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06/08/2011 11:55:11 PM · #1
Okay, I'm not sure if this has been done before or not, but before you torch me... Hear me out...

I have made it my personal goal to get a photo published there. I've had 8 rejections so far, but thanks to this site, I have been growing as a photographer, even earning my first ribbon (which was rejected there) a few months back. Perhaps I'm determined, perhaps I take rejection well, but I feel like I'm getting close... I know there are allot of other photographers here who are in the same boat as I am. There's many people here who have had many photos rejected there, and they are still trying. SO... I figured why not make a challenge out of it... After all, getting published there is a challenge...

So here is the kicker... For the next three weeks, post your best photos that you think will be accepted there. Ask for help, get feedback, improve, and re-shoot if necessary... I think collectively, this is a great opportunity to learn as a group, since the DPL isn't going to happen. To me, this site has always been about learning and growing. So let's learn and grow together. Whether your shot actually gets published doesn't REALLY matter at the end of the day, as long as you LEARN a new technique that may inch you closer to getting published...

Now for the rules, I set the shoot and submit timeline for 3 weeks. This gives everyone plenty of time to shoot, come up with a shot, edit it, post it, get feedback, re-edit, repost and if your not happy with your shot, come up with a whole new theme. So three weeks seems like more than enough time and have your submission sent in by July 1st. You can enter as often as you like, because people paying to belong there can submit 5 or more shots in a week... So go for it, but don't flood this thread with 10 different photos for feedback... Pick your best three :) Finally, although this thread is geared at people who have never had a photo published at 1x, I would personally love to have people participating who have had photos published there. The more experienced feedback the better, and maybe, just maybe, we can get some fresh blood published there... So who's with me???
06/09/2011 01:26:58 AM · #2
I'm in! I have only submitted and been rejected once so far, but would love feedback so count me in.
06/09/2011 02:07:01 AM · #3
OK, I am in. I think I know most of the time why my photo was rejected but I am not clear how to improve (this sentence may not make sense to some :) My both ribbons were rejected so my starting point would be to ask here what I could do to improve them. If you don't mind I will post them here now to get some feedback BEFORE I go shooting again in the same locations (they are both on my doorstep - literally! I just need to wait for another frosty or foggy morning).
.
06/09/2011 03:26:10 AM · #4
Interested count me in. How to start? Are there any rules to follow such as theme, editing, shooting date, etc?

Message edited by author 2011-06-09 03:36:57.
06/09/2011 03:32:20 AM · #5
FYI

"Some examples of not so original motifs are: pets, butterflies, the person in the end of the tunnel, homeless people, sunsets, milky water, lonely boats and the lonely tree."
1X
06/09/2011 03:32:31 AM · #6
Originally posted by MargaretN:

OK, I am in. I think I know most of the time why my photo was rejected but I am not clear how to improve (this sentence may not make sense to some :) My both ribbons were rejected so my starting point would be to ask here what I could do to improve them. If you don't mind I will post them here now to get some feedback BEFORE I go shooting again in the same locations (they are both on my doorstep - literally! I just need to wait for another frosty or foggy morning).
.


I'm not sure it has much to do with the photo but the theme - those types of shots are a dime a dozen... have a look at their FAQs and i think you will find they say a shot might be technically masterful, but if the screeners think it doesnt "fit" with the site's world view or if it is unremarkable for some reason (ie the single tree in a field theme is tough competition to get pubished as being "original") then it wont get published...

Message edited by author 2011-06-09 03:33:29.
06/09/2011 03:46:10 AM · #7
Originally posted by FocusPoint:

FYI

"Some examples of not so original motifs are: pets, butterflies, the person in the end of the tunnel, homeless people, sunsets, milky water, lonely boats and the lonely tree."
1X


OK, from recently published:

Lonely boat (yes, it does have a cloud to help):
//1x.com/photo/42285/category/landscape/latest-additions/every-cloud

Milky water (yes, it also has a boat):
//1x.com/photo/42244/category/landscape/latest-additions/sunbeam

Lonely tree (yes, it has the road too):
//1x.com/photo/42102/category/landscape/latest-additions/honey-road

I have read all 1x FAQs and thought about this a lot. My current thinking is that I need to learn much more about capturing light and improving composition. My PP could be better too.

Any other suggestions for improvement?
06/09/2011 03:53:55 AM · #8
Originally posted by MargaretN:

Originally posted by FocusPoint:

FYI

"Some examples of not so original motifs are: pets, butterflies, the person in the end of the tunnel, homeless people, sunsets, milky water, lonely boats and the lonely tree."
1X


OK, from recently published:

Lonely boat (yes, it does have a cloud to help):
//1x.com/photo/42285/category/landscape/latest-additions/every-cloud

Milky water (yes, it also has a boat):
//1x.com/photo/42244/category/landscape/latest-additions/sunbeam

Lonely tree (yes, it has the road too):
//1x.com/photo/42102/category/landscape/latest-additions/honey-road

I have read all 1x FAQs and thought about this a lot. My current thinking is that I need to learn much more about capturing light and improving composition. My PP could be better too.

Any other suggestions for improvement?


I think their statement stays. Your links show two dead boat (not lonely anymore) and a tree with some truck next to it (also not lonely)
.
.
.
.
...of course you also know I am joking :P
06/09/2011 03:58:06 AM · #9
Originally posted by FocusPoint:

Originally posted by MargaretN:

Any other suggestions for improvement?
I think their statement stays. Your links show two dead boat (not lonely anymore) and a tree with some truck next to it (also not lonely)
.
...of course you also know I am joking :P

YES
So what makes them special?

PS My attempt at the answer (most important aspect):
1 - light
2 - composition
3 - don't know


Message edited by author 2011-06-09 03:59:51.
06/09/2011 04:07:53 AM · #10
Originally posted by MargaretN:

Originally posted by FocusPoint:

Originally posted by MargaretN:

Any other suggestions for improvement?
I think their statement stays. Your links show two dead boat (not lonely anymore) and a tree with some truck next to it (also not lonely)
.
...of course you also know I am joking :P

YES
So what makes them special?

PS My attempt at the answer (most important aspect):
1 - light
2 - composition
3 - don't know


I really don't know about the tree photo, but all have clouds... so, it must be something with the clouds and darkness... spookiness... etc.
06/09/2011 04:23:24 AM · #11
My current conclusion is that focusing entirely on the subject matter is not enough to predict a 1x rejection. Contrary to the FAQ they do accept photos that include the "non-original" subject matter. There are other aspects to think about that make the difference.

There is no FAQ for WHAT does get published. Should we develop one? Such FAQ would be useful for the persistent DPCers who want to get published on 1x. I think this could be worthwhile. And it needs to be specific, generic statements like "the photo must be original" do not help :)
06/09/2011 08:58:25 AM · #12
Sounds interesting. I might give it a try. I think after 4 years beating myself up on DPC, that I might have some stuff with potential for rejection.
06/09/2011 09:02:02 AM · #13
Do you have to pay to submit images to 1x?
06/09/2011 09:05:40 AM · #14
Really I think its just a case of doing a mainstream shot has more competition, and therefore must be flawless... I shot that has allot of originality has a little more flexibility...

MargaretN, the only thing I can see wrong with the first image is the powerlines? I mean, compositionally, both images are very strong. Perhaps the "curators" didn't feel the shots were fitting subject matter wise... Its really tough because they don't give you any feedback, so on images that have no real flaws, it really becomes a matter of taste.

I had my only ribbon rejected... but truthfully I don't feel its 1x material so I'm not surprised... With your shots, I think the second one is more 1x, but as to why it was rejected, that's tough... I don't think its anything technical and its probably a matter of subjectivity...

I'm going to try and get out this week to do some Free Study work :) Maybe I'll have some new images to post... Its tough cause I work full time and have a 5 month old, so I'm kinda Mr. mom too... If I don't get back to this thread for a day or two, I apologize... I'm curious to see how many shots we can get published
06/09/2011 09:07:04 AM · #15
Originally posted by NiallOTuama:

Do you have to pay to submit images to 1x?


You can submit 1 image a week for free...

You can upgrade to 5 submissions per week and a bunch of other features including a gallery and yada yada for 50$ a year... they also have more premium memberships as well
06/09/2011 09:31:07 AM · #16
Originally posted by Sirashley:

Originally posted by NiallOTuama:

Do you have to pay to submit images to 1x?


You can submit 1 image a week for free...

You can upgrade to 5 submissions per week and a bunch of other features including a gallery and yada yada for 50$ a year... they also have more premium memberships as well

Kewlies! In that case I'm up for getting rejected!

Also, is this for new shots, or old ones too?

Message edited by author 2011-06-09 09:33:41.
06/09/2011 09:44:08 AM · #17
Originally posted by NiallOTuama:

Originally posted by Sirashley:

Originally posted by NiallOTuama:

Do you have to pay to submit images to 1x?


You can submit 1 image a week for free...

You can upgrade to 5 submissions per week and a bunch of other features including a gallery and yada yada for 50$ a year... they also have more premium memberships as well

Kewlies! In that case I'm up for getting rejected!

Also, is this for new shots, or old ones too?
Anything goes including no restrictions on editing.
06/09/2011 10:52:51 AM · #18
I have probably submitted 20 shots and have had 3 accepted. Some of the stuff that was rejected IMO is at least as good if not better than some of the stuff I have seen on it. (of course I may be biased) There is a definite "feel" to the type of stuff they like and I certainly haven't figured it out yet. :) That being said the fun is in the challenge so I keep working on edits and a different feel. I went a head and paid the $50 so I could send more in. It is a mix of frustrating and fun. And there is ton to be learned on the site. And I try to keep in mind that a rejection is not necessarily because of a poor photograph - it seems like the curators look at so many pics that it might not hit them the right way at the moment they see it.
06/09/2011 12:21:50 PM · #19
Well I entered my Free Study shot for last month... Thanks to spiff and bearmusic for editing tips...



Its already been in the selection process longer than my last shot...lol... I don't think its 1x material though so we'll see...

06/09/2011 12:35:17 PM · #20
Originally posted by FocusPoint:


... the person in the end of the tunnel...


That's hilarious!
06/09/2011 01:44:46 PM · #21
Originally posted by Sirashley:

Well I entered my Free Study shot for last month... Thanks to spiff and bearmusic for editing tips...



Its already been in the selection process longer than my last shot...lol... I don't think its 1x material though so we'll see...


Wow, that's beautiful, I hope it gets published!

That said, if it doesn't, things that work against it to my thinking ...
(1) the beak is not quite sharp
(2) the background, though beautiful, is too plain to add to the story, and there's a slight "horizon line" bisecting the bird's head
(3) the vignette, too strong
(4) it's not a particularly original shot
(5) the bird is not doing anything besides sitting there looking great

For inspiration (comparison?), look at:
Harry's bird pictures - //1x.com/#!/artist/56207/photos/2
and Henrik's bird pictures - //1x.com/#!/artist/HenrikJust/photos
Or these:
//1x.com/#!/photo/38928/category/nature/latest-additions/japanese-cranes
//1x.com/#!/photo/41918/category/nature/latest-additions/willow-grouse

Added: And something else that's been bugging me ever since first looking at the image - I wonder if it would work better flipped horizontally.

Message edited by author 2011-06-09 13:53:39.
06/09/2011 01:47:43 PM · #22
Ok, I just signed up and submitted this one. One of my personal faves and scored highly in a freestudy. Lets see how long it takes to reject it.




06/09/2011 01:54:17 PM · #23
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Ok, I just signed up and submitted this one. One of my personal faves and scored highly in a freestudy. Lets see how long it takes to reject it.



Between 24 and 30 hours? :)
06/09/2011 02:55:06 PM · #24
Originally posted by Sirashley:

Well I entered my Free Study shot for last month... Thanks to spiff and bearmusic for editing tips...



Its already been in the selection process longer than my last shot...lol... I don't think its 1x material though so we'll see...
I just voted for it. Good luck!
06/09/2011 03:20:55 PM · #25
Originally posted by MargaretN:

Originally posted by Sirashley:

Well I entered my Free Study shot for last month... Thanks to spiff and bearmusic for editing tips...



Its already been in the selection process longer than my last shot...lol... I don't think its 1x material though so we'll see...
I just voted for it. Good luck!


Hmmm, I'm fairly certain my other shots have been immediately shot down by the curators so to make it to voting is a step in the right direction :)

Ursula Thank You sooo much for the feedback, out of the five things you pointed out, I was really only aware of the first one. Do you think a little wider aperture would have made a difference? I shot that at f8, so maybe like f10 or 11? As far as the vignette goes, that's my first time ever doing one, and I did it by googling how to do it in Gimp about ten minutes before the submission deadline...lol... So I really had no clue what I was doing, I'm going to have to research vignettes further. Again thank you so much for the critique and I am sure I'll be consulting you further in this thread
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