Susyseek2 Loc: Pennsylvania

Thanks BMac, I will do that.... So little time... so much to learn! Thanks again for your help!

R'laine Loc: Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.

In agreement here.

Lazy Old Coot Loc: Gainesville, Florida

True

I guess by not having such a short deadline is does reduce the challenge a bit, but it seems to me it will be an improvement for several reasons. It will open up the contest to working folks that simply don't have enough free time on their hands to dream up a concept and produce a quality entry in just four or five days. It will reduce the number of entries plucked from archives. It should, I think, improve the overall quality of the entries. There should be fewer entries that don't fit the theme and most importantly it will require little or no increase in the time and energy you will have to invest running the show. It seems to me it's worth trying, you could always revert back to the five day system if you find it doesn't result in any of the improvements I've mentioned. ........ Coot

CardinalLady Loc: Hoosier

I totally agree! It is a cool statement! I always tell my daughter how hard it is to understand her situations with her 3 boys because my children were perfect! She always laughs and agrees.

CardinalLady Loc: Hoosier

Suzy, you do have some really great photos! The competition is stiff around here! We all can't "win." The most votes. I have trouble every contest deciding which to vote for and hate to eliminate because about 30% are usually really good. I just look to see what the ones that get the most votes have that make them so great and what to do to improve on mine. There were some great guidelines offered early in this post to help us shoot and choose great photos. Practice and the challenges can only make us better!

lovesphotos Loc: Colorado and Arizona

Making the rules for the challenge belongs to the challenger. If you say this is what is required, there should be no arguments. What I am talking about is if someone should have a piece of work from the past that is within the challenge requirements, why he or she shouldn't submit it. It has nothing to do if one is experienced or not. What matters is the subject matter, and the capability of the person behind the camera in folowing the rules. Another thing to keep in mind is the fact that some of us just can't drop everything and and go hunting for the subject matter. So it would be convenient for us to submit a photo from the past that is relevant. Of course you can say, then don't enter it. But then, that's why most of us are here. To show some of our photos. If we can't, what would be the purpose of being here.
I am a painter. There have been times in the past a new young painter beat the pants out of one of my entries that was done a period before. So, don't sell an inexperienced person short regarding their capabilities.
And as for working a photo to death until it looks right, anyone with access to a manupilating software can do that on a photo they took yesterday.

Tea8 Loc: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

Yeah post like Bmac suggested because I have the D5200 with the exact same lenses and I get sharp focus like all the time. When you have it on the tripod are you turning the VR/IS off? Because sometimes when it is on and the camera is on a tripod it will look for any vibrations and when there are none it can actually cause some when looking and not get sharp focus.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Well said.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Excellent points. Thank you!

Gramps Loc: Republic of Tejas--Tomball, TX

So why not have a dual contest. One that is smoke and mirrors, PP gimmicks, contrived images and one that is pure photography straight from the driver's eye and their camera?
If it's impossible to see an immage, compose, or in some cases, grab the shot and then leave it alone, I guess the definition still stands---camels are horses built by a commitee and Photoshop!

murm Loc: Adelaide, Australia

I'm with you, I have tons of shots that I have challenged myself to get over the years, so that makes them taken from alot less experienced photographer than I am now, so what's the difference when you took the shot.
Like you say not everyone can just drop everything & go looking for some shot of a subject.
As far as manipulating a photo over & over well that's crap, you are only going to fix exposure & stuff once then it's done , how is trying to do it over & over ever going to make it better. If your starting with rubbish it won't matter how many times you try to make it good it will always be rubbish.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

You all realize the Rules state:
- Archived photos are not encouraged - please shoot your photo during the challenge

Tea8 Loc: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

Yes, but it doesn't say they aren't welcome. They just aren't encouraged. So to people that says eh, they don't really care if it's archived or not.

murm Loc: Adelaide, Australia

I pass.

HaroldZ Loc: New Jersey

I agree. It is short and to the point.