Maybe it isn't a good idea to write this when I'm so upset but I can't help it. And I really don't care anymore if the admin or moderators will say that I am wining. :(

I am spending alot of time here (well, not so much anymore because I'm a mother now), and I am always doing my best to post good quality photos. But almost all of them are still in the new images gallery. The thing that drives me nuts is when I see that some images that are newer and really not so good are going in the perms. Please don't ask me to give examples, I won't.

So, people of Caedes. Please take a look at my gallery and tell me what's wrong with them. :( And please don't tell me that (I'm giving an example) my bee shot isn't in the perms because there are already lots of bees shots.

Thank you.

Some shots seem to almost automatically go into the perms and get high C-index scores - and most do not. I've noticed that most of my recent scores have been in the 20 range - and I actually think my standard has been getting better over the last few months. It's the way it happens I'm afraid. I've looked at your photos and find them pleasant. I think that we both need to show something really special now as standards are really high - and some people have reached that standard - and most of ours have not! It doesn't mean your shots are bad - or mine, for that matter - and it might even be the timing that our shots reach the VB? Who knows. Don't get downhearted - I'm not, as some people tell me they like my 'sometimes strange' views of the world! Try to get a project going, to see if you can get the best ever shot of something!! That will be a personal challenge - and not a C-index score one!

Here's a typical noah comment (in other words, i'm just going to say it flat out):

Your shots are good, but they arn't eye pooping, that's flippin' AWESOME good!

Some of my shots i'm suprised even made it into the perms...like blown out highlights in the snow, sky looks terrible, etc etc. I've actually deleted some of my photos that made it into the perms (b/c i thought it was rather embarassing they made it there in the first place).

If you want something to go into the perms, it will have to be pretty art-worthy. Some of my shots and some of your shots are - brace yourself - still considered snapshots in my book.

I guess that's what I was saying too.

My take on the front page of your gallery .. (*shooting from the hip .. NO sugar coating*)

Yellow Flowers ... Flower shots really need to 'stand out' from the rest to stand even half a chance of being looked at .. competition is fierce .. take a look at Samatar's gallery .. your colors and composition need to POP

Portrait ... This image would be far better if you came in closer on the bird's head .. that is really the only interesting part of poultry .. even MACRO closeness

Butterfly ... Come in closer .. the detail of the wings IS your subject .. shift the butterfly to the right a smidge showing a little white flower and more out of focus green + orange

The "Greenery" series ... believe it or not there is an art to doing scenics .. and the scene needs to hold up its end of the bargain .. the greenery series is green, yes .. but it is not a very interesting scene ... you've incorporated a few attempts at framing elements, but it isn't enough ... an image needs an anchor, a subject .. scenics do better with a strong foreground element like an old tree in the composition if the landscape is plain vanilla

Old Car ... this is MY favorite from the front page of your gallery .. it tells a story, it has an interest level .. the sepia-tone helps it a little in this case ... Butterfly and Portrait would also be favorites if the were composed differently



in closing ... a photo needs to tell a story .. you have to make me want to see it upclose and learn that story ... you have to include in your photo only things that you want me to see, things that further the story ... and in a sea of quality submissions that you are bound to accumulate from such a large photographer base ... you need to always PUSH yourself to rise above the crowd ... this is called learning

:o) ... my opinions are, just that, MY opinions .. the views of other's will be different ... I have said nothing with the intent of hurting your feelings ... we are all too close to our own submissions to be objective about them sometimes

The most immidiate thing that strikes me when I look through your gallery (very briefly) is that you tend to centre your subjects... try to remember the rule of thirds when photographing specific objects. Centering the subject is rarely a good way to compose an image. For me the standouts were "Natures Painting" (which I note is already in the perms) and "Green carpet", which probably only works because of the composition. If the tree on the left hadn't been included I don't think it would be interesting at all; composition can really make or break a photo.

Thank you very much for your explanations/comments/critiques/appreciations. I understand now how the things work with the perms and I will not bring the subject again. :) I also appreciate the fact that you guys gave me some explicit advice regarding my shots. I am very aware that they aren't eye catching but I am glad that some of them are still pretty good shots.

Thank you again and sorry for my bad English. :)

In addition to what Samatar said I would like to add to watch your cropping. Many of your flower and butterfly shots are not close enough or are cropping out part of the petals. The three shot of yours that I like the best are
yellow flowers - cropping is nice. You've filled the entire photo with your subject and they create a diagonal line across the photo. Straight up and down would have lost a lot of impact
wheat - again, you've filled the whole photo with your subject and have diagonals. You've also got a nice splash of color against the mostly drab color of the wheat.
fresh and juicy - This is a nice use of the rule of thirds, placing your subject on the left third. the contrast of color is nice with the orange on green.

Thank you for the advice, Rob. I am glad you liked some too.

I play with two sites primarily, this one and another called photosig. Photosig is geared towards photography and the crtitques are much more nitpicky and not afraid to say "this is not good" if it's not. They can be brutal there. But from that site I have really learned (I think) how to be critical of myself, particularly before I release the shutter. I've gotten better advice from people on this site because it's more friendly to allowing people to talk and socialize. I just wanted to point out some photos you had done well and why I thought they were well done so you can learn what you did in those that perhaps you didn't do in the others.