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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> No confidence entering challenges
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Showing posts 26 - 48 of 48, (reverse)
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 05/29/2008 11:49:53 AM · #26
Originally posted by overclover:
... Masks ends tomorrow and Im working all day. So I pick Night sky or free study..

Actually, the Masks challenge ends Sunday, so you've got several days.
 05/29/2008 11:56:25 AM · #27
well you could do a Sex In The City, type thing, girlfriends all ways stick together etc etc.

go for the free study, that way you can shoot whatever you want!!!!!!!!!!
 05/29/2008 12:00:12 PM · #28
Citymars Yes, you're right but I have a day less than you I'm in australia I looked at the date after midnight so I do have an extra day I have saturday too ...

Juliet I like your wickedness now that is a cool idea hrmmm *raises eyebrow and winks*
 05/29/2008 12:22:14 PM · #29
Originally posted by overclover:
Well Partners might be a bit hard, I don't have one and all my friends are single women!


Check the challenge details, it specifies any sort of partnership or teamwork.
 05/29/2008 12:38:38 PM · #30
Confidence shouldn't even enter into it. This site is for fun, its for learning - throw out what you have and take what people say with a grain of salt. I'm one of those people that credit dpchallenge with my growth as a photographer. I've learned almost everything I know about Photoshop by looking at how people did things, and getting ideas from people and learning how to do it myself. You have to put your images out there to see how people react to them and see how you can improve.
 05/29/2008 12:39:32 PM · #31
oh goodness, I haven't been in a challange for so long . . . .I'm a very slower worker for the advanced modes,(I've missed out on numerous challenge deadlines by 30 seconds)and have only made it into the top20 once. I was rather bummed about that until I sold a pic to The Ultimate Dog Book, snagged 2 book covers and won 175 bucks and publication in a b&w photo contest. All this in the past 4 months. Now I realize I may never get a ribbon, but obviously my work is finding a place somewhere and I really don't think any of it would have been possible without this website. Ironically I've been a published poet and have been since the early 90's, but have come a long way a lot quicker with photography (but still looking for a niche or a 'voice' as the case may be), and spend far more time working on a photograph than I do a poem, and I'm far more confident in my writing abilities than my pic taking and photoshop abilities. Hopefully I can get back into the challenges more often this summer, but you definitely lose nothing by entering.
 05/29/2008 12:42:20 PM · #32
Once again thanks all. I do appreciate your input. AP I don't even own photoshop LOL but I see your point you're all right and Im just a woosie woosie woo sooky lala :))

But now I have been dared well thats a different story LOL!

Message edited by author 2008-05-29 12:43:38.
 05/29/2008 12:47:04 PM · #33
I am a total novice when it comes to photography, and technically speaking...I know nothing! But...I love taking pictures and I love trying to improve. The comments from the members and nonmembers alike can be less than favorable, but you learn from them. The pictures I've taken have improved, but are far from the quality of the blue ribbon award winners. I don't strive to be the best..I strive to improve with each photo taken. As my uncle, the professional photographer, would say...you are only as good as your next shot. Don't be discouraged and please taken it from someone who knows...you only fail when you fail to try.

Good luck to you!
 05/29/2008 01:36:00 PM · #34
Originally posted by overclover:
. The more I see so many talented people that I think a part of it is I don't want to enter images that waste peoples time and energy commenting.


I can only speak for myself, but in my brief experience here, the majority of folks are very friendly and helpful and really have a passion for their craft. You will figure out the small minority who are not on your own soon enough...

The entries I've made for challenges (only 3 so far) haven't really been made with an eye towards high scores (though it would have been great if they had!) I had a certain idea or mood in mind, the fun is seeing if anybody "gets" the interpretation in the way it was intended, then I know I'm getting the shot right, even if it doesn't score well.

I've looked at your portfolio, you have some very good work there, I'm leaving some comments for you for what they're worth :)
 05/29/2008 01:53:26 PM · #35
Originally posted by starrlite:
I don't strive to be the best..I strive to improve with each photo taken.


An excellent point. I don't think I am close to winning any challenges. I am usually hoping for a lesser milestone, such as a new PB, pushing an older high score off my profile page, getting lots of comments on my latest bizarro shoehorn shot, etc.

If you do want to compete against someone, pick someone who scores a bit higher than you, but is within reach of beating if you improve a bit. For instance, I've got Focuspoint in my crosshairs. (Hey, I just noticed I beat him by a wide margin in the "portrait of a camera" challenge. Ha, ha! See, it works!)

Hey, what's that I feel nipping at my heels?

Message edited by author 2008-05-29 13:54:12.
 05/29/2008 02:22:44 PM · #36
Originally posted by overclover:
Just wondering how others got the confidence to enter challenges and put their work and in some part themselves out there?

this is the latest picture I took for a challenge and yet again didn't enter I need to find a way to get over this.'


Well, do you want to know how others feel about your photos, or do you only want to "win" a competition?

If you become emotionally disabled any time something isn't perfect, then you're better off just showing pictures to family and close friends. But if you want to learn, and get feedback and suggestions/ideas for improvement, then try to enter every available challenge. Based on the above example, it is extremely doubtful you can match my record of entries without a ribbon anyway ... ;-)
 05/29/2008 02:29:23 PM · #37
I have no confidence but I do anyway. Why? Why not!
 05/29/2008 03:04:39 PM · #38
Just enter.

Seriously, what have you got to lose?

I looked in your portfolio, I'd bet you'd do quite well.

Message edited by author 2008-05-29 15:05:17.
 05/29/2008 03:13:19 PM · #39
Well I have just looked at your portfolio and you have some excellent work in there, your work is very good. Just go for it ! Enter and be damned !

05/29/2008 07:06:27 PM · #40
Originally posted by overclover:
I know it's not because I can't handle criticism and it's not because I'm that fragile that I couldn't handle negative comments the two previous challenges I entered I entered because I didn't care. I came 24th in one and had many wonderful comments.I think the more I look at other peoples work as I have over the years. The more I see so many talented people that I think a part of it is I don't want to enter images that waste peoples time and energy commenting.

I really am not sure what it is that stops me so often. damn it all. It's not about wanting to be in the top 10 or ribbons or anything like that. I guess it may in some way have to do with the fact I know it's a hobby and always will be for me.


One thing that might be stopping you is fear of rejection. If you love photography, it is so nice to believe in yourself when you aren't comparing. Then when you place yourself in a forum, it is like a horrible slap in the face if you do bad, especially if for you it is a great shot. That has happened to me many times. When it really gets to me, I just stop entering challenges. I am in one of those phases right now. I can't seem to enter for now. Believe me, starting off with my first challenge being at 1%, and basically landing second to last should have deterred me completely, but that became a challenge in itself. Whenever I do really bad, what it does for me is make me want to try harder. It is when I get a high score that I have trouble entering, because I really hate to see those low scores, which always follow high ones for me.
 05/29/2008 07:16:48 PM · #41
Looked at your portfolio. You do really wonderful people shots. I would definitely try to take some of those kinds of shots which might suit a challenge. Right now there is Masks running. I can see you doing a really bang up job on that one. Also Partners. Both lend themselves to people kind of shots, which you are really exceptional at. Practice your landscapes and occasionally try one in a challenge, knowing you might not do well, but it will let you improve. You are good, but I avoid them myself because of the talented landscape photographers at dp. Also, animals. You got to really practice on that. One of the best animal photographers here? SandyP. She is amazing with what she does with animal shots. Try some abstracts as well. I think you may have some creative bent toward that as well. Just some suggestions.

Message edited by author 2008-06-01 09:11:34.
 05/29/2008 07:41:56 PM · #42
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by overclover:
Just wondering how others got the confidence to enter challenges and put their work and in some part themselves out there?

this is the latest picture I took for a challenge and yet again didn't enter I need to find a way to get over this.'


Well, do you want to know how others feel about your photos, or do you only want to "win" a competition?

If you become emotionally disabled any time something isn't perfect, then you're better off just showing pictures to family and close friends. But if you want to learn, and get feedback and suggestions/ideas for improvement, then try to enter every available challenge. Based on the above example, it is extremely doubtful you can match my record of entries without a ribbon anyway ... ;-)


Hey General E. I will see you on that challenge. You have given me incentive to enter. If I can get to 541 challenges without a ribbon, that is worth commenting on. I think I can do it. I think I can enter 542 challenges without a ribbon.
 05/29/2008 09:32:59 PM · #43
Originally posted by overclover:
I love creative things. I play guitar and yet rarely for anyone else. I play the keyboards and again rarely for anyone else. [


Would it help then to think of your profile page as your personal web page?... each challenge entry adds to your portfolio, there for your own enjoyment? Then after a while, it may come easier to read the critiques. Your photos looks strong, and a 6+ score already?

I am fairly new here, and get frustrated with myself in that I like my shots as I enter the challenge, but as I keep looking at the pic I see errors and lots of room for improvement. I want to improve faster dammit! Are you your own worst critic too? Hang in there and keep entering!

Message edited by author 2008-05-29 21:33:35.
 05/29/2008 10:33:21 PM · #44
Being stuck in a rut myself as far as DPC stuff goes I have decided to get rid of my fear of being rejected by the voters by going for the brown ribbon ( the even more virtual ribbon awarded for last place in a challenge).

The challenge I have put to myself is to try to enter basically sound images that will be disliked by the average voter. I figure if I can get over my need to score well I can hope to become a shadow of such amazing photographers as zeuszen or Bear_Music who's average score is never as good as their average shot.

Once i have secured by brown ribbon, I will try to shoot for high scores, but will hopefully care less how well it does.

Message edited by author 2008-05-29 22:34:18.
 05/29/2008 10:44:07 PM · #45
Well, another way to look at the challenges is that they are No Confidence Required events--just good fun. For me, it is fun (and addictive a little bit) to click that Update button and see my score move (downward), see the viewer count increase. I have a chance to learn from people who offer constructive comments, to connect with the occasional member who "gets" what I was going for, and it is just a lot of fun.

Some people take it seriously, want to WIN!, and worry about "trolls" who vote a 1 on an image that gets 200 other normal votes (0.5% effect, but just the idea of it hurts some folks).

Your portfolio is larger and more diverse than mine, that is for sure, so Go For It. Don't take it seriously from a competitive point of view, but just seriously from a sharing/learning/connecting point of view. You posted an image in this thread--fundamentally no different in concept: people look, comment, or they don't. You agree or disagree with the comments. Instead of thinking of it as entering a competition and needing to feel worthy first, think of it as planting a seed and seeing what grows....

Or ignore this completely! You have the power :-)

Message edited by author 2008-05-31 16:02:42.
 05/31/2008 10:55:05 PM · #46
Speaking of confidence and lack thereof, I submitted a photo for the Free Study challenge. Now I'm having second thoughts. I really liked it yesterday, now I keep seeing problems. No, I'm not going to delete my entry, but all day today I had to resist the temptation to process it "one more time!"

It should be reward enough to share the photo with a couple of hundred people -- more than would ever see it if I just kept it on my hard drive, that's for sure. I believe I already know the photo's strengths and weaknesses, so I don't expect any lacerating surprises in the comments. Still, one hates to see one's labor of love end up at the bottom of the heap.
 06/02/2008 10:06:27 AM · #47
Thank you all for your replies, encouragement and advice.

I fully intended to enter recent challenges but thanks to a weekend filled with nasty suprises I just didn't have the heart for it.

But I have taken onboard all of the advice given and I will enter challenges as soon as I deal with a couple of nasty problems.

Message edited by author 2008-06-02 10:07:44.
 06/02/2008 10:28:56 AM · #48
Oh and that dare is still on Juliet, it's just delayed a tad :P
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