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DPChallenge Forums >> Current Challenge >> Entering something you love, but will get no love
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01/31/2023 07:23:05 PM · #1
How do you do it? How do you enter something that you really, really love, but that you know people won't understand?

First freestudy of the year, and I have entered something that won't do well. That's ok -- I have things in two challenges that are doing that great. But I didn't particularly like those, myself.

It's hard to talk myself into entering photos that I have a strong attachment to, when I know that people won't like it. There have been a couple of photos that I never entered in any challenge, because I didn't want them to be easily dismissed.

At times I enter things, hoping that it makes an impression on just one person. But comments are so few and far between, it seems like you'll never know if it makes that impression.

It's a new year -- maybe I'll learn to be brave. I'm starting with this one. We'll see if I ever do it again. :)
01/31/2023 07:44:14 PM · #2
When I enter something like that, I am seeking strong appeal for a narrow crowd. If I get a couple of comments from the sort of members I expect to appreciate it, then it is a success.
01/31/2023 07:49:41 PM · #3
I enter those the same way I enter everything else. The ONLY reason (IMO) to not enter whatever you want is to a) keep your overall average up or b) not lose an opportunity to rack up points on the ribbon-chase side-event.

After a couple of hundred entries you're probably not going to be able to move your overall average much either way, and until Henk adds a column for brown ribbons that aspect isn't a factor for me. :-)

As you say, sometimes you enter something important to you but that the average 5-second voter won't get -- this is my favorite example of one I knew few people would understand how it fit the challenge, but I explained it in the notes, and check out the comments that elicited ...



I hate to quote Nike (advertising), but just do it. :-)
01/31/2023 08:22:37 PM · #4
Yeah, all the time.
01/31/2023 08:23:59 PM · #5
Originally posted by vawendy:

How do you do it? How do you enter something that you really, really love, but that you know people won't understand?. . .


Or know that they won't love, too.
When I'm really vulnerable on a photo - like it's of my granddaughter and I know DPC voters pretty much hate "cute kids" but I love her so much and kinda think this pic has something special . . . I usually chicken out. And I'm almost always sorry when I don't.

Edit immediately to add. It's not about the score as a score. Ribbon or not ribbon. It's something else entirely.

Message edited by author 2023-01-31 20:25:55.
01/31/2023 08:42:58 PM · #6
Originally posted by nam:

Originally posted by vawendy:

How do you do it? How do you enter something that you really, really love, but that you know people won't understand?. . .


Or know that they won't love, too.
When I'm really vulnerable on a photo - like it's of my granddaughter and I know DPC voters pretty much hate "cute kids" but I love her so much and kinda think this pic has something special . . . I usually chicken out. And I'm almost always sorry when I don't.

Edit immediately to add. It's not about the score as a score. Ribbon or not ribbon. It's something else entirely.


That’s just it — I don’t mind low scores. I don’t care about that. If I shoot for a challenge, I enter it, regardless of whether the photo sucks or not. But some photos are just Special - with a capital S! Maybe it’s just that I actually think it’s ART. I’ve struggled to do art since I’ve joined. I’ve taken beautiful photos, but they’re more documentary than art. I’m perfectly happy working towards National Geographic type documentary photos. I’d be ecstatic with that. But every once in awhile I look at something and just FEEL that it’s different, on a level for which I’m not accustomed.

Maybe I should save it for Art of 2023. Perhaps if it was in that type of challenge, people would recognize it as art. :)

Message edited by author 2023-01-31 20:43:43.
01/31/2023 09:48:39 PM · #7
Originally posted by vawendy:

But some photos are just Special - with a capital S! But every once in awhile I look at something and just FEEL that it’s different, on a level for which I’m not accustomed.


Agreed. I knew that this one would not do as well as what it means to me. Taken during my wife's last ride on a sailboat (Sailboats were to her as bicycles are for me) before the heart attack that killed her. I have this framed and hanging in my entryway. Ellen's daughters, sisters and a good friend who is considered family all got a canvas print of this for Christmas that year.
I can't expect a DPC member to know what is special about this. It's just a nice picture of a sailboat to anyone else.


Message edited by author 2023-01-31 21:49:48.
01/31/2023 10:28:40 PM · #8
I've got something in the January FS that makes me smile from ear to ear each time I look at it... I'm really not sure how it will do, but it's a Free Study, so hopefully no DNMC votes, LOL. However it does, I love it.
02/01/2023 08:23:00 AM · #9
I hesitated submitting to the FS, but did anyways. Photo is sub 5, but it’s another photo my wife is keen to hang up. Is special to us for several reasons, but to others is just a pic. But it’s fun to submit and see what people think.

Message edited by author 2023-02-01 08:24:37.
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