My guess would be it's mainly the coloring and brightness. On looking closer it's obvious that it's not just over-exposed, but not everyone looks at it for more than a second or two.
There are few situations in life that cannot be honourably settled, and without any loss of time, either by suicide, a bag of gold, or by thrusting a despised antagonist over the edge of a precipice on a dark night.
-- Kai Lung
Is this a picture I would want only desktop? The answer has to be no. Is the CI fair? Given that fairly ordinary pictures get 80+ then no it isn't. Personally I find the image has a certain charm and something of an old look about it, but lacks any real impact. All the same, 6, or 9, seems harsh.
I thought maybe the washed out tones might be part of it. I see how it could appear overexposed at first glance. My aim was more vintage/sunbleached - how the beach feels to me.
There is an old tradition of accidentally taking a photo of your foot after loading a new roll of film in the camera. The style of shoes combined with the vintage look comes close to looking like one of those accidental shots that just happened to come out in focus. This shot by itself in the VB would not stir up much excitement. As the photographer you have the experience of being there and thus experience much more seeing the photo than any one else will. It shows both artistic and creative talent but the voting booth seems to reward "pop and wow" rather than depth and creativity. It's up to an 11 now. There is still hope :)
People aren't going to remember the things you do. They're going to remember how you made people feel. Be kind, gracious, and appreciative.
Dan Winters - Photographer.
Maybe next time try to extend your creative thinking to telling more of a 'story' with your subject matter?
Nicely blurred background/bokeh of more of the beach/people.
Or, perhaps, some other select items .. blanket, bonfire. Dare I say it? Sunset ... for example. Might fill in some of the image 'plot' for your viewers. (Although on this note, has to be said, that of the other footprints are indeed noted.)
So please let me know your thoughts and ways to improve. I think the shoes are a bit too centered, so there's one option already.
Thanks in advance!
~ Rebecca