This was the first stop at our workshop. The assignment was to have a fore, middle, and background and use a wide angled lens. His rule of thumb was that one shouldn't use a WA lens unless you can touch the foreground object. I'd never heard that before but really like how it turned out.
Thanks so much for taking day before yesterday's dune shot to the PP- a much appreciated boost especially since one of my favorite photos from Hawaii that I took to my local camera clubs's print judging night last night got the lowest score of the evening!
@cazann You are so kind...it was the magical light in the ironwood trees shot. I'm going to get my mentor to look at the print and see what she has to say. What I've liked about our print judging trials before is that as opposed to just getting kudos, we get ideas for improvements. I would have happily gotten that but instead I just got vague disapproval.the judge of the three with the most "authority" has never shown a picture that I've liked so it makes sense to take his opinion with some grains of salt. I can see how important it is to stay true to our own eye, our own artistic vision, and not be swayed by other's. Thanks for listening to my ramble.
@jgpittenger Oh yes, I can see why then, if he hasn't shown a picture you've liked. But as a judge he should be impartial. Actually I've been trying to take a variety of shots, to save being boring, but always end up with flowers, and I'm beginning to be ok with that ( I think ) I don't have too many opportunities as I'm at home most of the time,,,,thanks for listening to my ramble...;)
Such a beautiful view! Your fore, middle and background elements are terrific. I will have to try out that rule of thumb, thanks for sharing it (if i can ever pry the WA lens from someone's hands...)
That's a shame that your Hawaii photo wasn't received very well, and most importantly, that the feedback wasn't constructive in any way. I hope the judges switch out occasionally so that event can continue to be useful to you.
This is a magnificent landscape with sweeping clouds and a slope that leads to the water beautifully. That is a pretty good tip about wide angle lenses, and the only exception I can think of is a photo where you are simply trying to get maximum coverage, like in a small room. Re: the judge. Every judge has personal likes and dislikes that influence his/her judgement. I once saw a print rejected with the comment "I hate cats - NEXT". Also, good prints sometimes get overlooked by one judge and praised by another. I once had a slide rejected twice at my California camera club, but the third time it won first, went on to win first at an interclub competition, then interclub slide of the year. It happens.
@rvwalker Thanks for your reassuring words. I keep reminding myself that i have never seen a photo done by the judge who was acting as the authority that I've liked. I need to be careful to keep in mind where my own eye takes me!
Love to hear about your experiences. I am looking forward to taking a workshop some day. This is an incredible shot and would be hard to improve - my opinion!
Beautiful shot, Jane! I really appreciate the tip about the WA lens. I had never heard that before and it makes sense when I think about my favorite WA shots!
That's a shame that your Hawaii photo wasn't received very well, and most importantly, that the feedback wasn't constructive in any way. I hope the judges switch out occasionally so that event can continue to be useful to you.