Idiotic voting on Banana challenge

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

05/30/2004 01:11:57 AM · #1

I did not expect my photo to win a ribbon but I did think it was better than the shots of bananas dressed up in doll clothes and lying in hammocks. There were other good shots that came in well under some of these plainly idiotic shots.
I guess my mistake was actually taking the challenge seriously and trying to make a good photo that saw something in bananas besides the potential for dressing them up as funny characters or using them as phalluses. This challenge really gave me an idea of the lowest common denominator that vote on these challenges. The blue ribbon winner was one of my top ranking in this challenge but some of the other shots in my top ten got totally hosed by shots of bananas sunbathing and dressed up like Mr.Potato Head.
I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling irritated by the results of this challenge. Please don't say it's sour grapes (or sour bananas). I'm righteously disgusted by this shot:

I'm particularly peeved about this because I just spent 106 minutes of my life watching the remake of Cheaper By the Dozen a movie which clearly catered to the same crowd that voted on this challenge. I'm sure I will get angry responses to my rant from people offended by my bluntness but I'm offended by these results. Never again will I waste my time entering a challenge with the potential of being this stupid. I've learned my lesson.

Edited: I deleted the images. I've apologized privately to the folks I insulted as well as publically to the entire forum. I also apologized on this thread fairly quickly. I'm not sure why it kept going after that. Hopefully this will end it once and for all. I would have thought the SC folks would have locked it by now.

Message edited by author 2004-05-30 16:34:00.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

05/30/2004 01:22:50 AM · #2

From your description:

"Didn't have a lot of time as my daughter has an important dance performance tonight."

"I wish the folds weren't in the sheet but I didn't have a lot of time to iron it. :D"

You spent minimal time and possibly waited till the last minute to work on your image... (assuming this based on your own description)

IMO, your background killed your image. I scored it a 4. Your subject and composition are ok. It could stand to be a tad sharper maybe...

Your image doesn't seem to me to have much of a 'theme' other than yellow and banana. Even though the images you listed here may seem cheesy, they do have some thought and effort put into them. In some cases, where the challenge itself is cheesy, this element will score well.

This also represents a case where the subject doesn't really contrast enough with the background to make it a strong photo. Your 'yellow' theme would have held up with a contrasting/complementary colored background. Blue or green would have worked well. Purple maybe...

In general, time and effort spent, or the difficulty of a photograph doesn't score points. On the other hand, images that feel thrown together without much attention to detail will be scored accordingly...

...just my two cents...

welcher

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

05/30/2004 01:24:33 AM · #3

Wow. I gotta tell ya, your post was just wrong. What a mean-spirited pile of garbage. This site is full of photos that not everyone thinks is great. If we all took the liberty (as you have) of trashing other peoples' photos, this site would go to pot quickly.

What a thoroughly awful post.

Seanachai

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

05/30/2004 01:25:27 AM · #4

I learned my lesson a long time ago.
The lesson is, "ignore rude people like you"

Rooster

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8-4.0 Aspherical for Canon

05/30/2004 01:30:05 AM · #5

hey, it's all right to feel like your shot is better & should have done better than others but to call 'em out like this is kinda crazy if you ask me.
Everyone has the right to vote the way they want. You have your taste and everyone else has theirs. It's really not up to you to dictate as you are here in this thread who should place where.
Frankly, I like a lot of the other shots (especially the hammock one) better than yours. You may not agree but I still have the right to feel this way.
Trashing other people's shots is never a good way to promote your own shot nor your own character.
I only hope that when you are less peeved you may take the time to PM apoligies to those you dissed without provocation.

Message edited by author 2004-05-30 01:31:52.

Seanachai

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

05/30/2004 01:32:15 AM · #6

Originally posted by Rooster:

hey, it's all right to feel like your shot is better & should have done better than others but to call 'em out like this is kinda crazy if you ask me.
Everyone has the right to vote the way they want. You have your taste and everyone else has theirs. It's really not up to you to dictate as you ae here in this thread who should place where.
Frankly, I like a lot of the other shots (especially the hammock one) better than yours. You may not agree but I still have the right to feel this way.
Trashing other people's shots is never a good way to promote your own shot nor your own character.
I only hope that when you are less peeved you may take the time to PM apoligies to those you dissed with provocation.

Bravo!

05/30/2004 01:32:57 AM · #7

Your shot was poor. Very little thought was put into that background, which means that the foreground is all but ignored, because the viewer is so distracted by that background. Every one of the shots you were "disgusted" by were strikingly more appealing than yours.

Sorry to offend, just being honest, as you were.

05/30/2004 01:33:46 AM · #8

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

Sorry, this doesn't explain the dressed up bananas beating several better photos. There was nothing technicaly excellent about any of these either. I'm not just disgusted about my own shot....there were llots of shots that should just not have scored as low as they did by comparison to the dressed up bananas (and other ridiculous banana scenarios).

05/30/2004 01:35:44 AM · #9

Originally posted by melismatica:

Never again will I waste my time entering a challenge with the potential of being this stupid. I've learned my lesson.

I certainly hope you stop submitting, if this is your attitude. Doesn't sound healthy...

05/30/2004 01:36:59 AM · #10

Originally posted by StevePax:

Your shot was poor. Very little thought was put into that background, which means that the foreground is all but ignored, because the viewer is so distracted by that background.

Sorry to offend, just being honest, as you were. [/quote] I actually put a lot of thought into my background. My theme was yellow. I had 24 hours to set it up.

Originally posted by StevePax:

Every one of the shots you were "disgusted" by were strikingly more appealing than yours.

Says you. And were they more appealing then the other shots they beat out? I'm not just angry about my own shot.

Seanachai

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

05/30/2004 01:37:37 AM · #11

Originally posted by StevePax:

Originally posted by melismatica:
Never again will I waste my time entering a challenge with the potential of being this stupid. I've learned my lesson.

I certainly hope you stop submitting, if this is your attitude. Doesn't sound healthy...

Bravo!

05/30/2004 01:40:28 AM · #12

Originally posted by Rooster:

I'm upset that so many good shots got voted so low. I'm not just peeved about my own. I'm pretty close to giving up on this site all together because it is becoming really clear I don't belong here.

05/30/2004 01:40:28 AM · #13

Originally posted by melismatica:

Originally posted by StevePax:
Your shot was poor. Very little thought was put into that background, which means that the foreground is all but ignored, because the viewer is so distracted by that background.
Sorry to offend, just being honest, as you were.
I actually put a lot of thought into my background. My theme was yellow. I had 24 hours to set it up.
Originally posted by StevePax:
Every one of the shots you were "disgusted" by were strikingly more appealing than yours.
Says you. And were they more appealing then the other shots they beat out? I'm not just angry about my own shot.

Yes, that is just my opinion, and the opinion of several other people. I apologize that those other pictures did poorly, but I don't apologize for the dressed up banana (and the others) doing well. It was creative, the photog obviously put a lot of effort into it, and it made me smile.

05/30/2004 01:41:45 AM · #14

Originally posted by melismatica:

I'm upset that so many good shots got voted so low. I'm not just peeved about my own. I'm pretty close to giving up on this site all together because it is becoming really clear I don't belong here.

If you go, your photography will be missed. The attitute you have expressed here, however, will not.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/30/2004 01:45:20 AM · #15

Okay, rather than quit this site with my tail between my legs (like I was very close to doing three seconds ago) I humbly apologize to all who I've offended with my opinion. It was wrong of me to use this forum to rant. I'm disillusioned is all. I'm also disappointed that I only got 2 comments during the voting. I suspect I'm going to get a lot of comments on my picture now. All negative.

I didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings.

Message edited by author 2004-05-30 01:46:46.

garrywhite2

Canon EOS-7D

05/30/2004 01:45:46 AM · #16

Melissa, chill for a few days then come back and apologize to those who you have offended. They deserve a sincere apology.

I am hoping your a better person than what you have shown in this post. As Steve says, your photography will be missed if you leave. Give it a few days time and reflect.

edit ( You beat me to it already, that's a sign of good character )

Message edited by author 2004-05-30 01:47:26.

moodville

Nikon D100

05/30/2004 01:46:54 AM · #17

Unless everyone gets exactly the same score then someone has to have the lower score. As Setzler pointed out, in a cheesy challenge you're going to get the higher scores on either very well done images or creative images with humor. The 'better' shots you pointed out, including your own, were ok shots but nothing particularly interest grabbing. Dressed up bananas are so ridiculous that most of them were funny, especially when associated with puns or 'classic' parodies.

wkoffel

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

05/30/2004 01:49:53 AM · #18

I actually agree that the voting was a real surprise to me. I expected mine to better, but more importantly, expected a lot of others to do better (although my two top rated shots took 1st and 3rd, which was nice to see!). And I too didn't understand the appeal of dressed up bananas. :-)

However, when I saw my results (disappointing 30% finish), I took an "oh well, have to try again next time" attitude, rather than your rather angry response to it. I think rather than leave DPC altogether, maybe you just need a break to remember that this is supposed to be fun. When this much animosity is built up, it's time to go out, take some photos just for pleasure again, and cool off. Seriously.

C-town driver

Canon EOS-30D

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

05/30/2004 01:56:24 AM · #19

Let me first start by quoting the comment you made for my banana picture....

"I'm voting on this challenge (as I do all challenges) by first asking myself, does this photo have any appeal outside the boundaries of the challenge. In other words, art comes first. In this case I have to say, "no". The subject does not appeal to me as something I would want to look at again and again. Technically, the lighting is flat, lacking drama and detail. There is nowhere for the eye to rest."

So tell me exactly what it is about your monochromatic yellow photo that screams contrast, detail, and a "hang me on your wall" quality?
Although there may be merit in some of your views (for my picture and those of others), it is hardly your place to impose your insults on other photographers in this forum. To site the pictures that you did and minimalize them in that manner is not only ignorant, but NOT the trait of a true photographer. There are countless photos here that I feel cast an enormous shadow over yours, but I'm sure you've yet to have your photos thumbnailed and ridiculed by those that took them.

Your self-proclamated artisan views ignore a major part of photography... to have fun. None of us would be doing this if it weren't for the fact that it was a fun pursuit. The theme of bananas obviously lends itself to many whimsical viewpoints that definitely emerged in this challenge, and it is wrong for you to attempt to scold people for that.

I've only recently began taking photographs. In the short time I've been a member here, I have seen photos, opinions, portfolios, and people that have given me tremendous insight and respect for this craft.... You, lady, are not one of them.

Message edited by author 2004-05-30 01:58:28.

Kylie

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

05/30/2004 01:58:47 AM · #20

I agree that you have to take it all as a part of the great opportunity to have fun while you learn here. I have had a couple of mine score higher than I thought, which is really nice, but then my lowest scoring ever was one that even my husband loved! So you never know. And I can usually see what is adding to or detracting from my score here -- so it helps me learn. I am not going to change what I like for the sake of the tastes here, but I don't need to. Some will be absurd to you and some will be dead right, but all that matters is learning and enjoying and remembering it is all in the spirit of fun and learning. I KNOW mine arenot the 7 -10 type, but I think it's great I can even participate in something like this and get some great feedback.

sher

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

05/30/2004 01:59:50 AM · #21

The challenge was "Banana". Just how "serious" did you expect the photos to be?

This was a fun challenge with fun photos. Not all winning photos are all about technical excellence. Sometimes it's just about making people feel something. Silly banana photos make people laugh. Unfortunately, your photo had neither technical excellence nor much emotion.

I think your rant here shows immaturity and a complete lack of respect for your fellow photographers.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

05/30/2004 02:02:06 AM · #22

Originally posted by melismatica:

Sorry, this doesn't explain the dressed up bananas beating several better photos.

"Better" is in the eye of the beholder. Are you under the assumption that your idea of "better" is the correct one? If so, good luck :)

Rooster

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8-4.0 Aspherical for Canon

05/30/2004 02:02:14 AM · #23

Originally posted by sher9204:

i like your signature. very appropratie for this thread

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

05/30/2004 02:18:30 AM · #24

Not every shot has to be composed and shot as a museum piece.
Let's see, maybe 2 hours time (inlcuding a trip to the market)
and, I was able to eat mine when I was done.

Personally, I just wanted to put a
smile on someone's face with mine:

100%, all Banana.

LOL

mocabela