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01/23/2008 01:19:42 PM · #1 |
Think I need a few months (6, maybe more) out of DPC, just getting bored with the whole thing.. the people are pretty cool and I really enjoy the GTGs, but other than that there isn't really a hook for me anymore, does anyone else feel that way sometimes?
I also don't feel there is a level playing field anymore, the new ruleset, whilst great for us who are pretty adept at photoshop, doesn't seem fair to the newer members or indeed those who don't have the time or natural ability to learn it. sure there are open challenges available for those, but the free studies are now getting too hard to compete in for those who just cant cut it on a manipulation level.
People who are new to photography and/or this site are also getting a somewhat skewed view of what is good photography, and what is good for DPC, the two are so far removed from each other and I actually feel to a certain point, this is bad for photography and those newer people altogether.
Actually thats a bit harsh, this site IS good for newbies, its a great site overall, maybe its just me.
I'll probably feel a bit different about it all next week. Just wondered if anyone else ever feels the same way?
(hell, I don't even feel the need to antagonize the SC or the more dubious members of DP anymore, it must be bad) :)
EDIT - PS, I ain't being a whiny attention seeker (just read it through and it could sound like that) those of you who know me know that isn't my style..
Message edited by author 2008-01-23 13:21:31. |
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01/23/2008 01:21:38 PM · #2 |
I had to take some time of myself. I was getting into the "entering for the sake of entering" mindset and I wasn't improving anymore and in fact my shots were progressively getting worse. My hiatus was all of 3 months but I feel excited again.
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01/23/2008 01:26:02 PM · #3 |
 Simms, you probably would be the last guy I would think starting a thread like this :/ |
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01/23/2008 01:27:54 PM · #4 |
By the way Simms, I saw your 'Lord of the Fall' in one of the UK photo mags this month, well done!
Apologies for hi-jacking the thread ;) |
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01/23/2008 01:32:25 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by ingridblue:
By the way Simms, I saw your 'Lord of the Fall' in one of the UK photo mags this month, well done!
Apologies for hi-jacking the thread ;) |
Just wait until next month ;-)
and (all going well) check out the front page of `Digital Photo Pro` in about 2 months , and I quote..
"To reveal everything: we’ve been trying your image out on the cover of our sister title, Digital Photo Pro – and although we’ve now found a cover for our next issue, we really like your shot and if we could get it in hi-res, we’d still be interested in the possibility of trying your image out on a future issue...
Otherwise, no worries – but many congratulations on shooting something that our designers like, they’re notoriously picky when it comes to cover shots!"
Message edited by author 2008-01-23 13:35:22. |
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01/23/2008 01:39:18 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Simms:
Originally posted by ingridblue:
By the way Simms, I saw your 'Lord of the Fall' in one of the UK photo mags this month, well done!
Apologies for hi-jacking the thread ;) |
Just wait until next month ;-)
and (all going well) check out the front page of `Digital Photo Pro` in about 2 months , and I quote..
"To reveal everything: we’ve been trying your image out on the cover of our sister title, Digital Photo Pro – and although we’ve now found a cover for our next issue, we really like your shot and if we could get it in hi-res, we’d still be interested in the possibility of trying your image out on a future issue...
Otherwise, no worries – but many congratulations on shooting something that our designers like, they’re notoriously picky when it comes to cover shots!" |
Congratulations!! |
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01/23/2008 01:40:44 PM · #7 |
Digital Photo Pro is my favorite mag!
Congrats on the possibility! I will for sure be looking for it!
Message edited by author 2008-01-23 13:40:53. |
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01/23/2008 01:41:07 PM · #8 |
I get it Simms.
A while ago I was off DPC for a couple of months, even wasn't a member anymore. I felt like the atmosphere that wasn't good enough (for me at least). It got a bit of boring, I think.
The thing that I learned here is to stay close & true to yourself and your photography, and don't make what the voters might like to see.
If you like to use lots of manipulation, do it. If you like ootb, do it. But don't use the special editing rules because you think you HAVE to. Even with a standard advanced editing-challenge, nobody will tell you NOT to edit within the basic ruleset.
But I know that's a difficult message to send to new members... |
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01/23/2008 01:41:09 PM · #9 |
Congratulations Simms!
Erm..on the cover not the boredom
Message edited by author 2008-01-23 13:41:44. |
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01/23/2008 01:42:30 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Simms:
I also don't feel there is a level playing field anymore, the new ruleset, whilst great for us who are pretty adept at photoshop, doesn't seem fair to the newer members or indeed those who don't have the time or natural ability to learn it. sure there are open challenges available for those, but the free studies are now getting too hard to compete in for those who just cant cut it on a manipulation level. |
This is fair and true.
Speaking only for myself here but I'm sad the advanced editing rules were changed. It's great, as you say, for those who are adept at Photoshop but for others, like myself, who aren't quite as good with Photoshop, it's now a pretty daunting situation. For me Advanced Editing was mostly Basic Editing with the possibility of cloning out specks etc.
However, looking on the positive side, my lack of Photoshop skills made me work harder with my camera and lighting techniques and it'll also be a challenge for me to try and improve my Photoshop skills (have 7.0 but will buy myself CS2 or CS3 for my birthday).
I hope you don't leave for too long, Mark. It's people like yourself who are a constant inspiration to me (and a lot of other folks here, I bet). |
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01/23/2008 01:43:25 PM · #11 |
You must be looking at my challenge history. I haven't submitted for or voted in a challenge in months...
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01/23/2008 01:44:06 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Simms:
Think I need a few months (6, maybe more) out of DPC, just getting bored with the whole thing.. the people are pretty cool and I really enjoy the GTGs, but other than that there isn't really a hook for me anymore, does anyone else feel that way sometimes?
I also don't feel there is a level playing field anymore, the new ruleset, whilst great for us who are pretty adept at photoshop, doesn't seem fair to the newer members or indeed those who don't have the time or natural ability to learn it. sure there are open challenges available for those, but the free studies are now getting too hard to compete in for those who just cant cut it on a manipulation level.
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I couldn't agree with this more. When that new rule-set was announced I really lost all interest. I myself am debating taking some time off as well. I also am beginning to think that I suck or my style is just not what the majority of DPC likes.
Message edited by author 2008-01-23 13:47:36.
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01/23/2008 01:44:42 PM · #13 |
| Have you ever tried side challenges? We have an excellent one coming up in Feb check it out :) |
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01/23/2008 01:45:33 PM · #14 |
Desire for these challenges comes and goes for me. However, I do like the site with its current configuration. There are areas for the newbies to showcase their new skills, as well as you masters to show off what you know in challenges. I think it has evolved into what it needs to be. The thing that makes me weary is seeing the same shots over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again, especially by the same photographers. Save the repeats for the Best of 200x challenges. Once you improved on the concept, move on. Those are the things that make me think about moving on, not to criticize what people choose to shoot.
E
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01/23/2008 01:46:33 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by rex:
I myself am debating taking some time off. |
I thought you already took time off...2 challenge entries since May 2007. |
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01/23/2008 01:48:54 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by glad2badad:
Originally posted by rex:
I myself am debating taking some time off. |
I thought you already took time off...2 challenge entries since May 2007. |
Yeah but I realize I will never do well. I don't know Photoshop that well and refuse to sit in front of a computer editing photos like crazy when I would rather get it right in camera so I can shoot more.
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01/23/2008 01:53:03 PM · #17 |
Funny this came up.
I am kind of on the fence as well, and have been entering challenges for me only lately, not the score.
I'm not sure I care for the shift in what is/isn't allowed anymore,and can't even make heads or tails out of the rules anymore, and frankly see much of DPC going the way of how can I wow in post-processing, rather than how can I take and present better images. Not real news, as this ebb & flo on the site seems to be a recurring theme.
I would really like to see the value of this site be more about basics, rather than editing, though I do love to dabble in PS as much (if not more) than everyone else. If I was new to digital imaging and just jumped into DPC, I probably would feel so intimidated that I doubt I would hit the submit button.
The resources and information here is amazing, and the amount of help one can get here is astounding, but on the other side of the coin, unless in a clique of sorts, many members get the deafening silence of the site.
If I could make a change to this site, it would be simple. Everyone plays by the same rules, and those rules can't be skewed by those that can afford all the latest & greatest software. The financial limitations of many can certainly be a hinderance in competitions. Imagine a car race where everyone shows up with their 4 cylinder Hondas, all similarly prepared, then a couple show up with their pit crews, radio telemetry, dynomometers for tuning, companies sponsoring a car with the best tires, turbos, etc etc. The rest of the pack is left with a why bother attitude. Some of the race will be based on driver skill, but face it, with no budget and all the best of, it is very easily a bought competition.
The change I would make?
A single shutter click image, with Post-Processing performed with only a modified version of Irfanview, downloadable from this site, with two interfaces: Basic & Advanced.
Open challenges have similar rulesets as they are now, allowing only basic editing to the entire image.
Advanced editing allowing some extra tweaks allowed such as what could be performed in a darkroom, such as dodge & burn, image skew transformation to correct tilts, vignetting, color filters, etc.
No layers, no HDR, no tone mapping, no multiple image stacks, no cloning with the exception of sensor dust, (allowed on all challenge entries, as sensor dust is a real-world issue of digital imaging) no major element removal unless by cropping, etc. The full-on post-processing not allowed above, could be done in the Extreme editing challenges, but again should be limited to a single shutter click.
Equipment can't be a level playing field, and is not always a sure thing to get better images, but I really would like to see everyone have the same software to use and make this place a bit more even-keeled for everyone.
Message edited by author 2008-01-23 13:54:57. |
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01/23/2008 01:54:50 PM · #18 |
Ansel post-processed his images. He even developed the latest and greatest techniques of his time that everyone else tried to follow. The site has a good balance.
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01/23/2008 01:57:57 PM · #19 |
| Am I hearing the rumblings of support for some image integrity focus? Please say yes! :) |
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01/23/2008 01:59:29 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by L2:
Am I hearing the rumblings of support for some image integrity focus? Please say yes! :) |
Oh, YES! |
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01/23/2008 01:59:42 PM · #21 |
| You don't have to use the advanced ruleset you can enter a basic edit in any challenge but there has to be room for people to use the skills that they have or to learn new skills. The only way possible to have a level playing field is if you change the rules so that every entry must be taken with a Kodak P&S and edited in Picasa. |
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01/23/2008 02:00:07 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by Brad:
Funny this came up.
I am kind of on the fence as well, and have been entering challenges for me only lately, not the score.
I'm not sure I care for the shift in what is/isn't allowed anymore,and can't even make heads or tails out of the rules anymore, and frankly see much of DPC going the way of how can I wow in post-processing, rather than how can I take and present better images. Not real news, as this ebb & flo on the site seems to be a recurring theme.
I would really like to see the value of this site be more about basics, rather than editing, though I do love to dabble in PS as much (if not more) than everyone else. If I was new to digital imaging and just jumped into DPC, I probably would feel so intimidated that I doubt I would hit the submit button.
The resources and information here is amazing, and the amount of help one can get here is astounding, but on the other side of the coin, unless in a clique of sorts, many members get the deafening silence of the site.
If I could make a change to this site, it would be simple. Everyone plays by the same rules, and those rules can't be skewed by those that can afford all the latest & greatest software. The financial limitations of many can certainly be a hinderance in competitions. Imagine a car race where everyone shows up with their 4 cylinder Hondas, all similarly prepared, then a couple show up with their pit crews, radio telemetry, dynomometers for tuning, companies sponsoring a car with the best tires, turbos, etc etc. The rest of the pack is left with a why bother attitude. Some of the race will be based on driver skill, but face it, with no budget and all the best of, it is very easily a bought competition.
The change I would make?
A single shutter click image, with Post-Processing performed with only a modified version of Irfanview, downloadable from this site, with two interfaces: Basic & Advanced.
Open challenges have similar rulesets as they are now, allowing only basic editing to the entire image.
Advanced editing allowing some extra tweaks allowed such as what could be performed in a darkroom, such as dodge & burn, image skew transformation to correct tilts, vignetting, color filters, etc.
No layers, no HDR, no tone mapping, no multiple image stacks, no cloning with the exception of sensor dust, (allowed on all challenge entries, as sensor dust is a real-world issue of digital imaging) no major element removal unless by cropping, etc. The full-on post-processing not allowed above, could be done in the Extreme editing challenges, but again should be limited to a single shutter click.
Equipment can't be a level playing field, and is not always a sure thing to get better images, but I really would like to see everyone have the same software to use and make this place a bit more even-keeled for everyone.
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I'd have to agree. Since people can now do HDR it seems like that a large portion of the entries are HDR. Then again, I know a lot of people enjoy the editing process and like the results. Maybe we need a larger portion of basic challenges? It seems like the member challenges ALL use the advanced ruleset. Why not have a free study done with basic editing? Just a thought.
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01/23/2008 02:01:34 PM · #23 |
I am a brand new newbie. My first challenge is the Best of 2007. I watched from afar for awhile before joining and knew going in that I would not win any ribbons. Besides not being all that proficient at Photoshop - I don't have high tech lighting (which is a necessity here in the dreary NW sometimes). I did however, buy a new lens which is allowing me greater flexibility with low light conditions and the ISO on my camera is great so I decided to jump into the game here on dpc. I am excited at the prospect of the challenges to do exactly that - to challenge me to come up with something that not only fits the topic but perhaps is out of the box for me.
Do I find the scores a bit disheartening right now on the best of? Yes, but I am trying to find other things to focus on - # of favorites, # of comments, etc. Life is what you make it - and I think I can get more out of this site than a "feel good - stroke your ego" photo site.
There is my two cents :-) Have fun!! |
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01/23/2008 02:02:48 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by Citadel:
I'd have to agree. Since people can now do HDR it seems like that a large portion of the entries are HDR. Then again, I know a lot of people enjoy the editing process and like the results. Maybe we need a larger portion of basic challenges? It seems like the member challenges ALL use the advanced ruleset. Why not have a free study done with basic editing? Just a thought. |
You are free to enter a basic edit in any challenge, my best of 2007 is a basic edit because that's what suited the photo. |
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01/23/2008 02:03:49 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by Citadel:
I'd have to agree. Since people can now do HDR it seems like that a large portion of the entries are HDR. Then again, I know a lot of people enjoy the editing process and like the results. Maybe we need a larger portion of basic challenges? It seems like the member challenges ALL use the advanced ruleset. Why not have a free study done with basic editing? Just a thought. |
Then on the flip side, there's the bizzare combination of an architecture challenge with basic editing rules. Architectural photography is one of the few commercially viable applications of HDR photography. It is a theme perfectly matched to the new HDR rule set. So its being run with basic rules. Often it feels as if nobody is really paying much attention to the challenge definition and its just thrown out there as a last minute thing before Langdon goes to bed.
Message edited by author 2008-01-23 14:05:18. |
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