After a long run of poor challenge entries which have achieved a spectacular level of mediocraty from the judges I have decided not to participate in any further challenges.
I feel that I have tried various ways and means to improve my results but I am not achieving a lot so I am moth balling my camera and concentrating on the non photographic things in life
I have enjoyed being here and being involved with the other members onsite but feel that after a long run of uninspiring challenge results it is time to move on to pastures new in non photography areas
Thanks to all for your friendship and help etc
Take it from someone that wishes he hadn't mothballed his camera and concentrated on non-photographic things in life a few years back...
Don't.
Or, at least, DO focus SOME on non-photographic things in life. Always do that, but don't shutter yourself photographically.
Just, take a break from HERE. Because HERE can be a pain in the ass but it doesn't mean that your photography is not worthwhile. HERE is merely a game. Sometimes it's a popularity game, but mostly it's a game of attrition. Molding yourself into a photographer that isn't doing photography for themselves, but for others.
That's not a fun game and down the line you'll see that if you stop doing photography because of THIS game, you'll regret it.
SO keep photographing, but do it for you, and only for you. At least for awhile. Learn to love what YOU do, and stop worrying about what you think others want to see.
I hear that.
Sometimes I am uninspired / busy / depressed etc. which buries the camera deeper in the bag. But the iPhone sits in my lap and there's a ton of apps and new things to inspire on that end quite frequently. The other thing that can inspire is a new perspective on something in life. GIve it time, you just might be surprised.
And if you are looking for inspiration, maybe try searching a topic that you are interested in online. I particularly like surreal stuff for example.
And finally, if you do drop photography for a bit, no worry - you will inevitably take photos of whatever the new interest is ;P
You know, we've recently had a lot of old members return after a significant hiatus ... don't be afraid to check back in when you feel refreshed and the bug hits again.
You know, we've recently had a lot of old members return after a significant hiatus ... don't be afraid to check back in when you feel refreshed and the bug hits again.
That.
Or even better, do what I did:
1.) Shoot for yourself. I *rarely* shoot specifically for a challenge anymore
2.) Enter when you have something you want to share (see #1)
3.) Take feedback as it comes, and don't worry about scores (harder sometimes than it should be, LOL)
4.) Enjoy the community, and the learning that is possible even without entering
4.) Enjoy the community, and the learning that is possible even without entering
That's the big one. I don't know what I'd have done without the DPC community today. It's not the first time they've got me out of trouble with tech problems either.
Sad to hear, perhaps just let it smolder a while rather than breaking it off entirely. Because then, you would unfortunately have to be "jumped out" of the club, and that is unpleasant.
After a long run of poor challenge entries which have achieved a spectacular level of mediocraty from the judges I have decided not to participate in any further challenges.
I feel that I have tried various ways and means to improve my results but I am not achieving a lot so I am moth balling my camera and concentrating on the non photographic things in life
I have enjoyed being here and being involved with the other members onsite but feel that after a long run of uninspiring challenge results it is time to move on to pastures new in non photography areas
Thanks to all for your friendship and help etc
OK, now that you have that off your chest.... Stop shooting for voter approval and shoot for your enjoyment!
I have been on this site for in excess of TEN YEARS now. In all of that time, I have made it into the top ten of challenges just once. Believe it or not, I actually get paid to be a photographer (mostly sports, but some other stuff too).
I used to get so upset and frustrated at the scores, but not anymore. I shoot for me. I enter challenges every once in a while. Photography is so subjective that if you are constantly trying to please everyone else, you will lose yourself.
Keep shooting...for you. Enjoy what you do. Post what you want...but never ever let a score affect how you feel about yourself or your photography!
Yeah, I know the feeling! I promised myself that I am gonna leave but no, when the time came to renew, I renewed. And achieved even lower scores. But I cannot stop. I keep on coming back for more. I decided that I won't let the scores damage my self esteem. Some now and again, I get it right and get that high score. I just can't stop trying.
Do whatever makes you feel better and you will be back in no time.
Nick, if you go I will miss you. I love the comments you leave and you do produce some gems. I think there is some pretty good advice above - shoot for yourself etc. I hope you don't go but just take some time off. All the best to you whatever you do.
Btw, you wouldn't go before "Mucking About with Boats", would you?
Thanks for all the positive comments from you all I feel quite humble,I am addicted to here but I think for a while that I will just vote, comment and sit and contemplate, I try with challenges to do something a little quirky but have come to the conclusion the voters and I are on different wavelengths as far as humour is concerned and Iam alwats missing the bus.
Be interesting to know if as the average vote per challenge is around 45/50 if these voters are the same voting on the majority of challenges and wether this has anything to do with ones average score?.
Late to the party here, but joining the "don't divorce us" chorus. We love ya! No need to shoot for so many challenges if you don't want to, but DO hang around.
I hope you find something that inspires you and you find a way to keep going. Do you post on Instagram or Facebook? You can keep going with pictures there and enjoy the lack of pressure to do well. I find that Facebook is particularly loving :) (and I have good friends who love any of the crap that I share)
Thanks for all the positive comments from you all I feel quite humble,I am addicted to here but I think for a while that I will just vote, comment and sit and contemplate, I try with challenges to do something a little quirky but have come to the conclusion the voters and I are on different wavelengths as far as humour is concerned and Iam alwats missing the bus.
Be interesting to know if as the average vote per challenge is around 45/50 if these voters are the same voting on the majority of challenges and wether this has anything to do with ones average score?.
I find that trying to figure out voters is what did me in originally. So now I just don't care. 2.x or 6.x, whatever. I'll only enter when things converge and I find I'm shooting something that the challenge HAPPENS to fit in with. If not, whatever. I'm not in a contest.
Hey Nick
You have always been such a positive voice here and I will miss you if you go.
As everyone has said take a break from challenges but don't disconnect. As you know,
things as DPC are always in flux. This may be a down time but things and people change
and you'll find the right time to come back in. Please stay in touch.
After being in DPC for a good Long period , one never really leaves DPC !!! I am one of those that has rejoined and having fun & heartaches all at the same time ha ha . It would be a waste to mothball your camera , take a break and rejoin when u r all refreshed.
just use your phone or some compact and throw a pic from time to time. this is what i do and rarely plan any challenge
why care about average or score. stay and have fun with us cheers! tibi
It's a huge growth stage when a DPC photographer stops shooting for scores and starts shooting for themselves. It's when we can finally push ourselves to exceed our own expectations, grow, and really learn. Make no mistake: low scores never feel good. But when I look at a picture I love, even if the scores say it's a bust, turns out I still love the picture.
Take a break. Start thinking of things YOU want to try. Then come back when you're ready.
Well I have just voted on " Red" pity I couldnt give my entry a 10 but there we go !! gave a comment on all of them so I will have to keep my head low !!!!!!
