not your average photo

Let the picture tell the story, not you.

words of wisdom?

You could have ate some different flavours of opal fruits for a different colour spectrum.

Mu Eugene wrote in post #10422821
Let the picture tell the story, not you.

Agree, this looks just like it is, wrappers.

What's so interesting about a pile of Starburst wrappers?

corkneyfonz wrote in post #10425334
You could have ate some different flavours of opal fruits for a different colour spectrum.

well, it was a red flavors bag and it wasnt something i had intentionally set up, they were actually on the table and i just grabbed the camera

Flo wrote in post #10425424
Agree, this looks just like it is, wrappers.

the quote is where my confusion lies...i dont understand all these vague postings and no one seems to explain. And thats pretty much what its meant to be, just wrappers.

crashthenet44 wrote in post #10425714
What's so interesting about a pile of Starburst wrappers?

apparently no one here finds any interest in it and my views of whats interesting are very different than most. Locally ive had a few people ask for prints of it, which isnt something i expected at all it was really just me toying around.


i guess when i asked for critique its never "does this look interesting to you" im looking for opinions on framing, technique, exposure good? editing good? ...things like that..you not having interest in a photo doesnt make it not a good photo. Some people dont like looking at birds, does that mean every good picture of birds is uninteresting? every picture ive posted thus far has gotten the "not interesting" comment...am i left to assume technically what im doing is on or not?

midnitefx wrote in post #10422760
so please judge my sanity for taking this photo rather than the photo itself.

midnitefx wrote in post #10428091
im looking for opinions on framing, technique, exposure good? editing good? ...things like that..

Make up your mind in regards to what input you specifically expect from us: your first quote is from the first fragmented sentence of your thread-starting post.

midnitefx wrote in post #10428091
you not having interest in a photo doesnt make it not a good photo. Some people dont like looking at birds, does that mean every good picture of birds is uninteresting? every picture ive posted thus far has gotten the "not interesting" comment...am i left to assume technically what im doing is on or not?

Let me use figure skating as an example: the competition used to be judged by technical merit and presentation/artistic expression. A skater can nail all technical aspects of skating (clean turns, staying on course, skating in perfect circles, etc. in a compulsory program) but could lack artistry completely. Nancy Kerrigan was a good example - she was technically competent, but she lacked grace and often gave me an impression of a jumbo jet gliding down the taxiway during her long program when artistic presentation counted.
Photography is similar in that it consists of technical prowess (correct exposure, focus, depth of field, etc.) and presentation (composition, subject matter, emotional content, to name a few). A good photograph satisfies both elements.

You seem to understand how settings of a camera works.
But one can take technically competent pictures that are utterly lacking in artistry.

In the photo you have presented, you have four main visual elements: the inside wrapper, the plate, outside product wrapper and the background. None of the four interact with each other; for example, one element that stands out from the rest in terms of color, texture and shape is the plate, yet you have paid absolutely no attention to how that curve could begin to unite three other elements in the photograph. There is also play of similarities and differences that could be effective when playing the inner wrapper against the outside product packaging: there is first the difference in scale, then there are both similarities and differences in textures (reflectivity, patterns, etc.). However, none of that is addressed. Hence, it is just a pile of wrappers to us.

One of the most revered architects of the 20th Century, Louis Kahn, asked the question, "what does the building want to be?" prior to setting out to design.

You may want to ask yourself the question every time, prior to taking the picture; "What does this photograph want to be?"

I'm not all that interested in birds, but a good picture of a bird to me is a good picture of the bird that holds plenty enough interest.

Mu Eugene wrote in post #10428469
Make up your mind in regards to what input you specifically expect from us: your first quote is from the first fragmented sentence of your thread-starting post.

I came into the thread with a very loose, and sarcastic attitude, meant to be joking, as many do here. Im aware its a different picture so thats what i was getting at. These are my first few shots with a DSLR so to me, at this current moment in time, technicality is a big concern, i want to make sure im doing what im suppose to and grasping the right concepts. Is this something id hang on my wall? no, probably not, again my focus wasnt really being artistic as it was a spur of the moment shot to test out settings, using light coming through the window

Mu Eugene wrote in post #10428469
You seem to understand how settings of a camera works.
But one can take technically competent pictures that are utterly lacking in artistry.

In the photo you have presented, you have four main visual elements: the inside wrapper, the plate, outside product wrapper and the background. None of the four interact with each other; for example, one element that stands out from the rest in terms of color, texture and shape is the plate, yet you have paid absolutely no attention to how that curve could begin to unite three other elements in the photograph. There is also play of similarities and differences that could be effective when playing the inner wrapper against the outside product packaging: there is first the difference in scale, then there are both similarities and differences in textures (reflectivity, patterns, etc.). However, none of that is addressed. Hence, it is just a pile of wrappers to us.

One of the most revered architects of the 20th Century, Louis Kahn, asked the question, "what does the building want to be?" prior to setting out to design.

You may want to ask yourself the question every time, prior to taking the picture; "What does this photograph want to be?"

I'm not all that interested in birds, but a good picture of a bird to me is a good picture of the bird that holds plenty enough interest.

that, is critique, had this been posted originally my comment wouldnt have been made. This holds the potential to allow me to learn, unlike the random quote you posted earlier which i could have and did perceive to mean many things.

Im aware that im new here, but browsing the critique section and seeing some of the regular "high post count" members making their critique it seems the beneficial critiques get used more on the more established photographers, and the less experienced members (or maybe its just me) get vague quoting, and telling me my photo lacks an artistic luster with no suggestion as to how i could improve the photo. Taking my photos from my "fire pictures" thread for example. Flo commented, being extremely vague, and only after i begged her to explain what she meant a few times did i get a suggestion as to what i should do.

Most of us post here to become better photographers, and those of you who are around and post your critiques here do so with the interest of helping us become better photographers. Lets not lose focus of that just because i got into photography now

First off, I wasn't being vague.....and you didn't beg.....get your facts right.
I Showed you an example of what I was talking about, instead of going all mumble jumble.

You stated you JUST started.so we are only letting you know what we find interesting, or not.and how to improve. if you take it as anything else, then thats you.You are the one who posted the photo here on C&C.We all come at things differently.

No victims here folks......if you want to learn, great,if you want to tell us what you see, then great.

Here is what you typed.....


please judge my sanity for taking this photo rather than the photo itself. As part of some of my critique, some have said my photos lack a certain interesting factor. If this isnt interesting, well i dont know what to say....other than...do you have any idea how many of these i had to eat to make this photo? lol Before it gets said, i intentionally flipped the wrapper upside down (copyright issues, not sure whats ok and whats not)

I said it looked like wrappers, and others commented that what was your concept?

It is not an interesting study for me at all..if you saw this for sale in a mall, would you buy it? Look twice at it? Think it was arty?

If so.then continue on, but don't think bashing will get you further than this

What did I mention to you about fire? Flash? Brings out details?

post count matters nil......thats a silly remark .

Hope you continue to grow and find visually stimulating subjects.

First off, no bashing took place. Theres a clear distinction between what i said and bashing.

reading my OP I bothered to commenting on the interesting factor because i had a feeling it was going to be commented on. My intent was to get it out of the way in hopes people would get off it.

going back to your comment on my other thread, YES you did finally give me something. you posted a photo and said:

Flo wrote in post #10401768
Fire has details, sometimes you have to add light to find them....
[photo inserted]

to which i had to ask you what do you mean by adding light, brightening in editing or flash, to which you replied

Flo wrote in post #10404815
Yes..not a hint..a show

again, not an answer. so again i had to ask AGAIN. Another member even commented saying your critique was "interesting", people dont typically say things like that to a straight forward comment.

i do agree, post counts dont matter, but crawl through this section, and pay close attention to the newbie posting photos and what their getting, then look at people who have been around a while, and look what their getting. thats the point i was making, thats all

I seem to have struck a nerve with you, which wasnt my intention.

end result, if you make the choice to critique my work, please do that and give me something i can use (again, going back to the former thread, not saying u didnt provide it in the end), otherwise dont post, this is something im serious about understanding and getting better at, joking around and being playful is one thing but chasing answers isnt something im looking to do.

the useful information ive finally pulled out of the thread, from making a frustrated post were this:

technically im fine, Using different colored wrappers to offset color isnt a bad idea, i should watch for a better way to tie the objects together artistically and look for the overall goal im trying to achieve or message im trying to send with the photo.

theres no ill feeling with anyone here so please dont get the wrong idea, and i dont EXPECT anyone to do work for me, but like i said, this part of the forum is here for a reason, and i personally would like to benefit from it. posts that just simply say:

crashthenet44 wrote in post #10425714
What's so interesting about a pile of Starburst wrappers?

doesnt help me, instead try offering a suggestion as to HOW i can make a pile of wrappers interesting. Comments like that come off as more of an insult than a helpful remark

Hey midnite, I think you need to accept whatever criticism or comments you receive, as you are posting here asking for them. If they are not useful then ignore them and move on. I don't think it is at all reasonable to demand a certain level of response from folks who are offering their expertise for free. Take a photography course. Then you'll have the right to expect something specific as you will have paid for it.

As for the Starburst wrappers, I agree with others: It just looks like a pile of wrappers. I don't know how to make that interesting. If you think it can be interesting then pursue that with your camera.

again not demanding critique. However my point is (becoming redundant now) Critique is meant to be useful, simply stating somethings uninteresting isnt useful.

i guess its a losing battle to get my point across. sorry what i do isnt interesting. but if im told my photos suck over and over again, guess what, there not gonna get better. being told they suck and saying "maybe do this" would help me get there.

but your all right, im wrong, wasnt looking for an e-fight when posting the picture, just some help. Thanks for your hospitality

seems to me you're just looking for attention and bravo!!! you achieved it.

yes, i love drawing attention to myself. I believe the term your looking for is attention whore.

good to see people crawl out of the woodwork just to argue. i think it helps the thread a bunch!