A big theme of the score watching threads are folks complaining about their unexpected and dissapointing lows scores - I'm one of the worst :-)
Perhaps a more considered analysis would be helpfull, especially given the fact that most comments seem appreciative (and Zork knows I like those)
So..... two images from the Rust challenge my own scoring 5.8 and jomari with scoring 6.4.
Both equally well lit, focused and nicely coloured showing various aspects of rust yet mine relatively bombed.
Well in my opinion jomari's image is the better and rightly scored better because it has a strong compositional element, the cogs running through it, mine although quite nice to look at in a where's Wally sort of way is confused about what it is a photograph of.
Not only does jomari's figure better composition it is also the case that the composition is simpler at least in so much that the strong elements are all the same thing ie cogs.
Looking at the winning entries in this challenge and others for that matter it is also strongly evident that most very good photos are also simple in their content. Either not many things at all or if there are lots of subjects they tend to be of the same type.
This was my entry. It got a very mediocre score of 5.5490 and placed 72nd. But I really liked it. Does my score matter? Not in any real sense. I love DPChallenge because I have to push my own personal envelope and try to create something I'm happy with in a short span of time. The scoring serves to give me an indication that I'm moving in the right direction in regard to the other entries. It is all so subjective anyway. Van Gogh wasn't appreciated in his lifetime either.
I agree with your analysis of your own entry vs Jomari's. The subject, tones, colors and details are all very similar, but hers has much stronger eye leading composition and the main subject stands out against the background better. I gave yours a 6 and hers a 7, so that seems in line with the final placement.
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But I really liked it. Does my score matter? Not in any real sense. I love DPChallenge because I have to push my own personal envelope and try to create something I'm happy with in a short span of time.
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My feelings too ... but I still want higher scores ;-)
Looking at the winning entries in this challenge and others for that matter it is also strongly evident that most very good photos are also simple in their content. Either not many things at all or if there are lots of subjects they tend to be of the same type.
A reasonable analysis?
Yes, a very reasonable analysis. Look how much more simplistic her composition is.
Three guidelines for a great photo:
1) Know your subject. Sounds easy, but do you know what your subject is in your photo?
2) Focus attention on your subject.
3) Simplify. Everything else is not your subject.
