ornate_wrasse
Moderator
I was in Toastmasters for a number of years and could not agree with you more. Being in the Toastmasters program helped transform me from a person who was afraid to speak in public to someone who became vastly more comfortable with speaking to a group of people.
That being said, I did want to reply to the numerous comments made after my original post and to clarify what actually happened.
First of all, the images I submitted were prints. We were to submit 5 prints in size 8x12. I requested and received permission to submit in 10x10 for my medium format print (the image I posted in this thread). It was scanned in a drum scanner and then printed out.
One of the prints we were to submit was "unjudged", that is, it would NOT be given scores by the judges and would be in the exhibit no matter what.
This was done so that each of us in the group would have a chance to have at least one image in the exhibit. My Mamiya image was actually not judged or scored. I only heard about the "white balance" comments when the group organizer took me aside at the meeting on Saturday and told me some of the judges commented on the white balance. She said I may want to change it but that it was entirely up to met if I wanted to make changes since the image will be in the exhibit no matter what.
There were 4 images of mine that were judged by the 3 judges. Each of the three judges gave each image a score of 1, 2 or 3. A score of 3 meant the image should definitely be in the exhibit, a score of 2 meant "maybe" and a score of 1 meant it should not be in the exhibit. Thus, the maximum score was "9" and the minimum score was "3".
Of the 4 of my images that were judged, two received a score of "9" and will definitely be in the exhibit, one image received a score of "7" and will be in the exhibit, and one image (the Leica image for which I used Velvia) received a score of "4" which was considered too low of a score to make it into the exhibit.
So I am quite pleased with the overall results and perhaps I might hear that one of more of the images were sold (including the medium format image). I guess I was just irked at the comments made. And I was feeling frustrated and probably looking for support from RFF members, as another poster suggested.
The Mamiya shot was picked by me because it had received numerous positive comments from others. In fact, when I recently took the image to a frame shop to be framed (this was done before I had the image printed from a drum scan for the exhibit), I was told when I picked it up that it was a very nice picture and numerous people at the frame shop had commented on how much they liked it. The folks at the frame shop handle many, many images including some by local artists of outstanding ability.
To another poster who asked about the ages of the judges, one was in her 40's, another was in her late 50's or 60's. As to the third judge, all I know is that it was a woman. I don't know her age.
The funny thing about the woman in her 40's is that she actually took the negative to the printer to be scanned and printed for me as she lives close to the printer. She told them to print it in 8x12 and the printer had to call me to tell me that I should be printing it in 10x10. My medium format image was the only print in size 10x10, the rest of the prints were 8x12.
I am glad each and every one of you took the time to post, I have indeed learned a lot from your comments.
Ellen
FrankS
Registered User
I just submitted 3 prints to a juried art show. Fingers crossed.
Last year 2 of my 3 prints were accepted, and one of them won first place.
If the judges like them, that would be great, but if not, with my experience in photography including judging, I'll still think that they are good images and not like them any less.
But if a judge makes a comment about not liking the photoshop conversion to black and white (I shot with black and white film), I'll be ticked off just like Ellen was.
Below are my crappy scans, not exactly what the wet prints look like.
Last year 2 of my 3 prints were accepted, and one of them won first place.
If the judges like them, that would be great, but if not, with my experience in photography including judging, I'll still think that they are good images and not like them any less.
But if a judge makes a comment about not liking the photoshop conversion to black and white (I shot with black and white film), I'll be ticked off just like Ellen was.
Below are my crappy scans, not exactly what the wet prints look like.
Attachments
ornate_wrasse
Moderator
Good luck! I hope all of your images are accepted into the show. I really like the first one. It also happens to be very similar to the Leica image I mentioned in my post, although mine is in color.
Be sure to let us know if the judges make comments about the Photoshop conversion to B&W. Ha Ha!
Ellen
jody36
Well-known
i like it. judges give good marks for what they like. Dont worry shoot for yourself.
sailor
Well-known
I find that there are some pictures which I always hold close to my heart despite what others have to say about them. I'm not talking about personal or family pictures but photos which I've taken as my idea of good examples of the photographic art. Sometimes however it does pay to listen to the comments of others.
A while back I was trying to get a panel of photos together for a go at the LRPS. I'm a member of a self help group of the RPS where the members offer advice to each other in our attempts to get RPS distinctions. My panel was generally well received but one member pointed out that a bird photograph just lacked critical sharpness in the eye. He was right of course - why I hadn't noticed it myself I've no idea. I changed it for another version which was technically better. One other photo divided the members. Half of them thought it was one of my better pictures, the other half couldn't understand why I had it in my panel. As it was one of my favourites I decided it was going in.
A few days before judging I had small copies of the prints spread out on the floor trying to sort out the best positioning of the images when the postman came in with the mail. He looked at the pictures and asked what I was doing. When I told him, he kicked the picture there had been all the debate about and said that he wouldn't give it house room. My nerve cracked and I took it out. I was awarded my LRPS. Would I have got it with the original picture? Who knows but it seemed sensible to cut the odds of failure.
As an aside, I noticed that when the panels were being judged, very often the criticisms were of a technical nature (blown highlights etc.) I think it's easier to explain these faults rather than compositional issues.
On the subject of RPS judging, the recent Gold Medal winning photo of the girl with the dead deer bugs the living daylights out of me. The deer isn't sharp - a fault it would have been easy to correct. It wasn't going anywhere after all! But what do I know?
A while back I was trying to get a panel of photos together for a go at the LRPS. I'm a member of a self help group of the RPS where the members offer advice to each other in our attempts to get RPS distinctions. My panel was generally well received but one member pointed out that a bird photograph just lacked critical sharpness in the eye. He was right of course - why I hadn't noticed it myself I've no idea. I changed it for another version which was technically better. One other photo divided the members. Half of them thought it was one of my better pictures, the other half couldn't understand why I had it in my panel. As it was one of my favourites I decided it was going in.
A few days before judging I had small copies of the prints spread out on the floor trying to sort out the best positioning of the images when the postman came in with the mail. He looked at the pictures and asked what I was doing. When I told him, he kicked the picture there had been all the debate about and said that he wouldn't give it house room. My nerve cracked and I took it out. I was awarded my LRPS. Would I have got it with the original picture? Who knows but it seemed sensible to cut the odds of failure.
As an aside, I noticed that when the panels were being judged, very often the criticisms were of a technical nature (blown highlights etc.) I think it's easier to explain these faults rather than compositional issues.
On the subject of RPS judging, the recent Gold Medal winning photo of the girl with the dead deer bugs the living daylights out of me. The deer isn't sharp - a fault it would have been easy to correct. It wasn't going anywhere after all! But what do I know?
ornate_wrasse
Moderator
Sailor,
Thanks for sharing that story. Good that the postman walked in at the right moment!
Above all, what I get from reading replies to this thread, is that people can have very different opinions about an image. Also, that it helps to have an open mind and to learn and grow from the comments that others make.
Thanks for sharing that story. Good that the postman walked in at the right moment!
Above all, what I get from reading replies to this thread, is that people can have very different opinions about an image. Also, that it helps to have an open mind and to learn and grow from the comments that others make.
Jamie123
Veteran
Here's the thing, though. Just because a lot of people say good things about a photo it doesn't mean it's objectively good. I probably get most praise for my crappiest pictures. And yes, even from people who 'handle many images' like the people at the pro lab or other photographers. It's very easy to make eye candy. Go to flickr's 'Explore' page and see what kind of pictures are most popular.
Frankly, I get far more annoyed by people complimenting me on a bad picture than when people criticise one of the good ones. No amount of praise will make me like a picture that I think is bad but some constructive criticism might make me reconsider my opinion on one of the presumably good ones. Or it might not but at least it makes me think.
If I were you I'd just pick the image I liked best instead of going with the one that received most positive comments. Otherwise you're just playing it safe which is pretty boring more often than not.
I haven't seen your Velvia picture but I must admit that 99 out of 100 pictures I see that were taken on Velvia make my eyes want to vomit. I really despise that film. That's just my opinion, of course, but it just shows that some people just don't like that kind of aesthetic and this judge seems to be one of them.
Turtle
Veteran
I agree with Jamie. You can listen to everything everyone says, but the inner voice makes the decision. If I produced projects by majority verdict they would never end and the final selection would stink. I would be a very much weaker photographer had I listened to all the people with valid opinions. Athena sells more posters of howling wolves than anything else and what does that tell you? Most popular photos on the net? Cute cat photos.
Think of it how some people view single malts vs blends. Many of the top blends are better to many people but they arguably lack the singular, pure voice of a single origin/creator and so don't ever scream of the same brilliance. As a photographer, your work needs that same purity of origin and, while I could say 'for better of for worse, it is invariably for the better (even when you dont realise it).
Think of it how some people view single malts vs blends. Many of the top blends are better to many people but they arguably lack the singular, pure voice of a single origin/creator and so don't ever scream of the same brilliance. As a photographer, your work needs that same purity of origin and, while I could say 'for better of for worse, it is invariably for the better (even when you dont realise it).
FrankS
Registered User
Well said!
Gazzah
RF newbie
Another of my hobbies is woodturning, Im in 2 clubs. In one they have a monthly competition, and the judges vary from month to month - and never please everybody. In the other club we have the occasional "show and tell" - everybody is free to give their opinions on each item, and often advice on how to do things differently, or to ask how something was done..
The second club is by far the more inovative, enjoyable and the members more proactive.
Competitions are not for everyone...
The second club is by far the more inovative, enjoyable and the members more proactive.
Competitions are not for everyone...
jtm6
Well-known
I entered the same project in three competitions:
I learned a lot from these experiences. An associate with a lot of competition experience explained a lot to me, also. I don't want to elaborate on it right now, but I don't think I will be entering any more contests for a while.
- First Competition: I received a very significant award and some recognition.
- Second Competition: Almost a black hole but at least I received the vague form letter which stated it was disqualified or simply wasn't selected.
- Third Competition: Black hole. I only learned it wasn't selected because they didn't tell me anything.
I learned a lot from these experiences. An associate with a lot of competition experience explained a lot to me, also. I don't want to elaborate on it right now, but I don't think I will be entering any more contests for a while.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Sparrow
Veteran
... now that was art
Jamie123
Veteran
By the way, rejection is just part of life. It even happens to highly accomplished artists : http://littlebrownmushroom.tumblr.c...sota-state-fair-fine-art-exhibition-rejection
: http://littlebrownmushroom.tumblr.c...sota-state-fair-fine-art-exhibition-rejection