DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> Outgrowing the Site?
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 25 of 39, (reverse)
AuthorThread
08/14/2003 10:48:03 AM · #1
I've noticed several posts recently that have been critical of various aspects of the site, and it has prompted me to think about my own motivation for being here.

I don't want to single out any one individual, but I've seen a growing number of complaints about various challenges, rules, etc., and I'm curious about the motivations behind those things.

I'm wondering whether some folks here have simply "outgrown" the site and have gotten as much out of it as they're going to. My own reason for being here is two-fold. I want to learn more about photography -- that's one reason. But my PRIMARY reason for participating here is that it is FUN.

When this site stops being fun, that's when I'll be out of here. To me, new challenges -- like the "Past" challenge that allows for NO editing -- is what makes it fun to keep hitting reload to see what appears here next.

In the course of the year that I've been participating here, I've had several cases of poison ivy thanks to trying to get a good shot, I've created bizarre set-ups in my basement, I have traveled to places I otherwise wouldn't have gone, and I have been looking at things in a whole new way. To me, all of that is fun!

I suppose my question is... why are YOU here? Are you here for the fun, are you here strictly to learn... or have you already outgrown what the site has to offer?

Message edited by author 2003-08-14 14:23:04.
08/14/2003 10:53:21 AM · #2
I´m here for all the same reasons you are....

there are always ppl that let their Ego get in the way of all the fun in things. and I can be like that from time to time.

But basicly there are always someone who complaints about every little thing there is, so with a site of this caliber I think its virtually impossible to keep everybody happy.


I really liked what you had to say
08/14/2003 10:53:41 AM · #3
I couldn't agree more. I'm also here to learn and that in itself is fun. My current submission for Desolation is doing pretty crappy but I'm learning a lot from the comments. Granted, I've done better but the comments are exactly along the lines of what I thought was wrong w/the submission. I did get one very positve comment so far and that makes it worth while. As long as you're pleased w/your work (and learn how to improve it) and you can have a positive effect on some else, what else can you ask for?

Message edited by author 2003-08-14 10:54:26.
08/14/2003 10:57:28 AM · #4
same here. its fun, I'm learning, hearing others opinions etc. Cant ask for too much more.
08/14/2003 11:00:33 AM · #5
I also would agree with the comments so far. I am trying my best to learn and get better.

What I am seeing however is that no matter what challenge is thrown at us there has to be some long winded discussion and debate over what the topic means or why it shouldn't be allowed.

I think that the site has grown and is still growing beyond Langdon & Drew's original ideas but that in itself is a good thing. There are a lot of talented, educated folks here that are very helpful. But those that have outgrown the usefullness of the site, please think about moving on and letting it stay fun for the rest of us.
08/14/2003 11:03:14 AM · #6


rock on.

ballsy post. i've done my share of complaining, but i've done a lot more defending of the site and its existing structures. i'm here to have fun. i haven't submitted to every challenge (hardly), but I'm always around and always learning and generally just trying to have a good time.

i think people need to take a step back. entering every single challenge is not good for you and not good for the site. at some point in time you stop being a photographer and start being something else....

anyway...

08/14/2003 11:04:21 AM · #7
For me it's Fun first and Learning second. I've found that every so often I need to step back (especially from the forums) and give it a rest, but this site has kept my interest for longer than any with the possible exception of www.calottery.com :)

It's getting close to time for me to turn off seeing the forums for a while though... They've been sinking rapidly...
08/14/2003 11:17:52 AM · #8


a break would do everyone good now and then. i'd hate to see you leave the forums entirely, but i understand that it's hard to not get sucked in.

i would have made a great lawyer. i love to argue.
08/14/2003 11:20:52 AM · #9
Originally posted by alansfreed:

I've noticed several posts recently that have been critical of various aspects of the site, and it has prompted me to think about my own motivation for being here.

I don't want to single out any one individual, but I've seen a growing number of complaints about various challenges, rules, etc., and I'm curious about the motivations behind those things.

I'm wondering whether some folks here have simply "outgrown" the site and have gotten as much out of it as they're going to. My own reason for being here is two-fold. I want to learn more about photography -- that's one reason. But my PRIMARY reason for participating here is that it is FUN.

When this site stops being fun, that's when I'll be out of here. To me, new challenges -- like the "Past" challenge that allows for NO editing -- is what makes it fun to keep hitting reload to see what appears here next.

In the course of the year that I've been participating here, I've had several cases of poison ivy thanks to trying to get a good shot, I've created bizarre set-ups in my basement, I have traveled to places I otherwise wouldn't have gone, and I have been looking at things in a whole new way. To me, all of that is fun!

I suppose my question is... why are YOU here? Are you here for the fun, are you here strictly to learn... and have you already outgrown what the site has to offer?


I am here for the same reasons. I would hate to think someone that has given so much to this site, such as yourself, might move on. cream always rises to the top. please, and I say this to all that have taken a positive lead in this site, please continue to be what this site needs. keep it fun! stick around! I promise I will do my best to be one of the fun loving players.

Richard
08/14/2003 11:21:01 AM · #10
I think you are probably right that some people have outgrown what the site currently has to offer. I'm not so sure that it is unreasonable to expect them to just slope off, rather than trying to make the site grow and advance with them.

I've learned a great deal here, and there is still a huge amount to learn, but it seems not at DPC. It is a shame that there is a great resistance to extending the amount that can be learned here. I have pretty much moved on to other venues to improve my photography but it is still a shame that DPC doesn't seem willing to try and expand further.

Message edited by author 2003-08-14 11:21:17.
08/14/2003 11:21:55 AM · #11
Originally posted by alansfreed:

I've noticed several posts recently that have been critical of various aspects of the site, and it has prompted me to think about my own motivation for being here.

I'll start with my motivation:
*Get some feedback on the things I'm doing to make my work better.
*Learn some things I didn't know before.
*See other people's excellent work and be exposed to better stuff than mine.
*Enjoy this community.
*Use the challenges as self-assignments to keep me shooting.
*Produce printable work.

Originally posted by alansfreed:

I don't want to single out any one individual
but I've seen a growing number of complaints about various challenges, rules, etc., and I'm curious about the motivations behind those things.

The motivations in my mind are the same as for the entire argument about open editing: create the best image possible. Not the best digiart, but the best photograph possible.

Originally posted by alansfreed:

I'm wondering whether some folks here have simply "outgrown" the site and have gotten as much out of it as they're going to.

If the site stays static, we will ALL outgrow it. Were you around at its inception? I wasn't, but I've used the archive.org site to see what DPC looked like before I got here. It's been changing the WHOLE time to suit what the photographers needed. I don't see why expecting it to continue to grow and change is bad.

Originally posted by alansfreed:

My own reason for being here is two-fold. I want to learn more about photography -- that's one reason. But my PRIMARY reason for participating here is that it is FUN.

And mine are above - and other people have different reasons. You participate here because it's fun, but there are some people who participate as a way of enhancing their portfolio. Some people shoot as a way of competition because they like that kind of stuff. Some people compete because they really DO just have fun...who's to say who's right?

Ok, I think I answered all of the post that I wanted to, onto my minirant.
---
When Setzler and Gordon were arguing for more open editing and Mag suggested to allow JUST dodge and burn, I was against it and arguing strongly against it. I have obviously changed my mind and here's why: I want to see the best images each one of us can make. The best image of the past, the best image of the future...I end up putting a lot of my stuff directly from my DPC folder into my portfolio. I work hard on these entries and I think those results speak of my talents to this point. I learn from some crap entries, I learn from some good ones. There is every reason to try to produce GOOD work and every reason NOT to purposely produce a set of pictures that are, IMHO, crap.

My camera does in cam sepia and b/w. I'm not concerned about the challenge. I can shoot b/w just fine, thanks. I can do whatever I want as is. I have loads of ideas and ways of doing this - but not everyone does, not everyone can, and this challenge will produce a HECK of a lot of crappppppppola. What's the point? Why waste a week just aiming your camera at "something old." We can all do that - it's the end product that separates top 3 from top 10 and top 10 from top 50%.

Anyways - I think that if some people have outgrown the site, the site is not growing fast enough. The site will teach us more if we follow the leaders than if we all sit back in a comfort zone and 'have fun.'

End rant.

This is not meant to be anti-drew, langdon or alan. I respect all 3 of those people immensely and all are sososo much more talented than I. I just think this post is unduly critical of a person/group of people who are trying their hardest to make this a great place to be. If it weren't for the same group(s) of people, dpchallenge would look like: this old site.
08/14/2003 11:23:38 AM · #12
All DPC'rs

I too have given serious thought about how much more trivial complaining, about site rules and the broad-minded challenges that I can endure. I have been participating since April 2002 and have completed 84 challenges. I figured out the other day that I have been fortunate to average in the top 37% of all of the 84 challenges. Not bad for an old guy that just decided to give it a try one day in 2002.

I feel that my photography and post processing have improved immensely, and every once in a while I get a lucky shot that does quite well. With all of this I have been an advocate of having fun. I wish that every one could be light hearted about the site and just simply do their best with interpretations, vote their way, and keep pushing the refresh button.

Like I have said in many posts "Keep shooting and most of all have fun!

Dick
08/14/2003 11:25:39 AM · #13
I have and still do learn from every challenge there is. I love this sight and don't think I will ever outgrow it. At least I hope not. This new challenge will be fun. I think people need to learn to use the settings in their camera to get the picture to look good.

Even if i know how to use the settings in my camera and have won a ribbon that doesn't mean I have outgrown the sight or that I am so good that I can't learn anymore. It just means I took a couple of cool photos. My imagination grows from each new challenge.
08/14/2003 11:26:27 AM · #14
Originally posted by Firstrich1:

I would hate to think someone that has given so much to this site, such as yourself, might move on.


Assuming you're referring to me, I honestly have no intention of leaving at all! My reason for posting the original note is that it seems that some people have outgrown the site, and perhaps they should move on, rather than complain -- in so many words -- that the site is no longer serving their personal objectives. I believe I have been growing right along with the site, personally.
08/14/2003 11:36:57 AM · #15
I, too, have been around since April 2002 and seen a lot of changes. Most I have liked. I have also grown as a photographer, and my family has spent a lot more time together on the weekends looking at the countryside. My 19 month old son got his first camera the other day (a $5 film thing that doesn't work, I don't think, but he has no idea of that) and knows exactly what a tripod is for. So, as a family we have grown.

Have I been frustrated at DPC. OMG, you have no idea. Yes, I've had to step back and reevaluate what was happening. Invariably, it wasn't the site's fault, but my own. My frustrations came from wanting the site to be something it wasn't -- the endall of my photography.

When I started letting DPC be my springboard for fun, my scores dropped, but I started enjoying photography again. If DPC causes someone to feel constantly frustrated and stifled, they definitely need to do some soul searching and see what role they really want on here.

I for one am still enjoying DPC, and if that makes me a stagnant photographer, so be it. Like Sonifo, I honestly don't think I can "outgrow" the site, just because there is still so much more for me to learn.
08/14/2003 11:47:09 AM · #16
Originally posted by alansfreed:

Originally posted by Firstrich1:

I would hate to think someone that has given so much to this site, such as yourself, might move on.


Assuming you're referring to me, I honestly have no intention of leaving at all! My reason for posting the original note is that it seems that some people have outgrown the site, and perhaps they should move on, rather than complain -- in so many words -- that the site is no longer serving their personal objectives. I believe I have been growing right along with the site, personally.


Sorry Alan...I reread the post and see I missed your position. I guess I worry that some of the best people here could get driven off by the character of others. I am here for the long run and like others, have learned alot with a ton more to go. I agree, the folks that seem unhappy need to find a venue that suits them.
08/14/2003 11:57:19 AM · #17
Despite Mavrik's short, flippant and hurried post below ;) [which I agree with] there's a lot of talk about lightening up and having fun, which, again, I agree with, but if you work hard at a challenge, then get a vote of 1 for an image that you know deserved better than that, then there will always be a thread with a moan in it - and it's fun and liberating to vent.

Can you imagine how dull it would be if all the forums were back-patting and congrats to the winners? I'd be out of here straight away, that's for sure. It's a good mix of all things at the moment and don't think there's any harm done with a bit of verbal scrapping either.

The site seems to go in cycles - even since my short time here - the forums repeat themselves and the gripes are familiar, but the photos always change - and that's what I like about it. Most of those pics are glimpses (usually within one week) of some part of our planet from someone else's perspective, which is quite eye-opening, captivating stuff.
08/14/2003 11:58:41 AM · #18
Originally posted by Jon Lucas:

Despite Mavrik's short, flippant and hurried post below ;) [which I agree with]


LOLOLOLOL

:)

M
08/14/2003 11:58:57 AM · #19
Originally posted by Gordon:

I think you are probably right that some people have outgrown what the site currently has to offer. I'm not so sure that it is unreasonable to expect them to just slope off, rather than trying to make the site grow and advance with them.

I've learned a great deal here, and there is still a huge amount to learn, but it seems not at DPC. It is a shame that there is a great resistance to extending the amount that can be learned here. I have pretty much moved on to other venues to improve my photography but it is still a shame that DPC doesn't seem willing to try and expand further.


I think the fear (at least mine) is that in advancing, DPC would lose sight of the begginer... Would this be the great teaching tool for the newbie if it was re-designed for the 5% that are more advanced?

I'm not answering any questions here, just asking some...
08/14/2003 12:07:37 PM · #20
i dont think anyone wants this site to become "Advanced only" .. but right now some might see it as "beginner only" (ok, maybe not that far.. but whatever the reverse of advanced only, since obviously some people aren't challenged by dpc anymore).. there *has* to be a middle ground that can accept both.. Though i wont get into that :P thats a whole other thread....
08/14/2003 12:12:11 PM · #21
Originally posted by Jon Lucas:


Can you imagine how dull it would be if all the forums were back-patting and congrats to the winners? I'd be out of here straight away, that's for sure. It's a good mix of all things at the moment and don't think there's any harm done with a bit of verbal scrapping either.


We tried that too - people complained that there were too many 'congratulations' threads for folk winning on other sites that were memebers here.

The only universal truth is that no matter what you try to do, someone somewhere will either take offense to it, misunderstand it or pull it down.
08/14/2003 12:13:12 PM · #22
How do we learn from this site.

This site doesnt teach us anything. It provides a physical venue ( even though its online ) for photographers to share their knowledge. Every time someone leaves, you lose another teacher.

Some people here have more to offer as far as teaching, techniques, visions, etc.( more experience) The very people who ( according to the tone of this thread ) who are being called complainers, etc, have taught more than they have taken on this site.

I think its pretty damn funny that people are quick to say "like it or leave it". Any learning done on this site, is handed down from one photographer to another.

My 2 cents.


08/14/2003 12:14:49 PM · #23
Originally posted by myqyl:

Would this be the great teaching tool for the newbie if it was re-designed for the 5% that are more advanced?

Would this be the great teaching tool for the newbie if all the experienced photographers have been told to **** off?

Originally posted by myqyl:

I'm not answering any questions here, just asking some...

Me too : )

I see a heck of a lot more complaint threads coming from newbies than the 'old guard' (mostly because they weren't here 2 weeks earlier when exactly the same moaning thread was on the go). Telling the people who offer suggestions for improving the site to go away isn't going to reduce the moaning in the forums one bit.
08/14/2003 12:18:29 PM · #24
Originally posted by myqyl:

I think the fear (at least mine) is that in advancing, DPC would lose sight of the begginer...


What if we ran two challenges the way they are now and the Thursday one the way the advanced users wish for? How is DPC losing sight of the beginner then?

250c

M
08/14/2003 12:26:36 PM · #25
Off topic.
One thing for sure about this community is that it's populated by a lot of intense people with different issues. This angular demographics guarantees grumblings in some way before, after, and even during challenges. So I say, what's the point in whining about whining? Kinda pointless, isn't it?
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/29/2024 11:47:00 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


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: 03/29/2024 11:47:00 AM EDT.