| Author | Thread |
|
|
11/14/2007 10:04:01 PM · #1 |
I like the attitude of trying to just do what you want, and the hell with scores. I wish I could maintain it. I have really let go of dp a lot lately. For me, the frustration gets me illin' for the entire voting time. I know it is meaningless, but it still feels like I can't do it right, so why bother? I know it is all perception. I need to grow up and face the reality of dp, keeping in mind that there are folks from all over the world entering, it isn't the same people winning the top 3 every week, and there are folks who have been at this many moons. I improve, but so do they, so my scores remain just about the same percentage no matter what I take.
There are other sites that have given me a real boost in my confidence. Perhaps I will finally be able to see what the dp folks see eventually, but not yet. So maybe before the end of the year I might enter another challenge, maybe not. Still, there is great learning and sharing, and I can't say I haven't received support from folks here as well as many comments, because I have. Anyway, MikeJ, hang in there, enjoy, and don't worry. You can learn to improve even if you don't enter challenges. Just enter some side monthly challenges. They will definitely get you some comments as well as an audience for your photos.
|
|
|
|
11/14/2007 05:47:53 PM · #2 |
Originally posted by booboo_goon:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I think the question you need to answer is: Why do scores matter to you? |
Duuuude! Scores matter to most people here, it's an important point of entering a challenge! lol
I FEEL YOUR PAIN SISTA |
May I correct you?!! There is one who doesn't....well ok,... maybe even he cares about his scores. It's just that he seems to care the other way. The lower the better! At least that's what it seems like he's up too. He takes a challenge and just shoots an image for it. Way to go Stephen. Check out his images if you care too =  whiterook
|
|
|
|
10/18/2007 09:39:37 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Jedusi:
Originally posted by Phillydigishooter:
But what really frustrates the hell out of me is the lack of comments I receive. . . Good constructive feedback helps you learn. |
Bob, I'm with your sentiments all the way here - but out of fairness you only appear to have made 26 comments after 3 years and 15 challenges.
There are many times that giving a critique of other peoples pictures helps us realise what is good or bad about our own. |
Ok, I'll keep this in mind in the future. Thanks. |
|
|
|
10/18/2007 09:35:22 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by brownsm:
Originally posted by Phillydigishooter:
But what really frustrates the hell out of me is the lack of comments I receive. The last challenge I entered was Flora II with a very simplistic entry received all positive comments and a few with improvement suggestions that I can apply to future photos. Good constructive feedback helps you learn. |
Bob, left you a comment on that last entry. |
Thanks Steve for you positive comment. I will apply your suggestions.
|
|
|
|
10/18/2007 08:51:39 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Originally posted by MikeJ:
I joined DPC because of the challenges and the type of photography I was seeing. Although I've never entered a challenge in the almost 2 years I've been on here, I have to say I've stayed because of the, uh, I've stayed because of... hmmm, why have the heck have I stayed? Hang on, I'll get back to you.
Mike |
TWO YEARS AND NOT A SINGLE CHALLENGE?
...and you have THAT camera???
|
I know my limatations, Art. And though I have come up with winner ideas, I don't have the time and talent that some have to be able to put them together into an image. And most of the shooting I do is counter to just about every rule that DPC has in place. I shoot multiple images and panoramas and HDR and other types of images like that that just don't fit in any of the challenges. Some day the right challenge will come along, all the stars will line up, I'll have some free time and the energy and I'll enter one. But until then, I just admire the work by those that do enter... even if sometimes I have to wonder what the voters were thinking to vote they way they did. :D
Mike
|
|
|
|
10/18/2007 05:21:00 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Creature:
And then you get flak from people about being here for 2 years and only entering a few challenges... |
Only if you read the forums.
|
|
|
|
10/18/2007 05:19:07 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
I wonder what challenges are like for those who never read the forums. Hmmm... |
I thought you tried that for a while.
|
|
|
|
10/18/2007 04:23:35 PM · #8 |
But, every once in a while you almost get it right. In Flora II I got a new PB and finished 22/322. At last I have broken the 6 barrier, but still will select challenges, rather than chase votes and scores.
I wonder what the future holds for me...or you...or you?? |
|
|
|
10/18/2007 03:27:17 PM · #9 |
I gotta say, DPChallenge definitely raises the bar in many ways. I tell people at my local photography club (where I've entered every competition) about how things work here and they're amazed: Multiple weekly challenges, with usually specific themes/objectives, the photo has to be taken during the challenge period, editing limitations are strictly enforced, and entries are submitted by photogs from all over the world with no distinction between novice/amateur/professional experience levels. On the other hand, the local club competitions are generally free study, and you can enter any picture you've taken whenever, it can be post-processed to your heart's content, and there are novice and advanced categories to give some people better chances.
I think it would be expected for those of us who are novice/amateur to be frustrated trying to compete directly with the people here who are pros, and/or who have money for all the equipment, and/or who live in naturally beautiful places. It can be downright discouraging if you let it, or it can be motivating if you make it. It all depends on how hard you are willing to try and how much criticism you can take until you get up there.
And yes, if scores are important to you, then it is just that much harder.
Message edited by author 2007-10-18 15:31:54. |
|
|
|
10/18/2007 02:24:31 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Phillydigishooter:
But what really frustrates the hell out of me is the lack of comments I receive. . . Good constructive feedback helps you learn. |
Bob, I'm with your sentiments all the way here - but out of fairness you only appear to have made 26 comments after 3 years and 15 challenges.
There are many times that giving a critique of other peoples pictures helps us realise what is good or bad about our own. |
|
|
|
10/18/2007 02:19:07 PM · #11 |
It's important to remember that these scores are averages of everyone's votes. When I look at the bar graphs of how everyone voted on a particular entry, most of the time you can see that it wowed a few people and some others thought it stunk. Even the top winners get some low ratings from a few folks, and the lowest scrorers usually still get a couple of high ones.
Message edited by author 2007-10-18 14:19:30. |
|
|
|
10/18/2007 12:50:48 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Phillydigishooter:
But what really frustrates the hell out of me is the lack of comments I receive. The last challenge I entered was Flora II with a very simplistic entry received all positive comments and a few with improvement suggestions that I can apply to future photos. Good constructive feedback helps you learn. |
Bob, left you a comment on that last entry. |
|
|
|
10/18/2007 12:42:05 PM · #13 |
One of the most interesting threads I read in awhile.
The challenge doesn't bother me because I choose what one's to enter.
Dose the scoring bother me. Hmmm I’m in the middle of the road. Because I realize I’m up against pros and semi-pros with better resources, such as equipment, studio, software, and time. I learned a few things here at DPC. And, yes when I enter a challenge I’m also addicted to the update button. But what really frustrates the hell out of me is the lack of comments I receive. The last challenge I entered was Flora II with a very simplistic entry received all positive comments and a few with improvement suggestions that I can apply to future photos. Good constructive feedback helps you learn.
Anyway with that being said, the only person I have to impress is myself. Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder, in this case me. And like most artists I’m my own worst critic. |
|
|
|
10/18/2007 12:28:24 PM · #14 |
I know I tend to get really frustrated with the challenges. I started entering challenges here, though, right when I decided that I liked this whole photograhy-as-art thing and I was looking forward to steadily improving as I pushed myself to meet the challenges... but it seems that every picture I enter just scores lower and lower.
The last challenge was especially frustrating because I received negative comments (suggestions, really - they're good comments) on all the aspects I thought were strengths of my composition. I'm still trying to decide if that means I'm completely backward or if there really is a 'formula' here that I'm just not conforming to.
I DO find the challenges very inspiring, even though a lot of them are/can be interpreted as 'free studies'. I have a few ideas in my head that I can't wait to execute as soon as I acquire the necessary bits, even though the challenges are long over. So that's nice. |
|
|
|
10/18/2007 12:13:55 PM · #15 |
Hmmm interesting debate.
Do the scores bother me ?
Well yes they do, because I have put some thought and effort in to trying to make a picture as good as I can, so just as with any situation where you put out effort it's nice to see some recognition.
Are scores absolutely everything to me ?
Uh no . . but there are times when I've felt peeved at something panning and it has given me the impetus to go back re-examine it and see where it was (genuinely) weak. This helps me improve and there is no question in my mind that a little competition goes a long way to helping most people improve and try to get better.
Are Challenges Creative enough ?
That's a real toughy for me. There are a couple of pictures in Pencil that I think are quite magnificent, and I still remember being blown away by the quality of shots in the last AA battery challenge. Sometimes it is the most mundane objects that can get the most creative juices flowing.
I do accept that there doesn't appear to be a clear enough route from challenge suggestion to challenge implemetation though. Maybe there could be some sort of acknowledgement that an idea has been taken up to be used at a future point so it doesn't feel like suggestions are disappearing into a black hole.
And going all the way back to the begining of this thread - if you're not happy with your scores go over to the Mentoring thread and get your names down so you can receive some first class help.
That's all - carry on
:- )
|
|
|
|
10/18/2007 12:05:51 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by timfythetoo:
I enter most every challenge - crap or not. I am an update button addict. Some challenges are just easier to shoot for. If you are interested I might be able to offer some suggestions on your pencil shot if you are still interested in trying to execute it. Shoot me a PM. |
Ditto. I am addicted to the stupid UPDATE button. Yes it can be frustrating. I rant and rave in my head but I keep shooting and submitting. I do my best to take into account everyones comments when shooting. Some I agree with others I do not. I just love shooting. |
|
|
|
10/18/2007 12:00:54 PM · #17 |
I'm fairly new here, the reason I came is for the challenges. It gets me to try new things, take shots I normally wouldn't take. It gets the creative juices flowing and challenges me to grow as a photographer. I used to go to another website (photosig) and was really into this contest they started up, but it was cancelled due to a lot of whining and cheating. So, I've been looking for something like this site for a while. Glad I found it. The scores at times do bother me, but really it doesn't matter, as longs as I'm happy with the process and the end result. One of my favorite pics I've taken all time was done for a challenge at the other site. Here it is |
|
|
|
10/18/2007 11:35:19 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by routerguy666:
But anyway, if you don't want to enter you don't have to. |
And then you get flak from people about being here for 2 years and only entering a few challenges... |
|
|
|
10/18/2007 09:11:53 AM · #19 |
I am keeping the challenge in mind as I go about taking photos of what I want. As with many others, the perfect shot was often done last week. It's fun to compete, but it takes a lot of improvement to bump my average up even 1/2 a point.
I'd love to get more feedback to know why I am doing how I am, but I admit it is hard to comment on a decent shot that does not wow you. The awesome ones and the really lousy ones are easy to comment on. I've been trying to vote on fewer but leave comments on most of the ones I do vote one. Critical thinking of why I do or don't like someone else's entry is helping my own art. I was initially a little leery about it, but I realize that most people here are receptive and eager to know why they are doing as they are. It's also interesting after challenge, to see how my comments line up with what others said.
Photos that only seem to do a middle of the road performance here, tend to get lots of "WOW" comments over on Flickr, where much of what is posted are casual, unedited shapshots. I don't give a lot of criticism there, unless I know the other member desires it. Both sites have their place. |
|
|
|
10/18/2007 03:07:27 AM · #20 |
|
|
|
10/18/2007 03:05:39 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
I wonder what challenges are like for those who never read the forums. Hmmm... |
I've wondered that myself. |
Makes me want to find some folks who've entered many but never posted and we could talk smack about them and they would never know it. Heeeheeeheee.
edit: come to think of it, I think we should go roust some of them and drag them in here. Why should they get to enjoy the challenges??
Message edited by author 2007-10-18 03:07:16. |
|
|
|
10/18/2007 02:49:50 AM · #22 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
I wonder what challenges are like for those who never read the forums. Hmmm... |
I've wondered that myself.
|
|
|
|
10/18/2007 02:45:31 AM · #23 |
Originally posted by MikeJ:
I joined DPC because of the challenges and the type of photography I was seeing. Although I've never entered a challenge in the almost 2 years I've been on here, I have to say I've stayed because of the, uh, I've stayed because of... hmmm, why have the heck have I stayed? Hang on, I'll get back to you.
Mike |
TWO YEARS AND NOT A SINGLE CHALLENGE?
...and you have THAT camera???
I wonder what challenges are like for those who never read the forums. Hmmm... |
|
|
|
10/18/2007 02:36:20 AM · #24 |
Im pretty happy with the challenges.
Even the last pencil one which was pretty constrictive, gave you the choice of doing a pretty loose POV shot.
Of course there are some I dont like as much, such as anything that has to do with bands or songs, like the 'rolling stones challenge'
Which isnt a theme, but rather a free study where you search around for a lyric from a band that will suit it. Gimme any picture and ill give it a rolling stones title |
|
|
|
10/18/2007 01:41:30 AM · #25 |
Originally posted by Melethia:
Amen to that. That's why I shoot, too. And though the challenges are sometimes a bit "huh?", they do make you think and start looking at things in a different light. We may not end up with anything for a challenge, but we look at things that way for awhile, just in case. So I think it's a good thing. |
I'm with you on this all the way. That's why i like DPC. Gives me reasons to keep my mind occupied and see if i can come up with an idea in a very limited time. And then, if i finally have one, i got to figure out how to make it real. Through this process i have a chance to search, try and learn things about photography.
IMHO sure score matters, but it's not a goal, it's a motive.
Last two challenges i entered (fauna and pencils) gave me reasons to try out studio lighting. Never had that chance before, you see i'm not a pro. I spent some time searching the internet about lighting setups, chose one i thought it was appropriate for my idea and tried it out.
I had to dig out some old flashes, i had buried somewhere in my basement, to complete the setup. Kept me busy all week, and in the end i'm happy i did it, even though i have a very tight schedule these days.
All in all, i think the whole process is what i enjoy the most.
Message edited by author 2007-10-18 01:42:45. |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Prints! -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 04/23/2024 05:02:46 PM EDT.
