I wanted to score 5+ in each challenge but so far I have scored below 5 in 3 of the challenges (after 14 entries!). I guess it's time to set another goal.
2004 DPC Goals - Break the 6.0 barrier (Accomplished with Oops!)
- Place in the top 10 (Accomplished. 5th place with Next Game?)
- Place in top 3
- Be selected by 10 people as their favorite photographer.
- HAVE FUN! (Always)
I haven't been here that long, and only participated in 8 challenges, but I have set some goals (and even met some), many of which are the same as mentioned.
0) Make my images 'speak' to the viewer. This is important enough to a a zero goal. I feel I have truly succeeded once, and partially a couple other times.
1) Keep my score above the challenge average (same as stay above 50% ranking). I have done this on 6 out of the 8. It is not one that I overly obsess on though, since an image can finish low due to controversy or extra heavy competition (free studies).
2) Never score less than a 5.0 for any challenge. So far so good
3) Get my score above 6.0, and keep doing it until I feel I can change the previous goal to 'never drop below a 6.0.' Did it once in the 'Freedom' challenge, and then came so close in the latest challenge I entered.
4) Make better comments.
5) Learn to use my camera. I'm getting better; good enough to be stopped more by my cameras limitations than by my knowing what needs to be done.
6) Don't feed the trolls. This gets hard some times
7) Speak my mind. I do so most of the time, even when I don't think my comments will be taken well (unpopular viewpoint or presented in a confusing manner).
8) Get my cumulative average above 5.5. Almost there.
9) Get good lighting setup in my 'studio'. Working on it. Need a few more stands and to get a softbox built.
10) Get good enough I can justify the expense of an SLR. Not sure what is going to signal that, but it will propably be my frustration at getting my current camera to do what I want -- 'have you ever tried to hammer a nail with a 4oz tack hammer? -- grrr.
Ok, I'll stop now. I know, I know. Most of these aren't really goals as they don't have a definitive end, but they are things I keep in the forefront of my thoughts when I enter a challenge.
