Don't know if this is consistent, but it seems the really high and really low scores get a lot of comments, but the average; middle of the line ones hardly get any.
Don't know if this is consistent, but it seems the really high and really low scores get a lot of comments, but the average; middle of the line ones hardly get any.
Those 7 comments a challenge is still helpful, thanks people.
Don't know if this is consistent, but it seems the really high and really low scores get a lot of comments, but the average; middle of the line ones hardly get any.
It is consistent, and frequently complained about. People don't have much to say about photos which are "OK but nothing special" (or rather, it takes too long to say anything which might actually be helpful), and like to say "great shot" more than they like offering criticism, especially when it's so seldom appreciated.
If people (including myself) spent as much time writing comments as they do writing about how people should write more coments we'd all have a lot more comments ....
If people (including myself) spent as much time writing comments as they do writing about how people should write more coments we'd all have a lot more comments ....
I think that the good shots prompt people to congratulate the photographer, or they are successful enough to move peole to have an opinion that they want to share.
The really bad pictures often motivate people to try to help, or the flaws are so obvious that they are maybe easy to point out for a novice or intermediate photographer (the majority of people here)
The uninspired, technically average pictures in the middle ground don't provoke much opinion, as they aren't obviously terribly bad so there isn't anything easy to pick up on that could be 'fixed', other than perhaps spending some more time really looking at the subject or often just picking a more interesting subject in the first place. Many could be improved hugely by more sensitivity to light, different times of day or a more unusual composition - none of these are easy to provide as a sound-bite comment on a dull picture - the comment would come out as 'find more talent' or 'get more experience' and wouldn't help much anyway.
So the middle ground suffers from not being easy enough to critique with a quick fix technical comment and not being interesting enough to cause people to spend the time to explain what they feel about it.
So the middle ground suffers from not being easy enough to critique with a quick fix technical comment and not being interesting enough to cause people to spend the time to explain what they feel about it.
The "Jan Syndrome". Always Marcia or Cindy but never Jan.
If people (including myself) spent as much time writing comments as they do writing about how people should write more coments we'd all have a lot more comments ....
Don't know if this is consistent, but it seems the really high and really low scores get a lot of comments, but the average; middle of the line ones hardly get any.
I think it's fairly consistent. After thinking about this, it actually makes sense. The 'mid range' photos simply don't inspire comments. They are difficult to comment on in many cases because they are just 'plain'. There is nothing really severely wrong with them but there is nothing extraordinary about them either.
This shot of mine did really bad, my worst yet in terms of score and in terms of comments.
3 comments, bah!!
Therefore not all bad shots have a lot of comments.
While I am here i might ask anyone to comment please. How could I make it better.
A 4.5 doesn't count as "bad." Although your beach looks cold, there's nothing emblematic of Winter about it (like snow, Christmas lights, etc.), and your title didn't lead voters by the hand -- I might have called it "Winter Seascape" or "Surf Sans Snow" or something cleverer if I could think of it.
It has a very painterly look to it -- you might try running the Canvas or a brushstroke filter on it and accentuate the effect.
[url=//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=34253]
While I am here i might ask anyone to comment please. How could I make it better.
I think going on what Gordon said, this photo didn't have anything to motivate people to say anything to you. The photo has no WOW factor. There is nothing really interesting about the photo to draw you in. It looks like a dreary night on a beach at dusk -- which is not an uncommon sight.
Furthermore, technically, the photo looks blurry. It doesn't look clear. People probably didn't tell you because it is obviously out-of-focus.
You can't tell what is on the beach because it is out of focus, yet the background appears out of focus as well. We don't have any idea what the lights are in the distance ... so it is perhaps a bit frustrating. One can't help but think: What am I look at (in the distance)? What is the main focal point of the picture? What are they trying to communicate? When frustration sets in and you aren't communicating something clearly through your photo, you do not score well.
The photos that win the ribbons are the ones that are WOW photos. They stop and make you think. They are exceptional in clarity and actually make a statement. They tell you something that most people can clearly see. For example, in the tools challenge, the one that provokes a lot of thought and is likely to do really well is "The Tool". It is a show-stopper -- why? Because you can relate to it. It envokes emotion. It is crystal clear, sharp and to-the-point. You don't have any doubts about it. I suspect I know who the great photographer is on this one.
So, while this is a photography contest, there is much, much more involved than taking a photo. You need creativity, thought provocation, emotion, an exceptional perspective, and technical skill. The actual subject sometimes doesn't matter if you can showcase it evocatively enough. It takes a combination of all of this to win...
Hope this helps.
Best and honestly,
Renee
And I say all of this and I have never won a ribbon LOL! Okay, I think I can develop the non-technical skills. I am still working on the technical skills. I just bought some recommended reading by Gordon! Thanks again, Gordon.
LOOKS COLD. I was about 5 degrees. Thats cold here. Blowin a gale, pitch dark, could not keep steady hands. In and out of the car in less than a minute. Had the potential of a good shot...
Thanks for the tip...Ill give it a go. Im new to all this so appreciate the help.
If a 4.5 aint bad then why is it 40 off the bottom. Must have been a higher standard this time round. 'onya.
This shot of mine did really bad, my worst yet in terms of score and in terms of comments.
3 comments, bah!!
Therefore not all bad shots have a lot of comments.
While I am here i might ask anyone to comment please. How could I make it better.
Brendon, to me, the foto just doesn't *wake* me up. It falls neatly under the challenge, as it does evoke a season, but it fails to go beyond that. If there was a bright red ball, a jogger in a completely white get up, a family pushing a baby in a strange pram, ....anything to add interest to an otherwise bland environment, then people will notice. They'll be even forgiving about the grain and fuzz.
Cheers, renee. Didnt have the challenge in mind with shot, just one I took during the week that fitted. Problem was it was so dark and it didnt come out well. What I was hoping for was some advice about what to do when Im next in this situation. What to keep in mind? That sort of thing. With this shot and my desolation shot I was put off by my surroundings and thought about getting out quickly. For my desolation shot I was on the side of the freeway and felt funny taking pictures of a tree. Still thats all experience.
Thats the difference between this and Vautex coz with vautex I thought about it more and I was in the comfort of my own home.
I mainly enter the comps for ideas on how to improve not to win. Winning will be bonus.
Anyway thats all off the track. Thanks for ya help.
Cheers.
For example, in the tools challenge, the one that provokes a lot of thought and is likely to do really well is "(title omitted)". It is a show-stopper -- why? Because you can relate to it. It envokes emotion. It is crystal clear, sharp and to-the-point. You don't have any doubts about it. You can *relate* to it clearly. I suspect I know who the great photographer is on this one
I'm sorry, but I think it's inappropriate to give such a commentary on any photo that is in a current challenge. Regardless of whether or not you are correct in your assessment, it is unfair to sway the opinions of the voters this way. After reading your remarks, can I honestly view it now unbiased?
[i]I'm sorry, but I think it's inappropriate to give such a commentary on any photo that is in a current challenge. Regardless of whether or not you are correct in your assessment, it is unfair to sway the opinions of the voters this way. After reading your remarks, can I honestly view it now unbiased?
I think your reply is interesting. If you have a mind, and can make your own opinions -- one person's opinion should not sway you in the least. I do not mean that in a rude way, I just don't know how else to write it, forgive me. You will either find merit in the photo upon your own review or you won't. Another's opinion should have little influence...
Please know I read your profile and your response to another person -- and just because you are a non-photographer, please don't think it means we don't want you around here. You are most welcome and can certainly help us. I look forward to seeing you around...
Sorry if I influenced you. If others are bothered, I can edit my post.
[i]I'm sorry, but I think it's inappropriate to give such a commentary on any photo that is in a current challenge. Regardless of whether or not you are correct in your assessment, it is unfair to sway the opinions of the voters this way. After reading your remarks, can I honestly view it now unbiased?
I think your reply is interesting. If you have a mind, and can make your own opinions -- one person's opinion should not sway you in the least. I do not mean that in a rude way, I just don't know how else to write it, forgive me. You will either find merit in the photo upon your own review or you won't. Another's opinion should have little influence...
Please know I read your profile and your response to another person -- and just because you are a non-photographer, please don't think it means we don't want you around here. You are most welcome and can certainly help us. I look forward to seeing you around...
Sorry if I influenced you. If others are bothered, I can edit my post.
Best,
Renee
It is generally frowned upon to dicuss a specific entry during voting of a challenge regardless of the circumstances. Although, I dont see anything in the rules specifically, its one of those unwritten laws that Ive seen stressed here on the boards. Doesnt bother me a bit though :)
