Team 45 Experiment - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

10/05/2005 08:54:46 PM · #1

Ok in this thread I talked about why the mediocre shots often don't get comments. But it's probably true that the mediocre shooters need the help the most. A beginner can go from really bad to mediocre fairly quickly by learning simple camera control and composition techniques. But you can get stuck in the 4.5-5.5 range for years.

So I thought maybe we should try an experiment, dubbed team 45.

The idea is post to this thread to "sign up." By signing up you agree to leave a comment on 10 pictures that you gave a 4 or 5 to in any of the current challenges. (Coffee Shop, Corner of the World II, or Complementary Colors) And to do so in a way that builds up/encourages the photographer to do better next time. (Basically "this photo sucks" doesn't cut it)

You don't have to be a ribbon winner to give a comment that can really help someone. And maybe next week we'll all have stronger more interesting shots to vote on, overall.

trishialw

Canon EOS-20D

10/05/2005 09:24:31 PM · #2

I'm in. Although my average vote received is 4.5 or so. So, I'm not sure how much value I can add. I'm on the side of needing good constructive comments.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/05/2005 09:37:20 PM · #3

Well my last few entries have been in the 4-5 range so maybe we can at least help each other. :)

I left my 10 comments and might even try to do 10 more just to promote good will among men and all that stuff.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

10/05/2005 11:45:56 PM · #4

Ok, I'm in. I completely agree that the 4-5's are the ones that needs the most help and encouragement.

ace flyman

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/05/2005 11:48:32 PM · #5

I'll go for it. Didn't enter any of the three going on.......

10/05/2005 11:56:29 PM · #6

i'm not sure about joining or anything, but;

1. i agree that this group are those needing most help and helpful comments

2. i'll try to do the part of commenting on 4-5 photos more often

Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4 Compact High Speed Zoom for Nikon

10/06/2005 12:03:18 AM · #7

Well this particular thread is just 10 comments and just for this week's challenge.

But if people want to continue after this week that'd be peachy.

Yeah peachy, you got a problem with that? ;)

Picture This

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

10/06/2005 12:10:41 AM · #8

Of course I just went and checked my comments to see if any of you commented on mine, therefore meaning it's mediocre, lol. Upon finding a comment from someone in this thread I then had to compare the time of the comment to the time the person posted here to see if it was before their mission to eradicate mediocrity or after. I am pleased to say the comment was before, lol.
However, I expect to see an increase in comments shortly from this post as I'm not exactly "on fire" at 5.1 !

10/06/2005 12:14:09 AM · #9

lol picture

Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4 Compact High Speed Zoom for Nikon

10/06/2005 12:19:38 AM · #10

Originally posted by Picture This:

Of course I just went and checked my comments to see if any of you commented on mine

maybe coz we voted yours more than a 5? :)

Picture This

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

10/06/2005 12:28:06 AM · #11

Originally posted by shadow:

Originally posted by Picture This:
Of course I just went and checked my comments to see if any of you commented on mine

maybe coz we voted yours more than a 5? :)

Good answer. lol

Picture This

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4 Compact High Speed Zoom for Nikon

10/06/2005 12:29:09 AM · #12

Originally posted by Picture This:

Originally posted by shadow:
[quote=Picture This] Of course I just went and checked my comments to see if any of you commented on mine

maybe coz we voted yours more than a 5? :)

Good answer. lol [/quote

I just had a thought..........Or less than 5 LOL

Message edited by author 2005-10-06 00:30:09.

Jutilda

Canon EOS-7D

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro for Canon

10/06/2005 12:32:33 AM · #13

Ok, I did it, but I was pretty brutal. I mean, if a shot isn't very good and there's not alot to improve other than do something completely different...... what do you say???

brizmama

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

10/06/2005 12:38:46 AM · #14

In the case of a really great photo that doesn't meet the challenge at all what sort of score is appropritate?

10/06/2005 12:41:57 AM · #15

Originally posted by Jutilda:

Ok, I did it, but I was pretty brutal. I mean, if a shot isn't very good and there's not alot to improve other than do something completely different...... what do you say???

Here's one idea:

First find out what's good. If you gave it a 4 or 5 what made it a 4 or 5 and not a 1, 2, or 3? Give feedback that X was good. Maybe they picked an interesting subject but didn't do a good job isolating it or shooting it or whatever. Or maybe they have good focus, but their lighting is dull and lifeless. It's always good to point out what someone did right so they can kind of anchor on that. Then give one or two things that would make that particular shot better. That doesn't mean it will make it great...but what would be an improvement.

When I first started I got some comments like that that really helped. The very first shot I posted here was this one. Notice that it's not a particularly gripping shot, but the comments I got on that were encouraging and helpful.

Fayech's comment was simple. "The background was distracting" I've paid more attention to the backgrounds when I shoot ever since then. Shinenlite's comments have caused me to focus on color and detail. I mean I really, to this day, remember those comments and they shape the way I take pictures. Every comment adds a little something, even if it's fairly subconcious.

Yeah, I still have a ways to go, but I'm a better photographer from all the comments I've gotten here.

Message edited by author 2005-10-06 00:46:36.

coley3

10/06/2005 12:50:33 AM · #16

I try to do the very same thing everytime I vote. I wish that all voters took the time.
I guess I'd be in...since I already do it. hehe

~Nicole
//www.liveloveshoot.com

10/06/2005 12:53:35 AM · #17

Originally posted by brizmama:

In the case of a really great photo that doesn't meet the challenge at all what sort of score is appropritate?

this is way OFF TOPICS here. Lets NOT start that kind of thread in this one, it could easily go way out of hands! :)

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6G ED

10/06/2005 12:54:18 AM · #18

Originally posted by Jutilda:

Ok, I did it, but I was pretty brutal. I mean, if a shot isn't very good and there's not alot to improve other than do something completely different...... what do you say???

Dont force yourself. leave comments only if you feel something could be improved, or something shouldnt be done that way (its your opinion).

AzCKelly

Nikon D70s

10/06/2005 01:00:40 AM · #19

This is an excellent idea. I also shoot the 4-5 range and am really trying to improve but the "Meets Challenge" comments don't help me get there. Count me in!

10/06/2005 01:03:39 AM · #20

Originally posted by AzCKelly:

This is an excellent idea. I also shoot the 4-5 range and am really trying to improve but the "Meets Challenge" comments don't help me get there. Count me in!

actually i think those "meets challenge" (or otherwise) comments are helpful. i mark them helpful because it tells me what that particular voter thinks. you can start asking yourself questions like,

"why doesnt it meets the challenge?"

or

"oh i guess the photo is obvious enough to make it meets the challenge, maybe i can start thinking out of the box a little more next time?"

tpoc

Sony DSC-F717

10/06/2005 01:05:44 AM · #21

thanks, ttreit, for this discussion!
i've committed to comment constructively (such as it is for someone at my level) on every photo in the coffee shop challenge! some comments are more gracefully made than others...i know it, and i own that.

so here's my plea again...the main way you're going to see my pix improve is not through those vague number scores or "nice shot" comments. i WANT your constructive comments, even if they bruise my self-centered, prideful ego a bit! (hmmm...isn't that a current challenge?)i WANT to get better, and i appreciate your help in encouraging me to grow as a photographer. that would be just ginger peachy with me!

'nuff said!
; )