Do We Always Need A Wow Factor In A Photo?

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

05/29/2006 04:35:25 AM · #1

This may sound like the dumbest question on this site ever, but please stick with me for a while...

I have no problem with people being drawn into photos with a high "wow" factor, especially since the wow factor can be quite personal. However, I do wonder if sometimes the drive and desire to deliver the wow factor overtakes the qualities of the subject that made a person take the picture in the first place.

An example here is architecture (and I am quite prepared to believe I am being dumb here). When I was taking shots for the latest challenge I was always looking for a particular take on a subject, be it angles, colours, perspective - whatever. However, I soon realised that I was trying to pull the subject into an aesthetic area that I did not feel it belonged in. So, my submission (in my eyes anyhow) was about getting the "feel" on the subject in the context in which I saw it and its relationship to the world.

Does my submission have a wow factor? Probably not as my aesthetic notion is bound into the context of the subject although it does follow a lot of good compositional rules. However, to my eyes, it represents what it is - and no more.

To try and illustrate this a little, one of the problems I have is over sharpening of things which are not inherently "sharp", such as old buildings and artefacts. If you look at an old building it is subject to natural erosion and its edges soften, become rounded and blurred. So, assuming everything else is "perfect" should you sharpen to get that "pow" factor in the image that essentially changes the context of the subject?

This is something that has been puzzling me for some time so I just wanted to see if anyone else had similar - or even opposite - feelings.

Carl

David.C

05/29/2006 05:03:16 AM · #2

My take on the subject of WOW!

Unless a person is shooting randomly, there is something about the subject or the scene that causes them to raise the camera and take the picture. That something is the wow factor. Bringing the wow factor out is the process of making an image the viewer will see why it was taken. It doesn't have to be a 'Holy S#^T, look at that!' experience to be a wow photo -- but it is nice when it is. :D

David

ignite

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

05/29/2006 05:05:14 AM · #3

I agree with you. The wow factor does come into play in certain photos, but not always. Like the "Heat" challenge, you need a 'wow' factor to make it to the top, cause I think it is a boring subject and not much you can do with an average 'personal' photo which follows all the technical rules. You need something to make your photo stand apart from the crowd.

Othersie, a simple photo which conveys feelings is much better. Your example of the old building is good. It will convey a sense of dignity and age even if it is kept simple.

Arti-Elvi

Nikon D70

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G

05/29/2006 05:37:51 AM · #4

I feel that we don't always need a "wow" factor in a photo. A while ago I went to an exhibition of a Dutch photographer. Most of the photos were taken in the 40s and 50s. My friend and I noticed that lots of photos weren't sharp or that the horizons were tilted. The photos were far from perfect. Some even looked like snapshots. But I loved them. It was the mood in the photos that made me love them.

I have to admit lots of photographers here on DPC really have a "wow" factor in their photos which I enjoy a lot. Sometimes I can't stop looking at the great photos here because they're so perfect. For example this one:

That one really has a "wow" factor to me. It's perfect. But I enjoy this photo of Kiwiness as much as the photo of Steinar:

These photos are quite different. The first one really has a "wow" factor to me and the second one has a great mood. I like both photos a lot. I feel that it's all about what the photographer is trying to achieve with his/her photo.

I hope I explained my opinion well in English.

Message edited by author 2006-05-29 05:38:21.

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

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

05/29/2006 06:22:52 AM · #5

]

This one (in its context of being shot and published this year) has the same great "wow"-factor to me, cause it perfectly transports the 40s look and feel, although the subject is not interesting at all.
I think the "wow"-factor can be achieved in many ways, it doesn't depend on the subject, it might be in an ultrasharp high-color photo of a weathered building as well as in a blurred, noisy, toned one.
It depends on the vision and the artistic approach of the photgrapher - and, yes, i think a really good photo always has it.

Matthew

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

05/29/2006 07:56:19 AM · #6

I had to decide for architecture between a shot with a bit of wow and a shot that is more solid, and technically better. I am pleased that I went for the shot with a bit (not a lot) of wow - it is doing pretty well.

Artifacts

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/29/2006 08:05:58 AM · #7

Originally posted by eyewave:

]

In essence, this image answers the question regarding the need for a wow factor.

Kiwiness, more than any DPC photographer, is in touch with what scores well in challenges. He earns a ribbon on almost every 3rd submission. You will note that, good as this image is, that he did not enter it into a challenge.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/29/2006 09:23:56 AM · #8

Originally posted by stdavidson:

Originally posted by eyewave:
]

In essence, this image answers the question regarding the need for a wow factor.

Kiwiness, more than any DPC photographer, is in touch with what scores well in challenges. He earns a ribbon on almost every 3rd submission. You will note that, good as this image is, that he did not enter it into a challenge.

Ah! I have it at last. Bottom line for me is that I feel that I may be discarding votes in order to maintain the moodiness or atmosphere of my "take" on a subject. Which is what you guys have been saying: there is a difference.

Really appreciate the feedback on this as I am beginning to realise that there are photos that appeal because of the essence of what they are and others that appeal because they metaphorically slap you in face. Nothing wrong with either but there is a difference. And anyhow, it is not just votes that count, is it? :-)

Thanks!

Carl

Artifacts

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/29/2006 09:30:59 AM · #9

Originally posted by obsidian:

... it is not just votes that count, is it? :-)

You are 100% on the mark there. Especially when you consider that DPC scores depend on the voter mood of the moment and their very narrow interpretations of topics that are rendered meaningless after the challenge week is done.

Arti-Elvi

Nikon D70

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G

05/29/2006 09:32:27 AM · #10

Originally posted by obsidian:

there are photos that appeal because of the essence of what they are and others that appeal because they metaphorically slap you in face. Nothing wrong with either but there is a difference.

This is exactly what I meant with my post.

kenskid

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

05/29/2006 09:57:39 AM · #11

Wow Schmou...just show me a good photo. Some, but very few of the shots make me think 'WOW' when it opens in my browser. And...just because it makes me think WOW, it doesn't mean others will think WOW.

My latestest WOW was this

.

My latest shot that I felt would win was

but it didn't make me think "WOW". I'm sure you will think I'm crazy but like I said, each of is will have our own "WOWs" that others don't "get".

KS

Cutter

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

05/29/2006 09:58:24 AM · #12

yes, we need the wow factor. Whethe it is subtle wow or wowwy wow, it must be intangibly special.

Gringo

Nikon D2X

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

05/29/2006 10:28:54 AM · #13

Excellent discussion to find this morning in the forums.

jjbeguin is one of my favorite photographers on the site.

Jjbeguin

What I like most about the style of so much of his work, is his ability to capture the ordinary in an extraordinary way.

The "WOW" obviously exists. It's just a different flavor and it takes a different form. It's not the same WOW that slaps you in the face and makes your mouth drop open in amazement. Yet his work still has a consistent appeal to the majority.

Cutter

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

05/29/2006 10:35:18 AM · #14

jj,

the best. period.

Gringo

Nikon D2X

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

05/29/2006 10:43:26 AM · #15

Originally posted by Cutter:

jj, the best. period.

All I can say is; "WOW"

But I can't always define why.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/29/2006 10:48:41 AM · #16

Originally posted by Gringo:

Originally posted by Cutter:
jj, the best. period.

All I can say is; "WOW"

But I can't always define why.

That's the mark of a true master...JJ has mastered the wow and more...

saintaugust

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

05/29/2006 10:50:30 AM · #17

a 'wow' factor is like love at first sight. some photos are like a good relationship; looks better with time and appreciation.

Dr.Confuser

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

05/29/2006 11:07:14 AM · #18

Many people vote quickly and by quickly I mean somethng like a few seconds per photo. At that rate, unless a photo captures something engaging and captures it engagingly, it will be relegated to the dust bin of 5's. I guess you could call engaging-and-engagingly the "wow factor."

Many people after voting quickly will go back and look at the better and the worse photos bumping up or down and commenting as they go. This longer look will sometimes reveal something special in a photo that's not initially apparent. It's sort of a "delayed gratification wow."

Unfortunately, the dust bin of 5's rarely get a second look, so without a wow factor of some kind, it seems unlikely a photo will score in the top quarter (let alone the top 10%, top 10, or top 3) among all photos submitted and will receive few if any comments.

Having said all tha, the wow factor could be related to color and contrast, it could be related to composition, it could be related to subject, ... or it just might be related to an idea that was well and truly captured. For me, I like those the best!

Cheers.

Man_Called_Horse

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

05/29/2006 11:28:01 AM · #19

A wow factor is needed for competition.

For your friends and neighbors, no wow factor is needed.

If you don't "try" for a wow factor during competition, the better it is for the rest of the submissions.

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200 f/2.8L

05/29/2006 11:45:23 AM · #20

Originally posted by kenskid:

My latest shot that I felt would win was but it didn't make me think "WOW". I'm sure you will think I'm crazy but like I said, each of is will have our own "WOWs" that others don't "get".

KS

I don't think you're crazy, infact I don't even really think this photos is all that great, technically good, but not interesting to me. In the eye of the viewer...

Cutter

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

05/29/2006 05:40:29 PM · #21

Originally posted by American_Horse:

A wow factor is needed for competition.

That is a good point. For the average voter, they may spend 5-10 seconds to make up their mind. Maybe 30 sec-1min. So a jump off the monitor effect has to be there.

But for home, or art galleries or other more deliberate peaceful ways to show photography, it doesn't have to be that way. It actually can be more subtle and develop over time..

05/29/2006 07:54:39 PM · #22

Originally posted by American_Horse:

As this is the DPChallenge site then the notion of competition is implied, I guess. However, for me this site has been about learning and developing my appreciation for photography in general and the image in particular. And it always will be.

On top of this I am beginning to realise that I have a certain aesthetic sense that defines what I find appealing and what I want to capture. This thread has moved me on a long way into articulating - to myself at least - what this aesthetic sense is, and to my acceptance that I may occasionally get the publicly appreciated "wow" in a photo I submit to challenge.

In the last challenge I sought out a wow factor - in this case the infamous DPC colours - and scored 6.3, my highest ever. I also got a lot of good and positive comments and it felt good as the image was fun to produce. In the architecture challenge I am running about 5.6 with one comment - but it was a comment that made it clear to me that the reviewer "got" what I was after. And that is cool.

The challenges are fun and force me to think about the subject of the challenge and what it means to me, personally. I hope that folk see where I am coming from but accept that, in some cases, the 5 second a view voting pattern will go against my vision and aesthetic sense and intent.

And that is cool, too.

Thank you for some really great discussion and comments: they have all helped. And does jjbeguin rock or what? :-)

Carl

Zigomar

Fujifilm X100T

Lensbaby 2.0

05/29/2006 08:04:00 PM · #23

Another one wow photo, without fancy setup, plain and simple, yet very striking. At least for me.