 Beth J. Hazelwood |
I'm very curious ??? How can I get in the in group ??? I've been lurking on this site for many years. I've always been afraid to post pictures as so many of you are very very talented photographers. I'm honestly just photographing as a hobby. I've had pictures in several local art shows and use photography as an escape. When ever I've posted pics recently I literally get no response. How is a person suppose to improve ??? I would like to hear from you all when I post a pic. Not only would it be constructive and learning but greatly appreciated. I'm by in no means trying to be ugly but I really want to belong. musch thanks, Beth
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chrisbudny.com - Chris Budny Contact Chris Budny Chris Budny's Gallery |
My experience/two cents, as a hobbyist photographer myself for 10 months now, is that you have very actively participate with others, on their photos. (Plus, starting your own discussion thread on a particular photo you just uploaded, by deliberately choosing "Constructive Critique" is helpful, since it places your photo in that area of BP, where many regulars skim for photos daily.) You may also find it helpful if you are entering photos into the contest regularly, to upload the photo you want to enter, on the day you plan to enter it... ie, instead of uploading 30 photos today, and then placing them in the contest one at a time over the weeks ahead... that way, your freshly-uploaded/entered photo stays closer to the front pages of the "Recent Entries" page for most of that day, vs. if you enter an existing photo, uploaded from a month ago, it immediately goes into the pages further back (if that makes any sense.) I like to spend a good bit of free time over the course of a week, going through the Recent Entries and leaving comments on pics I love... I've found over the months that I now visit certain members galleries regularly, to see their new work, and they in turn are often checking out my gallery on a regular basis... sort of forming a "group" like you originally mentioned!
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Beth J. Hazelwood |
Thank you Christopher for the response. I really appreciate your input. I'd love to form a group here and communicate with other photographers. Photography and scrapbooks are my passion. Of course the two go hand and hand. If anyone is interested in chatting and critiquing with me I'd appreciate it. Beth
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Nobu Nagase |
Beth, Also, there is a Yahoo Group you may join to be in-group. This group is consist of members of this site, started by a member (not sponsored by Betterphoto). They have a fun project called "photo of the day" theme. Take a look at this thread for more info.
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Oliver Anderson |
hey Beth, I've found the more you participate in the forum, offer words of praise and pose questions on certain photos the more people will respond to your own photos. Plus I usually throw in a couple photos of attractive models.JK
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Irene Troy |
Hi Beth – others have offered really good advice about becoming a more active member of BP and from my own experience I can say that the more you participate the more you will feel like a real part of what happens here. If you want critique on your own work just ask people to view your gallery and offer their opinions. Just don’t expect instant responses and be prepared for honesty. The folks here tend to be honest, but also (generally) kind. I took a look at your gallery and from my viewing I can see that you are struggling with the same type issues I struggled with early on and continue to struggle with from time to time. Mostly, you need to study ways of achieving better exposure. Your flower images – while nicely composed – are very underexposed. I see that you are shooting with a digital camera; are you using auto white balance and auto settings, allowing the camera to select the appropriate exposure values? If so…DON’T! The in camera meter cannot be relied upon to choose correct exposure in low light situations – no meter can do this as well as your eyes and your mind can. I love photographing flowers and have learned a couple of tricks that often work well for me: first, time of day is really important; I like shooting flowers early in the morning while the sun is still low in the sky. I also will shoot in overcast conditions. Both times the light is more even, softer and more flattering to the flowers. Spot meter directly on the flower and then step back, compose again and make your shot. You may find that this results in a better exposure that will better show your subject. I like your sunflowers images! The exposure is not quite right, but I think you may have been shooting in strong light – a difficult type light for these type images. Even with that problem, the images are quite nice. Your purple flower image would be stronger if you blurred the background by selecting a narrower depth of field. I congratulate you on getting the flower so sharp – something I find hard to do at times. “Smoky Mountain wildflower” is very nice! My only suggestion would be to avoid placing the subject in dead center of the frame – a minor criticism for this image. The butterfly would benefit from – again – a shallower depth of field and by moving in so that the butterfly was better isolated from the surroundings and, once again, not placing the subject in dead center. But, the image is sharp and that is very good. I LOVE “Just Ducky”! My only suggestion would be to crop out the top part of the image so as to keep the eye directly on the duck. BTW: was this a wild duckling? So cool! Well, these are my ideas and I am sure that others will have even better insights. Keep coming back here; comment on some of the threads and participate where you feel comfortable. Before long you’ll feel a real part of things here! Irene
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Slim Brady |
I think your pictures are fabulous, just a little sharpening and you're golden
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Diane Dupuis |
Hey Beth, All the advice you've received so far is true - the more time you put in commenting on others - the more chances you have of those people coming back and commeting on your work. You'll notice a lot of people at BP shy away from true critique because it isn't always received in the best way (just look at Brady's bio info...) You do have several very nice shots - but you need to work at it more. Read up everything you can about photography, composition, getting the best light, etc. Then go spend a few hours a week studying the past winners and finalists. There is so much talent here on this site - and many people are more than willing to help. If you see something you really like and have no idea how to do it - try contacting the photographer and askign. I'm sure more than half the time they'll be more than willing to share with you. I know I learned a lot that way! If you're just uploading to your gallery to show friends - fine - but there are several shots in your gallery that really should not be entered into the contest. I actually don't know if they were... but - your bunny shots, especially the 2nd and third are two dark and badly composed. I do like your sunflowers and your last two shots children shots in your gallery. The white flower would be nice if it was brighter. Anyhow, I hope this helps - and I know it's a pain - but you really have to reach out by commenting and asking questions of others to make connections here. Good luck
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
There's an "in group"?
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Robyn Gwilt |
:) LOL Gregory - but ditto all the above Beth. Actually most people are pretty cool here, and above all really really helpful - I can't tell you how much I've learnt over the past few months - if you don't get a response to your particular question, you'll find its probably be asked before, and if you're looking for something - e.g sharpening in PS - just type that in the Q/A box and you'll find plenty of threads relating to it. You can still comment on thos threads, they might be a few months/years old, but if the members are still part of BP, they'll respond. Christopher.... you sneaky bugger... so thats how you stay to current :) Another point was to comment on others - i.e. everyone whos taken the time on this thread, It would be nice to check out their gallery and post a couple of comments. Others will see your comments, see you as a 'newbie' and be curious, comment on yours.... and so it goes! I'm off to look at yours quickly now before bed. Just to make y'all jealous - I'm off tomorrow morning to hike for 5 days along our most beautiful coastline - with a rioutous weekend with friends either side of the hike. I'd encourage you to visit the following: http://www.footprint.co.za/otter.htm and eat your hearts out!! See you here on the 19th June!
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Angela K. Wittmer |
Beth... I love to scrapbook too so we have something in common! I think yuou have a great start on your gallery... I will make a note to look at your pics when I am not at work. I do agree though if you comment on others pics, they will try to comment back on yours... smiles! Angie
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Oliver Anderson |
The new BP Letterman Jacket will soon be for sale in most high end retail camera stores. Owning one of these jackets will guarantee your membership into the IN CROWD.
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Sharon Day |
Brady, you need to take a chill pill :o)!
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Slim Brady |
I have to admit Oliver, that was tops! I still got a members jacket, juss wait'n for it to come back instyle yahh
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Oliver Anderson |
Wow!!! Sharon must be in the IN CROWD because I was looking at her page and she has a lot of awards.... I'll date her and steal her letterman jacket. Keep up the great photos Sharon, no disrespect I'm just a Scorpio and we got a reputation to upkeep...I'm sure you understand.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Another quote for slick brady paulsen's archives.
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Sharon Day |
I'm flattered, Oliver! I really don't think there's an "in" crowd with BP. I've just gotten lucky some. I'd like to keep the medals, but I'll give you the letterman jacket :o)!
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Kerry L. Walker |
Beth, there really is no "in crowd" here. If there was, I would not want to be in it. There are just a lot of individuals with different ideas who like to discuss those ideas. Some folks, like Sharon, like to enter the contest. Sharon has a lot of awards because she is a good photographer, not because she is in the "in crowd". Some folks, like me, don't enter the contest but like to read and post here "cause it's a lot of fun. Just join in with the crowd, not the "in crowd" and have fun. Brady, you need to chill. I know that at some point in the past someone was really rude to you and you began to fight back. Back when you were changing your name every other day and posting some really wild things, I was probably the one who gave you the hardest time. However, since your "confessional post" I think you should have noticed that even I have been polite to you. Sometimes I have agreed with you and sometimes I have disagreed but I have done so politely. Let's not get back to the "bad old days".
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Oliver Anderson |
Sharon, thanks...I'm a size Large. Anyways you don't get lucky and win that many photo competitions...please. You can get lucky once maybe twice but not 20+ times. But then again if it was luck I'm sending you a $1 to buy my weekly lottery ticket $60million Jackpot in CA. I'll give you a free H2D if you buy me the winning ticket.
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Mark Feldstein |
Hi Beth: I'm with Kerry in his response. Like the old Groucho Marx line: "I'd never want to belong to a club that would have someone like me as a member". But if you REALLY insist on becoming one of the "in-crowd" here, just get a mitt and get in the game. Unless, of course, you're a self-appointed media censor. If that's so (I don't know at this point) then please sit to the far right with the others here who would choose censorship over free speech and robust discussions. ;>). Just a few thoughts I had after reading some the recent postings here this morning. Take it light. Mark
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
By all means, which postings where they?
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Slim Brady |
Take the black bear story for example. Someone just couldn't BEAR it :) and hit the malicious button. Some of the people won't like it some will. They have the right to hit the button and BP is the President of this site, so its their choice to nuke it or not.
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Christopher P. Golden |
Hi Beth. I know how you feel. I recently realized that it if you want to play YOU have to get off the bench. Just remember we all have a common interest and that brings us together so come on in, the water is fine.
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- Dennis Flanagan Contact Dennis Flanagan Dennis Flanagan's Gallery |
Some may disagree Beth, but if you have a Premium Gallery, more will see your photos.
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Brenda Tharp |
WHEW! THis took ten minutes to read and then wipe the tears from laughing so much, and then I realized that somehow, poor Beth got lost in the swirl of comments and jokes, until somebody remembered who started this in the first place and told her to jump in, the water's fine! But I think you got a good answer in all of this, Beth, truly. I'm a teacher here at BP and for three or more years now I have seen groups build from my class rosters and in almost all cases, the more students reached out, the more involved they became. Glad you stuck your neck out there and asked. If you can spare one hour a week to peruse the recently uploaded pictures, and comment on some here and there, people will respond and the idea of commenting on your own picture to begin a thread is a great idea - whoever threw that one in the pile here! have fun with it, and keep at it!
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
This thread is like soooooooo 2006. I swear it almost like it was started last year. Bringing it up is so not hot So not in the "in crowd" 
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Who Me? |
you're too late, already closed the door on in-crowd. You have to create a name for yourself and make it exciting. When I saw your post I said to myself "who the hell is beth". If you want to be part of the gang, you've got to roam with it everyday.
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Oliver Anderson |
Attention IN Crowd. I just found out the whole IN CROWD is checking into Rehab with Lindsey and Brittany so I'm looking up Betty Fords number now...I love the Sam Kinneson line that if you can afford $40 a month for rehab you don't have that bad a problem.
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Who Me? |
come on OLI, you know that Sammie said $15,000 G's.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Yall go to the Ford place. Me and Lindsay, with an A, are going to her resort, I mean rehab. Two pools and a beach. Just got to decided which fuzzy brained estrella is going to drive the wrong side of the freeway to get there.
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Oliver Anderson |
Greg are you talking the Rehab at the Hard Rock Las Vegas??? They've got the sand, pools and the beach....and most deffinately the IN CROWD. Did a shoot there and it is amazing. The in crowd is now going to Vegas to hang at Rehab on Sundays at the Hard Rock Pool.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
If you think you found a beach in Las Vegas, you really do need to come to rehab. Just drive south on northbound 405 and follow the signs.
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W. |
The only in-crowd around here are the mods, Beth. Mods are gods. Wanna be one of 'm? Apply?
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Justin |
sorry Beth you are in the out-crowd, stand in line.
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