DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Side Challenges and Tournaments >> The sub-club
Pages:  
Showing posts 26 - 50 of 112, (reverse)
AuthorThread
06/24/2010 03:42:47 PM · #26
I foresee a very busy July, but please count me in as a student pleaseboth a student+mentor (if possible), and as a mentor if that's not possible. I could provide general advice on composition/perspective/strength-of-story-telling, and a little bit on PP (what processing would suite the mood of an image for example). I mostly use Photoshop, and some Topaz.

Good initiative, Steve!



Message edited by author 2010-06-26 19:35:34.
06/24/2010 04:31:43 PM · #27
Hi Steve (and everyone else),

I love this idea and would really appreciate some help in achieving better shots. I’m pretty good in most areas of photography except for camera settings, subject choice, composition, lighting, and especially post processing. Come to think of it, the only thing I’m good at with photography is appreciating the skills of those who know what they’re doing (and wondering why the hell I can’t do the same). Please accept me as one of your students.

I use RawShooter Essentials 2006 for raw conversion (only started shooting raw a few weeks ago) and Photoshop 6.0.

Cheers,
Phil
06/24/2010 04:42:02 PM · #28
I use CS4, topaz, and a little silver Efex.
06/24/2010 07:09:00 PM · #29
So what happens in July? Do we review an entry from June a week? I can see it getting difficult!
I'm excited about this :)
06/24/2010 09:15:33 PM · #30
I'd be interested. However, if my vacation request is fulfilled, I will likely have limited input from July 11-17ish.
Working with CS4, Photomatix 3.2.9 (Pro+Plugin), Topaz Detail 2 & DeNoise 4 & ReMask 2, Silver Efex Pro, Color EFEX Pro 3.
Also have knowledge of Nik Dfine 2, Capture NX 1.3, and Viveza, though they aren't my primary workhorses these days.
I'll have to verify what versions of some of these I'm using a bit later.

Message edited by author 2010-06-25 06:25:54.
06/24/2010 09:58:46 PM · #31
I'm in if you want me, Steve. CS2 & Topaz Adjust. I'm not much on technicals, but since all of my photography knowledge is for the most part empirical, maybe I can be of some help with people who aren't so much looking for technical help as feedback by impression.
06/24/2010 10:05:19 PM · #32
Sounds fun... I use Aperture and Canon SLR almost exclusively and my average is right plum in the center @ 5.5xx :)
I agree some shots just can't really be improved easily but creative editing can make some a lot more interesting and dynamic.
Not sure how busy I'll be in July but if you guys want my POV I'm in.
06/24/2010 10:06:18 PM · #33
Just another idea.. I would be happy to also serve as a sounding board for challenge entries as well...

Perhaps that would be a very, very good application of this effort... Up to Spiff (how / if) (I / we) (should / could) fill that role as part of the Sub-Club.. --( As an aside, that cursed name reminds me of the "Slug Club", from Harry Potter.. ..N/M..)

Message edited by author 2010-06-24 22:07:44.
06/24/2010 10:58:43 PM · #34
Can I get in? (as a player/student obviously).

I would like to have DJWoodward as a couch, because I am a PSE "user" and don't know how to properly use it.

Edit to fix punctuation.

Message edited by author 2010-06-24 22:59:36.
06/25/2010 08:12:31 AM · #35
Originally posted by jotaga:

Can I get in? (as a player/student obviously).

I would like to have DJWoodward as a coach, because I am a PSE "user" and don't know how to properly use it.

Edit to fix punctuation.

Heck, I'd like to have DJWoodward as a coach just 'cause of his eye!
06/25/2010 08:21:54 AM · #36
If you need any more people - I'd like to give it a go. I have a fair history of offering feedback in the Free Studies, shoot slightly above the 5.5 range and spend a lot of time editing. I have Photoshop CS4 but mainly use Nik software via Aperture 3. I have Viveza 1 and 2, Color Efex Pro, Silver Efex Pro, Define 2, Pro Sharpener and Hydra as an HDR tool.
06/25/2010 08:59:19 AM · #37
Originally posted by paulbtlw:

...I have a fair history of offering feedback in the Free Studies...


"fair"?

it was your comment on a 4.4 free study of mine last year that got me hooked on dpc. it was the perfect mix of honest criticism and sound advice with a healthy compliment thrown in. i envy the student(s) that get to work with you

Joe
06/25/2010 12:34:23 PM · #38
We've got more coaches than players at the moment, thanks. I'm sure some others will want to get in on getting some personal help.
06/25/2010 12:41:57 PM · #39
I wonder why more people arent signing up!!! I think everyone who is sub 5 would want to participate!!! I for one cant wait!! July is going to be a good month... 3 classes and this!!! wahoooooooo
06/25/2010 12:42:28 PM · #40
Can you give us an idea of how you reckon this'll work? As in what do the students have to do? And the coaches?

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

We've got more coaches than players at the moment, thanks. I'm sure some others will want to get in on getting some personal help.

I might need two coaches.

Message edited by author 2010-06-25 12:42:53.
06/25/2010 01:07:32 PM · #41
Originally posted by NiallOTuama:

Can you give us an idea of how you reckon this'll work? As in what do the students have to do? And the coaches?

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

We've got more coaches than players at the moment, thanks. I'm sure some others will want to get in on getting some personal help.

I might need two coaches.


I'm giving some thought to that right now, as the response has been large. I think it might work best if the "players" try to team up with one or two "coaches" that use a lot of the same software. Being in tech support, I know that looking at the same thing as the person you are helping makes a huge difference.

I think the main discussions are best kept in the image comments and PM's, otherwise the main postng thread will get to be a mess of dozens of separate discussions. Post initial out of the camera shots and results in the main thread. Anyone interested can easily go read the details in the comments.
06/26/2010 09:15:44 AM · #42
I'm in. although I think most of the time my sub 5's are due to intentionally entering non dpc friendly shots but some are just editing errors.

I use Lightroom 2 and PSE6, also have topaz adjust and Photomatix.

Message edited by author 2010-06-26 09:16:38.
06/26/2010 06:57:33 PM · #43
Steve, I'll bow out as my knowledge is spotty and with no actual learned pointers.....strictly empirical. I hae lots I should be working on myself.
06/26/2010 09:17:04 PM · #44
Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Steve, I'll bow out as my knowledge is spotty and with no actual learned pointers.....strictly empirical. I hae lots I should be working on myself.

Understood. Being able to produce the killer shots and being able to convey how you accomplish it is not always easy. I can tell someone exactly what I did and they will produce something completely different. There is an element of intuition and feel to it, I think.

I do think your input would be valuable however, and I hope you will pop in and leave some of that empirical insight.
06/26/2010 11:00:41 PM · #45
Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Steve, I'll bow out as my knowledge is spotty and with no actual learned pointers.....strictly empirical. I hae lots I should be working on myself.


"Empirical" is only summoning up images of Darth Vader, to me. However, if it means anything, I've always enjoyed your work and style. Especially, the "abandoned" stuff...

We suck.

Give us a hand, bro...

8-)
06/26/2010 11:20:56 PM · #46
Well, "empirical" is the opposite of "theoretical", basically; it's real-world learning vs book learning. I'm not sure why anyone would think empirical was of less value in the pursuit of craft than theoretical. Me, I'd think it was MORE valuable...

R.
06/27/2010 04:34:49 AM · #47
I volunteer to be a coach/mentor (if you feel that's the best spot) - don't know if you need any extra since you have 9 already.

Software options: PS CS3, PS CS5, Elements 4/6, Aperture 3, Nik Color/Silver Efex, Viveza, Alien Skin Exposure, Photomatix, Topaz (although I don't particularly like this tool so am no expert), Lucis Arts 3. All on a Mac.

06/27/2010 07:03:43 AM · #48
Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Well, "empirical" is the opposite of "theoretical", basically; it's real-world learning vs book learning. I'm not sure why anyone would think empirical was of less value in the pursuit of craft than theoretical. Me, I'd think it was MORE valuable...

R.


Oh, Robert's right, why am I not surprised by that?

Actually this whole exercise is partially empirical in that a picture is posted, yer mentor clicks on the thumbnail and sees the picture. That is an empirical observation. Sending a satellite up to take pictures of the dark side of the moon is a way to collect empirical data, as opposed to the speculative kind (where you sort of guess what's there).

Anyway, whatever side of the moon you may prefer, empirical data is rock solid. What I think Jeb is worried about is his lack of experience and reference to the way we talk about pictures.

That's not all that surprising, because the language in use in commenting and so on can be pretty nebulous - or even cloudy if you don't like the latinate terms.

I'm not about to contribute anything here, so my apologies for running off at the mouth, but the suggestion that are made as to how a picture may be improved are likely to diverge from the empirical basis of the picture itself and go off into the meta-pictorial language of subject and composition and dead space and 'I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be looking at' and on and on...

That's not necessarily a bad thing, it's just the way it is. I may even check out this thread and related activity just to look at that language and the little communication paradigm within which we hope it works.

So don't be no stranger, Jeb. You've done walked the walk so now you just tune in and see how they talk the talk. Then you tell them, right?

The idea of listing software that's used and available is double clever. Grog thought of that one, right?
06/27/2010 08:47:49 AM · #49
IMO it's not always only technical savvy, or gear, or software, or PP. I can always use those tips, don't get me wrong, but what I'm especially hoping for is just someone else's eye & honesty. I already got 2 great remarks--"it looks flat" & "try zooming the lens while moving the camera." I'd like to improve my score, because that would probably mean I'm improving my technicals. But I would really like to improve my ability to see my own work as though it were someone else's. I don't get that much criticism (or give it). It helps if you "know" the person you are offering critical remarks to, & can establish a dialog & there's less risk of misunderstanding/hurt feelings. I'm looking forward to it, whoever my coach will be--thanks in advance!
06/27/2010 08:54:38 AM · #50
I think I've got a good idea on how the sub-club might work.

Why not localise the sub-club on each submission to a competition? So we just comment on the photo in the competition. That way our tutors can put their suggestions, we can try it, and post on the original submission thread, and that way we can easily see the difference between the submitted photo and the enhanced (hopefully!) one. If it takes a few rounds to get the right image, great. We can see the progression to the final product.
I think that'd be the best way to work this.

How does that sound?

Message edited by author 2010-06-27 08:55:39.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 04:55:40 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 04:55:40 PM EDT.