May 2014 Photo Subject

[Nitro-C5]

Open Topic. Just post up your best image for the month.

[78SA]

Does a derailed train count?

[Nitro-C5]

Originally Posted by 78SA

Does a derailed train count?

My contests never seem to get alot of participation...so sure why not!

[78SA]

Originally Posted by Nitro-C5

My contests never seem to get alot of participation...so sure why not!

[DukeAllen]

Originally Posted by Nitro-C5

My contests never seem to get alot of participation...so sure why not!

I might get bashed for this, but I've wanted to get it off my flabby chest...the contests went from being pics of our cars, or other cool cars, and all of us hacks took part...now they are often obscure things, with a few pros and really talented amateurs taking part. And often using equipment that those of us with a cheap wal mart camera never heard of. Or requiring us to go out of our way to find something unusual, rather than just sharing pics of our common interest. It's just nothing for many of us to take part in. Slow motion pics? B&W? Athletics pics when most of us are middle aged keyboard warriors with dunlop bellies? Pass.

Don't get me wrong...some of these pics are very interesting, and show some real talent. They're just above our heads and/or interest level.

Flame away...

[Grey Ghost]

Originally Posted by DukeAllen

I might get bashed for this, but I've wanted to get it off my flabby chest...the contests went from being pics of our cars, or other cool cars, and all of us hacks took part...now they are often obscure things, with a few pros and really talented amateurs taking part. And often using equipment that those of us with a cheap wal mart camera never heard of. Or requiring us to go out of our way to find something unusual, rather than just sharing pics of our common interest. It's just nothing for many of us to take part in. Slow motion pics? B&W? Athletics pics when most of us are middle aged keyboard warriors with dunlop bellies? Pass.

Don't get me wrong...some of these pics are very interesting, and show some real talent. They're just above our heads and/or interest level.

Flame away...

The whole thing was kind of my idea to start with (I did steal the idea from another photography forum LOL). My thoughts were photographers are like the keyboard warriors you mention. The intent (here and the photo forum) was to get people off their sofa and outside shooting. Some of the past subjects here forced me to go places and experience some cool things I normally would not. My first Rodeo, a local motocross track (haven't been since the 70s), etc...Same with the subject. Several people have left and some are just not interested for whatever reason.

[Nitro-C5]

Originally Posted by DukeAllen

I might get bashed for this, but I've wanted to get it off my flabby chest...the contests went from being pics of our cars, or other cool cars, and all of us hacks took part...now they are often obscure things, with a few pros and really talented amateurs taking part. And often using equipment that those of us with a cheap wal mart camera never heard of. Or requiring us to go out of our way to find something unusual, rather than just sharing pics of our common interest. It's just nothing for many of us to take part in. Slow motion pics? B&W? Athletics pics when most of us are middle aged keyboard warriors with dunlop bellies? Pass.

Don't get me wrong...some of these pics are very interesting, and show some real talent. They're just above our heads and/or interest level.

Flame away...

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

The whole thing was kind of my idea to start with (I did steal the idea from another photography forum LOL). My thoughts were photographers are like the keyboard warriors you mention. The intent (here and the photo forum) was to get people off their sofa and outside shooting. Some of the past subjects here forced me to go places and experience some cool things I normally would not. My first Rodeo, a local motocross track (haven't been since the 70s), etc...Same with the subject. Several people have left and some are just not interested for whatever reason.

Duke I don't take any offense...nor would I every flame you or anyone else. Especially over something like photography that is supposed to be relaxing. When I first came here I asked several people in VBOT area and in this section about the contests. As Grey Ghost has mentioned above that is exactly how I took the competition...that being the topics were supposed to actually get enthusiast out of there comfort zones and be creative. I mean is taking the same snapshot the same way, from the same angle of the same topic really gratifying to anyone? Not bashing, that is a legit question. Unless there is some prize money I'm unaware of ( ) who really cares who wins or loses? Isn't the whole idea to share images, and how you produced them so the collective can enjoy. There are some really talented folks on this forum and I for one have enjoyed and learned from their work

Equipment means nothing, and I mean it. Give someone who knows what they are doing a $5 Pin Hole camera and they are still going to make a great image. Conversely give someone who does not want to learn a $20K Hasslbald Medium Format Camera and they are going to make nothing. Nor is it important if someone is a so called professional or an Amateur. There are Pro's out there making money who honestly make crap images! On the other hand there hobbyist that make great works of Art every day.

I thought that sharing images was what every could do in a normal thread they are starting. ie: Here are some Pics of my kids, or of Fireworks, my new car etc...but that the competition threads were supposed to be different. Again guys I am definitely still the New Guy here so if I'm off base then please let me know. Lastly if people are not posting in contests because they feel they can't/won't win, I honestly find that abit sad. If that is the consensus in this forum I will gladly withdrawal all images and further posts. I teach photography from time to time so the last thing I want to do is discourage participation.

[DukeAllen]

I'm sure some of it is intimidation, but maybe most of us just aren't interested enough in the more esoteric subjects, to get up off the couch.

And that's as far as I'm going before anyone (including myself) gets butt hurt

[Nitro-C5]

Originally Posted by DukeAllen

...the contests went from being pics of our cars, or other cool cars, and all of us hacks took part...now they are often obscure things,

Originally Posted by DukeAllen

I'm sure some of it is intimidation, but maybe most of us just aren't interested enough in the more esoteric subjects, to get up off the couch.

I went back and changed the topic in the hopes that more people would get involved. Duke, I have read many of your posts in various areas of the forum and I believe we would agree upon alot of things. That being said I went back and looked at every Contest Topic that has been posted here in the past 2.5 years and only One of them (Convertibles) actually was a specific car topic. That being said when a topic comes up like (Reflections) obviously people interpret that in various ways meaning some put in their car while others may use water. This is were the creativity comes in.

Personally I have really liked the fact that I don't know what the topics are before hand and that the images had to be taken this month. The Christmas one for example: I had taken what I thought was a pretty good shot the day Before the Christmas topic was announced. I came clean to the forum and let them know that I had a shot but it was one day before...the response was that the "Spirit" of the competition was to get people to go out and shoot. Instead of using the image I already had it forced me out of my comfort zone to actually take another shot entirely. For that I had to be more creative then prior...I learned and ultimately produced IMO a better image.

There are "Snapshots" everywhere you go nowadays. Everyone has them on their phones, iPads, Facebook, Instagram etc... I was under the impression that the contests were supposed to be different. Again, I'm still the new guy here so I could definitely be off base.

[DukeAllen]

I can't speak for 2 1/2 years ago, just for the ones I took part in. True even those weren't always cars, but were things we shared a common interest in.

And I don't use facebook, iPads or the rest. My cheap digital camera is 8 or 9 years old

Don't take any of this personally, you're a great photog...it's just that freeze frames of drops of water are beyond most of us, I think...

Anyway, let us drop it in the spirit of getting along. I just wanted to get it off my chest, and I have.

[Grey Ghost]

Originally Posted by Nitro-C5

Open Topic. Just post up your best image for the month.

If more people participate. I like it!

The specific subject thing was kind a reward for the winner though. They got to choose the next subject of interest.

[78SA]

I took some today I will have to upload and see what is worth posting.

[Grey Ghost]

You want 'em? Come and take 'em Billy Yank!

[78SA]

[Nitro-C5]

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

You want 'em? Come and take 'em Billy Yank!

Great shot I really like that

[Grey Ghost]

Originally Posted by Nitro-C5

Great shot I really like that

Thanks. I usually don't like the color/bw mix. I thought about 'The Colors' and thought it was fitting for it. The 'Color Guard' caught hell during the CW. Capturing the other sides colors was a high priority.

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

A few from the Corvettes for the Vets - Williamsburg Winery, VA yesterday

[carlton_fritz]

Originally Posted by allthrottleandsomebottle

A few from the Corvettes for the Vets - Williamsburg Winery, VA yesterday

Either your lens or sensor needs cleaned.

[auctiondepot]

[carlton_fritz]