Newbie here! Hope this is the right forum...

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/13/2006 09:49:57 AM · #1

Just wanted to pop in and say Hi and ask a few questions!
I lurked for maybe a day and knew right away that this was the website for me! I love it! This is my first post in the forums, although I've been registered for a little while. So far I've been able to find what I needed in the forums through a search, but other than that, boy it's overwhelming! :)

So, someone please clarify for me. When there are challenges (I'm only a registered user, not a member), I can only enter one, right?

I thought I would try the Members-only challenges on my own, since I cant submit. I thought I would pursue this by myself, but what's a practice shot without criticism? So I wondered, is there a section in the forums for registered users to get feedback from other users for this purpose? I work better with a challenge, lol.

Also, I've seen several threads for users to post photos for comments, but can someone direct me on a good one to start with?

Thanks a bunch, guys! I'm sure since I'm new I'll do or say something stupid pretty soon, so bear with me! :)

Kat

kenskid

Nikon D700

06/13/2006 09:52:15 AM · #2

Welcome...

Post thumbnails to your shot in the "individual photography discussion" forum..You'll get lots of critique!

Originally posted by kat75:

Message edited by author 2006-06-13 09:52:29.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/13/2006 10:11:31 AM · #3

Thanks! Wow, this place has quite a high percentage of members vs. reg. users! I'll register when I think I have half a chance at getting a decent comment, lol. :)

Artifacts

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/13/2006 10:23:07 AM · #4

You are allowed to enter only one of the two weekly basic challenges. As a new registered user you may find that open basic challenges are plenty enough to keep you busy in the beginning.

Though there is nothing wrong with attempting to duplicate member-only challenges for your own personal development there is a down side.

First, "outtake" discussions (yours would be considered that) are not allowed until after voting is completed. Some people feel that it adversely affects voting so is considered poor etiquette. That means you would have to wait until after voting was completed to get feedback. Of course, you could chose to try any of the 500 previously finished challenges any time you want.

Second, You will find that comments made for non-entries are a lot different than those for entered challenges so the feedback you'd get from them are not necessarily an accurate gauge on how well they would actually perform in a real challenge. People tend to be more complimentary toward non-entries.

There is no substitute for entering actual challenges.

Message edited by author 2006-06-13 10:24:18.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

06/13/2006 10:29:55 AM · #5

I see. I understand the 'outtake' thing...your tip about trying the previous challenges is a much better idea!

Originally posted by stdavidson:

There is no substitute for entering actual challenges.

You are absolutely right! Hopefully I will get to do that soon.

Thanks for all your help!

Message edited by author 2006-06-13 10:31:03.

eschelar

Canon EOS-7D

06/13/2006 10:47:02 AM · #6

Remember to grow a moderately thick skin... A lot of people here are willing to help, but you will have to be comfortable with negative comments...

Having said that, the Individual Photograph Discussion section is a great place to get some feedback.

One note for really getting your received comments going is the good old golden rule...

It is better to give than receive.

Ok, so it's paraphrased, so sue me :).

The principle is sound though... It takes a few comments handed out to get one in return, but if you comment freely and thoughtfully on others photos, you will often find that they return the favor... And this includes some flipping amazingly good photographers too...

I've handed out over 600 comments, and received 150 in return.

You will also get more comments if you have something fresh to comment on... People who submit photos from other sites do get comments on their photos in the thread, but some people (myself included) find it more convenient to leave a comment with the built in system for some reason and prefer it... ie more comments... This was actually the primary reason that I joined. I don't have a lot of time to shoot and process right now, so I don't join many challenges. I do like the comments though, so the portfolio here worked out great for me as I can submit anything anytime.

Another thing is that your photograph will appear in the recently uploaded photographs... Some people like to browse that and you get some nice surprise comments from that.

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

06/13/2006 11:26:34 AM · #7

LOL! I definitely have a thick skin. I want to learn how to improve my photography and I cant if no one will tell me what I can do better! :):):) I crave comments of all types.

I've left a few comments so far but I need to start spending more time on here, since right after I first joined, I thought I couldnt participate in anything but the forums! :(

As a registered user, I can only put up images on the site that are hosted on other sites--I cant upload them here. Is that right?

srdanz

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

06/13/2006 11:32:15 AM · #8

That is correct. However, you'll find that $25 can go a long way... DPC just increaset the portfolio size (to 50MB, someone corerct me if I'm wrong), and that also gives you a nice storage for your shots.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/13/2006 12:20:14 PM · #9

Niiiice! I know its a great deal! I want to be sure my photography is worth bothering other people with, lol! I will probably end up signing up in the next month or so. :) Some of these challenges are irresistible!

Elvis_L

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/13/2006 12:41:15 PM · #10

Originally posted by kat75:

see this thread to see how much I have improved in just over a month because of the challenges and comments as well as how much other people have improved. it is definanatly worth the $25. i am sure your work is better than you think:)

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

06/13/2006 01:06:09 PM · #11

Originally posted by Elvis_L:

Originally posted by kat75:
Niiiice! I know its a great deal! I want to be sure my photography is worth bothering other people with, lol! I will probably end up signing up in the next month or so. :) Some of these challenges are irresistible!

see this thread to see how much I have improved in just over a month because of the challenges and comments as well as how much other people have improved. it is definanatly worth the $25. i am sure your work is better than you think:)

You're too kind! LOL!
Going to take a look at that now!

eschelar

Canon EOS-7D

06/13/2006 11:36:40 PM · #12

ROFL! Don't worry that your photography isn't good enough to be worth bothering other people with...

I never do! :)

There's got to be people down here at the bottom so we can make the guys at the top look better!

And of course snap at their heels when we improve in leaps and bounds!!! :)

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/13/2006 11:56:57 PM · #13

Originally posted by kat75:

I want to be sure my photography is worth bothering other people with, lol!

Bwahhaaaahaaaaahaaaaa!!!

Welcome! Don't be worried about anything. Nobody's gonna burn your village if your photos aren't great. LOL

crayon

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

06/14/2006 12:25:18 AM · #14

just try to take negative comments positively

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/14/2006 03:51:27 AM · #15

Originally posted by crayon:

just try to take negative comments positively

...and vice versa. ;-)

crayon

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

06/14/2006 04:23:37 AM · #16

Originally posted by faked Art Roflmao:

Originally posted by faked crayon:
Art, this portrait of Rikki is so good it's killing me. I'm giving this a 10

You just do not understand my photo! How could you conclude it is a good image simply by taking a quick 2 second glance at it? Didn't you see the imperfection on the nose hair???

some examples... ;)

Message edited by author 2006-06-14 04:25:03.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

06/14/2006 06:46:35 AM · #17

LOL! You guys are hilarious. :D
But seriously, thanks for the encouragement! :)

Message edited by author 2006-06-14 06:46:49.

eschelar

Canon EOS-7D

06/14/2006 11:34:20 AM · #18

Crayon, you are out to lunch!

Green eggs and ham again was it? Or perhaps you went for tha STROODEL?

;)

crayon

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

06/14/2006 09:31:30 PM · #19

Originally posted by eschelar:

Crayon, you are out to lunch!
Green eggs and ham again was it? Or perhaps you went for tha STROODEL?

Are those sweet or salty? The crust looks sweet, and possibly something gooey on the inside as filling? yummy~

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

06/15/2006 05:44:29 PM · #20

Well, I just got a blue shirt. :D How does it look on me? :)
I told my husband I thought I'd ask for a DPchallenge membership for my birthday (September) and he said, "Just go ahead and DO it!"
Hubbies who dont mind their wives spending money absolutely ROCK. Woohoo! :D

Message edited by author 2006-06-15 17:44:39.

Aghris

Nikon D70s

06/15/2006 05:58:38 PM · #21

Hi Kat, I'm a newbie here too, and I found that you don't need great shots to get some good feedback. I really wanted to leave some remarks to any of your shots, but you haven't uploaded any!! Hurry, I want to see some!

06/15/2006 06:18:42 PM · #22

LOL! I'm hurrying! :) I literally JUST signed up about 30 minutes ago (was a registered member before then.)

....

Okay, I've uploaded a few!

Message edited by author 2006-06-15 18:45:22.

kteach

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6

06/15/2006 07:05:25 PM · #23

Welcome Kat! Looks like you've been doing some experimenting with different shots and creative ideas instead of just the plain old snapshots. I'm sure your mom and her sister will enjoy the scrapbook of pictures you did from the beach.

I think you have some neat shots there, but a little photoshop (or some other editing program) could help to spruce them up a bit. You'd even be able to get rid of that cat hair on the sheet like magic!