BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Photography Question 

Patsy Diana
 

what's wrong?


I don't understand Why my pictures weren't selected as a winner? I cannot find the problem with my pictures.
Have you even looked at them when they were entered in the contests?
Please take a second look and let me know what's wrong with them.
Some have gotten some nice compliments. (I won a camera with the peacock picture in a another contest).
How can I improve?
Patsy Diana


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October 29, 2006

 

Samuel Smith
  morning patsy,
I don't even play a judge on tv so keep that in mind will ya.
overall that bright mid-day sun is just too severe.your losing highlights and detail.well,color too.
a blue truck in a campground?maybe a bear driving it would set it apart from the rest.
the squirrel,although taken at a better time of day with better light,does'nt seem to be quite in focus.
1 opinion,sam


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October 29, 2006

 
chrisbudny.com - Chris Budny

BetterPhoto Member
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Chris Budny's Gallery
  Hi Patsy... Some would say that if you're happy with the images you produce, you've won half the battle; keep shooting what you like, how you like, and don't worry about the rest. But, when you decide to seek the approval of the BP judges in this contest, that changes everything, and the bar is raised higher than you may realize...
If your entry doesn't win a Finalist (or higher) it simply means that your image, just one of 23,000 - 27,000 entries that are usually submitted each month, did not have something to reach out and grab the judges attention for closer inspection. And that is assuming your image already has all "the basics" nailed down, as required for a terrific image---great exposure, rock-solid focus, good color and a compelling composition and story.
Have you looked at the images chosen as winners (say for September) really looked at them, and then compared that population to your own images? By studying in some detail the images that do win, you may gain further insights into what the BP judges consider a winning image. "Nice" images usually don't go very far at all, and any comments posted on them have no bearing on the competition.
Fantastic images catch the judges' eyes.
Good luck, keep refining your own eye, and keep shooting!


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October 29, 2006

 

John P. Sandstedt
  You'll not be happy - but, you're pictures just aren't winners. And, in fact, most entries of everyone aren't.

Most of us like our work; we just don't critique it enough. Without trying to get you upset, I looked at your gallery and there just isn't a winner.

Before you submit an entry, really - be ruthless in your personal evaluation of the picture. Stop sending less than your best - even if you like one or five. RUTHLESS, that's the key.

I've only entered four or five of the pictures in my gallery because, while I like them enough to share, I fully realize they're not winners.. You must do the same kind of ruthless assessment.

Sorry, but it's the truth.


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October 29, 2006

 

Samuel Smith
  i posted to help you with the light as you asked,your subjects are not the problem.you do have winners,and keepsakes.but they are your winners.please don't dismay.
sam


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October 29, 2006

 

anonymous
  Sorry Patsy, but I agree with John, there really aren't any winners there, and I personally I think it is a bit presumptious to expect a winner. I have been entering photos for over a year and only get finalists. Yeah, I would love a second, first place etc, but unfortunately, my work in relation to the other photos at that time don't stack up.

Your photos, are well exposed photos, but at the end of the day, they just look like "snap shots" that have been taken by someone who knows how to use a camera.

Just keep shooting.


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October 29, 2006

 

Mike Rubin
  Patsy, It took me over a year to become a finalist, and it was with an image that I had entered before. I have to agree with the others and add that BP is a place that will help you improve. The quality of my work has greatly increased in the time I have been here. I also spend a lot of time reading photo books and would like to recommend two books to you, Understanding Exposure and Learning to See Creatively. Both are by Bryan Peterson, published by Amphoto. The best price is at Amazon. Stick around and continue to improve with the rest of us. I have been shootin for over 25yrs and although I feel my images have improved greatly over the years, I also think I still have a ways to go.
Have fun and don't worry, If you try too hard, it may set you back.


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October 30, 2006

 

Patsy Diana
  Thank you all for your opinions...I asked and you answered. I think you are all right.
My eye isn't as good as it used to be. I have been taking photos all my life, too, and I appreciate the response good or bad.
Thanks again for your honest opinions.


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October 30, 2006

 

Samuel Smith
  well,i think,sorry no one mentioned,that a photo program,well learned,would produce winners.and yes with your photos.
take the road you want.art and photography are one and the same anymore.
ya got yer color corrected,sharpness,contrast,unsharp mask.
just hav'in fun withn ya folks,or maybe it's the truth,sam


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October 30, 2006

 

Sharon Day
  Patsy, you received a lot of great advice. I'm sure there isn't anything "wrong" with your eye. You just need to develop it some more. If you can not afford a course try checking the photography books at your local library for specific areas of interest. The library near my home has a great little book on composition.

The squirrel photo was horribly out of focus. If the photo looked sharp to you then it's possible you need to resize your photos to 480 pixels on the short side rather than 500 pixels. None of my photos look sharp when I resize them to 500 pixels.

When submitting for the contest I think it helps to spread the entries over as many categories as possible. If you sink all of your entries into one or two categories I don't think your chances are as good. That's just a personal opinion. I do not have anything solid to base it on, but I always spread my entries over at least 8 or 9 of the categories.


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October 30, 2006

 

Kai Eiselein
  Hey Patsy, don't feel bad. I haven't had so much as a finalist. But some of the same photos I've entered sell for as much as $125 and have won awards in other venues. LOL, that's irony!
Keep shooting, keep asking questions and shoot what you like and know.


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October 30, 2006

 

Sharon Day
  "Keep shooting, keep asking questions and shoot what you like and know."

Respectfully, I would not necessarily advise anyone wanting to "win" to shoot what they like and know. I know of several BPers that want to win, but they enjoy photography that obviously does not catch the judge's eye. Shoot what you "like and know" for yourself but enter what will catch the judge's eye for the contest. I enjoy landscape photography. My landscapes do nothing for the judges, soooo I do not enter them very often. If you're photography isn't getting noticed stretch yourself and try something new and different, but like Kai suggested keep asking questions and learning.


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October 31, 2006

 

Kai Eiselein
  Sharon, the reason I said that is if you know your subject, you'll tend to shoot it better. ie: A landscape photographer isn't going to shoot sports pics as well as a sports shooter and vice versa, because they don't "know" the other subject as well.
If you know your subject, you'll tend to shoot it better because of that knowledge.
For instance, the "horsepower" pic I entered, most people don't have a clue about that photo, or what it took to make it. "Horse people" do and I've sold a number of prints to them.
I "know" many rodeo events and was able to get a saleable shot, despite the fact that I dislike horses!


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October 31, 2006

 
- Gregory LaGrange

BetterPhoto Member
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Gregory LaGrange's Gallery
  I see your point and get the photo, but you still have the fact that Patsy D. just dosen't have good photos. The peacock that she won a camera with dosen't have good clarity and has a pixelated look of being shot at the lowest jpeg setting. And the horsepower picture has clarity issues as well.
So while horse people will be drawn to the muscles and knowing that the hind legs are where the power, both in beauty and danger, come from. It still has some things missing that are obvious as to why it may not win a contest.


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October 31, 2006

 

Kai Eiselein
  Gregory, I agree about Patty's entries, she just needs to keep shooting and keep practicing.
As with any art form, judging is subjective. A photo may not win in one place, but will in another. I've had it happen on several occasions. One photo garnered nothing at one show and "Best of" at the next.
A couple of the shots I've entered have been featured on the front page of an online magazine, one on the cover of a travel brochure, but haven't been chosen as a finalist here.
Whether or not I ever get a finalist here doesn't matter. I like sharing my images and enjoy seeing other people's work.
The real reward for me comes from the comments I get from the readers of the newspaper I am editor of, the cash I get from sales and the recognition from my peers in the press.
As for clarity of my horsepower photo, 500 pixels by whatever at 72 dpi doesn't do it justice, a high res 8X10 is tack sharp.


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October 31, 2006

 

Sharon Day
  Kai, sure a photographer is going to be better with a subject they are comfortable with but it doesn't mean they'll win by entering that subject if the judges don't find it appealing. If winning is the goal you have to make an attempt to offer to the judges what appeals to them. It's not difficult to determine what will capture the judge's eye if you study the winners. Then it just boils down to whether you got lucky out of over 25,000 entries in a given month.

Also, what sells isn't necessarily what will win and what wins will not necessarily be what sells. Check out the stock sites and see how many images you'll find of a common household object. A pic of a wrench will sell in stock but it's not likely to snag a win at BP, unless of couse it has been Buzzed LOL.


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October 31, 2006

 

Samuel Smith
  your squirrel photo was not horribly out of focus,rude in my stupid opinion.
many of you have some nice galleries,but how did we get there?not bashing or being over critical.i think she asked for help or constructive critique.
not me or you are we helping.
i don't think it helps her at all in your discussion on how you achieved your goal.yet maybe?


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October 31, 2006

 

Sharon Day
  Sam, if someone asks specifically what is wrong with a photo you're not doing them any favors to tell them it's wonderful. The squirrel photo was out of focus OR as I mentioned it wasn't sharp due to sizing issues. That is why I suggested to Patsy that if it looked sharp on her monitor before uploading to BP it could be sizing issues. It does look very out of focus on my monitor. Telling her it looks fine will not help her achieve a win.

Bashing someone is when you visit an entry only to tell a person how horrible it is when they didn't ask for such input. That I do not do. If I don't like an entry I don't comment at all. If you'd like to see what bashing looks like check out the discussion thread on this win. They not only bashed the photo but the judgement of the judges. That IS rude!

How To


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October 31, 2006

 
- Gregory LaGrange

BetterPhoto Member
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  Actually the squirrel isn't out of focus, it's blurry. So if Sam can't take calling a blurry photo blurry, try the teletubby approach.
Great shot!


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October 31, 2006

 

Samuel Smith
  cute,
I said it wasn't quite in focus.been workin on my tact.
and I really don't care if someone asks for a comment or not.if I see a photo I have an opinion on I make a comment.duh.ya need to send me a set of guidelines.
so the novice photographer gets a shot of something,and at this point,is the best they've done posts it in their gallery.and we trash it?
judges make their decision on their own personal preferences,their eye for photography.wether we agree or not is their decision.
but not to question?
not on my watch.
ok,so if I said kai was just kinda patting herself on the back,would I be wrong or is that the way I took it?
did I offend kai?not intentionally.might not even been why she posted.
friends and enemies,sometimes,are one and the same.might as well say what you think.then you know.
and i'm more of an elmo type,not teletubby.
ya got some work to do patsy,sam


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November 01, 2006

 
- Gregory LaGrange

BetterPhoto Member
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  If you sing off key, best to find an off key singing constest with a judge with a personal preference for off key singing. Otherwise, the realistic view is that it isn't based on a personal preference if you're told "no, you're singing off key"
And to jump to the extreme of "don't trash my singing by saying it's off key", is somebody who needs to talk to like a little kid, and that isn't good nor helpful.


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November 02, 2006

 

Irene Troy
  Patsy – shoot what you love; shoot what you know; shoot what will sell or impress the judges – simply get out there and shoot! As to what is wrong/right about your current images: one of the best pieces of advice I ever received was from an older, grizzled editor for a magazine that I still work for (as a writer, not photographer): don’t confuse ego with quality and don’t confuse a critique of your work with a critique of you the person. Be open to all suggestions, appreciate their worth and then do what feels right to you.


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November 02, 2006

 

Patsy Diana
  ...again...thank you all. You all have expressed your honest opinions which are greatly appreciated and very helpful. I will keep trying. I have many, many pictures and may not have chosen the best for entry. I was just was trying to stick with the monthly themes in the past. I haven't entered recently though.


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November 02, 2006

 

Kai Eiselein
  Sam, no I wasn't patting myself on the back. I did point out that judging is subjective. For instance I hate those stupid pet pics one sees everywhere. You know, the ones where they are wearing hats, shirts and crap.
Now, just to put my pics where my mouth is, I'll post sports pics this month. Why? Because I know sports shooting. And I saw an action football pic that was a finalist.
Oh and btw, I'm a he, not a she.


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November 02, 2006

 

Samuel Smith
  ignore the banter patsy.some are right and some want to be right.or not.
not necessary kai,i used an example out of line.but I thought it?
and I put it right in the middle of the table..
sorry about the gender thing,i might be samantha?
sam/rude.i did it again.i guess i'll have to put that on my character flaw list.geeez,3 pages.the ink won't even dry before I add another one.
sigmeund


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November 02, 2006

 

Kai Eiselein
  LOL


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November 02, 2006

 

Tareq M. Alhamrani
  I have same issue that my pics aren't winners or so not high rated or so.
I got many shots, some are so amazing to me and some are not that much but good, but still I can't understand what are the main idea to win, I saw many photos not just here but somewhere else and they are not that much amazing, maybe just good exposure and well composition, is that all? good exposure, well composition, focused and have messages?
I think I have to take photos for myself more than taking photos for compitions or contests or challenges, because then I have to use all photography tips and guides and not just shooting as normal hobbies.
I felt sad many times because of that but I feel happy when I see many winner photos are similar or close to some of my photos, so just I need little more and there I go.


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November 03, 2006

 
- Gregory LaGrange

BetterPhoto Member
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  Well which one of your's do you consider amazing?


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November 03, 2006

 

Tareq M. Alhamrani
  these photos in my galleries are just since long time ago.
I should delete them and add newer but because I don't come to this website alot I didn't care to do.
I will post and replace those old photos with my newer photos and then I will see if I still not good enough to enter those contests.


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November 03, 2006

 

Samuel Smith
  welcome tareq,
maybe the contest is rigged?hmmm..
please shoot what you like and just get better.be critical,and search galleries for past winners.
please don't delete until I get to visit.well,not sure when.
and unless you kinda know your subject and how to portray it in favorable light,keep practicing.
kinda works with people too.
and to the point..if you speak to a student, who begins learning,and yes, it's ageless,as a child who wants to learn,then the infant will learn.but a teachers pace may be inconceiceable to the student.oh no,back to square one.
5 years ago the no student left behind policy was passed by my state,millions of dollars were spent and statistics haven't changed...money well spent?
picture that?
sam


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November 03, 2006

 
- Gregory LaGrange

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  Also helps to be able to put coherent sentences together.


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November 03, 2006

 

Tareq M. Alhamrani
  All what I should do is I have to stop posting my photos, just I have to keep shooting and try to find what are the points of weaks in my photos and then I have to avoid it next time, just I do takeing photos everyday but in my area there are nothing so interesting to take but I keep shootng whatever from different angles and see which one got better composition, ofcourse Exposure is not a problem at all as I know how to control and understand the exposure and the light surround me, so I just I try to make my photos more interesting than noraml looking, but I have to travel to get better photos, otherwise I can't do alot or upgrade my level if I stay in one place.
Oh I forgot that I have to get studio lighting if I need to get better portratures or products still life photos.
Soon I will travel and I will see what I can end up with.


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November 04, 2006

 

Mike Rubin
  Gregory, I agree with a lot you say, BUT..Remember that this is a world wide forum and for some people English may be a 2nd language, At least they try and for others,they may not have been fortunate enough to get a quality education,no fault of theirs.


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November 04, 2006

 
- Gregory LaGrange

BetterPhoto Member
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  I was talking about Sam, not Tareq.


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November 04, 2006

 

Samuel Smith
  well,i
knew
that..
annd,had
a good
laugh,me.


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November 05, 2006

 

Michael Skelton .
  Patsy , I haven't seen your photos, but I have to agree with John S. You do have to be ruthless in judgement of your efforts , Its the only way you will get better . I once read "If your not your own worst critic , you are your own worst enemy". I truely believe that.I have had teachers say they like my photos but they are going to nick-pick a little, Screw That!!!!!! I rather they rip them apart if need be,Thats how I'm able to see my shortcomings and learn.


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November 10, 2006

 

Shawn M. Marymee
  Dang it I hate when I hit the wrong key
Sorry!!!
Try again.

Patsy,
I have enjoyed this form. I agree that some of your photo's are not Tack Sharp. A lesson I have had to learn the hard way. I also have photo's that I thought should have at least gotten a finalist.... Then I looked at the finalist from past months. Boy Oh Boy have I been humbled. lol. You think your stuff is good untill you look at others. Keep shooting. If you want to win keep looking at the ones that win and see if yours are truly that good. Like they all say be ruthless. Mike had good advice. I have read 4 photo books since I have joined BP. One of them that Mike told you about Learning To See Creatively helped me.

Samuel, Gregory, and Mike.
I love to read your banter. Makes me a little afraid to post. lol.


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November 29, 2006

 

Susan M. Hembree
  Patsy,

I have really loved being a part of the Better Photo contest and being a Premium member. And I just love doing my photography work; I can get so lost and forget all my troubles when I am out shooting things.

I guess I look at Better Photo as being a place where photographers, from professionals to the novice, work at improving their skill. I don't think it ever matters how good a photographer may be, there is always room for improvement. This is what the Better Photo site is about and to me, what the Better Photo contest is all about. Thus, my own outlook at being able to submit a photo a day to the contest is to challenge myself to do just that; submit a photo a day and do my best at making each photo that I submit, not only the best, but the most creative I can make it.

Having this outlook pushes me to take photographs at least once a day; trying some new technique that I've never tried before, with either my camera or in Photoshop, and thus learning and improving upon my skill. I also find that since I've started doing this that I do more reading about the subject and also try to "embellish" on the techniques I have learned from viewing (and reading about) others' photography work--the winners and also the other entries throughout the month. Thus, I try to put my own creativity into a piece, even if an idea may have come from somewhere else. I mean, after all, every great artist may have learned a technique somewhere else or from someone else, but in the end, it is their own creativity (and what's in their own soul) that has shone through and touch the lives of others. Remember, to thine own self be true!

Going into the contest with this attitude, I've been just amazed at the results! In just a few short months, I have not just seen, but felt a great improvement in my photos! I am doing things I've never done before and am getting some results that I never expected from myself. And I am feeling such joy from that and fall in love with photography even more! So, every month I end up feeling like a winner even if I don't always have one of those little medals on my contest submissions!

I don't know if I always understand why the judges pick some of the photos that they do every month; maybe it is subjective as some of the others on this form has said. However, I also know that the opinion of others is also subjective. I learned this while working as a manager of a portrait studio some years back when I would have customers rip verbally to shreds some of the most beautiful photos I had ever seen!

Thus, I am hoping that the judges real goal with this contest is in being teachers to us all in choosing what they do choose--they want to demonstrate things that maybe some of us have not considered yet and for us to get out there and try some new things. [I think The Photo of the Day especially demonstrates this.]

So, for me (and I'll repeat this), in the end, by taking the cues of the judges in what they choose and using them to my benefit my own creativity, I become a winner! Especially with the improvements that I am making, how much more I am enjoying my photography work, and the joy this ultimately gives me in my personal life. I believe if you take this view with this contest, that sooner or later, you will also see the payoffs in your own photography and life and feel like a winner all on your own! You will no longer be needing those pats on the back from the judges anymore. And if you do happen to get them, then it just becomes an extra bonus!

So, my advice to you is to look at this photo contest in how it can help you to improve on your skills (how can you embellish upon the ideas demonstrated throughout the contest?) and don't worry so much about getting the judges attention. Concentrate on your love for this artform and one day you'll get that little bonus boost from the judges when you least expect it.

I hope this has helped. Good luck and good photography!

Sue


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November 30, 2006

 

Sandi L. Korshnak
  Sue,

I think you are dead on. After all, the name of the site is Better Photo. We are all trying to get better.
I've only been here a short time, but I can see my own work improving. It's not great by a long shot, and I'm not always happy with everything. but, I know that I am improving. All I have to do is look through some of my older stuff, even from 3 or 4 months ago. Taking classes here, asking questions and lots of shooting helps.
Even if I don't get awards, I'm out there doing something I love to do.

Sandi


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December 01, 2006

 

Debi Zylbermann
  Dear All,
So much of what you have said is spot on, especially "be ruthless". I can safely say that over the last year or so I am much more critical of my pictures than I used to be.
I also have to agree that even when I think my photos are wonderful, I look at the finalists and winners, and generally am in awe of most of them - that's when I realize that what I love is just not up to par with what the judges are looking for. In fact, many of them are just plain better than mine :-(
Main thing is that I'm learning how to take better photos, and how to critique them better, and that's what this site is all about :-)
(BTW, if any of you would be kind enough to comment on my gallery, I'd be exceedingly appreciative. I don't know how to get more comments than the few I have, so ideas on how to get more comments would be great too).


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December 03, 2006

 

Samuel Smith
  and kind enough I will be.you tend to center a lot.not a good thing.for your night scenes have great promise.
those that say they are here to help may fail the system.a slight prejudice to their own goal and proliferation.
you did it yourself,but it seems a sincere call for help.decent it seems,if you can in some way help others.
knowledge if it becomes selfish and not shared is bogus.
sam


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December 03, 2006

 

Debi Zylbermann
  Thanks, Samuel, both for your critique of my portfolio, and for your helpful comments.


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December 04, 2006

 

Nacoma D. Hayden
  Aggggahhhh I hate these dicussions about the contest. Listen if you want to win, it will not happen by sitting in front of this PC. Get you camera, and your gear, and a lot of motivation, and get out there and start shooting. Shoot everything... everyone and everywhere. Everything is free game to your camera, unless law prohibits :) Altogether I am telling you, no matter how many books you read, no matter how many people give you advice, no matter how good you think you are there will always be someone out there that is better. So plan for that and shoot with that in mind. Never give up. When I shoot I keep "Carpe Diem" in mind, because the day is yours.


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December 08, 2006

 
- Gregory LaGrange

BetterPhoto Member
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December 08, 2006

 

Irene Troy
  Nacoma – WOW – very well said! Personally, these discussions confuse me since I am really not sure why people get so heated up over these contests. But then, I am not all that competitive, or at least not in this way.

I just returned home from a seven week work trip that took me to Northern Minnesota, Ontario and Manitoba. My work is mostly writing, but I have started to market my images along with my writing. When I post images to my gallery I am pleased when anyone gives me positive feedback; thrilled when more than one person praises my work and mildly disappointed when no one offers critique or when the critique is negative. However, winning contests; receiving accolades or gaining fame is hardly the reason why I keep working on my skills. The reason, for me, is fairly straight forward: I love what I do! Why else would I head outside when the temperature is 10 below zero just so I can capture an image of a fox as it seeks it’s pray? This feeling is not diminished at all by the fact that the resulting image never wins a contest. We need to be tough on ourselves; we need to listen to all critiques with an open mind; but, ultimately, we need to please ourselves. Otherwise we will never achieve real success. As you said – carpe diem – seize the day and make it the best you can.


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December 09, 2006

 
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