I'd be in favor of changing the way challenges are presented so that in the exclusive open challenges one of the pair is ALWAYS a technical challenge. I think they should be run every week, and that the key techniques should repeat on a regular (and frequent) rotation. I think these are the most useful challenges for the DPC learning curve.
R.
I think this is a great idea. Often when one of a pair doesn't appeal to me, the other is so similar that it doesn't either. This way there is far more likely to be one challenge of interest every week.
I don't want this to seem like a cop-out . . but . .
For me the strength of this site is that there are all different types of challenge, so most people would naturally lean towards one or more, but it gives you a chance to grow by trying to move into others.
I certainly like the idea of a genre style being added - but I'm not sure I would wan't to see any removed.
I'm with the majority, and Bear_Music, in preferring technicals. It could be because I am at stage 0 or 1 in learning, but this provides the best vehicle for exploring, opening up and focusing in on photographic possibilities. Concepts are a real Pandora's box, and like it it is inevitable that we open it, because who knows.... So that's my second choice in spite of myself.
Thanks for asking.
I like a challenge that meets my aims as photog. If the subject material fits with my interests, then it is a good challenge. Technical, I manage. Free Study, I manage:) In fact, as time goes on, I tend to be leaning towards a style that suits my interests, therefore I seem to get better scores and comments. If I don't get a buzz from challenges, I don't enter anymore. So, I guess I have selective challenges, selective hearing and selective memory at the moment!!
But who knows, I may take a really good shot of a subject that fits the challenge, but not my comfort zone. Just do it :)
We currently have four different types of challenges:
1. Technical (such as "S-Curve" or "contre-jour" or "foreground bokeh")
2. Subject (such as "bananas" or "bicycles" or "dirt")
3. Concept (such as "failure" or "heat" or "power")
4. Other (such as "sci-fi celebration" "DPC Album Cover" or "What is this Pencil?")
- There are technical challenges?? I think I missed that one :-/ And before I get the list, yeah I know but this site is meant to be about photography learning and these are seriously out-numbered.
- The "other" category does not interest me - I could care less who is where or if they are lost - Might as well call a lot of these free challenges.
- The subject ones appear more popular in general.
I'd like to see a "Tear my eyes out of my head"
water drop challenge. All water drops, all the time. LOL Or....... maybe....... another perspective challenge. It's been a few weeks since the last one. LOL But really, my favorite challenges are on DPC!
I love the concept challenges. . .but I don't like the voters in the concept challenges because they tend to be way too narrow minded and dnmc vote on photos that don't fit with their own interpretations.
Good thing I LOVE perspective challenges. . .even tho I have a hard time finding ones that measure up to the wow standards required :)
Of all the current challenge categories we have, subject is my least favorite as it doesn't seem to make me stretch as a photographer as much as the others. (Ok, so I have a L-o-n-g way to go). :) Perhaps the reason that the subject challenges garner more entries than technical or concept is that subject can be easier for some photographers. I want to learn so Concept and Technical would get my top votes. Edited for spelling errors!
He-he. Where are all of the "concept" shooters now? The 'Misunderstanding' challenge has 11 entries and submission deadline is only a couple of days away.
He-he. Where are all of the "concept" shooters now? The 'Misunderstanding' challenge has 11 entries and submission deadline is only a couple of days away.
Abstract Concept challenges are my least favorite. Take "Pure" for example. Very few of the photos conveyed the concept of "pure", per se. Most took the route of relying on the caption to convey the idea: Pure Bliss, Pure Blue, etc. (I'm relying on memory and hopefully not singling out any specific entries). It was like the Absolut ad of challenges. So DPC ends up with the "shoehorned entry" vs. the "narrow-minded voters" issue again.
However, I'm glad all tye types of challenges exist. And though I haven't entered many, I'm looking forward to the next "Other" challenge along the lines of DPC Album Cover. That was really entertaining. :-)
