 - Stephanie Barrow  Contact Stephanie Barrow Stephanie Barrow's Gallery |
I'm getting frustrated with the contest I know that I haven't been a member very long, and therefore haven't really entered that many contests, but everyone that I show my photos to thinks they are wonderful. What more can I do to or with my photos to get considered as a finalist. Could someone take a look at my gallery, and give me some tips. The first two pages were taken within the last month, everything else is older. Thank you.
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- Carolyn M. Fletcher  Contact Carolyn M. Fletcher Carolyn M. Fletcher's Gallery |
Not a thing wrong with your shots, you are just in the toughest category there is, that's all. Flowers are done very well by a lot of people, so it's a hard place to break into. Hang in there, you'll get one sooner or later.
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Don Williams |
Hi Stephanie. I agree with Carolyn; there are sooooooo many flower pictures that yours will really need to stand out. One thing that I have noticed on many of your photos is a lot of stem and profile-type shots. They are beautiful, but might not be what the judges are looking for. Keep trying, vary your submissions (both perspective and catagories) and good luck
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doug Nelson |
No contest is worth the mental energy of frustration. You shouldn't be shooting to please anyone but yourself. You will find your niche as a photographer. You will get the exposure and feedback from peers here, but your vision is ultimately your own. Continue to shoot what pleases you.
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Angela K. Wittmer |
KEEP TRYING! I just got my first finalist EVER, after YEARS of entering. Just keep practicing & entering, it will happen for you! Smiles
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Kerry L. Walker |
I agree with Doug. Shoot for your own pleasure, not to try to please someone else. (BTW, your photos do please me but then I am not a judge.) The contest can be a lot of fun for those who enter (I don't) but if the frustration of not winning is getting to you, don't enter. After all, there is only an handfull of judges and thousands of entries per month so any one person's chance of winning is slim. However, if YOU like what you have shot, you are already a winner.
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KIM SCHULTZ |
You gallery is beautiful. Shoot for enjoyment and for yourself, and remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I do know recently that the judges sometimes look for things that are unique. You might try a view or composition that you don't normally see.
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Denyse Clark |
Hi Stephanie, I've been a member for 3 or 4 years, and only have 1 winner and 3 finalists!! Contests should only be the icing on the cake, like everyone said, shoot for you and keep trying different angles and things to keep it interesting. And remember that judging is subjective... some of my finalists here, I've entered at a small local contest and didn't get squat! To each his own.
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chrisbudny.com - Chris Budny Contact Chris Budny Chris Budny's Gallery |
I would echo every comment here... especially shoot to please yourself first. Particularly shoot to please yourself first. (Worth repeating!) If look to winning a Finalist badge as your source of validation (ie, that you make lovely pictures), you will continue to feel disappointed every time you don't get one; which I suspect could eventually start to sour you on photography in general. But then, when you do get one (it seems likely that you ultimately will, with your images)--what will prevent you from starting to feel that same disappointment creep in when it takes awhile to move up to getting recognized with a "Second Place"...? Then "First Place"...? I think it is a bad spiral to get into!! ;) I believe the messages here about the Flower Category are correct---that group gets swamped with spectacular images, so you have the mass quantity sort of working against you already. Also, if you really believe in a photo, don't hesitate to re-enter it in other months.
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Bob Cammarata |
Everyone shoots flowers and plants from every angle possible and the ones which ultimately wind up in the winner's circle were culled from the best of the best. Even given that,...it's a crap shoot based upon the sheer number of entries. You can try to make your flower photos a little different by telling a little "story". This link will show an example: http://www.betterphoto.com/forms/discussionDetail.php?threadID=138396 Bob
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Craig m. Zacarelli |
Baby pictures.... the judges seem to like them.. Allot! Hey, I never place, I did twice..while I was enrolled in a course...Hmmmm. Keep trying, hey, its all for fun anyhow, they might throw you a free website if you actually win over all but most of us already have a web site so... I just like the recognition. Oh well, theres allways next month!
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John P. Sandstedt |
Every contest is an ego trip. If you need a win to convince yourself one of your pictures is good, well . . . One thing though, are you sabsolutely certain the image you entered GREAT. To many people enter nice images, not GREAT ones. And, remember, you make a photograph. All the camera does [film or digital] is record an image. If you haven't done everything you need to do to assure the perfect negative, slide or digital file, a pricey camera, Photoshop CS and all the other crutches aren't going to help.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
True you shoot for yourself. True contests involve your ego, hopefully not more than fun. But what nobody's telling you, maybe it's that needing encouragement thing again, is that you flowers are plain. Like the squirrel, they look like just a way to identify this is the flower. Like a text book, cataloging species. You're not showcasing anything about the flower's shape, patterns in it, curves the petals make. No feel to them, no design to it. You came closest with illuminated callilily, but it looks a under exposed. Plus there's nothing about it that accentuates the shape. Light your subject but you have to use shadow along with it.
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- Stephanie Barrow Contact Stephanie Barrow Stephanie Barrow's Gallery |
Thank You ALL for your feedback, you've all given me a lot to think about. I do create my images for me, I really love most of my shots. The creativity thing is something I need to work on more. I really appreciate the encouragement, and the constructive criticism, it has me thinkng... Thanks again ALL of you. This has been very helpful.
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- Stephanie Barrow Contact Stephanie Barrow Stephanie Barrow's Gallery |
Thank You ALL for your feedback, you've all given me a lot to think about. I do create my images for me, I really love most of my shots. The creativity thing is something I need to work on more. I really appreciate the encouragement, and the constructive criticism, it has me thinkng... Thanks again ALL of you. This has been very helpful.
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Gloria B. Wood |
Hi Stephanie, I would suggest just one more thing!!! Go and look at all the beautiful and creative images each month that get overlooked or discarded by the judges for some reason or another and you will certainly broaden your perspective and see that you are in very good company!!!
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Kari Høglund |
You have really nice photos, but I think a lot of them lack some sharpness. Some of them would be much better if you used "unmask sharp". I am sure you can find some info about it on the net. I have learned a lot by reading the book "the photoshop book for digital photographers" by Scott Kelby. He got a chapter about different sharpening techniques. Keep up the good work and good luck with your photos. I am sure we will see you as a finalist or winner soon.
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- Stephanie Barrow Contact Stephanie Barrow Stephanie Barrow's Gallery |
Thank You Both ,Gloria and Kari for your suggestions. Everyone has helped soooooo much!! As a matter of fact, I just bought "The Photoshop CS2 Book For Digital Photographers" it is probably the same book. I have found many helpful suggestions already. Thank You Again.
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Mike Rubin |
Stephanie,Sure I would like to win but it is also a boost to get comments from others at BP on my images. When a "stranger" takes the time to comment on one of your images it must be good!, I am also eager for honest critiques on my images as it is a great learning tool.With positive feedback I like to know why the person thought it was good, So I can remember the technique when out shooting and if the image is poor so I can learn what not to do again. - Mike
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- Stephanie Barrow Contact Stephanie Barrow Stephanie Barrow's Gallery |
Thank You Mike, you're right. It does put a smile on my face when I see an e-mail in my box from a BP visitor, I can't wait to open it to see what they have to say about my images. Thanks again you're absolutely right. The critiques are really helpful.
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Robert Baer |
stephanie Study the ones that have won and see what makes a great composition. Be sure that the background is blurred enough that it does not take away from the main subject unless the background adds to th e subject. As far as the contest is concerned,in my opinion, there are so many great, deserving entries that if your composition is great, your technique is good, the lighting is good, then it is just up to the personal tastes of the judges. Just pick the images that you really like and submit. too many people submit everything. be selective when you enter rather than submitting your entire portfolio as some people do. good luck and keep shooting for yourself as well as for the contest. Justin Baer
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Tamera S. Phillips |
Stephanie - I agree with everything said so far. I used to get upset but then I realized that just since I started with this site my photo's have improved so much. I look at the finalists that make it and the winners. I like my work and that's all I now worry about. As long as you are learning and having fun - you're heading in the right direction. There were over 25,000 pictures submitted in March. That number will surely grow. Keep up the good work.
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