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10/07/2009 02:13:09 PM · #1 |
OK, so hate may be kinda strong, but really disliking challenges at the moment. I kinda wanted to participate fully in the golf thing since I did sign up, but I can see now that I really should quit entering for a month or so, again. I just can't quite get the hang of the place (after five years. I'm a slow learner.)
Recommendations? |
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10/07/2009 02:15:45 PM · #2 |
| Shoot for yourself and be selective with which challenges you enter based on your style. Don't think of failure as a problem, it's just part of the process of finding good images. |
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10/07/2009 02:16:20 PM · #3 |
then quit entering for a month or so... I just entered my first challenge in about 6 months last week, since I had a shot I could pigeon hole. I personally feel the creativity of the challenge titles and their fun has just gone way down. I first remember thinking that when I saw the 'pencil' challenge.
Anyways you gotta do what's right for you. Nobody here can tell you otherwise. |
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10/07/2009 02:20:15 PM · #4 |
| Maybe focus on side challenges for a while. Then you are still participating but the scores won't get you down. |
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10/07/2009 02:29:17 PM · #5 |
Deb, you're not alone. I'm entering right now only because of the Golf tourney, but the challenge topics are making me feel very "forced" in my photos. I agree with doing some side challenges for awhile. I may be joining you!
Want to do a personal side challenge??? :) |
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10/07/2009 02:29:59 PM · #6 |
Don't let it get you down, just look at me - best finish is 30/155, and now I have an image in voting that's plummeting from a high of - wait for it - 5.25!! And this image is the result of a "session" that was over an hour, whereas my PB (a lousy 5.94, but I'm proud of it anyway) was a fortunate mistake taken 2 hours before the deadline. Low votes happen, just don't take them personally. You can't expect a constant "up" trend, especially with the vaguely defined, often "crappy topic" challenges (no offense SC, they're just ...not what I like). I still try to submit to every possible challenge, and take the scores as they come. Don't worry about averages, because they don't say as much as the ribbons and "I love it" comments.
Message edited by author 2009-10-07 14:30:11. |
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10/07/2009 02:32:00 PM · #7 |
Umm... Join me in a drink?
Seriously, maybe just take a break from voted challenges for a while? Play in the side challenges? Help a new member learn how to pull low 5's instead low 4's?
Just some ideas.
I also think part of what is happening is that you are finding what you like doing and it does not fit with the mass appeal.
Message edited by author 2009-10-07 14:33:25. |
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10/07/2009 02:32:22 PM · #8 |
| Start a side challenge. I know you like those. Perhaps that can get you enthused again. |
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10/07/2009 02:33:21 PM · #9 |
I had the same problem with the DPCO.....it seemed like the challenge themes conspired to make me look like.......dog meat......
I just cannot shoot under pressure to perform within a theme.
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10/07/2009 02:35:20 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
I just cannot shoot under pressure to perform within a theme. |
I understand that! I can recognize a good shot when I see it, but forcing a them is harder. That's why the word "challenge" is in the site name, I suppose. |
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10/07/2009 02:36:59 PM · #11 |
| Maybe try putting your efforts into other, less restricting challenges, such as getting a shot submitted to 1x, or your local photo club's monthly, or whatever. Shoot what you want to shoot for a while, until you get your mojo back :) |
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10/07/2009 02:39:39 PM · #12 |
Well, you and I joined within days of each other. I've competed in 160-odd more challenges than you, and I have one more ribbon than you and a lower votes-received average. So I guess I ought to be hating the place too, but I don't... The thing of it is, I know HOW to get more ribbons, basically, I understand the formula fairly well, and so do you: that we choose to pursue our own quirky paths is, IMO, admirable, and I'd personally be bummed if you faded out on us.
What would the fun of this place be if only the formula-shooters remained?
R. |
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10/07/2009 02:39:58 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
I just cannot shoot under pressure to perform within a theme. |
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
I understand that! I can recognize a good shot when I see it, but forcing a them is harder. That's why the word "challenge" is in the site name, I suppose. |
I wasn't clear there....I *like* shooting within the theme.....but I also like to have the option to sit one out that I just can't slot something into....
My shoehorn's nowhere near as versatile as yours, Steve!......8>)
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10/07/2009 02:40:51 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Well, you and I joined within days of each other. I've competed in 160-odd more challenges than you, and I have one more ribbon than you and a lower votes-received average. So I guess I ought to be hating the place too, but I don't... The thing of it is, I know HOW to get more ribbons, basically, I understand the formula fairly well, and so do you: that we choose to pursue our own quirky paths is, IMO, admirable, and I'd personally be bummed if you faded out on us.
What would the fun of this place be if only the formula-shooters remained?
R. |
Deb? Robert? Quirky?
Shirley, you jest!
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10/07/2009 02:41:08 PM · #15 |
| Your last three challenges didn't end so badly. I think you and I should just start the "I hate this week's challenges" club! |
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10/07/2009 02:44:55 PM · #16 |
Actually, Robert, I cannot shoot for a score at all. I can RECOGNIZE what will score well from others, but cannot recognize any such thing in my own work, nor can I "shoot a 6" at will as many can. I could not, under the penalty of imminent death, set up a "set up" shot and shoot it for a score here. Perhaps I should force myself to learn to do that?
I would love to help someone overcome the low 4s and get into the 5s, but I cannot do that myself at the moment. :-) And my last several attempts at 1x have failed.
Are there any side challenges this month besides pets? I can't even shoot my pets. They won't sit still, and when they do, they're horribly boring.
I did take pictures on my trip to the Black Forest this past weekend. For those of you interested, they're at flickr. I don't figure they're interesting enough to post here. The mini-planets were fun, though! |
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10/07/2009 02:48:36 PM · #17 |
| Deb, when you find something let me know! I'm kind of feeling the same way you are right now. |
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10/07/2009 02:48:48 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by Melethia:
Actually, Robert, I cannot shoot for a score at all. I can RECOGNIZE what will score well from others, but cannot recognize any such thing in my own work, nor can I "shoot a 6" at will as many can. |
Well, neither can I... I *recognize* the formula that works, but it isn't me. I almost never "shoot for scores": I just stumble along my happy-go-lucky path and occasionally (usually when there's a skiff in the shot) resonate with the voters. And that's enough for me. I don't much sweat it when I fail to connect...
R. |
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10/07/2009 02:48:48 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
Your last three challenges didn't end so badly. I think you and I should just start the "I hate this week's challenges" club! |
I like to join...
But perhaps we need some more interesting side challenges ( with excuses to  ladpupmoe, since she started the only October side challenge,as far as I know)
What about a "Slice of life" in November? |
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10/07/2009 02:52:24 PM · #20 |
maybe the pressure of the 'golf thing' isn't helping but you are still turning in great shots.
14 favourites from the last ten is more than some people have had in a lifetime!
I find that a 'fave' or a favourable comment from a respected peer is a real boost when the scoring disappoints.
Chin up darlin' |
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10/07/2009 02:55:43 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by Melethia:
... Are there any side challenges this month besides pets? ... |
Nope. Haven't seen any.
Shallow DOF or Bokeh might be fun. ??? |
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10/07/2009 03:05:17 PM · #22 |
Deb, I don't have your track record, but I've missed the last three weeks of Open Challenge entries and have therefore disqualified myself from the "golf-handicap" challenge. I thought it would get me shooting, but I'm just not in the mood (it took me awhile to figure that out). Reading your OP made me feel a little better about it.
Funny, I thought last month's Serendipity side challenge would be fun and non-pressure, but I inadvertently dropped out of that, too.
Guess I should lie low and follow the "shoot for myself" advice for awhile. Then if I come up with something to share or enter, I'll do it. |
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10/07/2009 03:08:18 PM · #23 |
| my recommendation is to ignore the descriptions, which are almost always poorly written anyway. "Window View" (including reflections) and "In and Out of Frame" sound like great challenges to me. |
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10/07/2009 03:08:39 PM · #24 |
My recomendation Deb is shoot something for yourself....been in the same boat. Although time and life stresses have taken alot of time away for me to shoot. Last challenge I did was Rule of Thirds after a 5 month hiatus.
I have fallen behind on my 2010 calendar idea (I need three more photo shoots).
NOW there's a thought!!! You could take pictures on a theme of YOUR choosing and make a calendar for yourself. The only deadline is that it has to be done before the new year:-):-)
Do what you love and shoot what you want to express - tis removes the stress/pressure of deadlines until you are ready to enter the fray again:-) |
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10/07/2009 03:09:42 PM · #25 |
Still ongoing are BW and not so serious street photog side challenges as well as pets.
I am very much NOT getting shots for the challenges these days - even for myself. Not that they all shout "pencil" (Tez), just nothing is ringing bells, though I like a lot of what I am shooting these days.
Maybe we should have a pants that are too small challenge? (I may have more than you). |
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