Constructive criticism works by identifying faults or errors AND potential improvement corrections
well first of all Sam did give you constructive criticism. I'll give *you* the benefit of the doubt that you seem to be receptive to it, so I'll try to give some more ideas of what might have made this work better (IMO, of course...)
Given that my commenting has significantly dropped off lately, maybe this'll be good karma {grin}
Technical Flaws
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1. The lighting, which has been mentioned to death, is quite poor.
2. I don't care for the way you cropped her foot.
3. the book she is reading has a lot of elements that unnecessarily distract my eye (the big white Steven King name, the white rectangle on the back cover, etc)
4. The dress is really over saturated
5. Her "three fingered hand" holding the book looks awkward and kinda creeps me out. Take more time to pose your model. A little shift in position can go a long way.
Concept flaws
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1. Why is she on a couch in the shipping dock? Why not relax on a bunch of crates or packages
2. How do I even know this is a loading dock or something to do with shipping? There is a big industrial looking thing behind her and a blobby dark thing on the left of the frame, but none of that screams "shipping department" to me. As has been mentioned a forklift or some signage or other props might have helped communicate the setting.
3. Does the image stand on its own without your title? I don't think so - how do I know she is the manager? There is no safety vest or other work clothes that she changed out of in order to get into the gown she is now wearing, so we see no sign of the transformation from day job to relaxation.
timfythetoo is a good example of that. One of his recent entries got a comment bomb! I'm surprised people leave those, no matter how much one might dislike another's style. People are weird. :-P
I've only briefly skimmed this thread, but Michael, if you're going to compete on this site, a thick skin is a must. Either you can take offense at the comments, or learn from them and as a result learn how to take better pictures. That's all there is to it.
And there are always other challenges! Don't be so defensive, you'll just cause ill feelings, and there's no need for that.
I've only briefly skimmed this thread, but Michael, if you're going to compete on this site, a thick skin is a must. Either you can take offense at the comments, or learn from them and as a result learn how to take better pictures. That's all there is to it.
And there are always other challenges! Don't be so defensive, you'll just cause ill feelings, and there's no need for that.
I think I`ve recanted plenty of my words in the morning, and I also think that in general I am very good nature about comments and my scores...
That said, even I am only human... I do falter on occasion...
[quote=Sam94720]DPCers prefer humorous and emotional images
timfythetoo is a good example of that. One of his recent entries got a comment bomb! I'm surprised people leave those, no matter how much one might dislike another's style. People are weird. :-P
DPCers prefer pretty images that don't depict the reality of life! They also like challenges that allow them to set the scene rather than go out and find it. Incidentally I am curious would the timfythetoo picture have ribboned if it was any other family? Technically it is good but rather contrived. No offence meant I think they are a cute family, and deserve to win most of the time!
[quote=Sam94720]DPCers prefer humorous and emotional images
timfythetoo is a good example of that. One of his recent entries got a comment bomb! I'm surprised people leave those, no matter how much one might dislike another's style. People are weird. :-P
DPCers prefer pretty images that don't depict the reality of life! They also like challenges that allow them to set the scene rather than go out and find it. Incidentally I am curious would the timfythetoo picture have ribboned if it was any other family? Technically it is good but rather contrived. No offence meant I think they are a cute family, and deserve to win most of the time!
Whereas I agree they like pretty pictures, there's a few ribbon winners that depict "reality" in one form or other. My post was in relation to the poor taste with which some comment bombs are dropped, not necessarily on the quality or populist appeal of any one photographer's work.
timfythetoo is a good example of that. One of his recent entries got a comment bomb! I'm surprised people leave those, no matter how much one might dislike another's style. People are weird. :-P
Originally posted by sulamk:
DPCers prefer pretty images that don't depict the reality of life! They also like challenges that allow them to set the scene rather than go out and find it. Incidentally I am curious would the timfythetoo picture have ribboned if it was any other family? Technically it is good but rather contrived. No offence meant I think they are a cute family, and deserve to win most of the time!
There are cultural differences, tastes, and personal attitudes to consider as well.
sulamk, when I first got comments from you, I was kinda mortified at what appeared to be harsh criticism......like that above comment, which seems cold.
But I know that an awful of of the winners aren't real life, and I am particularly fond of the Toos.......and their creativity is definitely not the norm.....I can tell by *MY* scores! LOL!!!
I since feel that you carefully consider, and offer helpful thought in your commentary (PLEASE le me be right!!! LOL!!!)
I think that you come across to me the way you do because of a very straightforward demeanor that didn't translate well for me.......for the most part because it seems to be pretty accurate, and sometimes I didn't want to hear it.
I know that for me, truly straight-up critique is hard to take, especially when it's true, and you're trying to work a denial thing.
There are sometimes thoughtless, malicious comments left, but I know both in my heart, and in my head, that the comments I like least are the ones I most need to hear.......DAMMIT!
Nikon Jeb I actually like your work but I try and comment as I see it! As you say there are cultural differences, lol! I am not even a South African, and my heart is bleeding for the people of my homeland Zimbabwe! I have just spent three weeks there, you have to take your own food and keep your camera out of sight!
Sorry a bit off track here, to get to the point I never make a comment just to be nasty! I try to the best of my ability to say it as I see it! I like the the too pictures but sometimes find the poses too self concious, and I think timfy is awesome at humourous portraits
