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06/24/2010 10:11:35 AM · #1
I had an idea based off some PM's back and forth with a couple of folks, trying to help them with their challenge entries. I'm thinking of a side challenge to help some that are stuck in the sub-5 range more often than not. My idea is to shoot something that you can revisit or redo and improve it over the month to where it will be a mid-pack or better shot. If it is a challenge entry that did poorly, even better. By evaluating each others shots, reshooting and reediting, I hope that we can help it "click" with the folks that are unhappy with their challenge performance. This would also require the help of a handful of folks that can usually pull in the 5-6 range, to provide feedback and suggestions. I'd like to limit the number of participants so that they can get enough feedback over the month. The exact number would depend on the number of "coaches" we have available to give feedback and suggestions.

Anyone interested in this for July?

Coaches:
Yo_Spiff Canon DPP, Corel Paintshop Pro X2, Topaz adjust, Topaz Detail, Topaz Denoise, Nik Silver Efex
VaWendy PhotoShop CS4, Topaz Adjsut, Nik Silver Efex
DJWoodward PhotoShop Elements
PGerst PhotoShop CS2
Bear_Music PhotoShop CS3, Topaz Detail, Topaz Adjust, Topaz DeNoise, Topaz Simplify, Photomatix Pro, NeatImage
CoryboehnePhotoshop CS4, Topaz De-Noise, Remask, Detail, Photomatix, GIMP(user-not expert), Noise Ninja, Nik Sharpener Pro, Nik Silver Efex
Colorcarnival Topaz adjust, Topaz Detail, Topaz Denoise
spiritualspatula PhotoShop CS4, Photomatix Pro, Topaz Detail, DeNoise, ReMask, Nik Silver Efex, Nik Color EFEX
Paulbtlw PhotoShop CS4, Apple Aperture, Nik Viveza, Nik Color Efex Pro, Nik Silver Efex Pro
salmiakki Photoshop

Players:
NiallOTuama Adobe Lightroom, Photomatix
FourPoint7 (At the risk of having to change his screen name) Photoshop CS3, Topaz Adjust
JustCaree Corel PaintShop Pro, PhotoShop, Photomatix
CowtownMom (Though she doesn't know it yet) PhotoShop CS2, Canon DPP
e10icus Gimp, Luminance HDR, RAW Therapee
pixelpig Photoshop CS3, Topaz adjust
Abra RawShooter Essentials, Photoshop 6.0
jotaga PhotoShop Elements
jminso Lightroom,PhotoShop Elements, Topaz Adjust, Photomatix
dtremain Corel PaintShop Pro

Message edited by author 2010-06-30 23:40:03.
06/24/2010 10:24:38 AM · #2
I think it's a very interesting idea.

I'm a little concerned about this: what happens if it couldn't have been much better? Many times a photo is just a subject that doesn't hold much interest, no matter what you do with it...

But I'm intrigued, and I think it's a worthy experiment.
06/24/2010 10:34:13 AM · #3
Originally posted by vawendy:

I'm a little concerned about this: what happens if it couldn't have been much better? Many times a photo is just a subject that doesn't hold much interest, no matter what you do with it...

Then that will be eventually determined when after multiple shoots of the same thing in different conditions, it still fails to have an impact. Part of improving one's photography is learning to tell when the potential in the scene just isn't there.
06/24/2010 10:44:41 AM · #4
Sure. Sign me up. I'm not here all of July, but I am for most of it.
06/24/2010 11:04:30 AM · #5
Originally posted by vawendy:

Sure. Sign me up. I'm not here all of July, but I am for most of it.

You're in, as a "mentor", of course. (Anyone got a better term than "mentor"?)
06/24/2010 11:08:08 AM · #6
Just thought of one more thing that might be helpful. We can all see in someone's profile what camera and lenses they have. It might be helpful to list the editing software and plugins participant use, in order to be able to offer specific suggestions. I'll put this info in the list at I'll be starting in the first post of this and the posting thread.
06/24/2010 11:08:31 AM · #7
That sounds like an excellent idea!
I can usually pull in a sub 5.0. Does that help? :P
06/24/2010 11:17:16 AM · #8
Originally posted by NiallOTuama:

That sounds like an excellent idea!
I can usually pull in a sub 5.0. Does that help? :P


Your in. What software do you use?
06/24/2010 12:27:15 PM · #9
Cool. I use Lightroom for organising, modifying etc. Occasionally picasa, but mostly to upload to picasaweb for my many fans.
06/24/2010 12:42:25 PM · #10
No specialized skills here but I can usually pull-off a mid 5 to mid 6 shot using basic tools like Photoshop Elements. I don't know that I qualify but I'd be glad to help if I can.
06/24/2010 12:55:08 PM · #11
Originally posted by DJWoodward:

No specialized skills here but I can usually pull-off a mid 5 to mid 6 shot using basic tools like Photoshop Elements. I don't know that I qualify but I'd be glad to help if I can.

Thanks. I'd say you have a heck of a good eye for an interesting shot, and that is the largest factor, IMO. Thanks for offering your input.
06/24/2010 01:12:13 PM · #12
hmmmmm...at the risk of losing my screen name, i'd certainly love some expert eyes giving advice. I use cs3 with topaz adjust 4
06/24/2010 01:19:50 PM · #13
I can be a coach if you wish. I also have a lot of experience in *creating* sub-5's, I am sort of schizo that way :-)

R.

ETA: I use CS3, Topaz Detail mostly. Also have Topaz Adjust, DeNoise, Simplify, and Photomatix Pro, as well as Neat Image.

Message edited by author 2010-06-24 13:20:53.
06/24/2010 01:21:47 PM · #14
Originally posted by Bear_Music:

I can be a coach if you wish. I also have a lot of experience in *creating* sub-5's, I am sort of schizo that way :-)

R.

ETA: I use CS3, Topaz Detail mostly. Also have Topaz Adjust, DeNoise, Simplify, and Photomatix Pro, as well as Neat Image.


You know how to create some awesome landscapes when you want. Thanks.
06/24/2010 01:27:10 PM · #15
Oh. I have photomatix too. And have a trial version of some topaz products.
06/24/2010 01:32:41 PM · #16
i wanna be a student.
06/24/2010 02:35:08 PM · #17
Steve,

I was so glad to see this post. Previously, I really liked graphicfunk's work, enough to follow up and ask questions from him, and some of the people he mentored. I saw that in earlier years of this forum, mentoring seemed to be fairly common, and I thought it was a great idea. I had just about come to the point of starting a thread to ask for the opportunity from some of the higher scoring members.

Consider me as being one of the "students", whenever everything gets organized.

Oh, and let me say, right out of the gate, that I appreciate all the extra time and effort from the teachers/mentors.

You just made my day!

8-D
06/24/2010 02:44:38 PM · #18
whomever added my name. i have photoshop as well and dont mind using it (though Im completely naive at it) and I have photomatrix

and my paintshop version is 9

Message edited by author 2010-06-24 14:45:58.
06/24/2010 02:58:10 PM · #19
Sweet idea! May I join in? My average vote received is 4.8777. The subject I would like to try for is

my silver salad fork, and camera motion.
This is NOT appealing to the voters, & since
I really enjoy these I'm wondering if I can
figure out how to make the subject more appealing with
a little help from DPC friends.
And it's something I can shoot/edit over & over.
I use CS3 to edit, & I have Topaz.

Message edited by author 2010-06-24 14:59:16.
06/24/2010 03:16:44 PM · #20
I suppose you can count me in... CS4 / Topaz / Photomatix / GIMP / Noise Ninja..

Not that I'm an "expert" but I suppose I should be able to help some..
06/24/2010 03:17:48 PM · #21
Originally posted by pixelpig:

Sweet idea! May I join in? My average vote received is 4.8777. The subject I would like to try for is

my silver salad fork, and camera motion.
This is NOT appealing to the voters, & since
I really enjoy these I'm wondering if I can
figure out how to make the subject more appealing with
a little help from DPC friends.
And it's something I can shoot/edit over & over.
I use CS3 to edit, & I have Topaz.


As a first order of business.. :) I'd like to see this with a zoom and twist... It might add some more "depth" to what seems to be a very flat image...
06/24/2010 03:34:01 PM · #22
Originally posted by coryboehne:

As a first order of business.. :) I'd like to see this with a zoom and twist... It might add some more "depth" to what seems to be a very flat image...


Ah. It looks flat. Hmm. I can try a zoom and twist, see what happens. Usually I zoom by moving the camera in or out. I could try zooming the lens. Thanks!
06/24/2010 03:36:50 PM · #23
I'm an expert in the sub-5 range. I'd be willing to coach anyone on how to get there :D

Interesting idea, Steve. Put me down as a coach with expertise in Topaz adjust, Topaz Detail, Topaz Denoise.

At the end of the month, you should have a playoff in the FS to see who does best :)
06/24/2010 03:37:52 PM · #24
I'll create a posting thread when the new month starts, that give folks a few days to decide what they want to work on.
06/24/2010 03:40:05 PM · #25
Originally posted by colorcarnival:

At the end of the month, you should have a playoff in the FS to see who does best :)

Nice idea. It will be a good opportunity to show if this has worked or not.
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