Care to help me with this little experiment. I uploaded a few pictures the other day all at the same time, in the same categories, and put them all on my profile page (i.e., in theory, they all have an equal probability of being seen - two were commented on early, so they have a slightly higher probability of being viewed as they appeared on the "Recently commented on" page). For some reason, the first picture below has received many more views then the other two. I'm just really curious, what is it about the first picture that compels more people to view it than the other two. Given the apparent favoritism of landscapes on DPC, I would have thought picture #3 would have received more views. Personally, I don't find any particular one better/worse than the others.
Thanks in advance for your comments and thoughts…I'm just trying to understand what makes some pictures more compelling than others (as in this case, I don't think any of them have a "wow" factor to warrant more views than the others).
I think maybe thumbnails with bold shapes and colours get more clicks than ones with lots of small details and lots of mixtures of colour, they kinda stand out more as a small size I think.
I think maybe thumbnails with bold shapes and colours get more clicks than ones with lots of small details and lots of mixtures of colour, they kinda stand out more as a small size I think.
I was thinking along those lines as well - but then I would have expected #2 to get more views.
For me it's the line of the fence leading me in, the angle that makes the lighthouse look so much more impressive compared to the house, and the fact that there are still a few smaller details I can't quite see. The rest appeals enough that I want a closer look on the rest.
The other two are great, but I think I can pretty well see them without enlarging.
It seems like the house and the lighthouse are the main subjects, and in the first they are far enough away that seeing a bigger picture might help to see more. Theres all there is to see in the second one right in the thumnail and the 3rd one probably wouldn't give you aa close view even at a larger view. I personally like the 3rd one the best.
All things considered, I prefer the second shot. Its an interesting view of the lighthouse and from an angle and veiwpoint which I havnt seen before. The first one has a nice diagonal but the second has the weathered texture of the structure along with the great rust colors on the lighthouse. Its a great place and gave it my effort back in Jan.
mark
edit: I dont think i answered your question, but the diagonal and detail of the fence might be the answer. Or, it could all be circumstantial :)
All I can say is #3 looks like a regular snap shot, #2 ??? the building being square to the photo may be the cause, #1 however was more appealing to me and perhaps it is the fence line that does it.
Thanks for all the comments! Looks like the classic leading lines may be the answer. My personal favorite was #2, as it was from an angle not seen too often. I also got to play with the Lens Correction features of PS, as there was some barrel distortion effect on the lighthouse (it looked like it was leaning in to the left).
Thanks again to those who commented. More comments are definitely welcome!
FYI, this whale's skull was directly at my feet (bottom of #2).
We also spotted some whales out in the ocean, but I didn't have the long lens handy, damn!
