Hi! I've had some great helpful comments on past challenges, but my Footwear entry received 12 "1" votes and 11 "2" and "3" votes and no real info on what should have been done differently. Sharpening it more was mentioned, but was that enough of an issue? Was it the subject matter? In my mind, the lighting was better with more shadow on the feet, but time, equipment and space restrictions (as well as proper pre-planning) foiled that. My goal here is to learn. Please be candid (or Frank if you'd like) - there will be no hurt feelings :) Thanks!
You probably just merely thought too far out of the box, and used a grimmer subject matter to boot. That's not always going to be your best combination, especially in a challenge most people are going in with a very light and whimsical headspace with.
I think that photo should have placed, honestly....it astounds me how closed minded challenges end up being sometimes. I guess some people were wanting shoes or boots....but you did what the challenge said -- "footwear." I think you did it brilliantly. It was a very creative idea. I like the composition, the exposure....everything about it. I don't consider sharpness too much in voting. It is so hard to get a sharp image for the web that isn't over doing it. I agree with K10DGuy that the voters may have been in the mood for something different. I've been observing DPC for quite a while (haven't entered a challenge yet) and have noticed that on some challenges you just have to stay inside the box in order to win. Personally though, I'd rather take an awesome image like you did and be happy without a ribbon : )
P.S. - - I'm new here....so if you have time, please stop by my small portfolio and feel free to comment candidly (no hurt feelings here either). Peace.
The photo is a little soft, certainly looks "dull", and perhaps I see a touch of noise? I guess all those things could contribute to lower scores, but I thought that in this case, for this subject, they were all very appropriate - it worked for me.
Perhaps people felt it was too unrealistic because of the pure black background (rather than some clinical looking setting) or the sheet not covering all of him.
For the most part, I am sure they simply decided a tag did NOT count as footwear.
I, too, lower my score for DNMC shots, but I guess we'll never all manage to agree on what does and doesn't meet it.
It did meet the challenge, and was an interesting idea, but I didn't think the photo was that great. Perhaps if the feet had been a sickly dead grey, or if you would have pruned them in the tub first or something. Even though the idea was interesting, the photo didn't have much of an impact and was forgettable. I didn't vote, but I would have given it a 5.
