Who here thinks they have improved photographicaly since joining DPC?
In the last 30 challenges I for one feel I have in quite a few ways, my photography has gotten a little clearer, subjects perhaps a little more imaginative, I certainly take a lot more time now with my setup and in choosing my subject.
it was tough to swallow my pride at first sometimes - but that only keyed me up to work harder and longer at it.
Commenting has helped me too. Makes you think about the technical aspects more - and in turn comes rushing back when you're out on location bangin' out a few hundred megs worth.
Same for me:
looking at other images, reading comments and giving comments increased critical view onto my own photography a lot.
Also DPC strengthens the creativety, because I made images I would never have done otherwise. The techniques learned for making these submissions now helps me a lot for my other photography.
I had joined DPC when I started to photography. Like kiwiness. Despite my votings that are a bit lower, I had increassed my knowledge so much. Then now I shot with a new vision. A subject is not only a scene for me but a concept behind the scene. I´m giving and receiveng helpfull comments from other people that helps me to improve my photography.
I've entered 30 challenges so far and my scores are sort of erratic. However, I averaged the percentile placement from the first five and last five challenges and see that I've gone from 47% to 59% so I think the competition and feedback are helping me.
I am not sure that I haven't gotten worse but I have learned a lot and I have learned to throw away shots that aren't as good as I would have liked. I have been trying some new things that are not so "pretty" but which make me reach in new directions. If it all ever comes together I might be happy.
It was my first anniversary of taking up photography yesterday and I wondered the same thing. I hope I've improved, I certainly think about my shots more than I did back then. If nothing else, I think the year experience and the exposure at DPC has helped me mould my shots into a sort of style. Still have a long way to go yet, though!
Definitely. I've had my G3 6months now, and I think I've really made strides. My challenge rankings may not show it consistently, but I've learned so much.
I was thinking of making the same post last night. What a surprise to find it here.
My answer is definitely. Let's just say that I pulled down a lot of old photos that I hung up to enjoy because I see just "how bad" they are now whereas before I didn't.
When I go back and look at old favorite shots, I can't stand them anymore. I see problems with framing, light, and depth of field more often than not. Today, I am aware of these elements...
DPC has definitely raised the bar for me -- making me thinking more critically, and I don't see that stopping in future.
I've grown with DPC, litteraly. I only really started doing photography when I bought my Powershot G2 in July of 2002, at which time I also joined DPC. I've certainly learned a lot by commenting on images, receiving feedback, and trying to improve my images for challenges, and outside of challenges. It's been a pretty good ride so far.
Yup, I too have improved, shots that once needed heavy crops and lots of Post processing no longer do, I look at backgrounds, understand camera more, and love the feedback and insight of everyone here. Though, I must say my 2 highest rated shots, are 3 of my least favorite shots and most boring IMO, lol. Well the jury is still out on one of them...
I think I've improved, but I'm not sure. Some of my first shots are still among my faves, and my scores havent changed much. I still get 5 scores with some 6 scores. If I haven't improved I still know that I've learned a ton of stuff, so all I need to do now is apply it :)
I think I retro-improved :-(. I'm a newbie but I already see a trend. Two shots that I took NOT specifically for DPC that I entered because they were appropriate were rated quite high (6 and above) but the shots that I took specifically FOR challenges were rated 5.5 and below. One current one started at 7 and is now at 4.7 and would probably end up in the low 4's (what a horror). So I will probably just take pictures just like before and enter them in challenges as I see fit. Such is life.
I think I retro-improved :-(. I'm a newbie but I already see a trend. Two shots that I took NOT specifically for DPC that I entered because they were appropriate were rated quite high (6 and above) but the shots that I took specifically FOR challenges were rated 5.5 and below. One current one started at 7 and is now at 4.7 and would probably end up in the low 4's (what a horror). So I will probably just take pictures just like before and enter them in challenges as I see fit. Such is life.
I'd really suggest that you shouldn't use dpc scores as a way to tell if you are getting better or actually any good at all - there are probably better standards to use!
I have improved my digital photography. I was into 35mm (Nikons FE & FM2) and learning to use digital is different, but great instant gratification in some cases. So, I have learned. But my scores will never show this, because I having to much fun being out of the box, especially to some. Van
Photography is an oportunity and feeling issue. That´s why a good photographer can take a 4 or 5 during the challenges. Many times you conceives a photo, but simply can´t take that you had in mind. Many times you shot someting by nothing and say: That is cool!
Both are pictures taken by the same person, both are learning chances. DPC is my best propeler to shot any time, learning everywhere how to build a perfect shot.
Yup, I improved to my lowest score yet this challenge. In all fairness though I don't really care about the score... I learnt by taking pics, maybe dpc helped me take more snaps.
What I have learnt is most comments from family and a lot from dpc'ers are shite and un-helpful, but I mark them helpful as a courtsey -- trying to stop that.
The main thing I have learnt since I got a camera (G3 -- June 3) is they cost too much :)
not only have I improved, but have become confident in taking on photographic situations I may not have attempted before... like studio set ups, or in-camera effects.
The comments help, for sure. But the most helpful thing is simply being exposed to good photography and being in contact with others who're trying to improve themselves. Seeing 100 good shots in a day by browsing and thinking about why I think they're good is probably the single best learning experience I have here. I get that 3 times a week when I see the challenge results.
I must confess, though, to a trepidation about actually entering challenges these days. I generally like what I take, but I'm not so confident about having the shots ripped to pieces during voting.
