DPC 2008 Entries - Best Year Ever?

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

10/03/2008 06:47:26 PM · #79

Sadly this thread has pi**ed me off somewhat. I'm having my best year here at dpc and now all of a sudden I find from this thread that I'm no better, in fact might even be worse than last year.

Things like voting styles, images, fotog skills and challenge interpretations change over time, but for long standing and (previously) well respected members to say the standards are slipping then I might as well say take my 2 ribbons from this year back as I obviously don't deserve them for such shoddy work. I must thank Scott

SDW here because without him and the FSM I think I'd just leave dpc now (as a hack wannabee).

Azrifel

Fujifilm X100VI

10/03/2008 06:57:15 PM · #80

Originally posted by scarbrd:

Originally posted by Azrifel:
Studio portrait III......

I just finished voting. I could not believe my eyes... Average vote 4.2...
The quality at DPC at this moment sucks beyond belief.

I did not expect this at all. After some stuff I read about renewing subscriptions I voted on some challenges. I am shocked, really, this is bad

Dude, have a beer, I'll pay ;-)

It'll lower your standards and all will be well!

Yo, tell me when you are in Amsterdam again. We need to have a beer or 10 together. ))))
And it would be fair to enter after all my criticism, but sadly I do not have time at the moment. To much self criticism and at the moment I am to busy working on our (my wife and mine) apartment. )))

10/03/2008 07:24:12 PM · #81

Originally posted by Ecce Signum:

Andi, I'm not sure who you're directing that to or why you're taking it so personally since the thread isn't about you or any person in particular. It's great that this is your best year. I'm happy for you but please lets try and keep this on topic. A question was ask has this been the best year for DPC? Why or why not? It's a question directed at those who are very familiar with the older work as well as the new work done at DPC. I made my argument and even posted examples of work that I feel the 2008 entries haven't reached. If you disagree I'd love to see your examples. Oh and btw, I've been entering lot of photos this year as well so I guess I should be insulted that some ahole named yankO started this thread. What a jerk. He didn't even pick any of my ultra cool photos!

Message edited by author 2008-10-03 19:24:52.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

10/03/2008 07:25:25 PM · #82

I vote this is not the best DPC year because I have not ribboned nearly enough. Ask me again in December though...

Prash

Nikon D90

10/03/2008 07:25:59 PM · #83

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 am not worthy enough to be contributing to this thread yet, but I really appreciate you guys discussing the old gold and the new diamonds here. I got to see some of the lost work of these geniuses, and found a super favorite among one of them (not that this is a category:-):

After I posted a comment there, I realised that it didnt even win a ribbon. What a shame:(

10/03/2008 07:40:25 PM · #84

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

I vote this is not the best DPC year because I have not ribboned nearly enough. Ask me again in December though...

I remember your last ribbon quite fondly. I thought that T-Rex with it's jaws wide open reflecting in the water at Cannon Beach was awesome. Like Prash I wish there was a super fav button.

Message edited by author 2008-10-03 19:41:05.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

10/03/2008 07:43:21 PM · #85

Originally posted by yanko:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:
I vote this is not the best DPC year because I have not ribboned nearly enough. Ask me again in December though...

I remember your last ribbon quite fondly. I thought that T-Rex with it's jaws wide open reflecting in the water at Cannon Beach was awesome. Like Prash I wish there was a super fav button.

Should I point out for the totally obtuse that your insinuation is I haven't ribboned since the dinosaurs roamed the earth?

posthumous

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

10/03/2008 08:05:15 PM · #86

To add a positive note, I just finished commenting and picking ribbons for abstract emotion, and wow, that was a great challenge with many excellent photographs. There's hope for you schlubs after all.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

10/03/2008 08:08:50 PM · #87

Originally posted by posthumous:

Dang! Got a comment, but no ribbon! :( Well, I'll keep trying.

scarbrd

Leica M10

10/03/2008 08:09:57 PM · #88

Originally posted by Azrifel:

Originally posted by scarbrd:

Originally posted by Azrifel:
Studio portrait III......

I just finished voting. I could not believe my eyes... Average vote 4.2...
The quality at DPC at this moment sucks beyond belief.

I did not expect this at all. After some stuff I read about renewing subscriptions I voted on some challenges. I am shocked, really, this is bad

Dude, have a beer, I'll pay ;-)

It'll lower your standards and all will be well!

Yo, tell me when you are in Amsterdam again. We need to have a beer or 10 together. ))))
And it would be fair to enter after all my criticism, but sadly I do not have time at the moment. To much self criticism and at the moment I am to busy working on our (my wife and mine) apartment. )))

You can safely stop the self criticism now that you have a wife. I'm sure she'll take on that job just fine now! ;-)

I should be over there before the end of the year. I'll let you know.

Prash

Nikon D90

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

10/03/2008 08:18:22 PM · #89

Originally posted by posthumous:

I like the 'schlub' reference. I really like it:-)

How about starting a 'Schlub club', and they rhyme too? hehhheh

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

10/04/2008 12:25:14 AM · #90

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by posthumous:
To add a positive note, I just finished commenting and picking ribbons for abstract emotion, and wow, that was a great challenge with many excellent photographs. There's hope for you schlubs after all.

Dang! Got a comment, but no ribbon! :( Well, I'll keep trying.

I didn't even get a comment. The least he could do is award me his brown. Geez.

talj

Canon EOS-40D

10/04/2008 05:02:57 AM · #91

Originally posted by yanko:

Originally posted by Ecce Signum:
Sadly this thread has pi**ed me off somewhat.

Andi, I'm not sure who you're directing that to or why you're taking it so personally since the thread isn't about you or any person in particular. It's great that this is your best year. I'm happy for you but please lets try and keep this on topic. A question was ask has this been the best year for DPC? Why or why not? It's a question directed at those who are very familiar with the older work as well as the new work done at DPC. I made my argument and even posted examples of work that I feel the 2008 entries haven't reached. If you disagree I'd love to see your examples. Oh and btw, I've been entering lot of photos this year as well so I guess I should be insulted that some ahole named yankO started this thread. What a jerk. He didn't even pick any of my ultra cool photos!

OK, this is going to seem like I am jumping in to defend Andi's comment...well, in a way I suppose I am, however I am pretty sure he can handle himself and will reply when he gets up!

I'd actually like to call you out on some of what you have said Richard as your original statement in this thread contradicts what you have said in your reply above...

Originally posted by yanko:

I say no. I think DPC has lost too many good photographers over the years and the new ones just haven't been up to par.

Thoughts?

That, to me, combined with your statement above is an insult to anyone that's been working their ass off to try and be the best they can here recently. This year has seen a lot of new faces/names winning ribbons...and you some how feel it's ok to insult all of them by saying the work this year has just not "been up to par"? Part of me immediately thought you were being a little 'bitter'...do you feel you should have been winning more ribbons this year over the not 'up to par' photographers?

And yes, that's a serious question, I am not trying to insult you I am just trying to understand why you feel the way you do and why you chose the words you did.

The other thing I wanted to point out is many of the names people associate with the words 'good photographer' are still submitting here on DPC...does that mean that there images are way above par but not getting noticed?? Or maybe times have moved on, tastes have changed and 'new people' are becoming 'good photographers'?

Once again, I am not trying to insult you, just intrigued about the things you have stated...

LalliSig

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

10/04/2008 05:29:11 AM · #92

Hey guys, whatÂ´s up! Somebody asked me what I thought about this thread so I thought IÂ´d just write my two centÂ´s worth. First off I am extremely flattered that some of you guys miss seeing my work on DPC :) Great for the ego, I really need that ;D

I didnÂ´t read through this whole thread so maybe I am missing some point somebody made but I for one have stopped submitting regularly to DPC simply because of one reason, too busy! Since I started on DPC 4 years ago I have gone from a serious hobbyist to a professional photographer and sadly, it doesnÂ´t leave with nearly as much time to photograph for myself as it used to. I donÂ´t really resent that either because since I now do this full time, I can get my photographic "fix" for the day during work and get to spend more time with my wife and kids when I come home. I still submit somewhat, especially to the free studies but all of them were taken "anyway", I think I have only shot specifically for DPC 3-4 times this year. Funny thing is that a lot of what I do now is catalouge work that would not score even a 5 in challenges here but is perfectly acceptable in the real world of photography :)

I gotta say that DPC was a big help for improving my skills and definately was one of the reasons I got where I am today so I really reccomend this site to anybody interested in photography.

There is maybe also the reason that I am very competetive so that really kept me going "back then" but now I kindof feel like I have, well, done everything I can with this website, I think I have already proven myself here, wich leads to me not being as interested in submitting anymore, instead spending my free time on other photographic projects like my superhero series or others like it.

I can only speak for myself but I suspect this goes for other "ribbon hogs", they eventually feel they have proven themselves and look for the next "challenge" somewhere else, not neccesarily another website but in personal projects or professional work.

As for the quality of DPC in 2008 I really donÂ´t feel qualified to say since I spend so little time here now BUT I will say that everytime I check the front page I still get that "wow, thatÂ´s a cool shot" feeling like I have always done here :)

Happy shooting everybody!

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

10/04/2008 05:51:37 AM · #93

I for one do appreciate it when you do stop by and post a few things now and then, Larus. And thanks for this one!

LalliSig

10/04/2008 05:56:26 AM · #94

Thx Melethia, I miss you too :D

talj

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

10/04/2008 05:57:35 AM · #95

Originally posted by Melethia:

I for one do appreciate it when you do stop by and post a few things now and then, Larus.

I'll echo that and add, thank you for your post above! It helps to hear a slightly different perspective on things and your explanation of the 'DPC creative process' is very well put!

10/04/2008 07:03:24 AM · #96

Originally posted by talj:

I'd actually like to call you out on some of what you have said Richard as your original statement in this thread contradicts what you have said in your reply above...

Originally posted by yanko:
I say no. I think DPC has lost too many good photographers over the years and the new ones just haven't been up to par.

Thoughts?

That, to me, combined with your statement above is an insult to anyone that's been working their ass off to try and be the best they can here recently. This year has seen a lot of new faces/names winning ribbons...and you some how feel it's ok to insult all of them by saying the work this year has just not "been up to par"? Part of me immediately thought you were being a little 'bitter'...do you feel you should have been winning more ribbons this year over the not 'up to par' photographers?

And yes, that's a serious question, I am not trying to insult you I am just trying to understand why you feel the way you do and why you chose the words you did.

The question that was ask was is this the BEST YEAR DPC has seen in terms of challenge entries? I said no. I suggested a possible reason for that. I also posted some examples of the type of work that I feel has been lacking this year and so far I haven't seen anybody suggest a photo yet that should be in that group.

As for what I meant by "the new ones just haven't been up to par", par means the bar that the photographers of the past have set with their work and not par as in average or below average. If you noticed the photos I posted earlier to support my case all have over 100 favorites so we're talking elite territory and not your typical few favorites here or there ribbon winners that are more common. And lets not forget who wins ribbons. It's not the very best photo in general but the best photo that happens to meet the challenge theme the best. Sometimes the two are the same photo but not always, which is why I haven't said anything up to this point about ribbon winners being a criteria for anything. It's a good measure but not a perfect one or maybe even the best one.

Originally posted by talj:

The other thing I wanted to point out is many of the names people associate with the words 'good photographer' are still submitting here on DPC...does that mean that there images are way above par but not getting noticed?? Or maybe times have moved on, tastes have changed and 'new people' are becoming 'good photographers'?

Once again, I am not trying to insult you, just intrigued about the things you have stated...

Larus pretty much said what I was going to write here so I'll just add, that once you've won a few times and figured things out you do one of two things. You either try to challenge yourself by raising your own bar/standards and try and win that way or you continue to do what you're most comfortable with and win as many ribbons as you can doing that. Nothing wrong with either path but personally I prefer the former. I think it was a certain person named Deb who I kind of got upset with a while back when she insulted my poor bubble shot, which in hindsight I think was a good thing because I've been branching out more ever since which has helped me grow ribbons or no ribbons.

Message edited by author 2008-10-04 07:24:31.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D