Request to PPG voters

I just don't like the first one, too much blue for me, but the others are very good to excellent in my opinion. There are surely many reasons why they were rejected, but not necessarily good reasons. I have never posted a thing over there, and it is easy to see why. If yours don't fly, mine surely won't. I have a lot of images over in the other Pentax Forum that have little gold stars, I still have no idea how they got stars or what the stars mean, but from what I see there, not much more logic applies than in the PPG.

I still go by my best guide of all, if my Mom likes it, it is pretty decent. Excepting toads, which she always hates, she is seldom off base. My wife, on the other hand thinks bokeh (any bokeh) ruins any shot. She only thinks any shot is good if the entire scene is in perfect focus, so you see I don't use her much for judging shots.

BTW- My Mom has often commented on your work, (she refers to you as the"mouseman") so what else do you need?
--
'This is more serious than I thought.....but it is still fun!
http://www.pbase.com/rupertdog Take a look- It's Free!

Being a photo enthusiast is one thing, a Pentax user another, but neither of them give anybody the ability to give a decent critique.

Hi Mousehill,

I remember voting yes to #2 and #5. Absolutely nothing wrong with the other ones, but I think when I went through the voting, I saw all of them and since I was comparing a lot of macro shots, I only gave a 'yes' to the most outstanding one.

I found the first sort of disproportionate in scale and didn't give enough interest in the frame. All in all though, quality frames as is most of your work.

Cheers,
Lib

I voted no to 1 and 2 but didn't see the rest.

1. 1 This image is on the edge of being outstanding, the issue with it is the massive expanse of blue sky, and no foreground interest to lead you into the picture.

I agree in a different format this would work outstandingly well and be a superb image.

1. 2 DOF is out of control the Bokeh is busy and distracting and the foreground wing tip being out of focus I find very disturbing.

edit - re-looking at #2 if you had cropped it to remove that awful right hand bokeh

i.e what you see in the non expanded view here i would have voted yes (forgiving the wing tip)

I think that given peoples voting habits then getting 'Bug Macros' in is fast becoming as difficult as sports photos, A lot of people don't vote according to the rules but vote based on their own criteria.

Funny how people complaining about peoples right to vote have just had there latest masterpieces rejected.

Proportionally I vote yes to more images taken with the cheap lenses than the limiteds seems to be, have money, buy best, take holiday snap, submit, ***** about voters

I also have had 5 (2 weeks worth) rejected this time round, I see it as a challenge , This is the whole point of PPG your images have to appeal to everyone not some clicky few (camera snobs with less ability than ego).

Then you get to the truly critical stage where your image has to stand upto the scrutiny of 'the board'.

Its great fun and the best bit is you don't have to be disappointed with rejected images you can just blame the ignorant public ;-)

Mike

Like others I luv number 1 but the literalists and the chocklate box brigade wouldn't get it. Ignore them and keep it up.

As for the others I echo to comment that they look like shots from a biology text book. Technically perfect (and that's a hard thing to do) but so what? Where is the story, the emotion, the art as show in No1?

--
Russell Hunt (Scooter)
Canberra, Australia
http://www.throughmyeye.smugmug.com

who made their final vote.

Always when after weeks in the review mode a bunch of files is declined and perhaps one survives than at the next day you can find the new contributions in the gallery.

The same this morning. So your pics past the voters...

--



Tom - http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/tomvijlbrief

I'll rate 1-10 (10 being the best) and give a short critique on each.

Mousehill said:

I just found out that the images I submitted to the PPG were
rejected. So there must have been quite a large number of people who
voted against them I presume. As I like to learn from my images, I
would like them to step forward and cristicise the images that were
rejected. I'm a big boy and can take some heat so shoot ahead
Below the images (that were obviously submitted without the border).

Click to expand...

My first thought was "a little boring" - a little overprocessed and the foreground leaves me confused as to its contribution to the photo. 6.5/10

Mike Muizebelt said:

Click to expand...

We are looking at the back of the insect and the DOF isn't as perfect as it needs to be for people to vote in another insect macro. 4/10



Decent shot - flash poorly used and DOF needs work again. 5/10

Mike Muizebelt said:

Click to expand...

Better shot - again flash poorly used and DOF needs a little work again. 6/10

Mike Muizebelt said:

Click to expand...

My favorite of the bunch - a better crop (if possible) should have gotten it in, IMO. 8/10

Mike Muizebelt said:

Click to expand...

Interesting and sort of abstract - might have worked with some interesting processing and a more purposeful DOF. 6.5/10

Hope this helps - good submissions.

-Mouse

Mike Muizebelt said:

Thanks in advance for your time,

Mike
--
--
Capturing time that will never be the same



http://www.mmfoto.nl
http://www.pentaximaging.nl

Click to expand...

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They just sat there on my shelf
Looking much smarter than me

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I'm baffled by the people who comment on the PPG when voting on a pic by the thumbnail. Surely people are aware that you are able to click on the thumbnail and an almost full screen preview will appear. Please don't tell me that people aren't aware of this.

As for the pics, I think at times there is a little backlash against certain types or styles of photos. There is no doubt an avalanche of butterfly & bug macro's getting around at the moment and perhaps people take the view of "seen them once - seen them all" I know from personal experience it can get a little tedious seeing similar shots on a daily basis.

I think the 'blue' photo being a minimalist arty shot or sorts doesn't have the dynamic punch I think the PPG is looking for. While it doesn't exactly appeal to my personal preference thats not to say its a good photo, technically speaking it is very well done and the exposure is spot on. I think there is just not enough happening.

The bar for the PPG has been raised and from here on in it will get increasingly difficult to have images accepted. At the moment I have 13 in, but i've submitted probably well over 100 I think. Some I've thought were shoe-ins have been declined others had made it when I would bet against it.

Keep shooting, keep enjoying and if the PPG public like your photos then that's a bonus.

http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/mattstreatfeild

I didn't vote but I agree with Owen's comments.

CherryO said:

I love #1 and think it as absolutely sublime.

Click to expand...

I really like this one too. I'm sure it's loads better as a big print.

CherryO said:

1. 2... I'm not a fan of the depth of field in this. The out of focus

wings in the foreground clutter the asthetic to me

Click to expand...

I agree, also, I think cropping of some of the right side would help. I personally don't like the boken, it's too distracting.

CherryO said:

1. 3... The subject just doesn't seem that interesting. Also, the

lighting seems a bit too direct for my tastes... somewhat washed out.

Click to expand...

Agree 100%. Plus the eye is out of focus. I find the eyes the most interesting on the macros (especially for the flies).

CherryO said:

1. 4... Same as #3

1. 5 is a lovely shot. It could use a bit more contrast and saturation

to make the subject stand out. I would love to see some more
tonality and glow to the green twig.

Click to expand...

I love this one too! I wish you had the rest of the antenna in the picture. This one is just uber.

CherryO said:

1. 6 is an interesting subject, and has cool symmetry. The lighting

doesn't sell it though (the hot regions right in the centre where the
eye is drawn)

That said, I wish I could shoot macro half as well as you!

Hope this helps,
Owen
--
http://www.pbase.com/owencherry

Click to expand...

Cool pictures none the less.
--
benjamin - bjmano

haven't looked there in ages actually but a bit of destructive criticism may make you next years nature photgrapher of the year... sooo hold on....

No 1.

Nothing wrong technically. Oddly enough when I look at it I have a tendency to think "Tilt" but when I align I see that it does not. (Hmm maybe the lack of tilt makes the pic too static).
Compositionwise seems okay to me too. So, anything wrong?

Yes, the actual scene. I don't mind the occasional minimalistic approach but this is too minimal for my taste, it is like a blue version of the Dutch Polders, of the "groene hart", two areas you know well which could use a large number of trees or even windmills in my opinion.
But technically.... Perfect.

No 2.
Not sure, could use some warmth on my uncalibrated monitor....

A slight hint of an HDR-look which does not really appeal to me. You can do better....

No 3.

Nothing wrong reall, maybe you might have aimed a bit more down and right but that is so hard with macro, should not really be a problem for judging this pic.

No 4
Only problem probably too tight behind the wing.

No 5
With such large antenae, how could you ever get the whole critter in one image?
Should have Hired Phil for a Pano :-D.
Maybe a bit too bright.

No 6
Looks perfect to me

--

Mike Muizebelt said:

The difference between genius and LBA is that genius has its
limits.

• Janneman ( adaptation of the Kings quote from Albert Einstein)

Click to expand...

I haven't voted on PPG for quite a while. I don't have a lot of time and just got tired of ploughing my way through hundreds of blaah images that all look the same. Unfortunately most of yours fit that same category. I agree with what others have said about No. 1; it would have to be printed very large to really impress. As a small thumbnail it would just look like a blue blob on the screen. The others are, technically, at least, pretty good photos but when I went to PPG I wanted to be moved, to feel some emotion, see some creativity or see a story unfolding; and none of your photos have that. I am not trying to be elitist here, simply passing on my point of view. I've submitted a few to PPG--never had any accepted--and, looking back, I can see why none were let in; they just weren't good enough, not necessarily in a technical sense but more from a creative perspective. I consider myself to be a "good" photographer; I can capture a scene or a subject or an occasion reasonably well most of the time but for the most part I just haven't developed that creative touch which makes some photogs--and therefore, their pictures--really stand out

And I disagree with the notion that only "pros" or "successful photographers" should be voting. It's got nothing to do with training, talent or experience but rather has everything to do with "first impressions." It's all about what the "masses" or general public think of a photo. I don't have to study or dissect a photo to know if I like it or not. When I voted on PPG it was my "first reaction" to an image that determined how I voted. If a picture really grabbed my attention then I would enlarge it and, assuming it was reasonably well executed from a technical point of view, vote yes.

So, bottom line, if you want my vote on PPG give me something unique and creative that really jumps out and grabs me and you'll get it every time.
--
Too many subjects, not enough time...
http://www.lkeithr.zenfolio.com

Mike, I didn't vote or unvote your images.

But as I saw the images, what my impression are:

1. In fact, I like the idea, the concept, the color but I fount the deatil to tiny or just disappear.

2. Dragonfly and that insects, I think they are too bored, too many people shot that kind of thingy.

And what was surprising me that when I clicked this thread, I thought I would see many interesting images as good or more than your old threads/old posts, to be honest, you are one of my fans here.

Mike, I'm not a good photog, I don't have good eyes, if I'm wrong, pls forgive me.

rgds,

Rusma

--
------------------------------------------
my multiply : http://kesha.multiply.com

Hi Mike,

this first image is beautiful. It would be even better if some of the people in the left side of the image -I assume these are human beings!- would cross the horizon (-> maybe you should have come down from the hill?) But I would be really, really proud if I had taken it.

--
Andreas

I mean, I'm your fans!!

Sorry with my bad English!!

This is due to the voting process. Too many images are submitted. Hence people just dump into PPG hoping by sheer numbers that somthing gets through. This then means shooters will real talent and shots to prove can get lost in the mess. With the volume of shoots PPG had to open the voting to the forum to cope. This was a very bad error.

I believe that photogs should only be allowed to submit say 2 shots per week and that PPG does it owns voting. Thereby reducing the volumeof pics to judge immensely and keeping the benchmark the same.

In saying all this I believe that all but 2 of these pics are certainly upto PPG standard. Mind you saying that I dont submit anymore purely for the kaos that PPG has become.

--
David



-sadly lacking a witty cliched comment-

I think your right.

PPG seems to have just done a clear out... 2 images I submited Sunday night were rejected early Thursday (my time).

There is no way these received the required NO votes in that space of time.

So I think PPG has got so far behind theve just rejected everything to catch up.

Even in the quiet time really crummy images took longer than that.

Are you sure that your pics were rejected by the users? Maybe you got enough greens from the voters but the PPG people finally didn't approve.

Regards,

--
Javier.



http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/javiermoreno

I think those two images are outstanding and would have voted for them. Wonderful.
--
http://chains1240.deviantart.com/gallery/

I like first one a lot and I think that should be accepted. However every other shot is bug, bug, bug, boring bug, another bug and finally can we have some bugs. For me it is great for some natural magazine but not PPG
--
Fero, London

lnestrud said:

There are so many
subjects out there, why do these subjects take up 75% of the shots
submitted?

Click to expand...

That's because it's easier to photography:
1) you don't have to travel a lot to see different things
2) there will be no police officer to investigate if you're a terrorist
3) nobody will call you a pervert, nobody cares about insect porn ;-)
4) you do not need ultrafast AF ;-)

--
Manu