOD when possible and/or appropriate.
There are very few images that would not be improved through the use of a tripod.
It helps with your mental framing of things, gives you the possibility of high DoF (read: depth, clarity, interestingness), lets your work at the lowest possible ISO, negates camera shake (which is extremely evident in shots under 1/50, probably under 1/100), gives you the possibility for a long exposure, making skies and lights turn out different and more interesting and can blur incidental subjects that pass through the frame...
If you're shooting a landscape, you just need a tripod.
Of course, it's not always possible, it encumbers you, limits some of your views/creativity, not appropriate for candids, etc... but usually, if it's possible, you should use a tripod for your shot.
Message edited by author 2008-11-21 15:38:33. |
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11/21/2008 03:52:04 PM · #19 |
And just my general opinion on high scoring images...
People often complain that their shots don't do as well as they should for whatever reason and I do this all the time too, but, I would say the biggest difference that sets the creme de la creme from the rest of the herd is simplicity.
There can be complex simplicity, but you need a focused image that does not waste an inch of space in the frame. Not an inch.
You have to be completely economical with your use of space in the photograph - consider why you include each and every element of the frame, and know that if it doesn't add to the impact of the photo it detracts from it.
To adopt an Einstein quote, the photograph must be as simple as possible but no simpler. |
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11/21/2008 03:53:08 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by AP:
... use a tripod for your shot. |
Turn off IS/VR if you do. :-) |
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11/21/2008 03:57:12 PM · #21 |
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11/21/2008 04:12:12 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by AP:
whats that? hah |
A tripod is a gizmo with three legs that will hold your camera steady when you take a picture. ;-)
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11/21/2008 06:02:02 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by PhotoInterest:
Originally posted by kenskid:
The secret here is "liquid drop".
If challenge is titled:
Fast: Use water drop and title it - Fast but Frozen
Slow: Use water drop and title it - Fast Slowed Down
Red: Use red water drop
Blue: Use blue water drop
Green: well you get the picture |
LOL...water droplets, splashes, wine glasses, lakes, oceans, ducks/swans on lakes, lemon slices in water, anything liquid related and well edited and lit. Or, Icelandic scenes, skies etc.. ;-))
Second...fire, smoke and reflective surfaces...well edited.
Thirdly....flowers, bees, macro bug shots...well edited.
Fourth....models with beautiful faces and bodies...well lit and very professionally edited. (Forget your family unless they are beauties with fabulous and flawless faces and especially unless they can contort themselves into oddball poses, NUDE! ;-))
Fifth.....anything with a blown out white or darkened black background behind it.
Sixth....anything with a great depth of field...well edited and well lit in the foreground.
Seventh...great and fabulously edited poverty shots.
Eighth.....a dog, kitten or really cute children, especially blond haired and blue eyed ;-)).
Nineth...fantastic scenery/landscapes with dense clouds, dodged, burned and saturated to the hilt with color.
Tenth.....great fruit, vegetable and food shots..with black or white backgrounds and fabulously edited, especially with great DOF.
Last, but certainly not the least and in a category all of its own............
Timfythetoo in his Tutu and wings, complete with black socks, shoes and cigar from his mouth, unshaven!!! ;-)) That can even nearly overcome the Iceland night skies!!! ;-))
JOKING People...but, there's my "Top Ten Ways To Win A DPC Ribbon". |
Joking - hell. You are wise beyond your years! |
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11/21/2008 06:11:57 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by Ann:
Originally posted by Judi:
Originally posted by SteveJ:
Originally posted by Physics_McG:
Do you feel that people take normal, everyday pictures and try to make them fit the challenge???
Personally, I at least put a considerable amount of thought into the photo that I want to submit. |
....
However, unless you PP the crap out of it, you won't score high against the pro type shot. |
That's not entirely true. I have several ribbons that were with very little editing. |
Same here. 3 of my 4 ribbons have very little editing, mostly just crop and levels adjustment.
The key to a ribbon, at least for me, is starting with a good idea and executing it well. The execution part can be learned. The good idea? I'm still working on that. |
Your top three scores are all hummingbirds.
I know hummingbirds are like gold here, but the "starting with a good idea" part of your statement loses a little luster when you most successful subject matter is always the same.
Don't get me wrong, I've tried to get a good capture of a hummingbird but haven't been able to pull it off like you have. Still trying though. ;-) |
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11/21/2008 06:43:02 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by scarbrd:
Originally posted by Ann:
Originally posted by Judi:
Originally posted by SteveJ:
Originally posted by Physics_McG:
Do you feel that people take normal, everyday pictures and try to make them fit the challenge???
Personally, I at least put a considerable amount of thought into the photo that I want to submit. |
....
However, unless you PP the crap out of it, you won't score high against the pro type shot. |
That's not entirely true. I have several ribbons that were with very little editing. |
Same here. 3 of my 4 ribbons have very little editing, mostly just crop and levels adjustment.
The key to a ribbon, at least for me, is starting with a good idea and executing it well. The execution part can be learned. The good idea? I'm still working on that. |
Your top three scores are all hummingbirds.
I know hummingbirds are like gold here, but the "starting with a good idea" part of your statement loses a little luster when you most successful subject matter is always the same.
Don't get me wrong, I've tried to get a good capture of a hummingbird but haven't been able to pull it off like you have. Still trying though. ;-) |
I'm not actually arguing for creativity. Creativity is a two edged sword. For every  scalvert who can wield the creative sword and score well, there's plenty of others whose results only appeal to a niche group of voters.
Just because it's a hummingbird doesn't mean it's not a good idea. The two hummingbirds that won ribbons met the challenge they were in perfectly. 1/2 of my ribbons (admittedly a small sample) were not hummingbirds, too. Neither of those were particularly creative either, but they met the challenges they were in in visually interesting ways, so they were what I would consider to be good ideas.
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