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06/21/2006 11:16:12 PM · #1 |
80 some challenges ago ... my first 10 entries scored on average about 5.4 and placed on average about 63%.
Since then, I have had 10 top 20 photos.
    
    
4 top 10 photos and 13 that placed in the top 10%. Sadly, no ribbons.
My last 10 averaged 5.9 and 73%. Clearly I'm improving. I feel grateful for the experience here and what I've learned.
My photos tend to be out of the main stream. Frequently they represent a genre-of-one in a challenge. I like what I shoot and I like being somewhat unique. But I also like recognition of you all here and there's no better recognition than a ribbon (not talking brown -- lol) But at this rate, I'll be dead before I ribbon. In the words of a friend of mine, "I'm too old to plant small trees." So I am appealing to you all for advice.
How can I rachet up the pace of improvement?
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06/21/2006 11:24:11 PM · #2 |
It's likely just a matter of time. Once you get close to the top, a few things usually have to happen that are out of your control. The stars need to line up just right, etc. In other words, there is a bit of luck at the top.
IF you really want to get one ribbon under your belt to be able to say, "been there, done that", you need to approach the next 10 challenges with the, "I'm trying to please a client" mentality. Yes, you still need to be unique, but you also need to have a "safe" picture. Safe means there are no reasons in the shot for people to give you votes of 4 or less. Ribbons aren't won by the # of 10s, ribbons are won by the # of 1-4 votes; the fewer, obviously, the better.
You need to obviously fit the challenge, be tack sharp in focus, and usually have bright DPC friendly colors. I liked the person who said imagine you are shooting the cover for a magazine whose title is the challenge. This week the magazine is "bokeh". You want an image that is going to move copies in the stores...
Message edited by author 2006-06-21 23:25:10.
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06/22/2006 12:06:46 AM · #3 |
Everything DrAchoo is correct.
But, I think you need just a bit of luck also. Not on your own entry, because the best entries are always on top. But with the other people in the contest. Thats the unknown.
But when you score pretty high on a regular basis...it will come.
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06/22/2006 12:07:41 AM · #4 |
Thanks for the opportunity to take a look at your interesting folio - very good work.
I would disregard your friends advice - plant some small trees and keep whittling. |
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06/22/2006 12:41:15 AM · #5 |
Ahh, many of us have a resemblance to this question.
If only I could enter a challenge that does not include work from Manny, the good doctor below, Mr. Setzler, David Sidwell, jjbeguin, Jacko, kiwiness, Rikki, amit, should I go on?
The competition is just so damn good. Sometimes we see a 6.8 win and other times the high sevens. I need to enter one of my better wouorks wehn the sixes are the winners.
But then again the obviously meets challenge, tack sharp, great color and cotrast wouldn't hurt either.
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