real world speed challenge - are you up for it?

08/20/2006 02:34:30 PM · #26

Originally posted by MattO:

So are these photos suppose to be in color? Or should we Monochrome them as though they were going to be printed?

good question. i updated the guidelines in the first post. but, to go on and answer you here, submit only color images. since even the smaller papers are being forced to run color on the inside these days, never take it for granted how an image may run.

however, as a matter of practice, sometimes i will desat an image, just to make sure it will look decent if it doesn't run in color. if it looks bad, i'll put a note in my submission comments to be careful with it.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

08/20/2006 02:38:56 PM · #27

Originally posted by skiprow:

Originally posted by MattO:
So are these photos suppose to be in color? Or should we Monochrome them as though they were going to be printed?

good question. i updated the guidelines in the first post. but, to go on and answer you here, submit only color images. since even the smaller papers are being forced to run color on the inside these days, never take it for granted how an image may run.

however, as a matter of practice, sometimes i will desat an image, just to make sure it will look decent if it doesn't run in color. if it looks bad, i'll put a note in my submission comments to be careful with it.

Thats something I have never really thought of until I read through some of the links on your profile. I always send my submissions to the paper in color. Secretly hoping they will make the front page! Our paper very rarely does anything past the front page in color. But I have never taken the time to desat them and see how they look. Thanks for the help, I have some great ideas on the assignment already!

MattO

jpochard

Canon EOS-40D

08/20/2006 05:27:12 PM · #28

Can we use any of our own pre-exsisting photos that match up with the assignment?

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/20/2006 06:54:45 PM · #29

Originally posted by jpochard:

Can we use any of our own pre-exsisting photos that match up with the assignment?

i'd prefer not, just because it kind of defeats the purpose of trying to meet a 'real world challenge'. if you happened to shoot something this weekend that fits, i'm not going to get anal about it.

please, keep in mind, part of what i'm trying to do here is mimic a situation that i face on a regular basis, just so those that want to try it can see what it's like.

LKMote

Canon EOS-7D

08/20/2006 07:37:29 PM · #30

Are these pictures only to be done horizontally?

Message edited by author 2006-08-20 19:37:56.

08/20/2006 08:05:45 PM · #31

Originally posted by LKMote:

Are these pictures only to be done horizontally?

yes ;-)

Originally posted by submission guidelines:

as these are feature photos, you have some leeway with editing. try to stick to advanced editing rules. images MUST be sized 640 x 512 HORIZONTAL. file size and dpi is up to you (i would suggest 72dpi with a target file size of about 100kb). submit ONLY FULL-COLOR photos (do NOT desat, two-tone, or do anything else).

keep in mind, the photos run about business card size. just like with a dpc challenge, you've got to have an image that gets the point across relatively quickly.

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

08/20/2006 08:42:06 PM · #32

here's a scan of last week's Best Of page

hopefully, this will give you a better idea as to the size and scale of how the images would be used. as you can see, too much detail is, well, just too much--it gets lost. that's why you need to focus on simple images that can get the point across quickly.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

08/20/2006 10:50:55 PM · #33

Originally posted by skiprow:

Originally posted by jpochard:
Can we use any of our own pre-exsisting photos that match up with the assignment?

i'd prefer not, just because it kind of defeats the purpose of trying to meet a 'real world challenge'. if you happened to shoot something this weekend that fits, i'm not going to get anal about it.

please, keep in mind, part of what i'm trying to do here is mimic a situation that i face on a regular basis, just so those that want to try it can see what it's like.

In the real world, a good photojournalist has a huge library of images like these to feed from on short notice. I came in this thread looking for this answer and it wasn't what I wanted to hear :P We often pull from our archives in situations like this.

08/20/2006 11:03:03 PM · #34

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

Originally posted by skiprow:

Originally posted by jpochard:
Can we use any of our own pre-exsisting photos that match up with the assignment?

i'd prefer not, just because it kind of defeats the purpose of trying to meet a 'real world challenge'. if you happened to shoot something this weekend that fits, i'm not going to get anal about it.

please, keep in mind, part of what i'm trying to do here is mimic a situation that i face on a regular basis, just so those that want to try it can see what it's like.

In the real world, a good photojournalist has a huge library of images like these to feed from on short notice. I came in this thread looking for this answer and it wasn't what I wanted to hear :P We often pull from our archives in situations like this.

if you want to pull from file, fine. it's not like i'm checking exif or anything like that.

but, just to restate what i put out at the beginning, though, i was simply looking to offer some people the opportunity to experience something akin to what i experience on a regular basis--that is, to go out and meet a multi-image assignment on fairly short notice. since i'm providing artwork for someone else who's coming up with the concept and writing the piece, it's a crapshoot as to whether or not a file photo exists to fill the slot.

so, if ya got the shots in the can without having to go out and do anything, that's great. puts you one step ahead of those who don't.

Message edited by author 2006-08-20 23:03:47.

08/20/2006 11:07:36 PM · #35

Skip,

I know this isn't a challenge challenge, but more of a "for fun" kind of thing. But why not use a couple of the photos to actually go into the paper...and we get the byline. Yeah, I'm sure you'd still get paid for it, but at least we'd get a byline and be published.

Just my thoughts.

08/20/2006 11:11:21 PM · #36

Originally posted by cryingdragon:

that might be an option down the road ;-)

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

08/20/2006 11:14:45 PM · #37

Originally posted by cryingdragon:

Although that would be fun, with Skip being in the position he is in, asking his Managing editor to take someone elses shot for something he is getting paid for isnt something I'd want him to do. While this is for fun, I certainly wouldnt ask him to jeopardize his position with the paper for us. Hopefully we all learn from this and become published on our own with his help!

MattO

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

08/20/2006 11:17:35 PM · #38

I'll shoot new stuff for this one :)

I do understand the concept of the study... It's a good one :) It also offers some insight into shooting MULTIPLE images for a purpose rather than a single.

08/20/2006 11:18:42 PM · #39

Originally posted by MattO:

I'm not asking Skip to jeopardize anything, nor would I want him to. Yes, this is for fun. I just thought it might be a nice "prize" for some of us if it did happen.

08/20/2006 11:24:43 PM · #40

Originally posted by cryingdragon:

Originally posted by MattO:

Although that would be fun, with Skip being in the position he is in, asking his Managing editor to take someone elses shot for something he is getting paid for isnt something I'd want him to do. While this is for fun, I certainly wouldnt ask him to jeopardize his position with the paper for us. Hopefully we all learn from this and become published on our own with his help!

MattO

I'm not asking Skip to jeopardize anything, nor would I want him to. Yes, this is for fun. I just thought it might be a nice "prize" for some of us if it did happen.

Please dont misunderstand I didnt think you were. However I couldnt imagine asking my managing editor to run someone elses photo rather then mine. And then ask to get paid for them, heck I want my photos published! I just wanted to make sure that we dont put any pressure on Skip to do anything that might jeapordize his position.

MattO

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

08/20/2006 11:30:07 PM · #41

heyah, it's all good! you don't have to worry about me and my editors. i'm not about to make promises for things i have no control over, but who knows what potential may come of these efforts. in the meantime, though, let's have some fun, and get the job done!

NathanWert

Canon EOS-90D

08/21/2006 03:04:07 PM · #42

I've been able to get several of my shots into the local papers. Even though the last photos that had to do with me were OF me, not taken BY me. *grin*

I actually had two and a quarter pages about me and my job (with the quarter being on the FRONT page). Talk about feeling silly. I've never wanted to be in the newspaper other than submitting a photo. *shrug*

I guess I'll live with the fame (however short it is).

jtf6agent

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/21/2006 09:40:09 PM · #43

Skip,
I may not make this weeks. I'm off on another work project that will leave no time for photog. Sorry, I'll try to shoot it if possible but, for the most part don't count on me this week.

Nick

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

08/22/2006 11:00:54 PM · #44

I emailed your earlier but I'm not on the list. Add me add me add meeee.

08/24/2006 12:05:50 PM · #45

Just a bump to remind the others, I thought the deadline was tomorrow and have my shots planned in the morning, I may scramble and get them today if I can sneak out of work early. If not please count me as a loser this week. Reminder to others deadline is tonight!

MattO

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/24/2006 12:07:25 PM · #46

I have 4 of the 5 done...I think one is great, one is good and 2 are mediocre

LKMote

Canon EOS-7D

08/24/2006 12:23:37 PM · #47

I am working on mine. Hope to have them all for the deadline. Just having some trouble getting the few that I need with the weather we have been having and work schedule.

08/24/2006 04:24:15 PM · #48

OK I've got my shots, but I cant get them cropped can anyone tell me how to get them to the size he wants them at. 640X571

MattO

08/24/2006 04:35:28 PM · #49

Originally posted by MattO:

OK I've got my shots, but I cant get them cropped can anyone tell me how to get them to the size he wants them at. 640X571

MattO

640x512 I just visualize about where it will be, crop, then resize as I'm usually only a few pixels off