FCAS Submission

Wow, very nice job Squirm. That is one outstanding FCAS entry. I have to agree with some of the comments regarding the frame…it wouldn’t hurt to loose part of it. However I must admit, the image, along with the complementary green matting has so much zing to it my eyes never made it to the outer frame!

I look forward to more of your work,

DJC
FCAS Member
WSSA Member

.... shudderbug2 too ;-)

I think this is an outstanding photo, and my eye didn't make it past the green matting either as DJC said. It does compete a bit with the pic, but it's also real purty.

Edges? I don't see no edges. Since this is not the Retouching forum, I'd say it's the final submission that counts.

I have to agree with David and glad to see the original intent restated. Lately when looking at FCAS critiques I can't tell if folks are dead serious or having fun with the idea of the COMMITTEE.

Maybe you all have just lost your decoder rings - LOL.

--
midnight2, cp7 7 5, 4 5 0 0, FCAS #14, Portland, Or.

Squirm said:

I appreciate the encouragement. I did not know such emphasis would
be placed on the frame.

Click to expand...

It isn't... they even aren't a required element. But you chose a very strong one that couldn't be ignored, and detracted from the composition.

--
Warm regards, Uncle Frank
FCAS Charter Member, Hummingbird Hunter, Egret Stalker
Dilettante Appassionato
Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/nikon

shudderbug2 said:

Please tell me if I"m missing the point. FCAS was started to
ENCOURAGE photographers with less then DSLR equipment to isolate
backgrounds and focus on subjects for little cost and outstanding
results for not only the education of the photographer, but
enjoyment of others and also the education of photographer and
viewers.

Click to expand...

Absolutely correct.

shudderbug2 said:

FCAS used to be FUN.

Click to expand...

Hey, I'm still having fun. Nothing wrong with making Squirm squirm a little . It's part of the initiation process.

--
Warm regards, Uncle Frank
FCAS Charter Member, Hummingbird Hunter, Egret Stalker
Dilettante Appassionato
Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/nikon

am I right feeling that I am one of the bad apples taking all the fun out of the FCAS with my edge selection comments (some stupids, so you can make fun of me)? . Anyway, two more serious thoughts

• When I look at a submission, I try to do it seriously in order to provide my most sincere feedback.
• Yes I look at the edges because I though (may be wrongly) it was an important part of the process. However, I usually make clear (I think) when edges are a problem or not for the overall presentation (and it was not a problem in Squirm submission)
• No, I won't stop commenting submission: I have too much fun doing it! ;-)

Just let me kown if I am on the wrong path!

Midnight2 said:

.... shudderbug2 too ;-)

I think this is an outstanding photo, and my eye didn't make it
past the green matting either as DJC said. It does compete a bit
with the pic, but it's also real purty.

Edges? I don't see no edges. Since this is not the Retouching
forum, I'd say it's the final submission that counts.

I have to agree with David and glad to see the original intent
restated. Lately when looking at FCAS critiques I can't tell if
folks are dead serious or having fun with the idea of the COMMITTEE.

Maybe you all have just lost your decoder rings - LOL.

--
midnight2, cp7 7 5, 4 5 0 0, FCAS #14, Portland, Or.

Click to expand...

--
Manu
FCAS Member #118 (DSLR division)

eManu said:

am I right feeling that I am one of the bad apples taking all the
fun out of the FCAS with my edge selection comments...

Click to expand...

Hi Manu! I'm not aware of any bad apples (except maybe those who like to take issue with FCAS but don't contribute very often in the way of offering comments to new applicants). ;-)

FCAS is about having fun learning to perfect the FCB image capture technique and using post processing to create a professional looking final result. Those who, like you, have successfully mastered the technique and have produced winning images know that this requires attention to lots of little details.

The Committee very much appreciates those who take the time to offer critiques of new applications, for it makes their job that much easier. Please continue offering honest and sincere feedback. If something about an image seems amiss and detracts from a full appreciation of the subject and its overall effect, you should feel comfortable pointing that out. Applicants will likely benefit from such feedback even more if you describe why something doesn't seem right or how it detracts from the subject.

It's important when providing feedback, however, to keep the overall presentation in mind. If you locate a small edge area that isn't cleanly selected but it's only visible at high magnification and doesn't detract from your appreciation of the image at normal viewing, perhaps it's better to focus on other aspects of the image. The Committee will generally review images on two levels -- 1) overall presentation and wow factor and 2) close scrutiny in order to determine whether an applicant has mastered the techniques behind FCB photography.

So, Manu, with capable folks like you providing thoughtful reviews and with the FCAS Committee taking a wide angle and closeup view of images, applicants can be assured of getting helpful feedback and participating in a process that will benefit their photographic skills. Oh, and about the FUN... the applicant has to supply the greatest share of this ingredient. ;-)

--
Dawn
FCAS Member #89

With camera in hand, I see what I might otherwise overlook

C P 5 7 0 0; SB-50DX; WC-E80; TC-E15ED
pbase supporter
http://www.pbase.com/dlane/

You folks do a great job - it is the FC ADDICTs Society after all, and thus seek perfection.

As an original member I'd just been going through some of our old posts, full of fun and frivolity and even our own secret decoder ring! It was all pretty hilarious.

So take no offense and keep up the good work.
--
midnight2, FCAS Member #14
cp7 7 5, 4 5 0 0, Portland, Or.

Midnight2 said:

You folks do a great job - it is the FC ADDICTs Society after all,
and thus seek perfection.

Click to expand...

No offense taken, Midnight2. Not sure if perfection is attainable, but we do set a fairly high bar. ;-)

Midnight2 said:

As an original member I'd just been going through some of our old
posts, full of fun and frivolity and even our own secret decoder
ring! It was all pretty hilarious.

Click to expand...

Hey, I was just checking for your winning image at the FCAS gallery, but you are on the list of folks for whom we have not located the winning image or thread. If you can provide the appropriate links, I'll have Manny add you to the gallery.

http://manny.org/FCAS/members/index.html

--
Dawn
FCAS Member #89

With camera in hand, I see what I might otherwise overlook

C P 5 7 0 0; SB-50DX; WC-E80; TC-E15ED
pbase supporter
http://www.pbase.com/dlane/

.... I didn't even know you had a gallery, it's splendid.

To tell you the truth, Dawn, I'm not even sure what my photo was, I think it might have been a mineral. I'm pretty sure it didn't hold a candle to most submissions, but UF let me in anyway for my effort. I remember going all around town looking for Foam Core, following UF's tutorials, chatting on the FCAS threads and trying my best. The process and the community was what really inspired me.

I asked Uncle Frank what number I might be on the member list and he guestimated #14. I doubt if even Uncle thought it would become the terrific challenge it is today. It's a great service to provide a challenge, tutelage & inspiration for folks. It brings out the best in us, in more ways than one.

I don't think I'm a particularly good photographer but that's ok because this forum has provided me with much more than technique, it's helped me learn more about vision.

Now YOU, my friend are a terrific photographer - I just took a look at your pBase galleries. Oh man, how I tried to photograph Raspberries and wanted them to look like yours;-) Here's one of mine you might find amusing:



--
midnight2, FCAS Member #14
cp7 7 5, 4 5 0 0, Portland, Or.