Photo Challenge - What Do We Want?

[alchemist]

So that July's discussion thread is kept to discussing eggs (cool!) and cuddlies (cute!), I thought one of us should start this. I have some thoughts on the matter but haven't got time to get them down right now (will do later), so how about starting with some questions?

1. What do you like in a photo?

2. How do you vote for a photo?

3. What do you like about the challenges?

4. In what way do you think the monthly challenges could be improved?



(Of course, "I'm quite happy with it" is a valid response to 4.)

[alchemist]

Right, I'll go first.

1. What do you like in a photo?

Lots of things. Spectacular scenery, humour, symbolism. Sometimes I can just appreciate the technical ability of the photographer, or the imagination they had in composing that scene, or realising that that very moment would make a great photo.



Technically, that's pretty easy. Climb a very very very long ladder, point and shoot. But it's the setting that makes it.



Yes, it's just an old man. Nothing exciting, but you have to admit it's a great photo.



It's just two elephants, but it says so much more.

Many things determine what we like and that can vary from time to time and situation to situation.

2. How do you vote for a photo?

It changes. Quality is important (like focus, no heads cut off, composition), beauty, whether it was difficult to do, imagination. Sometimes, if they're very similar (e.g. the water theme), I just go with my gut, because I can't separate them any other way.


3. What do you like about the challenges?

I have to admit the most memorable ones were where I had to work at it, such as driving around the countryside for an hour looking for something abandoned (I found a dumped TV), or I spent half an hour at a roundabout one night, trying to get a long exposure shot of car lights. And failed. Granted, I haven't done much of this lately.

4. In what way do you think the monthly challenges could be improved?

Changing the rules so that photos have to be taken for the challenge is probably a good idea, that few would object to. It would make it a little more interactive, perhaps, where we could share stories of our adventures. We would have to rely on everyone's honesty, but I don't think that would be a problem.

One possible way to ensure this would be to set a challenge that rules out most of our already-established photo albums, such as a photographic technique.

Two examples that I saw when trying to find a theme myself...

Lens flare



(I don't like it much, but I've seen it)

Or long exposure



The latter is available to most of us on our standard digital cameras. Challenges like this might have the added bonus of forcing us to find out what all the other functions on the camera are for (I only found out about long exposure for the Light challenge).


So, just some thoughts. I've only added them for the purposes of debate, and none of this is a slight directed at anyone in particular, for I'm no different to anyone else here. Please add some more thoughts. (happy smiley, as the software won't let me add another image)

Edit: of course anything we suggest must be do-able without special equipment, although if you have it, you can use it e.g. big lenses

[Tiffany]

I vote for photo's I like the best, those that fit the challenge & are in focus. I'm no art critic, in fact most modern art is way over my head, but I do know what I like.

[HoopyFrood]

I'll hopefully be back to make proper comment soon.

But I just thought I'd mention that this month is the FOUR YEAR anniversary of the challenge.

That's a lot of challengers. And a lot a lot of photographs.

So it's lasted pretty damn well, I reckon.

[Talysia]

I had a nice big post lined up, and then I accidentally closed the tab and lost it. *sigh* Anyway, here's my answers.

1. What do you like in a photo?

I like evocative photos, ones that make me smile or laugh, feel sad or make me think. As long as it's relatively well taken and fitting of the theme, then I like it. I'm rather easy to please!

2. How do you vote for a photo?

I'm not a very technical person (in fact, I'm about as amateur as it gets, which shows, sometimes), so my criteria for voting sways more toward the creative side, especially in terms of composition, use of colour, and how the photo has been set up. It has to fit well with the theme, too. Along with this, my vote will usually go to the one that strikes the biggest chord with me, much like Tiffany.

3. What do you like about the challenges?

I love the way we all have so many different interpretations of the themes. Every month I'm surprised by the creativity here - it's always nice to see. I love the amount of effort put into the entries, too.

4. In what way do you think the monthly challenges could be improved?

To be honest, I'm not sure they could. I like things the way they are - the winner picks the next theme. That way, there's always the possibility of either a more technical theme, or a creative theme.

I may have missed some things. I really should've typed that up beforehand.

Also, I can't believe the contest has been going for four years now. Wow!

[mosaix]

As a general point I would prefer themes that were more specific, so that we were forced to go out and take a picture for the competition rather than being able to choose one from our digital albums that just happened to fit.

I want the competition to make me think about the theme and then make me work and stretch myself a bit to take a picture that fits. Sometimes I think the themes are a bit too 'general'.

[StormFeather]

Originally Posted by alchemist

1. What do you like in a photo?

Hard to define sometimes. I don't know enough about photography to be fully appreciative of, or understanding of good techniques. However, for me, a photo doesn't have to be technically brilliant to tick my boxes! I like to be inspired, for the photo to 'get' me in someway.

Originally Posted by alchemist

2. How do you vote for a photo?

I look for relevance to the theme, and I suppose artistic composition (never really defined it in my head!). As said above, I'm not clever enough with a camera to really know the technical specifics, so, as with Taly and Tiffany, I like something that really strikes a chord.

Originally Posted by alchemist

3. What do you like about the challenges?

As with the writing challenges, I love the way a single theme can really inspire such diverse responses. The creativity of the folks that take part never ceases to amaze me.

Originally Posted by alchemist

4. In what way do you think the monthly challenges could be improved?

Taking on board what folks have said elsewhere, but not wanting to put other folks off taking part . .

1. Maybe, although I don't think there is anything 'official' against it, revisiting previous themes that haven't been used in the last 12 months - as others have mentioned, there were some great themes previously that were maybe more in keeping with what people want now. For the winner of a challenge, perhaps they can feel more free to pick something previously used if they're struggling with inspiration for a new theme.
   
   
   
2. With regards to 'holiday snaps', I agree it's lovely to be able to go out and take a new picture specifically for the challenge, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who has seen a theme and thought 'Yes! I've got the perfect picture from last week/month/holiday' etc. Also, there are months that, even with the best of intentions, you just don't get the time to do what you want.
   
   So, perhaps we could say that there is a limit of one previously taken photo, but, if you are entering two pictures, at least one of them has to have been taken specifically with the current theme in mind? I know we're relying on the integrity of those taking part, but I see no reason to doubt my fellow chronners.

I would much rather we see more pictures, including holiday snaps, rather than less.

Originally Posted by alchemist

Of course, "I'm quite happy with it" is a valid response to 4.)

Otherwise of course, I'm quite happy with it!!

[springs]

I'd love a step by step guide telling me how to upload the photo - what size, how to get the mb's down... the few times I've gone to the trouble of taking ones for the Chrons (mainly the Mary, Mary thread), I can't upload it because of the size. Or else, a capacity for bigger files. Otherwise, I'm afraid I kind of observe this thread and don't partake. *

I like a photo that moves me, btw, in whatever way. I know nothing about technical how to, I just know sometimes I sit and stare at a picture and wonder why I can't look away.

*Ps, Alc, I know you've told me about photobucket, but I still got confused. I am a technical amoeba, I need an insert photo a in box b style thing.

[HoopyFrood]

I use Photobucket a lot, if I get chance over the weekend I can do a walkthrough with some helpful screenshots.

[alchemist]

Originally Posted by springs

I'd love a step by step guide telling me how to upload the photo - what size, how to get the mb's down... the few times I've gone to the trouble of taking ones for the Chrons (mainly the Mary, Mary thread), I can't upload it because of the size. Or else, a capacity for bigger files. Otherwise, I'm afraid I kind of observe this thread and don't partake. *

I like a photo that moves me, btw, in whatever way. I know nothing about technical how to, I just know sometimes I sit and stare at a picture and wonder why I can't look away.

*Ps, Alc, I know you've told me about photobucket, but I still got confused. I am a technical amoeba, I need an insert photo a in box b style thing.

The most boring man in the world shows (not tells) you how to upload to photobucket...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9dWca-B5tw

A less boring child (or adult with a squeaky voice) shows you how to resize a photo (they've changed the layout of the site since, but it'll give you a vague idea of how to do it now)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELxBTugSY3I

Then you copy the url (there's a button on photobucket) and paste into the Insert Image box on reply page. As you are typing a reply to this, notice above where you're typing. Go on, click on it.

Edit: Hoopy's walkthrough will be simpler. When it's done, someone could sticky it, just like Lenny's tutorials.

[springs]

Okay, typing a reply. Pressed the little hill button, I've done that before (mainly by accident. )

Hoopy that sounds brill. (it's just I'm sure it's not it's not just me who's put off by that.)

I shall try not to be an amoeba, and see if I can capture something. (I only have a blackberry, though, so the idea of specialist tech criteria would rule such single-cell photographers out).

[Gary Compton]

Originally Posted by alchemist

Why have you got a picture of me walking out of KebabsRus?

[anivid]

Part 1/4.
The photos I find interesting are the stunning, mindboggling and/or beautiful ones usually in the categories of landscapes and architecture, but also others if they have some DEPTH (normally represented with foreground, background and maybe middleground), and perspective – alch’s first photo certainly got that J
I’ll bring some here - but have a much broader perspective in my likings J
(click on the thumbnails in case you want them full size)

[anivid]

Part 2/4.
Some photos can be interesting alone because of the motif, where others need to carry some more photographical properties in the taking (positioning of the photographer in relation to the motif and light etc., focus, aperture, shutter speed, white balance, iso speed, etc.)
The three pics here (living figures) are those where the motif alone could carry the photo, but pls. remark that also here the photographer has composed the pic with an interesting background, and depth.

[anivid]

Part 3/4.
What is also present in what we call the Photo Challenge is the conceptual photos.
In conceptual photos it’s the creation of the motif which takes precedence, and the photo serves as documentation – meaning the photographical parameters are more or less suspended – even they don’t need be J
see here


Called « Behind the Smile »


Called « You must Fit »


« Ha-ha, I’m Taller »

More Concept Photos on http://stylishwebdesigner.com/50-excellent-photographs-with-a-concept/