To play off some of the recent trends that have arisen in the Fstoppers competitive shoot out videos, Pye Jirsa has called for an episode of Critique the Community highlighting "portraits with birds." Since portraits with birds in them are probably not very common, we're broadening the category to include any image that has a bird in it, though we'd prefer a portrait with a bird in it if you have one.
Between now and May 22nd at 11:45PM EST, you can submit up the three images that fit the category. We will be selecting 20 images to provide feedback to and of those, two entrants will win a free Fstoppers tutorial. The first winner will be chosen based on the highest average community rated image and the second will be chosen at random.
Once you've submitted your images, please scroll through the rest of the images and give them your own critiques based on the Fstoppers rating system below. If you see an area where an image could be improved, we encourage you to leave helpful and positive feedback for the photographer.
Mininalism, macro, wildlife, abstract, surealism, night shot, motion/panning, black and white, tilt shift, long exposure, emotion, ... portrait with a bird? Ug.
Pictures with birds... That's all I had. Sorry!
What's the problem?
Just hoping for something a little different. I understand that it has been broadened to birds in general. Portrait with a bird 'preferred' is still a bit tight. I'd personally like to see a less person-oriented topic come up soon. There are many other forms of pro-photography. Photojournalism for example. Or technique-based like double exposure. Just my opinion. It's all good.
A funny thing, the marking in the contests seems very harsh with not many getting above a 3. Strange that you search your images for something that suits the criteria and then have anonymous "experts" say that you should not put it in your portfolio.
Truth is I didn't, it was the only shot I had of a monkey eating a sandwich
I feel your pain. I'm not sure why the contests are like this. You can have a solid 4 in your portfolio that you'll be lucky if it get above a 2 here. In past contests people would say that they think voters vote low to boost their own entry. I don't think this is the case. At least i hope it isnt. This is just for fun!
There have been proposed changes to the scale during almost every contest. Not sure why there isn't a response. The descriptions of each level could be as simple as:
1. off topic
2. unsuccessful, considered bottom 33%
3. solid effort, average, considered middle 33%
4. great work, considered top 33%
5 winner
Portfolios benefit from selection bias. The people who looked at your portfolio were prompted to do it for some reason. More than likely because they saw a picture they liked. So if someone rated a picture on your portfolio, they’ More likely to be a favorable viewer.
Open forums like these contests aren’t favorable to anybody in the same way. This sites community skews towards landscape and some light commercial photographers. As a result those images tend to score higher than others, due to the more favorable audience (not by much though). You can see the evidence of this skew by the fact that there’s 3-count “Photographing the World” videos.
Finally, FStoppers is a business that’s responsible for at least three lively hoods. They get revenue through two types of products: Tutorials, and our attention. Their more attention they can get, the more valuable their platform is. Since CTC’s turned out to be a hit, they have an incentive to increase the community engagement on them. That being the case, putting any kind of barrier to entry is a disincentive to the platform. You’re better off (as a platform) taking off topic submissions and having the staff not select them, than you are trying to reduce the engagement. The way it’s currently structured is more on the honor system, and they’ve said as much. The problem you’re experiencing is that a community’s honor is inversely proportionate to its size.
Personally, I’d rather the platform be stronger, and see babies in baskets in a architectural photography contest, than have a weaker platform with pure contests.
Interesting and thoughtful. I don't think i implied restricting entering. I also am not clear why having a clearer rating system would hurt. I think there would be increased involvement instead of decreased if the voting felt more valid. Regardless, i appreciate your perspective.
I thought I'd give the contest some time to settle in while I thought about your comments. I have to say Chase that I don't think the evidence supports your thought that the viewers of profiles are just 'more favorable'. The votes in the contests simply do not accurately represent the scale.
I am not complaining about the votes on my images! I am just using my own as an example. The photo of the two swans on a dark background is not a winner. This isn't my wheelhouse at all. However, you simply cannot rank it a 1. It isn't off topic and, if nothing else, it is edited. It should be a 3 because it has "the basics: composition, color, focus, subject matter, and postproduction" AS SHOULD MANY OTHERS HERE BE.
Because I tend to think the best of people, I have to think that the scale criteria is too unclear rather than that voting is based on some strategy for self gain.
You say that getting the most people participating helps keep this ship afloat. Well, this is voluntary and therefore needs to be a relatively positive experience or why continue? I still believe that fixing the scale with INCREASE participating rather than decrease it.
I for one, think having "themed" contests for Fstoppers is funny as images are selected that don't bear any similarity to said "theme"
It’s not a contest.
It’s content with a prize.
Respectfully.......why does Fstoppers have it listed under contest..
yea, most people who are voting I think go out of their way to shit on most submissions purposely. I don't think the community vote means much.
It's not a bad idea, but I wonder that it would be 3 votes per photo that way.
If you haven't already, you should check out National Geographic's "YourShot" website. They have "Assignments" with themes that are much more abstract like "My Home" and "What is Family?".
There's no voting, so it's not quite a competition, but a selection of photos usually get chosen for a story on their website.
The photos are also much different from here. They don't accept anything that's been heavily edited or anything that has had elements added or removed from the image. They would definitely get 1 or 2 star ratings here at best, but they tend to focus more on stories and documentation.
Thanks Jorden
It's a different theme for a contest. Maybe unusual, but really diferent.
I would have to agree that this was an unexpected topic.
The theme was rather vague, birds in the frame. Does that mean the bird should be the focus of attention? If someone submits a great photo but the bird is insignificant, do you rate the photo on it’s merits or do you pan it because the bird is not the center of attention? Just wondering.
I would rate the images on overall quality. The subject was confusing to many, so I wouldn't hold that against anyone.
The theme is a potrait of a bird or the bird as the main subject. If I see a photo of a car and a little bird in the backround, I give it 1star, no matter how good the car looks.
Clearly, you didn't undersrand the theme. "Photos with birds in the frame" obviously implies that the birds don't have to be the main subject.
Honestly, I don't believe anyone understands the themes............including Fstoppers.
Portrait of a bird ? What didnt I understand ?
Strictly speaking, the initial theme was supposed to be "Portrait WITH birds", not "Portrait OF birds". However, it doesn't matter now, because it was changed.
The title if this CCLTC wpusode is "PHOTOS WITH BIRDS IN THE FRAME"... Dude, do you even speak English?
If I speak English ? What is ur problem ?
Adriano - tone it down a notch ok? No need for this.
Ok, sorry, let's start over. Samir, what I'm asking is quite simple: Do you understand that the title of this CTC is "Photos with birds in the frame"? Do you understand that the theme is NOT "portrait of a bird"? Do you understand the difference?
Just looked at the last episode of fstoppers, and ur right, I got it wrong, he said portrait with birds in the frame. Damn.
. . sorry, but you are wrong: last episode of fstoppers "Wedding Photography", second 53: ". . .well let´s say birds . . .birds, you got a picture of a bird -- THAT´S the next critique, go to the link in the description. . . .."
If you don't have a solid bird shot in the archive, go get one. Seems like a fun challenge that'll get plenty of people outside.
Hey, i was wondering when you might pop in! Just me again?
. . before any confusion comes up as to whether this has to be a picture with a bird or a portrait with a bird, I urge everyone to watch the first 40 Seconds of the critique from the last contest "wedding photography", where Patrick and Pye Jirsa make it very clear as to exactly they expect to be submitted. . .
I noticed the same amongst submissions. Portraits OF birds, or portraits of people with birds in the frame? I know it's the latter, but in a world of 3-second attention spans, most people read the first half of the headline and act concurrently.
. . actually it´s not the latter "people with birds in the frame" but they finally settled on "any image with a bird".
Oh well. If they want bird photography I have no chance against all these bird pros. I suppose I’m the one who misread the title.
Because you commented on it...........it thinks you want to know of any additional comments......
😂
I suppose not too many people have photos in this category.
I would suggest abstract as a topic.
I propose the topic "color graded summer photos shot with hot lights or in natural light with or without a bird in it portraying strength or technology or none of the above in front of a seamless background or just plain sky or anything else (they should look beautiful or great, though)".
🤣
You forgot that they should only be submitted as shot but may include Sharpening, Clarity, Texture, Vibrance and Saturation adjustments and may include additional composited items to suite what you imagine to be real.
Long time watcher, first time contest submitter.
I thought I had the perfect image...until they expanded the category, some of the bird photos are stunning, (I have left five and four stars for my favourites).
I also have left messages of praise telling the photographers why I like their images.
My entry is currently residing in the 'needs work' area, but nobody has left me any constructive criticism and explained to me why they marked it so low.
I'm here to learn to be a better photographer and to be inspired by the work of others, I fear that the competitive nature of certain individuals may sully what should be a positive experience for all.
Thank you If you read all that!
Hey Wayne, if your submission is of a bird, you'd get more constructive and informative feedback posting it in the Landscape and Nature Group. We'd welcome it and you!
Thank you, count me in!