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11/15/2007 12:04:46 PM · #1826 |
Originally posted by Melethia:
Hey Bruce, it's definitely cold season - I caught one the day I landed in Afghanistan and still have the darn thing. Blah.
Anyway, glad going topless is working out better for you. I'm still convinced my duotone should be a top ten, but DPC voters have spoken and it shall not be. Ah well. Like you, I once thought I could tell these things, sorta. Like you, I have failed miserably at it enough times to know that I just don't know. And am considering entering a sub-5 in an upcoming challenge just to see if Don likes it. :-) |
Yeah, dude.....glad to hear you're a little better. It's nice that we can melt down here and you guys just squeegee us into a puddle and throw crushed ice on us.....that helps a lot.
The longer I am here, and the more often I think I'm getting a handle on how things work in challenges and what's a friendly image, the more surprises I get.
I would have bet the farm that mu Duo-Tones was either a sub-5 or 6.75+, and it started out at 5.7 and wandered slowly up to 6.16 where it's been for a couple of days.
I think I am just better off making damn sure that I do my best at what I want out of the shot and just let waht is, be when the voting starts. It really never seems to make any sense to me anyway.
Let me share one thing about the side projects......the object, as I have seen, os to participate at the level that is comfortable for you. Yeah, don't just post and not comment, but if you miss a couple days, or you have a stock pic from your portfolio that applies that you want critiqued and a chance to re-edit, just do it, and join in the fun.
If you only make a couple comments, then a couple oof photogs benefit from the comments.....there is *NO* downside to even just one comment.
I have dialup, so my participation is spotty at best when trying to upload, so sometimes I cannot play for a day or two, like if it's raining. (Old circuitry.)
But I'll still make a couple of comments and see what's new. It's not supposed to be a burden, it's like an ongoing seminar that you pitch in and help when you can.
Every one of them I've joined has been patient with me and receptive.......and extraordinarily satisfying.
Get well, too!
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11/15/2007 01:07:54 PM · #1827 |
| The latest in the adventure - this time Kuwait |
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11/15/2007 01:21:00 PM · #1828 |
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11/15/2007 01:25:54 PM · #1829 |
| Agree that the blurred view is more dynamic. Go back. :-) |
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11/15/2007 01:37:17 PM · #1830 |
Originally posted by Melethia:
Agree that the blurred view is more dynamic. Go back. :-) |
Rats :-)
Mind you, you don't quite have the option of "please can we take another trip to Afghanistan, I want to improve on a picture I took last week...", so we've to count our blessings. Like your latest array of pictures - you make it look like a place for a package holiday.
Message edited by author 2007-11-15 13:42:06. |
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11/15/2007 01:47:46 PM · #1831 |
Originally posted by raish:
Mind you, you don't quite have the option of "please can we take another trip to Afghanistan, I want to improve on a picture I took last week...", so we've to count our blessings. Like your latest array of pictures - you make it look like a place for a package holiday. |
Heh! I wouldn't mind going back to Afghanistan, and undoubtedly will get that chance in the coming year or two, but we refer to it lovingly as "The Hotel California" - check out any time you like, but you can never leave. Travel, via the military, is iffy at best there - you never even bother telling the parties at the other end that you're coming because chances are you won't get out the day you expect - or the day after. Or possibly the day after that. But I did enjoy my time there. (And my bestest Afghanistan shot is in a challenge. I don't know that I could do it any better, though DPC voters don't necessarily agree.)
Speaking of DPC voters, I'm sitting on a potential challenge shot I'm rather sure will be a sub-5'er. I'm still thinking about it... |
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11/15/2007 02:13:51 PM · #1832 |
| Deb, sub-5er... Do it! Just tell me which challenge so I vote... |
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11/15/2007 02:23:57 PM · #1833 |
| Heh! OK. I need to edit the thing again - the version I have now is not basic... |
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11/16/2007 12:08:01 AM · #1834 |
| Sigh. Stoopid JPG Magazine. They've failed to recognize my genius 5 or 6 issues in a row now. But I know what I'm gonna shoot for book smarts, and I'm gonna get laughs. :) |
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11/16/2007 04:48:34 AM · #1835 |
I am in both Duotones III and Foreground Bokeh and it looks like neither is ever gonna break a 5. *SIGH*
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11/16/2007 07:02:13 AM · #1836 |
Well, after the thread about the technique, and the thread on the scores, and having a 1:1 ratio for votes/comments to see what the offerings are like, I'm actually pleased with this one:
Foreground Bokeh
Votes: 90
Views: 156
Avg Vote: 5.3000
Comments: 3
I'm still puzzled and amused by this one, but pretty happy:
Duotones III
Votes: 135
Views: 216
Avg Vote: 6.2519
Comments: 9
I think I really have finally made it to a point that I have more interest in my process and my entry on its own merits as an index of where I am than the score. Only time will tell for sure, but one thing that I know I have to do is to be careful not to shoehorn entries. If I'm motivated, and that would be because I like the topic, or in the case of Foreground Bokeh, I think I should push myself to do the mechanics of what it takes to offer an effective image.....then I should go for it.
That means that I'll sign on for a Free Stduy marathon again for next year, 'cause that's certainly putting myself waaaaaaaaay outside of my comfort zone.
But most importantly, I need to enter Free Studies for the simple reason that..... I SUCK!!! LOL!!!
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11/16/2007 07:49:48 AM · #1837 |
Originally posted by levyj413:
Sigh. Stoopid JPG Magazine. They've failed to recognize my genius 5 or 6 issues in a row now. But I know what I'm gonna shoot for book smarts, and I'm gonna get laughs. :) |
Stupid JPG Magazine deleted my entry in the Artistic License category, and never told me why, even after I wrote to them and asked. It had a lot of YES votes, nice comments, and some favorites from people I didn't even know. I don't grace them with my artistic genius anymore. |
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11/16/2007 08:07:08 AM · #1838 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
But most importantly, I need to enter Free Studies for the simple reason that..... I SUCK!!! LOL!!! |
Free Studies just remind me that I have no idea what the voters will like. They keep me humble. |
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11/16/2007 10:02:00 AM · #1839 |
Originally posted by levyj413:
Sigh. Stoopid JPG Magazine. They've failed to recognize my genius 5 or 6 issues in a row now. But I know what I'm gonna shoot for book smarts, and I'm gonna get laughs. :) |
I hear ya. I submitted for the first time for issue 13 and did not make it either. :(
They just do not know a good sucky picture when they see one! |
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11/16/2007 12:27:14 PM · #1840 |
| My Duotone shot is at 5.6+ with only one comment. The comment stated their opinion of the border. |
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11/16/2007 01:05:17 PM · #1841 |
I took some photos of a friend's daughter this morning. I've uploaded a few into a new folder in my portfolio.
I'd appreciate any and all comments and constructive critiques.
All taken with my 50mm 1/8, in natural light in my living room (west-facing window).
Baby Girl
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11/16/2007 01:18:10 PM · #1842 |
Originally posted by JuliBoc:
My Duotone shot is at 5.6+ with only one comment. The comment stated their opinion of the border. |
Ha! Mine climbed up to 5.5, with just 2 comments. One didn't like it, but the other (a TSer!) did. Woohoo! |
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11/16/2007 01:27:33 PM · #1843 |
Originally posted by meyers:
Originally posted by JuliBoc:
My Duotone shot is at 5.6+ with only one comment. The comment stated their opinion of the border. |
Ha! Mine climbed up to 5.5, with just 2 comments. One didn't like it, but the other (a TSer!) did. Woohoo! |
Some like mine and some don't. All the ones that don't like it, is for the same reason. I can see their point but there wasn't much I could do about it.
I don't know what my score is because I never look till the end.
 Posthumous told me that he gave me a 1 because he didn't like my title. Actually, he knows which shot is mine so he can't vote on it. HaHa. |
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11/16/2007 03:12:44 PM · #1844 |
ok, I need a break. I have just voted on some of the duotones challenge. Since when did duotones= underexposed and depressing? I am not so sure I will get through voting on these because it is really bugging the heck out of me that 80% of them seem to be a normal shot that has simply been underexposed to try and look "dark and moody". Anyone else finding this a problem?
Sorry, rant done. thanks. |
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11/16/2007 03:20:36 PM · #1845 |
Originally posted by basssman7:
ok, I need a break. I have just voted on some of the duotones challenge. Since when did duotones= underexposed and depressing? I am not so sure I will get through voting on these because it is really bugging the heck out of me that 80% of them seem to be a normal shot that has simply been underexposed to try and look "dark and moody". Anyone else finding this a problem?
Sorry, rant done. thanks. |
Dang, Ernie, sounds like you found mine, lol! :-)
There's going to be an Ottawa GTG tomorrow morning at the crack o' dawn (well ok, 9 am, but as it's a weekend it sure feels like dawn). Hopefully I can get some decent pix, having trouble getting my camera mojo back. |
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11/16/2007 03:29:01 PM · #1846 |
Originally posted by snaffles:
having trouble getting my camera mojo back. |
Just start shooting. Don't feel they have to be good. Shoot, shoot and shoot some more. See if you can find something that interests you along the way and then focus on that. Shoot, shoot, shoot. I think productivity is the key to finding inspiration, it doesn't just fall out of the sky and hit you - you have to work for it.
My continually favourite way to find that mojo is to start getting up close and personal, abstracting and focusing on a particular colour. Pick your favourite colour and just shoot that. Doesn't have to be good at first, just shoot the colour. Isolate it, abstract it, follow it around. Shoot, shoot & shoot some more on that colour theme. I find after an hour of that I can't stop finding good options, even if I started not being able to find anything interesting to shoot.
An example of the last time I followed a colour around on a walk : Orange
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11/16/2007 03:29:18 PM · #1847 |
Originally posted by snaffles:
There's going to be an Ottawa GTG tomorrow morning at the crack o' dawn (well ok, 9 am, but as it's a weekend it sure feels like dawn). Hopefully I can get some decent pix, having trouble getting my camera mojo back. |
I wish I could have made that gtg, but I will be up late shooting a band tonight, so driving 3 hours to ottawa by early morning is not in the plans. :( |
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11/16/2007 03:55:06 PM · #1848 |
Originally posted by Gordon:
My continually favourite way to find that mojo is to start getting up close and personal, abstracting and focusing on a particular colour. Pick your favourite colour and just shoot that. Doesn't have to be good at first, just shoot the colour. Isolate it, abstract it, follow it around. Shoot, shoot & shoot some more on that colour theme. I find after an hour of that I can't stop finding good options, even if I started not being able to find anything interesting to shoot.
An example of the last time I followed a colour around on a walk : Orange |
Excellent shots, Mr. Mascot. This could be just what I need; rather than a philosophical, deep project intent on finding meaning in the world (yeah, right, like that's gonna happen), maybe I just need to pick a thing, look for it, and shoot it. Maybe a color, maybe not. Maybe something else that's everywhere; a texture (I've always liked shiny things; they're purty); a size (little things; I like little things, too); whatever. I'll have to ponder that. It really might work.
Thanks for sharing.
Bruce
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11/16/2007 05:04:29 PM · #1849 |
Originally posted by rheverly:
This could be just what I need; rather than a philosophical, deep project intent on finding meaning in the world (yeah, right, like that's gonna happen), maybe I just need to pick a thing, look for it, and shoot it. |
Yup. I happen to like colours, but shapes work well - shoot triangles, or circles or something like that, textures are good too. Letters also work - go shoot 'S's and that can mean anything - the shape, things that start with an S, literal S's in signs, just something that gets you going. Along the way you might hit on something else that interests or inspires you - that's the point.
It is sort of a visual meditation and the way to find your way back to whatever it is you are looking to shoot.
Pick a semi-abundant theme and go shoot it - it stops you worrying about trying to find something 'important' or 'meaningful' to shoot, or even 'good' or 'challenge worthy' or any of the plenty of other things that potentially stop you starting taking a picture. Once you are shooting, things tend to fall in to place and you stop worrying about finding things worth shooting.
If you walk around all day, trying to find that one perfect shot and even assuming you find it and take it - all you've taken is one shot. Its guaranteed to be the best shot you'll take that day. If you shoot more, then who knows what might happen.
Some days I just fire off 10 shots in autofire mode, just to get me over that initial 'can't see anything worth shooting' hump. Once I've taken 10 random pictures, I've started. I've given myself permission to go shoot stuff. Then it becomes easier.
Message edited by author 2007-11-16 17:06:34.
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11/16/2007 05:16:40 PM · #1850 |
Originally posted by kashi:
I took some photos of a friend's daughter this morning. I've uploaded a few into a new folder in my portfolio.
I'd appreciate any and all comments and constructive critiques.
All taken with my 50mm 1/8, in natural light in my living room (west-facing window).
Baby Girl |
please ?
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