The Unconventional Side Challenge Images - March&April

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/04/2009 11:32:35 AM · #581

and now for something completely different. :~)

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

04/04/2009 11:50:45 AM · #582

not what it seems...it's all motion blur...

digifotojo

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Canon EF-S 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 III

04/04/2009 02:30:48 PM · #583

Re: Side Challenges

Just wanted to throw some thoughts out there that I've had lately about side challenges and see what y'all think. Taking part in side challenges is great but I'm afraid it's a little like living in a fantasy world because people rarely say anything negative or "speak the truth" to put it bluntly. I think some of us, myself included, cling to these places like safe little havens because they give us a secure feeling about our work. Whereas when we submit images to the regular challenges we get beaten down by the masses. The side challenges are definitely a good place to learn new techniques and improve our skills but they are not necessarily a good borometer for what will do well in the regular challenges. The only way to improve that would be for all of us to be more critical and upfront in our analysis of eachothers' work in the sides. Sure, everyone like to see lots of positive comments on their images but if it isn't helping us to improve or better analyze the quality of our work, it's futile. Agree?

scooter97

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

04/04/2009 03:10:59 PM · #584

Originally posted by digifotojo:

I like these side challenges the way they are. They are fun and no pressure. I understand your desire to have comments be more critical but in a helpful way. Why not start a separate thread for that? Something like: 'Thread for photo critiquing'.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/04/2009 03:14:16 PM · #585

Originally posted by digifotojo:

A good practice is to write "Critical Comments Welcomed" in the photo comments box. And ask any questions you might have about it. I've done that, for example, in the Archive side challenge.

roz

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm 1:2.8 Macro

04/04/2009 05:17:17 PM · #586

Originally posted by digifotojo:

hey jo .. i do love the side challenges for the feedback i get and i'd welcome more critical words ..
it has been suggested before to be more critical in our comments in the side challenges but not many ppl like to go there ..
neil's

nshapiro suggestion would be the best way & i'll be putting "critical comments welcomed" on my images in future .. :)

i hesitate to write anything 'negative' myself, because i'm so aware that it's only my opinion .. often i wont write anything at all if i cant say something positive ..
& there are some ppl who react badly to advice .. you see it in real life and here would be no different .. which is why i concentrate on the positives rather than the negatives .. taking photographs every day & looking at other ppl's work helps us improve too ..
i'd hope everyone would realise that side challenge comments arent a true gauge as to how an image will go in a 'real' challenge ..:)

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

04/04/2009 06:15:05 PM · #587

For the side challenges, I don't really want criticism per-se, but I don't mind it and I'd never be offended by it. Tell me why you like it, or tell me why it doesn't work for you, but I could really care less about the technicals. For me it's a strictly playing type thing. I create what I like, and I'm more than happy to try other's suggestions (though I usually don't edit and re post unless I really like the result, I will try it). I know nothing I do in a side challenge is real challenge material (and for me usually the editing wouldn't work anyway). When I comment on the sides, I look for something positive to say, whether I like the picture or not. That's not to say what I type is false, because it isn't. It's just the positive I took away personally from the picture. And I'm sure the gushing praise I give for the pictures I really like let you know I really did love it. I kind of look at it from the art perspective. Not everyone likes the same thing, but you don't usually post what you personally don't like. I think we put a little more of ourselves into the sides, therefore sometimes the criticism is a little harder to take.

Or it could just be me, LOL! ;)

slaakso

Olympus E-510

Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Macro ED Zuiko Digital

04/04/2009 06:39:04 PM · #588

"quoted from the beginning of the challenge. Here are the (non) rules - SMILE!

1. RELAX
2. Turn up when you can, with what you want to offer and don't stress about how often.
3. Comment when you can, it's always appreciated, but be kind to yourself, life get's busy and I wouldn't want you to stay away because you can't always comment
4. CREATE - let your hair down, rid yourself of constraints and show us what YOU DO! End Quote"

Now I know why I didn't enter this here side challenge - Rule 4 is exclusionary to some of us! LOL! Just baby-goatin' with you! I love the images here. I thought I'd paint my head just to be able to comment here! Not really, I just love to paint. I did use a 3 inch brush so I did paint outside the lines at times.

I like comments in side challenges because people are a bit freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrr with the comments then durin' real challenges!

Message edited by author 2009-04-04 18:41:12.

JerseyGenie

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

04/04/2009 07:02:54 PM · #589

I do the side challenges because I'm able to make them more "artistic" and less photo only. I personally like the artistic side. The more artistic the more I likey. In challenges that is generally thought of as a no-no. So I gravitate here where I can be free to pursue the stuff that I like.
We all know that overlays and artistic pursuits don't fly in regular challenges. So us free and easy "artists" (you don't know how hard I have to work to actually have the confidence to even type the word artist) congregate in side challenges.
I agree ... if you really want hard critiques just type your request...and I'm sure you'll get it from some, just probably not from me...I can't do it!!!

Edit to say...Sean...I've heard of finger painting ... just never head painting!

Message edited by author 2009-04-04 19:04:24.

rodfulk

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

04/04/2009 08:08:41 PM · #590

I entered this side challenage to get to know y'all better and have a chance to learn more about DPC. I have learned some ,have had fun, talked with a few of you thru Pm's. I do not mind at all any criticism as long as it is not fueled by hate. I've not seen that here at all, and think that any criticism is meant as a form of love, in order to help each other.

pixelpig

Sony Alpha a55

Sony DT 1.8/50mm SAM

04/04/2009 08:33:46 PM · #591

I like this side challenge because I'm free to be as artistic as I like. And people are free to comment or not as they wish. I am grateful to critical and admiring comments alike. Thank you to

cgino for the frame I used on these vibrantly colored tulips.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

04/04/2009 09:12:52 PM · #592

I enter side challenges as a representation of my mood and my work. I don't particularly want or need a "critical" comment. Sometimes people make suggestions as to the way they would like to see it but I'm pretty happy with what I put out there at this point. Maybe 6 years ago I would want more constructive criticism, but now I just enter these because I can do what I want, no restrictions on how I do it, and people are open to them. I mostly enjoy the camaraderie. Just my reasons for entering. :~)

dougi555

Nikon D800

04/04/2009 10:53:02 PM · #593

Comments on thoughts below. I agree and disagree with Joanna on different points. As I've said in other threads I was really finding the weekly challenge starting to "rule" my shooting and was really finding it constraining and frustating creativity. I think this was also quite clearly showing in my scoring. Find these side challenges allow me to shoot and process what I want, and as such enjoy myself again. On saying that, yes we are all very complimentary of each other, wouldn't bother me in teh slightest to get critical commentary. I have found this last month to be more motivational that the last year in regular challenges and have forced my self to learn new techniques ( thnx all ) and tricks. As others have said I've also found it great from the friendship viewpoint, as I've said before I think we've collected a fairly cool wee crew here........ :)

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

04/05/2009 04:36:55 AM · #594

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

04/05/2009 08:46:31 AM · #595

Arrogance is sometimes fitting! LOL!

cgino

Nikon D810

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 G ED

04/05/2009 12:26:32 PM · #596

Had to catch up so there's two today

As for the discussion on side challenges, I have to say I'm pretty much with Judy on this one. While I'm happy to receive critical comments and suggestions, getting them is not the purpose of my participation in side challenges. Sometimes I'll try what folks have suggested (as I just did for my Mr. Tiggs image here), but often I won't. More often than not I've spent a lot of time on every image I post and have turned it into something that pleases me just as it is; if it pleases others that's great, but if not that's fine too. As many others have stated, I'm here for two reasons: 1)to share and learn new techniques and 2)to virtually 'hang out' with folks I admire and enjoy the sense of comaraderie that develops. What I'm not here for is to learn to create images that would do well in the 'real' challenges, although I certainly respect those who have that as their goal! As for my commenting, I do indeed focus on the positive; unless someone specifically asks for a critique I tend not to give one -- it is just my opinion, after all, and while I know what I like I may not know what is good :-)