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11/21/2004 01:07:29 AM · #26 |
You have your work cut out for you! Great idea wish there was one of these when I started :)
Please include that even though there is a preference box on your profile setup to see nude photos or to view age appropriate material that there are kids around making it a family site. also this is a placefor photography education.....'There is nothing wrong with them so long as DPCs rules or making it tastefull fit in. This may imply with tobacco, alchohol, drugs or other under age subjects. It is stated in the rules and I am quite surprised a number of photos have not been DQed.
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11/21/2004 01:21:03 AM · #27 |
Great idea Clara :)
What about ......don't post threads in the forum with your challenge image or discussing/identifying your challenge entry while the challenge is still being voted on.
So that the newbies guide is not too long and overwhelming links to the other topics would be great e.g how to resize an image (that defeated me for a long time) and thumbnails
sue |
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11/21/2004 03:30:10 AM · #28 |
Originally posted by nova:
Originally posted by Gurilla:
Outtakes, when is it acceptable to post.
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Now that you mention it, Gurilla, this newbie wants to know, just when IS it acceptable to post outtakes? I didn't realize that sometimes it isn't.
I like your idea, blemt, for the Newbie Guide, and appreciate your willingness to take on such a task. It would be helpful. |
Unwritten rule: Normally people will wait untill at least the voting has started on that challenge. Otherwise it could influence someones entry if they have something similar. |
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11/21/2004 03:35:21 AM · #29 |
At 5ft 3"{ do I qualify for a free meal!!!LOLOriginally posted by Bolti:
I like to feed trolls..... why can't I? They might starve!!!!
I do not agree... |
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11/21/2004 04:12:12 AM · #30 |
I'd make these the top points when trying to make an image which will score high at DPC (as opposed to an image which may be just as good, or better, or more meaningful to you, but which won't score as high here):
When considering the challenge:
- Use a very literal interpretation of the challenge. If you have any doubts as to your own interpretation, otheres will too, and they'll mark you down for it.
When shooting:
- COMPOSITION, LIGHT, SUBJECT. Important in that order.
- The quality of the photo is more important than the subject. A great picture of a doorknob will beat a lousy picture of the Dalai Lama riding a mechanical bull.
- Ask yourself if your subject is interesting to other people. Personal stuff isn't interesting unless the picture of it is good. Don't expect people to mark a photo high because your dog Flopsy is just oh so cute.
- Consider: light, light and light. If you haven't thought of light when taking the photo, chances are it's going to look bad.
- Simplify. Make the photo as simple and as striking as possible. People are going to look at if for 2 seconds before voting. Visually striking is very, very important.
- Make sure that your subject is in focus. There are certain exceptions, but generally voters like sharp focus.
When processing:
- Adjust contrast! Low contrast is a killer.
- Make sure to have at least one side of the final image at 640 pixels.
- Learn how to use Unsharp Mask. Look it up if you don't know what that is. People here like sharp photos.
When submitting:
- Don't give your photo a long stupid title like "5 PM and Dale is cooking the hot dogs LOL!!!". Make the title simple, short and clear.
- Don't use the title to shoehorn the image into the challenge.
After submitting:
- Don't post to the forums that your image is good and that it deserves to be marked higher. It may be good but it's not what people like here.
After the challenge is over:
- Look at the shots which beat yours and analyze them. What did their photographers do? Chances are, the photos are simple and striking. They pay attention to light, composition and subject and have a 'wow' factor which you need to emulate.
Message edited by author 2004-11-21 04:17:04.
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11/21/2004 05:23:06 AM · #31 |
Way to step up to the plate Clara!
Great idea. Wish there was one when I started. I'm sure you'll do many a people great service.
Lot's of good suggestions already. I'd like to really stress the one on sizing your submissions, it took me 3 challenges and the help of Toocool to get that right. lol
Another suggestion is, a strong reminder/encouragement that when preparing to vote on or enter/think of an idea for a challenge, READ the challenge details, it could save people from some of the misintrepretation issues that seem to constantly arise.
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11/21/2004 09:48:46 AM · #32 |
And a bump for the Sunday morning crowd. :) What things would have made your life easier as a DPC newbie?
Clara
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11/21/2004 09:52:33 AM · #33 |
It's been so long I can't remember... but then I can't remember what I had for breakfast half the time, LOL.
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11/21/2004 10:22:44 AM · #34 |
Originally posted by blemt:
And a bump for the Sunday morning crowd. :) What things would have made your life easier as a DPC newbie?
Clara |
...remember that little inner exuberance that you felt when you first clicked the button to sign up - that "Wow...a place where other people share my interest and hobby and I can learn and grow and show what I've got."
...remember to NOT let the negative commenters and forum posters get to you. The personal satisfaction of having a shot that YOU like, that YOU appreciate, that means something to YOU is the key.
...remember to ask for help, guidance, and/or direction. I have yet to find anyone that won't answer a question or give me guidance when I ask.
...remember that most everybody here is just like you...with intelligence, feelings, and a willingness to learn through constructive criticism.
...remember that there is a human being attached to the "other side" of a user ID.
...remember to HAVE FUN. This isn't life or death. This isn't rocket science. It isn't the end of the world if you score below 5 (or 4 even, or 3). It's a place for comraderie, interaction, and learning. Some people tend to lose sight of that and only focus on virtual ribbons.
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11/21/2004 02:10:08 PM · #35 |
Originally posted by jimmythefish:
- Use a very literal interpretation of the challenge. If you have any doubts as to your own interpretation, otheres will too, and they'll mark you down for it. |
Gah! That would absolutely kill any slender chance of ever getting creative interpretations accepted in the challenges. Cue 100 newbies shooting clocks and voting anything but clocks down.
Originally posted by jimmythefish:
- Simplify. Make the photo as simple and as striking as possible. People are going to look at if for 2 seconds before voting. Visually striking is very, very important. |
Hey, that's my secret formula you're handing out there :P
Originally posted by jimmythefish:
- Don't post to the forums that your image is good and that it deserves to be marked higher. It may be good but it's not what people like here. |
- Do feel free to post to the forums asking for advice on how your shot could be improved.
While what you're saying is true, and some points should be in a newbie guide for sure, I'm not sure I like the idea of pushing every n00b down the same path. Let them find their own paths and bring their own creativity into the challenges.
Clara - the site has been needing something like this for a while. Best of luck with it : )
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11/21/2004 02:38:44 PM · #36 |
Originally posted by bod:
Originally posted by jimmythefish:
- Use a very literal interpretation of the challenge. If you have any doubts as to your own interpretation, otheres will too, and they'll mark you down for it. |
Gah! That would absolutely kill any slender chance of ever getting creative interpretations accepted in the challenges. Cue 100 newbies shooting clocks and voting anything but clocks down. |
The strict interpretation is where the challenge is -- although there are those who insist on stating every challenge is 'a free study with ...'. Although I don't think the newbies really need to be told this, as they will figure it out quickly enough by the low scores given to images that only marginally meet the challenge. But, maybe they do need it, it might just cut down on the score whining after the challenge is over.
Creativity is limitless, but when allowed to roam unbounded its vastness is rarely experienced. Constrain creativity to a confined space and one will find, that while the space is bounded, creativity remains limitless. By this the challenges stretch and excercise the creativity of the participants.
That said, however, the limitations of the challenges also limit the ability of the photographer by confining them with unfamiliar bonds. I have seen many, on this site, tire of being bound and want to allow their creativity to roam freely against those they have competed against while bound. The point being; Free Studies don't come often enough, and with the insistance on them being unpredictable the photographers are unable to look forward to them. We need more, and more predictable, free studies to allow a break from being bound.
David
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11/21/2004 03:05:04 PM · #37 |
Originally posted by blemt:
And a bump for the Sunday morning crowd. :) What things would have made your life easier as a DPC newbie?
Clara |
Define "bump" - took me a while to figure out what it meant |
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11/21/2004 03:20:00 PM · #38 |
Originally posted by Britannica:
The strict interpretation is where the challenge is -- although there are those who insist on stating every challenge is 'a free study with ...'. |
And me, sat in the middle somewhere!
Originally posted by Britannica:
Creativity is limitless, but when allowed to roam unbounded its vastness is rarely experienced. Constrain creativity to a confined space and one will find, that while the space is bounded, creativity remains limitless. By this the challenges stretch and excercise the creativity of the participants. |
But a ten-point-plan of what you "must" do before you enter will just stomp all over creativity. It will still be limitless, but will have a hard time getting back up off the floor.
Anyway, I've made my point - too much guidance is as bad as too little - and don't want to take this thread too far off-track, so I hand you back to your scheduled programming ...
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11/21/2004 10:44:58 PM · #39 |
bump a dee bump bump...:)
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11/21/2004 11:00:41 PM · #40 |
1. A bit about EXIF. What it is. Where to find it.
2. Reminder to check camera settings for accurate date/time...especially a.m./p.m. to be sure your photo is dated within the challenge period.
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11/21/2004 11:10:33 PM · #41 |
Originally posted by bod:
Originally posted by Britannica:
Creativity is limitless, but when allowed to roam unbounded its vastness is rarely experienced. Constrain creativity to a confined space and one will find, that while the space is bounded, creativity remains limitless. By this the challenges stretch and excercise the creativity of the participants. |
But a ten-point-plan of what you "must" do before you enter will just stomp all over creativity. It will still be limitless, but will have a hard time getting back up off the floor. ... |
Agreed, there is nothing that 'needs' to be done for creativity to exist. But there are some things, such as the basics of composition; which, followed or not, have been a tool of the visual artist for centuries. Everyone comes upon them eventually, it could be useful to provide links to information on such things so they don't have to 'find out the hard way'.
David
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11/21/2004 11:14:59 PM · #42 |
Originally posted by ClubJuggle:
-Keep forum signatures short and avoid flashy/animated graphics
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Why? - flashy is good :)
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11/21/2004 11:28:26 PM · #43 |
| I posted this thread last year. |
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11/22/2004 04:42:20 PM · #44 |
Also make people aware of the ;) sign, so they can see someone is joking in a thread.
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11/22/2004 04:54:11 PM · #45 |
| I am a newbie of about 2 minutes! lol I have a couple of questions, since as of right now, i have no clue as to what I'm doing! Do you have to be a paying member to submit photos? Also, to join challenges and submit photos can you use a digital camera or does it have to be 35mm? (I have a 35mm but am getting a digital one for Christmas). |
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11/22/2004 04:57:24 PM · #46 |
Originally posted by pianomom:
I am a newbie of about 2 minutes! lol I have a couple of questions, since as of right now, i have no clue as to what I'm doing! Do you have to be a paying member to submit photos? Also, to join challenges and submit photos can you use a digital camera or does it have to be 35mm? (I have a 35mm but am getting a digital one for Christmas). |
Welcome to DPC! If you are not a paying member, you may submit to open challenges. Paying members may submit to both the open and member challenges. All photos must be taken by a digital camera and you need to save your original photo in case we request proof. I would suggest taking some time to read the rules section as it will probably answer other important questions.
Message edited by author 2004-11-22 16:58:15. |
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11/22/2004 04:58:18 PM · #47 |
Originally posted by pianomom:
I am a newbie of about 2 minutes! lol I have a couple of questions, since as of right now, i have no clue as to what I'm doing! Do you have to be a paying member to submit photos? Also, to join challenges and submit photos can you use a digital camera or does it have to be 35mm? (I have a 35mm but am getting a digital one for Christmas). |
As a registered user, you may only enter "Open" Challenges. "Member" Challenges are reserved to those of us who suppert DPC by paying $25 yearly for a membership. You may only enter photographs into challenges that have been taken with a digital camera as stated in the Challenge Rules. So until you get access to a digital camera, you can not enter a challenge.
This is a great site with much to learn from! I'm sure veryone here will be excited to see what you and all of the new users will bring to us.
Lee
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11/22/2004 04:58:59 PM · #48 |
Originally posted by mk:
Welcome to DPC! |
Gosh darned! |
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11/22/2004 05:01:23 PM · #49 |
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11/22/2004 05:05:39 PM · #50 |
Thanks for the info and the welcome! Like I said, I'm getting the digital camera for Christmas, so it will be a while before I get it & learn how to use it. I've never had a digital one before, so this is all new to me. I've just had the 35mm ones. I've been browsing through some of the photos that you guys have taken and they are really awesome! You guys all look like professionals. Am I the only "regular" amateur? lol
Message edited by author 2004-11-22 17:06:13. |
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