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I don't believe it! What's wrong with you forum members! It's your forum and the prizes are unbelievable! Didn't think you were good enough? Think again. And ponder this...18 submissions and 4 prizes. Pretty good odds for an outsider. So you should all be kicking yourselves now.

Matt, it's only half time... I would guess a lot of people are keeping their powder dry for the second round of submissions.

I was equally amazed Matt...

Either people are not trying very hard or they are very confident of winning in the 2nd round...

Hopefully this will inspire more people to enter the second round...

johndec wrote:Matt, it's only half time... I would guess a lot of people are keeping their powder dry for the second round of submissions.

Except those in the first round get 2 bites of the cherry. If they have TWO really good shots then they get to submit both (1 in each round) whereas those not in the first round only have 1 chance.

stubbsy wrote:

johndec wrote:Matt, it's only half time... I would guess a lot of people are keeping their powder dry for the second round of submissions.

Except those in the first round get 2 bites of the cherry. If they have TWO really good shots then they get to submit both (1 in each round) whereas those not in the first round only have 1 chance.

Very true Stubbsy, shame I can't even think of something to get one bite of said cherry which explains why I'll probably be sitting in the audience at the AA dinner clapping the winner

*shrug*

you should enter anyway! you never know what people will like!

Gotta say - the anticipation is excellent!! I'd love to know who's submitted what and the stories behind the motivation to get the shots...

I must admit that seeing just 18 entries is disappointing when we have at least 200+ active members - remember the old saying ”you have to be in it to win it”

That what my post was in another thread!
I thought with the attractive prizes in this major event, we should see at least 50 entries in the first round.

I do not enter competitions or lotteries.

Everything I have gained in life has been through working for a living.

fozzie wrote:I do not enter competitions or lotteries.

Everything I have gained in life has been through working for a living.

fozzie,
What you have said is meant no more or no need of compettion after

fozzie wrote:I do not enter competitions or lotteries.

Everything I have gained in life has been through working for a living.

and you are saying there is no work involved in this??

looking at some of the shots there, there was a lot of work involved!

I was equally surprised, given the quality of some of the shots seen on this forum and the quantity of photos put up for critique one would expect a lot more in the challenge. The prizes are a big bonus but one should not forget the fun part of it. Fozzie, I do not think you meant to say that...
Cheers,
Gerard

I was expecting hundreds of entries. Well not hundreds, but seeing as there have been a shed load of new people joining recently, I was thinking that this was going to be one hell of a busy comp.

I didnt get mine in on time for this one due to a combination of being in the UK for an extended period and "trying to outhink everyone"!!!! I struggled to find something different that no one else would come up with and the result was i missed out on the first round.

I plan to enter the second. Is it a cumalitive points system then? Do you get points for the first and second and they are added to get an overall score?

Good luck to every one.

Matt

Matt,
You should get or have million of decisive moments in the UK It's the beginning of summer there and lot of opportunity.

The trouble is Birdy, I was working for most of it and then had to be best man for my friend.

I was gutted because I hardly took any shots what so ever, apart from a few friends and family portraits.

At first, I thought this would be easy coming up with a Decisive Moment, but it's proving to be harder than I first thought. I may still go into the second half though.. Now I have a cool lens, I may go out and get snap happy.. just haven't had time, or good weather yet.

Geoff

It's too early to say, quite a few forum members must be holding back right now. For instance, if one had (~~what he thinks is~~) a killer image, there is a good reason not to disclose it in the 1st round: it might stimulate competition and incite other forum members to rethink their entries for the 2sd round.

There are some nice images in this first series but I'm sure the second round will reach new heights, so let's shoot, wait & see!

Link wrote:It's too early to say, quite a few forum members must be holding back right now. For instance, if one had (~~what he thinks is~~) a killer image, there is a good reason not to disclose it in the 1st round: it might stimulate competition and incite other forum members to rethink their entries for the 2sd round.

There are some nice images in this first series but I'm sure the second round will reach new heights, so let's shoot, wait & see!

Yes exactly that as well. I had an idea which I was going to enter in the second round because I thought it was pretty cool. Now I just have to go and get that shot!!

I have not submitted for one simple reason.

I do not understand the rules or the method of submission. Now maybe I am just dense, but everytime I have tried to read the thread there are umpteen posts rather than one locked thread containing the rules. So I just gave up and sadly I haven't looked at the thread since.

Oneputt wrote:I have not submitted for one simple reason.

I do not understand the rules or the method of submission. Now maybe I am just dense, but everytime I have tried to read the thread there are umpteen posts rather than one locked thread containing the rules. So I just gave up and sadly I haven't looked at the thread since.

Then why didnt you contact me??? do I seem that unaproachable...

I dont want to open the floodgates but about 3/10 submitted images are invalid for one reason or another, but they were submitted well ahead of time and by working with me we have fixed them up and they now have a chance of winning the prizes!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!! do not let problems to do with the submission process stop you submitting... I am here to help in any way I can (just do not leave it until the last second)

I have taken part in various image competitions on the web and this is not (IMHO) a particularly hard one to enter...

There is a test album you can even practice on!

As you can see from the images submitted you can be VERY creative with your take on the comp theme... that said, I find when watching the voting that people to look at how the image fits the comp...

And here is what I will do to make things EVEN eaiser (you have always been able to do this, just only *semi* legally) : Submit an image, as long as you remember to hide it, you can replace this image with another image before the comp closes...

So if you have an image and think "hmmm... not bad but I think I can do better" submit it and you have the option of changing your entry later (PM or email me if this confuses you and you want further clarifacation)

I didn't enter because i don't know what a 'defining moment' is and i don't think i have seen one either. I've looked at all the photos i've taken over the last two months an none of them are 'defining moments.'

Some candidates may exist but i think it would have been fairly obvious who took the shot, thereby removing the anonimity of the comp.

Also i couldn't upload to the site anyway due to 'upload' restrictions imposed on this computer system i am using whilst at sea.

Killakoala wrote:Also i couldn't upload to the site anyway due to 'upload' restrictions imposed on this computer system i am using whilst at sea.

hehehe... now THAT one I can not help with (hello Mr Admiral Sir... I have a friend who needs to enter a comp....)

Killakoala wrote:Also i couldn't upload to the site anyway due to 'upload' restrictions imposed on this computer system i am using whilst at sea.

I think you can post the file (photo) to MHD by post

Killa if you are in port anywhere you could post it by internet cafe maybe? Or as Birddy suggested snail mail it to Scott or myself and someone will make sure those protecting our country still get to enter

Glen wrote:Killa if you are in port anywhere you could post it by internet cafe maybe? Or as Birddy suggested snail mail it to Scott or myself and someone will make sure those protecting our country still get to enter

Thanks guys, I'll find a way, but i still need to locate a defining moment first.

i agree that there wasn't as many entries as i expected. But i believe that quality comes before quantity.kinda like your portfolio for submission.

define your photography in 12 pics

I haven't entered simply because for the last 6 weeks my defining moments are centred around getting the baby fed and kept asleep between said feeds, and the boys to school on time, whilst maintaining my sanity (or the small amount I have left).

I will try for the second round, but right now it is all a matter of juggling my priorities, and for the time being looking after my kids come first......my photography needs second. It's not a lack of appreciation of the prizes and birddogs generosity let me assure you.

Cheers
Deb

guys, it's the decisive moment, not defining moment
see http://www.d70users.com/viewtopic.php?t=5489

MHD
You are the right man in the right place and an assett to the forum. As you have indicated...any member having problems with the rules or posting should PM you and ask for help. They will be well served.

Well, I know that for me, I have very few of these type of photographs. I dont carry a camera around enough to capture that sort of image. Secondly, I have very few pics that I feel are good enough to be 'worthy' of being shared with anyone. Actually, the vast majority of them I would be embarrassed to show another photographer.

robboh wrote:Well, I know that for me, I have very few of these type of photographs. I dont carry a camera around enough to capture that sort of image. Secondly, I have very few pics that I feel are good enough to be 'worthy' of being shared with anyone. Actually, the vast majority of them I would be embarrassed to show another photographer.

Robboh

I have to take exception with your last sentence. Other photographers (well at least nice ones like we have here) are EXACTLY the ones to show your images to. Reason being that they are the best ones to provide constructive crticism and guidance on how to make the average ones better and the good ones great. A non photographer might just say "I don't like that" and you have no concept of how you could get it better next time.

Shows us some pics

Robboh,

robboh wrote:Well, I know that for me, I have very few of these type of photographs. I dont carry a camera around enough to capture that sort of image. Secondly, I have very few pics that I feel are good enough to be 'worthy' of being shared with anyone. Actually, the vast majority of them I would be embarrassed to show another photographer.

What Stubbsy said.

The best way to improve is to post images and learn from the suggestions that others may make. Remember too that they're critiquing your work and not you, so nothing that's said should be taken as a personal; we simply do not permit that to happen here.

Think about it this way: if you post an image, what would be the worst possible outcome? You'll be given suggestions on how to make it better, both from a PP perspective, as well as compositional. Is that so bad?

I've been here since nearly the beginning and I have never seen open rubbishing of peoples work, either in the comps or the forums...

I would like to share the following suggestion.

1. for image critiques - have 2 sections. 1 for those who are starting out in photography. Moderaters have additional role as coaching. This encourages those who are new. The second section is for those who can expects some hard constructive critiques.

2. As this is photographic forum, I would prefer the listings of topics on the right to be strictly photographic stuff. More focus is helpful here.

3. There should be no distinction between Nikon or Canon. After all it is the person taking the pictures.

4. I have to agree that the comp theme is not an easy one. Perhaps comp theme should take into account the season that we are in. It is not enjoyable trying to capture an action shot in the cold winter.

5. Have a link from this forum on the home page that will bring you to the comp page - with clear rules and pictures readily for voting. It is also important to make it easy for picture uploading. It may be easily for the administrator who designed it but not so for other people.

regards,

Arthur

What amazes me is the fact that I have seen so many excellent photos posted on this forum that would meet the comp's criteria and the owners obviously don't see them fit for the comp. I though that if they were their "rejects", then they should have something real special saved up for the comp.
Maybe this is still the case, we'll see.

yeocsa wrote:I would like to share the following suggestion.

1. for image critiques - have 2 sections. 1 for those who are starting out in photography. Moderaters have additional role as coaching. This encourages those who are new. The second section is for those who can expects some hard constructive critiques.

2. As this is photographic forum, I would prefer the listings of topics on the right to be strictly photographic stuff. More focus is helpful here.

3. There should be no distinction between Nikon or Canon. After all it is the person taking the pictures.

4. I have to agree that the comp theme is not an easy one. Perhaps comp theme should take into account the season that we are in. It is not enjoyable trying to capture an action shot in the cold winter.

5. Have a link from this forum on the home page that will bring you to the comp page - with clear rules and pictures readily for voting. It is also important to make it easy for picture uploading. It may be easily for the administrator who designed it but not so for other people.

regards,

Arthur

Some good suggestions Yecosa... But keep in mind that the challenges are an organic thing... they were started on a whim by me (originally a picture a day challenge) and at the time of the first challenge Birdy offered some prizes...

I have never wanted them to be to official, they are, besides the very generous prizes, just for fun...

The reason why I started the challenges and made them themed challenges, is I took part in other themed challenges and found having to go out and shoot to a theme made me shoot things I wouldnt normally and really broadend my knowledge and skills...

(I know I ranted a bit of topic there...)

phillipb wrote:What amazes me is the fact that I have seen so many excellent photos posted on this forum that would meet the comp's criteria and the owners obviously don't see them fit for the comp. I though that if they were their "rejects", then they should have something real special saved up for the comp.
Maybe this is still the case, we'll see.

God, I hope not!

yeocsa wrote:I have to agree that the comp theme is not an easy one. Perhaps comp theme should take into account the season that we are in. It is not enjoyable trying to capture an action shot in the cold winter .

I disagree - it's made the challenge a CHALLENGE!

Frank

i have to disagree to what ppl are thinking, looking for images in their collection to fit the topic. It should be the other way around.

5. Have a link from this forum on the home page that will bring you to the comp page - with clear rules and pictures readily for voting. It is also important to make it easy for picture uploading. It may be easily for the administrator who designed it but not so for other people.

i agree that the comp links are all over the place but they are there and can be found, 18 ppl DID find it.
if you need help arthur just scream, we're all listening

MHD wrote:Some good suggestions Yecosa... But keep in mind that the challenges are an organic thing... they were started on a whim by me (originally a picture a day challenge) and at the time of the first challenge Birdy offered some prizes...

I have never wanted them to be to official, they are, besides the very generous prizes, just for fun...

The reason why I started the challenges and made them themed challenges, is I took part in other themed challenges and found having to go out and shoot to a theme made me shoot things I wouldnt normally and really broadend my knowledge and skills...

I agree Scott. I think sometimes people look at these as more than they are....which is just a bit of fun. Would Challenge 5 still be taken this seriously if the D70s was off the table ?? I don't think it would be.

The Challenges should be about pushing people to expand their skill. If it's too easy for everyone, then people will walk away and not bother. The fact that it's so "challenging" makes you want to do well (at least that's how I feel).

Me personally, I'd like to see some Challenges that are specific to a certain type of shooting, or function (eg. High Key or Low key shots, Best use of Shutter speed or Aperture, etc...). Something that makes you actually sit back and think about what you're going to shoot before you press the shutter button.

Of course, this is just my opinion.....

Everything you want in a challenge already exists - high and low key can be part of the challenge as can aperture and shutter values, but more than anything, you really have to think hard on these challenges. This, IMHO, is what defines the title ”Challenge”

sirhc55 wrote:Everything you want in a challenge already exists - high and low key can be part of the challenge as can aperture and shutter values, but more than anything, you really have to think hard on these challenges. This, IMHO, is what defines the title ”Challenge”

very true Chris. What I meant was specific challenges on High Key etc...ie. High Key would be the topic, so everyone would have to shoot in this method, etc, etc....

Gary & Peter,

Fully agree with you about the tone and support of people on these forums. This is one of the best sites I have come across on the net in that regard, in any discipline. I learnt a lot from Kerry and others about PP on the lioness shot I posted a while ago.

I also agree with you that its the best way to improve. And if I had an average photo that I couldnt figure out what to improve on next time, then I would certainly post it saying 'this is crud, what can I do to fix it'. And I do realize that they are critiquing my work rather than me, although you have to admit that sometimes its quite hard to divorce yourself that much from your work.

However, when I know what mistakes Ive made, usually at a basic technical level, it seems a little pointless wasting bandwidth and time posting them and having people tell me what I already know. IE too much camera shake. Exposures out. Didnt bother taking enough time to MAKE the shot rather than taking the shot. Or, its on a tripod and the heads locked down and its STILL $%#&ing fuzzy!!

The final thing is that I dont seem to get out to do much 'real' photography and most of my stuff is just 'memory snapshots'. When I do get the urge, I never seem to find anything that captures my attention. And if I do, the final results never seem to quite capture the spark of the situation, which kinda frustrates me

Anyways, enough of my waffle for the evening.

robboh wrote:Gary & Peter,

<snip>

The final thing is that I dont seem to get out to do much 'real' photography and most of my stuff is just 'memory snapshots'. When I do get the urge, I never seem to find anything that captures my attention. And if I do, the final results never seem to quite capture the spark of the situation, which kinda frustrates me

Anyways, enough of my waffle for the evening.

Ok Robboh

Here's a challenge for you.

Go to Murawai (I think that's the right beach - the one with the black sand). It's choc full of interesting camera angles - especially up in the cliffs leading up to and around the gannet colony. The black sand comes out fantastically well especially when it's overcast, Then there are the Gannets themselves. Take some pics and post them here - not happy snaps and not very long a drive either.

Here's one I took of the Gannets about 2 years ago with my only other camera (Kodak DC4800 P & S). This was a newbie shot (I'd had the camera about 6 weeks) and the location made the shot for me

Great and unique shot Stubbsy, love it

Must have taken hours and hours to clone those gannets in

stubbsy wrote:Ok Robboh
Here's a challenge for you.
Go to Murawai (I think that's the right beach - the one with the black sand). It's choc full of interesting camera angles - especially up in the cliffs leading up to and around the gannet colony. The black sand comes out fantastically well especially when it's overcast, Then there are the Gannets themselves. Take some pics and post them here - not happy snaps and not very long a drive either.

Yup, Murawai is the beach. You've obviously spent some time in NZ then?

Like the shot of the Gannets. I think I have a fairly similar one somewhere on a print from my film days, might have to see if I can find it

I'll give it a go. Im occasionally out near there, sledding the dog in the forests at night (only time cool enough at the moment). So can leave earlier (or do a very early monring run) and take some pics when its light. Will just have to figure out what to do with the mutt while Im taking photos.

In any case, I have to wait to get my camera back. The 'new' 70-200VR arrived yesterday and its mount is misaligned in comparison to the cpu contacts. So if you twist it a little on the mount, the D70 loses connection with the lens. The guy I got it off has committed to pay for fixing it, so had to drop my camera and the lens off at the service agents. The joys of 2nd-hand gear, but there was no way I could afford or justify a new one. So final result is no camera for a week or so

robboh wrote:

stubbsy wrote:Ok Robboh
Here's a challenge for you.
Go to Murawai (I think that's the right beach - the one with the black sand). It's choc full of interesting camera angles - especially up in the cliffs leading up to and around the gannet colony. The black sand comes out fantastically well especially when it's overcast, Then there are the Gannets themselves. Take some pics and post them here - not happy snaps and not very long a drive either.

Yup, Murawai is the beach. You've obviously spent some time in NZ then?

Like the shot of the Gannets. I think I have a fairly similar one somewhere on a print from my film days, might have to see if I can find it

I'll give it a go. Im occasionally out near there, sledding the dog in the forests at night (only time cool enough at the moment). So can leave earlier (or do a very early monring run) and take some pics when its light. Will just have to figure out what to do with the mutt while Im taking photos.

In any case, I have to wait to get my camera back. The 'new' 70-200VR arrived yesterday and its mount is misaligned in comparison to the cpu contacts. So if you twist it a little on the mount, the D70 loses connection with the lens. The guy I got it off has committed to pay for fixing it, so had to drop my camera and the lens off at the service agents. The joys of 2nd-hand gear, but there was no way I could afford or justify a new one. So final result is no camera for a week or so

Been to Auckland twice for work and once to visit a friend (who now lives here). On my first work visit I was taken by my hosts to Murawai since they figured a beach with black sand might have visual appeal to an aussie (it did) and it gave me great choices photographically. Apart from a few pics at the airport in Sydney these were my first ever photographs (never had a film camera). If a wet behind the ears newb can do it you're going to have a ball.

Other place I got some interesting pics was at Long Bay.