Question photocomp rules discussion

[TdC]

two points of interest folks:

A) panoramas are allowed. the rule no merging of more than one photo does not apply to panoramas, the rule means do not 'shop a shark's mouth into a kitten and suchlike. By panorama we mean several different pictures of the same environment merged into a larger single picture with normal colour and detail definitions. An effect replicating a panorama camera/lens, but not a wide angle lens.

B) HDR photos are allowed. the rule no merging of more than one photo does not apply to HDR images, the rule means do not 'shop a shark's mouth into a kitten and suchlike. By HDR (High Dynamic Range) we mean the merging of two (or more) pictures with different and specific lighting levels to create an spectacular visual effect. High range DSLR cameras often have a feature to do this, and you usually need special software to merge the RAW files. You can see a tut about the first option here and a "poor man's HDR" from jpgs here.

Discuss.

For my own choice, I will say that I will allow option A. I will not allow option B because it is too specialist for most of us. I am willing to set up a separate HDR competition if you want to show your work, because I think HDR pics are absolutely spectacular and your stuff deserves to be shown.

 

[DaGaffer]

Agree

 

[old.user4556]

Bah, I was thinking that this was going to allow HDR - as I understand the rules didn't allow it and I was quite excited at the thought of being able to submit an HDR photo.

However, what worries me when it comes to voting is that people forget what the photograph is trying to capture and might be "wowed" by the fact it's HDR and nothing to do with the theme.

In that case, keep HDR for a seperate thread where there is an even playing field.

 

[TdC]

quite correct, the regular photocomp rules do not allow it. however I am more than willing to run a competition or moderate a thread that showcases FH users' HDR efforts.

 

[Tom]

The thing about HDR is that its very easy to implement, but I don't think that on average any such images would automatically be 'better' than a photograph taken and modified by traditional means. Visually they can be quite impressive, but once you look at them again they can appear very fake indeed. For that reason alone I wouldn't ban them - after all, if I took a photograph and used a graduated neutral density filter over the sky - that would create a similar effect. Would that also be banned?

Many people take a HDR image and push things too far. I've experimented with them and its very difficult to produce anything that doesn't instantly look fake. The closest I've so far managed is here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/soundman/sets/72157609546388567/ (its the graveyard image facing the sun)

There's another issue to consider - a panoramic image can also be a HDR image - and people may not be any the wiser. Therefore I suggest people be asked to identify if the image is a HDR when posting.


And for pity's sake, would someone please fix the forum software so it doesn't keep buggering up Flickr links!

 

[Wazzerphuk]

No HDR, it's total gimmick photography. Can make a terrible photo look 'impressive' despite lacking any ability or uniqueness. It's just a fad and will die out in a couple of years.

 

[old.user4556]

No HDR, it's total gimmick photography. Can make a terrible photo look 'impressive' despite lacking any ability or uniqueness. It's just a fad and will die out in a couple of years.

Yeah, that's what I'm getting at when I say "people forget what the photograph is trying to capture and might be "wowed" by the fact it's HDR and nothing to do with the theme".

I think a lot of HDR looks complete shite, buildings look unnaturally bright and skies look rediculously dark producing an image that looks fake (as Tom says).

HDR used subtly can be good.

Photos : costello's Gallery : Sunset in La Albufera

Although. HDR too far:

http://community.dcmag.co.uk/photos/costellos_gallery/images/902267/original.aspx

 

[Sparx]

As much as i like HDR i think it should be out.

'09 i'm going to get me cam out and take part in these comps properly, hopefully doing one tomorrow for the current comp

 

[old.user4556]

Once you've submitted three, is that your "final answer"?

Can you elect to remove a picture and submit a new one?

 

[TdC]

aha.

currently my thoughts are thus: point out to me the pic(s) you would like to remove and I will edit it away with my magic modstick. you can submit a new pic in the regular fashion.

within reason ofc!

 

[old.user4556]

Awesome teeds, nice one.

Can you remove my third picture - it's the one of the road. Cheers buddy.

 

[TdC]

I've also updated the rules.

 

[Ch3tan]

teedles, why did you close voting for the winner so early? I was away for the weekend and didn't get a chance to vote.

 

[chipper]

anyone know why imageshack wont let me upload images wont let me choose a file on my HD to upload :/ its sorta on topic cos i wanna post pics for comp

 

[old.user4556]

teedles, why did you close voting for the winner so early? I was away for the weekend and didn't get a chance to vote.

I agree Teeds, the voting window seemed pretty short?

 

[Tom]

anyone know why imageshack wont let me upload images wont let me choose a file on my HD to upload :/ its sorta on topic cos i wanna post pics for comp

Use Flickr instead, its about 5 billion times better.

 

[chipper]

cheers tom

 

[JingleBells]

Use Flickr instead, its about 5 billion times better.

Just make sure you untick the "Automatically embed media (requires automatic parsing of links in text to be on)." check box when posting from Flickr, otherwise the forum mongs your images into videos.

 

[Billargh]

Use Flickr instead, its about 5 billion times better.

Is that the specific amount Tom?

 

[old.user4556]

Something I was thinking about today and I wanted to run it past the mods and fellow competition thread posters. I got this idea when looking at the rules for photo comps over on avforums.com (although they're more serious about it).

If we have a theme, do you think we should allow people's picture back catalogues? I can think of reasons for and against this (and I will voice my opinion at the end).

First and foremost, once a theme has been nominated, where is the skill in posting pictures you took last summer? Part of fun for me is going out and seeking locations to capture the theme. Sure, some older pictures may be brilliant so it's understandable why people want to post them. I've done it myself but only because current weather conditions stop me getting something decent just now.

In addition, one may have plenty good pics from ages ago but have currently given up photography. Competing in a photography thread when you're not an active photographer seems a bit silly, and if you win them you nominate a theme that a) suits even more of your own back catalogue or b) you can nominate something you don't care about or won't even take part in yourself because you're not taking photos.

I'm ok with back catalogues because I have plenty myself, but just wondered if it adds a new level to the competition?

 

[Wazzerphuk]

I don't have time for that shit, so you get older photos from me. It makes no difference when the image was taken, provided it is of sufficient quality and is suitable to the theme. If I had the choice I'd do nothing much more with my life than write, take photos, read, watch stuff and socialise.

I'm not an active photographer because I don't get the time due to work and money constraints. By your logic I shouldn't even be allowed near the photo comps, and that is plain stupid.

It wouldn't add anything to the competition; it would greatly reduce the number of entries and interest in it would die altogether after a short period.

 

[old.user4556]

Wazz. Calm the fuck down.

I'm only making a suggestion based on what I read today; as I said i'm cool about it but if everyone was onboard then fine.

 

[TdC]

hmm for myself I am inclined to allow non-current time picture work because imo it still displays the skill of the artist.

I would really like to hear the thoughts of others on this though before we make a decision for future competitions though.

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Wazz. Calm the fuck down.

I'm only making a suggestion based on what I read today; as I said i'm cool about it but if everyone was onboard then fine.

I love the way people perceive anger based on nothing.

1. Didn't we already cover this new/old thing?
2. There's no way of being able to enforce this rule anyway.

 

[nath]

I love the way people perceive anger based on nothing.

That's not entirely fair, your post was fairly pissy in tone, but then I guess we should all expect that from you .

 

[old.user4556]

I love the way people perceive anger based on nothing.

Your petulant, vitriolic posts are getting woefully tiresome Wazz. It reminds me of my missus' teenage sister in that it's impossible to construct a conversation without a spitty reply from her.

 

[nath]

It reminds me of my missus' teenage sister

Pics.

 

[TdC]

sorry that made me lol. I'm so going to hell o0

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Your petulant, vitriolic posts are getting woefully tiresome Wazz. It reminds me of my missus' teenage sister in that it's impossible to construct a conversation without a spitty reply from her.

If you're tired, go to fucking sleep and don't type. That way you won't make yourself more tired.



So because I a) disagreed with you and b) used a swear word, it's instantly angry and pissy? Amusing!

 

[TdC]

I don't have time for that shit, so you get older photos from me. It makes no difference when the image was taken, provided it is of sufficient quality and is suitable to the theme. If I had the choice I'd do nothing much more with my life than write, take photos, read, watch stuff and socialise.

I'm not an active photographer because I don't get the time due to work and money constraints. By your logic I shouldn't even be allowed near the photo comps, and that is plain stupid.

It wouldn't add anything to the competition; it would greatly reduce the number of entries and interest in it would die altogether after a short period.

ok seriously now, Big G is asking opinions, not trying to attack you Wazzer. I feel your post is somewhat overly negative in tone for your response and not particularly constructive, though you do get your opinion across, yes.

like I said in my earlier post, I am personally inclined to allow older work from a participant's catalogue for reasons stated in my other post.

*I* want something that allows *everyone* to compete, I would like to see the possibility of a camera-phone snap by someone on their way to work possibly winning. I base my thoughts on the fact that while studying photography some of the best work I ever saw was stuff that flouted the rules we were being taught to uphold with regard to the technical aspect of the work, but blew everything away content-wise. That said, a technically good picture with awesome content would always best a technically bad pic with content as awesome as the other imo.

Imo we have to perhaps better define what we want with the competition. Do you want the best possible quality of picture from a technical point of view, or do you want content to be leading?