Biggest photo sin?

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Grave Robber

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I look at a lot of photos on here and in 'real' life, and if there's one thing that really makes me lose interest in less than 1 second, its a photo that's out of focus (OOF is my usual comment!) and for me, posting an 'OOF' picture on a forum should be a crime! I can't get over how many there are - do some people see differently to me lol?! When I take a photo I probably pay more attention to focus than anything else (which might explain why so many of my pics turn out crap!) and I make sure if it's a person or animal, the focus is on the eye. To me this is basic stuff for beginners, especially in this digital age where almost all other mistakes (bar blown highlights) can be rectified PP.

Am I being too harsh? What do other people think are the most important, basic criteria of any photograph, particularly as regards posting on a forum such as this, for C&C?
 
Grave Robber said:
What do other people think are the most important, basic criteria of any photograph, particularly as regards posting on a forum such as this, for C&C?
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A picture that you've taken, and personally like. The C&C then helps you improve or learn for the future.
Everyone was a 'beginner' once. Some learn quicker than others.
And 'rules' can be broken at times, and still make for a 'good' picture.
Just my opinion :)
 
I believe it comes down to context. First, I am with you that out of focus images bug me. ''alot'', however, I have some really good pictures of my kids and as luck would have it, the best ones are out of focus. So in this context, they are keepers for me as they are memories. However, if a stationary object is out of focus, then that is not acceptable to me...I have seen far to many out of focus landscape shots and I don't get it.
 
Overprocessing in photoshop esps hdr I hate when an otherwise boring photo is hdr'd or hdr that is way overcooked.
 
Well apart from focus and exposure, then composition ....

Having loads of equipment but still all used on full auto..

The flash popping up every time! sunny or not...

Someone pointing out that I'm using a guitar strap for my camera ... because they're so young they don't recognize a proper sized camera strap, film canister holders and all. hehe.

lamp posts in peoples heads...

Feet cut off for no reason...

People who meant to shoot it black and white like that... honest.

:lol: :D
 
I suppose it all depends on what you are trying to acheive. In focus is always good, and if you are submitting a photo for C&C then you should try and get everything right.
But sometimes, just getting the shot is good enough if it brings back memories, sometimes, a blur in the frame is good enough.
I have a very overexposed ( film) shot of one of the last Vulcan bombers landing at Coventry airport ( forgot to close the aperture ring in my excitement) and a fuzzy shot of the ISS in orbit. You cant really tell what it is, but I know! But I got the shots and I`m happy with them.
Allan
 
I think it depends HOW out of focus an image is.

My pet hate is trying to justify a dull photo with a long description about how this badly composed, out of focus shot of a guy getting into a car round the back of your mates' house somehow 'challenges the viewer'. Fortunately this is the realm of photography students*, not TP.




*some, not all, don't lynch me.
 
Forbiddenbiker said:
The flash popping up every time! sunny or not...



:lol: :D
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THATS MINE!!! Aaarrggghhhhh, irritates the hell out me :bang:


OOF I can cope with if there is another reason for looking, for instance if someone is asking about the composition or exposure or as someone mentioned already, its just one of those memories thats a keeper anyway ;)
 
yourapocalypse said:
I think it depends HOW out of focus an image is.

My pet hate is trying to justify a dull photo with a long description about how this badly composed, out of focus shot of a guy getting into a car round the back of your mates' house somehow 'challenges the viewer'. Fortunately this is the realm of photography students*, not TP.

*some, not all, don't lynch me.
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Its appalling, but I do that.
Our photography teacher was abysmal, and didn't explain anything until the last minute, and so we were forced to go out and take pictures relevant to a theme we were given.
In turn, it caused us to HAVE to write balloni about the photos, since in the exam board's eyes, EVERY photo HAS to have a meaning.

I have 2 pet peeves.
-Badly composed images, i.e. standing there and pointing the camera in the direction of it, rather than really thinking about angles and framing.
-Out of focus images. Seriously, with modern technology, unless your lens is forward or back focusing, it isn't difficult at all to get something in focus.
 
foodpoison said:
Seriously, with modern technology, unless your lens is forward or back focusing, it isn't difficult at all to get something in focus.
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I really disagree with this. I take loads of photos of the children, preferably just playing as I'm not a fan of composed childrens shots personally but find it incredibly difficult to nail the focus, as they're obviously moving all over the place and I try to shoot at f/2.8 or lower because I prefer the impact it gives.

I'm not fast enough to change the settings when the moment comes, so this one which is my personal favourite (posted as a link to keep the thread clean) obviously needs a smaller aperature for both of them to be in focus, but I just had no time!

Being on film doesn't help, obviously I can't review them as I go!

http://sittingbourneSPAMerver.com/downloads/photos/TP_Shared/CNV00013_edited-3.jpg
 
-Out of focus images. Seriously, with modern technology, unless your lens is forward or back focusing, it isn't difficult at all to get something in focus.
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Ever tried manual focusing a nifty fifty ?

Or using my 90-300 ;)
 
My pet hate is this: people taking a low DOF shot of a sign, or bit of writing, and having half of it out of focus. If you're making the text the subject of the photo, then it's strange having half of it fuzzy. Sure, if it's like one corner of a book page or something, fine, but if it's a sign or a single word, get it all in focus.
 
My first thought reading this thread was that you should reply to the offending pictures and tell them (politely) what is wrong so they can learn from it.

Second thought was that there can be so many that you can't just keep replying negatively. I don't like most mono shots I see because they nearly all look like they were made mono for no apparent reason other than they could. Now I probably miss some good pictures as I move on the moment I see mono, so I'm equally guilty of avoiding repeating similar comments. Plus I know hardly anyone would agree with me :lol:
 
NB: Don't get the hump Graverobber, I'm not talking about you in particular, just everybody with a camera....
Anybody who submits an 'unfocussed' image for scrutiny, needs to get their eyes tested.
Agreed.
But how many shots are taken where the mind is unfocussed....
What proportion of digital images taken are ever printed up and framed?
Its generally reckoned to be about 2-3% .
It follows that about 97% of our own images, we think, aren't worth permanently displaying in our own homes, let alone on the w.w.w.
Basic criteria or not, I hope somebody follows my point :suspect:
 
See, that's where personal taste comes into it. Personally I LOVE mono. I always have. I was brought up with my Dad shooting black and white film and now I love loading B&W into my MF and hunting for good mono subjects.

What is my pet hate?
Badly composed landscapes with no real focal point, blown skies and shot on P.
In other words just about every sin other than being OOF!

But..........I've shot more than my fair share of them and trying to eradicate all of these "faults" is not as easy as it sounds. Certainly throwing more kit at it is not the whole answer (although filters do help :))
 
Quite suprisingly, I dont think I have a pet hate/dislike about photography. :eek:

If there is one thing that gets my back up is "lens" :bang: :bang:
 
oldgit said:
If there is one thing that gets my back up is "lens" :bang: :bang:
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Im with you there! As soon as I read it... I get a nasty feeling welling up!! :D
 
I think I follow your point Ivor, I wonder how many of the experts here always have their shots focus pin sharp first press of the shutter button, probably not many, how many frames do they shoot off and get possibly one decent photo. As for beginners as someone earlier said everyone was once a beginner...even the experts.
If OOF pics from a beginner annoy a expert and they can't be bothered to tell the poster how to rectify the problem then how can they learn.

A fact of life there will always be oof photos on a public forum such as TP, if ever TP gets to the stage that it would be a grave crime to post a oof photo cause TP turned too elite then I will be out of here and I'd imagine a few more too.
 
totally agree with the above - there's still plenty of decent comentary that could come even for a shot that a bit OOF about the aspects anyway. Pictures I've posted OOF I'm looking for comments outside of that fact, which is obvious!!
 
OOF photos, if in the correct context dont bother me but my pet hate (stemming from pre-digital days) is the photoshopping of images to within an inch of their life.

Just my opinion :D.
 
All valid points :) My original post was really just asking what your pet peeve is, and in the process I explained what mine was. I'm not saying that people shouldn't post OOF pics in order to get some CC, but that it BUGS me, personally, to the extent I switch to another thread instantly.

My second next worst photo crime is - as some have mentioned - what has become widely known as Photoshopping (although I never use it - I have PSP & ACD) an image so extensively that it can no longer qualify as a photograph. But yet these people still want to know what we think of their 'photography' skills. The answer to that is 'you don't have any!'
 
Grave Robber said:
My second next worst photo crime is - as some have mentioned - what has become widely known as Photoshopping (although I never use it - I have PSP & ACD) an image so extensively that it can no longer qualify as a photograph. But yet these people still want to know what we think of their 'photography' skills. The answer to that is 'you don't have any!'
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Well said. :clap:
 
I know that compared to most of the photo's on here my images are not very good, even rubbish. Some of the comments I've received have indicated that the images are out of focus, it could be my eyes or equipment or more likely, level of experience, but as a near total beginner, they looked ok to me which is why I posted them to get the feedback in the first place.

My biggest sin, is not to do with the pictures posted, but not having the camera with me, when I see something I think might be worth a shot, it happens to me a lot.
 
from Grave Robber:'My second next worst photo crime is - as some have mentioned - what has become widely known as Photoshopping (although I never use it - I have PSP & ACD) an image so extensively that it can no longer qualify as a photograph. But yet these people still want to know what we think of their 'photography' skills. The answer to that is 'you don't have any!'
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'Succint' I think would be an appropriate adjective here! :thumbs:
 
jgs001 said:
I know that compared to most of the photo's on here my images are not very good, even rubbish. Some of the comments I've received have indicated that the images are out of focus, it could be my eyes or equipment or more likely, level of experience, but as a near total beginner, they looked ok to me which is why I posted them to get the feedback in the first place.

My biggest sin, is not to do with the pictures posted, but not having the camera with me, when I see something I think might be worth a shot, it happens to me a lot.
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I try to carry a camera all the time - bought a small compact for that reason. To me it's a better investment than buying another lens or tripod or flash for my DSLR.
 
The one that annoys me, is where people post loads of photos, where there are one or two stunning ones! The rest just seem like padding, I'd rather see one or two photos and be able to give c&c in detail, rather than seeing loads followed by lots of x & y are the best etc...
 
Craikeybaby said:
The one that annoys me, is where people post loads of photos, where there are one or two stunning ones! The rest just seem like padding, I'd rather see one or two photos and be able to give c&c in detail, rather than seeing loads followed by lots of x & y are the best etc...
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To be fair to people on that, it is often the case that they have posted a lot to see what does and doesnt work as they can't decide themselves. I know I have and I am sure many here have also.
 
Thanks GR. The Z2 is too big for a compact, yet smaller than an SLR but is bulky enough to not fit in a pocket. I'll keep an eye out for a small compact.
 
LadyLens said:
To be fair to people on that, it is often the case that they have posted a lot to see what does and doesnt work as they can't decide themselves. I know I have and I am sure many here have also.
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I think it's ok to do that maybe once a day maximum. Some people post loads every day and never bother commenting on anybody else's work - bit selfish I think.
 
jgs001 said:
Thanks GR. The Z2 is too big for a compact, yet smaller than an SLR but is bulky enough to not fit in a pocket. I'll keep an eye out for a small compact.
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I bought a Sony W110, almost a Fuji J10. Both small enough to fit in a shirt or back trouser pocket, not much bigger than a credit card wallet. Some of my best shots were taken with it just because it was there when I needed it!
 
Grave Robber said:
I think it's ok to do that maybe once a day maximum. Some people post loads every day and never bother commenting on anybody else's work - bit selfish I think.
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I was going to agree and defend with Lady lens too ... but yes, now you've clarified, your sooo right!

'Selfish' is a word to describe then, I could think of others ...

Certainly a bit daft for not looking at others posted shots and quickly learning whats wrong with theirs ...its not hard to get an idea of how good or bad there own may be..... incredible the lack of foresight sometimes. :bang:

Thats another photo sin then.... demanding attention for a crap shot, especially when you know its crap. :D

The bolds for them, not you. :thumbs:
 
Grave Robber said:
.... Some people post loads every day and never bother commenting on anybody else's work - bit selfish I think.
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That, /\, not bothering to respond to someome who has given constructive C&C and also removing an image that has got slightly negative feedback are my pet hates :thumbs:
 
Grave Robber said:
I think it's ok to do that maybe once a day maximum. Some people post loads every day and never bother commenting on anybody else's work - bit selfish I think.
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I agree with the thing that posting loads without responding to any one else's is selfish, but only posting one a day or week without responding to anyone elses is equally selfish IMO - but that doesn't mean that everyone that posts loads doesn't make comments on other peoples and learn from the experience, because many do ;)
 
Cobra said:
That, /\, not bothering to respond to someome who has given constructive C&C and also removing an image that has got slightly negative feedback are my pet hates :thumbs:
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I second that ... :thumbs:

... and even if the advice was a bit below there skills, they could at least appreciate the effort to help.

They're only letting themselves down my old gran used to say.
 
Grave Robber said:
But yet these people still want to know what we think of their 'photography' skills. The answer to that is 'you don't have any!'
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Now that's fighting talk.

As much photography is about experimenting with light, digital PP is (or can be) about experimenting with effects. You may not like the result, and I often don't either, but to say that somebody has no photography skills is an insult, as they may well have taken the shot with the pp effects in mind.

Yours is just one opinion, and as we're always being told "Thems are the rules, now go and break them...."

My pet hate: When a model's portfolio consists of nothing other than shots from a camera phone and awful P&S images done in a bedroom....

Other than that, I'm pretty open to look at most things, but it does take a good B&W to turn me on...

Steve
 
Jelster said:
Now that's fighting talk.

As much photography is about experimenting with light, digital PP is (or can be) about experimenting with effects. You may not like the result, and I often don't either, but to say that somebody has no photography skills is an insult, as they may well have taken the shot with the pp effects in mind.

Yours is just one opinion, and as we're always being told "Thems are the rules, now go and break them...."

My pet hate: When a model's portfolio consists of nothing other than shots from a camera phone and awful P&S images done in a bedroom....

Other than that, I'm pretty open to look at most things, but it does take a good B&W to turn me on...

Steve
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I guess I'm jealous at how easy it is to create a good picture with a few software tweaks, compared to trying to do it with very expensive film and having to wait ages to see the results, which were usually disappointing! My point is maybe it's just too easy, and more people should try a fully manual film camera because a really good shot shouldn't need much PP.

If the effects are applied to a good shot to change it from a 'natural' photo to something different - I'm fine with that. Do it myself all the time. But taking a shot with rubbish comp or poor lighting and then artificially enhancing them, or adding 'fake' skies, is going beyond the bounds of phtotgraphy IMO ;)
 
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