In the spirit of helping people learn, let's help the folks who feel like they're in a rut. We all have our own ideas of what makes a good photo, so there's nothing magic about one comment vs. another; they're all good as long as they're sincerely made in the spirit of sharing our opinions.
Here's the idea for people who enter a photo:
1) Shoot ONE photo for that month's theme. I'm saying one so this isn't the burden of a typical month-long side challenge. For March 2008, take a shot using "unnatural light." Interpret it as you will.
2) Put it in your portfolio on March 1 and post it here. If it's not here on DPC, just tell me in a post in this thread where it is.
3) In your comments on the photo, tell us what you were trying to do:
- going for an emotional reaction?
- experimenting with a new technique?
- trying out a new lighting scheme?
- combination?
- anything else you want the commenters to know (e.g., focal length on a zoom lens)?
4) Post the settings (aperture, ISO, and shutter speed), camera, and lens used
5) Don your thickest skin.
6) Take every comment seriously. That doesn't mean you have to agree, just that you agree to consider what it says.
7) Comment on at least 10 other photos in the challenge. That's "at least," because you, the commenter, will benefit more if you do more. Commenting on others' photos is a HUGE opportunity to think about what moves you, what impresses you, what you like/dislike, etc.
Here's the idea for commenters (which I hope will include people who haven't entered photos):
1) Read the photographer's comments on the shot.
2) Comment on the images. Feel free to comment on the technical aspects, but don't forget your reactions, too. You might want to read Posthumous' excellent tutorial on commenting.
2) This is not about simply sharing photos, but rather sharing opinions. If you think something could be improved, tell the photographer. YOU are 100% qualified to share YOUR opinion; no prior experience or arbitrary level of expertise needed. This exercise will fail if everyone merely says "cool shot!" and the like.
I'll keep a list in this first post of everyone entering a photo, with a link to their entry. That'll make it easy to find them all.
So post below if you decide to enter, and I'll keep up. And then come back once you've posted your image so I can link to it!
I apologize in advance for being snarky, but as best I can tell you left a comment on only one of the February photos. This silence on your end has limited my enthusiasm for signing up for another month, and I wonder whether the other February participants might feel the same way, accounting for the vast silence. If you give all the February participants a substantive comment, then you can certainly count me in for March.
I apologize in advance for being snarky, but as best I can tell you left a comment on only one of the February photos. This silence on your end has limited my enthusiasm for signing up for another month, and I wonder whether the other February participants might feel the same way, accounting for the vast silence. If you give all the February participants a substantive comment, then you can certainly count me in for March.
Not snarky at all, but since I'm not even entering photos, why is it relevant whether I, personally, have commented on all the photos? I'm just trying to get small groups going of folks who want to enter and then commit to commenting on each other's shots.
Remember that I started this because people were complaining they weren't getting comments, not to get comments myself. I get plenty of comments on my challenge shots - that's why I'm not putting one in these things.
I apologize in advance for being snarky, but as best I can tell you left a comment on only one of the February photos. This silence on your end has limited my enthusiasm for signing up for another month, and I wonder whether the other February participants might feel the same way, accounting for the vast silence. If you give all the February participants a substantive comment, then you can certainly count me in for March.
Not snarky at all, but since I'm not even entering photos, why is it relevant whether I, personally, have commented on all the photos? I'm just trying to get small groups going of folks who want to enter and then commit to commenting on each other's shots.
Remember that I started this because people were complaining they weren't getting comments, not to get comments myself. I get plenty of comments on my challenge shots - that's why I'm not putting one in these things.
I was under the impression that the February offer was that you, with your experience, talent and successful track record, were personally offering to give advice to those with less experience (in addition to the other participants commenting on each others' photos). My bad. Sorry. (BTW, I did not suggest that you submit your own photos, it was clear all along that comments for yourself was not what you were after, which I fully respect.)
Erik, I would hardly call my comments more worthy than anyone else's. I have been remiss, I agree. It's just that I'd hope the comments others are giving each other would be the incentive, not just getting mine.
