CHAT Thread: SMWYG Return of the Photographer

Can't wait to get started shooting.....

I was not a big fan of the link about ideas.....when it comes to Vignettes...I love them...and I am pretty sure I over do them. I am not sure I agree with the author's view point...but I think I will try and do things differently to see if I get a change in the response that I get to my work.

I was training in the dark room to steer the eye to what you want the viewer to see. This was done with dodging, burning and Vignetting the edges....sometimes way over.....but in print it looks very nice when done well.

Obviously it is best to achieve this in framing the photo in camera when you can...but you can't always do that. So....I look forward to the challenge of being vignette free....I need a hug.

lol

I am the author. The main point of that post was to get people to look at why they do what they do. Art is creative, true...but is what they are doing in post processing, an attempt to make up for a lack in the photography? (i.e. over vignetting to draw the eye to the subject rather than achieving that with your photograph and using a vignette as an accent to the success). It's not a ban on vignettes or angles etc. It's a call to learn to use them well if they are to be used. Remember that this is all about growing in skill.

I agree...that this is to learn. I have learned so much.

I would also agree that people process their photos and try to fix things they couldn't achieve in camera....and maybe that is what I am doing in my processing. It is very interesting and will be fun to play with. As usual....I love this forum, this contest and all that it gives me and others.

you know, that's the most important thing to me
That people have fun and learn. Not everything I say is going to be agreed to by everyone or even half of everyone. That's why we have 9 judges this year. We're covering all the bases.

We've seen over the years, seriously creative people and those who have the technicalities down...and we've seen both sides expand in the other directions.

Ultimately if you are able to look at your own photography objectively, you'll never stop growing. You'll be able to see beyond the borders of what's familiar. That's always good.

And trust me, I'm not (and none of us are) saying "don't be creative". Rather, be thoughtful about why you do what you do? And if you should do it or not...

My gosh, my photography has changed leaps and bounds in the last 4 years. There are SO many things I used to do in PP that I'm appalled at, when I look back, now

Lisa, will we be getting judge comments this year? I know last year it was a lot of work for you guys and I totally understand if you guys don't want to take that on this year, but I found them very helpful. NO PRESSURE!!!!

Also, am I understanding this correctly that there will be 9 weekly judges??

This year there are 3 weekly judges, 5 monthly judges and one alternate.

We haven't discussed comments. I'll bring it up with them.

I know that last year it was appreciated by some and caused contention with others. So I'll see where the judges wish to go with it this year.

It is always appreciated. People should think long and hard that you can't please everyone, and just because a comment doesn't rub your way, doesn't mean you suck and that you are hated by a particular judge. It is just a critique, and it is the only way to learn...

Contention...bah!

I agree, Harm.

I like feedback, regardless of it's constructive content.


Jason C

I can already see this is gonna be a tough year

Who's been recruiting competitors in my absence?

Did a shoot a little bit ago, just realized how rusty I had become. Have to get used to shooting in manual

Geeeeeeeeno, how was Cuba...I see immigration let you back into Canada then?

What, no chat?

Jason C

Harm wrote in post #11218165
Geeeeeeeeno, how was Cuba...I see immigration let you back into Canada then?

I was born here, they have no choice.