I went to camera club last night, and got slated!! OK, the judges did seem to be stricter than they have been the last few times we've been, but still. I'm very disappointed in myself. I really need to raise my game.
Thinking about it over night, and in the traffic on the way to work this morning, I feel that maybe it's because I take photos every day... I'm just taking photos for the sake of taking photos at the moment, and not really trying to improve.
But then, thinking about it... no, I do try. But I'm really not taking quality photos at the moment with this camera. I need to learn more about it, and try harder. Anyhoo, here is what the judges said...
Bee -
Bronze
They said there wasn't enough focus on the flower and the bee, it was blurred. Which it is if you enlarge it to the n'th degree. Apparently I should have used a tripod... funny that because I did ;) I didn't use the remote switch though, because the bee was moving so much.
Pineapply lily -
Bronze
It was over-exposed. They liked the idea, and the way that i saw it though. But they thought that there was too much space on the right of the flower.
Sunset and scaffolding -
Silver
There is too much sky on the left of the scaffolding. It apparently would have been better if there was a man on the scaffolding, and if I'd used a longer lens and the sun was bigger! OMW! Personally, I think that's a bit of a tall order.
Anyhoo, onwards and upwards, I'll have to do better next month!
17 comments:
ah jeanette! you just keep learning at your own pace. get great tips from camera club, and get really comfortable with your camera.
you're doing a fine job.
remember camera club judging is quite harsh. we also get those comments about "i would have preferred it if..."
now we just laugh, and say when the wildlife comes on, that they would probably prefer it if there were a dead baby buck dripping blood, in the lion's mouth.
take it with a pinch of salt, but DO learn from it.
i think they were a bit harsh on the bee pic - i think it's great for a 1 & 2 star.
i agree about the flower being over exposed tho.
keep your chin up old girl! and keep at it. you're doing just fine.
Ah Jeanette don't be so hard on yourself! I think your pics are amazing!! And I am sure you are learning as you go along - it can't be easy :)
Well done!!
Sorry you feel down about it! But isnt the point of the club to learn how to do it better? So maybe take it positively!
I will say that the last comment was a bit extreme though!!!
Hi there! I started into photography late last year. I think your photos are amazing! Those judges are really tough! I am not sure I would be able to handle such tough criticism...although it is very constructive. I guess I am still way to much of a newbie to be able venture into such a club. But then again, I probably would learn a tremendous amount.
Who are these judges? They must be absolutely amazing photographers!
I think your photos are amazing, but I'm not a professional. I would probably have to "up my game", too, if I was being judged. But... in the grand scheme of things this is about your vision. It's about how your photographs make others feel. And, your photos evoke emotion; that's all I know!
Keep up the good, hard work, Jenty! You are awesome.
Just look where you have come in a short year Jeanette. Now save these photo's and compare them to what you are going to do next year this time - camera club is going to help tremendously I'm sure and it's going to push up to become better and better. To be honest I honestly thought your pictures were much nicer than the new girls who told us she has been doing photography classes for a year. So give yourself a big pat on your back because you do have talent :)
They sound like really tough critics. Take what they say with a grain of salt, learn from it and push yourself even harder.
When your photography becomes "Work" and not fun its time to step back and reaccess.
Keep doing what you are doing and post them for us to see. I love your work.
Forget about taking photos for them, shoot for yourself -> that is where you'll find your style.
You are capable of changing the size f the sun on a whim? I AM impressed. If that's a skill all photographers have, I might as well toss my camera now!
I think the space to the left of the tower is perfect. The only space comment I would make is that i's too bad you didn't line yourself up so the sun wasn't "touching" the scaffold, or so it bisected one of the cross slashes -- but not being there, I can only assume the terrain gave you those options.
I waited forever but your broze bee wouldn't load. As to the Pineapple Lily -- the exposure is a tad off, but the composition is PERFECT.
So, I award the judges half of a Pft. They did their job and inspired you to work harder, or I'd have given them a whole, Pft!
Photo Clubs are always good to learn new stuff and to see your own work from a different angle - and to learn how to handle critics. But NEVER ever take it too personel, take it us an input to improve your work and for doing photography easier with all that knowledge in your mind.
My personal opinion is: you are doing GREAT and excellent photography Jenty. Learn the "technical stuff" in the club, believe in your own style and never give up your own style, because your style to do see and to capture pictures is amazing and wonderful!
I think you're doing well.
I think you're BRAVE to have joined a photo club being such a relative newbie. (You know what I mean by that, right?) I don't know if I'd have the guts.
Again, you're doing well. Enjoy yourself!
Personally, I think these are all great shots, but if you're not striving to always do better then you may as well put away the camera, right? For me, it's the learning that makes photography so fun. I truly admire you for joining a club and opening yourself up to such close scrutiny. Take the judges' constructive critism and run with it!
(ps - thanks for your anxiety advice. Much appreciated!)
psssst - you've been tagged!
Pheww! That was harsh.
I am useless at critisism and tend to get all defensive.
You have received some really great comments here, and I am so compelled to chime in.
I think photography club can be such a great thing, but there are a few aspects of it that worry me.
I personally think that constantly setting your photos up against others photos can be a difficult thing especially when you are just starting out. In my opinion, photography is for ME, not to be compared to others. When I am confident in my abilities and my style, then maybe a little competition would be nice, and fun, but now....I think it would very much discourage me.
Also, I personally do not agree with every thing the judges said, and you shouldn't either. we all have our own personal tastes and styles. It is only their opinion. I am NOT saying you can't listen or even try some of their ideas, but don't change who you are a photographer to please them.
for instance, go ahead and crop the scaffolding one so the there isn't as much sky on the left. see how you like it. YOu might go, "WOW! that does look better!" or you might say, "hmmmm not liking it!" who is right? I personally think you are. If you don't like your own photography....you won't keep doing it.
So....yes....learning...improving is good. but....letting others discourage you....not so helpful.
Everything Corey said! I like the extra sky in the scaffolding shot... go figure ;-)
Jenty, I think you are doing fabulous! That shot of the sun and scaffolding....Wow oh Wow!!
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