Stuck in the 5.8's - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

01/23/2006 02:26:45 PM · #1

I'm looking for improvment each week but oddly enough my scores for the last three challenges are 5.8x, 5.8x, 5.8x and i'm running at 5.80x in two of the current challenges(road and fantasy). Best of is at 6.0. What gives? Am I the only one stuck in rut? The entries are improvemnets over my first several challenges but I'd like to bump them up.

Suggestions are welcome, mainly though i'm venting :) ANyone else stuck in a similar rut? (besides ursula who I've noticed is stuck up near 7 :)

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

01/23/2006 02:28:03 PM · #2

I wish I was stuck in the 5.8s.

jrjr

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

01/23/2006 02:28:26 PM · #3

That's really not a bad rut to be stuck in!
-jrjr

fotomann_forever

01/23/2006 02:29:04 PM · #4

Doing better than me... I've been stuck in a downward spiral lately. My Fantasy score is significantly better though, I'm hoping I'm breaking out.

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

01/23/2006 02:31:00 PM · #5

Its not so much that I'm unhappy with the scores. I figure anything in the top half of a challenge is pretty good, considering all the great photogs here. But... I'm just wanting more. Greedy, I guess :)

MudHut

Canon EOS-40D

01/23/2006 02:32:47 PM · #6

10th place in the collection challenge. I dont think you need worry. :)

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/23/2006 02:33:39 PM · #7

Originally posted by mpeters:

funny you should be asking this...read more here ;-)

btw, 5.8 is pretty damn good around here...

jrjr

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

01/23/2006 02:35:50 PM · #8

I have often wondered: If you agree that if ten photographers each took a photo of the same thing that you would get 10 very different results. Given that assumption, one or more of the photos presumably would be better than the rest. How does one get to where one's photo is going to be amongst the best in any given photo op? Do you know what I mean?
--jrjr

Message edited by author 2006-01-23 14:36:42.

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

01/23/2006 02:37:09 PM · #9

Originally posted by skiprow:

Originally posted by mpeters:
Its not so much that I'm unhappy with the scores. I figure anything in the top half of a challenge is pretty good, considering all the great photogs here. But... I'm just wanting more. Greedy, I guess :)

funny you should be asking this...read more here ;-)

btw, 5.8 is pretty damn good around here...

Scalvert sure knows how to distill a topic down to its basic form.

I just take pictures, try to meet the challenge and dont usually go too far afield. Again, not a gripe with the voters or anything, just a personal struggle. Its like my golf game. I always thought I'd be happy with bogey golf, but once I got there it wasn't enough.

Nelzie

Canon EOS-30D

01/23/2006 02:37:30 PM · #10

I would seriously enjoy being stuck in the 5.8s.

As it stands, I have been steadily, but mildly improving with the small smattering of challenges I have entered. I have learned a great deal, but still have much more to learn.

I do plan on working to have at least one 6 breaking score by this year's end.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/23/2006 02:39:51 PM · #11

Originally posted by jrjr:

Certainly, the technical aspects are important. But I think a great photo has an intangible feel to it that is missing from the others. For instance, there are flower shots, nice flower shots, and super flower shots.

Thats what is great about this site. Opinions, given in real time, and not from your family or friends who think everything that comes out of your camera is great :)

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

01/23/2006 03:06:28 PM · #12

Originally posted by mpeters:

How does one get to where one's photo is going to be amongst the best in any given photo op?

Answer: shoot something that people want to see. Although it sounds obvious, that is the big DPC secret. A technically perfect shot that nails the challenge still won't score well if nobody cares to look at it. For example, no matter how superb your lighting or processing is, a shot of someone picking his nose for the "Habits" challenge just isn't going to succeed. Likewise, most shots of cats, flowers, playing cards, etc. will get a collective yawn unless there's something special about them. Go through any challenge or portfolio and apply that logic, and the scores will usually match.

FWIW, I usually start by writing down subjects or scenes that would meet the challenge, then basically daydream about what might make one of those ideas "cool." Meeting the challenge and covering the technical aspects are requirements that only get you to a 5 score. Start with those, then imagine "what if...."

digitalpins

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

01/23/2006 03:15:42 PM · #13

same with me stuck in the 5.8's with best of 05

01/23/2006 03:21:56 PM · #14

Originally posted by scalvert:

Originally posted by mpeters:
How does one get to where one's photo is going to be amongst the best in any given photo op?

Answer: shoot something that people want to see. Although it sounds obvious, that is the big DPC secret. A technically perfect shot that nails the challenge still won't score well if nobody cares to look at it. For example, no matter how superb your lighting or processing is, a shot of someone picking his nose for the "Habits" challenge just isn't going to succeed. Likewise, most shots of cats, flowers, playing cards, etc. will get a collective yawn unless there's something special about them. Go through any challenge or portfolio and apply that logic, and the scores will usually match.

FWIW, I usually start by writing down subjects or scenes that would meet the challenge, then basically daydream about what might make one of those ideas "cool." Meeting the challenge and covering the technical aspects are requirements that only get you to a 5 score. Start with those, then imagine "what if...."

I know my voting patterns follow this logic. Lots of 5's as a midpoint for technically sound and pleasant photos. 6's and up for photos that make me stop and really examine them.

Fun indeed!

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

01/23/2006 03:23:42 PM · #15

As a side note, did anyone notice that the last three member challenges each had/have 109 entries?

jansku

01/23/2006 03:33:45 PM · #16

Originally posted by mpeters:

Thats what is great about this site. Opinions, given in real time, and not from your family or friends who think everything that comes out of your camera is great :)

Couldn't agree more.

LalliSig

01/23/2006 04:46:56 PM · #17

Eh, I wouldnÂ´t sweat it if I were you, just look at my record. During my first 10 or so challenges I never seemed to be able to break a 6.1xxx "rut" and then finally came "billboards" and all of a sudden came a streak of 6 shots in a row that I got 6.5+ ratings that finally ended with a ribbon so just keep at it, thatÂ´s all IÂ´m saying and stay true to your own style. All three ribbons that I have gotten were shotÂ´s that I was sure werenÂ´t going to do well and there are shots that I was sure that would go over a 7 that didnÂ´t even break a 6 so donÂ´t dwell too much on it, just keep it up. I just looked at your profile and I think we should be able to squeeze some ribbons out of you :D

pawdrix

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

01/23/2006 05:05:18 PM · #18

Mark-It doesn't look like you're in such bad shape. You've broken the 6 mark a few times in only 19 Challenges and you seem to have a good eye for candids, composition and tone.

Like Scalvert said...just apply these skills to taking photo's of something way out of the ordinary that people haven't had overexposure to.

Message edited by author 2006-01-24 09:17:06.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

01/23/2006 05:24:11 PM · #19

Allright, I'm ready and stoked for FSX. Or maybe I should be more ho-hum about my entry. ;) Thanks all. I'm ready for more.

mark

_eug

Nikon D50

01/23/2006 08:26:34 PM · #20

Originally posted by scalvert:

FWIW, I usually start by writing down subjects or scenes that would meet the challenge, then basically daydream about what might make one of those ideas "cool." Meeting the challenge and covering the technical aspects are requirements that only get you to a 5 score. Start with those, then imagine "what if...."

Wow. As someone who listens to Shannon for the gold nuggets, I must be doing something right. I do exactly the same thing. I WILL RIBBON SOMEDAY! ;)

hotpasta

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/23/2006 08:33:31 PM · #21

Stuck in a moment I can't get out of...same here. 5.8 seems to be the sticking point!

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Gotta keep moving forward. At least you've cracked the 6 which is great and an aim of mine and many others...

Enzo

Rooster

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8-4.0 Aspherical for Canon

01/23/2006 08:51:49 PM · #22

poor baby! stuck in the 5.8's!
Let's trade... my 5.4 for your 5.8.
:P

Seriously, 5.8. is a solid score to be stuck on. COnsistency is good as well. Good luck breaking the barrier tho!

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/23/2006 09:30:54 PM · #23

I'll echo Larus. A string of 5.8's is a great launching pad. I had 3 5.8's early on and then hit a 6.3 followed by 3 top 10's and a ribbon. You'll get there. 5.8 is a very solid score. Just don't think you'll be happy when you get to 6 regularly. :) Then you want a 6.2 or 6.5.