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10/17/2007 01:27:06 PM · #1 |
I'm really trying to learn and I'm trying REALLY hard to ribbon, so I'm looking for some feedback on my flora shot.
Ok, so here's the third place winner of leaf (which I love, by the way!) and it scored a 7.1.
Here's my submission of a leaf that came in 44th place and scored a 6.1.
I love the third place shot and I'm happy to see that it won, but in the interest of really wanting to improve, I'm hoping that I can get some feedback about my shot and the difference in a 44th place shot and a 3rd place shot. I get good feedback about my shots, but they never win. I've only cracked top 10 once. That's not a complaint, I'm just genuinely trying to improve, so I would love some contructive criticism on my leaf, or any of my entries really, so that I can maybe make some improvements and finally reach my goal of ribboning!
Message edited by author 2007-10-17 13:27:43. |
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10/17/2007 01:42:25 PM · #2 |
Ok, I am no pro, but this is what jumps at me... The "ribonner" is a very simple CLEAN image. The leaf really is the center of attention without anything competing. Also, the angle is much nicer. When shooting flowers, I always try not to 'look down' on them, but I crouch and try to find a different perspective that 'elevates' the subject. I do like the color of your leaf though...
Good luck in the future. |
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10/17/2007 01:56:13 PM · #3 |
The DPC voters value images that are simple and to the point, distilled down to the absolute minimum necessary to convey the idea. Much of that, I think, is because of the 640 pixel limit. I think your image would look better hanging on my wall, but Irene's is more to the point, and works better in DPC land.
Looking at your portfolio, you have a 5.8+ average after 18 challenges, and 4 out of 18 at 6.5 or better. It's only a matter of time until you ribbon. Just stay with it...
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10/17/2007 03:26:59 PM · #4 |
yours is sharp. the ribbon winner is insanely sharp, so sharp that it has haloing.
yours has a background. the ribbon winner has no background.
yours has no reflection. the ribbon winner has a reflection.
yours has a varying wash of light, modified in interesting ways by the water. the ribbon winner has a strong raking light from a single source.
yours suggests a larger world, the possibility of a life beyond the leaf. the ribbon winner is only a leaf, brutally exposed to the viewer.
you are still too sensitive to win a ribbon. just keep wearing yourself down. you'll get there. |
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10/17/2007 03:34:28 PM · #5 |
One thing that jumped out at me was the repeating shapes of the ribbon winner. The triangles with the intersecting lines really makes it pop. The simplicity of the image also makes the Irene's image jump.
On your image - the stem in the back looks a little muddy - likely due to the dark spot next to it. Also the texture of the middle third section of your leaf looks a little flat - not very vibrant.
We are really talking very minor differences between the shots. Yours is a really nice image and you should be really proud of it. |
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10/17/2007 03:34:35 PM · #6 |
I'm no expert and this is something I struggle with all the time.
A friend once said to me (while critiquing my images), "show me something I see every day but show it to me in a way that I don't normally see it".
Your leaf is good but it is something I could walk outside after a rain and see. The ribbon image is something unique.
It's all about point-of-view.
My two cents. |
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10/17/2007 04:23:56 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by annpatt:
The DPC voters value images that are simple and to the point, distilled down to the absolute minimum necessary to convey the idea.
It's only a matter of time until you ribbon. Just stay with it... |
Couldn't agree more. Strength and simplicity go hand in hand...kinda like Vonage and reliability :D But seriously, the best was to score better is to strengthen your image while simplifying it.
eta: like these two...very simple and strong images (I loved the hamster!)
 
Message edited by author 2007-10-17 16:25:47. |
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10/17/2007 04:28:26 PM · #8 |
| Thank you all so much for the great advice, it all really helps. I like the advice about the angles and perspective and showing something in a different way than it's usually seen. That's excellent advice and something I'll definitely consider when I shoot. I'm fairly new to photography and I sometimes feel like I have no idea what I'm doing or no idea what makes a good shot vs. a really GREAT shot, so I appreciate all the feedback I can get to help me figure it all out! |
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10/17/2007 04:40:26 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by bdenny:
[ . . .I loved the hamster!
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Don't be fooled - that wasn't a real hamster ..
It was Wendy dressed up :- P |
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10/17/2007 04:50:27 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by posthumous:
yours is sharp. the ribbon winner is insanely sharp, so sharp that it has haloing.
yours has a background. the ribbon winner has no background.
yours has no reflection. the ribbon winner has a reflection.
yours has a varying wash of light, modified in interesting ways by the water. the ribbon winner has a strong raking light from a single source.
yours suggests a larger world, the possibility of a life beyond the leaf. the ribbon winner is only a leaf, brutally exposed to the viewer.
you are still too sensitive to win a ribbon. just keep wearing yourself down. you'll get there. |
Woah! So spooky. Listen to Don, he is the master of comments. I bow before his Spookiness! |
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10/17/2007 04:52:27 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Jedusi:
Originally posted by bdenny:
[ . . .I loved the hamster!
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Don't be fooled - that wasn't a real hamster ..
It was Wendy dressed up :- P |
Darn, that was supposed to be a secret! I'm cute though, aren't I? :P |
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10/17/2007 05:02:36 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by posthumous:
you are still too sensitive to win a ribbon. just keep wearing yourself down. you'll get there. |
My favorite quote of the week! ...
I was going to go on and on about philosophies of creating a successful image - for yourself or for a challenge but let me just say this:
People are generally looking at each image only for a few seconds - you need to surprise them or excite their eyes in that time. Since we (the photographers) are intimate with our images before we submit them - it would be a good idea to show someone else your potential choices and let them help you select.
Another thought: just keep trying new things and being experimental - you're bound to find new things that work well for you.
Message edited by author 2007-10-17 17:08:45. |
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