What do you consider to be "doing well"?

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

12/01/2009 01:16:41 PM · #26

Originally posted by sukuriant:

Look at some of the photographers that are excited about getting a 5.5 or 6. Many of them have ribbons! To me, this is a great surprise. I would figure that people who often get middle 6's (or at least their profile page shows such scores) would consider "good" images to be higher than 5.5

To use myself as an example, the string of 6's on my profile page is the top 5 out of 189 challenges entered. My average is only just under a 5.36, which I may hit in the freestudy. (Assuming I don't shoot myself in the foot in another challenge) If you look at the voting breakdown of a 5.5-ish score, it shows that it was generally liked, but enough people disliked it or thought it was "just ok" to hold it back a little. I try to keep in mind it is a popularity contest and broad appeal wins out over narrowly focused creativity. It's important to interpret the scores and comments.

However, I have rotated the images on my profile page a few times recently, so THAT is something that I consider a positive sign.

Message edited by author 2009-12-01 13:17:55.

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

12/01/2009 01:48:23 PM · #27

Enjoying my photography enough that scores aren't a crucial part of it......

Oddly, once I kind of stopped worrying so much about scores, and more on trying to shoot better, the scores came along.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

12/01/2009 02:13:30 PM · #28

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

once I kind of stopped worrying so much about scores, and more on trying to shoot better, the scores came along.

I'm starting to see some results from following that philosophy, but it's slow coming.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

12/01/2009 02:36:42 PM · #29

To me, anything over my average (5.3ish) is doing well.

12/01/2009 03:19:21 PM · #30

6+ is doing great for me. 5+ is not bad. Below 5 means that I failed big and that I didn't succeed in
1. creating an interesting image or one that shows mastering of a given technique
2. I didn't succeed in looking at it in an objective way.

Simms

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/01/2009 03:26:24 PM · #31

You know what, I am not going to lie, if my scores dips below 6.3 I rarely go back to look at it for the rest of the week, I just kind of lose interest. This year I lost interest quite a few times. But hey! The year before wasn't so bad.

Magnumphotography

Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS USM

12/01/2009 03:46:59 PM · #32

Any score above 6 and I am pleased. But the best for me, is getting a mediocre score with great feedback and favourites. Your image may not always appeal to the masses. But these open eyed souls, can really make up for it!
Nothing better than a ( You were robbed) comment. lol

Simms

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/01/2009 03:50:02 PM · #33

Originally posted by Magnumphotography:

My least favourite comments are the ones that say "I am not voting in this challenge, but if I was I would give this a 10".

F**KING VOTE THEN!!!

Pentax D-FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW

12/01/2009 03:54:59 PM · #34

Originally posted by Magnumphotography:

Now, I have to admit that great feedbacks make a lower score a less bitter pill to take.
You are right when you say that an image can not always appeal to the mass. That's why I always say that Photography is not an exact science. That's also the reason why, when voting, I try not to look at the "content" of the image really look at the technical approach. A razor sharp image of a flying bird e.g. will get a slightly higher score than an also razor sharp image of a building, even though well taken. Both require skills, but one requires other and complexer skills than the other, imho.

Message edited by author 2009-12-01 15:56:39.

K3Master

Pentax K-3

12/01/2009 04:00:09 PM · #35

I got a comment this time around that my shot will be in the top 5.

hahaha. I love those ones. So much over-enthusiasm and optimism :D

K3Master

Pentax K-3

Pentax D-FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW

12/01/2009 04:00:54 PM · #36

Originally posted by Simms:

Originally posted by Magnumphotography:
Any score above 6 and I am pleased. But the best for me, is getting a mediocre score with great feedback and favourites. Your image may not always appeal to the masses. But these open eyed souls, can really make up for it!
Nothing better than a ( You were robbed) comment. lol

My least favourite comments are the ones that say "I am not voting in this challenge, but if I was I would give this a 10".

F**KING VOTE THEN!!!

Well, this works both ways. Occasionally there are the, "I'm not voting on this challenge, but I wouldn't give this a good score at all", and then you get to sit back and go "PHEW!"

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

12/01/2009 04:23:11 PM · #37

Originally posted by Nadine_Vb:

A razor sharp image of a flying bird e.g. will get a slightly higher score than an also razor sharp image of a building, even though well taken. Both require skills, but one requires other and complexer skills than the other, imho.

And a more expensive lens.

snaffles

Nikon D7100

12/01/2009 04:23:17 PM · #38

Hmmm...after being here 3 1/2 years with only 3 6s to my name, I now have a top row of 6s which all came very recently. So getting spoiled on them!

More realistically, I am content with anything over 5.3. But only until recently I was happy with anything over 5, technical stuff being my shortfall. Now anything under 5 is due less to my technical skills, and more to do with my take on the challenge.

ETA: Have to agree that nothing beats getting a fave, no matter what the score on a shot. Better yet, a fave during voting, esp on a shot not doing well.

Message edited by author 2009-12-01 16:24:40.

Tez

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

12/01/2009 04:31:01 PM · #39

I accept a 6+ to be a good image. Most images I think are a 7 end up being a 4 or a 5 though :)

George

Nikon D750

12/01/2009 04:42:18 PM · #40

I've never gotten a 6, but I consider a 6 to be doing well. Why 6+ (of which I have none) and not 5.5+ (of which I have 4)? Mostly because I'm not satisfied with any 5.5+ image of mine, and feel none of them DESERVED to do well. My Hug and a Kiss was a lucky snapshot of two friends, my X Marks the Spot is blurry as hell, my Rainbow II was a lucky shot from my girlfriend's balcony, and the only one that I actually like (Twisted II) was a shoehorned abstract an hour before the deadline.

12/01/2009 04:45:09 PM · #41

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Originally posted by Nadine_Vb:
A razor sharp image of a flying bird e.g. will get a slightly higher score than an also razor sharp image of a building, even though well taken. Both require skills, but one requires other and complexer skills than the other, imho.

And a more expensive lens.

The expensive lens will help a little, maybe. But if you don't know how to use your equipment...
Buying a BÃ¶sendorfer or a Steinbach doesn't mean you can play the piano. Buying a great or expensive camera doesn't mean you can create attractive photographs. Good pianists can play on anything and a good photographer can make great images with a disposable camera.
I can't play the piano and I can't make great images. That's why I'm here: to learn how to do so.

Message edited by author 2009-12-01 16:59:22.

yanko

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

12/01/2009 05:00:50 PM · #42

It depends on the quality of comments and favs being received. Since a high score can be achieved almost at will, if you just stick to the template, nothing less than a mid to high 7 would even enter the equation.

Message edited by author 2009-12-01 17:03:11.

12/01/2009 05:01:32 PM · #43

Originally posted by Nadine_Vb:

The expensive lens will help a little, maybe. But if you don't know how to use your equipment...

No argument about that. I think it is 80% photographer and 20% equipment, IF you have the knowledge and skill to take advantage of what that equipment offers you. I do think a sharp shot of a building is easier to do with a cheap lens than a sharp shot of a flyhing bird. It falls into that 20%.

Tez

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

12/01/2009 05:02:32 PM · #44

i think the 'building to bird' debate is very short sighted and ill-informed.

There's a reason good architecture photographers are sought after- because a building is just a building to 99% of people, but to that 1%, it's a canvas.

I think with that comment you're insulting every architectural photographer that has ever been by saying one requires more complex skills. And a more expensive lens? Not really... tilt shift lenses are expensive, Leica lenses are expensive (if you want the best in corner sharpness, rent one of these and convert it).

Do your homework.

posthumous

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/01/2009 05:06:23 PM · #45

"doing ok" 6+ score

"doing well" scoring below 4.5, a shot for the brown!

"great shot" scoring below 4.5 with favorites and a comment from

eyewave or some other ribbon winner telling me what crap it is.

ahmadbaara

Nikon D90

12/01/2009 05:27:15 PM · #46

I take a bit more general approach, I'm happy when my highest rated photos shuffle a bit suggesting that theres improvement, and/or i finish in the top 25% percentile showing my relative position to other pictures in the competition, relying on numbers can be a bit tricky at times! especially when you see a 6+ score win a ribbon :P

bspurgeon

Fujifilm x100

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

12/01/2009 05:27:32 PM · #47

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Originally posted by NikonJeb:
once I kind of stopped worrying so much about scores, and more on trying to shoot better, the scores came along.

I'm starting to see some results from following that philosophy, but it's slow coming.

I've had the opposite result!

Anyhow,

I enjoy getting a 6+ particularly if I wasn't expecting an image to score well. Rarely, I'm disappointed by a low 6 if I had very high expectations.

I also enter plenty of images knowing full well that it may pull a sub 5 or a low 5, and often a mention in the Posthumous thread or comments from photogs I respect and/or admire completely eliminates the sting from the low score. I tend to be occasionally dissapointed with the average scores, i.e., mid 5s or so. Too often, I find my images in this rangeto be rather bland, neither visually appealing to the masses, or bad enough to enthrall the abstractish, etc., crowd, and earn a equally validating low score.