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 This image was disqualified from the Lighting III challenge.
scratchin & pickin
scratchin & pickin
Skip


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Lighting III (Basic Editing III)
Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark IIn
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM
Location: Richmond, Va
Date: Oct 15, 2006
Aperture: F/5.6
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/1600
Galleries: Performance, Photojournalism
Date Uploaded: Oct 15, 2006

 This Image was Self-DQ'd

why? because it was sitting at 5.0 and i decided that i wasn't going to stomach that or worse.

this image ran on the front page of the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Monday, October 16, 2006. it was selected from 100s and 100s of images shot at the National Folk Festival. i've already sold 2 prints of it, as well as received incredible feedback from people in and outside of the media.

but it barely registers a 5 at dpc...

as for lighting, well, the lighting made the shot. i have few in this series where the flash didn't fire, leaving the subjects completely silhouted. but that doesn't matter here. for whatever reason, the image didn't connect with the viewers and voters.

there are some incredible photographers at dpc who not only have time and imagination, but also have mastery over what it takes to ribbon consistently. i'm not one of them. so, i'll contribute in the areas where i am can, but i'm pretty much done with putting my images out to be scored. this one can sit here in cyberspace, wrapped in pink, and that's ok, because the original is framed, on my wall, taken right off the front page, over the fold, of a paper with a circulation of over 150,000 ;-)
Disqualification Details

Statistics
Views since voting: 1483
Comments: 20
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 11/26/2006 09:07:52 PM
yea, you should not stop. Personally, I would reconsider your disbelief of it's low score. Challenge topic...Lighting. You chose the natural variety. Your contrast is low because your lighting is too powerful. Low light conditions with only one source of light do well here whether its from the back, front, top and bottom, but only one source of light. You stuck to that rule but In this case , you have a big bright sun. So please do not hold a grudge against voters. In a challenge like lighting, excellent compositions fold if the element is not the main character of the story.

Message edited by author 2006-11-27 02:08:57.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/11/2006 08:20:53 AM
Frankly, Skip, and I'm speaking as a fan here, This is not your most amazing work. I think you got lost in how hard it was to light, while forgetting to project the presence and spirit of the situation with your lighting.

I think if you'd gotten the flash off camera to the right and cross-lit the subjects this would have been better. I know I'm not the pro, but I know that I have seen you do better.

You do know how to score well at DPC, whether you want to anymore or not. I've been blessed to be able to view your work here over the past year, and I'd hate for you to stop now because of this.

Message edited by author 2006-11-11 13:53:51.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/31/2006 05:27:36 AM
Originally posted by rswank:
I know the rules allow it but think it's pretty weak to remove it b/c of the score it's receiving.

i guess i'm just a pretty weak character...so why pull it? explanation here.

Originally posted by rswank:
I like your stuff though, especially the white bird shot.

thanks
 10/31/2006 05:12:34 AM
"i'm pretty much done with putting my images out to be scored"
So why the self dq if you don't care?
I know the rules allow it but think it's pretty weak to remove it b/c of the score it's receiving.

I like your stuff though, especially the white bird shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/31/2006 03:40:38 AM
Know what you mean, that's why I rarely take part any more.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/30/2006 05:29:47 PM
Hi Skip...

This is an excellent piece for photojournalism. You are getting very good at that as you pursue the work from the Times-Dispatch. I have been watching all the threads you have posted with photos recently. This image has all the good story-telling qualities that editors look for for the above-the-fold images.

Don't let the DPC score get you down. There is a rather simple explanation for that, and this one escapes us sometimes. DPChallenge, as it always has been, is a site where the challenge topic is equally or more important that the rest of the image. "Lighting" is not the primary strength of this photograph. The lighting of this image isn't what sold it for you either. There is no doubt that the lighting options you chose here added to the image, but they simply aren't the main strength of the photo.

Have a seat, take a deep breath, and revel in your success as a photojournalist. Keep in mind that this success is worth more than virtual pats on the back here ;)

John Setzler
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/30/2006 05:09:07 PM
Excellent shot. You use these low angles really well and the combination of the angle and the lighting make this a stand out shot IMO.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/30/2006 05:05:31 PM
it's disappointing that this was pulled, as i think it was a great shot. hopefully many others would feel the same way. one thing to keep in mind is that, from what i see, only 21 votes were cast at the time you withdrew this submission. from a quick look at the statistics for the challenge, an average of 230 votes were cast per submission (70295/305), so the average of 5 you mention was after less than 10% of the expected votes. a cynic would even say that the trolls are often the first to vote... regardless, in my limited time in this community i've noticed that the average score increases after the first ~12 hours. i wish i could have seen where this ended up. don't give up... the photo, and you, deserve better!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/30/2006 10:52:21 AM
If it helps... the handle skiprow is DPC legend to me.

Actually I have nothing to say about your competing in challenges - that is a completely personal matter. But I will be most dissapointed if your photos no longer grace the recently uploaded box.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/30/2006 10:28:14 AM
Just goes to show that the photos on DPC are better than most in newspaers and media print.

;-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/27/2006 06:45:52 AM
Hello Skip -

I hope you reconsider your thought of bowing out of competition here at DPC. Your work is an inspiration to many photographers on the site. It's obvious from the feedback you get every time you post!

Now, I almost never bother looking at the scores of previous work, but this time I looked at yours. About 2 - 3 times a year your work doesn't connect with the DPC gang. but the rest of the time it does. Please try to get past this one and look forward to all the pleasure and photographic knowledge your images give DPC people.

Of course this image is good. I don't know why it didn't connect here. But I sure do want to see more of your work...

Take care, Skip.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/26/2006 07:56:56 AM
Your pride is getting the best of you, Mr. Rowland. (Edited for spelling).

Message edited by author 2006-10-26 12:07:42.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/26/2006 07:28:01 AM
This is an amazing image. It looks real, which many of the photos on DPC, as technically good as they are, do not.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/25/2006 05:33:17 PM
I question you pulling the photo so fast. Man, most of the early voters are low balling. I really think if you would have left it for the entire contest it would been in the mid 6's.

I know you are not a rookie...just saying. Awesome shot man !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/25/2006 05:01:18 PM
Skip,

I really love the low angle on this shot. It is a very excellent shot IMO. I think it should have scored better but it is DPC and DPC looks for the prfect pretty landscape and we all know that. I have had plenty of images here were people rip it apart. Composition, lighting, pose of the model. Yet the model loves all the images. So it doesn't matter what anyone else or I think it only matters what you and your customer think and you both love it so bask in the glory of pleasing yourself and your customer. I still think it is a great image. The composition is interesting, the lighting is great, color is spectacular, and the focus is spot on. This would get a high scroe in my book any day of the week.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/25/2006 09:35:30 AM
I feel your pain.

So many of my "middle of the road" DPC images are commercially viable for me. It leaves me wondering what all this input really buys me -

Especially when I blur part of the image for effect and then the DOF police come out - am I a better photographer for knowing that some people vote me lower because they don't agree with my artistic interpretation?

It's an interesting place to say the least.

I'm sorry you feel the need to withdraw, although I totally understand. I've always looked up to you and frequented your portfolio for inspiration. Thanks for that!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/25/2006 02:39:59 AM
skip, you should know by now - its not great technique that scores well here - its drama, preferably in a landscape or seascape or beautiful person. I'll bet most people looked at this and said, "Where's the lighting?" Duh. And I'll bet not one even knew you used a flash. You're a great photographer and you know it. Who cares what the masses think in a narrowly defined catagory. Its a great shot. Smile and know you pulled one over on them. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/24/2006 09:11:32 PM
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
I'm befuddled by the DQ with no exclamation. ??


too much light!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/24/2006 09:07:57 PM
I'm befuddled by the DQ with no exclamation. ??
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
10/17/2006 11:30:16 PM
Great angle and nicely composed
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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