I think it is great having different editing levels for challenges. However, i probably wrongly assumed that open challenges were basic editing and members challenges were normally advanced+. Moreover I thought that being able to enter advanced editing challenges was a reason for site membership. For 2 weeks in a row the open challenges have been advanced. Is this coincidence or a new trend? I have no axe to grind as I am a paid up member and am doing OK in a current advanced challenge. However, I do like that i am forced to try an get it right in camera for the open challenges. Should the open challenges be restricted to basic editing only?
I have to agree that there should be at least one Basic editing challenge each week in order that people who don't have a copy of photoshop or something similar are not disadvantaged
I have to agree that there should be at least one Basic editing challenge each week in order that people who don't have a copy of photoshop or something similar are not disadvantaged
I think the experienced people have an advantage even without layers or selective editing available. But that's the point of this site. You learn from it all. Besides, there are plenty of freebie apps that give most of the ability of Photoshop or PaintShop Pro.
I have to agree that there should be at least one Basic editing challenge each week in order that people who don't have a copy of photoshop or something similar are not disadvantaged
People who "don't have a copy of photoshop or something similar" are disadvantaged regardless of the editing rules in effect. They have fewer options available to them in editing under either ruleset. For the matter of that, it's always been my contention that expert photo editors have a bigger advantage in basic editing than they do in advanced editing. Why? Because one of the keys to photoshop is that they have evolved, over time, all sorts of nifty tools to *automate* processes that used to be done laboriously, by hand. Those who really understand the program can often legally (under basic rules) attain effects that, under advanced rules, just involve pushing a button and adjusting a slider.
I agree entirely that those who are skilled at editing have an advantage in both basic or advanced editing. However, the question remains, should the free open challenges be restricted to basic editing only.
Rightly or wrongly, when I first found the DPC site I felt that "BASIC" was less intimidating so had a go. I even had to read the tutorials to get the pic the right size etc for entry, so would no way have entered anything with "Advanced in the title". As I have learned from the tutorials, forums and your comments my confidence increased. I joined and started entering some of the advanced challenges.
If the open challenges were advanced editing I am not sure I would have got sucked into to this great site
I have a related question...on several of the challenges there is a "yellow" flag next to the Advanced Editing icon...it says under the advanced editing rules ... "Extra Rules: Note: This challenge is running under Advanced Editing". but I cannot find any extra rules is there a difference between that and the "Advanced Editing"...I keep looking for the Extra Rules...but so far nothing. Is there a "secret door?" Or is this just another "known" thing on the site?
I have a related question...on several of the challenges there is a "yellow" flag next to the Advanced Editing icon...it says under the advanced editing rules ... "Extra Rules: Note: This challenge is running under Advanced Editing". but I cannot find any extra rules is there a difference between that and the "Advanced Editing"...I keep looking for the Extra Rules...but so far nothing. Is there a "secret door?" Or is this just another "known" thing on the site?
The flag is there so that the usual expect-it-to-be-basic entrants will become AWARE that advanced editing is in play for the challenge. There's no extra changes IN the advanced rules for these challenges.
I also think that Langdon allows a few open challenges to be advanced to give registered users a taste of what they are missing. ;-)
I do not really agree though that someone without editing software is disadvantaged. I usually take the same steps in advanced as I do in basic editing which is largely global settings that most freeware programs can do.
