Got Nowhere Again (Sigh)

Charlotte · 31-03-2007, 15:41

OK I will be the first to post my comp entry to find out why no-one voted for it

Actually I worked very hard to get this shot ... d'you know how many bowls of water I poured + how many times I was up + down the step ladder to pour out + re-pour + reposition the bowl in the viewfinder

Anyway, obviously you lot were not impressed with my attempt at a fairly original idea of movement (or so I thought), so I'd love to know what you don't like about it? Honest + helpful c+c most welcome

**Dabhand16** · 31-03-2007, 16:23

I think you have a good image there Charlotte, and I would not doubt that you put in a lot of effort to get it. In isolation, as it is here, it would undoubtedly get favourable comments, and rightly so too.

However, I think the reasons why it did not get a vote are not necessarily a comment on your image, only that in the environment it found itself in, other images edged it out for whatever reasons. Also, there are now more entries for these competioins, so there are always going to be images that do not attract votes. I've had plenty!

Years ago, I heard a brilliant quote from a European Tour golfer, Carl Mason, that sums it up quite well.

'Every time I play well enough to win a tournament, someone else plays better'.

As you know different things push different people's buttons, and there is often no tangible thing that can be pointed to that swings a vote one way or another. You only have to look at the way the British entry for European Song Contest is decided on to see that a voting system is not always the way to establish what is 'best'.

Finally, I hope you are not discouraged from further participation. You have the ability to produce a winner, it's just a case of perseverence.

As Gary says, 'If you throw enough balls at enough coconuts you win a fish!'

**Angela** · 31-03-2007, 16:47

Charlotte, having tried to achieve a similar shot for a previous round, I can appreciate how much work went into getting this shot. I think you have probably achieved what you set out to achieve and it does capture the water well. But I'm just not sure it fully says "movement"...what you have is a static image and, yes, although we all know it's water and therefore must be moving, there's no sense or feel of movement in the shot itself......does that make sense!?

**Dabhand16** · 31-03-2007, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angela

Charlotte, having tried to achieve a similar shot for a previous round, I can appreciate how much work went into getting this shot. I think you have probably achieved what you set out to achieve and it does capture the water well. But I'm just not sure it fully says "movement"...what you have is a static image and, yes, although we all know it's water and therefore must be moving, there's no sense or feel of movement in the shot itself......does that make sense!?

Well put, Angela. I had similar thoughts after I posted.

Charlotte · 31-03-2007, 17:42

Thanks for your thoughts Graham + Angela. So it just didn't stand out from the crowd, + also the theme of movement wasn't strongly evident. I do think that the theme of movement doesn't necessarily have to contain blurs to show movement, + that freezing movement is also pertinent to a theme of movement, but I hear what you're saying + I think more people would agree with your view than mine on this.

Another point with this shot is that it is almost mono, i.e. colourless, except for the blue tinge which I added thinking it suited water as the subject, so there's nothing happening with colour in the shot, but I did think that would help to direct attention to the patterns in the stream of water, which I thought were quite fascinating, as you wouldn't notice these with the naked eye. Anyway, those were my visions + intentions when taking the shot, which I haven't successfully communicated in the shot, but I will learn how to do that eventually

Many thanks for your comments guys, they are very helpful

And no Graham, I'm not discouraged, just need to get feedback on each one that doesn't make it, so I know what other folks think that was different to my own thinking

Mr Blue Sky · 31-03-2007, 19:15

well we are in the same boat charlotte

i agree with all of the above comments and also i would like to say that with all forms of art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder

**Dabhand16** · 31-03-2007, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlotte

I do think that the theme of movement doesn't necessarily have to contain blurs to show movement, + that freezing movement is also pertinent to a theme of movement

I agree entirely.

Just another thought, Charlotte. If, for instance all of the other entries were of blurred subjects, your one would have stood out for not being blurred. In this instance, it might have well attracted some votes or have been considered different enough to have won.

I guess I'm trying to say that just because you did not get a vote does not mean that your image was no good or not worthy. It just means it did not get any votes, and it is no reflection on you or the image.

fionaB · 31-03-2007, 22:00

i agree with what has already been said, and i would like to say that although to me it does fit the theme, it was the almost total lack of colour that stopped it "catching" my eye..... the bowl and the water competes too much with the tone that you have given it that it all seems to become almost lost. if that makes sense........

on another point....... Although i won this round, i have never had ANY points before either! so dont give up!

Fi

Charlotte · 31-03-2007, 22:25

Thanks all for the commiserations

It's all part of learning what holds appeal + what's mediocre, + then trying your damndest to achieve the former

Will get there in the end, I'm that determined

Good point about the colour issue Fiona, the all-blue has made it look kinda flat. I did try to change the BG colour but couldn't do it so gave up + left it as is. I think I'll put this one aside to try different processing on later, depending on answers to the next question ...

but what d'you all think of the composition? 'cos if that's part of the problem, then maybe I'll just try a new capture. I do think there's a picture screaming to get out of this idea

**Dabhand16** · 31-03-2007, 22:41

I think this image stands as it is. I don't see it as flat, but I think different lighting might have been able to give a bit more of a sparkle, and I do not dislike the overall blue colour. Maybe the inclusion of the rim of the bowl and it's shadow draws the eye.

Perhaps a bigger bowl would allow the rim to be excluded, and maybe some items in the bottom (pebbles or glass beads) would add something in their own right, plus make the water do different things.

Gary Bagshawe · 31-03-2007, 22:42

Dont be dicouraged, I got nowhere either trying an out of the norm idea, you have to try things and sometimes you hit the nail on the head, other times you hit ya thumb, AGAIN!!!! As an image itself it is very very good but as has been said before in this thread the water is static, maybe a longer shutter speed to get a bit of blur would have fitted the theme more.
Oh well next theme. and good luck