LPS Ponderings

Greensquared · May 15, 2007

How much about your personality is judged along with your photographs? Not just in LPS, but in all of your work. I mean, think about it. So much about this forum (if your actively participate) speaks of who you are and how you feel about your own work. Perceptions can be made (whether accurate or not) on your personality from all of your postings, whether photographic, input on other's work, technical information, what you post and when, the list goes on.

So the question is, whether to stay quiet and just put your work out there, not wanting it to be affected by other factors, or put it all on the line, be who you are for all the world to see despite the consequences. Wouldn't be much of a "forum" without those braving the latter, would it? Add the LPS stakes and you have a drama to rival anything you might be able to watch on the tube. I have experienced an entire spectrum of emotions over the past month...inspiration, hope, doubt, fear, envy, elation, disappointment, indecision, awe...at least I know I am not alone!

So, to all the entrants, whether qualifying or not, stand strong and be proud. If you love your image, know that it speaks of who you are and that you're willing to put it out there for us all to see, then you have made a mark. Good luck to all the semi-finalists and the qualifiers-to-be!:lust

Emily

Tentacion · May 15, 2007

Thank You Emily, your words are wonderfully expressed, and probably how I have felt during this competition.

I believe, I am the latter and have experienced in my very "open" view (nudes and semi) of photography, sometimes has not proven to be of the best choice for posting, for there are still those that have a very closed mind, no matter how artiscally, creative and well presented a photo is, they see the world only as landscapes, children and pets!! I know that there is a time and a place for everything, and my time will come!!

Although I have not placed here, I know my photos are liked and some have been bought for framing blah blah, although at times you can discouraged, the only good thing about my personality is I get off the ground wipe my butt off and continue, for I know that there are those photographers that see Out Of The Box!!

Remember to stay LOYAL to your Mind's Eye and not to popularity!! Let's take this competition to the HILT and make more want to join.

May the Great Spirit open your mind, heart, and eyes to go above and beyond to get that winning capture!! Good Luck to Everyone!

JillG · May 15, 2007

Emily
Very nicely said. You are certainly not alone in feeling a range of emotions over the past month.:D The only reason I've stayed quiet and just put a photo in LPS lately is that I've been overwhelmed by work and family. But at least I worked on a picture and joined in! My personal goal is to enter all the challenges for the year.

Jill

BistiArt · May 15, 2007

"Can I Attitude..."

Greensquared wrote:

I have experienced an entire spectrum of emotions over the past month...inspiration, hope, doubt, fear, envy, elation, disappointment, indecision, awe...at least I know I am not alone!
Emily

Bartleby.com defines trepidation
[FONT=arial, helvetica][SIZE=-1]Great agitation and anxiety caused by the expectation or the realization of danger: affright, alarm, apprehension, dread, fear, fearfulness, fright, funk, horror,...

Beyond that addition to your litany, Emily, I would also like to say my growth has been quite encouraging.
Normally more of a lurker, I began to evaluate and actually critique images. I began to see through others' eyes. I began to look at my own images with somewhat more of a "Can I attitude..."

After Steve Allens Navbar help, I even began to use EMOTICONs - is that a real Word or just a substitute for English?

No, Emily, you are not alone.
And LPS fans, neither are you...

Just Imagine Poor Shay's NEW load...

Johnny Cash usta sing
"Attaboy, Girl..."

Kudos, ALL!
[/SIZE][/FONT]

thebigsky · May 15, 2007

Hi Emily,

I understand how you feel, I'm totally bemused by the whole thing. In one round I entered what I thought was a pretty good image, not one vote did it receive, yet another entry that was so uninspiring I thought it had been entered as a joke garnered some votes.

I'll follow further rounds, and if the quality of the judging improves, I may enter again, however whilst poor images and images not related to the relevant themes receive votes I'm not going to put myself through the anguish.

Charlie

damonff · May 15, 2007

Hi Charlie

Don't give up just because your photos aren't selected. My photos are never selected...yet I think it's important to keep the voices diverse. You may be helping someone out there who thinks, incorrectly, that their image is not good because 5 random people in the universe didn't think that it met some criterion. Keep shooting and keep posting. Don't stop because someone has different taste than you. That would be bad.

Tentacion · May 15, 2007

damonff wrote:

Hi Charlie

Don't give up just because your photos aren't selected. My photos are never selected...yet I think it's important to keep the voices diverse. You may be helping someone out there who thinks, incorrectly, that their image is not good because 5 random people in the universe didn't think that it met some criterion. Keep shooting and keep posting. Don't stop because someone has different taste than you. That would be bad.

GREAT Words of Advice and Wisdom!!

Greensquared · May 15, 2007

Ponderings
Thanks to you all for responding to this.

You know, I understand the disappointment and depression that comes from rejection. I've had plenty of it, left photography for a while and finally have come back inspired because of this forum. The truth is that there are many types of photography...that which is shot to other's specs and tastes, and that which is shot to your own. Question yourself, "Why do I shoot?" Is it to achieve images that I love and want to put on my wall, or to share and hear how much others liked my work? Most of us want both. We want to take awesome photos that we love and others say "Wow!" to. But, it is all subjective and there will always be someone who your work does nothing for.

The point is...growth. And how can you grow if you don't share? This forum contains so many oppotunities for constructive feedback outside of LPS as well as in. I just love the fact that people are looking at my shots and considering them. I am humbled by that. I also love that I am able to see a huge amount of other perspectives too. A broader view, so to speak. But the other thing I love about LPS is that in two weeks, you get to try again, then again, and again. Challenge yourself! You will have days of discouragement and days of success, but the only way to fail, is to quit! So please, shoot and post!

Emily

Xia_Ke · May 15, 2007

Greensquared wrote:

...Challenge yourself! You will have days of discouragement and days of success, but the only way to fail, is to quit!...

Emily

Great advice. Hope you don't mind, I'm stealing that quote for my signature

Greensquared · May 15, 2007

Xia_Ke wrote:

Great advice. Hope you don't mind, I'm stealing that quote for my signature

Go ahead! I feel honored!:D

davev · May 15, 2007

Greensquared wrote:

Thanks to you all for responding to this.

You know, I understand the disappointment and depression that comes from rejection. I've had plenty of it, left photography for a while and finally have come back inspired because of this forum. The truth is that there are many types of photography...that which is shot to other's specs and tastes, and that which is shot to your own. Question yourself, "Why do I shoot?" Is it to achieve images that I love and want to put on my wall, or to share and hear how much others liked my work? Most of us want both. We want to take awesome photos that we love and others say "Wow!" to. But, it is all subjective and there will always be someone who your work does nothing for.

The point is...growth. And how can you grow if you don't share? This forum contains so many oppotunities for constructive feedback outside of LPS as well as in. I just love the fact that people are looking at my shots and considering them. I am humbled by that. I also love that I am able to see a huge amount of other perspectives too. A broader view, so to speak. But the other thing I love about LPS is that in two weeks, you get to try again, then again, and again. Challenge yourself! You will have days of discouragement and days of success, but the only way to fail, is to quit! So please, shoot and post!

Emily

Emily, you said it all in the last line. Challenge Yourself. Forget the prizes. Take the shots for you. No one else.

Once that thought comes through, everything else will fall into place.

indiegirl · May 15, 2007

I realize this is a contest with some high stakes and I'm in it to play for keeps. That said, I'm no where near as prolific or technically-abled as most of you but when I listen to the still, small voice inside my heart I know it deserves to be heard. My work is a reflection of that voice and it comes down to honoring the art form in which we aspire to inspire. I cannot be driven by the outcome, I must simply listen to the voice which propells me to keep taking pictures.

Jesse

sunita · May 15, 2007

I agree, yet...
Hi Emily (and others),

You have a great thread going here - and I agree with you for the most part, yet, I do feel Charlie's pain. This is indeed a wonderful site to post photos and get amazing critiques, but I don't think I have quite figured out the challenges bit as yet

...I know I haven't pushed myself hard enough to produce fantastic pictures, but sometimes I feel that the selection process is so abstruse that I often wonder if luck has a good part to play in making it to the next round.

That being said, I am not a quitter and fully intend to participate as often as I can (work and time permitting) and like many others here, plan to enjoy shooting and hopefully improve my skills.

Cheers,
Sunita

sunita · May 15, 2007

I agree, yet...
Hi Emily (and others),

You have a great thread going here - and I agree with you for the most part, yet, I do feel Charlie's pain. This is indeed a wonderful site to post photos and get amazing critiques, but I don't think I have quite figured out the challenges bit as yet

...I know I haven't pushed myself hard enough to produce fantastic pictures, but sometimes I feel that the selection process is so abstruse that I often wonder if luck has a good part to play in making it to the next round.

That being said, I am not a quitter and fully intend to participate as often as I can (work and time permitting) and like many others here, plan to enjoy shooting and hopefully improve my skills.

Cheers,
Sunita

tsk1979 · May 15, 2007

thebigsky wrote:

Hi Emily,

I understand how you feel, I'm totally bemused by the whole thing. In one round I entered what I thought was a pretty good image, not one vote did it receive, yet another entry that was so uninspiring I thought it had been entered as a joke garnered some votes.

I'll follow further rounds, and if the quality of the judging improves, I may enter again, however whilst poor images and images not related to the relevant themes receive votes I'm not going to put myself through the anguish.

Charlie

He charlie don't be disheartened, I love your photographs. Esp the one with bales. One of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen. So keep shooting. I am an excellent photographs and almost every photograph I take is a work of art(atleast to me, if it wasn't I wouldn't shoot it, right

? ). I don't dish out complements easily but I must say you are good

I was also very disheartened during the Stately/humble challenge, but then I thought, how does it matter. I like my photographs, the world can go and take a hike

My entry did not get any votes in this challenge, though I feel its the best of the shot.
So keep shooting and keep entering. If people like us leave then judges job will get easy. So no slacking for judges, we should keep posting horrendous images and party the day we get a single vote

Nikolai · May 15, 2007

In essense, the old and simple 20x30 rule works...
Take a shot that you yourself wouild be willing to print at 20"x30" (it's costly!), frame it (even more so) and hang on your wall.
If you got one - it's a definitel contender and you are a winner regadless of the challenge outcome. And if you don't - well, keep shooting and learning, you'll get it next time

tsk1979 · May 15, 2007

Nikolai wrote:

In essense, the old and simple 20x30 rule works...
Take a shot that you yourself wouild be willing to print at 20"x30" (it's costly!), frame it (even more so) and hang on your wall.
If you got one - it's a definitel contender and you are a winner regadless of the challenge outcome. And if you don't - well, keep shooting and learning, you'll get it next time

Many pictures which win the pulitzer will not be fit for walls, so does that mean such great pictures will be discarded in this challenge?
I did not see in the rules anywhere which says
"Folks, take only beautiful pictures, fit for wall hangings, everything else, no matter how good a shot, if not fit for the wall will not be considered".

Nikolai · May 15, 2007

tsk1979 wrote:

Many pictures which win the pulitzer will not be fit for walls, so does that mean such great pictures will be discarded in this challenge?
I did not see in the rules anywhere which says
"Folks, take only beautiful pictures, fit for wall hangings, everything else, no matter how good a shot, if not fit for the wall will not be considered".

Tanveer, you're missing the point.

It should be good for YOU, to hang on YOUR wall.
I don't care what it is, but I want to be proud of my own work first.
It's not always easy and quite often we go with the "ah, it fits the theme, so it's ok, maybe it'll slide past the judges/crowd" (forgive me father for I have sinned), but the longer I play, the more I feel the importance of being 100% satisfied myself.
The beauty of that approach is that once you reach this point, the rest REALLY doesn't matter...

fashiznitsngrins · May 15, 2007

Okay, you made me look...

thebigsky wrote:

Hi Emily,

I understand how you feel, I'm totally bemused by the whole thing. In one round I entered what I thought was a pretty good image, not one vote did it receive, yet another entry that was so uninspiring I thought it had been entered as a joke garnered some votes.

I'll follow further rounds, and if the quality of the judging improves, I may enter again, however whilst poor images and images not related to the relevant themes receive votes I'm not going to put myself through the anguish.

Charlie

Hi Charlie,

I went to your site and looked at your photos. I loved your entry for LPS#5. I thought it was a beautiful shot that covered the theme. I remember when I first saw it, I thought, "oh, wow - mine definitely isn't good enough". I am always perplexed by at least one or two of what gets through and what doesn't. Please don't ever give up. I am finding that I am learning so much faster by continually pushing myself in an attempt to please the "judges". You live in a lovely part of the world and you have a good eye for capturing it's beauty. Please keep sharing that with us!! - Karen

anwmn1 · May 15, 2007

Don't give up- don't ever give up- Jimmy V
The words of Jimmy V apply to photography as much as living with cancer. If there is something you are passionate about do not let others dissued you or dampen your spirit.

You did not pick up a camera just because of LPS, this site, or because you cared what others thought about the pictures you would take. As we get better we want to hear how good we are and feel rejected when we do not make the finals of a contest. We do not agree with the judges because their tastes are different than ours so they must have favorites.

I will give you some of my personal story: I have been a member for 1 year. Entered the bi-weekly challenges on a regular basis and only made the top ten 2 times but never won or even placed in the top 3. I have entered every LPS and have not made a top ten.

However- I recently sold 3 16x20 prints of photos that I thought were good but not great. I then found out I was a finalist for a national contest for GoCardUSA with a picture I now think is just 'ho hum' from when I first starting shooting digital. None of these photos would have made the LPS but someone else thought they were great and loved them.

Do not let some judges impact your love of photography.

Read my signature quote!

speedracer04 · May 15, 2007

I feel the same way sometimes ( I think at least sorry if I am not really saying what you are) I do not do nudes but people don’t seem to like/get the style of photos I take (non-cars). That’s why I don’t post much people I don’t get a whole lot of feed back so I have stopped but I still take photos to stay true to myself.

“they see the world only as landscapes, children and pets” (+flowers) very true here I think. Not that there is anything wrong with that but I guess I don’t see the photography in it the same way they don’t really like my stuff.

Tentacion wrote:

Thank You Emily, your words are wonderfully expressed, and probably how I have felt during this competition.

I believe, I am the latter and have experienced in my very "open" view (nudes and semi) of photography, sometimes has not proven to be of the best choice for posting, for there are still those that have a very closed mind, no matter how artiscally, creative and well presented a photo is, they see the world only as landscapes, children and pets!! I know that there is a time and a place for everything, and my time will come!!

Although I have not placed here, I know my photos are liked and some have been bought for framing blah blah, although at times you can discouraged, the only good thing about my personality is I get off the ground wipe my butt off and continue, for I know that there are those photographers that see Out Of The Box!!

Remember to stay LOYAL to your Mind's Eye and not to popularity!! Let's take this competition to the HILT and make more want to join.

May the Great Spirit open your mind, heart, and eyes to go above and beyond to get that winning capture!! Good Luck to Everyone!

LiquidAir · May 15, 2007

I shoot competition photos a bit differently than I shoot normally. I have been slowly tuning a set of guidelines that I use to test my ideas. If the idea doesn't meet those guidelines, I go back to the drawing board rather than picking up the camera. I try to have a mostly fleshed out idea before start shooting and one of my personal challenges is how close I get in camera to my mind's eye. I think of it as an exercise both in camera/lighting technique to see how well (and quickly) I can reproduce my imagination and also an exercise in my visualization skills to see how well my imagined photographs work in reality.

My competition shooting takes on a flavor now a bit like writing a sonnet: creativity within a structured form. I have designed that form in a way that will often create shots that appeal to the judges, but within that form I am shooting for myself. Taking pictures this way is not somthing I would likely do on my own, but I am finding it has greatly improved my skills as a photographer.

I have three things I hope to gain from entering the competition:

1. Learn how to create images as opposed to just finding them. While the competition photos have a fairly strict set of restrctions on them, the skills I am learning let me put more of myself into my photos.

2. Put together a small gallery show for local coffee shops and the like.

3. Slowly build a portfolio of stock photography.

Personally, I think entering any photo competition expecting to win consistently is a fools errand. There is just too much variability in both the judging and in the other entries to expect to have that kind of control. All I feel I can reasonably ask for is that if I regularly enter good quality photographs, a few of them will be recognized and I will have a small chance of winning something.

I do think you should shoot for yourself, but I also think you have something to gain from letting the competition change you. Personally, I pick my 3 favorite winners from each round and try to learn something from those shots. That way I thinking about the I like rather than obsessing about the ones I am not as fond of. I figure if I can get to the point where I am consistently shooting as well as my favorite shot in the winners circle I'll be doing quite well.

anwmn1 · May 15, 2007

speedracer04 wrote:

I feel the same way sometimes ( I think at least sorry if I am not really saying what you are) I do not do nudes but people don’t seem to like/get the style of photos I take (non-cars). That’s why I don’t post much people I don’t get a whole lot of feed back so I have stopped but I still take photos to stay true to myself.

“they see the world only as landscapes, children and pets” (+flowers) very true here I think. Not that there is anything wrong with that but I guess I don’t see the photography in it the same way they don’t really like my stuff.

Well I would disagree. It might be where you are posting. I have had the most success posting my car shots in the 'OtherCool Shots' forum. The Sports group seems the most cliquish to me

.

I am a car guy and like the artistic style you shoot in. Very simple yet complex.

fashiznitsngrins · May 16, 2007

LiquidAir wrote:

Personally, I pick my 3 favorite winners from each round and try to learn something from those shots. That way I thinking about the I like rather than obsessing about the ones I am not as fond of. I figure if I can get to the point where I am consistently shooting as well as my favorite shot in the winners circle I'll be doing quite well.

Good idea! I like your thoughts and viewpoints...

thebigsky · May 16, 2007

Thanks tsk1979 and fashiznitsngrins for your kind words, I should reiterate it's not photography per se that I'm disillusioned with, in fact quite the opposite, I feel I'm making some considerable strides forward in improvement at the moment.

This competition however has me perplexed, the judging system is flawed, although admittedly despite this flaw, fortunately the best 2 or 3 images in each round have made it through.

Firstly I don't understand why people enter images that are not related to the theme, or claim a link so tenuous it should be rejected.

Worse still, you would imagine such images would be rejected by the judges out of hand, but I'm not sure this is happening.

One might also detect a certain case of 'it's not what you know, but who you know' but that's just an unsubstantiated 'feeling' that's probably inevitable with the cliquey nature of these type of communities.

Anyway I'm feeling pretty chipper as I took these images on Monday evening and am really pleased with them.

Charlie

richtersl · May 16, 2007

The major difference I've seen between LPS and the non-online exhibits I've taken part in is that in LPS you get to see the other submissions along with your own and it's easy to change your mind any time within the submission period.

The judging here is no different from any other exhibit I've taken part in. From what I've seen, photography contests are very subjective. Your tastes may not necessarily be in line with that of the judges and that's something you cannot control. Of course, you can always find out what a judge's preferences are by visiting one of their web sites or going to one of their exhibits and then basing your selection on what you think may catch their eye.

As I've gone to and participated in various exhibits over the years, several things have always gone through my mind:

I wind up agreeing with the judges on their choices for the most part.
I wonder what the heck the judges were thinking when they made their choices.
I wonder what the heck a photographer was thinking when he/she took a particular photo.
I wonder what the heck a particular photo is even doing in an exhibit in the first place -- weren't they supposed to not include photos that obviously didn't meet certain criteria .

Fortunately, I don't see the politics here like I've seen in local exhibits, which is a blessing.

The judges here also do a nice job of providing us with feedback, which doesn't always happen.

Tentacion · May 16, 2007

I must say of all the threads I have read here, this has been one of the most enjoyable, to see so many written words on a page discussing such a delicate subject, so openly, and without intent of malice to any particular person is wonderful.

Even in photography, we never cease to learn and grow, for it is the nature of the human being which distinguishes us from our four legged friends.

I feel for the judges on this round, I hope SS has picked quality judges who have open minds and eyes to judge pictures, even though entries may not reflect their own personal style !!

Good Luck to All in the Semi-Finals!! With much anticipation, I look forward to viewing the entries.

Take Care
Donna

Greensquared · May 16, 2007

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of your responses too. It really does make me feel connected. I love LiquidAir's methodical process and positive suggestions. I wish I could put that much time and energy into it, but at this season in my life, my children have to come first and they take a tremendous amount of my time and energy.

However, I did get through to the semifinal, which I am honored and humbled by, and as such, want to do my very best. Still, nothing I'm shooting seems to be "good enough". I wonder if anything I take will be. The pressure is definitely there and I guess that is what will separate the really great photographers. Here's what I've taken so far. http://greensquared.smugmug.com/gallery/2849439#152753093
Any comments would be greatly appreciated. I'm thinking I need to go in a totally different direction. They are beautiful to me as she is my daughter and I will definitely put some of them on my wall, but nothing LPS worthy I think.

Part of me just wants to quit, fearing failure. But also I know I need to keep trying. Keep shooting and do my best to try and enjoy the process. I also fell I owe it to all the great photographers who didn't get through this time around.

Emily

indiegirl · May 16, 2007

Goodness, she beautiful! Your images are as well.

When I design a class, I always like to work from the end point (culminating event) backwards. In this case, the theme would give me context to evaluate. It might also provide you with clarity in regard to whether your images are worthy.

Jesse

Tentacion · May 16, 2007

Greensquared wrote:

Here's what I've taken so far. http://greensquared.smugmug.com/gallery/2849439#152753093
Any comments would be greatly appreciated. I'm thinking I need to go in a totally different direction. They are beautiful to me as she is my daughter and I will definitely put some of them on my wall, but nothing LPS worthy I think.

Part of me just wants to quit, fearing failure. But also I know I need to keep trying. Keep shooting and do my best to try and enjoy the process. I also fell I owe it to all the great photographers who didn't get through this time around.

Emily

Hey don't you dare think of quitting!! Do not fear failure....Hmm let me see if I remember correctly as per Mr. Franklin D. Roosevelt..a couple of quotes to dwell on.

"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."

"We have nothing to fear but fear itself"

"To reach a port, we must sail - sail, not tie at anchor - sail, not drift"

So Emily, where and how do you wish to reach your port??

OH BTW I love your daughters photo #10 on the fence!!

Flyinggina · May 16, 2007

Lovely shots of your daughter, Emily!! You may not be "there" yet for the shoot off, but your daughter is a great subject. Just be sure not to cut of hands or feet as in the third one with the kitty. Also, I suggest you get something that really shows her beautiful eyes. As DaveV said, a great photo may be in your own back yard! I know you'll come up with a really great entry.

Virginia

LPS Ponderings

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