Have you ever just flipped a switch? I feel like this SHOULD be my highest rated photo, by far...since the rest have been sub-par. We'll see. I finally got to use my new light! I know this shot isn't that creative but I feel like I'll work my way up there.
Statistics
Place: 76 out of 271 Avg (all users): 5.3693 Avg (commenters): 5.7500 Avg (participants): 5.2041 Avg (non-participants): 5.4825 Views since voting: 688 Views during voting: 304 Votes: 241 Comments: 7 Favorites: 0
This is your entry in the 'Footwear' challenge. I think it is safe to say that without a doubt, you fit the challenge well. The shot came close, but didn't get your highest rated spot. So let's touch on technicals real briefly and then focus on that. This part is easy, because I think technically here, you did a fine job. I see no flaws. Focus is great. A nice crisp, very clear image. Lighting is great. Very even and bright, no harsh shadows or any hotspots, nice exposure and good job on the white background. It seems any post processing you did is fine, the image looks very clean.
Now, let's discuss score, and the full impact of your photo. When I first look at this image, the thing that strikes me about it, is that it is a technically well done shot. It meets the challenge. It is a pair of sandals. It would make a very nice stock/product/catalog shot. If I were voting, I would give it a score based on that, and quickly be ready to move on to other images. Do you see what I'm getting at here? :-) There is nothing 'bad' about the shot, but there is nothing really to grab the audience and make them want to stay and further explore the image. People I think, want to be stimulated by a photo. They want to be drawn into it. They want to see new things, exciting points of view. They want to be grabbed emotionally, they want to feel a strong connection. They want to say "Wow, that's cool!" As you say in your own comment "I know this shot isn't that creative..." So, if this is your own assessment, what should be expected from a detached audience's opinion?
So what can be done to get those high scores? Well, I wish there was an easy answer, then maybe I would have a lot higher scores too! :-) I think obviously, you've got a great grasp on the basics, and on the technical aspects. You have to team that up with creative, stimulating ideas and dynamic compositions. I can offer up some suggestions that have helped me to learn and grow, and things I've heard other people say have helped them. First off, as I'm sure you are already doing, practice, practice, practice. Shoot a lot. A LOT!. The worst that can happen is that you wear out the delete button :-) Pick subjects and make a 'study' of them. Experiment, explore. Try different lighting. Try different points of view, etc. etc. Don't be afraid to try out different styles and techniques. Make it a point to study the images that you like here. Study the top photos of the challenges. Try to see what makes them 'work' so well. Study the bottom photos. Try to see what makes them 'not work' so well. Comment and critique photos. Really looking hard and thinking about and articulating about the strengths and weaknesses you see in them will start making you look at your own images that way, and you start adopting those principles without even thinking, it becomes second nature, so to speak. Read books on photography, etc, etc. Follow forum threads that interest you. Check out the tutorials on the site (in the 'Learn' section on the menu bar). Seek out a mentor. Well, I'm going on and on here, but I think you get the idea :-) and this is all of course assuming that that is your desire.
Well, maybe I've let you down here a little. I've spoken mostly in generalities here, and not really strongly addressed this specific photo for you. I guess I felt I sensed from your comments, that basically, you already kind of knew where this shot stands, and really was after more, but maybe I'm wrong (wouldn't be the first time!) If this had been a stock photography, or catalog challenge, you probably would've hit your personal best score. The shot is technically well done. To get the high scores here, I think you really have to find the combination of technical excellance, and stimulating creativity, and that ever-elusive 'wow' factor. I think you're on the right track. 5.3 is not really a bad score, a lot of folks really struggle to get in the fives. Keep working and keep that technical edge you have, and I'm sure you'll have high scores in your future.
If you have any questions, or comments or anything, please feel free to contact me.
technically strong, but not so strong conceptually and compositionally. the shoes are presented without reason, giving the viewer no emotional connection to the image, and the composition does not present a fresh or unusual perspective on an ordinary object.
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