Sometimes a comment will stick with you long after the challenge has ended. Maybe you made somebody laugh or cry, or maybe it was just a pat on the back from someone you really respect.
I remember this one from Konador had me smiling for days- "This is an amazingly professional looking shot. 10" Librodo gave me a 10 in the same portrait challenge (I had goosebumps).
This was a memorable one from Allionic- "I have to veiw this picture everyday because my 2 year old daughter REALLY LOVES IT.. I like it but she has gone digital over it and always insists that I stop what I am doing and let her see your picture.. so I guess I should say a big THANK YOU for making my little girl so happy." I emailed him a high-res version the next day... and never heard from him again. LOL
This was a gem from Ivo- "Okay....this is getting silly. Did you get whacked by a meteor from the planet "Creaton"? You must be an alien. Congrats on your well executed shot and very much deserved win. I've changed the name of my daughter to scalvert.....thought you might want to know. ;-)"
I had to clean my drink off the monitor after this one from Tyt2000- "Copy/Paste: Congrats on yet another creative ribbon..."
There are dozens more that I go back to for a smile. Anybody else?
This has to be one of my favorite comments that I have received in recent memory. The writer really let me have it! I keep going back to it when I need a laugh.
"you have much technical skill and patience, but your subject matter is atrocious,
stop kidding around and take some pictures that are artistic. would you paint such a picture, no? than don't snapshot it. I'm sorry, but what is the sense? Is this going to win a ribbon? do you want it on your wall? I don't mean to be mean but if you can expose a shot this well, with claritym focus and spot on color, why waste your time for a goof? oh yeah- 7"
By the way, this was the picture. I entered it in the Bridges Challenge.
On this one:
"What an exquisite and lovely moment you've captured. This is definitely one of those "defining moment" photos. I can see this on a motivational poster, calendar, or print adverts for a zoo or wildlife refuge. Focus is spot-on and color is wonderful. I don't even mind the border (I am betting the border patrol has commented about that). Well seen and well captured. "
and
"Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. I would say this is a lucky shot - lucky to be there, lucky to see this. But I'm a firm believer that you make your own luck (plus this shot is technically perfect). Perhaps my favourite thing about this image is the way a fully grown penguin serves as the backdrop for the parental penguin, while the brown babies provide the background for the baby. That division is highly successful in my book. A well deserved 10. I'll eat my hat if this doesn't end up in the 7s somewhere!"
On this:
"I being with a haiku:
Oh mighty tower
Melting with the burning grass
And bespotted paths
and now a faiku:
the shifting chroma
from the lens or the wobbles
begs for black and white
and now a paiku:
the dancing pattern
moves like sun-dappled water
hiding in shadow"
On this:
"I've looked at this image since last night and saved/put-off voting for it until last. Why? I wanted to compare this against the other interpretations of 'self', the result is, to me, it stands head and shoulders above the rest. It's not the most technically accomplished submission, and it's not the 'little boy' factor of naked skin, so why do I like it?
Answer is I don't know why, or at least I can't vocalise why. You obviously have a lot more confidence with your body than I do with mine and I'm sure you will have received negative feedback because of this. I think this photo simply says to me 'this is me - take it or leave it'.
Could it be improved? Only in so far as I find the neacklace has been cut off too soon, but then that would unbalance the image.
I wish I could find it easier to type what I feel but I fear that I may come across as crass or have a comment taken out of context (I manage to do that with my wife all the time & she knows me better than anyone).
If you had any doubts about posting this image due to the fear of feedback I'm glad you did, and I look forward to seeing where it's placed and others comments.
I'm not in the habit of giving 10 (i.e. I never have as if you rate something as perfect how can you ever better it) so I hope you're happy with a 9.
All the best."
.
.
Of these the last comment is the one that had most impact on me. It stunned me that my image had evoked that kind of emotional response and also that someone had understood my point in making it even without reading the description text. I was profoundly moved and motivated by that comment and grateful to the commentor for taking the time to put their feelings into words. I still think of it.
Mine are short and sweet.This first one was a while ago but I have looked at it a dozen times. Right to the point.
It was,'Aaaahhh, there he is.' For this picture.
The second one I just got on the Light on White challenge.
It was,'where's the white.'for this shot.
Ah good ole Simonkasprzak. He also said "Where's the white?" to me...
This is my fave for this shot:
nice lighting and tone. I feel that this shot leaves little doubt to the separation. I aplaud your tenacity not many women would cut there nails for a shot a copmuter generated ribbon. Now that dedication. Great shot and fits the challenge good luck.
"Often post-challenge commentators will note with astonishment the handful of voters who scored an image as a 1 or 2. But in the case of this adventurous work, a number of such scores has to be inevitable; and if they truly hated it, well OK, they've got to go low. But what I can't understand here is the great mass of voters scoring it in the 4 to 6 range. Almost 60% of all votes! How so many people can simply be indifferent to this image is beyond belief. You must either love this, or you loathe it ... anything in between is just intellectual sloth."
**The last line ! :)
"This is cool. Looks like a painting. You are like the abstrcat bird genius. There must be a lot of birds where you live. :P"
Zeuszen commented:
" Man, it's so tungsten-soft and the face is placed so very high. All shadow has fallen off into negative space, it's beginning to look like an enlargement of, albeit, an impeccable image of astounding beauty.
Yet, only a fish would not be moved by such a mesmerizing likeness. If Da Vinci had afforded La Giaconda the eyes of a mermaid and God had had the mercy to prolong her youth, I would be less spell-bound.
I can't say what it is about this portrait, whether it is the timing or sheer chemistry between the photographer and his model, which has resulted in such an engaging photograph. "
Konador commented: " Great shot, If I didn't know better I would think that this _was_ the original :)"
Thank you .... wish I had words to express how much these comments meant to me !!
Comments during the challenge: This one from Larus Sigurdarson (larus) described exactly
what I was trying to acheive, instead of just a pretty picture:
I haven´t seen many shots like this before, I both love it and hate it and it´s very wierd for me because normally I only feel one of those feelings towards a shot and normally neither as most shots I see on this site just seem to cruise in between.
The chain linked fence really irritates me and I keep trying to look past it at what´s beyond it but I can´t but at the same time if the chain linked fence wasn´t there this shot wouldn´t work at all so I can´t explain it. Let´s just say that I love to hate this shot and I mean that in the best way, it´s awesome!
Edit: I have come back too it three times now and it really strikes me more and more each time I see it. I love the monotone blue in it and the shape behind it and the post processing is awesome. I gave it a 10 and just added it to my favorites. Hope you do well in this challenge.
After the Challenge: This one was perhaps one of the highest compliments I have receieved,
and was by Mike Spinka (phreakon) on the recent Bridges Challenge:
Brad, its time to quit your day job! Buy that camera you really want, and go for it. I hope you distribute your photography, or at least show your work in galleries. I'm new to this whole digital photography thing, but my girlfriend is a highly recognized and accomplished photographer in Philly. I regularly go to the art galleries, and I see the work that people are doing in a city that is well regarded for being cultured and artistically educated. Your work blows them all away. Seriously, by leaps and bounds. I mean it in a factual way, and not just as my opinion. Excellent photo, and congratulations on another ribbon!
From the sublime (graphicpunk)
A highly interesting and strong image with great punch. The low key values describe something akin to the soul search which we must all come to terms with. The b/w adds magic because the image seems to appear from the dark abyss much like out thoughts do. A good study very well posed. Bumping up.
to the ridiculous
You've heard of THE THINKER. This, folks, is THE STINKER!!!
Comment by ubique:
What I love about this photograph is that you haven't just taken a dramatic photo of a big, serious, imposing bridge (there's dozens of those). Instead you've taken a position regarding your subject bridge. It may be a rather wacky position, but at least you're saying something! So, even though this is not the most technically perfect image, it has an artistic vitality that's missing from virtually all of the many images that will inevitably finish higher in the voting. Therefore I'll do my tiny bit to redress that. 10
on this photo:
and this one was very helpful, especially since it was my firt entry:
Comment by rscorp:
The concept for the photo is okay. Model is beautiful, you have met the challenge description with no problems and it's a creative idea. But here is where I think it could improve: First of all, the background sheet is distracting and also a bit contrived to me. It just doesn't look like a realistic setting. Second is the harsh lighting. I think it would have been more effective if it was somehow softer. I know not everyone has a pro studio, myself included, but I just think this photo could have been drastically better without that white backdrop and maybe with a softer, more natural looking light.
Oh, and be prepared to lose about 2 full points after the anti-nudity crowd gets done with you.
on this photo:
I've had so many wonderful comments that have both helped and encouraged me, i cant possibly list them, but these are two of my favorites.
"What a wonderful shot! Very well done technically, incredible detail and great tones. Ansel himself would be proud of this shot. This should win a ribbon."
"What a wonderful shot! Very well done technically, incredible detail and great tones. Ansel himself would be proud of this shot. This should win a ribbon."
Marc... You got me REALLY worried now... that was MY comment!
Hey - thanks for acknowledging one of the comments I've left Kavey.
well here's probably my favourite. From e301 - Easily the most in depth and considered comment Ive got
"Strong image, certainly. The obvious comment is about the tower building - and I'm not sure your placing of it relative to the cathedral and the frame is going to go down well here. I like it though - there's a wackiness ot it, a non-obviousness, but I think it's pretty effective. The strength of the centred positioning of the cathedral, and the symmetry of this view that makes it such a strong subject for a central placement, amkes it almost possible for the eye completely to ignore the presence of the tower: and then it registers, and the dpc-brain goes 'what were you thinking?' - but it is that initial look, and then that sudden, shocking presence of tthe tower, that gives this a most wonderful impact. Genuinely surprising, genuinely effective, and genuinely communicative of the modern urban world. Great work, indeed."
Though I must say in pure ego swelling terms this rocked
"Perfect shot! Amazing! ... okay... right into favs... i need to calm down --- but i cant get over how intuitive this is. 10+!"
Oh... and in honour of the thread starter Scalvert made the first blue ribbon prediction I've ever got - if only he was more accurate :) "Too funny! My pick for the blue." 10
Sadly I don't have much in the way of ridiculous or stupid comments to entertain people with.
Self-Portrait III
Consumed
The following two (very similar) comments were flattering to me because they mirrored my sentiments in that, while this entry didn't fit the 'typical' self-portrait mold, I felt it an accurate personification.
'Imagineer' wrote:
Magnificent light, clarity and feeling of space. I love this and it gives me a great sense of who you are and what you like.
'puzzled' wrote:
This is a wonderful self-portrait, because it doesn't just show you, but it shows who you are. Great job - I love the space.
(P.S. Any and all comments I receive are appreciated)
Ivo
When I look at it closer, it really is the two cars on the highway that make this shot.;-p Great finish in a tough challenge. Well deserved! Can I take your laundry to the drycleaners you photo goddess?
JPR
top 20 with an artistic image like this on dpc means it totally friggin rocks!
but there are so many great comments, i have a few poems written instead of comments, i LOVE those.
