DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Removed backgrounds - commercial photography syndrome
Pages:  
Showing posts 226 - 233 of 233, (reverse)
AuthorThread
03/07/2007 02:27:28 PM · #226
Brad,

I'm not sure about what I am going to write here, but I want to run it up the flagpole anyway, OK? It isn't directed at you personally but at the idea you have just expressed re: "If you know ahead of time you are prejudiced against "x", then don't vote on "x", because that wouldn't be fair to the photographer."

Let's suppose, hypothetically, that for the last couple months the DPC challenges have shown a trend towards high scores/ribbons going to shots of really cute gerbils. All sorts of shots, but all gerbils. The people LOVE gerbils, apparently, but I'm personally getting tired of gerbils. I can't even LOOK at a gerbil anymore.

So I abstain from voting. As do ALL gerbil-dislikers in DPC, in order to be "fair". End result: higher and higher scores for gerbils, more and more gerbils winning ribbons, more and more people shooting shots of gerbils, DPC becoming known as "that site where they take pictures of gerbils."

That sound too extreme? What if I am tired of "cute" pictures? Is it unreasonable of me to judge an image negatively because it is too cute, to sickly-sweet to satisfy me? How about Draganized pictures? Or any kind of picture? Why does my voting have to be solely on merit, and not from the heart?

Don't we more likely get a representative sampling if we combine these elements? I am not at ALL fond of baby pictures, myself; so if you submit a baby picture the odds are you're not gonna get a great score from me. Nevertheless, I can think of at least two baby pictures that I gave 10's to. They managed to transcend my dislike of the genre and become something greater than that. Isn't this how it should be?

R.


03/07/2007 02:33:37 PM · #227
Originally posted by Brad:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:


So, what is the correct way to vote? Your way? My way? The SC's way?

A correct way?
How about a fair way: A non-premeditated & non-predjudiced method that gives every image voted on, a fair shake. That's what judging is supposed to be.
Deducting, based on personal issues, has no place here.

Hypothetical Scenario
Pet Portrait Challenge
Take your best picture of a pet, in a portrait-like setting.

OK, no problem, except I come out and say somewhere that I am personally going to take away 2 points from anyone's image if they were done in black & white. Your image is in black & white, as are about 30% of them.

How well would that be received by the members here?
How would that sit with you?

Best suggestion I have for those that know ahead of time they can't stand a certain type of image in a challenge and will deduct from it, is to skip it, as the vote cast has nothing to do with the image on it's own, and penalizes a member based on their own issues, not the image itsef.

Like I said, prejudice comes in many flavors.


Again, it's your suggestion, a reflection of your opinion of how another should express their opinion through their votes.

As for someone stating they would automatically deduct two points in the scenario you suggest. I think the site's response would be very similar to this and other similar threads, a contentious argumentative one, condemning such behavior as grossly unfair.

My own reaction would be quite different. While I would be disappointed in that voter's opinion and apparent generalization of B&W images, I would respect their right to express it through their vote.
03/07/2007 02:35:15 PM · #228
You have a valid point Robert, and in any ways, as usual, my methods or ideals are flawed. I'm just in an argumentative mood today and probably should take a break.
Thanks for the cold wash cloth - I think I'm awake now.
;)

<off to look for a script to put myself on everyone's ignore list>

Message edited by author 2007-03-07 14:38:06.
03/07/2007 02:36:54 PM · #229
Originally posted by Bear_Music:

So I abstain from voting. As do ALL gerbil-dislikers in DPC, in order to be "fair". End result: higher and higher scores for gerbils, more and more gerbils winning ribbons, more and more people shooting shots of gerbils, DPC becoming known as "that site where they take pictures of gerbils."


The obviously correct response is to ask 'where is your cute gerbil source, and do they ship out of state?'

FWIW, I agree, the notion of only voting on things you like is a bit naive and certainly counter-educational.
03/07/2007 02:44:42 PM · #230
Originally posted by Gordon:

FWIW, I agree, the notion of only voting on things you like is a bit naive and certainly counter-educational.

Not only that, but it also introduces statistical biases. Whatever a voter's preference is, he votes fairly if he applies the same criteria *all* submissions (or a randomly picked subset). If he cherry-picks the ones to vote for (or the ones not to vote for), *then* the situation becomes unfair.

Edited to add "or randomly picked".

Message edited by author 2007-03-07 14:46:10.
03/07/2007 03:04:45 PM · #231
o.k. I almost posted a reply last night, but I didn't, so here goes, I am new to DP and photography, when I see something I like, I would like to try it myself (a great black background), good or not, I don't think it's fair to score that way......just because it has A BLACK BACKGROUND, doesn't mean it should be deducted any points, the questions are:
Does it meet the challenge?
Does the title go with the picture?
How is the overall quality of the picture?
A good picture is a good picture no matter what the background. There is no getting around that.
I always comment on the pic I am voting on no matter if its a 3 or 10.
I honestly judge and comment to the best of my knowledge, (probably too good), and when I see the results for some of my pics, I have recieved 10's for something that shouldn't even be a 3. So is everybody actually taking the time to look and vote appropriatly?? I hope so for the sake of us all!!!!! :) :) :)
I guess that is something you have to risk doing this!

03/07/2007 03:14:30 PM · #232
Originally posted by liberty:

I don't think it's fair to score that way......just because it has A BLACK BACKGROUND, doesn't mean it should be deducted any points, the questions are:


Perhaps a more interesting question to answer and that might help Arcady along, would be:

Why do you want to make pictures with A black background ?

What does the black background add to the shot ?
03/07/2007 07:27:56 PM · #233
Originally posted by agenkin:

Originally posted by Elvis_L:


I just think you don't like Rudy
...
Arcady has specifically called out several photogs over time and in this thread. calling an artist cliche or saying that all their work is uninspired and pointless is as much a personal attack as saying the his ideals are pretentious IMO.

Now, these are ridiculous accusations. I pulled out some *images* that the photographers posted on a public web site for critique and evaluation. I did this without even looking at the names: I just needed to pick some examples to illustrate my points. Everything I said was pertaining to the chosen *images*, and was never a personal insult to their authors. There is a world of difference between saying "your photograph sucks" and "you suck". Get it?

You said many times that I base my opinion of an image on the name of the author (be it Rudy or Avedon). This is a very inappropriate comment, I suggest that you expunge it from your head, unless you can substantiate it somehow.


Over the many threads you have ranted on you have said that this or that photo has no merit or is worthless I am not wrong in stating that. maybe you didn't know that many of them were from the same photog I'll take your word on it.

My idea that the author or photog matters is because you drop names like crazy (IMO) when asked for examples you talk about photogs many times instead of photos from whoever. You quote alot of people instead of using your own words. none of this is wrong, it just seems to me that you hold these people in very high regard and i don't see you (hypothetically) saying you hate something they have done. I said in one of the first posts where i stated this opinion that I may be wrong. You say that I am so I apologize if I have offended you. I was merely stating how you were coming across to me, not how you actually are. Again I am sorry if I offended. For the record nice use of the word expunge:)

I have not contributed anything worthwhile in this thread in a long time so I am moving on.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 03:59:15 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 03:59:15 AM EDT.