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02/04/2004 07:56:01 AM · #1 |
After the Zodiac Challenge results were posted last night I felt I was burning out on my photography. I know 30th place is very nice and it did do well but I honestly thought it would do better and it has nothing to do with emotional attachment to the shot or subject. I look at my Garage Art entry and at my other current entries and realize that I'm starting to stagnate. I've already started reshooting my Together Challenge entry trying to upgrade it based on the comments it's gotten so far but lighting is continuing to be a pain in my ass. I have such a limited area to work in and my lights are falling apart and I guess this should go in the Rant forum but it's really more of a whine. I just feel so fustrated sometimes that I'm about ready to put my camera away. I have got to figure out this lighting thing.
Deannda
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02/04/2004 08:13:30 AM · #2 |
Since you are not a photographer by profession I would say take a break from your camera come back after a week/month
If it helps, I gave you an 8 on the Virgo entry.
Not trying to be didactic but DPC is not the world or end of it even in terms of photography and all opinions to the effect are conclusively false :)
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02/04/2004 08:41:59 AM · #3 |
I've started to skip challenges here and there just to relax. There's times I don't feel really inspired, and I decide it is better to just set back and look the other photos, than just submit "something".
You might step back from a challenge or two and work on shooting something you enjoy...some kind of study. Then come back after a challenge or so refreshed.
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02/04/2004 08:45:20 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by Neuferland:
After the Zodiac Challenge results were posted last night I felt I was burning out on my photography. I know 30th place is very nice and it did do well but I honestly thought it would do better and it has nothing to do with emotional attachment to the shot or subject. I look at my Garage Art entry and at my other current entries and realize that I'm starting to stagnate. I've already started reshooting my Together Challenge entry trying to upgrade it based on the comments it's gotten so far but lighting is continuing to be a pain in my ass. I have such a limited area to work in and my lights are falling apart and I guess this should go in the Rant forum but it's really more of a whine. I just feel so fustrated sometimes that I'm about ready to put my camera away. I have got to figure out this lighting thing.
Deannda |
Deannda, I have the exact opposite problem right now. I'm so overworked and stressed that it's not even funny. I'm about ready to work myself sick if I'm not careful. I have hardly used my camera since 1-1-4. I carry it back and forth all the time but don't have the time or energy to raise it up to the world. In fact the last pictures I took were after work on my way home at 2-3:00 am after last weeks blizzard. I would have loved to have taken even more, but thought I had to be up at 8 am next morning to go to work again... (I didn't have to work so early, school was canceled so I didn't need to make lunch for them, but I didn't know at the time...)
Anyways, if it makes you feel any better, I'm currently living and coping by looking through the lenses of my friends and co-conspirators here. Please don't give up. I need your strength to get me through a few more weeks and everything will be good again!
Yours,
TC
PS: I just added some comments to your Zodiac shot. TC
Message edited by author 2004-02-04 08:46:52. |
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02/04/2004 08:50:47 AM · #5 |
Deannda, I took about a month off because I did not feel I was getting the shots I could get, so after a month I am back and Feel goos about entering the Garage Art Challenge. Take a little Rest!
Melissa
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02/04/2004 09:44:11 AM · #6 |
| Personally, I feel that your entry was really good, both in concept as in the making, I gave it an 8. Don't let the scores put you down, follow your inner feelings and simply enjoy what you do. If you're not enjoying it then maybe you need a break, but otherwise keep in mind that the only person you need to please is yourself. |
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02/04/2004 10:04:39 AM · #7 |
I'm on a break. Only two submissions in January, and I have one in Together, which just happened to fit the topic. The weather has me bummed out I think. What I really should do is make a list of indoor studio stuff I want to do, since everything outside is covered in old snow or salt. I have a few things I want to do, like super close-ups of household items, so it looks abstract; sort of a "what is it" series of pics.
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02/04/2004 10:08:01 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by Jacko:
I'm on a break. Only two submissions in January, and I have one in Together, which just happened to fit the topic. The weather has me bummed out I think. |
I hear ya. I've been looking in longing at the pictures I managed to get in autumn last year. I can hardly wait for spring. I'm sure the photos will pic up and get better at that point.
Maybe we should make it a point of posting some nice green pictures to keep us hopeful. :) The days are lengthening... really. :)
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02/04/2004 10:48:36 AM · #9 |
| I agree, I feel my shots are getting better, but my scores worse, and tho it is not about scores I think i find being here inhibiting, I am going to enter DOF and that will be my last challenge for a while, it's not the weather, it is the site for me I am going to look and explore other ways to grow, but I do owe sooo much to all of you who have given me ideas and suggestions thanks!! |
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02/04/2004 10:59:10 AM · #10 |
Agreed that the scoring here is a little weird. I haven't been able to figure out something: In the most recent challenge (Zodiac) I did pretty well. I mean, I was satisfied with my work before I put it up, and the comments were damned useful... all of you who said the focus was a bit off were absolutely right. That was more about my not having the correct lighting than anything I think, but I digress.
The thing that gets me is that some people gave me a 1 on that shot. A 1? I mean, when I vote, my 1's are reserved for what I think are truly terrible shots that either do not fit the challenge AND have something terribly wrong with them, or ones that are clearly there for no reason having anything to do with the challenge. What I assume are joke shots.
When faced with something that both clearly lives up to the challenge and at least makes an attempt at good composition, DOF, etc. That'll get a 3 from me regardless of how poorly executed it may be. But to give a 1 to something that is both good and appropriate. Well, I just don't get it. I wonder what the people who gave me (and others) 1's on clearly fantastic photos are thinking? Are they just stirring up the pot or something? I think that's the most frustrating thing about the vote...
my $0.02. *shrug* |
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02/04/2004 11:07:48 AM · #11 |
The best rest is to shoot some photos for yourself, and not just for challenges all the time.
:) |
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02/04/2004 12:04:32 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by space amoeba:
Agreed that the scoring here is a little weird. I haven't been able to figure out something: In the most recent challenge (Zodiac) I did pretty well. I mean, I was satisfied with my work before I put it up, and the comments were damned useful... all of you who said the focus was a bit off were absolutely right. That was more about my not having the correct lighting than anything I think, but I digress.
The thing that gets me is that some people gave me a 1 on that shot. A 1? I mean, when I vote, my 1's are reserved for what I think are truly terrible shots that either do not fit the challenge AND have something terribly wrong with them, or ones that are clearly there for no reason having anything to do with the challenge. What I assume are joke shots.
When faced with something that both clearly lives up to the challenge and at least makes an attempt at good composition, DOF, etc. That'll get a 3 from me regardless of how poorly executed it may be. But to give a 1 to something that is both good and appropriate. Well, I just don't get it. I wonder what the people who gave me (and others) 1's on clearly fantastic photos are thinking? Are they just stirring up the pot or something? I think that's the most frustrating thing about the vote...
my $0.02. *shrug* |
Same old story here.... I agree wholeheartedly...I don't ever remember giving a "one"...a two and three ...well I have given a few..I have tried to vote the 20%.. when I can..but I look at the pics... in order as they come up on my screen... then go back and pick a few that I find interesting and vote on them...DPC is a "Hard" vote...you have to know what they are looking for....the low votes..(1).... bewilder me 99% of the time... it it a worldwide vote...I think it is a great opportunity to SEE...what others think...not every Pic strikes a chord...accept it as it is ....we all know..where you are coming from... if you like the pic... that is all that matters |
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02/04/2004 12:17:37 PM · #13 |
I give a one or two if it meets the challenge, but looks like a snapshot [ie great big glaringly horrible flash]. If it's a truly creative idea but looks like a snapshot, I'll grade a bit higher for thinking outside the box. That aside, take great pics you love and put them in great frames and display them in your home, your office, give them to friends. I do it all the time and there's nothing like giving photography to people who know nothing about it to really boost your ego :-) Works for me.
P.S. Don't discount the crappy weather, that can make you feel ghastly.
Message edited by author 2004-02-04 12:21:29. |
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02/04/2004 12:21:05 PM · #14 |
I think cbeller has valid point.
Maybe relgraphics is trying to tell me the same?... |
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02/04/2004 12:23:19 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by Imagineer:
I think cbeller has valid point.
Maybe relgraphics is trying to tell me the same?... |
Okay, don't freak out, but I gave that shot a 3 for poor image quality and was really surprised to find out it was yours. I might've, on a second pass, given it a 4 or 5, but that's max. |
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02/04/2004 12:59:11 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by Imagineer:
I think cbeller has valid point.
Maybe relgraphics is trying to tell me the same?... |
Was that supposed to be a rabbit? That was my guess, I gave it a 4, sorry.
Deannda
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02/04/2004 01:01:18 PM · #17 |
Thanks for the encouragement everyone, epecially you TC, you are the sweetest. Sorry your work load is so heavy these days. Mine is starting to pick up as well.
I think my biggest problem is lighting and until I get that figured out it's going to be very fustrating. As for taking pictures of what I like, I do that everyday :) My kids, the animals, the horses, those are the things I love shooting but they don't always fit into the challenges which is why I do them, to make myself do something different and learn.
Thanks again everyone.
Deannda |
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02/04/2004 01:15:35 PM · #18 |
| I got to say, pulling that virgo pic off with the FP3800 was pretty awesome, considering it's limitations. I would definitely get a framed pic of that if I were you. It's a fantastic portrait of your daughter. |
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02/04/2004 01:16:08 PM · #19 |
I feel obliged to point out the absence of a rabbit in the zodiac, and the presence of a red rag in bullfighting. Thus - Taurus.
I personally still don't see the poor quality of image here - there is detail texture, etc. but I do totally accept that others do not see through my eyes.
Incidentally I was not complaining.
PS. sorry that my my fingers didn't look enough like horns - but it was only an interpretation. ;)
Message edited by author 2004-02-04 13:17:14. |
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02/04/2004 01:21:36 PM · #20 |
I'm not sure "professional" photographers pull off stunning shots 100% of the time...let alone those of us that do DPC for a hobby.
I think we are too hard on ourselves, and yet not honest with ourselves enough about which challenges to submit to, or what submissions really don't have a fighting chance.
Maybe it is not a break you/I/we need. Maybe it is just sometimes a step back to reevaluate our goals. This usually puts a new perspective on things, and then better photographs are the result.
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02/04/2004 01:24:26 PM · #21 |
| Getting tired and feeling stressed for time is another problem I feel we all face from day to day. I too have felt like my shots were getting less and less appealing because of being tired and stressed, so I take my time, if I feel like doing it I do, if not, then I do not enter some of the challenges. I guess the majority of us feel burned out some of the time, it will pass. Happy shooting everyone! |
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02/04/2004 09:50:43 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by Neuferland:
Thanks for the encouragement everyone, epecially you TC, you are the sweetest. Sorry your work load is so heavy these days. Mine is starting to pick up as well.
I think my biggest problem is lighting and until I get that figured out it's going to be very fustrating. As for taking pictures of what I like, I do that everyday :) My kids, the animals, the horses, those are the things I love shooting but they don't always fit into the challenges which is why I do them, to make myself do something different and learn.
Thanks again everyone.
Deannda |
Awww, you're gonna make me blush Deannda... I actually TOLD my boss I was taking tonight off so I could rest. I don't do anyone any good if I get sick cause I'm stressed...
I think your lighting on the 'Virgo' is awesome! I know what you mean about lighting though. I have issues with that too. Tomorrow, if I have the ambition, I'm gonna get some of that bumpy plastic stuff they put in florescent fixtures in stores and offices that makes the light spread out. I've been told that that will help greatly with evening out light in studio shots. Will let ya know how it works.
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