 Arlene Krassner |
I Give Up! My congratulations to all who become finalists and winners. But I give up. It's been over a year since I made finalist and over 2 years since I had any kind of winner. I see winners and finalists that leave me scratching my head. pictures with poor or distracting focus, poor compositions, poor exposures or lack of of a point of interest. I enjoy photography and do it for fun but it is nice to be recognized once in a while. I don't think I am that bad. So I think I'll take a break from this place now.
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Sandy Hawkins |
Hi Arlene.... I know how you feel as we all feel left scratching our heads sometimes. I usually carefully look over the finalists/winners and the main scratching I do of my head is wondering if and how I could ever get as good as some of the amazing talented people here on BP. Those feelings make me strive to do better, learn more, try new things, take more classes...learn, learn, learn. I still will never be as good as some, but I can honestly say I have improved a lot in my two plus years here on BP. When we are competing with such great talent it's tough to win, but winning on BP is not the be all end all of photography...it's just fun! I think you have some lovely images, and you are certainly being recognized with the Editor's Picks. Sure a finalist is better and a win better yet, but I would sincerely encourage you to keep up the good work, and try to make it even better. Blessings...
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D Jensen |
I agree with Sandy. I've received many EFP's and hope for the day I get something more. I often study the winning photos, figure out what it is that makes the image great, use it as a learning experience and then try to do better. You've got great images. Don't get discouraged and don't give up!
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Arlene Krassner |
Thank you for your posts DJ and Sandy and one other who emailed me privately and in a few minutes I will respond privately as well. Thank you for listening. I do look forward to reviewing the winners and finalists as a learning experience each month. I know 'winning' is not the ultimate goal. I have learned so much since stopping by here a few years ago. And I know I have plenty of EP's and yes, that's good. I know no one's work can appeal to everyone and for the most part I am pleased with what I produce. I enjoy photography so much and I am fortunate to incorporate in my work as a school nurse. But for now, a short break from entries here.
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wildlifetrailphotography.com - Donald R. Curry Contact Donald R. Curry Donald R. Curry's Gallery |
Arlene, I have looked through your gallery and I had many, many "WOW" moments. Please don't take not having a winner in BP too seriously. Judging art is so subjective. I have felt the same way so many times, so I do understand. If I can produce a photo that wows me, that is enough for me. I just use BP as a sounding board, not a way to define me or my talent. Keep creating your photos in the manner your passion dictates, not according to whether BP considers it a winner or not.
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Peter W. Marks |
Hi Arlene. I have looked all the way through your gallery and like Donald implies, there are a number of images that are really impressive and what is different with your gallery is that I cannot remember a single one where I thought "Hum, what was she thinking!" And that is more than I could say for many images that seem to get recognition from BP. Of course it is subjective but sometimes it seems as if a flat, gray, badly lit black and white or should I say, gray and darker gray, image of a one week old baby is the only sure-fire way to succeed. But then I look at the actual winners and realize that is not so. BP seem to be compelled to give these baby shots an EFP so they don't get irate moms beating down their doors! There is a really nice cleanliness to your images (that's probably not a photographic term!)and you have so many beautiful images that would make great cards and notelets but I am wondering if you might expand your image-making horizons a bit. One of your images that stood out as very different from those of just about every flower in Burpees' seed catalogues was the kid on the slide and yet that didn't even get an EFP! So what do we know? It is just a good job we aren't trying to earn a living at photography!
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Arlene Krassner |
Donald and Peter thanks for your wonderful comments and support. Peter I can't believe you took the time to look through all of them. Awesome.
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- Carolyn M. Fletcher  Contact Carolyn M. Fletcher Carolyn M. Fletcher's Gallery |
I also looked through your gallery yesterday and saw many that are just as good as the winning shots they always pick..It seems like they get stuck on certain kinds of shots, and those always end up in the finals batch.(think girls with something over their heads and most of their face)..sure fire finalists. I know how you feel. I've had only one finalist since last August, and yes, it's downright painful. But don't let them run you off. Stay around and one of these days you will get on the radar screen again.
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emptynestphotos.com - Agnes Fegan Contact Agnes Fegan Agnes Fegan's Gallery |
Hi Arlene: I always enjoy the photos in your gallery and hope you continue posting. We need a few Long Islanders on here after all! I understand too how frustrating it is sometimes (most of the time lol) and also that we need a break once in a while :)
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- Dennis Flanagan Contact Dennis Flanagan Dennis Flanagan's Gallery |
You have a nice photographic style. I hope you are never tempted to change it in a chase for a finalist or winner. As much fun as I have and will continue to have fun with BP, I have never felt they inspired originality. Stick to your guns.
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- Dennis Flanagan Contact Dennis Flanagan Dennis Flanagan's Gallery |
You have a nice photographic style. I hope you are never tempted to change it in a chase for a finalist or winner. As much fun as I have and will continue to have fun with BP, I have never felt they inspired originality. Stick to your guns.
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Arlene Krassner |
Carolyn, Agnes and Dennis: I appreciate your support and understanding. I guess when I started all this I was annoyed once again for being overlooked. I know I have a lot of pictures that not only I like but others as well. Not to worry Dennis. I do like my style and other than trying to do some things better, I am not planning on changing too much.
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Sam Britt |
Hi Arlene, I've always really liked your floral images. Have you considered resubmitting some of your favorite older images to different categories? Maybe try "Catch-All" or "Flowers" if you originally submitted them to the "Digital Darkroom" category. It seems to be really hard to get a finalist in that category. I've had some luck by changing categories when I resubmit. If you looked at the last few pages of finalists, you'll see many older images were chosen as finalists for the January contest. I had a finalist in December that was a year old! Anyway, continue doing what makes you happy & try not to worry too much about the contest, but don't give up!
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Arlene Krassner |
Thank you Sam. Maybe I will do that some day.
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Dawn M. Schneider |
Arlene, I have felt the same as you for many months. when I first started here I was screaming to my husband when I got an ep. I was in awe when I got a finalist then one 2nd place winner. since then nothing. I do get the ep, but I cant remember the last time I got a finalist. I vent to friends here at bp about what they are looking for to get higher than an ep. I have joined clubs, started my own and try to improve. I found myself trying things others are doing to improve, but always fell short. Find your muse, get inspired, vent to us and please keep shooting!! I also have put my images at silent auctions at churches and such and that inspires me so much when others actually bid on my work(not much mind you). just dont quit, email me anytime to vent or come join the "amateurs club" to have some fun!! Dawn
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Arlene Krassner |
Glad you understand My feelings Dawn. At some point I will take a look at your club.
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Natural/Abstract Photography |
Hi Arlene, I looked through your gallery, and you have lovely photographs that have a very unique look to them. Some of your subject matter is very simlar to mine, like the slinky. I think sometimes the more creative you are the less recognition you get. I have received some horribly hateful comments on some of my photographs and did quit photography completely for about a year until I thought what good did that do me, it only made those people with their hateful comments happy. I really enjoy your photographs and I hope to see more of them. ~April
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Arlene Krassner |
Thank you April. No one should approach with hateful comments. Not conducive to learning. Even constructive criticism goes over better on this site when sent privately I have learned. Thank you for your generous praise.
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Peter W. Marks |
Hi Arlene. I do hope you only seldom resort to sending your critiques privately. That method obviously helps the one recipient whereas I would hope most of us here would like to experience how other folk see an image and learn from it. Now having said that, it might just be wishful thinking on my part! But 'hateful comments'? That is kind of sick and probably tells us something about the sender's insecurity and we should try to just take the moral high ground even if we allow ourselves a head shake and eye roll! I guess the old adage of "If you can't say something nice then don't say anything" should hold good. But then there is the other viewpoint that just saying "Nice capture" is not exactly a meaningful comment. It is certainly not one of the nasty comments but it could be thought to be fairly meaningless, especially when the next two or three critiquers use exactly the same words with perhaps just a "nice POV" thrown in for good luck! This used to mildly irk me but then I came to realise that not everyone majored in creative writing or even have a good grasp of grammer,punctuation and spelling so now I try to just concentrate on the images. Ah! But in a perfect world we should all vote for my party, belong to my church, and prefer Cabernet Sauvignon to all those sickly sweet wines. :0)
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Arlene Krassner |
Well said Peter.
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karenemichaels.com - Karen E. Michaels Contact Karen E. Michaels Karen E. Michaels's Gallery |
Since you give up, your regrets will haunt you. Being an artist is not for the faint of heart. 90% of shots are unusable and or rejected; that is the way things are everywhere for an artist. Ever wonder why most recognized visual artists in history were tormentd? If you want to continue, you need to be open with yourself and the world. You want to REALLY critique my work; I welcome as you are fresh eyes. I am not looking for a pat on the back, I give those to myself. I use BP as an editing tool; no more no less.
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Tammy L. Newcomb |
Everyone knows how you feel and we all go through this process from time to time and I believe this is a natural process one has to go through in order to pick yourself back up and keep striving. I do have an awesome club here at Better Photo called: When I started this club almost three months ago I never dreamed it would be as successful as it is right now. The great thing about this group that differs from all the other groups on BP is that I am a CONTEST ONLY CLUB and you are not required to check in or participate in club challenges, discussions and so on. I am a mother of three and attend college from home so I designed this club with busy people in mind. I understand what it's like to keep up in a club that set a lot of participation rules, however, the group of people I have do communicate amongst themselves varies times but is in no way required of anyone. The monthly contest was designed to sort of supplement the bigger Better Photo contest on a much smaller scale and is in no way a place for an amateur (I am just being honest). I cannot not promise you will win anything but if you want to try your images in this contest you can still get the satisfaction of being a potential winner on a much smaller scale. Check out the announcement board to see the awarded images from last month: If you like what you see and decide you want to join and participate in this monthly photography competition, you can join in at anytime. The deadline for March is the 28th. Competitors Edge-Award Winning Monthly Photography Competition The only images in my club are images that are there for competition. I would NOT tell you about the club if I did not think you could hold your own….. It does not hurt to try and you never know what the next judge may be looking for or interested in. Tammy L. Newcomb
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Tammy L. Newcomb |
One thing I forgot to mention: Right now the contest club is open to all to freely join. When the club reaches 50 members I will be closing the open membership to a request to join and they only way you will be able to get into this contest club is if I change the entry amount of each contestant or someone leaves the club. I will keep a waiting list if anyone joins after the club reaches 50 members. We are at 35 members right now so this mean only 15 more people can become apart of this wonderful contest club without going on a waiting list to get in.... Since I don't have the overhead that Better Photo has to run a very large contest I have to put limitations on how many can join and I can't on more than is humanly possible for one person and 3/5 judges a month.
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