I just want to know why my submission only fared average in this challenge. The comments seem to be pointing either at
i) the OOF foreground (is it really that bad? It was intentional...)
ii) not understanding the placement (I guess I shot myself in the foot here; only a chess player would know!)
I gave you a 6 on this, the peices in the front were very distracting, making me search for the other peices. The lighting was okay, could have had a bit more contrast to me and the title just really didn't fit the shot to me and I haven't played chess in years.
First, a couple of good things. I like this image for its balance and contrast. And really, that score isn't bad, I don't think, compared to what everybody gets here. Natator was saying just this evening he received his first 6+, for his still life.
That being said, I haven't looked at the comments already on your page. Here's what I would say, right or wrong - it seems your focus is a little off. I don't mind the narrow depth of field causing the foreground and background game pieces to be out of focus, but the 3 pawns that you've chosen for the subject need to be sharper, IMHO.
Keep plugging away and have fun - your photo was in the top 38% of all Still Life submissions. Don't take the low absolute numbers to heart.
The Queen's Gambit is a chess opening where White opens the game by moving the pawn in front of the Queen two steps forward, and then Black follows suite. Then White responds by offering a "pawn sacrifice" which Black can either take (Queen's Gambit Accepted) or refuse (Queen's Gambit Rejected).
Chess openings are mainly conflicts for control over the centre of the board, and I wanted to emphasise this conflict by focusing on the three main pawns in the middle - will Black accept the gambit, thus taking a step backwards in terms of control but gaining in terms of strength, or will it refuse and add more tension to the game.
I decided that I wanted to place the full line-up on the board to show that this is just the beginning of the conflict - all the pieces are still in place and in their "home position", waiting their turn to charge into battle.
So there - that's how this shot came about. I guess my explanation just emphasises more that I'm shooting myself in the foot for only a chess player would understand the title and placement, LOL!
If this was a shot for a chess magazine or a poster to promote a Masters challenge, then it would be a winning image.
As a general photograph it is, I'm afraid, a good one. But not one that will garner a lot of points.
I will admit to knowing that this was the Queens gambit. but had to only give the shot a 5 for being too busy, if the pieces that were forward most in the shot had not been there I think it would have placed higher.
The contrast of the clear and frosted is very good. Colour is good.
Another thing is that chess shots tend to be used quite often and I think people are looking for originality in subject matter also.
