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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> I am so confused..help me please!
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08/25/2003 07:35:55 PM · #1
I love this site and am learning alot..however..since I have been entering the challenges my style and imagination have suffered...I am focusing on the technical aspect now rather than my abilities to capture shots that are meaningful and shows emotion.I have went from comments of..too pixelated to over-exposed...filters...legal...too sharp..my camera has a tendency to be a little off...I try to regulate the sharpness and focus and I am told I used a filter..if I use the sharpening tool I am told I over sharpened..if I don't use the sharpening too then I am told its off focus....help!! Hair-pulling time! I have had several photos published in our local paper..because I have been told that I have a gift in capturing emotions of people and have been asked to photograph events in my home town because of this..but now when I look threw my view finder my mind goes to technical can anyone help me find a happy medium here..thank you so much....:(..
08/25/2003 07:48:17 PM · #2
keep your head up...nobody liked picasso either...

maybe you could post a link to some of your other work? I only have your one picture in your profile to go on.

everybody's a critic - you have to take pictures that make you happy and that YOU like....and it sounds like other people like your photos too! In my opinion someone wanting to publish your work is a better compliment than an anonymous numerical rating anyway...

Take pics for YOU. The next time you go out to shoot...make like Kevin Costner...and "clear the mechanism" ( read: forget the bullsh*t and have fun)
08/25/2003 07:48:39 PM · #3
Unfortunatly neenee there is no happy medium here. Forget the technical stuff and do what you do best. Remember you can't please everybody, so if your photos please you, thats really all that matters. In the desolation challenge, I got 8 comments, some were "met the challenge" and some weren't. I have only been a member since the middle of July and I have given up on trying to please anyone but myself with my pictures. On the other hadn I have learned quite a bit here and think I am a better photographer for it.
08/25/2003 07:48:49 PM · #4
Hi Neenee.
In answer to your sincere post I'll offer you my sincere response. [or my 2cents]
I think you already know that you can't please everyone all of the time. If you have something that is working for you and your here to learn, then maybe it would be best to improve on 'your' style. I think it's great you are able to capture emotion. That in its self is not an easy task. I'll also suggest that perhaps your asking more of your camera then it can deliver. Don't pull your hair out. Do what you do best. Also when sharpening..use a light touch. Try to focus your shots with a steady hand or (best) tripod. That way you won't have so much post process to worry about. Keep clicking!!
08/25/2003 07:53:14 PM · #5
Dear hairpuller :)

I sympathize with your situation. Anyone who has been serious about photography for awhile probably has gone through the same thing. The best thing I can think of at the moment would be for you to mix things up a little when you are out shooting. By this I mean when you see a shot you like just put the camera on full auto and just shoot some fun shots in a variety of ways to get what you saw at first then after you have done that try some more technical shots using all of the manual controls. Try not to get locked into doing things only one way. Be sure to have fun first. That's probably how you were successful with your people shots and those same kind of shots should work well here too. Even though ideally you want a photo that is strong in every area I believe that a photo that has a lot of emotion but may be a little flawed technically is much more successful. Just hang in there and good luck.

T
08/25/2003 07:53:38 PM · #6
If it ain't fun, it ain't worth doing!

08/25/2003 08:05:42 PM · #7
No matter.... how good your shot is.. you will have people that don't like it.. that is just the way....accept it... work on resizing for dpc... meaning ....you need a focused... non pixalated ..properly post prossessed photo....even if it is not "perfect" people realize the strength...in your choice.. as long as it is a fair attempt ...you will get better... don't quit... just go with it HAVE FUN... sometimes...if we understand... beyond the camera...I saw your Pic... the ONLY thing wrong with it was...adjusting to size ...(DPC Legal)...had wonderful thought... Great Idea...please accept this in the best of terms... welcome to DPC
08/25/2003 08:30:10 PM · #8
Thanks to all of you for your help, you are so right in the having fun:) I will continue to do as you guys tell me have fun use my vision and work on the technical after the fact....thanks again for your kind words of encouragement...my head is up now and my hair is still fixed firmly to my head:)
08/25/2003 08:37:53 PM · #9
As a new potential contributor here is my 2p's worth (yes, I am in the UK). I am awaiting my new Finepix F700 soooooooon!!!!!!

The what looks good/pleasing versus the what is technically "best" has been there in photography since the first latent image appeared.

I come to digital from many years using 35mm and medium format. For a while I was a member of a local camera club which had judged competitions for both slides and prints - because I was not equipped with a darkroom I kept to slides and my hit rate of what I found pleasing was better than 60% of the shots. I tried to maintain a high degree of technical competence but when it came to the open competitions my offerings won twice in over 20 competitions. The sort of comments made by the judges (and other club members) of the non-winners including mine were at times very demoralising and not always constructive. There was and probably still is the club within a club mentality - i.e. there were some very experienced and totally wonderfull photographers a few of which had the "bedside manner of a prima donna" when it came to being helpfull to the inexperienced. The others were willing, able and happy to offer constructive criticism about methods and techniques in a way that showed their expertise not how much they could show off.

No doubt the same exists in digital photography circles. I hope I learn to improve my digital darkroom techniques within the rules for the DPChallenges and receive positive and constructive critique for my efforts and you never know I might get some good votes eventually.

Sorry, that was a bit more than 2p but I wanted to let you know that IMO it takes time to learn and develop (forgive the pun) ones technique and skills. If you feel that some judge you too critically I suggest you examine their published efforts and learn/conclude what you may, equally look at the work of those that find your pictures pleasing. Therein lies an appreciation of how you can please some of the people some of the time but never all of the people all of the time.

Best of luck with your photography and as advised by others further up this thread - take the time to enjoy your photography because afterall you should please yourself before you try to please others!

Message edited by author 2003-08-25 20:39:07.
08/26/2003 12:27:40 PM · #10
Another thought may be that you have an incredible eye for things, as you stated, and perhaps the 'technical advice' may move you from having a really good eye and catching good shots, to where you capture 'amazing' shots with technical greatness too. This is not to say your work is not already good, (I have not seen any of your shots) but just if you have a good eye to start and can perfect your technique, in the long run you will be incredible. don't give up and have fun with it still!!
08/26/2003 12:35:38 PM · #11
Just a thought... If you concentrate on the technical side for a little while, it will become automatic. The danger lies in losing the creative side... Plan on shotting some strictly creative (no attention to tech) stuff once a week and maybe you can combine them latter and come out the better for it.
08/26/2003 01:01:39 PM · #12
Originally posted by myqyl:

Just a thought... If you concentrate on the technical side for a little while, it will become automatic. The danger lies in losing the creative side... Plan on shotting some strictly creative (no attention to tech) stuff once a week and maybe you can combine them latter and come out the better for it.


This is excellent advice, and while it wasn't directed to me.. I'm going to take it!
Thank you,,, I too have been sooo focused on the technical I lost site of the "FUN" and art.. hmmm off to reshoot tools.............quickly!
08/26/2003 01:06:15 PM · #13
I can certainly identify with your frustration. I have entered a bunch of challenges since joining and the result has been confusing and strange to me. I have a favorite or two and they do badly...I have one that I didn't like and it did fairly well with lots of pleasant comments. I am just plugging along and trying to learn...I take lots of shots anyway (walk my dogs in 1400 acres of wildlife preservation daily) and try to "fit" the challenge as well. I must say that I am making images that would not have occured to me prior to a challenge and that's good for me if not for votes. Don't give up - I'm not going to.
08/26/2003 01:41:05 PM · #14
Originally posted by myqyl:

Just a thought... If you concentrate on the technical side for a little while, it will become automatic. The danger lies in losing the creative side... Plan on shotting some strictly creative (no attention to tech) stuff once a week and maybe you can combine them latter and come out the better for it.


I was going to say this, but obviously you beat me too it by an hour or so. This is very sound advice. I'd start with something easy, preferably not moving. Get to know your camera a little better in terms of making quick, accurate adjustments. Also practice more with your editing software to get the shot just perfect. It may be necessary to upgrade the camera and software if you aren't getting what you want. Too much post-processing is as bad as none at all, and sometimes worse.

I guess what I'm trying to say here is that you can teach yourself the technical, but the creative part is the part that is uniquely yours. Don't put pressure on yourself to make a great photo for every challenge. If I don't at least have an idea a couple days beforehand, I don't even worry about it anymore. I might be shooting in the 11th hour, but at least I have an idea of what I'm looking for before I shoot it. I don't go around shooting stuff thinking I'm going to come up with something if I just keep snapping pictures. I've learn to be very selective with what I enter, usually. I make sure I use the sharpest picture I can. If it isn't pin sharp (and it should be), I dont use it. There are few soft focus pictures that are successful on DPC. There is a time and place for it, but it just doesn't get you ribbons here. make sure you put your BEST foot forward always. If not, sit out and vote and don't sweat why your picture isn't doing as well as you think it should.

Hope that helps a little. - Bob
08/26/2003 02:11:45 PM · #15
and...

do NOT take other people's views personally. Consider them, but stay true to your own affections. In the end, only what we love, remains.

(...which is really a different way of saying the same dsidwell already did, below.)
08/27/2003 02:24:42 AM · #16
Wow, this is one of the few very helpful threads that I've read so far. I am suffering from the same problem as neenee and reading this gives me another hope not to give up this site.
08/27/2003 08:25:26 PM · #17
I have found this thread immensly helpful. All the comments have been very positive and sound advice given. I am very new to photography and this site in general. (My husband loves photography and this site and introduced me to them) I have worried alot about the technical aspect of photography myself since I haven't had any formal techincal training. My computer skills with photos is very limited as well. I haven't entered a challenge yet because I don't know what to try to do first; learn techniques that will improve what I can do now (which is very basic) or just take a shot and see how it goes....
In general though, I have found looking at people's photos and reading the forums have really been tremendous learning tools.
03/08/2004 08:37:19 PM · #18
Jennifer (et al),
The most important thing is to enjoy and have fun with your photography. Don't get discouraged early on. This may happen if you enter the challenges and are not happy with the results. If you do, take the critiques as being constructive and not destructive.

There is no corner on this market and I encourage you to learn. And again most importantly... Do it for YOUR love of it!

Message edited by author 2004-03-08 20:38:32.
03/08/2004 09:12:46 PM · #19
neenee,

I have been a professional for 19 years now, and my highest average is 4.5. Keep in mind that art (and photography is art) is nowhere near an objective thing. Everybody has an opinion and it doesn't always agree with you. When I make comments, I try to point out the good things about the image as well as what I don't like or agree with. The whole point odf this sight as I see it is to improve your photography or a portion of your work that you feel is weak.

Take comments with a grain of salt and don't give up on what is in your heart and eye. What is art to one person is nonsense to another. Do what you enjoy. Some one will see it for the art it is and maybe even pay you to do it.

03/08/2004 09:38:32 PM · #20
Mine first 2000 photos sucked so bad,I'm laughing when I go back in my old files !

See which subject is most appealing with you and stick with that!

Kiwi makes money with Studio shots,Setzler with B/W and animals,DrJones with nudes,just find in which subject you are scoring the best and stay the course!
Kosta,the Landscape guy! :-)
03/08/2004 09:57:28 PM · #21
anyone notice this thread is 7 months old?

Message edited by author 2004-03-08 21:58:15.
03/08/2004 10:02:17 PM · #22
Originally posted by Olympian:

anyone notice this thread is 7 months old?


Holy smokes! You are right. I was thinking, "going off to reshoot tools?" Then your comment made it all make sense again. Thanks!
03/31/2004 11:25:14 PM · #23
Thanks for the helpful comment, brewinj. I know this is an old forum, but I have been away for a while. I just submitted a photo for the March Free Study, and so I'll see how it goes.....
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