Accidental Letter Score Update! (Sorry, I had to)

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

04/06/2005 04:20:33 PM · #76

Originally posted by scuds:

Incredibly, my pet portrait, which took me over 2 hours to do, cz my sweet little doggie wouldn't cooperate with me, is doing a lot worse than the accidental letter one, which was pretty "easy" I think.

Nature of the beast. I've spent countless hours on some challenge shots that I didn't much like myself and didn't score well. Most of my quick and dirty, last-minute shots typically do better.

Imagineer

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/06/2005 04:22:19 PM · #77

Originally posted by mlhop05:

But the fact is that the most unique and interesting shots will be the ones found in nature..

Well that's what I think too - although my score of 4.812 is one of my most disappointing yet (mainly because I'm happy with it and my expectations were higher) and shows that you just never know what people will like for certain.

04/06/2005 04:22:51 PM · #78

Originally posted by mlhop05:

But the fact is that the most unique and interesting shots will be the ones found in nature.....

I don't know if I agree with this, I frankly don't find all the Y,X, V trees very interesting,.. thats not saying that I am giving them bad scores or anything, They are just not as creative as some of the other pictures....

Mandy

Agreed. I was referring specifically to the stand-out nature pics that clearly met the challenge, were unique and were very appealing. We'll see when the results come in - my prediction is that at least 2 of the ribbons are nature pics.

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

04/06/2005 04:27:05 PM · #79

Originally posted by Imagineer:

Originally posted by mlhop05:
But the fact is that the most unique and interesting shots will be the ones found in nature..

Well that's what I think too - although my score of 4.812 is one of my most disappointing yet (mainly because I'm happy with it and my expectations were higher) and shows that you just never know what people will like for certain.

I've seen this discussed many times as well - what people like / ribbon winners vs. what the submitter thought was a great photo. Creating a great image that you are very pleased with and creating a ribbon winner can be 2 separate goals. Some are lucky to achieve both with one entry.

To me, the object is improvement in my skills. If the ribbons were worth money, that would be different - I'd definitely pander to the masses as most would! ;-)

pawdrix

Nikon D700

04/06/2005 04:32:08 PM · #80

The voters here are nuts! Just kidding.

I didn't enter this one because it's called an F Hole, so I assumed people might frown on it for whatever reason. It was one of two test shots and could have become something good but I kinda chickened out and gave up trying to pre-guess DPCers. I thought if 50 plus people think this doesn't meet the challenge or isn't organic enough I might get bombarded with 3's and 4's. Even if it's a good shot...who needs that.

So what did I do? I entered another option that was so campy I knew exactly where it would stand so's not to get my hopes up and I'm in
4.6-land without any confusion.

I'm still completely miffed, as to why my pet shot(with only 4 comments)resting at 5.3, isn't doing nearly what I'd expected.
I think I might be gun shy. I need to get my head right.

Anyone like the F hole concept??? Should I have pursued it?

Message edited by author 2005-04-06 16:32:47.

lentil

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

04/06/2005 04:52:08 PM · #81

(this just doesnt work for me
i thought the shoot was intended to shoot letters in nature not laddice on a porch)

People need to read the description more carefully.

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

04/06/2005 05:04:39 PM · #82

Originally posted by lentil:

(this just doesnt work for me
i thought the shoot was intended to shoot letters in nature not laddice on a porch)

People need to read the description more carefully.

Originally posted by Accidental Letters Challenge Rules:

The shape of letters can be found in nature and in other objects. Create an interesting photograph containing something which has the shape of a letter but wasn't intended to be one.

Lattice is perfectly acceptable, albeit not very interesting. I do agree with this though: "People need to read the description more carefully." ;-)

pawdrix

Nikon D700

04/06/2005 06:09:40 PM · #83

Originally posted by lentil:

(this just doesnt work for me
i thought the shoot was intended to shoot letters in nature not laddice on a porch)

People need to read the description more carefully.

Lisa- If the "this just doesn't work for me" was intended for me, I'm not sure but "The shape of letters can be found in nature and in other objects" is more wide open than a nature only rule.

If I'd entered the f-hole violin thingy, I believe it would have fit the challenge. Maybe if Stradvarius used the letter "f" specifically for it's f-like, decorative attributes...then maybe, not so accidental. The shape was born out of its sonic properties most likely before it was named.

Anyway, maybe my skittishness was perfectly founded and I was right not to enter it for fear of getting bombed.

mlhop05

Kodak DX7630

04/06/2005 06:32:18 PM · #84

OOHHH I could have turned my daughters M shaped fridge magnet upside down and submitted it as W!...

Just kidding! mine is doing well compared to my others. I'm at 5.4 :)

elsapo

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

04/06/2005 06:34:14 PM · #85

Going up ^^
Votes: 125
Views: 155
Avg Vote: 6.1280
Comments: 7

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

04/07/2005 12:40:05 AM · #86

Well, it's been over 24 hours now and have not heard from anyone on the SC, nor administration. (see 3rd post in this thread)
I went so far as hitting the "Report Post" button twice to see if it could bring attention to the fact I tried to pull my submission with time to go, and couldn't due to the site's lag/hangups.

??

lentil

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

04/07/2005 01:02:45 AM · #87

Originally posted by pawdrix:

Originally posted by lentil:
(this just doesnt work for me
i thought the shoot was intended to shoot letters in nature not laddice on a porch)

People need to read the description more carefully.

Lisa- If the "this just doesn't work for me" was intended for me, I'm not sure but "The shape of letters can be found in nature and in other objects" is more wide open than a nature only rule.

If I'd entered the f-hole violin thingy, I believe it would have fit the challenge. Maybe if Stradvarius used the letter "f" specifically for it's f-like, decorative attributes...then maybe, not so accidental. The shape was born out of its sonic properties most likely before it was named.

Anyway, maybe my skittishness was perfectly founded and I was right not to enter it for fear of getting bombed.

someone wrote that for my entry. I was saying that the person who wrote this needed to read the description again. It wasnt aimed at you, sorry if you thought it was :)

ClickNSee

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

04/07/2005 06:18:28 AM · #88

I am finding this "Accidental Letter" challenge to be boring to score. There are very few images of interest. Lots of snapshots, many very bad quality. There are a couple of images that I'm really struggling with to find an "Accidental Letter". I'll have to come back to them with fresh eyes, and play "I spy" with them, to find the letters. Overall, just way too many snapshots. The overall quality of this challenge iw way down, in my eyes, anyway. However, let me also say, there are a couple outstanding takes.

I never realized how many "Q's" there were in our lives.

crockettdl

Nikon D100

04/07/2005 07:24:26 AM · #89

Votes: 145
Views: 195
Avg Vote: 5.4276
Comments: 9
I'm getting a lot of comments criticizing my choice to spell something out. The thing is, the challenge called for accidental letters, not accidental words. Every letter is accidental, courtesy of Mother nature. I just put them together to make a scene, which is exactly what the challenge called for.
"Create an interesting photograph containing something which has the shape of a letter but wasn't intended to be one."text
I did that but I think I'm getting a lower score than I might because everyone is thinking that everything in the photo has to be accidental.
It will be interesting to see how my score does now. I wouldn't be surprised if it nose dives now. Oh, well. You try to be creative and and still stay strictly in the box, and everyone finds a reason to drag your score down.
At least mine used letters made from nature as the contest called for. Many people used man-made objects. I think that's much more out of the box and straying from the theme. Anyway, good luck to you all. I guess I just won't do well in this one.

Message edited by author 2005-04-07 07:36:06.

tristalisk

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

04/07/2005 08:07:48 AM · #90

You have rated 54 of 270 images (20%) in this challenge.
You have commented on 54 images (20%) in this challenge.

whew 100% seems so far away. expecialy when I spend at least 5 min looking at and critiquing each photo..

score..... 5.3357 @ 140 votes

asitv

Canon EOS-80D

Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C

04/07/2005 08:13:15 AM · #91

Originally posted by PhantomEWO:

HUmmmmmmm, so is a metal ring made in the shade of a "D" ok since it's called a "D-Ring", or a metal object made in the shape of an "S" and called a "S-Hook" ok, or wooden braces on a door or table in the shape of a "Z" or "X" and called a "Z or X Brace" ok, or a piece of metal made in the shape of a "J" and called a "J-Hook" ok or a building built in the shape of an "A" and called a "A-Frame" ok, or cereal made of oats and made on the shape of an "O" and called "ChereOOs" ok? Hum so many things like bridge and construction items are made to look like letters and actually are named after them. Great job to all those who really found the "accidental" letters!! You have met the challenge!

Bingo!!! Here is one person who really paid attention to the meaning of the challenge description. In my true opening and as pointed out by Don, these objects named after the letters are NOT 'Accidental' and not meet the challenge.

Also before someone here thinks that i am cutting pass their wonderful entry to hike up my points, let me tell that I have not participated in this challenge. Well however much I liked to take part in this challenge (I thought of working with natural shadows) I did not have time this week.

Anyways, good luck to everyone who participated!!

jensmustang

Canon PowerShot S2 IS

04/07/2005 08:19:10 AM · #92

Just to let everyone out there know that has viewed mine,,"" I had found this that is by accident a and I ,,I do aplogise because its hard to see that but I tried,,this was my first time submitting and I will get better,,,but I had fun and I think thats what counts,,,Thanks

Message edited by Konador - Please don't mention your challenge entry details..

jeweliek

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

04/07/2005 08:25:44 AM · #93

I think that I should have named my image better. To me and to all of the friends and family that I showed my image to.....the letter was obvious, everyone got it. Now tho, 50% of my comments are that they searched and couldn't find a letter? I don't get it! I just want to yell out "there it is!" hahaha. Well, I did want to learn and I think that the title NEEDs to be perfect just like the image.
Anyway, I am happy. I am sitting at a 5.45 in my first challenge.
Jewelie

Matthew

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

04/07/2005 08:34:12 AM · #94

Originally posted by crockettdl:

"Create an interesting photograph containing something which has the shape of a letter but wasn't intended to be one."

At least mine used letters made from nature as the contest called for. Many people used man-made objects. I think that's much more out of the box and straying from the theme.

You missed out a bit: "The shape of letters can be found in nature and in other objects."

There is nothing suggesting that the scene should only include natural objects - merely objects (man made or not) that are not intended to be, but are, in the shape of a letter. I do not think that the arrangement of those objects is outside the scope of the challenge, but the word "accidental" in the title can be interpreted to mean that the photographer should intervene as little as possible.

Message edited by author 2005-04-07 08:36:36.

docurrie

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/07/2005 09:18:19 AM · #95

I've just finished going through the pictures in this challange for the first time. I too was a little disappointed at the quality of many shots.

The challange was this: Create an interesting photograph containing something which has the shape of a letter but wasn't intended to be one.

It seems like a lot of people focused soley on the second part of the challenge and skipped the first requirement. What happened to the first part of the challange, to "create and interesting photograph?"

As for the nature vs. man made debate: The statement that letters can be found in "nature or other objects" seems to be statement of where one might look to meet the challange. Nothing more nothing less.

In judging I'm looking for "an interesting photograph" containing "something" which has "the shape of a letter" but wasn't intended to be a letter. Simply because something is man made and looks like a letter doesn't mean it was intended to be a letter.

Just my opinion.

crockettdl

Nikon D100

04/07/2005 09:45:11 AM · #96

I do have say, as for metal objects shaped like letters and called after the letter they resemble, like the D ring, S hook and so on, They are ARE truely accidental letters. They are named after the letters because the happen to look like that letter. An engineer didn't say to himself, "I'm going to create a hook shaped like and S, now what can I use it for." No, he designed a hook for a purpose and since it ended up looking like and S, he called it an S hook. I'm sure the guy who designed the D rign didn't say, "Hey, I really love the letter D, I wonder how it could be used in playground equipment?"
If that's the case, does anyone know how a lowercase "i" could be used to make my car get better gas milage?
By the way, I didn't take a photo of any man made items, however, I think they're fare and lagit.

anotherday

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi