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08/11/2002 04:40:26 PM · #1 |
I've been "watching and learning" on here for a couple weeks now and instead of sitting here wondering, I thought I'd speak up.
I know there is talk of the ratio of votes to comments.
I have not had a picture up to be voted on yet (although I'll get my chance in the something new contest) and simply don't feel like I have the right yet, to make comments or post criticizm on other people pictures, without first being torn apart myself. Also, this is the first competition type thing I've ever entered and to tell the truth, I got my new camera for mother's day and just recently decided to start taking some cool pictures. This is experimental for me at the moment and I am going into this with little prior knowledge of photography other than the fact that I've been told that I have "an eye for taking pictures" and I love to do it.
I did comment on a few, but only to say that I liked them. The only thing I know really is weather or not I like a photo and if I feel it meets the challenge or not.
I guess my question is this...Is it fair to wait until I have some technical knowledge before I "make suggestions on how to make it better"?? Or should I still try to make comments to ballence out the ratio of votes to comments even though I'm not really sure what I'm talking about?
I don't want to upset people by not commenting cause I noticed one forum post that said "what goes around, comes around" and frankly, I want all the help I can get.
But on the other hand, I don't want to go around giving unexperienced advice just to satisfy my "commenting quota" (so to speak).
Anyway, hope someone reads this and can help. As I've been sitting back watching here the last couple weeks, reading profiles and looking at photos past and present, I feel like I have met some of you in a way. It's not fair that you haven't met me yet, but I promise, I'll try to be an asset in some way or another.
Good luck to everyone in the "something old" challenge and I hope to see even more of your great pics in the "something new" challenge. I'm very much looking forward to midnight tonight just to see my photo up there with all of yours will be something special for me.
Sorry for a long post, I want to be as fair as I can be. Thanks for listening.
~Heather~
P.S. I'm probably going to flood this place with questions.
WooHoo!!! My first POST!
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08/11/2002 04:54:22 PM · #2 |
Hi Heather - welcome. I've only been here a few weeks myself. I think it is all right to comment on a photo even if you have no technical background. You can still say what you do or don't like about it. Of course you might not go into details like composition and exposure if you don't have a clue. If in your opinion something doesn't meet the challange you can tell them that. After all, all comments are just one persons opinion. Don't be afraid - just go for it.
Beware - this site is not just fun - it's an obsession
Terry
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08/11/2002 05:00:37 PM · #3 |
"Beware - this site is not just fun - it's an obsession
Terry"
LOL. Thanks for the suggestion on commenting. I have already found that out about the site being an obsession. I don't even have a picture in the current voting and I'm here checking everything out all the time. I can't imagine what the next week will bring with me having a pic up for voting. lol. Already looking forward to midnight. Good luck to you on the site! I'll consider myself a winner if maybe I learn somethine each week.
Take care!
~Heather~
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08/11/2002 05:03:56 PM · #4 |
Welcome H(oney?)bunch :) Please feel free to participate at any level you feel comfortable with. I myself am waiting till I feel like I know something before I make constructive comments. But there is nothing stoping you from experssing your feelings and if you can also say what about the picture makes you feel that way then it's a plus for you and the photographer. We are learning not only how but what to shoot.
hmmm I should take my own advice. hehe. Also learning to seethe good from the bad is a major task so take your time. Good luck. aelith |
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08/11/2002 05:25:06 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by aelith:
Welcome H(oney?)bunch :) Please feel free to participate at any level you feel comfortable with. I myself am waiting till I feel like I know something before I make constructive comments. But there is nothing stoping you from experssing your feelings and if you can also say what about the picture makes you feel that way then it's a plus for you and the photographer. We are learning not only how but what to shoot.
hmmm I should take my own advice. hehe. Also learning to seethe good from the bad is a major task so take your time. Good luck. aelith
Thanks for the advice. I think my comments are going to go something like "I like this because..." or "I might have liked this better if..." until I know more about photography.
My nickname IS Honey. Even from elementary school. My maiden name is Bunch, and my first initial is H, so I think it was the general opinion that my nickname was to be Honey. (hubby calls me babe though)
Only six and a half hours till midnight! Woohoo!
Take care.
~Heather~
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08/11/2002 05:35:36 PM · #6 |
Heather, the nickname Honey Bunch does rock when your real name used to be H Bunch! I know you're used to it and have heard it all before, but for me it's still very cool...
Regarding what you said about comments. I am new and feeling my way around this issue. My main aim is not to offend or upset anyone with my comments but to try and be truthful.
Apparently some people here have received comments such as "This photo sucks!". I think that's just awful.
I am trying (though I don't know if I am succeeding) to comment where I can in ways that are courteous and polite. Sometimes I am saying that I don't like a photo at all, and it might be because I don't think it has been taken well, or it's not interesting subject matter, or it's not relevant to the theme (for me, since it may well be for the photographer). Where I can I try and suggest improvements (in my opinion) but not always.
But I am still thinking about whether I should or shouldn't be commenting, as I am a newbie (though I have looked through the archived challenges and comments given) and as I am also not submitting (I am a traditional print film photographer - not yet digital).
Anyway, nice to meet you Heather! |
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08/11/2002 05:50:33 PM · #7 |
Everyone here is so nice. I also think it's horrible to see comments like "this photo sucks". I have seen people put something like...
"Meets the challenge 5
Subject 7
Overall 6"
I am also wondering what percent of the vote should be in regards to "meets the challenge". I am thinking it should be relatively high, considering this isn't a "general" photo contest, it's a "subject" photo contest. For example, I have seen a very wonderful photo but it didn't really fit the challenge. At the time I was torn apart as to what to rate it, but as I thought about it, I asked myself "is this photo really a good (subject) photo?" and the answer to that was not really. So I halved it just cause I wasn't sure what is proper. Did I do the right thing, or is the subject suposed to be less of the vote?
Thanks again to everyone.
~Heather~ (Honey Bunch) :) |
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08/11/2002 06:11:08 PM · #8 |
Hi, and welcome to dpc.
I think that even if you don't know much of the technical side of photography, you can still comment. This is because, people dont only take photos to show other photographers. They take them for everyone to enjoy.
If there was a photo that appealed to photographers it wouldnt do as well in a competition (or a sale) as one that appealed to everyone. Your comments as someone who isnt a big time photographer are very valuable, as I'm sure they say what you like/dont like, and that can help the photographer to learn and improve. |
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08/11/2002 06:25:17 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by hbunch7187:
"Beware - this site is not just fun - it's an obsession
Terry"
LOL. Thanks for the suggestion on commenting. I have already found that out about the site being an obsession. I don't even have a picture in the current voting and I'm here checking everything out all the time.
There are a couple of us who use the unofficial nickname DPcrack because it's so addicting. ;)
Mark |
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08/11/2002 06:30:34 PM · #10 |
I think you should feel free to post commments on subject that you're confident about - for example whether you think the photo fits the subject or whether you find the photo aesthetically pleasing.
As for whether the photo should fit the challenge - I view the challenge title as a starting point. It's something that gives me an idea for what I want to photograph. Last week (Something Old) was easy and, for me, very literal. This week I've been a little more abstract and I'll probably lose marks for it. But the comments will be very interesting.
Anyway - welcome to DPC. I'm a newbie too. Something Old was my first ever submission and I've had a heck of a time this week as the voting has been going on. You're going to love it I hope!
Regards,
John |
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08/11/2002 07:16:32 PM · #11 |
Hi HBunch;
I'm new too and have only participated in 4 (with something new) challenges. It is addictive and I welcome you heartily. I won't try and give you advise here as I'm still looking for some myself. You're going to love this place even more after enter your first photo. My first Photo placed 5.something. I was thrilled. The next two entries didn't even make it to 5. Was I devastated? No, just the opposite. It makes me read, study, ask questions and strive to do better. I'm anxious to see your work.
ps: about the honey bunch thing.....my mother was called Kissie by everyone I ever knew and she got the name in grammar school....I could never get the drift on how that came about, It's not anything close to her real name (Viola Anderson). It makes the world go 'round, I guess.
Shar
* This message has been edited by the author on 8/11/2002 7:16:46 PM. |
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08/11/2002 07:52:50 PM · #12 |
There are either a lot of newer people, or only the newer people post. lol. I'm glad I'm not alone in my question, but I think from suggestions I'm going to spend 2 hours tonight commenting positively. Maybe my "I like this because" and my "I may have liked this better" may help someone out a bit. And I hope my efforts are paid back with lots of return comments. (and hopefully no "this picture sucks". LOL
I'm going to go for a bit and then I will return at 10 for my 2 hours of commenting before midnight. woohoo!
hehe.
Take care!
~Heather~ |
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08/11/2002 08:05:01 PM · #13 |
Hi-
I am in the same boat as you. This is my first submittion and I can't wait for 9pm (Pacific Coast). You seem to have a fairly good idea going regarding the commenting. I have only commented on a few pictures... mostly "good job" or "I really liked the object" or something like that. My mom-in-law is involved with this, so on her's I like to leave a little something funny to make her smile when reading all the other comments.
Anyway, my rule of thumb is if the picture really makes an impression when I look at it...I tell them... just be polite.
Good luck with your picture. I hope you do well.
Deb
* This message has been edited by the author on 8/11/2002 8:06:49 PM. |
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08/11/2002 08:07:27 PM · #14 |
| Heather? are you on Central time? Contest ends at 11:00 pm for us. |
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08/11/2002 08:24:13 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by aelith:
Heather? are you on Central time? Contest ends at 11:00 pm for us.
Hmm...I'm glad you mentioned this!! I guess I just assumed that it ended at midnight cause last weekend, when I came on at midnight, it said something like "getting totals, come back in a few minutes". I'm on the same time that the web site says at the bottom. Eastern time. Does it still end at 11 then? I'm from Michigan. Kalamazoo to be exact. Yes, there really IS a Kalamazoo. Wow..I'm glad you pointed out the time thing. I guess that's what I get for assuming. Woohoo! One less hour left!! |
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08/11/2002 08:29:25 PM · #16 |
I'm such a butt. I'm going to answer my own question. The "rules" thingy says
"Please note that the submission deadline is midnight, Eastern Time on the date specified. The official DPChallenge server time can be viewed at the bottom of any DPChallenge web page."
So it does end at midnight for me cause I'm in the same time zone as the web site. Wonder where they are located? I guess if I look hard enough, I'll find that too.
Thanks for drawing it to my attention, it could have gotten me in trouble if I was in a different time zone. Only luck saved me there.
Thanks again.
~Heather~ |
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08/11/2002 08:29:33 PM · #17 |
| no no no. If you are easten time then yes it is midnight for you and 11 for me. I'm in Missouri and obviously I need a geography lesson :P |
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08/11/2002 08:30:59 PM · #18 |
| hehe...our posts are 8/10's of a second away from each other. |
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08/11/2002 08:41:35 PM · #19 |
Hi Heather, my first submission was for the "corporate world" challenge and i scored pretty bad, and at first it bothered me, but then as i was reading the comments, i realized how my pic could have been better, from what the other members were suggessting to me. I have had professional training in photography and some of the comments i was getting helped me even more. My "something old" submission seems to be getting a better rating, so i know this site is helping me. I'm so glad i happened upon dpchallenge and its true when they say its addictive, and its also here to help. I am also looking foward to seeing your photos..good luck.
Wendy |
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08/11/2002 09:01:57 PM · #20 |
I've only been here for a couple weeks as well. A few of the things that I've learned so far are:
1. DON'T take any bad comments serously. You'll grow a thick skin after the first week or so.
2. There are two types of photographers: There are the ones that take odd (but still cool!) pictures and score low and there are the ones that strictly follow the challenge and usually score higher. In other words, if you go out on a limb you probably won't rank too well. (I learned that the first week I joined)
3. Look at a picture from a previous week and score it. then scroll down and read other peoples comments. It'll make you a better judge.
4. Don't take snapshots (Unless they're really good ones) and don't use the flash on you're camera (It mkes your pictures look like snapshots). Use a lamp or sun light. It looks MUCH better. |
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