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10/05/2016 08:58:29 AM · #1
I was inspired and saddened a little by the "New Shirt " thread from MAK.

I copied and pasted some here.....

Originally posted by MAK:

As far back as I can remember, I have never let my membership run out. Until now.

I am uninspired photographically.

Originally posted by MikeO:

I know what you mean. This place has been great but over time it's lost it's mojo and so have I.

Originally posted by Mike:

I'm in the same boat. I hate to say it but I think shooting for money ruined it for me...


Originally posted by rooum:

A common occurance I think. I'm trying to avoid that by planning personal projects as much as possible. For me that currently involves as much writing and graphic design as it does photography and is far away from wedding work and portraits. Helps that weddings are seasonal and winter is very quiet so I can get stuff done then. I always think the best way to get out of a photography rut/lull is by doing a series of photos or essay as opposed to single images. But i'm certainly less inclined to head out with a camera these days now that it's a living.

This place really changes your life. It also stays the same, and unfortunately, too many of us hope/expect it to change and grow with us......doesn't happen. I know what I should be truly doing is actively searching out newbies to see if what I've gotten here could be passed along. It's because of regular folks who got here before me, learned, grew, and then mentored me that I became a decent photog. From time to time I look back at my early stuff alternately cringing and laughing.

Shooting for money, and trying to do weddings, sporting events, portraits, then the whole schtick with galleries, art/craft shows and fairs really dampened my enthusiasm. Time was no longer my own, especially on weekends, and the attrition rate from schlepping my work from venue to venue was abysmal.

I had pretty much given up on the commercial aspect and then my GF and I found a building that we bought for a gallery on the first floor and living quarters above. Complete stroke of good fortune......it's in an area undergoing serious revitalization in a small city and it's in what is generally known to be the art district.

So.....I don't have to be slave to anyone else's schedule, no more moving damage, and I shoot what I want again, though I have been in something of an inspirational slump of late.

It's funny how seeing other local photogs' work makes me realize how much I've learned here, and my work sells pretty well, though I cannot live on it.....(Yet).

So I'll renew completely out of loyalty and gratitude......I love this place and you people who have all helped me make myself into the photographer that I am now.

I never in a million years would have taken the plunge with this gallery and felt confident enough as a photographer without the people and education I found here at DPC.

I hope that I can make myself pay forward, and help someone else the way so many good people helped me. I don't think this place has lost anything other than whatever it was that made so many of us better photogs than when we found the place at first.

Oh sh*t......another DPC cheerleader post from NikonJeb....LOL!!!
10/05/2016 09:11:54 AM · #2
Well said Jeb and I'm ever so glad that your staying...whoelse will sell me their equipment!!! You've always had the voice of reason and I appreciate it...
10/05/2016 09:46:10 AM · #3
Originally posted by Ja-9:

Well said Jeb and I'm ever so glad that your staying...whoelse will sell me their equipment!!! You've always had the voice of reason and I appreciate it...

And which in true DPC manner, I need to ship you the +4 ND filter for that 18-200 that I finally found in my box o' photography stuff.....
10/05/2016 09:49:28 AM · #4
I agree, I have learned a lot from here too. if you see my entries at early days and recent ones you will see a big difference. The reason is simple, if I do not try and sit at home and watch TV or do nothing. My mind would stop running and won't be creative anymore. The only way I can be creative is that I challenge my-self every week. Think out of box, now infact my family says, what is your photography plan for today, what do you want to try it out :)

my initial days were like point and shoot and now it is like think, plan, execute and make use of system as much as I could.

Earlier days:



Now:


10/05/2016 10:02:05 AM · #5
Awesome indeed, I am happy your staying

I love seeing other's success..

10/05/2016 10:17:16 AM · #6
I figure I only have to stay one more year & then the last of the talent that attracted me to this place will be gone. Where did they go? What are they doing? Did they put the camera down & move on to something else? They didn't become great here, they already had their vision.

DPC is perfect at what it does, which is to take someone from the beginning stages of photography to confident/informed use of the camera. It is the mission statement of DPC. That might take a year or two. The journey to make full use of your talent is a solitary journey that may take the rest of your life & may or may not involve photography. In stead of looking for help, you begin to look for your audience.

I'm glad you are still here, Jeb.

Message edited by author 2016-10-05 11:43:04.
10/05/2016 11:38:24 AM · #7
I am happy to hear you have found some balance with your commercial photography, and I am happy you've renewed your membership, Jeb.
10/05/2016 12:20:07 PM · #8
Originally posted by pixelpig:

I figure I only have to stay one more year & then the last of the talent that attracted me to this place will be gone. Where did they go? What are they doing? Did they put the camera down & move on to something else? They didn't become great here, they already had their vision.

I often wonder the same. It's weird.....I am reminded of this place all the time. I see bicycles & I think of Yo_Spiff, I see pigeons, I think of Melethia, I see squirrels or bluebirds, I think of vawendy, and so on. I interact with other artists & photogs, and I am constantly reminded that because of what I've amassed here in the way of knowledge, insight, perspective, and experience from community members all over the world how much more diverse and exciting my world of photography is in comparison.I am kind of sad that there aren't more people who feel the same sort of obligation, karma-wise that I do in that I will prolly never walk away from here for good because of gratitiude and enjoyment, and I also really do hope that somehow, some way, that I can help and/or inspire newbie photogs in some way as it was done for me. I really honor the pay-it-forward concept.

It would be nice to see some of the old timers who made such an impact out in the world stop back in every now and then just to say hello and bring us up to speed with what and how they're doing.

Originally posted by pixelpig:

DPC is perfect at what it does, which is to take someone from the beginning stages of photography to confident/informed use of the camera. It is the mission statement of DPC. That might take a year or two. The journey to make full use of your talent is a solitary journey that may take the rest of your life & may or may not involve photography. In stead of looking for help, you begin to look for your audience.

Damn! I wish I was so eloquent! Nicely said!

Originally posted by pixelpig:

I'm glad you are still here, Jeb.

Thank'ee!
Originally posted by markwiley:

I am happy to hear you have found some balance with your commercial photography, and I am happy you've renewed your membership, Jeb.

Funny that.....from learning to have confidence in my camera and myself thru the wonderful help of this community, I have found that I am *NOT* a wedding photographer, I am *NOT* a sports photographer, I am *NOT* a portrait photographer......and I'm okay with that. I do have many shots of the aforementioned genres which are quite simply excellent, but I'm neither driven nor interested in the whole marketing aspect of those as a business. And......I'm too selfish to want to give up all my weekends, especially in nice weather for weddings and sporting events.

So I'm back to......as my signature says, "I do life photography", just offering up glimpses of life in the meld of what's really there and with the help of some PP here and there, what I see in my mind's eye. As far as a balance goes, since I'm willing to work a "real" job to pay for my home, the first floor gallery is a free lunch.

Life is pretty good. I've been most fortunate, and you guys helped me have the confidence to realize that I could be the photographer that y'all turned me into.

I blame the entire community!

Message edited by author 2016-10-05 12:33:09.
10/05/2016 01:17:34 PM · #9
It may be helpful if someone was given the reigns to advertise this site more widely again? Or has that happened? Is it just that this type of thing is no longer 'useful' or desired? Has social media become too much of a problem, in that it has created too much of a flash-in-the-pan type of person that can't exist on a full website anymore? I know that some gaming websites I used to frequent have shut down because of social media. People want the quick fix. Everything is on a phone or a tablet. Full websites aren't doing it for people anymore. You have to have an App, or at least a mobile site. Does DPChallenge have that?

Personally, I stopped frequenting here and contributing for very personal reasons, but it's interesting to come back and notice just how crazy slow it has become here. Challenges with around 60 votes? Wow.

I have no answers of course. Just discourse. It's a little sad though. I remember better days.
10/05/2016 02:07:59 PM · #10
Originally posted by K3Master:

Challenges with around 60 votes? Wow.

I have no answers of course. Just discourse. It's a little sad though. I remember better days.


This could be because no submission so no interest in voting too. It happens because again it's human nature where since i am not part of the challenge so why would I vote. Also there are folks who participate but do not vote. Is that wrong? could be.
10/05/2016 05:32:00 PM · #11
I agree, Jeb.

And I thank you for saying it.

I came here... lurked here... finally got up my nerve to enter a challenge... and golly! I'm so glad I did!

I, too, now shoot professionally.

And... it's ENTIRELY due to DPChallenge.com and the people here.

I've gotten tired... left for long periods... but I've never not renewed.

$25 a year... for all this place gives? That's a no-brainer.

I'm glad you're staying.

ETA: "Nerve" Not "never". Ha!


Message edited by author 2016-10-05 17:32:59.
10/05/2016 09:13:44 PM · #12
Originally posted by K3Master:

It may be helpful if someone was given the reigns to advertise this site more widely again? Or has that happened? Is it just that this type of thing is no longer 'useful' or desired? Has social media become too much of a problem, in that it has created too much of a flash-in-the-pan type of person that can't exist on a full website anymore? I know that some gaming websites I used to frequent have shut down because of social media. People want the quick fix. Everything is on a phone or a tablet. Full websites aren't doing it for people anymore. You have to have an App, or at least a mobile site. Does DPChallenge have that?

Personally, I stopped frequenting here and contributing for very personal reasons, but it's interesting to come back and notice just how crazy slow it has become here. Challenges with around 60 votes? Wow.

I have no answers of course. Just discourse. It's a little sad though. I remember better days.


I think it is a very complicated issue that does involve the evolution of the internet, and pandering to instant gratification. There are also many more "challenge" sites, although none quite like DPC. We have been wrestling with the advertising angle, but there is no budget for it. That leaves social media, and we have not been able to find someone with enough expertise who is willing to put in the commitment it takes to raise awareness about the site, since it would have to be on a voluntary basis, just like SC.
10/05/2016 11:17:42 PM · #13
Jeb, I'm so glad you re-upped. I look forward to your comments and knowledge you pass along. You picked me up and I'll never forget it. I'll keep cheering you on. We newbies need you and other seasoned vets like you. Who knows one of us newbies may come up with something totally different. Something that will bring the spark back. I would love to see more tutorials on the Learn pages. I've gone through them a number of times and keep going back but would love more.
10/06/2016 12:09:13 PM · #14
Not to repeat everyone else, but glad you stayed. As someone who is suuuuuuuper new, looking at what is possible in the future (even if this is just a hobby for me) is essential and inspiring. Thanks!
10/06/2016 12:14:11 PM · #15
Originally posted by pixelpig:

I figure I only have to stay one more year & then the last of the talent that attracted me to this place will be gone. Where did they go? What are they doing? Did they put the camera down & move on to something else? They didn't become great here, they already had their vision.

DPC is perfect at what it does, which is to take someone from the beginning stages of photography to confident/informed use of the camera. It is the mission statement of DPC. That might take a year or two. The journey to make full use of your talent is a solitary journey that may take the rest of your life & may or may not involve photography. In stead of looking for help, you begin to look for your audience.

I'm glad you are still here, Jeb.


At some point, WE become the talent that attracted us here :)
10/06/2016 12:48:54 PM · #16
Originally posted by pixelpig:

I figure I only have to stay one more year & then the last of the talent that attracted me to this place will be gone. Where did they go? What are they doing? Did they put the camera down & move on to something else? They didn't become great here, they already had their vision.

DPC is perfect at what it does, which is to take someone from the beginning stages of photography to confident/informed use of the camera. It is the mission statement of DPC. That might take a year or two. The journey to make full use of your talent is a solitary journey that may take the rest of your life & may or may not involve photography. In stead of looking for help, you begin to look for your audience.

I'm glad you are still here, Jeb.


Originally posted by tanguera:

At some point, WE become the talent that attracted us here :)


Speak for yourself, dear!

Purple V
Votes: 25
Views: 51
Avg Vote: 3.8000
Comments: 1
Favorites: 0

LOL!!!

Message edited by author 2016-10-06 12:49:27.
10/06/2016 04:23:16 PM · #17
Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Originally posted by pixelpig:

I figure I only have to stay one more year & then the last of the talent that attracted me to this place will be gone. Where did they go? What are they doing? Did they put the camera down & move on to something else? They didn't become great here, they already had their vision.

DPC is perfect at what it does, which is to take someone from the beginning stages of photography to confident/informed use of the camera. It is the mission statement of DPC. That might take a year or two. The journey to make full use of your talent is a solitary journey that may take the rest of your life & may or may not involve photography. In stead of looking for help, you begin to look for your audience.

I'm glad you are still here, Jeb.


Originally posted by tanguera:

At some point, WE become the talent that attracted us here :)


Speak for yourself, dear!

Purple V
Votes: 25
Views: 51
Avg Vote: 3.8000
Comments: 1
Favorites: 0

LOL!!!


Impressive. Although I must point out that score is not the only thing people look up to. There are a lot of really artistic photographers whose work rarely rises above the 50% and who have a passionate bunch of admirers ;)
10/07/2016 02:37:39 PM · #18
Just happy you're staying here.

And having fun with photography is more important than the scores, but it helps a little bit ;)
10/07/2016 07:46:24 PM · #19
Happy you are staying Jeb. Losing one of our DPC members is like losing a family member. As my grandson said to me one day with his three year old wisdom, "We are family, you don't leave". I am not very vocal in the forums, but I do follow them, and I miss some of our fellow members once they wander off. This is still fun if you let it be. I agree with tanguera about the internet, the evolution of digital photography and social media instant gratification having an affect on how photography is perceived and how it is changing to fit in the digital world.

I am happy to be among very talented, professional photographers in my playground and sad to see so many leave.

10/07/2016 08:09:05 PM · #20
You know, if you really "miss" a lapsed member you can probably still them a PM if they are still using their email-of-record at DPC ...
10/09/2016 02:56:28 AM · #21
I've renewed again be fighting a lull this year, working 6 days 80 hour weeks and well not enjoying life, new plan less work more time to enjoy life, building a camper van and gonna go see more of uk and europe and take camera

built a motorised time lapse rail which has been getting me out at 4am to get sunrise and getting home and grabbing it and going back out so hopefully fighting the creative lull

gonna try get back into challenges as well

I've never shot for money been offered loads of chances etc but when i shoot weddings etc i just say make a big donations to a worthy charity don't want to taint my hobby with making money from it,
10/09/2016 09:09:29 AM · #22
Originally posted by K3Master:

It may be helpful if someone was given the reigns to advertise this site more widely again? Or has that happened? Is it just that this type of thing is no longer 'useful' or desired? Has social media become too much of a problem, in that it has created too much of a flash-in-the-pan type of person that can't exist on a full website anymore? I know that some gaming websites I used to frequent have shut down because of social media. People want the quick fix. Everything is on a phone or a tablet. Full websites aren't doing it for people anymore. You have to have an App, or at least a mobile site. Does DPChallenge have that?


Originally posted by tanguera:

I think it is a very complicated issue that does involve the evolution of the internet, and pandering to instant gratification. There are also many more "challenge" sites, although none quite like DPC. We have been wrestling with the advertising angle, but there is no budget for it. That leaves social media, and we have not been able to find someone with enough expertise who is willing to put in the commitment it takes to raise awareness about the site, since it would have to be on a voluntary basis, just like SC.

I get the app thing and I understand the whole social media/instant gratification thing, but truly, do serious photographers take any of that seriously?

Personally, I find the insipid....."Wonderful!" "Great shot!" "Ooh! You are SO amazing!" things from people who honestly don't know any better borderline annoying.

I have yet to see, other than 1x, any other site that truly recognizes really good photography and as we all know, 1x has a particular bent that some of us just don't have. It used to bother me that I couldn't get an image up on their site......I even have a 1x rejects folder that I use as a screen saver because I like the images that were rejected very much. Point is DPC works for all sorts of photographers on multiple different levels. I also don't get any sense of community like I do here.

In another thread where I brought up wanting to possibly inspire the community to speak out with offers of help and requests for said help, I was expecting to hear from newbies looking for assistance in furthering their abilities in the event that they had hit a wall.

Much to my surprise, a photographer whom I admire greatly, vawendy, put forth her own dilemma and wall. Never in a million years would I have thought that a photographer of her caliber would be undergoing the kind of angst and frustration she expressed. I have quite often looked at her work and thought, "Damn! I wish *I* could do that!". For God's sake the woman has three 8s on her profile page!!! How can she possibly not be totally confident in her abilities???

My apologies, Wendy, for singling you out, but you're a shining example of what this place does for its community. Though I feel your angst, it's comforting to know that someone with your unique talents questions herself. DPC allows us to be ourselves, talk about what we want and need, and ask and receive the help we seek to solidify our strengths, and develop our weaker areas. You'll not find that anywhere else that I've ever seen.

Originally posted by grahamgator:

I agree with tanguera about the internet, the evolution of digital photography and social media instant gratification having an affect on how photography is perceived and how it is changing to fit in the digital world.


I actually have a certain level of appreciation for the social media sites as it relates to photography. It has made it easier for newbies to break into photography, for good or bad, and with digital photography taking away the time & costs constraints on every image, people in general are more aware of the craft. I know a lot of people got their nose out of joint when they started losing jobs to "Uncle Bill" with his newly purchased digital camera so they didn't have to pay a wedding photographer, but being honest, although you do need a specific skill set to be a *good* wedding photographer, you really need marketing skills and a certain business acumen. There's no guarantee that the wedding photographer that advertises is a good wedding photographer.....you must check his/her past work and ask for references. Unfortunately, often the bride and groom to be don't know that. I know I'm definitely not a wedding photographer!

I actually believe that the social media sites have made it easier to let people know what you're doing even if their oohs and ahs don't carry any significant weight as critiques and/or accolades. I know it doesn't cost me anything to put our gallery out there and it brings people in to see what we have.

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