Pursuit of the challenge - DPChallenge Forums

04/30/2007 09:49:28 AM · #1

On the long commute to work my mind wanders at times. Quite frequently the wanderings take me down some avenue of photography. This morning is no exception.

My thought for today is do you find happiness in the pursuit of a good photograph?

Do you think about an event or place in advance? Do you consult the sunrise/sunset tables? Do you think about how the place you want to visit will look at various times of the day? Did a storm front just finish coming thru and you know there will be some great cloud formations somewhere that day? Has it rained frequently and the next morning temperatures will create some interesting fog/mist opportunities?

Personally, I find it very rewarding when the elements come together, either from forethought or just having a lucky day, and you get that photo that makes the hobby of photography very satisfying.

I guess part of what has fueled this line of thinking is the direction DPC may be taking with some challenges and editing rulesets. For example, the April Freestudy. With this running under the expert editing ruleset will the "magical moments" depicted by the photos that rise to the top be a photograph captured in the pursuit and challenge of obtaining that great photo, or will they be imagery assembled sitting behind the PC with photo manipulation software?

Many, I'm sure, follow the line of thought that a good image is a good image regardless of the steps taken to get there.

Conservative, old-fashioned me enjoys the pursuit of the challenge in capturing the photographs that shine for the moment in time they represent and the effort taken to obtain them.

How about you? Do you find happiness in the "pursuit of the challenge"?

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/30/2007 12:31:11 PM · #2

Oops! Guess I buried this question at the end of too much verbiage?

How about you? Do you find happiness in the "pursuit of the challenge"?

:D

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

04/30/2007 12:43:34 PM · #3

I find a great deal of happiness in both shooting, then seeing what I have when I get home and download the card. I'm not very good at editing those shots into things that make people go "wow!" but I do like what I get. I have my computer set to run a slideshow when it goes into the screensaver mode and I enjoy seeing stuff that I took some time ago.

Where I tend to have a bit of happiness leakage is looking at a shot and thinking "this won't work for DPC" - and that really shouldn't be a criteria. Happiness leakage also occurs when I have a shot in a challenge I think is quite challenge worthy and indeed decent, yet the score doesn't reflect that. I don't think I'm "underrated" - the score I get is the score the voters have given me - no more no less. It just often is somewhat discouraging, and it really shouldn't be. Because I still really love the process.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/30/2007 01:00:27 PM · #4

Originally posted by Melethia:

I find a great deal of happiness in both shooting, then seeing what I have when I get home and download the card. ...

Thanks Deb.

I don't know the entire story behind this photo ==>

('Ode to Joy', by

Melethia) other than what you mention in your comments. When you went to the park were you looking for any particular shot? In other words, was it a planned event or were you just out and about?

I'd imagine you were quite pleased at the way this photo came together once you pulled it up on screen? :) It certainly garnered a good amount of interest in the challenge you entered it in. That's one of the beauties of a Free Study - being able to enter the best or most unique/interesting photo you've taken in the monthly time frame.

bdenny

Sony DSC-H5

04/30/2007 04:20:11 PM · #5

Originally posted by Melethia:

Where I tend to have a bit of happiness leakage is looking at a shot and thinking "this won't work for DPC" - and that really shouldn't be a criteria. Happiness leakage also occurs when I have a shot in a challenge I think is quite challenge worthy and indeed decent, yet the score doesn't reflect that. I don't think I'm "underrated" - the score I get is the score the voters have given me - no more no less. It just often is somewhat discouraging, and it really shouldn't be. Because I still really love the process.

I have to agree. Basing my enjoyment of photography on DPC is not a good idea. I certainly do it to a greater extent that I should but it also helps me become a better photographer and editer.

But as a newbie, I still get goose bumps when I stumble upon a perfect photo-op. Even when it turns out not to be so perfect.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

04/30/2007 05:16:57 PM · #6

Originally posted by glad2badad:

I don't know the entire story behind this photo other than what you mention in your comments. When you went to the park were you looking for any particular shot? In other words, was it a planned event or were you just out and about?

I'd imagine you were quite pleased at the way this photo came together once you pulled it up on screen? :) It certainly garnered a good amount of interest in the challenge you entered it in. That's one of the beauties of a Free Study - being able to enter the best or most unique/interesting photo you've taken in the monthly time frame.

No, I didn't go to the park with anything in mind. I take my camera and just go see what there is to see in most cases. But yes, there are times when I have a particular location in mind, or a particular shot I'd like to get. I'll see things when just out and about that later will come to mind as suitable for a specific challenge, for instance. I've also tried my hand at "set up" shots, with remarkably unspectacular results in most cases.

With the particular shot you posted here, when I first was going through the card it was for a challenge shot - I can't remember which one - and I concentrated on those I'd taken for that purpose. As a thumbnail, unedited, it did catch my eye, and when I opened it - oh, there it was. Very glad I don't delete from the card very often while shooting, and even more glad I didn't immediately think "oh, nothing's in focus, this is useless." Very glad indeed.

04/30/2007 10:00:30 PM · #7

Shameless evening bump. :D

posthumous

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

04/30/2007 10:06:04 PM · #8

I love finding a good photograph. I love drawing a good picture. And I love everything in between.

And it's all a matter of finding for me. Whether I find it in the sky or on a page or on my monitor, I'm still finding it. It's still a discovery. It's still thrilling.

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

04/30/2007 10:24:59 PM · #9

Originally posted by posthumous:

Spoken by one who appears to love/enjoy many forms of art. :D Thanks for contributing to the conversation. :)

Ann

Olympus OM-D E-M1

05/01/2007 04:57:02 PM · #10

You made me think, Barry.

I enjoy the process....coming up with an idea, refining the idea, putting the pieces together to make the idea work, whether it's checking sunrise/sunset times and scouting locations, or building models for the studio. If I don't get the giggles at some point during the shoot, it's time to abandon the shoot and do something else. For DPC, I nearly always have a very strong idea of what the image is going to look like before I ever go anywhere near the camera.

My weak area is free studies, I think because I don't do the thinking and planning that I do for other challenges. My free study images don't have the same kind of life that my other images have.

My post processing enjoyment level is a little lower, probably because I still have a lot of learning to do in that area, and I get frustrated when I *know* that the image in my mind is there somewhere, but I can't bring it out.

Tlemetry

Olympus E-300 EVOLT

Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Macro ED Zuiko Digital

05/01/2007 06:07:59 PM · #11

I find happiness in the 'product' that I create. It's all about the end result. It doesn't matter how I get there. What I create is me. My vision, my creativity, my moment in time, whatever. It doesn't matter that noone in Gods creation understands it.

I shoot in a varity of styles and methods. Sometimes I draw out a plan ahead of the time. Sometimes, I meander along my world waiting for something to inspire me. Sometimes, I post process. Sometimes, I just let the image be what it is. The path I take is mine to discover. It is that discovery and adventure that drives me further. The uncertainty and the ability to learn and adapt to new ideas makes me happy!

Rebecca

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

05/01/2007 06:29:48 PM · #12

I enjoy being where I am, the idea of showing what I see to others. For me, getting THE photo is just the icing on the cake.

05/01/2007 10:06:49 PM · #13

Originally posted by annpatt:

You made me think, Barry.

Uh-oh. Don't blame me! :P

Originally posted by annpatt:

If I don't get the giggles at some point during the shoot, it's time to abandon the shoot and do something else.

Keeping it fun. Always love to hear that!

Originally posted by annpatt:

For DPC, I nearly always have a very strong idea of what the image is going to look like before I ever go anywhere near the camera.

I wonder how many of us do that? I usually have a good idea of what I want also - from vision to execution is usually the tricky part. :) Looking at your track record it seems you have a good handle from concept to execution.

Originally posted by annpatt:

My free study images don't have the same kind of life that my other images have.

Most of my free studies come from visiting locations that I can enjoy, whether I'm seeking a photo or not. Sometimes those "moments" happen because you've put yourself in the right place at the right time, and then sometimes nothing develops photographically (is that a word?) but I've still enjoyed my time.

This is an interesting photo Ann. Any story behind it?

05/01/2007 10:15:50 PM · #14

Originally posted by Tlemetry:

Poetically stated. Sounds like photography suits you well! :D

I like this image you captured for one of the Black and White challenges Teresa. The image, combined with the well crafted title, works well in an emotive way to tell a story.

crayon

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

05/01/2007 10:33:29 PM · #15

Originally posted by glad2badad:

My thought for today is do you find happiness in the pursuit of a good photograph?

it's mostly from the snapshots. sharing them with friends is meaningful because they could relate to the photos, especially when the shots captured incidents worth laughing together about.

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

05/01/2007 10:43:18 PM · #16

Originally posted by crayon:

Originally posted by glad2badad:
My thought for today is do you find happiness in the pursuit of a good photograph?

it's mostly from the snapshots. sharing them with friends is meaningful because they could relate to the photos, especially when the shots captured incidents worth laughing together about.

"Snapshots" many times are the most treasured photos you can take. I know they're the ones my wife most prefers, although she tolerates my numerous delays on family outings. :)

So hey! A "pursuit" isn't always required. Thanks crayon. BTW, I'm glad you pursue the artistic photo as well once in awhile - very impressive top lineup in your profile! :D

yanko

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/01/2007 11:35:53 PM · #17

Sometimes the pursuit isn't what it's cracked up to be.