Using a pre existing photo in a challenge

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

08/17/2011 10:41:38 PM · #1

I have an idea for the "Letter C" challenge. It will require that I use a photo I snapped a few weeks ago. At this point I can't say what "percentage" of space this photo will occupy in my entry...likely less than 30%.

I've been DQd for using another photo in an expert challenge. The DQ said "all photos must be taken by you". Some entries on DPC use pre existing art/photos...place high and are not DQ'd....others get the boot.

Can you give my one example of what you CAN do and one example what you CAN'T do with the "same" pre existing photo.

For example, If I have a picture of a cup of coffee....how can I intergrate that in my entry and not get a DQ...how can I do it that would result in a DQ?

Hope this is not confusing!

ShutterRev

Nikon D610

08/17/2011 10:47:50 PM · #2

If you can not honestly put a check next to:
"Yes, this photograph was taken with a digital camera on or between Aug 15 2011 and Aug 21 2011."

Then it is not a valid entry.

- Nick

geinafets

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

08/17/2011 10:57:03 PM · #3

Originally posted by ShutterRev:

If you can not honestly put a check next to:
"Yes, this photograph was taken with a digital camera on or between Aug 15 2011 and Aug 21 2011."

Then it is not a valid entry.

- Nick

That's not what he meant. The main photo will be taken within the proper time frame, but there will be a photo within a photo. Sometimes that's legal and sometimes it's not.

I have no idea. I recently asked some people a similar question. I think it has all evolved to be more "does it fool the voter" than percentage or other measure marks.

bhuge

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/17/2011 10:58:15 PM · #4

You also can't combine photos of different scenes with advanced editing.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

08/17/2011 11:05:47 PM · #5

If the viewer looks at the scene and believes the pre existing image is actually part of the captured scene, then you can't do it.

Illegal:

Legal:

08/17/2011 11:11:31 PM · #6

I think the rule is rather vague. I used quite a big old photo print for my rubber ducky:

but it clearly plays a secondary background role so it validated OK. If the old image is the key to the photograph it will be DQ'd. Probably look at your photo without the old photo in it and see if the photo still makes sense as you intended.
I think the Lego Blue is another similar example that validated OK:

08/17/2011 11:14:41 PM · #7

I remember that wine glass photo...it got a DQ. In your "duck" shot I can see how this background did NOT trick the view....but what about that one of the legos? Is that more like your duck or the wine glass?

Originally posted by MargaretN:

I think the rule is rather vague. I used quite a big old photo print for my rubber ducky:

but it clearly plays a secondary background role so it validated OK. If the old image is the key to the photograph it will be DQ'd. Probably look at your photo without the old photo in it and see if the photo still makes sense as you intended.
I think the Lego Blue is another similar example that validated OK:

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/17/2011 11:20:50 PM · #8

Originally posted by kenskid:

More like the duck - the lego workers are the key to the image. The background print is for context.

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

08/17/2011 11:40:09 PM · #9

Originally posted by MargaretN:

I think the Lego Blue is another similar example that validated OK:

This one hasn't been validated yet.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR

08/18/2011 12:04:00 AM · #10

Uh Oh....I commented on this one saying that "I hope you went up in a tall building to take this photo". At least when this photo is validated or DQ'd, we can use it when entering in future challenges.

In my opinion, this one is like the wine glass one above. I don't want to see a DQ because I know I would PUKE if I finally got a ribbon and then got a DQ. However, we all need to play according to the rules we are given.

Originally posted by scalvert:

Originally posted by MargaretN:
I think the Lego Blue is another similar example that validated OK:

This one hasn't been validated yet.

TheDruid

Nikon D3X

08/18/2011 12:08:22 AM · #11

Originally posted by kenskid:

delete it.

08/18/2011 12:27:11 AM · #12

Originally posted by scalvert:

Originally posted by MargaretN:
I think the Lego Blue is another similar example that validated OK:

This one hasn't been validated yet.

It is a great idea. I hope it gets validated OK.

KarenNfld

08/18/2011 06:49:16 AM · #13

Originally posted by MargaretN:

Originally posted by scalvert:

Originally posted by MargaretN:
I think the Lego Blue is another similar example that validated OK:

This one hasn't been validated yet.

It is a great idea. I hope it gets validated OK.

Doesn't matter if it is a great idea or not, Lydia's photo was DQ'ed for using the same technique as this one. You have to be consistent. If hers was DQ'ed, this one should be too.

Alex_Petrini

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

08/18/2011 07:19:44 AM · #14

Originally posted by KarenNfld:

Doesn't matter if it is a great idea or not, Lydia's photo was DQ'ed for using the same technique as this one. You have to be consistent. If hers was DQ'ed, this one should be too.

Lydia's image was quite different. The backgorund was entirely visible behind the glass and couldn't be a secondary element. Mine is much more similar to the Margaret one. But obiouvsly I don't know if I'll get a DQ. I carefully read the rules and IMO my entry was ok, otherwise I wouldn't join that challenge.

08/18/2011 07:32:30 AM · #15

Originally posted by KarenNfld:

Originally posted by MargaretN:

Originally posted by scalvert:

Originally posted by MargaretN:
I think the Lego Blue is another similar example that validated OK:

This one hasn't been validated yet.

It is a great idea. I hope it gets validated OK.

Doesn't matter if it is a great idea or not, Lydia's photo was DQ'ed for using the same technique as this one. You have to be consistent. If hers was DQ'ed, this one should be too.

No, it wasn't. Lydia's glass in focus was not the key subject of the photo - blurred people sitting at the table were. In Lego case it is the workers in focus who are the key subject. The blurred background is just the background, although very important for the context as my skiing duck needed skiers in the background for the context.

So I do hope it validates OK as there is no difference between my validated ducky and this photo.

08/18/2011 07:40:07 AM · #16

Originally posted by Alexkc:

Originally posted by KarenNfld:
Doesn't matter if it is a great idea or not, Lydia's photo was DQ'ed for using the same technique as this one. You have to be consistent. If hers was DQ'ed, this one should be too.

Lydia's image was quite different. The backgorund was entirely visible behind the glass and couldn't be a secondary element. Mine is much more similar to the Margaret one. But obiouvsly I don't know if I'll get a DQ. I carefully read the rules and IMO my entry was ok, otherwise I wouldn't join that challenge.

Sorry, Alessandro. I didn't realize your photo wasn't validated yet. I would not have used it as an example if I knew. Personally I can't see any difference between your photo and my ducky.

Alex_Petrini

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

08/18/2011 07:45:50 AM · #17

Originally posted by MargaretN:

Sorry, Alessandro. I didn't realize your photo wasn't validated yet. I would not have used it as an example if I knew. Personally I can't see any difference between your photo and my ducky.

Don't worry, it's ok :)

I really hope it can be validated being very similar to your ducky one.

cutout

Canon EOS-20D

08/18/2011 07:54:25 AM · #18

this was DQ and rightly so

Message edited by Manic - please keep images under 500px and 30kb, or post links or thumbs instead.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

08/18/2011 10:36:34 AM · #19

My letter "C" setup is done. If the Lego shot gets the ok, then I'm going to go through with my idea.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

08/18/2011 10:44:06 AM · #20

Originally posted by MargaretN:

I think the rule is rather vague.

I agree ...

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

08/18/2011 11:13:13 AM · #21

It is vague but needs to be applied uniformly. How is the lego different from the wine glass?

Both focus on a foreground object.
Both put the foreground object in front of an existing photo.
Both use the existing background photo to TRANSPORT the foreground subject to another place/time/scene.
Both have the user believing that the background was real.

To clarify the last example:

When looking at the wine glass I assumed that the background was real. Why did I believe it was real? Because it looks real and a photographer could have EASILY made this shot in a REAL setting.

When looking at the Lego shot I first thought it could be fake but then felt that it surly could be real. How could I believe that someone would take an elevator up and place some legos on a window in a high rise and shoot a photo? Many on DPC go through GREAT "hardship" to get a good looking blue ribbon shot. Some even build elaborate sets like in the Fences III challenge. So I could easily believe that someone went up to the top floor with the legos.

Either way...legal or not, both of the examples are doing the same thing. Both should be legal or both should be booted.

EDIT: Whould it hurt if we had to use a "code" in the title if we are using existing artwork? For example: (ea)

If the rule is there so we are not trying to trick the voter, then an existing artwork designation in the title shouldn't hurt.

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by MargaretN:
I think the rule is rather vague.

I agree ...

Message edited by author 2011-08-18 11:37:24.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/18/2011 12:18:57 PM · #22

one was used as a backdrop and the other to admittedly circumvent the date constraint.