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06/07/2004 09:30:48 AM · #1 |
Sort of thinking outloud here. I've been wondering if it would be a good idea to wait and not enter a challenge if you just can't come up with a really good image? The last two I entered were mediocre at best. One was even in the 22% range while my first entry into the Bananas challenge won a ribbon... So I'm wondering - is there any harm in tossing in an entry you're not even fond of yourself? Or could you perhaps learn from it? (I did get some useful feedback on one of my images that actually precipitated this discussion question.) Or is it a better idea to stand back and give your photo a sharp critical look before entering it and nixing the ones that just don't make it? What are your thoughts on this?
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06/07/2004 09:38:51 AM · #2 |
It all depends on your objectives. If you're concerned about your overall average score, then only submit photos you're happy with and that you feel have general appeal. I've learned the hard way - by rushing a few (especially in the beginning) just to be "in the hunt". I've paid by getting less than mediocre scores.
With that said, I still get relatively low scores with photos I'm completely satisfied with. It's these latter submissions that count - for me. It's useful and instructive to learn what interests others, and especially that - on occasion - images that satisfy me completely do not appeal to the general populace.
I don't know if that makes much sense, but that's how I see it...
-len |
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06/07/2004 09:45:14 AM · #3 |
Sometimes I enter a challenge with a photo I think is terrible and will get a really low vote. Then it does really well, and I'm completely baffled. Sometimes, I think a photo will do well, and it will bomb.
I'm here to learn, so every photo I receive a critique on will help me become better. I don't understand the obsession some people have with keeping their average score up.
Here's a photo I thought was terrible, but actually did quite well: 
And here's one I really liked and thought would do well, but did really badly:  |
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06/07/2004 09:55:50 AM · #4 |
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06/07/2004 10:01:33 AM · #5 |
How funny to see this thread this morning . . my exact thoughts the last 24 hours. I just pulled my Waiting entry (and that was my second one of that!). The Transportation one I am really torn on; while I don't have a really perfect one, I think a couple are really interesting shots. But not my family. What's a girl to do? lol
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06/07/2004 10:08:17 AM · #6 |
Sometimes I enter a photo because it will be a good addition to my portfolio, even if I don't think it will win. It's always nice to get a respectable score, though.
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06/07/2004 10:15:49 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by dsidwell:
Sometimes I enter a photo because it will be a good addition to my portfolio, even if I don't think it will win. It's always nice to get a respectable score, though. |
Hmmm ... 150kb free space ... you may have hit on the explanation for some of the "What the heck is that photo doing in this challenge?" situations we occasionally encounter. |
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06/07/2004 10:18:10 AM · #8 |
| I have been up and down with this thought for weeks. I decided to enter Deep Depth of Field though since I had a shot taken of a landscape from Sunday that I really liked. Not doing well so far though. What happens to me often is I take photos all week of life, and if I end up having a shot that fits the subject, great. If not, I try to scramble for one on Sunday or Tuesday. And it's not always worked out well for me. I think I need a new plan. |
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06/07/2004 10:36:49 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by mirdonamy:
I have been up and down with this thought for weeks. I decided to enter Deep Depth of Field though since I had a shot taken of a landscape from Sunday that I really liked. Not doing well so far though. What happens to me often is I take photos all week of life, and if I end up having a shot that fits the subject, great. If not, I try to scramble for one on Sunday or Tuesday. And it's not always worked out well for me. I think I need a new plan. |
This sounds familiar... I also take photos every day while working full time, singing in two choirs, working on design projects... so rarely do I have the time to actually create something. I took time on the banana challenge and got great feedback for my time. ;)
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06/07/2004 11:14:01 AM · #10 |
I'm new to this, so my thoughts are to enter photos with the hopes that they do well. But, if they don't, I figure the feedback on what I've done right and what could be done differently with my photographs will help me improve my technique. This is a total learning experience for me.
However, I doubt I would enter a shot I was really not happy with. |
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06/07/2004 12:13:40 PM · #11 |
I've entered a shot I'm not 100% happy with for the waiting challenge, I've I've taken much better today although none of the others capture 'waiting' as well as the one I've entered.
I know what my opinion is, but I'd like to see what others think, so hopefully entering will be a good way to get feedback. |
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06/07/2004 03:41:32 PM · #12 |
I've got a similar issue, but a slightly different question.
I took several similar shots, but I like one much better than the others. The issue is that the one I like has a some spots (water, dust, something else on the filter.)
In some shots, I was able to crop it out, but in the one I like, there is just no way to crop it effectively.
My questions:
1) Under basic editing, is there anything I can do?
2) Now that I have posted this, I obviously can't enter the shot in question unless someone has a clever trick to deal with the spots. But, hypothetically, would you have entered?
Best,
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