I had an idea based off some PM's back and forth with a couple of folks, trying to help them with their challenge entries. I'm thinking of a side challenge to help some that are stuck in the sub-5 range more often than not. My idea is to shoot something that you can revisit or redo and improve it over the month to where it will be a mid-pack or better shot. If it is a challenge entry that did poorly, even better. By evaluating each others shots, reshooting and reediting, I hope that we can help it "click" with the folks that are unhappy with their challenge performance. This would also require the help of a handful of folks that can usually pull in the 5-6 range, to provide feedback and suggestions. I'd like to limit the number of participants so that they can get enough feedback over the month. The exact number would depend on the number of "coaches" we have available to give feedback and suggestions.
I'm a little concerned about this: what happens if it couldn't have been much better? Many times a photo is just a subject that doesn't hold much interest, no matter what you do with it...
But I'm intrigued, and I think it's a worthy experiment.
I'm a little concerned about this: what happens if it couldn't have been much better? Many times a photo is just a subject that doesn't hold much interest, no matter what you do with it...
Then that will be eventually determined when after multiple shoots of the same thing in different conditions, it still fails to have an impact. Part of improving one's photography is learning to tell when the potential in the scene just isn't there.
Just thought of one more thing that might be helpful. We can all see in someone's profile what camera and lenses they have. It might be helpful to list the editing software and plugins participant use, in order to be able to offer specific suggestions. I'll put this info in the list at I'll be starting in the first post of this and the posting thread.
No specialized skills here but I can usually pull-off a mid 5 to mid 6 shot using basic tools like Photoshop Elements. I don't know that I qualify but I'd be glad to help if I can.
No specialized skills here but I can usually pull-off a mid 5 to mid 6 shot using basic tools like Photoshop Elements. I don't know that I qualify but I'd be glad to help if I can.
Thanks. I'd say you have a heck of a good eye for an interesting shot, and that is the largest factor, IMO. Thanks for offering your input.
I was so glad to see this post. Previously, I really liked graphicfunk's work, enough to follow up and ask questions from him, and some of the people he mentored. I saw that in earlier years of this forum, mentoring seemed to be fairly common, and I thought it was a great idea. I had just about come to the point of starting a thread to ask for the opportunity from some of the higher scoring members.
Consider me as being one of the "students", whenever everything gets organized.
Oh, and let me say, right out of the gate, that I appreciate all the extra time and effort from the teachers/mentors.
Sweet idea! May I join in? My average vote received is 4.8777. The subject I would like to try for is
my silver salad fork, and camera motion.
This is NOT appealing to the voters, & since
I really enjoy these I'm wondering if I can
figure out how to make the subject more appealing with
a little help from DPC friends.
And it's something I can shoot/edit over & over.
I use CS3 to edit, & I have Topaz.
Sweet idea! May I join in? My average vote received is 4.8777. The subject I would like to try for is
my silver salad fork, and camera motion.
This is NOT appealing to the voters, & since
I really enjoy these I'm wondering if I can
figure out how to make the subject more appealing with
a little help from DPC friends.
And it's something I can shoot/edit over & over.
I use CS3 to edit, & I have Topaz.
As a first order of business.. :) I'd like to see this with a zoom and twist... It might add some more "depth" to what seems to be a very flat image...
As a first order of business.. :) I'd like to see this with a zoom and twist... It might add some more "depth" to what seems to be a very flat image...
Ah. It looks flat. Hmm. I can try a zoom and twist, see what happens. Usually I zoom by moving the camera in or out. I could try zooming the lens. Thanks!
