My take on mini-challenges

Nikolai · July 27, 2008

Been asked a few times.... Thought I'd say it out loud.

It seems like a very good initiative, but as long as it doesn't have a "taken within challenge dates" time frame policy I'm not playing... Sorry :dunno

pyry · July 27, 2008

Nikolai wrote:

Been asked a few times.... Thought I'd say it out loud.

It seems like a very good initiative, but as long as it doesn't have a "taken within challenge dates" time frame policy I'm not playing... Sorry

I think it is exactly that which makes the minis as much fun as they are. And the prize being organizing the next round, I don't think there should be too much stressing out over the whole thing anyway

I've done five minis now, two with fresh pics, three from the archives and come out with two HMs and a runner-up - one HM with a fresh shot (the last one that just finished).

Actually, I'd like to know how much people are using old shots versus new ones. Just for kicks.

VelvtRide · July 27, 2008

pyry wrote:

Actually, I'd like to know how much people are using old shots versus new ones. Just for kicks.

I used all fresh this time. Last time they were older ones.

I don't mind about fresh vs. old - what I enjoy most about these challenges is that I can get critiqued on older photos(where I was really crappy with a crappy camera) which helps me understand and work my current camera better and I also enjoy being able to create an (almost!) new photo from an old one, improving my PS skills, when filters and/or enhancing is necessary for the theme.

davev · July 28, 2008

Nikolai wrote:

Been asked a few times.... Thought I'd say it out loud.

It seems like a very good initiative, but as long as it doesn't have a "taken within challenge dates" time frame policy I'm not playing... Sorry

Because I started the mini's, I guess I'll comment on this.

The Mini's, in my view, are more of a showing off challenge. There really is no prize other than running the next
challenge, so the time restraint doesn't seem to be relevant.

A lot of the time, I will have at least 1 shot out of the 3000 I have on the net, that will fit in a challenge.
Some are pretty good examples, some not so good. If I feel that I have a good shot already made,
I won't take the time to go out and reshoot the exact same shot. It's a waste of time.

Now if I were to come up with a new take on that theme, I'd go shoot it, if my time would permit it.

For me, I mostly enter older stuff.
The Take Off shot for the 2nd challenge was taken in January when it was 16 below. I guess I could have
taken a shot of a sparrow, but I don't think it would have had the impact.

Challenge #7 was a new shot, and the shots for this one will be new.
I guess I don't feel that because you took a shot early on in your development as a photographer,
that it shouldn't be allowed in this kind of a contest.

Remember, these things are supposed to help you learn, and maybe teach yourself, or others about photography.
An older shot can still do that.

Ansel, you can't enter that shot, you didn't take it from the 8th to the 23rd. Go back to the Tetons and camp out
for 3 more weeks to get that shot again so you can enter it.

Nik, I understand that you want to challenge yourself every time you pick up the camera. You still could in these
challenges. The fact that you don't is your decision.

The fact that I got up at 4:00 am, put on a ton of clothing to drive an hour and a half, to stand out in the cold
and wait for the sunrise, to get that shot of the swans taking off was enough of a challenge, no matter what date I did it.

JAG · July 28, 2008

Nikolai...because of your assignments I have been going out with my camera a lot more. As for these mini challenges...some images I posted in the earlier ones were older..some were the week before the challenge started and some where shot just for the challenge. The last two I have specifically shot for the theme. And I have to say its because your assignments have shown me its not so hard to see things if you look for them. Although...if time were an issue and I didn't get a chance to get something within the time limit...and it was due day...I would like the option to be able to post one of my millions of older pics that fit the subject. As for the learning end...I am learning alot...but I usually do not get much feedback on these challenges...thus why I do the assignments!

Nikolai · July 28, 2008

Dave,
I respect you and your way of thinking, you know that.

Besides, you started and run this thing, so it's totally up to you to dicide how you want it.

However, your italicised example is right on the money. If Mr.Adams was alive and playing with us today and we had a Teton challenge with the time frame policy active, it would be my honor to go against him even if i knew all too well that I'd lose. However, I'm not gonna go against the ghost. Or any archival image, for that matter.

I'm not trying to diminish the mini-challenges, I'm only explaining why I'm not in them. I'd love to, but not with "archives ok" policy. It's simply not a level playing field in my book.

davev · July 28, 2008

Nikolai wrote:

Dave,
I respect you and your way of thinking, you know that. Besides, you started and run this thing, so it's totally up to you to dicide how you want it.

However, your italicised example is right on the money. If Mr.Adams was alive and playing with us today and we had a Teton challenge with the time frame policy active, it would be my honor to go against him even if i knew all too well that I'd lose. However, I'm not gonna go against the ghost. Or any archival image, for that matter.

I'm not trying to diminish the mini-challenges, I'm only explaining why I'm not in them. I'd love to, but not with "archives ok" policy. It's simply not a level playing field in my book.

I also respect you Nik, but i think you're missing the point of the Mini's.
In the end it isn't about winning, I mean, what do you win by winning? Nothing.
It's about showing off some of your best shots, and having fun.
Even though most comments are "Nice Shot", looking at others "Best of" shots can
still be a great learning and growing experience.

So all I can say is, have fun, if you don't it's your own fault.:D
See you in Moab.

Nikolai · July 28, 2008

davev wrote:

I also respect you Nik, but i think you're missing the point of the Mini's.
In the end it isn't about winning, I mean, what do you win by winning? Nothing.
It's about showing off some of your best shots, and having fun.
Even though most comments are "Nice Shot", looking at others "Best of" shots can
still be a great learning and growing experience.

So all I can say is, have fun, if you don't it's your own fault.
See you in Moab.

Dave,
it was never about the winning. :-)
It is only about rules of engagement.

I'm not trying to make you change them, I'm simply trying to say why I don't accept them.
People can get commments and grow by simply posting, anywhere, anytime, 24x7. "Challenge" assumes some sort of rules. I can't accept one of them, hence I don't play.
But I do try to have my share of fun, and I'm too looking forward to see you again in Moab:-)

My take on mini-challenges

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