 Lena Lee |
Critic to Betterphoto! Why does this site say that you can win your own Premium Gallery when the winners always have P-Galleries, I think it sucks. If you never get any credit for your photos why having any up to contest?? It looks like it's no use, but it's funny becuse two of my photos are winner to be in a big Calendar in UK, so I think this is bad for Betterphotos only to bring the one that has payed for P-Galleris for winner; i'm in this to win my gallery. Bad, bad....
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Sharon Day |
Lena, Premium Galleries are cheap enough. Anyone can have one without winning in the contest. I purchased my gallery before I ever had a win. It's just a prize if you do win. By-the-way, I have a photo that placed 2nd the contest of a large camera store chain, but entered it twice here at BP and it was never recognized. Just because a photo wins somewhere else does not mean the judges here will find it appealing. It's just a matter of what catches the judge's eye. I also have a photo that has sold 59 times and it didn't place either. It really means nothing if a photo placed somewhere else.
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Lena Lee |
I belive it's hard to litening to critic, I can see that in your aswer, it's not the sum of the gallery, if one promise that anyone can win then anyone should win sometimes, and my critic is not based on my photos I have seen phots that blow my socks of, but like always no cred. Thats a shame!!!
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Sharon Day |
Lena, I understand what you're saying, but the reason I think anyone can win is because I have. I didn't submit outstanding photos when I first started but after studying winners and reading tips on photography in general I began to improve. I still enter my share of duds, but occasionally one of my better ones will get noticed. I think anyone willing to look at their photography with a critical eye can find improvement. I still try to look at my entries critically. I would like to say I never enter photos that are less than wonderful but I'm addicted to entering every day so I'm afraid I do enter quite a few that are something less that inspiring. You are right about all the outstanding photos that are overlooked. I think that just boils down to the fact there's so many entries each month and unfortunately not every outstanding photo can be a winner.
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Lena Lee |
If you over look all enteries compares them to the selekted ones for finalist our the winners is very comen the same photgraph, it's very seldome someone green gets the ticet. So I don't think this cinde of site is for me, you have to overlook the art in some pictures and learn to see the beauty in the diffrent artforms that is, waht is beatuful for you is perheps not pretty for me, if you look at all the winners they are lookalikes in the (bad spelling) layout. The photos that are pict are stereotypes, very clean and neat. But very often they are out of soul, so thats a pitty I think. I'm an educated Photoeditor, and tis is just my point of the wiew,and I se a lot of photos, so sorry for feeling that way...
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Craig m. Zacarelli |
lena dont worry about the silly contest, it doesnt mean much.. besides, theres tons of contests on the net.. The judges here have soo many shots to go through its hard to imagine how many great, great shots get overlooked each month. I havent entered a contest in about 9 months now and I am way more happy because of it.I used to enter here but never won and only got two finalists.... so instead of worrying about winning a meaningless contest, I can concentrate on my shooting!
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Lena Lee |
Couldnt agree more, it makes me feel a bit silly. I think I will do as you have done just concentrate to take soulful photos, and have a good time indted of waisting my time. I have tryed for years, LOL.
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Paul Dempsey |
I guess my question to you is, why is winning here at BP so important to you? You are the only one that needs to appreciate your photography and if nobody else does, it is their loss! There is life after BP!!
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Lena Lee |
Paul think you have to read it all over again, becuse you have missunderstod it all. Don't take it that way becuse then you haven't read it all properly, Sorry...
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Diane Dupuis |
Hi Lena, I paid for my first gallery - which is a deal btw! but I've won two renewals! So it may look like I keep sending money to BP - but I'm not. So many repeat winners will all have galleries already but many of those are won! Also - there has to be a prize - it could be another camera bag or something - but personally I prefer this! One size fits all! (plus how many camera bags can one person own!) The sheer numbers here are overwhelming! Less than 1,000 pics out of over 25,000 make it to finalist - and then only 100 make it past that. But then again what other contest gives out 90 2nd place prizes?!! I think that's kinda special. And all those get free premium galleries - so month after month they add up! Anyhow - photography is art - and art is totally subjective. Yes there are many similar winners - because the judges are looking for good pics - compositionally, without too much noise, interesting subject, etc. etc. When I sit at my camera club and hear the judge's comments there - I again have to remind myself that it's really subjective - and if you have 10 people look at a pic - you'll get 10 differing opinions... Anyhow, take it light. If it bothers you too much about not winning - then don't enter. I think BP is doing a great job at keeping most people happy - and I personally like having the tough competition (pros, hobbists and beginners all in the same pool) because I feel like I've really achieved something if I make the top 1000... More important that you enjoy and are happy with your work. If you get the little gold medal - it's just gravy!
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Paul Dempsey |
Sorry, I just took your comment as whining about BP and the fact you have not won here and received your complimentary free gallery. I suggest that if your photos are doing so well across the pond, continue with what works. My photos have not won any recognition due to the fact the others have entered photos much better than mine. Take a look at your gallery and see if you come up with the same conclusion.
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Lena Lee |
Don't say sorry Paul, havin a good discussion is great, some take it blody hard some take it for waht it is, as I said before Paul wath's pretty in your eyes is perheps not tha same for me our for others, but if you can redame my gallery it's up to you. I like my stile it's personal, not to clean and not to bad, I have my stile and I'm going to keep doing exact waht I'm doing. Never forget wehn you give a respons that I haven't said I hate BP our they stink becuse I don't think so, I have this stats I done, and it tells me that some that has won 1time is more often winners again, it's extremly hard as a newcomer to be seen. Look for your self a fact is a fact, and it's still not just about me it's every newcomer. Some don't even get comments, It's sometimes like a club just for a few to edmier just them self and the friends. That's sad. And I haven got the honnor to sit and listening to the judges Diane but I can see you are, all respect to you.
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Sharon Day |
Lena, it is pretty much a fact you need to comment in order to receive comments. Members you see with many comments spend a lot of time commenting on other's photos. There's nothing wrong with that. When I came here as a newbie I didn't understand the system. I was delighted to get a comment or two. It didn't take long to figure out if I wanted more comments I needed to return the favor. I spent at least two hours a day commenting. As time went on I burned out doing that. I know there are members that have been around a lot longer than I have that still must spend a couple of hours a day commenting. I do not begrudge them not commenting on my photos anymore since I have basically dropped out. It's only fair. Just as a matter of curiosity how much time a day do you spend commenting? You mention what's pretty in your eyes is perhaps not the same for someone else. The same is true with judging. I would imagine BP has the same judges month in and month out. Perhaps they find certain types of images attractive and others not so attractive. That would account for why you see similarities in the winners. I see nothing wrong with that either. If you want to win take a similiar photo :o)! I see similarities but I see diversity as well. You said, "If you over look all enteries compares them to the selekted ones for finalist our the winners is very comen the same photgraph, it's very seldome someone green gets the ticet." I think it's unfair to say all the winners look like the same photograph.
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Craig m. Zacarelli |
the biggest drawback here is the antiquated forum software thats being used. every other forum im on you can very easily post a shot in your comments so people can actually see it. all you need is to have it hosted somewhere on the net and use BB code to imbed it into the post. I have givin up trying to post shots here because I dont have much hair left from pulling it out trying to post a pic into a thread for discussian..lol
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Lena Lee |
I think you have a point there Sharon *smiles* I was the same in the begining about the comments, but after a wile I lost it, haven't got the time. Well I wont put up a similar photo it wouldnt be me *LOL*, it's unfair in some cases, but they are look a likes in genre, they are stunning and the ones taking them are really good, some are exellent. But I think it still would be nice variaty and genre, I compare the stile here and how the artist works in Sweden it's a bigg diffrence, in Sweden you always find diffrent kinds of photos represented, and don't say I should put my photos there *LOL*, becuse I like it here. Craig your right *SMILES*.
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Stan Lubach |
I guess the way I've always seen it, the judges first cull shot based on technical merit. Given how good many of the shots are here, starting with 27000+ images, they probably still left, after that, with thousands of really good shots. At that point it becomes subjective; they'll tend to pick what appeals to them. The side-effect is that people who want to win the contest will tend to shoot for that style, and you end up with only a small subset of styles represented. Just my opinion.
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Lena Lee |
I couldnt have said it better my self Stan, that is absolutly right. *BIG SMILE*
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Lena Lee |
To Paul! you wrote "better then mine" I think you are wrong your photos is out of you and the point is to find your own stile, I think your photos are just fine. Don't be to hard on your self, just do what you like, take a lot of pictures.
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Samuel Smith |
all your photos are centered?ain't gonna fly. taking a lot of photos is just pure digital thinking. so,as a dark moth lands near my keyboard tonight and seeks the shelter of my speaker,and as i'm sure,to die,without a brillance to it's wings,is it photo worthy?it's soft hair and legs tucked in.a few chips missing in it's wings.a feeler seems to have been taken or lost.too small to pet. sometimes it is not how we capture it but yet as others view it! there's a small nick in the bookcase it sits by I hadn't noticed before. I guees a vision can't be photographed in it's true sense. well maybe with film,sam
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Lena Lee |
Samuel I think your way of express is overcours for me, I don't get it? Plz would really like to understand!
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Michael Skelton . |
Hi Lena, I just joined BP.com last month and looking at the entries from October , one of the things I noticed right off is that there are so many talented photographers and beautiful photos entered , I wouldnt be surprised if I never won. With 25,000 to 30,000 photos entered ,the judges have a huge task ahead of them in such a small span of time to complete the judging. For me the real benefit of BetterPhoto is the galleries of of all the photographers , with so much talent and easy access to each others efforts , one can't help but to get better studing the fine work afforded them. Where else can one go to for so much help for free.
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Irene Troy |
Lena and all: perhaps I am being a bit obtuse, but I just don’t get it. Lena, you begin your discussion saying that you “are in it for the free gallery”. Later you say that “perhaps this type forum is not for you”; then you say that you like it here and want to stay. At one point you say that you are an experienced “photo editor” – whatever this might mean in this context – and then you say that your images have won contests elsewhere and that you know your work is worthy of winning here. So…am I reading too much into this…are you really looking for help understanding how the judging is done or how you might submit a winner or are you looking for arguments that will prove some point you are making? I think that Sam is trying to give you some legitimate feedback on your images. You have to figure out what Sam is saying sometimes (sorry Sam, but its true!) because he can get somewhat cerebral. I took a look at your gallery and, to my eyes only; nothing pops out and screams LOOK AT ME. Don’t take offense, please, I am not an expert and do not see my images as worthy of winning either. However, if what you want is to win (as you originally stated) you need to be brutally honest with yourself about the quality of your own images. If you do edit for others, this should not be a new concept. Winning, anywhere, is always nice, but, IMHO, learning what works and what does not is even more important.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
The point is, this calendar is her accomplishment that she's proud of, and rightfully so. But she expect that to carry over to the BP contest. It didn't, and it bothers her. And yes, I also picture in my mind a photo for a calendar and it does not match what I see with what she has in the gallery. So to sum it up, she feels something is bias, or wrong with how photos are selected as winners due to her not getting selected here, with whatever calendar she'll be in over in the UK. So, conspiracy theory #49. And, nothing new with Sam.
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Lena Lee |
Are you true to your self Irene our are you just a evil girl, your are areally silly girl thast belives your words means the world to me our to others*Smiles* Mabee it works for a full grovn chearleader but you dosent impress me, sorry. It seams you have a problem talking TO peapol, insted you give commands, sorry you have no impact. And your arguments are only given to hurt but it will stand for you, becuse I'm not the one to carrie you dirty soul.*LOL* Next time try to fit in and have some good argument and try to by less angry in your way of speaking. Do you think this is a matter of life and death, becuse you act like it. Try to calm down Irene, maybee your saing starts to have an effect then. I feel for you, my dear!
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- Dennis Flanagan Contact Dennis Flanagan Dennis Flanagan's Gallery |
I don't understand that one Lena. Irene was polite and honest with you. At no point was she condescending or rude.
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Lena Lee |
I'm not going to defend my self Dennis just becuse my wiew is diffrent, maybe we can turn it around and see it from the other side, maybe someone is feeling defended by the fact I don't like stereotypes. I have by the way never said that my photos are outstanding our should have the ticet all I asked for was to see some diffrent styles. And Gregory you can speak direct to me, and not in second person, I'm right here. WOW dis is refreching *Smiles* and winning my space in the calendars is a good thing to do, have you never tried to be happy for someone els, our...what's eating you Gregory? I think Sam can say what ever he wants to say for him self, if he dosen't answer it's his call, I think it's rude Dennis to jump on someone that don't have done anyone any harm. I did not ask for critic I asked for a new kind of wiew of photos, and I think that can hurt some of the winners, but that's not the meaning to do so. I have only a simpel question, and I'm glad if the answers are to the question, why can't is be a bigger diffrens in the winning photos??? I'm not going to draw this any longer our give any more answers becuse it's no point, I can se that clearly.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
It wasn't to you direct because I was responding to what someone else, although it did involve you, hence the third person. Which is why this is in first person. Because of your claim in the origin of this thread that you have a photo that's going to be used for a calendar, and based on that you state your claim that the contest at BP set up so that only people who have premium galleries are chosen as a winner, or receive credit as you put it. That is what is doing the eating, and the one on the plate seems to be you. Still no change in Sam.
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Sharon Day |
Hey Irene, let's have lunch some time. At least you had the guts to say what no one else has *smiles*. Conspiracy theory #49? I don't think so. I think it's BP bashing #61 with some sour grapes thown in *LOL*.
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Irene Troy |
Hi Sharon - sour grapes make lousy wine! (or is it whine?) About lunch, name the time and place - the way I'm traveling these days you may just see me! Sam - if I've offended you, I know you'll let me know!
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Samuel Smith |
my stockholm,ah yes a very nice photo.and I think you got it right.very nice thinking and capture.i like it. well, it actually changes your ability but not your attitude. you owe some an apology.and to apologize should never hurt,but only build a stronger character.a call you have to make. any gallery is open to critic.visit mine and trash it if it's your wish. but lena,more of a concern to me is that someone said,sorry sam.i guess words to be taken as such.but not necessary. the moth as I presumed was expired tonight.one summer of life.but a photo of a spent moth?although I have a glimpse of what it may have went through,it would only have been a dark unruly moth. I hope those that tried to understand and help you are not disuaded from future help. now.anger only feeds the ignorant.shall we see what happens? sam
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Nobu Nagase |
Let's leave the the arguing to silly (I'd rather use more harsh words but I refrained... I did good :) politicians. Arguing for aruging sake is not very healthy. This site is supposed to be fun and friendly. I left another site before I came here because arguments divided the once a friendly community. Many people on this site are very friendly, fun, and helpful... I know some BP loyalists want to defend BP but BP can stand on its own feet...
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Samuel Smith |
only after thanksgiving can you/i play the grinch. I think all did good?bait was set.
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Sharon Day |
"bait was set" Sam, I've been called a fish more than once LOL! When will I learn?
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Nobu Nagase |
..."may the force be with you", so said sam... And what happened then...? *****************
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
All things fade? Given enough time. Yet the man? with the watch. I saw clearly. Late for a date, a woman remembers eternally.
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anonymous A. |
Given that you said "I'm not going to draw this any longer our give any more answers becuse it's no point", Lena, perhaps I have left it too late to add my two bob's worth; but still... I have just had a quick browse through the current photo entries and had a look at some past winners. There is a great deal of diversity; enough to provoke some people to complain that this Finalist isn't really a photograph, or that Winner isn't really "Landscape"... plenty of quirky, interesting approaches to all sorts of pictures. Given that the contest is drawn up into categories, it shouldn't be surprising that there are recurring themes and lots of similar photos: what should impress is the high standard and the sheer NUMBERS. I just recently had a photo selected for publication in a calendar (and NOT one of these free online ego massage hoaxes) which does make you feel very good; BUT while it was an appropriate image or the purpose, it was NOT good enough to win at BP....the standard here is just that much higher. In fact, I have won or placed in 4 internatinal and two national photo contests this year, and I wouldn't have expected those winners to be up to the BP standard...the did well because they were carefully targetted to the requirements and themes of the contests. I should say that I have only been a member of BP for a year. In that time I have had 2 pictures featured in the newsletters, and have managed 4 or 5 Finalists. I won the monthly contest BEFORE I had a Premium Gallery. So, as a relative newcomer, I have to disagree that this is a club for the regulars. Mind you, even the regulars had to be first time winners at some point. I have no doubt that we see the same names in the Finalist lists regularly because they are good photographers who deserve to be there. As to a personal and unique vision? When that vision is well realised and supported by the technical expertise to communicate with others, great photographs with style result. That's what wins; not just once in a while, but consistently. Not just in the eyes of one viewer (or one judging panel) but broadly. Everybody should be able to point to one success over the years: that's just the law of averages.
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Samuel Smith |
i am embarrased/flattered.
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Samuel Smith |
oh geeez,i missed the new mini-pic. friday a good friend of mines 3 year old grandson died. today a dinner for my daughters step-brother/marine who is being transferred to afghanistan. to be able to come to a place and relax and be made fun of=priceless.sam I am.
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