 Charles Haire |
Contest winners I also noticed like Michelle Marsan that most of your winners have a gallery with BetterPhoto.com. It is quite clear that most winners are beginners with images of babies our pets. I understand you want to encourage beginners in photography to sign on for photography courses. This is fine, but your contest is also open to professionals that never win. Why not have several categories, including amateurs, advanced amateurs and professionals. This will give a more equal playing field. Judges should be selected as appropriate to the category.
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Nancy Grace Chen |
Actually I've noticed several professionals among the winners. I think that the photos they choose are usually what I agree to be the best photos, taking in consideration the technicals and also creativity... the galleries of most of the winners show, to me, that the majority are definitely not beginners-- though many are amateurs. I think it'd be difficult to have the categories you suggest. You have amateurs that can shoot as well as professionals. Then you have people who call themselves professional because they're trying to persue a career in photography but actually aren't that great yet. Well, that's my $0.02.. (: Nancy
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Nancy Grace Chen |
Also... is your main issue the subjects they choose? I guess there are a lot more cats and puppies and seagulls and fewer lions and gorillas than at some other sites. But here they try to just evaluate a photo on the photo itself and not the subject. Sorry if I sound argumentative-- I don't mean to sound that way at all-- just presenting my point of view. (: Nancy
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Diane Dupuis |
I have to say that I'm glad that we aren't separated by what we do for a living. I'm definitely an amateur, not a beginner but certainly not a pro. I have lots to learn, and have learned so much since joining BetterPhoto. Seeing other people's photos, beginners and professionals alike, is so inspiring! I don't know how the professionals feel about it, but I don't see any preference towards "beginner's" photos over professionals. There are 13,000 entries every month! Not everyone can be a finalist or win. I trust the panel of judges to do their best. What a difficult job! But someone's got to do it. That's my $0.02 (Canadian!)!
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Charles Haire |
I don't think any of you got my point. An image should be judged on it's artistic values that the artist is trying to portray, and certainly not because you may like some other subject matter over others. Great photography may come by accident occasionally, but most of the time it is through planning. Good day and good by.
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Alisha May Furbish |
Baby and pet photos do well many places- one could say babies and pets are good subjects because of their spontaneity and lack of self- counciousness. Also, people love their pets and children, so the love and thought that can go into the photo process of these subjects can be evident. Having said that, I agree that winning images should have a clear subject, theme, and artistic attraction- whether the subject is a child, landscape, or a piece of fruit. Because this contest is so broad, it is inevitable that the judges see thousands of subject matter, as opposed to other contests with specific themes- like " Grief" or " Water". But keep in mind the contest is in the process of being revamped- maybe a lot of concerns will be addressed.
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Peggy Wolff |
I believe most of the winners have gallerys because they have been members for quite awhile. The gallerys are fun to have to show off to friends, family and potential clients. Plus the longer you are a member the more photos you have submitted and obviously the better chance of winning. If you have submitted 300 photos your chance of eventually winning is better then someone who has submitted 30. I can not imagine having catagories for beginers, amatures and pros because how do we know where we fall? I really do not take that many photos, maybe 3 rolls a month. However I have about 2 paying clients a month....where would I lie? Advanced amature or pro?
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Gianna Stadelmyer |
I completely disagree with the original comments. I see a wide varitey of work, subject matters, techniques, etc. I may not always agree with what makes the final cut, but photography is a form of art and art is VERY subjective. What appeals to one, won't appeal to all. I think what the judges try to do and what I also try to do is look beyond the subject - be it a baby, pet, whatever - and look at the photo-graphy itself. How is the photo of the baby exposed? What's the composition like? How are the skintones? Clarity? Etc. Babies, by the way, can be VERY difficult to shoot - especially once they are mobile. You can't always reason with them, you can't always get them to "pose" a certain way, and you really have to be on your toes to get a good shot. Takes a lot of planning, a lot of moving around, getting down on the ground, etc. You have to make sure your film speed can handle a wiggly subject and forget the tripod most of the time with kids! Pets can also be tough to shoot. I have had a Golden Retriever for two years and have really only been pleased with three or four shots. I don't see many snapshots here at BP. I think that just because a photo may contain a child or a domesticated animal does not disqualify it from being a good photo. I also agree with the others that it would be difficult to separate the professional levels out in the contest. Besides the above reasons, what's to keep a pro from entering as an amateur to increase one's chances of a win? You'd hate to think that anyone would do that, and I can't think of anyone I know through BP that would, but it COULD happen.... Anyhow, that's my 10 cents on the subject (since I went a bit beyond two). I love the contest as is, I would just like to see better defined categories and as mentioned by someone earlier, it's all going to change here in a few weeks. Have a great day all:-)
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Peter K. Burian |
However I have about 2 paying clients a month....where would I lie? Advanced amature or pro? Margaret: In most definitions, a pro is someone who earns most (at least 50%) of their income from photography. Cheers! Peter Burian
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Charles Haire |
Mr. Peter Burian is correct on the percentage of income to be called a professional. However, being called or considered a professional does not make you a professional. I know several photographers that were fortunate to be born with a silver spoon and were able to travel the world snapping pictures. Eager magazines snapped them up because they were from exotic or interesting places the average photographer can never reach. Thus, these snap shooters were professionals over night. These are the same images that you and I could have taken if we had the resources. So being a professional does not make you a great photographer, or even a good one. Anyone with influence, resources and skills in marketing can become a success. We need to concentrate on the artist and be able to provide critical criticism for improvement without being blambasted. I don't see this as acceptable on Betterphoto.
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Peggy Wolff |
Thanks for that answer. I guess I am a pro then since I don't get paid at my full time job as a mom. lol Peter I agree with you as well, someone very clost to me has a very wealthy husband. She buys what every lenses and new cameras and equiptment she wants. She does many more shoots then I do even though I do not think she is very talented. However she can afford great backgrounds, props, marketing, advertising, people to design and keep up her website, ect... In the end she probubly will never be a big name but then again I don't she she cares much.
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Peggy Wolff |
I am sorry Charles, I see that you wrote the last statement. BTW, you can honestly critique my work any time and I will look for yours. That is the one thing that personally I would like to see more of as well. Although, not everyone feels that way. I have seen some people get slammed for makeing gentle suggestions.
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