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08/22/2010 05:57:33 AM · #1 |
I was looking around at a few shots here recently and a thought struck me.
How much do you spend on shooting for a DPC competition? I'm talking sudio time, model, prop, driving, software, lens rental etc, that's got specifically because you were inspired by a DPC challenge, or for the purpose of shooting for said challenge.
I'm just curious. Obviously, the shots aren't for DPC alone and they strengthen your portfolio. I'm just curious that if DPC had an expenses account how much it'd get done for :)
And in another way it might help people know if they're paying too much for models/studios, etc.
I'll start it rolling:
I bought two boxes of matches for this shot:
I gutted a couple of potatoes for this:
I drove out to a junk yard for a rusted shoot, but my camera didn't work. So however much that cost.
So my DPC expenses are probably less than €1 right now. Oh yeah. Plus membership.
Definitely worth it. I've learnt so much from here since I started.
Message edited by author 2010-08-22 06:09:55.
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08/22/2010 06:55:36 AM · #2 |
Usually the first thing I think of is, is a suitable challenge entry (or the makings for one) already in the immediate area, ie my house, studio, backyard?
If I need props, I scour the local charity shops or yard sales. I'll usually also call my bf, Ryan, who is also a site member and has a prop room/studio and see if he might have something I could use.
If food is involved (oh yummy) I raid the day-old shelf for food that is still photogenic but marked down. Generally I don't eat stunt food, especially if I've shot outside and seen bugs landing on it!
In terms of gas and driving, I try to keep it as close to home as possible, usually 50km max. Recently I ran an ad asking for info on certain events being held in the area, and am going to one today (though weather quite yucky out at the moment). Next weekend a similar event will be held closer to home.
So far I've only rented a lens once, and it was quite disappointing. Big and slow already (it was a zoom lens) but also had sticky focusing ring etc as it was a rental lens. It was also pretty mucky so had to clean it. Ugh! |
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08/22/2010 07:14:51 AM · #3 |
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08/22/2010 08:23:56 AM · #4 |
I once had to open a couple of bottles of beer for a setup, which of course meant I had to drink them too!
But seriously, other than the cost of driving which I haven't done much of for challenges, I bought some smooth stones once which cost about $5AUD, I think that's about the extent of it. |
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08/22/2010 09:24:35 AM · #5 |
Bought some yellow card, a black plate and went through about 6 eggs, witch was pointless because this one doesnt look any better than the rest where. lol
And this one i bought about 700 balloons, for a specific idea which didnt work in the end, so i ended up using like 10, and had the rest lying around wasted in my room for weeks.
Message edited by author 2010-08-22 09:26:53. |
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08/22/2010 09:40:16 AM · #6 |
Things bought for DPC:
wide angle lens 10-22mm (wouldn't have had one except people on DPC kept getting such cool pictures with them)
meal worms
Balloons
Balloons again
Potatoes
goldfish crackers
tulips
eggs
peaches
polkadot umbrella
lemons
cheetos
strawberries
more flowers
more flowers
onions
a trip through the car wash (2 times)
apples
post-it notes
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08/22/2010 09:48:53 AM · #7 |
I drove for an hour, checked three stores, and spent $65 on this plasma ball:
Bought several cloves of garlic:
$40 worth of sparklers
 
This is the most I have spent feeding seagulls - we threw out the fish after the shoot.
Several thousand thumbtacks - I bought all the tacks Staples had that day.
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08/22/2010 09:51:34 AM · #8 |
I don't think I've spent a nickel outside of what I'd do just doing my photography anyway.
I just don't get involved in elaborate, specific setups for challenges. It's all spur-of-the-moment, and exploration for that "right" shot.
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08/22/2010 09:56:40 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
I don't think I've spent a nickel outside of what I'd do just doing my photography anyway.
I just don't get involved in elaborate, specific setups for challenges. It's all spur-of-the-moment, and exploration for that "right" shot. |
Ditto, except that I may drive a couple of miles off my normal route to go where I know that there is something that would make a good shot, like a windmill or water.
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08/22/2010 10:00:38 AM · #10 |
I wasted a perfectly good cow for some beans to make this one...
My poor old Mother was furious!
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08/22/2010 11:08:18 AM · #11 |
Not one dime.
Like Jeb said, most of my entries are spur of the moment or last minute setups that don't cost a dime. |
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08/22/2010 11:12:16 AM · #12 |
I'm not sure I believe you and Jeb! :)
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08/22/2010 11:30:57 AM · #13 |
| My God, does nobody count the time spent just THINKING and PLOTTING? That's worth a cow. |
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08/22/2010 11:58:37 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by tnun:
My God, does nobody count the time spent just THINKING and PLOTTING? That's worth a cow. |
Sometimes there's no time for planning if you want to have a cow ... ;-)
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08/22/2010 12:05:29 PM · #15 |
| Shooting for challenges 0. Upgrades in cameras, lenses, editing software, thousands.. |
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08/22/2010 12:36:02 PM · #16 |
| Minimal out of pocket, but the thing I love is that it gets me out and about, and exploring places I might not normally og. |
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08/22/2010 12:48:00 PM · #17 |
I traded some guy magic beans for a cow...
I don't know beans about cows.
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08/22/2010 12:49:28 PM · #18 |
tiny bits... nothing huge... try ti make sure with what I have available to me or what I can find... mostly gas, time, etc.
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08/22/2010 01:02:33 PM · #19 |
I did have a rather extensive ducky collection at one time and I can't forget my Woody.
And the cheese often becomes my lunch.
This photo: 
One of my highest rated photos didn't cost me a dime. All the props were around the house. As a matter of fact, I came up with the idea after changing the bulb.
Message edited by author 2010-08-22 13:04:53.
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08/22/2010 01:12:10 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
Things bought for DPC:
wide angle lens 10-22mm (wouldn't have had one except people on DPC kept getting such cool pictures with them)
meal worms
Balloons
Balloons again
Potatoes
goldfish crackers
tulips
eggs
peaches
polkadot umbrella
lemons
cheetos
strawberries
more flowers
more flowers
onions
a trip through the car wash (2 times)
apples
post-it notes |
You mean you didn't have to buy SPAM? :)
I usually use stuff I have around the house and shoot here. Could be the reason for my low scores! :) |
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08/22/2010 01:16:57 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by retake:
Originally posted by vawendy:
Things bought for DPC:
wide angle lens 10-22mm (wouldn't have had one except people on DPC kept getting such cool pictures with them)
meal worms
Balloons
Balloons again
Potatoes
goldfish crackers
tulips
eggs
peaches
polkadot umbrella
lemons
cheetos
strawberries
more flowers
more flowers
onions
a trip through the car wash (2 times)
apples
post-it notes |
You mean you didn't have to buy SPAM? :)
I usually use stuff I have around the house and shoot here. Could be the reason for my low scores! :) |
hahah!! I must have missed that one! Not only did I buy SPAM, but I bought 2 cans so that my son, jcar, could shoot this challenge, as well! My husband wouldn't let us mold the SPAM inside -- we had to work with it ouside :)
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08/22/2010 01:20:35 PM · #22 |
I don't buy things for challenges, except the odd cabbage or something, and a Ducky I bought years ago.
I sometimes travel a little ways specifically for challenge shots, typically no further than to Provincetown, which is 38 miles from my house, so that would be 80 miles round trip. Most of my pictures are shot within 2 miles of my home. If not IN my home :-)
R.
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08/22/2010 01:21:20 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
My husband wouldn't let us mold the SPAM inside -- we had to work with it outside :) |
Why on earth not?
R.
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08/22/2010 02:48:38 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
My husband wouldn't let us mold the SPAM inside -- we had to work with it outside :) |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Why on earth not?
R. |
'Cause SPAM is GROTESQUE!!!!
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08/22/2010 03:44:26 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
'Cause SPAM is GROTESQUE!!!! |
I like it. I often have a can or two in my pantry. Sometimes fried Spam is a heavenly thing, it depends on what state of mind one's in.
R.
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