View Full Version : Photo editing and its impact on shots entering a competition.
Take St Abbs splash in as an example, all entries had to come direct of a memory card. A steward verified the first shot on the card before entering the water and verified the last. Very little editing was allowed. OK I suppose it’s a measure of protection from some scammer shooting shots a few days before but it gives them with the most money an unjust advantage.
In the film (spit) days it perhaps had relevance. A steady hand, good speed/exposure settings and clever light control made a good shot.
But as far as I am concerned nowadays all digital cameras manipulate the images on board to some extent. Just some more than others. How is a bloke with a good eye and a simple camera ever supposed to compete against a top of the range camera that has super sharp ED lenses, electronic image stabilisation, sophisticated metering and shutter control ever going to top one of them setups?
If we could see the raw shots of the super set ups you would see a totally different picture, and I bet a different set of winning results.
IanStevenson
04-12-07, 17:02
I agree completely.
I think the rules were originally meant to protect the enthusiastic amateur. To ensure that the guy with a realatively cheap camera wasn't consistently beaten by the guy with the sophisticated darkroom kit for cropping/enlarging/correcting colour etc, because shots had to be "as taken".
With digital photography, the equation has changed. You still have to capture the original image, but originals from a relatively cheap camera will seldom compete with those from a top-end DSLR unless you're allowed to correct contrast, colour etc. Why not even allow creative effects such as converting to B&W?
I suppose you could get into arguments about the price of photoshop still excluding amateurs (I use Paint Shop Pro which is much cheaper though), or laptop ownership etc.
You could also get into a situation where it was very difficult to "prove" to the judges that the image submitted was taken on the day, although that could be solved by submitting the raw image from the memory card immediately for verification against your finished image.
There could also be arguments about what level of enhancement is allowed. Cropping, rotation, colour balance, contrast etc are clearly OK, I think adding fake lens flare or depth of field effects are probably OK too. In fact, personally I would allow "cartoonisation" or "oil painting" effects as long as the original image was recognisable.
I'd like to see the current "picture as taken" category augmented with a "best underwater image" category. Here you would have to produce an image derived from a photo taken on the day, using any tools you like.
Ultimately better kit will always give better results, as better skill underwater will always give better results too. However it brings back scope for the budget photographer to do something creative and get credit for it, rather than having to sit an look time after time at images taken on £5k plus rigs getting all the attention!
Ian
I suppose one way round this would be for you to decide which pic you wanted to submit and then some sort of record made of this image by the people running the competition, then going away, tweaking the pic or whatever and submit the finished pic. Only entries that matched the orginial submission would be allowable. You would not be able to change your mind. Only the final images would be the ones seen by the judges.
That may possibly even things up a bit?
I'm sure someone will find a flaw in this idea:)
not to drag up an old thread, but I disagree. One of the most common complaints when people buy a dslr for the first time is that their images lack the 'punch' they were used to seeing in their compact camera and then start on a lengthy process of upgrading all their kit as fast as possible. DSLRs do much less in the way of in-camera editting than compacts, unless you specifically program them to. For 'straight out the camera' images, you may well find that folk with dslrs are at a disadvantage to an extent.
Of course, there's the argument that anyone with an SLR camera is a better photographer because they're serious enough to put in that level of investment (I don't agree with this though - like saying Ferrari owners are better drivers...).
I see the logic in Zan's argument. Compacts with their multitude of scene modes for various conditions will all heavily tweak the raw data. Whereas if I had the spare money to get a DSLR I would be pretty upset if the camera was messing around with what my fancy lenses where sending to the CCD.
I also know there are people getting much better shots with middle of the road compacts than some are getting with expensive gear.
If your compact has numerous settings then spending the time to understand what they all do and the effects you can achieve can make a huge difference to the images "processed" by the camera. Whereas if you jump in the water with your mode dial set to auto and expect to stand a chance in a comp then hell slap it in to you.
I found this on the web the other day - a continuous underwater photo competition. There are about 20 entries a day and they judge it once a month and at the end of the year. Interesting to see a british guy won the overall prize last year - with most of his pictures taken in Capernwray Quarry!
http://www.underwaterphotography.com/photo-contest/default.aspx?n=y
I found this on the web the other day - a continuous underwater photo competition. There are about 20 entries a day and they judge it once a month and at the end of the year. Interesting to see a british guy won the overall prize last year - with most of his pictures taken in Capernwray Quarry!
http://www.underwaterphotography.com/photo-contest/default.aspx?n=y
Hi Shmeeg. Spotted yer nice shot of the Captain Dan alleyway in the competition. Gave it me vote of support for C/A member.:D
P.S. it looks a lot darker on that site, :confused: it lost the R.O.Thirds impact the fish in the alley gave it. Ya been p.shoppin it .
For 'straight out the camera' images, you may well find that folk with dslrs are at a disadvantage to an extent.
..).
Dissadvantaged :rolleyes: Until I get a DSLR I am gonna take pleasure in being able to blame me poor old camera for my lack of shooting skills.
You lot just have to point them DSLR supa doopas in the right direction to rattle off a half dozen beautifully sharp shots per second. If yer waggle it round a bit a few of the shots will accidentally come out well composed. :D:D:
Just kidding, I am well envious and realize them beasts must take a load of user input to get the best from them. :cool:
Hi Shmeeg. Spotted yer nice shot of the Captain Dan alleyway in the competition. Gave it me vote of support for C/A member.:D
P.S. it looks a lot darker on that site, :confused: it lost the R.O.Thirds impact the fish in the alley gave it. Ya been p.shoppin it .
No - all I did was clone out the coral as you suggested. Unfortunately I don't have photoshop (yet).
PS thanks for the vote