Alonso wrote on Jan 6^th, 2007 at 5:22pm:


I'm not quite sure what you mean. I have no problem with these types of shots (after all, who am I to say who should post what?), it's just that I'm wondering why people make such a big deal out of them. It just seems a little shallow, to me.

personaly i find that if someone posts shots and say comments welcome, if it negative its stilla comment, to give someone a negative comment + some tips is kinder than not replying.

Sgt Donut... I agree...  its better to have the things pointed out that should be changed, effects improved, or such... then someone not to point those things out. If the poster of the image takes that advice positivly then it will improve the type of shots they produce. Improving not only their personal skills but insuring that in the future, they recieve acknolagment for there creativity and work.

I dont think though... that phototextures or scenery is a negative in this case though.... real photgraphers use all sorts of tricks to "pose" the best shots... lens, lighting, and such... so it cant be taken away from the posters here to use the best tools available to them to create the best shot.

the shot may not be the best out there.... but the wow factor is not really the scenery or the paint job... but the "realness" of the shot... does it give you the sense that you are seeing it real time... is this what it would look like if you were there....

waspiflab wrote on Jan 16^th, 2007 at 11:18am:



It seems you didn't carefully read what I was saying. So I'll try to cover the main points I was aiming to get across.

I haven't got any problems with photoreal textures. I haven't got any problems with people taking screenshots of photoreal textures as they can really enhance a screenshot (and your Flight Sim alike). Nor did I criticise the shots that I posted (from your thread). In fact, for one I said:

"This shot, from the same thread, I feel is far better, as it combines more elements to make it a good shot:

http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/erngerngr.jpg "


Anyway...


Photoreal textures can enhance a screenshot, as Dave says. However, a bad screenshot is a bad screenshot, and no amount of fantastic photoreal texturing can change that. Perhaps it can make it look a little better, but if it's not a good screenshot in the first place, it won't be after sticking a photo in it. It's the fact that I don't understand why people seem to think that's the case.

One of my favourite aircraft at the minute is Warwick Carter's P-51 and believe it or not, I'm only fly it in a photoreal paint, because it does make the aircraft look better.

To demonstrate my main point, I've just gone and taken this handful of shots. Seeing as I've taken them, I can rip them all I like without people threatening to leave because everyone's being too nasty.


     


These first two shots, in my eyes, are crap. Simple as that. I've not put any effort into making them look good. No imagination whatsoever, I just took off an hit the print screen key a couple of times. The only thing nice about these shots is the photoreal paint on the Mustang, but that doesn't save them from being bland, boring and unimaginitive.

Yet I've seen screenshots similar to these (I use the term 'similar' in the loosest sense) hailed with highly flattering comments, when if you really think about it, they're not particularly good shots at all.

This next shot I feel is much better. For one I'm securing in the knowledge that I used my head when taking the shot. I tried out different lighting, weather, scenery, angles. And when you compare it to the two shots above, it shows.



Even then, I don't feel that this shot is worthy of overly enthusiastic appraisal. I could do better. But I know for sure that it's more deserving of praise than the other two, even if you don't think it's any good yourself.


And although it's all down to the individual, I just hope that people think a little harder about what constitutes a good, great, or downright awful screenshot!

waspiflab wrote on Jan 16^th, 2007 at 4:56pm:


My scenery isn't default. I've got it as good as I want, without having to fork out on payware at least.

waspiflab wrote on Jan 16^th, 2007 at 4:56pm:


As do I. Who doesn't?

waspiflab wrote on Jan 16^th, 2007 at 4:56pm:


I can't see how age comes into it.

waspiflab wrote on Jan 16^th, 2007 at 4:56pm:


I have absolutely no idea what you're on about!

Want to have my two (euro)cents? No? Have them as well 
If I happen to read others' comments to screenshots (which I admittedly not always do), that never changes what I think about a shot: if I like it, I like it (and more often than not, I post to let the author know I liked it), if I don't like it I just walk on by. In one way or the other, I could never possibly be upset by someone giving enthusiastic comments about a shot I didn't like, or vice versa trashing a shot I liked. It just doesn't affect me, and I'm bothered 0% by it. Although I *do* get touchy if the screenshot is mine, that goes w/o saying 
After all, are we flight simmers or sim artists? I could guess both, but as for me, I feel I'm 99% the former and 1% the latter... the most important thing is taking that baby up in the blue sky (and hopefully down again), coming back with a good photoreportage is a plus.

Short version: it's not important at the point of arguing about it, let's take it easy. 

Believe me, I don't get upset about things like this, but isn't this the whole purpose of the Studio? To express your thoughts and improve upon your 'screenart'?