Why do people like the 'wrong' pictures?

[kundalini]

Why do people like the 'wrong' pictures?

I prefer bacon as a breakfast meat while others will choose sausage. Neither choice is right or wrong, unless you ask my General Practioner.

But then again...... on certain days when I wish to treat myself (and overnight guest) I will cook up some country ham and make red-eye gravy, then put (proper) Baileys in my coffee instead of Coffee Mate's French Vanilla.

At the end of the day, there is no rhyme or reason for people's preferences.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Because as a rule people like breaking rules.

Joe public may be sick of seeing the same cliche' perfectly exposed and composed "all 6 rules of composition" pics that they've been seeing since wooden box cams in the 1800's. And thats even though Ansel Adams and my professors state its OK to break the rules

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

:roll:

 

[chuasam]

because the first one is a good picture and the second one isn't.
First one I see a happy laughing child, the second one seems like a badly taken passport photo.

 

[thereyougo!3]

I took my camera to the park today to get some shots of my friends family. I took some half way decent shots and a bunch of just snapshot candid type. I posted them up on Facebook for her to see and everyone likes the one I put NO thought into, while the ones that I worked extra hard on get no accolades from the family! OK, rant off...

This is the one that everyone likes..

This one is my favorite.

What do you think?

Why do YOU prefer the second one?

 

[Balmiesgirl]

Why did the like the one you didn't? .....Because you showed them all of the pics. When I was doing weddings and portraits I learned only to show them ones I would like them to pick for prints. It seems like Murphy's law... They r going to pick the one you wish they hadn't.

 

[Ysarex89 83]

The problem with the 2nd photo is contrast and color. The tone response is extremely compressed and the color is very blue.

Joe

 

[The_Traveler]

I've tried finding a way to calibrate my monitor but nothing seems to work...

If that looks good on your monitor, the monitor is way too bright.
I don't understand that 'nothing seems to work'; could you enlarge on that?

 

[jwbryson1]

The problem with the 2nd photo is contrast and color. The tone response is extremely compressed and the color is very blue.

Joe

The problem with the second one is that his head is half cut off.

 

[Granddad]

I like the laughing, happy looking kid in the swing, too. Since this seems to be what most people like, maybe this is the type of photo you should be aiming for when you take pictures for other people? That's my two cents worth but bear in mind that I'm heavily biased towards "action" photography.

 

[thereyougo!3]

I'm still interested why the OP likes the second more than the first as for me the first is a better picture. Yes it's not sharp as it could be, but it has got some energy to it. The second was underexposed and the top of his head has been chopped off. People will tend to like candid, fun shots because they show some of the child's character.

The best picture is NOT necessarily the best exposed or sharp picture. The best one is the one that speaks most to the spectator. A photo could perfectly exposed, perfectly focussed and follow the rule of thirds, but if it doesn't speak to people, it has failed its mission.

 

[momo3boys]

Why do YOU prefer the second one?

I'm not totally sure, I have been really focusing on eyes lately and this little boys eyes really struck me. He was very serious this day so the smiles were few and far between, and mostly only hidden behind his hands or other objects. I guess this one really felt like it captured the day.

Why did the like the one you didn't? .....Because you showed them all of the pics. When I was doing weddings and portraits I learned only to show them ones I would like them to pick for prints. It seems like Murphy's law... They r going to pick the one you wish they hadn't.

Actually it wasn't anything like that. I just have been bringing my camera everywhere I go because I've been doing the 365 project and I met my friends at the park. It just seemed the the picture that I thought I spent more time on, was the one that they really didn't notice.

I've tried finding a way to calibrate my monitor but nothing seems to work...

If that looks good on your monitor, the monitor is way too bright.
I don't understand that 'nothing seems to work'; could you enlarge on that?

I looked for programs that my monitor could use, and I followed the direction from the manufacturer but my auto doesn't work. I should call the manufacturer but my time has been more focused on my children and their schooling currently. I just saw from gipson the hardware that I could by but I literally need to by my children shoes so I have to choose the shoes! lol

I'm still interested why the OP likes the second more than the first as for me the first is a better picture. Yes it's not sharp as it could be, but it has got some energy to it. The second was underexposed and the top of his head has been chopped off. People will tend to like candid, fun shots because they show some of the child's character.

The best picture is NOT necessarily the best exposed or sharp picture. The best one is the one that speaks most to the spectator. A photo could perfectly exposed, perfectly focussed and follow the rule of thirds, but if it doesn't speak to people, it has failed its mission.

I guess when I started this thread I was expecting more people to agree with me. I definitely see your points. When I second shoot at weddings I do the more candid shots. I think I was more focused on the technical side of things instead of my usual emotional side. Thank you all for the advice and perspective.

 

[thereyougo!3]

Well that is why photography is so hard. You can get all the technical elements of the shot perfect and still there is every chance that it will not speak to people because it lacks the 'X Factor' that certain something that gives it a connection with their emotions.