Seems like those of us who shoot in raw formats would actually WANT to shoot JPEG for this one since it would be the only way to get something properly curved and sharpened.
I think this would be a great challenge - maybe just have be an open challenge for subject, but straight outta the camera for editing?
I would love a "Out of Camera" challenge. I have a feeling alot of people do most of their work via software instead of in-camera and I would guess cropping is the biggest 'cheat'. I'm not saying I never enhance or crop my images but 95% of the time I try avoid heavy use. Sounds like a fun challenge and proof to see who the good photographers are.
I admit, I do minimal post processing. Mainly becaue I don't have any image software other than that which came with my computer. The most I do is cropping and brightness changes.
I would have to disagree (probably just because I can) and say that editing is a major skill to be used by a good photographer. The end product ultimatly determines what photographs are good an which are bad.
The word good, when aplied to photographs or photographers can often be very subjective. I see your work Jen and am of the oppinion that you are indeed a good photographer. But how one's image ends up in the final standing of a challenge on DP I think is little indicator of what is really good or bad. I've seen challenges won with images that look like they were shot for Hallmark (which apparently seems good to many people) while images that would be quite at home on a wall in MOMA end up with a 5.5. Just look at the member's photographs I put on my favorites list.
I would have to disagree (probably just because I can) and say that editing is a major skill to be used by a good photographer. The end product ultimatly determines what photographs are good an which are bad.
You can disagree. :-) I see what you're saying and you're right that the final result is probably most important. My thinking, though, is that I'd rather try to do as much 'right' as I'm shooting than have to go overboard in PS (or like) to get it how I want it. I don't mean simple adjusts to levels, contrast, etc., I'm not opposed to that, but I'm referring more to excessive use of tools. For example, shouldn't one try to compose an image the way he wants the final results to look in-camera rather than take the pic with the subject in the center to leave room to crop. Then take your digital 12x17" (or whatever it is) image and crop it so your final result is a perfect and beautiful 3x4.25" image that you can't print? Know what I'm saying?
Originally posted by nsbca7:
The word good, when aplied to photographs or photographers can often be very subjective. I see your work Jen and am of the oppinion that you are indeed a good photographer. But how one's image ends up in the final standing of a challenge on DP I think is little indicator of what is really good or bad. I've seen challenges won with images that look like they were shot for Hallmark (which apparently seems good to many people) while images that would be quite at home on a wall in MOMA end up with a 5.5. Just look at the member's photographs I put in as my favorites.
I agree that the final results here aren't always what I interpret to be "good". What I meant was you'd be able to see, on an individual basis, who is good....as in, each viewer would be able to decide who's work is good and who's is not regardless of the final ranking. Just seeing the images and the names together would give you a better idea of what the photographer is capable of in-camera.
Jen
P.S. I have trouble expressing myself in type and having things read like I mean them to. Sorry if you're confused by my jabber. Btw, thanks for the compliment.
Let's make it a real Out of Camera challenge. No rotating or anything else. Submit your original file, only resizing allowed, and no excuses. Quit relying on software to make up for your shortcomings. Let's see what you can do with your camera as your instrument for creativity. Probably would be better if there was also a theme in addition to the prescribed technique so the images would be less scattered all over the map.
This is a lovely idea, but WHY are some of y'all saying "no rotation"? This means no vertical images... Unless you happen to have one of those cameras that "senses" the poirtrait orientation and spits that image out already rotated. SDay what? Maybe for THOSE people we should force them to rotate it to horizontal to level the field?
C'mon! "Out of the camera" with only 90 degree rotation allowed as an adjustment.
I agree, 90 degree rotation would be good. Themes are a good idea. I've only entered one challenge so far (and it hasn't finished yet). I'd love to be able to compete at the same level as everyone else (I don't have very good post processing software).
It's just a sideline from the usual business of the site. It would be an interesting and informative challenge. But, of course, the "studio pros" will have this one nailed... Unless we make the rules that you can't use any moveable light sources to make your image, jejeje™
Let's make it a real Out of Camera challenge. No rotating or anything else. Submit your original file, only resizing allowed, and no excuses. Quit relying on software to make up for your shortcomings. Let's see what you can do with your camera as your instrument for creativity. Probably would be better if there was also a theme in addition to the prescribed technique so the images would be less scattered all over the map.
to me, this feels like asking Ansel Adams to get his film developed at wal-mart. It's cutting out a major creative process in the art of photography.
I think with large format film, he'd be in the boat with the Sigma shooters for this one.
It's only one challenge... There's nowt wrong with a challenge that forces you to do the best you can do, without any opportunity for future processing - in fact it is a great exercise if you want to improve your more general work. If you get it as good as it can be, before you edit, then you have the opportunity to do something truely great.
If you put something half heartedly composed, badly exposed, sloppily shot in to your editing, you'll spend most of the time saving things you should shoot well in the first place. As good as it can be out of the camera is not a bad thing to strive for, even if it at most is only half finished...
Seems to me there is no shortage of post processing in the challenges so far. Those who are wizards in Photoshop have plenty to occupy themselves with as far as challenges go. To have one lonely challenge that proscribes post prossessing seems only fair. I find it amusing that there are a number here who feel it not a good idea for a challenge to focus purely on the camera side of photography. A challenge purely for sharpening camera skills? I think it wonderful!
Let's make it a real Out of Camera challenge. No rotating or anything else. Submit your original file, only resizing allowed, and no excuses. Quit relying on software to make up for your shortcomings. Let's see what you can do with your camera as your instrument for creativity. Probably would be better if there was also a theme in addition to the prescribed technique so the images would be less scattered all over the map.
I'd like to correct myself. My intention was only a 90 degree rotation, no leveling of tilted horizons or straightening of leaning lamp posts.
But more importantly, please have a theme. An outdoor type of theme would help bring the "studio pros" to a more level playing field.
I find it amusing that there are a number here who feel it not a good idea for a challenge to focus purely on the camera side of photography. A challenge purely for sharpening camera skills? I think it wonderful!
A good photographer uses ALL the tools available. If you look at the challenge results, you'll see that most of the best finishing entries start with the best results out of camera and PS is used to build it from there.
To say that we should judge images on best results "out of camera" is like saying that you want to eat a cake that's been poured into the pan, but not baked yet.
But more importantly, please have a theme. An outdoor type of theme would help bring the "studio pros" to a more level playing field.
So what is this outdoor theme?
Bridges?
How about something fairly general like Landscape? Someone recently mentioned they'd like to see another Landscape challenge...and no one can say they don't have access. :-) Maybe the rules should specifically say, "Use solar or moonlight only." so the studio people can't weasel their way in by shining stadium spotlights on a mountain range or something...lol :-D
