DPC 2008 Entries - Best Year Ever?

10/02/2008 04:58:58 PM · #26

A few random thoughts that may have nothing to do with anything:

1) There is definitely a DPC "lifespan". This is the normal way of life. We bemoan the loss of Larus and De Sousa, but the old-timers will also bemoan people like

heida and

kiwiness. Before that,

jacko and

jjbeguin. New "superstars" will rise and take their place.

2) This year IS somewhat odd. In 2007, the top 5 ribbon winners won 10% of all the ribbons given out. So far this year, the top 5 have won 15% of all the ribbons and just Irene and Timfy have won 9.6% alone. Given that Irene is a specialist (like librodo) we may psychologically feel that there is less variety present. In a small way it's true, but in a larger way it likely isn't.

Message edited by author 2008-10-02 16:59:28.

10/02/2008 05:16:24 PM · #27

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

We bemoan the loss of Larus and De Sousa, but the old-timers will also bemoan people like heida and kiwiness. Before that, jacko and jjbeguin. New "superstars" will rise and take their place.

True, although

kiwiness and I both have entries in at the moment. I haven't entered a creative shot since March, and I should probably get back to that. "Straight" photography isn't exactly my thing.

Ecce_Signum

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

10/02/2008 05:22:00 PM · #28

DPC 2008 Entries - Best Year Ever?

Guess I'm quite an old member (carefull) with just 51 challenges in 4 years before 2008 averaging 5.6. For me its a yes, 31 challenges averaging 6.2.

nsoroma79

Nikon Coolpix P7000

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

10/02/2008 05:22:22 PM · #29

I have missed a lot! I haven't entered a shot in over a year.... I just started entering again. But I am seeing so many new people since I rejoined. I for one had gotten tired of a lot of crap that was going on and I felt it was better to step away for awhile.

When I got back, I noticed though too, that there are almost all unfamiliar names up there. And I had been here 4 years before I left and got to know a lot of people. It's almost like coming back and starting all over.

Message edited by author 2008-10-02 17:23:03.

Simms

10/02/2008 05:25:22 PM · #30

OK, I already have my flame proof suit on, but bear with me here.

Whilst Tims achievements this year have been outstanding, I would never put him up there with the likes of Librido, Saberi, Heida, Kiwiness etc.. His images have nailed the challenge, there is no doubt about that - but they come across (to me) as formulaic and contrived - which is good for this site , he is dotting the i`s and crossing the t`s when it comes to challenge time and he is, quite rightly, being rewarded for his efforts. BUT, marketable images they are not. When you look at the images of the others I mentioned, they are true artistic genius` who are naturally gifted photographers.

I definitely put Tim in the Scalvert camp when it comes to his work - that is, they are brilliant ideas men.. They have the ideas AND they have the artistic know-how to pull them off, but technically as photographers they ARE well above average, but dont seem to have this natural brilliance that the former names I mentioned have.. does that make sense?

Now IreneM, once she moved away from the drop shots (which to give her all credit for were fantastic), has carved a style and feel of her own, and her natural brilliance is shining through. Her images are a stock-galleries wet dream - there is a clarity and strength about them and have huge asthetic appeal, I could see any of her images hanging on the wall of a trendy gallery or chic town-house.

And to bring the thread back on track, I think the others have moved on because they know there are more challenges to overcome in their career than how many ribbons they can win..

Saying that, there is a shot in this months free study that just screams "HEIDA".. would be great to see her come back and clean up on her first challenge.

yanko

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

10/02/2008 05:41:52 PM · #31

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Originally posted by yanko:
Just to take Scalvert for example, nobody has filled his shoes. Not even close.

I really feel that timfythetoo is doing exactly that.

He seems to be in "The Zone" just like I remember Shannon being not so long ago.

He's showing funny, creative, talented work.

I see them as different. They both are very creative and talented but they go about it differently and the end results are very different, IMO. When I think of Shannon's work I think of the "Big Idea", Donny Deutsch, an ad agency approach. Shannon (I think) is satisified when he made the big sell (that is his clever idea worked). Tim on the other hand uses his creativity for good. :P Serious though, I think what Tim tries to do is use his creativity in a way that is meaningful to him hence his very strong family oriented work. They both are very good but different. Just my .01 cent (given the economy state).

Message edited by author 2008-10-02 17:43:50.

Marc923

10/02/2008 05:56:37 PM · #32

Originally posted by nsoroma79:

Pretty much took the words right out of my mouth. I just came back and got hammered my first challenge back. But it deserved what it got. Why I even entered it is a mystery to me.

kiwiness

Canon Canon 1d x Mark II

10/02/2008 06:06:07 PM · #33

Originally posted by scalvert:

True, although kiwiness and I both have entries in at the moment. I haven't entered a creative shot since March, and I should probably get back to that. "Straight" photography isn't exactly my thing.

Hey mista Scalvert!!! You litle tattle tale you :)

timfythetoo

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

10/02/2008 06:38:37 PM · #34

Originally posted by Simms:

Whilst Tims achievements this year have been outstanding, I would never put him up there with the likes of Librido, Saberi, Heida, Kiwiness etc..

OUCH! I really thought I had these photographers licked man. ;)

Originally posted by Simms:

His images have nailed the challenge, there is no doubt about that - but they come across (to me) as formulaic and contrived - which is good for this site , he is dotting the i`s and crossing the t`s when it comes to challenge time and he is, quite rightly, being rewarded for his efforts. BUT, marketable images they are not.

Won't someone please buy my images.

Originally posted by Simms:

When you look at the images of the others I mentioned, they are true artistic genius` who are naturally gifted photographers.

Oh c'mon. You know I am a genius. ;)

Originally posted by Simms:

I definitely put Tim in the Scalvert camp when it comes to his work

Oh jeez - I have to be with Scalvert?

Originally posted by Simms:

- that is, they are brilliant ideas men.. They have the ideas AND they have the artistic know-how to pull them off,

OK - You are getting back on my good side.

Originally posted by Simms:

but technically as photographers they ARE well above average, but dont seem to have this natural brilliance that the former names I mentioned have.. does that make sense?

Ok - Back to my bad side.

Originally posted by Simms:

And to bring the thread back on track, I think the others have moved on because they know there are more challenges to overcome in their career than how many ribbons they can win.

I can see this happening to me. While I may not be the "genius artist natural photographer" like those listed above, I can see a point coming where I just don't have the time or desire to spend so much time on my "contrived" images. I do have a desire to become a successful photographer outside of DPC. Not necessarily to the extent of a librodo, heida, kiwiness - but at least successful within the community that I can serve. Fortunately I have a couple of more years to polish my craft before it really matters.

That said - we dropped off a print order for a client last week and they were just ecstatic with the product we were able to deliver them. Beats a ribbon anyday.

Simms

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

10/02/2008 06:45:22 PM · #35

Originally posted by timfythetoo:

That said - we dropped off a print order for a client last week and they were just ecstatic with the product we were able to deliver them. Beats a ribbon anyday.

yeah, feels great doesn't it.

tate

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

10/02/2008 06:55:20 PM · #36

Personally, I was going to give up photos and just post in the forums =)

10/02/2008 07:19:42 PM · #37

Originally posted by kiwiness:

Originally posted by scalvert:
True, although kiwiness and I both have entries in at the moment...

Hey mista Scalvert!!! You litle tattle tale you :)

Well I didn't say it was the entry surrounded by flashing neon lights on a bed of blue ribbons with a halo over it entitled, "Only Gary Could Have Shot This," so your secret is safe.

10/02/2008 07:22:33 PM · #38

Originally posted by Simms:

I definitely put Tim in the Scalvert camp when it comes to his work - that is, they are brilliant ideas men.. They have the ideas AND they have the artistic know-how to pull them off, but technically as photographers they ARE well above average, but dont seem to have this natural brilliance that the former names I mentioned have.. does that make sense?

Unfortunately.

kiwiness

Canon Canon 1d x Mark II

10/02/2008 07:27:56 PM · #39

Originally posted by scalvert:

Well I didn't say it was the entry surrounded by flashing neon lights on a bed of blue ribbons with a halo over it entitled, "Only Gary Could Have Shot This," so your secret is safe.

You forgot the lying in pyjamas part mista... that is it, now I start my vendetta, I am after your ribbon count! That is if Irene doesn't get there first :)

Pentax D-FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW

10/02/2008 08:16:15 PM · #40

Originally posted by kiwiness:

now I start my vendetta, I am after your ribbon count! That is if Irene doesn't get there first :)

Who?

posthumous

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

10/02/2008 09:12:12 PM · #41

Tim is every bit the photographer and artist that Larus and AlexSaberi and Librodo and Shannon and all those other ribbonstars are.

But I do agree that DPC has gone downhill. There was a time when

bucket and

jjbeguin and

e301 and boysetsfire and

sevilduvarci and xion would all have photographs entered in the same week. Those people are the truly irreplaceable ones, and are mostly gone now.

K3Master

Pentax K-3

10/02/2008 09:15:19 PM · #42

Originally posted by posthumous:

Tim is every bit the photographer and artist that Larus and AlexSaberi and Librodo and Shannon and all those other ribbonstars are.

But I do agree that DPC has gone downhill. There was a time when bucket and jjbeguin and e301 and boysetsfire and sevilduvarci and xion would all have photographs entered in the same week. Those people are the truly irreplaceable ones, and are mostly gone now.

I submit that nobody is truly irreplaceable.

timfythetoo

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

10/02/2008 09:22:55 PM · #43

Originally posted by posthumous:

Tim is every bit the photographer and artist that Larus and AlexSaberi and Librodo and Shannon and all those other ribbonstars are.

(blushing)