Heads up ... PAD for October 2010 Starting in a week

[wilgk]

I think that I will commit because I need to get over my perfectionistic bent.

no no no - quite normal this perfectionist bent Katy, don't try & straighten up at all or I'll be lonely at my perfectionist party with the table set for 1!

[carregwen]

Besides, yesterday, when we were having that great discussion about exposure and metering and learning, etc., I was sneezing my fuddied head off. I realized that I had let the sun go down and hadn't taken my photo for the day. I grabbed my camera and took this photo. NOW, if I didn't have my camera in hand, I would NEVER have gotten proof that UFOs really DO exist.

I do like that one!

[melikarish]

I'd like to have a go at this too!

[Katy Noelle]

Hi, Kay! Well, I do like parties......

Oooooo! Thanks, Rob!

[rlmoore]

Hi there, I am completely new to the forum and barely know how to post a reply, let alone a picture, but I am looking forward to the Picture A Day. I have read the forum and have a basic idea of what to do, but was wondering if there are any "rules" or preferences that I should follow. Thanks!
~Becky~

[Geoff F]

Well I do use my camera most days, but I often delete all of the results; and when I get a number of acceptable images, I can never decide which is the best.

I often prevaricate for days before eventually deciding that none of them are really that good anyway!

Editing and uploading photos on a daily basis may prove to be a bit of a strain as I usually just download them to the computer until there are a couple of wet and windy days, and providing I am in an 'editing mood'.

However, I will give it a try but may drop out part way if I think my efforts are consistently falling well below the average quality.

[carregwen]

Hi there, I am completely new to the forum and barely know how to post a reply, let alone a picture, but I am looking forward to the Picture A Day. I have read the forum and have a basic idea of what to do, but was wondering if there are any "rules" or preferences that I should follow. Thanks!
~Becky~

Hi there Becky, and welcome to CiC. Don't worry about anything, we are not doctors.... Have a read of the FAQs via the link at the top of the screen. If you have any questions just ask. If you don't want to appear silly asking something just PM a Mod/Admin (that's me and two other losers) who can be found on the quicklinks at the top of the page. The PAD will be a good chance for you to get lots of practice.

[carregwen]

However, I will give it a try but may drop out part way if I think my efforts are consistently falling well below the average quality.

Geoff,

Firstly, we don't pay too much attention to metrics here, vis-a-vis any kind of 'average'. Secondly, I have always found that if someone (including me) makes an 'effort' that normally means that they do improve, given time. We are all improving. People say I'm a good photographer, but I know at least four photographers in West Wales whom I would love to be as good as. IOW, don't drop out, improve.

[Geoff F]

Yes, I know what you are saying Rob, but I always feel that if I am putting my 'work' on public display it needs to be of an acceptable standard compared to the average. However, that might just be the irrational result of a lifetime of insecurity, of whatever else the 'shrinks' may prefer to call it.

'Don't enter in case you fail' is, if I am being totally honest, something that has always lurked deep within me; although I usually manage to reason out the odds of success/failure to come up with a logical compromise. I don't mind never being first as long as I'm not always last!

But I suppose it is something that many photographic 'virgins' fear before showing their early work and I do wonder how many of our newcomers to this site are put off from exhibiting their photos for similar reasons. Which is why I always try to be sympathetic to most requests for C&C.

On another site, which I once used, harsh criticism was considered essential and no quarter was yielded for the feelings of the photographer; unlike this site where everybody always tries to be considerate and friendly.

But I am my own harshest critic and manage to see faults in all of my photos.

And lately, I do feel that I am tending to fall below the 'average' although some of that may be partially explained by attempting to squeeze photos from somewhat unhelpful weather/lighting conditions. But that worry is partly why I haven't entered any of the other photo competitions lately.

Therefore, I have recently tended to concentrate more on macro insect photos where getting a clear shot of the required identification areas is more important than worrying about perfect light or composition.

Never mind; this is enough of public soul searching, so I will attempt to include my daily photos.

[carregwen]

Yes, I know what you are saying Rob, but I always feel that if I am putting my 'work' on public display it needs to be of an acceptable standard compared to the average. However, that might just be the irrational result of a lifetime of insecurity, of whatever else the 'shrinks' may prefer to call it.

'Don't enter in case you fail' is, if I am being totally honest, something that has always lurked deep within me; although I usually manage to reason out the odds of success/failure to come up with a logical compromise. I don't mind never being first as long as I'm not always last!

But I suppose it is something that many photographic 'virgins' fear before showing their early work and I do wonder how many of our newcomers to this site are put off from exhibiting their photos for similar reasons. Which is why I always try to be sympathetic to most requests for C&C.

On another site, which I once used, harsh criticism was considered essential and no quarter was yielded for the feelings of the photographer; unlike this site where everybody always tries to be considerate and friendly.

But I am my own harshest critic and manage to see faults in all of my photos.

And lately, I do feel that I am tending to fall below the 'average' although some of that may be partially explained by attempting to squeeze photos from somewhat unhelpful weather/lighting conditions. But that worry is partly why I haven't entered any of the other photo competitions lately.

Therefore, I have recently tended to concentrate more on macro insect photos where getting a clear shot of the required identification areas is more important than worrying about perfect light or composition.

Never mind; this is enough of public soul searching, so I will attempt to include my daily photos.

Geoff

You have made some excellent points here. You seem quite comfortable talking about yourself openly (which is good), so I'm even more surprised that you may be reticent about posting what are, after all, just photos. I would encourage you to do so. We are all in the same boat here - there may be differences in our skills/talent levels and there may be wide varieties in what we produce, but we all aim to improve, and the only way to do that is to post, discuss, learn, and move on.

Someone help me out here, I'm waffling again.

[Katy Noelle]

Hi Geoff,

You've voiced exactly how I feel! Kay is hosting a party for perfectionists, would you like to join? Anyway, I'm so glad that someone else feels like this.

I think that we will be sharing what we're working on - including our brilliant successes and our bad days. Who gets a perfect shot every day? Sometimes, I don't have much thought for how emotional my subject is. I'm just trying to figure out WB. I'm sure that, even if my photos aren't where I dream of being eventually, this will just be a boost to get there. I won't be able to grow if I don't show any one where I'm weak. Also, go check out Dave Humphries 30 days of photos from July. (The link is in his signature.) I think that one of them was his watch at 11:59. And besides, in this kind of race, the point is just running the marathon, not whether you win or not.

I.am.so.lucky! I get real Vermont maple syrup with my waffle!!!

[Colin Southern]

Interesting discussion Geoff & Rob!

... I agree with both sides by the way. Personally I'm a believer in only publishing my work when it meets my own standards (for the most parts); not every image needs to be an "ohh - ahh" image, but for me it at least has to be corretly focused with good exposure, appropriate sharpening, and a reasonable composition (ie at a minimum it will at least be a photorealistic record of the scene) ... probably my male ego at work that says "if you only publish high-quality work then people will think that that's all that you ever do". Then again, if we all constantly strive for perfection then that can only lift our game even more.

Being a somewhat "borderline excessive / compulsive" person (common term probably being "perfectionist") I had to learn "when to let go" as well; no image is ever technically perfect - so personally I had to learn to strive for perfection - consciously make the effort to always be improving - but at the same time make that conscious decision to make a practical decision to "abandon" the processing of an image at a certain point and release it to the world ... and to not "beat myself up" about it either; just to accept that that's the best I could do that day, and move on. So I can relate well to what you're saying there Geoff!

I agree with you too though Rob - I'm sure that you've followed many of the same thoughts as I have.

I remember riding up front in a commuter plane with the flight crew and I passed the comment to the captain that instrument flight was something that seemed very demanding to me, but seemed so easy for them ... and his response was that he thought it would seem a lot easier to me if I did a couple of hundred hours of it over a short space of time ... and he was right; I might add that my experience with the previous PAD follows in a similar vein. For want of a better explanation, shooting everyday for a month definately lifts ones game, which gets us closer to the perfectionist standards that we strive for.

It is none-the-less a personal challenge and committment; as I mentioned before, we're not going to be issuing "infringement notices" to those who don't manage to post everyday; if we did I'd run the risk of having to tell myself off!, but in the same breath - it's still a committment that I'd appreciate it if people take seriously because it makes a mockery of it if everybody only shoots when they feel like it. Without wishing to over-dramatise things, it does require "blood, sweat, and tears" - not just "tears" (adopted from a speach I give my eldest daughter when she complains about life sometimes requiring hard work).

I talk too much too - so amounst all of this, just enjoy! If anyone wants to join in that's great - we'll give you lots of encouragement. If anyone doesn't manage to shoot every day, but catches up then that's fine. If anybody doesn't manage to shoot every day and doesn't manage to catch up then that's fine (we'll still love ya!).

... all of this is waaaay too "heavy" for this early in the morning!

[Ollokot]

Hi Geoff,
Being a photographic "Virgin" I share and have empathy with your concerns. It is only since joining this site have I started to open up a bit. As Rob says we all aim to improve, and I think the only way to do that is to do the do. One thing for sure is that learning is a lifetime process, we never cease to learn.

Cheers and Best Wishes

Pat

[Geoff F]

I would just add that one of the great things which I like about this site is that we are all 'on the same side' instead of some rather 'bitchy' sites which I have encountered elsewhere.

[Dave Humphries]

~ Also, go check out Dave Humphries 30 days of photos from July. (The link is in his signature.) I think that one of them was his watch at 11:59. And besides, in this kind of race, the point is just running the marathon, not whether you win or not.

That's handy, I never win
I think I have managed a second and/or third place over the years

Actually Katy, I think I 'played that card' more than once, I am ashamed to say

I really must try harder in October, but with reduced daylight hours, I think I'll be even more challenged and reliant on indoor subjects.

Good job we don't hand out "infringement notices", or I'd be plastered in them.

[wilgk]

I would just add that one of the great things which I like about this site is that we are all 'on the same side' instead of some rather 'bitchy' sites which I have encountered elsewhere.

Hi Geoff - you have it spot on there!
i have been here since February and asked some pretty dumb questions & posted some none to flash images - however i have not had an eviction notice yet!
& the good thing with joining in the PAD or posting in the comp's is you will find people quickly get to know your level and share in the excitement when you improve even if that is still a whole other level from someone else....

So see you in October

[Peter Ryan]

Hi Geoff,

You've voiced exactly how I feel! Kay is hosting a party for perfectionists, would you like to join?

I live close by to Kay can I come too?

[Katy Noelle]

I live close by to Kay can I come too?

Oh, I'm sure he won't mind.....

[wilgk]

Oh, I'm sure he won't mind.....

or as we say down here 'she'll be right mate'

[Oldphotobuff]

I just joined a few days ago, but I'll be happy to try the PAD. What I need to know is "where do we post these shots?"