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05/04/2009 12:25:49 PM · #1 |
I was reading the thread about A Guide to the DPC Photographers Cycle of Grief.
As an interesting perspective, having come out the other side of this syndrome where most of this doesn't affect me so much, I'm much more able to take the vagaries of voting/judging in stride.
That's never been more apparent to me than yesterday.....allow me to elaborate.....
The final competition for one of the local camera clubs that I belong to is Thursday.
I have too much to do, and cannot be there, so I figured that I'd blow it off.
I have done very well this competition year, and have been pleased with how well I've scored, though it didn't seem to me to be anything spectacular.
I just happened to look up the year-to-date results just for a perspective, and I found......that I'm in first place in the points standings!
By almost double the points of the second place photog!!!!
So all I really have to do is come up with three images that have been taken in the last two years that I haven't entered in a club competition and I should have an easy lock on first for the season.
Funny thing is......the longer I'm around the local photogs the more I realize what an incredible resource this place is because things that I take for granted like composition techniques, portrait tips, B&W conversions, overlays, HDR, resizing, a huge assortment of editing techniques, and whatnot, are quite beyond the average hobby photographer.
Having been exposed to the incredible array of styles, equipment, images, and competition after competition with so many people who are so giving of their time and knowledge, well......it almost seems lik cheating to go clean up in this small club with the vast array of knowledge and experience that I've gained by being a DPCer.
And y'all have taught me not to take this stuff too seriously as far as the competition aspect, but have instead told me that what I can learn from the challenges as far as observing the different styles and concepts.
I think that is the best part of this place......it teaches so much about how to be a real photographer. I cannot believe how much better and different of a photographer that I am now compared to three years ago before I found DP Challenge.
So.....there's the insipid happy part......I'm grateful and happy about all that I've gotten here, not the least of which is a bunch of terrific friends and mentors.
Thanks!
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05/04/2009 12:29:09 PM · #2 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
...it almost seems like cheating to go clean up in this small club with the vast array of knowledge and experience that I've gained by being a DPCer. |
Because you haven't told the rest of the club about DPC? ;-) |
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05/04/2009 12:39:53 PM · #3 |
| I would whole heartedly agree with that sentiment - I think people who focus too much on their relative place in the rankings on this site should look at the bigger picture, if you're scoring ok-ish on this site you're probably head and shoulders above local competition. |
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05/04/2009 01:26:14 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by JimiRose:
I would whole heartedly agree with that sentiment - I think people who focus too much on their relative place in the rankings on this site should look at the bigger picture, if you're scoring ok-ish on this site you're probably head and shoulders above local competition. |
I'd say head and shoulders above international competition :) Proven .. |
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05/04/2009 01:27:39 PM · #5 |
Thank you for that Jeb. It helps put things in perspective. I was just last night feeling cruddy about some much newer members of DPC passing me by on their way to becoming ribbon hogs. Even though I know there are people like yourself and the good general who have plugged away at it, and improve only over long periods, there is always the tendency to compare myself in ways one should not. On the other hand, I know of others here who would like to know the secret to regularly placing in the 5's.
It is most certainly a matter of perspective. |
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05/04/2009 01:53:18 PM · #6 |
'Tis true. My highest score on DPC is a 6.000, but my mom thinks I'm a great photographer.
:-D |
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05/04/2009 04:26:47 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
...it almost seems like cheating to go clean up in this small club with the vast array of knowledge and experience that I've gained by being a DPCer. |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Because you haven't told the rest of the club about DPC? ;-) |
I can with a clear conscience state that I have mentioned DPC a number of times but they're pretty much convinced that the way to photography greatness is diligent work within the parameters of the club's workings and their experts over time.
They have the aforementioned experts in to give seminars and speeches regularly on what it's all about and how it's done, and they follow the direction religiously.
That's one of the terrific things for me about DPC is that I can get six different wasys to approach any one given idea, and select the one that will work best for my skills, my equipment, and my styule of doing things....I have learned that there not only is more than one way to do things, but that in a lot of cases, the "Right" way is the right way for me, not necessarily the next photog.
Developing the photographer that is me is the most important thing I have learned here, and I can credit many fine peopkle here with helping me to do just that.
'Nother funny aside.....I was at a show this weekend, and though I didn't sell a lot moneywise, I sold one framed print, and about ten matted prints....the other five people that were in the same tent as I sold nothing.
I am really myself as a photographer....
Well, I'm off to get more ink....my printer is hungry!.....8>)
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