every weekend and every saints day as i remember

Everybody votes for pretty pictures...and that's one of them. Nice use of source, Mir.


Take this recent win...
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/155269/votes.html
only 36 votes, it's laughable.

I agree Eve, this vote count is laughable. I think the cause of our declining vote tallies is in the divided interests placed on each member by too many ancillary contests and other distractions that take a member's finite time away from PSC's main business; the daily comps.

The vote count is besides the point. People voted for it and they had a reason, it's those reasons that we need to point out here so people can understand why an image stands out more than the rest or why it doesn't what ever the case may be.

For me this image http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/155269/votes.html has a good composition which fills up most of the space in the image, the muted background colours complement the brighter colours in the foreground. This image also had movement which make the eyes roam all over the canvas keeping one interested for longer. There is also an element of humour in it which gives it a light hearted feel. Technically it is very well executed, well cut from the former background and well integrated into the new. Therefore all in all this is a very pleasing image.

perhaps, Tarmac, but the ScavyHunters are still looking at the daily comps. And, if not, well, they should be.

What pains me more is the lack of "recognition" from those whom we admire. If it wasn't for Anfa, Claf, Rey, etc., I'd be long gone from this site.

Ummmmm.....

...obvious vote whoring....

Mir, first I want to apologize for hijacking this thread. I didn't really mean to do that. I think what Eve was addressing is a particularly painful problem of our site, without an obvious solution in sight. I also think what you are trying to address with your thread here, is EXACTLY what I want PSC to be. A learning and growing site. Using open discussions of techniques, analysis, and group experimentation.

As for critiquing the works of others, I only feel comfortable doing so if I know I can do better than what it is they put up for vote or comment, otherwise I prefer to be silently respectful and just absorb.

OBTW Trey ... here's your Bacon ...

And your point?

Tarmac, you've been on topic, imho.

*glares at Trey*

For me a good chop is often about that fantastic idea that stands out and makes me say "Why didn't I think of that!"
Some of may faves....

I love a bit of blisteringly good execution....


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/109186/stepping-up.html


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/135535/green-seat-part-8.html


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/132404/sea-nymph-updated.html


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/104302/demon.html

and a good all source manip...


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/133084/easy-escape.html


http://photoshopcontest.com/tournament/view/501/display.html

breaking the laws of physics is always good...


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/90546/moving-in.html


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/88126/gravity.html

a good switcheroo.....


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/115219/golf-switcheroo.html

a funny story...


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/76937/display.html


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/103855/turtle-crossing.html

a clever use of source...


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/95381/happy-sweet-16-darling.html


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/89669/shamouse.html


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/93731/twister-incoming.html


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/67664/display.html


http://photoshopcontest.com/tournament/view/616/display.html


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/117717/nighthawks.html


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/81263/the-hunt.html

a bit of cloning brilliance....


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/95190/friday-staff-meeting.html

some seamless giffy magic...


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/128240/rock-star-gif.html


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/115086/migration-loop-gif.html

and brilliantly seeing something in an image that others may not...


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/66647/display.html


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/107312/exploring.html


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/134123/impressions-updated.html

and lastly, a bit of pi55 funny humour...


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/69796/display.html


http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/69815/display.html

WOW Bigbuck that is a great, now there is a lot to analyse!! Thanks.

Ok this has a lot of really good qualities.

The main thing that pulls this together is the obvious sun and light.
the overlay of the same light on the externals and the Source makes this very believable. Then as the overall layout,it is classic art form.The light coming from the focal point "Sun" pulls your eyes to the sides that are balanced by the dark foliage on the left and the white waves on the right. The waves add movement to the piece and the Dune Buggy in the background adds a lot of depth and also tells the story of why the tracks are in the sand.
I really don't have anything negative to say about this picture.
I am using for my desktop.

I think it is enough abstract. Our perceptions can differ a lot for different reasons. From an image, some can see a great idea or execution when others can only see a boring image. It can be a matter of taste, or a matter of being able to understand well the complexity of the work done, to have the capacity to see the difference between good or bad execution, etc...
I don't know if someone can explain clearly what makes an entry doing well or bad. I think I can't.
Sometimes I feel it is just obvious why an entry did very well or very bad, and in other cases I don't understand why an image
did very well or not so well.
I'm sometimes a bit lost...

But I think here the deal is about improving your skills, your taste (yes, it is like wine... you need to drink wine often to know more about it), to learn how to make good observations... it is not so much about votes and stuff like that...

For me, before anything else, a good chop is about a great idea. And what can help to bring a very good idea to another level is a great composition (especially about aestheticism) and great execution.
Sometimes it doesn't necessarily need a so big effort...
It can be simple and easy. Here's an example: http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/88151/darts.html

I'll come back later on this thread...