DVXUser Photography Challenge [Archive] - DVXuser.com -- The online community for filmmaking

Jeremy Ordan

08-02-2006, 07:40 AM

Hello photography people...

Well after conversing with Jarred regarding this section of the site, I am pleased to announce the:
First DVXUser Photography Contest!

Why is a filmmaking community doing something with photography? Simple... With photography you learn about lighting, composition, framing, blocking, and it is fun.

It is very simple:

*Take a picture that fits within the topic of the week on any camera with any lens that you want.
*Post process the image in any way that you choose and see fit.
*Please do not post any images that are larger than 7" x 7" at 72DPI for the sake of the loading times as well thread viewing.
*Post the image using your DVXUser Uploader Service: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/uploader.php
*Vote on the image at the end of the time period that you think is the best image
*The winner will choose the topic for next weeks photography contest.

Simple, right?

Well I will go ahead and throw out the first topic for our filmmaker photography challenge:

TOPIC: Portrait / People Shot
START DATE: August 2nd 2006
END DATE: August 9th 2006
VOTING BEGINS: August 10th 2006
VOTING ENDS: August 12th 2006 (and the next one begins)

PRIZE:
*Jeremy Ordan (me) will give a $50 B&H Gift Card to the winner
*The winner chooses next weeks topic (example: landscape, macro, or anything)

Well this topic is completely open to interpretation and should be a lot of fun. Thank you Jarred for your blessing and encouragement, and here's to seeing some great submissions.

-Jeremy

EDIT:
Sorry it has taken me a while to update this first page with the results. Here are this week’s top 5 entries.

Top Five

Waiting for Lunch http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/thumb_Waiting_for_Lunch.jpg
Omya http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/thumb_omya.jpg
Balled Emotion http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/thumb_Balled_Emotion.jpg
Downtown http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/thumb_Downtown_%281%29.jpg
Untitled http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/thumb_untitled.jpg

Jeremy Ordan

08-02-2006, 07:41 AM

All Details:

General Overview Information:

TOPIC: Portrait / People Shot
Detail: Portrait is defined as: A portrait is a painting, photograph, or other artistic representation of a person. Portraits are often simple head shots or mug shots and are not usually overly elaborate. The intent is to show the basic appearance of the person, and occasionally some artistic insight into his or her personality. Because this is a Portrait or People shot full body portraits are acceptable.
START DATE: August 2nd 2006
END DATE: August 9th 2006
VOTING BEGINS: August 10th 2006
VOTING ENDS: August 12th 2006 (and the next one begins)

Submission Instructions:

The beta test is working out very nicely, although not originally what I had in mind, but the upload system is only working 10% of the time. I am very sorry about this and have really been trying to get this up and running properly, but it just isn't working...

Therefore, I am offering two different methods to submit your image:

1. Email: DVXUser@Stffilms.com your image.
2. Upload your image to your DVXUser file and PM me a link.

You can begin to submit your entries now.

Image Name:

Please title your image with 'Laura Profile', 'View Into Her Soul', 'Why I Like To Hug Trees' whatever you want to call it, but do not put your DVXUser name on your image. I will link everything so that we can really have the anyonymous voting.

Please do not post images in the thread.

Image Size:

A couple of people have asked me about this. Any image under 2megs is acceptable, but for ideal viewing 4'x6' is ideal @ 72dpi. You could go as large as 6"x9" without a problem...

Post Processing:

Since DVXUser is a filmmaking community and unless you take your project directly out of your camera and then to DVD with no editing, we all know that things must be processed. There are no limitations for this challenge as to the level or degree that you can post process an image.

Voting / Comments:

This system is working out very well so far and you will be able to select the images from the gallery and vote on them. I ask that if you are entering an image that you take the time to vote on the other entries. Remember, this is a community event, other people have invested time, money, and energy into putting their submissions together so it is only polite to take a moment out of your day to vote on the images.

Next Contest:

I will continue to host the images and can continue to host the future contests without a problem. The winner of this week will get to choose the next weeks topic.

Prize:

*Jeremy Ordan (me) will give a $50 B&H Gift Card to the winner
*The winner chooses next weeks topic (example: landscape, macro, or anything)

The Best Prize:
Mikko is going to make a donation to Isara.com for every entery in the amount of $2. So just by participating, whether it is a cell phone picture or something that you took on an $8000 SLR camera helps raise money for a great cause. How can you sleep at night without entering?

Additional Questions:

Just ask!

-Jeremy

MattinSTL

08-02-2006, 08:40 AM

I'm in.

vidled

08-02-2006, 08:48 AM

kai

08-02-2006, 08:51 AM

Great idea.

Jeremy Ordan

08-02-2006, 08:54 AM

Great idea, Jeremy, and kudos for setting it up!
Like the fact that it's ALL cams now (and not just the Nikon! :)

By the way, and although this probably can't be verified anyway, but the contest's pictures have to be taken after the contest start date, or no?

Well it wasn't 100% my idea, but I really hope a lot of people get behind it. My recent photography work is changing the way I'm approaching my storyboards for my horrorfest entry so I really think that this is something that most everyone here can get behind regardless of what camera or format they are using.

I don't think it is possible to verify that someone took this picture during the challenge week and I'm not about to ask the mods to look at RAW files and I'm not about to do that. I think it's an honor code thing as well as participating for fun and learning something new.

What's great about the DVXFests is that they make me get out and shoot rather than just cuddling with my camera. What I think could be great about these challenge things is that is makes me get out and shoot with a specific vision in mind rather than just thinking about shooting.

The key is... Let everyone know what's going on!

-Jeremy

vidled

08-02-2006, 09:00 AM

Okay, sweet!

Just wanted to check and see whether one is expected to snap a pic AFTER the announcement or not. Honour system is cool!

HorseFilms

08-02-2006, 09:18 AM

Sounds like fun to me. I'll see what I can come up with.

MattinSTL

08-02-2006, 09:29 AM

By the way, and although this probably can't be verified anyway, but the contest's pictures have to be taken after the contest start date, or no?

I've thought this with other contests before... I'm sure some people have images sitting around that will be perfect for various categories as they come up... but I think it's kind of crappy to submit old work for a "challenge"... an open contest is one thing, but the idea of these threads is to create the camaraderie of the shared experience... much like the DVX-fests. It's knowing that each person has to set aside some time in the week for all of us... and that it's mutual... and if something great happens we can all talk about it.

In my opinion the fun is dilluted if somebody pops in with an old portfolio of work from which they're sourcing their entries.

The honor system works for me... since my cam is brand new it wouldn't matter even if I wasn't honest. :)

Jeremy Ordan

08-02-2006, 09:32 AM

I agree with Matt. I mean with these things, especially a portrait shot, you can invest as little as 10 seconds, hold the camera in front of your face and hit the shutter to as much time as Rapier spends adjusting the levels on a strand of hair.

Think about how much time you spend on this board a day... you can spare 10 seconds.

-Jeremy

vidled

08-02-2006, 09:39 AM

Ah yes, Matt and Jeremy, thanks for those good explanations.
A new thing for me, this challenge/competition thingy, so yeah, all makes good sense!

cheezweezl

08-02-2006, 09:48 AM

i'm in!!!

Matt Grunau

08-02-2006, 10:19 AM

I am in, at least in some capacity.

scharky

08-02-2006, 10:23 AM

I'm in as well, thanks for the heads up yankee.

scharky

08-02-2006, 10:27 AM

Can you post more than one image per contest?

Jeremy Ordan

08-02-2006, 10:36 AM

Can you post more than one image per contest?

I think you can post as many images as you want, but how about just one image for the actual contest, just to keep things simple and organized :)

-Jeremy

iposiniditos

08-02-2006, 10:45 AM

in :)

P.S. i agree with yankee for one image for the actual contest.

Brandon Rice

08-02-2006, 10:55 AM

Hey, I'm in.... though I don't have a very good digital camera.

Kirk Gillock

08-02-2006, 10:56 AM

I'm in!!!

But you all better watch out! All your talents and skills are nothing compared to my beginners luck. wuuu haaa haaaa wuuuu haaaa haaaa :)

g0ldenb0y55

08-02-2006, 11:03 AM

Count me in!

Blaine

08-02-2006, 11:04 AM

Count me in... :) Is there a novice division? :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

infokill

08-02-2006, 11:22 AM

in!:)

MattinSTL

08-02-2006, 11:23 AM

Count me in... :) Is there a novice division? :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

Uh yeah right... you're the reason I said NEW PICTURES when I saw that Jeremy wanted this one to be a portrait Mr. Perfect Daughters! :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

CR_OPSO

08-02-2006, 11:43 AM

Sounds like fun! I think it was a great idea to expand the competition to include everyone. It might get to be a real chore to total up all the votes!

Jeremy Ordan

08-02-2006, 12:13 PM

I have something where all the images can be displayed and you can vote on each image on a 1-10 scale. It will then caculate everything, so it should be pretty easy ultimately.

I don't think quality of camera matters as much as just the overall image and how it speaks to the viewer. I think it will be a lot of fun and am excited about the level of participation we're going to have!

-Jeremy

J.R. Hudson

08-02-2006, 12:42 PM

Cool; I like this idea.

Simple in terms of creativty (Not requiring a friggin crew)

Im in

vidled

08-02-2006, 12:45 PM

Here's goes nothing.
One does post the pics here, yes?

EDIT: image removed after seeing message #29.

David Jimerson

08-02-2006, 12:56 PM

This is a great idea.

I'm slammed for the next two weeks, but I'm in for the next one.

Jeremy Ordan

08-02-2006, 01:15 PM

Let's hold off on posting entries until the actual deadline of next Tuesday/Wednesday.

-Jeremy

Rasquachemedia

08-02-2006, 01:21 PM

I'm in

HowDareMe

08-02-2006, 02:18 PM

woo hoo

cast4shows

08-02-2006, 03:02 PM

:costumed-smiley-047 I pity da foo who ain't in:costumed-smiley-047 IN!

JoeNash

08-02-2006, 03:21 PM

yes, of course i am in.

JoshuaNitschke

08-02-2006, 07:11 PM

I'm in. I guess I post my entry here?

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/5432/1154571213.jpg

Not sure if it qualifies...but it is a person. :shrug:

Jeremy Ordan

08-02-2006, 10:02 PM

Well to make this more interesting, plus to give back to the community I have decided that I will give a $50 B&H Gift Card to the person who comes in first place!

Good luck everyone!

-Jeremy

mikkowilson

08-03-2006, 12:45 AM

Sweet! :thumbsup:
This is an awsome idea for a contest! I've been meaning to post some pictures with my new camera (PK, you have a challenger in the 'beginner'* category) so this is the perfect excuse!
Huge thanks to your generosty with the prize Jeremy. :dankk2:

I am so in.

In fact, here's a little more incentive to participate, from me:
For every entry to this week's contest, I will donate $2 to everybody's favorite homepage: isara.com (http://www.isara.com), so get snapping! http://www.mikkowilson.com/images/blueman.gif

- Mikko ... got camera?

*By beginner, I mean beginner with current camera. I fully reserve the right to use my expert skilz too.

Drew Ott

08-03-2006, 01:19 AM

I'm in, although I have a point-and-shoot 3.2 megapixel digital camera...

iposiniditos

08-03-2006, 02:30 AM

http://www.stickypod.com/videos/data/560/photos.jpg

razamalik

08-03-2006, 08:14 AM

im in

JimtheJib

08-03-2006, 10:04 AM

Here is my entry.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/9486/1154621017.jpeg

Enjoy...

SilverWolf

08-03-2006, 10:34 AM

I think Jeremy wanted everyone to hold off on posting until the Deadline

Jeremy Ordan

08-03-2006, 10:42 AM

I think Jeremy wanted everyone to hold off on posting until the Deadline

That just makes it a little bit easier on me because the voting application will be external and anyonmous. Essentially that means that you don't find out who has what image until voting is complete

-Jeremy

Isaac_Brody

08-03-2006, 11:06 AM

Couldn't a poll be created for voting? It would be a lot easier than keeping track of votes manually.

Joey Lawrence

08-03-2006, 12:03 PM

I'm in!

This is a great idea Jeremy and thank you for the generosity.

There IS a way to view whether the picture was taken on the correct date or not. On the original camera file (not processed through photoshop) you can download an EXIF reader which tells you the date, settings, focal length, everything! However it's a pain in the ass because the files have to be straight copies of the camera file, not uploaded through a program or something like that. I think the honor system is better. :)

SilverWolf

08-03-2006, 12:12 PM

AAAAHHH Joey's in! Lord Save Me ! lol just j/k

vidled

08-03-2006, 12:18 PM

...you can download an EXIF reader which tells you the date, settings, focal length, everything!

I think the honour system is good, especially as there are also programs that allow one to CHANGE the EXIF data! :)

Jeremy Ordan

08-03-2006, 12:22 PM

Couldn't a poll be created for voting? It would be a lot easier than keeping track of votes manually.

I have something that will be similar to the zombie series of voting where each image comes up on it's own page, you enter 1-10 and can enter comments on each image. It's pretty simple and would most likely be more organized than having every image in a thread and a poll with 50+ possibilties...

Or maybe not...

What do ya'll think?

-Jeremy

mikkowilson

08-03-2006, 12:42 PM

I think your idea of an external gallery with voting and comments sounds like a good idea. :thumbsup:

Is it possible to have the coments hidden untill voting closes?
...Also, which timezone are the deadlines based on?

- Mikko

Jeremy Ordan

08-03-2006, 12:47 PM

Wow, that's a complicated question. I base everything on EST but we can base it on PMT... I don't think it needs to be a massive issue as far as submission deadline (+/- 12 hours) and voting ending (+/- 12 hours).

-Jeremy

oneinfiniteloop

08-03-2006, 12:48 PM

I like this idea the best, anonymous, plus it seems like it will be easier for everyone to go through ALL the pictures, not just a few.

Anyhow, if I can get my film developed & scanned in time, I'm in.

mikkowilson

08-03-2006, 12:50 PM

Anyhow, if I can get my film developed & scanned in time, I'm in.
Film? What's that? :grin:

What are you using for the gallery? Something pre-made or did you code yourself?

Maybe have a little clock with the deadlines (and time left untill them) on the gallery/ upload page?

- Mikko

Jeremy Ordan

08-03-2006, 12:52 PM

What are you using for the gallery? Something pre-made or did you code yourself?

Maybe have a little clock with the deadlines (and time left untill them) on the gallery/ upload page?

- Mikko

My buddy designed a PHP protocol for everything so the image files just need to be linked up. I can see if we can put a countdown after I get the upload page put together which will hopefully be later tonight.

-Jeremy

vidled

08-03-2006, 12:57 PM

Yeah, I think we should go with what you've suggested jeremy. It sounds like a good idea, and if doesn't quite work out we can always change it next time; but I think it seems best.

And regarding oneinfiniteloop post: that's agood point; that for film one week is way too tight to get it done.

Blaine

08-03-2006, 01:00 PM

And regarding oneinfiniteloop post: that's agood point; that for film one week is way too tight to get it done.
Film.....hmmmm? Had to go to the dictionary for that one...:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

Jeremy Ordan

08-03-2006, 01:27 PM

khmuse

08-03-2006, 01:55 PM

I'm in.

Jeremy Ordan

08-03-2006, 02:33 PM

OK...

Just to update everyone as to where things are at with the upload process right now.

After the first beta test the voting works perfectly and all scores are averaged out.

The upload function isn't populating correctly.

The comments aren't staying hidden.

These bugs will be fixed by the end of the weekend.

-Jeremy

500lb Productions

08-03-2006, 03:42 PM

I'll see if I can get a chance to shoot something this weekend.

Sounds interesting.

Jared Meyer

08-03-2006, 10:33 PM

Sounds like fun. I'll try to enter something.

Joey Lawrence

08-04-2006, 11:08 AM

I'm personally excited to see who submits a picture from a camera phone that ends up being the most beautiful image in the contest...

I don't think it is the arrow, I think it is the Indian.

-Jeremy
Indeed sir, my camera is not an SLR yet I think I still do pretty good. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

MattinSTL

08-04-2006, 11:09 AM

That's the understatement of the decade.

SilverWolf

08-04-2006, 01:23 PM

Indeed sir, my camera is not an SLR yet I think I still do pretty good. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

Bullsh*t *Cough * Cough

Drew

08-04-2006, 04:10 PM

I'm new. Can I get in this? :)

edit: So new I didnt even realize this was my first post. I've been lurking for a few weeks, decided to register the other day.

Blaine

08-04-2006, 04:14 PM

I'm new. Can I get in this? :)

edit: So new I didnt even realize this was my first post. I've been lurking for a few weeks, decided to register the other day.
Well, Drew, welcome aboard and get to shootin' :kali:

tshark

08-04-2006, 08:23 PM

sounds awesome. How do you get $50 B&H gc's every week? Do you work for B&H ?

mikkowilson

08-04-2006, 09:03 PM

sounds awesome. How do you get $50 B&H gc's every week? Do you work for B&H ?

Who says there's a prize every week? My isara donation for photos is only good for this first round at least. So all the more reason to take part this time around!

- Mikko

Jeremy Ordan

08-04-2006, 09:21 PM

sounds awesome. How do you get $50 B&H gc's every week? Do you work for B&H ?

Dude, I love this site, I love this community, but there is no way in hell I am getting a gift card every week. I figured I would do it this week to support the community and the challenge, but I am not doing this every week.

-Jeremy

Kirk Gillock

08-04-2006, 10:21 PM

TheYankee - That's very generous of you. Thank you.

Mikko - Once again you place yourself at the top of my list for coolest person. It's always a dead heat between you, Barry Green, and the Fonz. :)

Feel like I'm late for the party, but are people suppose to be submitting their entries here? Shouldn't they be sending them directly to TheYankee for viewing on Aug. 10th or something? Some of the photos already submitted look AMAZING and it makes me feel like I don't have a chance to win. So I'm likely not to submit an entry. :( But I will because I want $2 from Mikko :)

pk

Sacksnack

08-04-2006, 10:51 PM

-Jeremy
Very cool to give out a $50 gift card. I wonder what Joey Lawrence is going to buy at b&H? I'm kidding of course, some of the photos I've seen here have been stunning. But seriously what do you think Joey's gonna' buy with the 50 bucks?

This thread makes me want to spend money on expensive items I can't afford.
-Kevin

Jeremy Ordan

08-04-2006, 11:36 PM

I will have the upload protocol set up by Monday or Tuesday at the latest so yeah... please don't post them here in the thread.

-Jeremy

BLUESPIDER

08-04-2006, 11:59 PM

Where do i sign up?

I'm in!!

CR_OPSO

08-05-2006, 02:01 PM

If I understand correctly... our entries should be no bigger than 504 pixels on the longest side (7" x 72 pixels). Right? So if our image isn't cropped (assuming standard 4x6 ratio), then the short side would only be 336.

Am I understanding the rules correctly?

Thanks,
Chad

tshark

08-05-2006, 04:30 PM

Dude, I love this site, I love this community, but there is no way in hell I am getting a gift card every week. I figured I would do it this week to support the community and the challenge, but I am not doing this every week.

-Jeremy

hehe sorry i misunderstood, I thought that you were giving out a GC every week, I was surprised to hear that, so thats why I asked..

Jeremy Ordan

08-05-2006, 05:23 PM

Rich Lee

08-05-2006, 06:54 PM

cool idea...keep te creative juices flowin.

Kirk Gillock

08-06-2006, 09:44 AM

Are semi-nude portraits ok? Don't worry, it's not a self-portrait. You already got to see my pixelated humps in "The Loner". :)

Jeremy Ordan

08-06-2006, 10:38 AM

Are semi-nude portraits ok? Don't worry, it's not a self-portrait. You already got to see my pixelated humps in "The Loner". :)

As long as it doesn't violate the DVXUser terms than it is acceptable. I believe that anything that shows genitals would be in violation but anything else could be considered 'art nudity' and be acceptable, but ultimately that would be a Jarred call.

-Jeremy

dustino

08-06-2006, 11:28 AM

I'm in. Will you be providing a link to the upload area (or did I miss this in reading the thread)?

500lb Productions

08-06-2006, 04:05 PM

I went out today and snapped my entry... where do I post it?

Jeremy Ordan

08-06-2006, 09:44 PM

I went out today and snapped my entry... where do I post it?

The upload link will be posted by Tuesday evening at the latest. We are trying to finalize the voting process scripts and everything else right now. Everything is almost done and the final beta test will be up tomorrow. This was a lot more work than we (the designer I'm working with) originally thought.

-Jeremy

dustino

08-06-2006, 11:37 PM

This was a lot more work than we (the designer I'm working with) originally thought.

-Jeremy

Now you know what it's like to be Jarred! Thanks for all the hard work (and the generous $50 gift card); I think this'll be fun.

Jeremy Ordan

08-07-2006, 07:14 AM

mikkowilson

08-07-2006, 02:08 PM

And just a reminder that I will be donating $2 to our favorate charity isara.com for every entry to the contest! So enter and donate today!

- Mikko

Jeremy Ordan

08-07-2006, 06:38 PM

See, Mikko and I are putting our hard earned (well maybe not Mikko) money down to motivate ya'll. Think of all the kids you can help by taking a picture!

-Jeremy

mikkowilson

08-07-2006, 11:15 PM

Entry submitted.

Ok everyone else, thanks for playing. Now who get's 2nd place? :cheesy:

- Mikko ... is full of hardly earned sh-t.

scharky

08-08-2006, 12:57 AM

Entry submitted as well. Hey mikko, if it's only the both of us, I guess I get second place :)

HowDareMe

08-08-2006, 09:28 AM

Sorry guys, i submitted yesterday as well, do either of you mind placing 2nd or 3rd??

Jeremy Ordan

08-08-2006, 09:34 AM

Well I have four images that I'm debating between for which I want to submit... and I do reserve the right to give myself that gift card :)

Then again, the infamous brown medal will look nice around my neck as well

-Jeremy

500lb Productions

08-08-2006, 09:54 AM

Mine was submitted yesterday.

Where can we view the entries?

Jeremy Ordan

08-08-2006, 09:59 AM

The entries will be posted Wednesday and I will post the link for viewing/voting Thursday.

-Jeremy

cast4shows

08-08-2006, 11:16 AM

What is the cutoff hour for entries on the 9th? I am just being procrastinator guy....:costumed-smiley-047

Jeremy Ordan

08-08-2006, 12:08 PM

11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time... At that point I am going to release the voting link... Anything not in my email box by then doesn't get in.

-Jeremy

Nobody356

08-08-2006, 04:43 PM

I just submitted my entry...so no worries, you won't come in last...I've already got that spot on lockdown!!

I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone submitted

Chris

mikkowilson

08-08-2006, 05:14 PM

Is that 11:59:00 or 11:59:59?

Thank god for the last minute!

oh, and 11:59pm Aug 9th, EST is:
Aug 9th:
6:59pm Hawaii
7:59pm Alaska
8:59pm Pacific
9:59pm Mountain
10:59pm Central
11:59pm Eastern (duh)
Aug 10th:
4:59am UK
5:59am Central Europe
6:59am Estern Europe
12:59pm Tokio

- Mikko

Isaac_Brody

08-08-2006, 06:47 PM

I'm in. :)

slinks

08-08-2006, 08:19 PM

I'm in! :) . Thanks for putting this together, its going to be interesting.

*edit*
lol nevermind I just realized this is ending soon for this week. LOL. Count me in for next week!

Jeremy Ordan

08-08-2006, 08:27 PM

OK people...

I have begun the upload process with the received images. Please make sure that you are resizing your images... I had one that was 34" x 24" @ 300DPI.

Please resize to 72DPI and save me the hassle of having to do it for you.

Everything is working but we had to go to a weird type system, but hopefully everyone will be happy with how it works out. It will require you to register, but just use your DVXUser name and whatever password you want, that information is not shared with the admin setting. It doesn't require an email activation so after login and password you're set up and can view and vote.

The only reason I ask that you use your DVX User name is because then you know who left comments for who.

The system does support comments. The system does support voting. The system does support ranking. The system will work for all future contests and we can have an archive.

Sorry for having to put this on another server but everything is up and working now, so everything is allgood.

I could have allowed for anonymous login and posting, but then you wouldn't know who left comments... Sorry that it will take 30 seconds to register, but I think it's worth while.

Regardless, if you have sent me an entry it has been posted and tomorrow at Midnight (technically Thursday morning east coast time) I will post the link to begin voting.

-Jeremy

Zak Forsman

08-09-2006, 12:03 AM

i'm in.

Joey Lawrence

08-09-2006, 12:40 AM

Spent all of tonight playing around with cheap lights, my friend and stuff for the challenge picture... :)

Don't know if you want the challenge anonymous so I won't say any more. I was able to borrow my neighbours NikonD70 for the challenge.

Good luck everyone!

slinks

08-09-2006, 12:53 AM

omg joey...just saw your site. *gasp*

Jeremy Ordan

08-09-2006, 08:40 AM

13 hours 20 minutes to deadline! Some great submissions already.

-Jeremy

HowDareMe

08-09-2006, 10:33 AM

Spent all of tonight playing around with cheap lights, my friend and stuff for the challenge picture... :)
Good luck everyone!

Good Luck?, with you in the competiton, im gonna need more than luck, perhaps a miracle?

bustak

08-09-2006, 10:40 AM

I don't have a prayer w/ the hot shots on this site, but it's still FUN!

Yankee, is there a special URL set-up, then for we can see the photo's tomorrow?

Jeremy Ordan

08-09-2006, 10:58 AM

Yankee, is there a special URL set-up, then for we can see the photo's tomorrow?

Yes there is. Tonight at 12:00AM I will finish uploading the images that I have received and post the viewing/voting link.

As stated in an above post, it will require you to register with your DVXUser account.

-Jeremy

Joey Lawrence

08-09-2006, 12:23 PM

Phew, glad I made the deadline. :costumed-smiley-047

Zak Forsman

08-09-2006, 12:26 PM

Phew, glad I made the deadline. :costumed-smiley-047
sooo..... the best i can do now is second place. :crybaby: :crybaby: :crybaby:

Jeremy Ordan

08-09-2006, 12:29 PM

Well I've been checking out every image as I am getting them posted and there are some amazing ones submitted. I wouldn't be so fast to declare anyone a winner... yet. I'm amazed by what has been submitted so far.

-Jeremy

Zak Forsman

08-09-2006, 12:34 PM

http://espn.go.com/media/pg2/2002/0331/photo/carrey_m.jpg

"so you're telling me I have a chance!"

Jeremy Ordan

08-09-2006, 12:42 PM

http://espn.go.com/media/pg2/2002/0331/photo/carrey_m.jpg

"so you're telling me I have a chance!"

Well obviously I didn't mean you :)

There are some amazing images so far and I think that everyone will be impressed by the time, energy, and quality submitted... We just need more entries in order to bankrupt Mikko to help PK.

-Jeremy

Kirk Gillock

08-09-2006, 12:44 PM

http://espn.go.com/media/pg2/2002/0331/photo/carrey_m.jpg

"so you're telling me I have a chance!"

Ha! LOL :) Hilarious.

"Hey, you wanna hear the most annoying sound ever? .....AGHHHHHEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEE AAAAAAA"

Brandon Rice

08-09-2006, 03:04 PM

Just sent my photo in :)

Jeremy Ordan

08-09-2006, 04:56 PM

5 hours until submission deadline and voting links go up...

I thought we would have more entries than this... Where are the people who said they are in?

-Jeremy

Matt Grunau

08-09-2006, 05:07 PM

i sent mine!

I have about 5 others I was going through, but liked the submission one the best.

Blaine

08-09-2006, 05:45 PM

Okay, I sent it twice. The first time I had my name in the post. I knew I'd screw it up. :furious3:

Jeremy Ordan

08-09-2006, 06:40 PM

Everyone who has sent it has been uploaded. Thus far we have 26 entries with 3.5 hours left.

We're missing some people who said they were entering, and not to call anyone out or anything but I will...

-Jeremy

Joe Kras

08-09-2006, 08:23 PM

I first became aware of this contest this morning (lame excuse, but I don't usuallly go to the still photo section).

Was on vacation last week, and got snaps back today.

My home desktop's down, but managed to load the scanner software into the laptop when I got home and scan one of my vacation pics.

Submitted one that I thought would not embarass me TOO much. Just had to get in.

This is a great idea.

Jeremy Ordan

08-09-2006, 08:58 PM

Link goes up in an hour... right around 30 submissions so far.

-Jeremy

cast4shows

08-09-2006, 09:58 PM

Sorry for the last minute submission...better late than never..thats what ma always said! good luck to all

Jared Meyer

08-09-2006, 09:58 PM

PM'ed you with link, Jeremy. And 10 minutes to spare :)

Jeremy Ordan

08-09-2006, 10:02 PM

OK people, as I type this it is 2 minutes until midnight (and the Yankees won tonight). In the last five minutes I have received 3 more entries, so thank you for the entries.

VOTING:

Our initial PHP and Java scripts were giving us errors. Therefore I implemented something closer to an album set up. This allows for votes on a 0-5 scale. 0 being horrible, 5 being brilliant. It allows for comments.

You must register to access the images, but there is no confirmation process. Ask Mikko, it takes under 10 seconds to register and your information isn't used for anything.

Please leave comments on the images, this is about learning before competing.

Please use your DVXUser name when registering. Everyone can vote on the images, but if we detect a bunch of weird names and strange people who this community hasn't heard of trying to stuff the ballott, I will reserve the right to DQ. This is about fun people!

http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/

Go to the DVXUser Portrait Folder. Post comments and vote.

Best of luck to everyone. The images look great and I can't wait to see how everyone responds!

-Jeremy

mikkowilson

08-09-2006, 10:07 PM

And with 31 photos entered, I will be making a donation of $62 to everyone's favorate homepage, isara.com!

These photos look AWSOME, good job everyone! :thumbsup: (yes, registration was easy)

- Mikko

andreww

08-09-2006, 10:22 PM

OK people, as I type this it is 2 minutes until midnight (and the Yankees won tonight).

oh psh, jim could have ended that game with one swing. good thing mariano is still the strongest closer in baseball. :thumbsup:

cast4shows

08-09-2006, 10:24 PM

should we vote on 3 only???:costumed-smiley-047

Jeremy Ordan

08-09-2006, 10:25 PM

should we vote on 3 only???:costumed-smiley-047

Vote on every single one, please... and try to leave comments. It's only fair to the people who invested time. Remember, you only have three days to vote... Saturday at midnight we'll close the voting :(

-Jeremy

cast4shows

08-09-2006, 10:27 PM

thank you!!!

Jeremy Ordan

08-09-2006, 10:32 PM

Finally (before I go to bed)...

For every person who leaves a legit comment on every single image when they vote, I will make a $1 donation to Isara.com.

Example: Cast4Shows leaves a comment on every single image, I donate $1. John Hudson leaves a comment on every image (even though he didn't enter), I donate $1. PK leaves a comment on 30 of 31 images, no dollar (or soup) for him!

-Jeremy

Kirk Gillock

08-09-2006, 11:09 PM

Very geneorus offer, Jeremy. Thank you! :)

Only thing is, I have a hard time commenting on my own photo. What do we do about that? Can members comment on their own photo and give away the secret?

mikkowilson

08-09-2006, 11:10 PM

PK leaves a comment on 30 of 31 images, no dollar (or soup) for him!

Ouch. :nads:

Way cool Yankee, all of this! :dankk2: :dankk2:

- Mikko ... always comments on his own submissions.

Jeremy Ordan

08-09-2006, 11:38 PM

Very geneorus offer, Jeremy. Thank you! :)

Only thing is, I have a hard time commenting on my own photo. What do we do about that? Can members comment on their own photo and give away the secret?

You can comment on your own photo but do not say it is yours... I know that sounds aloof, but let's keep it that way for now.

newton1986

08-09-2006, 11:42 PM

thanks...I'll stick within the guidelines.

Jeremy Ordan

08-09-2006, 11:44 PM

Hey guys,

Because of server space and what not, please do not upload personal images or albums. I will be changing servers shortly (three weeks) and will continue to host this on a weekly basis. My goal is to set everyone up with their own album of images, but for the time being, please do not upload any images to the server. Not to be an ass, but I will delete these images if posted.

Thanks for understanding!

-Jeremy

Jeremy Ordan

08-09-2006, 11:45 PM

I need to know who Mr. Box is. I cannot find you within the DVXUser Member list. Please PM me within 24 hours or comments will be deleted. Thank you!

-Jeremy

EDIT:

After reading through the comments left by this user and the fact that I cannot locate him within the DVXUser member list, I am banning him from the site and will remove all comments he has left. This is a prime example of how one person can ruin the experience for others.

mikkowilson

08-09-2006, 11:58 PM

Man, I feel bad.
I'm watching America's Got Talent (I'm at work at a TV station) while posting comments. I think the judges from the show are beeing a bad influence on me, my photo comments are getting harsher!
My appologies if I give negative comments, All the photos REALLY are very good. I'm so impressed :thumbsup:

Thanks all for participating!

- Mikko

infokill

08-10-2006, 12:07 AM

wow so many great photos!

Zak Forsman

08-10-2006, 12:09 AM

MattinSTL

08-10-2006, 12:17 AM

God I hate myself when I miss good and obvious jokes... how did I not post that first? Dammit... yes. funny.

Kirk Gillock

08-10-2006, 12:25 AM

Ok, that was fun. It only took about 30 minutes to view, vote, and comment. And it was a good 30 minutes too. Not like going to get a physical or a dentists appointment. :)

Go vote and comment everyone! Of course most people are sleeping right now. But when you wake up, you know what to do.

Brandon Rice

08-10-2006, 12:42 AM

Awesome photos everyone, going to check them all out and vote!

mikkowilson

08-10-2006, 01:15 AM

Man those where sweet! Some way cool pictures in there.
So hard to choose what's good and what's not!

:thumbsup: to all who entered!

- Mikko

HowDareMe

08-10-2006, 01:27 AM

damn, we got some talented photographers here, NICE work EVERYONE!

Isaac_Brody

08-10-2006, 07:59 AM

Great shots everyone. What a great little contest. :)

Jeremy Ordan

08-10-2006, 09:28 AM

I agree, there are some amazing shots in this one. Since this is turning into a weekly thing I just can't wait to see what people come up with next week... I also wonder what the topic will be...

-Jeremy

EDIT:

QUESTION FOR EVERYONE

How would ya'll feel about after today removing the anyonomous aspect... I know it has the potential to influence a couple of straggling voters, but at the same time it will also enable each artist to explain what they were doing, how the shot was set up, and what they were going for...

I can't insert a poll, so just leave it as an open ended question, opinions?

HorseFilms

08-10-2006, 09:42 AM

I'm all for letting people know who did what. Everyone already knows which one is mine and I have a good idea on a couple of the other ones, but I'd be curious to hear how everyone accomplished these great shots.

Blaine

08-10-2006, 10:14 AM

Not a problem with me.

Jeremy Ordan

08-10-2006, 10:18 AM

Here is what we can do... There is a function with the way the album is set up where you can post a ton of user comments. I should have made this available prior to posting the images but if everyone wants to email me a blurb I can post it so it is forever displayed with your picture.

I will also try to go ahead and assign the pictures to the memberlist... Let me see if I can do that.

Also, please give me some feedback on what you think of this format for future contests. I figure it can work for now, it's stable and does everything we need it to, but I just want everyone's opinion if there is anything that you think needs to be changed for the next round...

Thanks!

-Jeremy

500lb Productions

08-10-2006, 10:18 AM

CR_OPSO

08-10-2006, 10:35 AM

I for one find that nobody seems to understand my picture. *sigh*

At first, I wanted to explain it. Now I'm not so sure I want to.

EDIT: (crossing posts) I think the blurb at the outset would have been helpful. I also think it would be helpful if instead of tell you that you've voted, it let you change your vote. There are a couple pictures I'd like to rate higher or lower than I initially did.

I agree with the vote changing. After going through all the entries, I wanted to upgrade my favorite to a 5, but I couldn't.

Also, I know this seems wrong... but are we supposed to vote on our own picture? I haven't because it didn't seem like it was the right thing to do. Is anyone else rating their own? Is there a way to disable voting on your own in the next challenge? Just curious.

mikkowilson

08-10-2006, 10:43 AM

Well a picture should speak for itself.
I love the idea of adding user comments to the pictures later. But that's going to be a lot of work for Jeremy. How about the submitter just posts in the general comments, making those small threads to discuss the picture when the time comes.
Which I think should be after at elast 24hrs from voting open. That beeing said, it's allready prety clear as to the ranking of most of the images.

- Mikko

HorseFilms

08-10-2006, 10:45 AM

Also, I know this seems wrong... but are we supposed to vote on our own picture? I haven't because it didn't seem like it was the right thing to do. Is anyone else rating their own?

I didn't vote on my own. I figured I'd let others decide and stay out of it.

cast4shows

08-10-2006, 10:48 AM

I have to agree with 500lb here. The system is a bit suspect in my opinion as well. I actually feel there should not be a running talley next to your picture....because it influences each voter..as well as the comments. The numbers and comments should not be visible until the voting is over. This would allow people to make an un-biased vote and fair assessment of each picture. Its simple, voting / comments should be anonymous until votes are tallied. When you click a picture your attention is drawn not to the art but to the comments below it which inevitably influence your opinion. It is a common sociological fact that people for the most part will go with the norm. Sorry if I come off as a sore or bitter loser, but that is not the case at all. I came to this conclusion after realizing I was allowing the opinions of others to effect my vote. Imagine standing in front of a painting in an art gallery trying to interpret and appreciate a piece of work, while 5 or 10 people shouted their opinions and comments in your ear....thats what this felt like.
:dankk2:Thanks for listening

bustak

08-10-2006, 10:48 AM

CR_OPSO:

Also, I know this seems wrong... but are we supposed to vote on our own picture? I haven't because it didn't seem like it was the right thing to do. Is anyone else rating their own?
personally I think it's OK to vote on your own picture. I did & I gave mine *****! :)

I like my photo & wanted to share it with others. I also gave the other EXCELLENT photo's ***** too!

I see no problem with it, as long as you're not giving yourself 5 stars & everyone else ZERO stars to try & "win" the contest. That'd be BAD form & not in the vain of this contest.

Just my $.02.

Joey Lawrence

08-10-2006, 10:52 AM

QUESTION FOR EVERYONE

How would ya'll feel about after today removing the anyonomous aspect... I know it has the potential to influence a couple of straggling voters, but at the same time it will also enable each artist to explain what they were doing, how the shot was set up, and what they were going for...

I can't insert a poll, so just leave it as an open ended question, opinions?

I'm down for this, it's cool. Mine is getting creamed because I can't explain how I did it. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

If you have to put in the details yourself you can use the ones I included in my submission e-mail.

500lb Productions

08-10-2006, 10:54 AM

I also think people are forgetting to view the pictures in the intended context: As portraits / characterizations.

Some of them are great pictures, but completely miss the context.

HowDareMe

08-10-2006, 10:58 AM

I like the process but have to agree with some users, seeing everyones comments kinda makes me listen to them and not my own opinion. I do not like how you can see who is winning, maybe the ratings should be hidden till the end that would be better. There should also be a rule, you can either vote for yourself or not, lets make it one way accross the board. Once again, we have some AMAZING photographers here in our forums. I am also confused why there are more than 30 votes for some pics? Whats goin on there?

mikkowilson

08-10-2006, 10:59 AM

I totally agree with cast4shows. As I was posting my (the) first comments, I was wondering if otheres could see them and if it would influence their voting. I went back and made some changes after I saw other's messages come online.
I also felt that I was voting a little "high" in comparison to other's votes, and I'm not sure if that influence was good thing or not.

Hmm, so generally open to all, or fully secret... that's the question.

- Mikko ... did not vote for his own picture.

CR_OPSO

08-10-2006, 11:06 AM

- Mikko ... did not vote for his own picture.

Ha! I almost missed how you slipped that in there!

I think that's the best way... but as others have said, some will and did... not that there's anything wrong with it. But I agree with HowDareMe, there should probably be a rule.

Blaine

08-10-2006, 11:08 AM

- Mikko ... did not vote for his own picture.
I did. I gave mine 2 stars (I might have rated it a little high, since I know the photographer :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)). I wasn't that pleased with it as I rushed too much at the last minute and didn't take enough time to make sure I had good lighting. If I had, perhaps I wouldn't have done some of the other things I did. Oh, well. It's a learning experience and I'll take that into the next competition...more planning...more planning...more planning... http://www.nrestudios.com/images/EmoteHeadbang.gif

HorseFilms

08-10-2006, 11:13 AM

I think yours looks really good, Blaine.:thumbsup:

Larry Rutledge

08-10-2006, 11:16 AM

Is there a way to make the images vote tally and comments not show up until after the person has voted? Much like it knows you have already voted on a photo and prevents you from voting again (though it would be nice to be able to change your vote), then it could use that same information to make the vote tally and comments not appear until the vote had been cast for that image.

And I think you should vote for yourself and that you should give yourself a 5 star rating. Just like if you are running for office, it is ok to cast a vote for yourself. You are a part of the contest as much as anyone else and one 5 in the overall mix is not going to incorrectly influence the final tally.

Just my $0.01 9/10

Peace,
Larry ... did vote for mikko's (though I don't know which is his)

infokill

08-10-2006, 11:22 AM

I'm down for this, it's cool. Mine is getting creamed because I can't explain how I did it. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

If you have to put in the details yourself you can use the ones I included in my submission e-mail.
Same here lol. I put the details in the descripton box on the user upload system but i guess it was missed.
All's well though. :)

Nobody356

08-10-2006, 11:32 AM

Yea my picture not that it was all that great in the first place is better than everyone is seeing it as. You have to click it to see it full size because the site automatically resized it and made it look really bad. Totally my fault because I'm not too bright and didnt think about the posting guidelines first but I'd like people to be able to see the shot the way it was intended....o well next time i guess. But if we could add some sort o blurb under our pictures I would put that on mine.

MattinSTL

08-10-2006, 11:34 AM

I think anonymous submissions are better then knowing. The one thing in my life that I'm dying to get away from is social politics! It's exhausting.

Frankly this is one of my biggest gripes with the DVXuser fests... having a nice title sequence which shows who made the shorts is cool, but I'd have rather seen that after the contests were over. At this point I've accepted it as a facet of good movie making, but I think the fests would be WAY cooler if everybody had to do a 50% gray Arial font on black BG with ONLY the title of the short. I'd love the fests if they were distilled down to only movie-making... or at least I'd like it if the known members' names couldn't be listed in the opening credits.

I would be all for total anonymity until the picture voting was over... and if possible it would be cool if the comments were hidden until the end. I can see where all this could get to be a pain in the ass and I don't want to take the fun out of it for Jeremy if he keeps running this thing... so ultimately whoever is doing the work can decide for all I care... I'll go happily along with whatever the situation is... but I totally agree that if a picture (or fest entry) gets just a little momentum then it's just a slippery slope with the other contenders certain to fall off. When there's no comparison I'd say we all know it... but usually there's at least a couple of close calls and whoever pulls ahead first is guaranteed to win.

If you read what sounds like an intelligent analysis either for or against something it's almost impossible to not be influenced by it.

bustak

08-10-2006, 12:04 PM

Unfortunately I didn't take this picture & unfortunately this is me in the picture! :)

This portrait was taken by a nurse in a hospital in China, I didn't feel I could enter someone else's work!

I think it would of got some pity votes!

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/15973/1155234049.jpg

Jeremy Ordan

08-10-2006, 12:09 PM

Wow lots of comments...

After going through the control panel I was able to remove the top rating function, so hopefully that will not influence the vote or lead to weird voting. With the comment section as of right now I cannot alter the showing of comments as soon as they are voted upon, but I did remove the average voting, looks, comments field.

Here is what I have in mind for future contests (starting next week):
1. Faster Server (this will go online Sunday)
2. Photographer Comments in initial upload
3. Hidden votes, comments, ranking

I do not know if I can hide the comments until after the contest ends, but I can see what I can do.

Now a couple of other things:

I understand that this week is different because it is the first and we're working out the bugs and all and because I put up that silly $50 gift card, but if there is any stacking of the ballots I will DQ that image immediately. There are several people who have registered on the member list who are not members here, and this is a DVXUser.com community event and is not open to every guest on the internet. I don't mean to be an ass with this statement but this is a community event, if you want something for everyone I recommend dpchallenge.com.

Voting on your image... By all means vote on your image. If you feel that this captures what you had in mind and you are proud of it, give it a 5. If you think it sucks then give it a 0. When voting on your own image I do not think it matters in the greater scheme of things.

Comments: I have made a decision that while I believe in free speech any comment that is: A) Insulting B) Offensive C) Threatening will be removed immediately. While this contest isn't hosted on DVXUser, since it is a community event that will continue on a weekly basis we will abide by DVXUser forum rules. Comments are welcome but either compliment or offer constructive criticism. The goal is to encourage filmmakers to learn more about photography or share their other visual mediums. I know we have a prize on the line this week but in future weeks it is for respect, showing off, and honor (not to mention choosing the next week topic).

Finally, and maybe most importantly, this is meant to be fun and I will do everything within my control and power to implement every request people have asked for but it might take more than one week.

As of right now, since this week is sort of weird, please send me an email to DVXUser@stffilms.com with any comments you would like logged. I will copy and paste these into the image information tonight about 10pm EST (during the Yankee / White Sux game) and have it completed no later than 11pm EST. When you email me this information please just include which photo is yours so I don't need to search and can do this quickly.

For all future entries you will include information when submitted because I believe that the artists vision is just as important as the image he uses to transmit that.

OK, that's about all I have to say right now... I think that this is really working out well but I just want to make sure I can implement as many requests as possible.

-Jeremy

HorseFilms

08-10-2006, 12:15 PM

I think you're doing one hell of a job, Jeremy. Thanks for all the time and work you're throwing at this contest. :beer:

Blaine

08-10-2006, 12:21 PM

Let me echo what Horse has said. Jeremy, you're doing a great job! The whole idea of this for me is not winning prizes (as if I had a chance :happy:) it's about learning and having fun doing it. All your hard work and efforts are not in vain. I'm loving this! :thumbsup:

MattinSTL

08-10-2006, 12:33 PM

Yeah let me echo the echo even though I didn't get a pic in this week... I will be a part of this from the next one on and I like seeing a sample of DVXuser media.

The fun and excitement of this idea is great for the weekly (or whatever the period) payoff and the instant gratitude of the event. It's a great idea and I hope everybody will keep it up. Thanks for your time and effort to run this.

Jeremy Ordan

08-10-2006, 12:35 PM

Thank you for the kind words, guys. For me it's not about winning or the money or anything like that. A lot of us have really been caught by the photography bug and it's fun to just share our work. I think that these contests are similar to the DVXFests in that it motivates us to do something creative and also continues to build that sense of community for a place that we all spend a lot of time.

I have the server space and everything like that so it's easy for me to do this, and the time is not that large (laptop on the couch while watching a baseball game).

I just hope that people are excited about this and continue to enter every week because it motivates me to continue to shoot. I love everything I've seen already and I know that I'm learning a lot from looking at other people's images and the posts on the one I submitted.

Regarding the comments, the best thing I can say is try not to read other people's comments prior to posting yours. I know it's hard because of that little thing called human nature, but when I went through and voted and commented today I did my best to not read comments and only on one or two images did I screw up. Photography, like all art is subjective. Something might say a lot to me and nothing to you, and that's cool.

Here is the thing that I think needs adjusting...

The voting scale. I consider a 0 to be just complete garbage, no thought or action put in. I didn't give out 1 0. I consider a 5 to be the most exceptional image of the contest, like the top 2-3 got 5's from me. An average image I gave a 2.

Then again, I saw the images as I was uploading them so I had a completely unfair advantage of looking at each image a while longer.

I know it might suck, but maybe going through the images once and then going back and voting is the best solution, then again, it's for fun, so does it really matter?

I will update all photographer comments this evening... If you are one of the numerous 'untitled' pictures, please just give me a description, that will save me a lot of time.

-Jeremy

EDIT:
The only thank you I want is people to continue to enter and participate... that's more than enough thanks. Let's be honest, this community has given me a lot, so hopefully I can give something back.

CR_OPSO

08-10-2006, 12:41 PM

500lb Productions

08-10-2006, 12:43 PM

Wow lots of comments...
I understand that this week is different because it is the first and we're working out the bugs and all and because I put up that silly $50 gift card, but if there is any stacking of the ballots I will DQ that image immediately. There are several people who have registered on the member list who are not members here, and this is a DVXUser.com community event and is not open to every guest on the internet. I don't mean to be an ass with this statement but this is a community event, if you want something for everyone I recommend dpchallenge.com.

In that case, then the sight should be VISIBLE to the public (but they obviously can't vote). I for one have sent a few friends to look at the contest, and they had to register just to see the pictures.

Aint web development great? hehe

cast4shows

08-10-2006, 12:46 PM

I too would like to thank Yankee for organizing this and making it all happen. For most people it would be really frustrating and discouraging to get constructive feedback but you are handling it beautifully. I really appreciate you trying to consider and address every concern and comment, very impressive and noteworthy effort! I am definitely an amateur shooter, and this contest/forum has given me a new sense of inspiration and drive to become a better photographer....love it. Keep up the hardwork Yankee. If you figure out a way to delegate any of your many responsibilities dealing with organizing the contest....please feel free to assign me a task. I would be glad to help out.

As for all the entries, I respect everyones unique interpretations and submissions. Conformity and unity are two of my least favorite trends in any group, and there is none of that here! There is no right or wrong way to take or process a picture and that is the beauty of this in my opinion. Looking forward to the next contest!

Sincerely, Johnny aka Cast4shows:dankk2:

Blaine

08-10-2006, 12:47 PM

Alright Jeremy... I just cost you a whole dollar and I have to say that was probably the hardest dollar I've earned in a long time! I'm not the best with words especially when I'm trying to be critical with folks that know more about photography than me!

CR
That may be true, I don't know. BUT you KNOW what YOU find pleasing and what you don't. I'm sure all the entrants feel that way about people's comments. I know I do. :thumbsup:

HowDareMe

08-10-2006, 01:00 PM

Jeremy-

you are awesome, thanks for all your time and effort, i love this forum and love what you are doing to help. Thanks!

Jeremy Ordan

08-10-2006, 01:26 PM

One last question... For future contests do you think that the submissions should be anoynmous? I was just thinking... Does it really matter?

-Jeremy

Blaine

08-10-2006, 01:28 PM

One last question... For future contests do you think that the submissions should be anoynmous? I was just thinking... Does it really matter?

-Jeremy
Actually, I think you get more UNBIASED feedback when your entry is anonymous.

EDIT: That way you're basing your judgement on the entry and not for or against the entrant.

Joey Lawrence

08-10-2006, 01:28 PM

Jeremy, 2 words- youtha man. Thanks for hosting these.

and

I like anoynmous.

CR_OPSO

08-10-2006, 01:44 PM

I like anoynmous.

Me too.

Joey Lawrence

08-10-2006, 01:44 PM

Me too.
I submitted something away from my 'style' so no one knew it was me. :Drogar-Evil(DBG):

500lb Productions

08-10-2006, 01:48 PM

Actually, I think you get more UNBIASED feedback when your entry is anonymous. It doesn't bother me either way, though.

EDIT: That way you're basing your judgement on the entry and not for or against the entrant.

I can both AGREE and DISAGREE with that.

On the one hand, you have a point.

But on the other hand, some pieces are more understandable within the context of the photographer. Imagine one piece of LaChappelles work without the greater context of his collected work??? Knowing his other work CERTAINLY helps to understand each piece.

Or Mapplethorpe. Imagine finding a floral of his that you just love... and knowing how much you (not you personally, you the generic viewer) may despise his controversial work makes you appreciate that floral even more.

I think most art should be taken together with the artist in order to be understood.

Take the desaturated blue book picture... Is the selective desaturation prevalent in his other work? Or has he never ever done that, but felt it just simly had to be done for this one piece? It certainly could, and probably should, make a difference in how the piece is interpreted.

I guess it turns out, once I think it through, that I disagree more than I agree.

Jeremy Ordan

08-10-2006, 01:49 PM

Hey, I'm cool with keeping everything a secret for the first 48 hours and then letting the artist post and reveal who was what (although we all know that Horse was Horse because we could smell the alcohol coming off the image). I think it's allgood and I wont make that change. Please just log in tomorrow and claim your photo and make more open comments about how you achieved and email me that file information so I can update everything.

-Jeremy

Blaine

08-10-2006, 01:57 PM

I can both AGREE and DISAGREE with that.

On the one hand, you have a point.

But on the other hand, some pieces are more understandable within the context of the photographer. Imagine one piece of LaChappelles work without the greater context of his collected work??? Knowing his other work CERTAINLY helps to understand each piece.

Or Mapplethorpe. Imagine finding a floral of his that you just love... and knowing how much you (not you personally, you the generic viewer) may despise his controversial work makes you appreciate that floral even more.

I think most art should be taken together with the artist in order to be understood.

Take the detaurated blue book picture... Is the selective desaturation prevalent in his other work? Or has he never ever done that, but felt it just simly had to be done for this one piece? It certainly could, and probably should, make a difference in how the piece is interpreted.

I guess it turns out, once I think it through, that I disagree more than I agree.
What you get with that is: "well, it's by so-and-so so it must be good and I just don't understand it so I'm going to vote it up because I don't want to look stupid."

or

"Well, that's better than his other stuff, so I want to give him extra props."

A work of art should be able to stand on its own merits.

HorseFilms

08-10-2006, 01:58 PM

Jeremy Ordan

08-10-2006, 02:00 PM

500lb makes a good point and something that I wasn't really thinking about.

I see things from two points of view... I started my voting knowing exactly who submitted which images (because I was uploading them) and I don't feel that it influenced my votes at all. I knew which ones were from Scharkey, Joey, and everyone else. Take Scharky's image for example, I knew which was his plus I know his portfolio. I didn't judge his work or vote on in comparing it with his other work nor did I take the photographer's history into account with his image. I just looked at the image as a stand alone submission, made comments and voted.

In general I think as this continues the people who are involved weekly will have a style that will shine through and there will be that vibe that you get when you see an image where you say, 'Oh that's Blaine, or Kevin Muse, or Joey Lawrence', or if it's a drunken guy, 'Horse!' (kidding, it's been a long day and I needed a laugh).

For right now we will keep the submissions like this:

Voting will last 48 hours after which a new winner will be listed and then that person chooses the next photography topic.
For the first 24 hours the only information you are given is the name of the image (title), a brief description from the photographer, and the image itself. After the initial 24 hours the photographer can post all the comments they want on that image about the picture... Since views, comments, and rankings are now hidden it really doesn't matter how many replies a thread has.

Does this sound fair to everyone?

-Jeremy

Blaine

08-10-2006, 02:01 PM

Sorry. I kinda screwed up with the self portrait. I underestimated the degree to which I've plastered (pun intended) my mug all over this site. I thought a couple people might recognize me, but not to this degree.
Hell, I was disappointed to find out it didn't come from a creepy short. I would have liked to have seen it.

Does this sound fair to everyone?

-Jeremy
Go for it, my man :thumbsup:

KOVAROVA

08-10-2006, 02:06 PM

so where are all these pix? did i miss someting.. sorry.

Jeremy Ordan

08-10-2006, 02:07 PM

Go back about 5 pages or go to the thread in the cafe' :)

-Jeremy

HowDareMe

08-10-2006, 03:14 PM

Im down for that! Can anyone identify my pic? just wondering, i know i only submitted a few in the past, i dont think i have a "style" yet.

Jeremy Ordan

08-10-2006, 07:28 PM

I'm having internet problems with this storm we have going on here. I think I received two photographer comments to add to the pictures but I have hit submit three times on this post already and just waiting for it to go through.

If you submitted a photo please email me any comments you would like to post regarding the image to dvxuser@stffilms.com and I will get them posted with the picture as soon as this storm ends or as soon as I can.

-Jeremy

Jeremy Ordan

08-11-2006, 07:41 AM

I have added the five comments that people submitted regarding their images... They are 'Balled Emotion' 'Lagoon' 'The Young Scientist' 'She Devil' and 'Anne'.

At this point if you submitted an image please go ahead and just post which is yours and make any comment you would like regarding it. Tonight at midnight we will close the polls and announce the winner and start up the thread for next weeks challenge...

-Jeremy

Jeremy Ordan

08-11-2006, 11:09 AM

Just a real quick post to let you know tonight I will go ahead and unfreeze the sorting by rating so we can see who gets the gift card and that person will choose the topic for next week. If you haven't voted yet, you have until midnight tonight EST.

Thanks to everyone who made this an amazing event... More than 617 comments and over 4800 views (and more bandwith than I want to admit:))

-Jeremy

Mike McNeese

08-11-2006, 11:27 AM

So, does the next one start tomorrow?! I need time to find my camera.

Jeremy Ordan

08-11-2006, 11:43 AM

Yeah, tonight at midnight I will go ahead and start a new thread with the winning picture and who ever comes out on top will list the topic... we'll most likely do a due date of a week from Sunday at midnight again, so Aug. 20th. That will give me more than enough time to transition the server to the new one that will eliminate the temp down time that some people have experienced.

I just checked the vote totals and it's pretty tight right now, so every vote counts (insert political comment here).

Regardless, I'm thrilled that we got such a diverse selection of images and now that I have seen some of the comments of the photographers regarding their images I'm even more impressed.

-Jeremy

Mike McNeese

08-11-2006, 11:51 AM

BTW, Yank, I have to get my 'Thank You' in for starting this. Sounds like a very intelligent and fair way to set it up...can't wait to embarrass myself.

Jeremy Ordan

08-11-2006, 11:59 AM

BTW, Yank, I have to get my 'Thank You' in for starting this. Sounds like a very intelligent and fair way to set it up...can't wait to embarrass myself.

I didn't really come up with a lot of the set up, honestly... Everyone who has posted an opinion here has added an opinion and that is where everything came from. All I did was execute it, but I'm thrilled with the participation and involvement... As long as this continues to grow then I'm thrilled and that is all that matters to me.

Just as my last post for a while, if you submitted an image, please go post in your thread and address comments, say how you did it, and just let people know that you did the image! Thanks.

-Jeremy

500lb Productions

08-11-2006, 02:22 PM

I added a comment to my image "Stolen Glimpse"... and I explained the feeling that I intended with the image, and also posed two WHAT IF's.

I'm hoping everyone who commented can find a moment to reinterpret the image in terms of the explanation given, and also in terms of the two what if scenarios.

My interest is as much socialogical as it is in photographic technique. I like observing the reactions different people have to the same thing. I find it very iluminating of the POV aspect of art (and photography, and filmmaking).

I find these projects to be especially valuable, as I can see the "mass reaction" to a wide range of subject matter in a controlled context where many people are actively participating. I definitely intend to keep participating :-)

bustak

08-11-2006, 02:39 PM

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/15973/1155332502.jpg
At the REQUEST of TheYankee (Thanx a lot for this contest Jeremy!) I'll reveal the photographer who shot "Woman in Guilin!" It was me -> bustak! http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif This picture was literally taken from the hip last summer in Guilin, China w/ my Canon S50.

I liked the framing of the picture, in that everything is slanted to the left. I understand everyone's concern about the framing, but I tend to like things a "little off." Just for kicks I'll go into Photoshop & straighten the picture out & crop it as suggested in the posts & see how that looks.

The original picture was a little flat, so I pumped up the Saturation & Levels (mainly the mid tones) in Photoshop.

I'd like to thank the people who voted & left comments concerning my picture!

500lb Productions, I really liked your picture!!!! But anything concerning Ice Cream RULES in my book! :)

cast4shows

08-11-2006, 02:56 PM

My picture "Stark Future".... was in fact not meant to be "hilarious".....and no interpretation is incorrect although i think mine differs a bit from the norm. The title could have also been, "looks aren't everything"..let me explain. Really what I was going for, was telling the story of a struggling actor/model/wannabe in Hollywood. I work in film and television and see this everywhere. Most people will go nowhere in their careers although they move here thinking they are going to wind up on the cover of US Weekly. Here is this guy (my roommate) in perfect shape, good looks, and in his mind "the complete package"....but much to his dismay he has made no progress. The world moves on behind him....while he is stuck, bewildered with his distorted vision of hollywood! the end...thnx

Oh, and b/c i have just recenlty been turned on to photography and ps...a few months ago...i will probably be a bit over the top with ps for a bit..b/c i am still fascinated by it....
:dankk2:

Isaac_Brody

08-11-2006, 03:00 PM

My picture was grandma. Jeremy added my comments to it. I'll repost my comments here.

My original shot of grandma is actually well exposed and captures all of her age and wrinkles. I felt the original actually obscured the reality of her situation. The reality is that her mind is gone, her memory has failed her, and much of her time is spent in the dark. She’s in a retirement home and I see her very rarely.

I felt a certain removal with my original shot and I made this version darker and darker to portray her mental state. I think my challenge with darkening it is people on different monitors see different things. The print I made of the picture is haunting. At first you’re not sure if you see something, and then she pops out. I personally like the effect because it’s haunting and has an almost 3d quality to it. And I also like that the darkness drew me in, and when I finally saw her eyes I had to look even closer. Either way, it was a risk, I have the original around here for those interested in seeing the perfectly exposed framed shot.

mikkowilson

08-11-2006, 03:26 PM

My Photo was "Over the Fireweed"..
http://dvxuser.mikkowilson.com/OverTheFireweed.jpg

And a few comments from me..

Well PK is actually correct. It is of course the "blueman" logo.
Took it here in Juneau, Alaska on Sunday evening. That is my beautifull girlfriend, here's a shot with her face (taken at a different focal length):
http://dvxuser.mikkowilson.com/OverTheFireweed_2b.jpg

The original shot has been cropped a little as had undergone some major level changes. This is one of my first times dooing color adjustments on such a complex image. After I made each adjustment I'd go back a step and be amazed to compare how much it improved the image.
Here's a split image with the final on the left, and the original on the right.
http://dvxuser.mikkowilson.com/OverTheFireweed-Split.jpg

I agree with the above comments that the reds need to pop somehow, I was having a lot of trouble with that ebcause I really like the green too. I also notice now that the sky is in deed a little pink, I should have gradiated my levels to parts of the image.

And finally, there is no visible motivation for the pose (which was the first thing I decided on when I started to plan my entry) other than the isara logo. I decided to leave it to each viewer to decide for themselves. It was originally suposed to be a "I'm the king of the world" ala "Rocky" type pose, though there are no steps. One friend sugested that it looks like a hold up and I should add a gun, I wasn't too keen on that idea. I love your comment Mino, Funny!

Also the fireweed (red flowers) is about 7 feet tall, so the trail above it is the only place to stand and be visible in the shot!

Thankyou all for your comments, a lot of good tips for me to pick up on. Thanks Jermey for the contest and thaks all for viewing and voting!

- Mikko

HowDareMe

08-11-2006, 03:27 PM

"Downtown" was mine, I took it ....well, downtown Los Angeles on Sunday. While leaning up on a bus stop the old guy was walking towards me and I snapped away. I loved everyones comments and suggestions. This is a new hobby of mine., I had been a point and shoot guy for a few years and love my new d50. (its been 3 months now, but i still think of it as a new hobby) Thanks again for all your comments and votes.

Brian

bustak

08-11-2006, 03:36 PM

HowDareMe

"Downtown" was mine

"Downtown" was my favorite photo! That man was a GREAT subject for a photo! KUDOS for the EXCELLENT picture!!

Matt Grunau

08-11-2006, 03:41 PM

Pirates of the Appalachian, natch.

From the comments section from me:

"Thanks to all for the fun comments. This indeed was a snapshot pic, and I suppose not technically a portrait. But, that's me and my dad, photo taken by the wife (mine). I decided not to alter the layout of it, and hit it very briefly with Pshop.

It was never anything more than a silly, fun pic of me and my dad in a comfy state of partial inebriation.

Oh, and it was single malt scotch we were drinking, of course. Not the rum of pirates, but the booze of choice for pops and me.

Thanks all.

GARRRR (Hillbilly style)"

Not that most of you are suprised. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

Thanks pop.

http://www.paramm.com/meandpop.jpg

Blaine

08-11-2006, 03:41 PM

Since you asked, Mikko...

http://www.stickypod.com/videos/data/528/Aperture_Library.jpg..http://www.stickypod.com/videos/data/528/Portrait_2.jpg

HowDareMe

08-11-2006, 03:47 PM

HowDareMe

"Downtown" was my favorite photo! That man was a GREAT subject for a photo! KUDOS for the EXCELLENT picture!!

Im glad you liked it! Thanks

Jeremy Ordan

08-11-2006, 04:02 PM

This is amazing, I love seeing everyone's interpretation on things...

Mine was 'Balled Emotion'

http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/Balled_Emotion.jpg

The model is my roommate/ex who agreed to model nude for me. I set up a massive 24'x12' backdrop of jet black muslim and took about 200 photos. Most are not appropriate for under 18 (if you are over and care to have a peak PM me), but I decided on this one because I thought it best represented an adult fetal emotional vibe. Obviously by some of the comments I didn't portray that. I debated strongly between this shot and another, a full body nude with hands covering the nipples (because I thought then it wouldn't be considered porn), but ultimately I figured this being a family community that might not be appropriate.

Regardless the lighting was very simple, a 1200 watt softbox into a reflector, camera on a tripod. I took this on a D50 with the 18-70mm lens, but many of the other pictures I took are on the 50mm 1.8.

Personally this challenge openned up a bunch of new opportunities and avenues within photography for me. It was my first nude session, but the results were so good that I actually have shot three other women with similar backdrops and lighting since then, and will be shooting 8 more over the next three weeks! (isn't it amazing when you make one woman look good other women want the same result?). On top of that, this really taught me a lot about research. When I started this project I didn't really plan poses as much as a single image I wanted to capture. When it was shooting time I got that image, but with such a beautiful model I wanted more.

Finally I really learned that if you are respectful of the people you are working with then they will be more free to play around and you can come up with some amazing shots.

I'm really happy with how this shoot turned out and can't wait for the next weeks, but I really want to thank everyone who commented on my image and thank everyone for participating. I think this was an amazing experience for me at least and hopefully everyone got a kick out of it.

-Jeremy

anniebiz

08-11-2006, 04:27 PM

My photo was the taking a nap, I went with my fiance, "HOWDAREME" downtown to take photos. As we were waiting at a red light i grabbed his camera, leaned out the window of the car and took this picture of the man sleeping. Thanks for your votes and comments.

Annie

scharky

08-11-2006, 04:31 PM

From the coment on stffilms. . .

This is my photo. Thanks to all who commented. We were indeed going for a "movie" look for the photo, as anne is looking at creating a very diverse portfolio. The photo was heavily photoshoped as far as colors go, on DVX user I'll post a before and after for you all. Thanks again for all the feedback.

Here is a before and after of anne's shot. . .

http://www.stefweb.net/anne/Loc1--019orig.jpg

http://www.stefweb.net/anne/anne-Loc1--019.jpg

if you would like to see some of the other shots we did that night you can see the contact sheets here. . .

http://www.stefweb.net/anne/ContactSheets

cast4shows

08-11-2006, 04:51 PM

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f103/johnnybrand/starkoriginal.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f103/johnnybrand/starkfuture.jpg

My picture "Stark Future".... was in fact not meant to be "hilarious".....and no interpretation is incorrect although i think mine differs a bit from the norm. The title could have also been, "looks aren't everything"..let me explain. Really what I was going for, was telling the story of a struggling actor/model/wannabe in Hollywood. I work in film and television and see this everywhere. Most people will go nowhere in their careers although they move here thinking they are going to wind up on the cover of US Weekly. Here is this guy (my roommate) in perfect shape, good looks, and in his mind "the complete package"....but much to his dismay he has made no progress. The world moves on behind him....while he is stuck, bewildered with his distorted vision of hollywood! the end...thnx

Oh, and b/c i have just recenlty been turned on to photography and ps...a few months ago...i will probably be a bit over the top with ps for a bit..b/c i am still fascinated by it....
:dankk2:

HowDareMe

08-11-2006, 04:54 PM

I thought i would let you all see what the original was and compare it to the submission.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c5/M2Productions/B4Downtown.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c5/M2Productions/DowntownGuy.jpg

Matt Grunau

08-11-2006, 05:14 PM

if you would like to see some of the other shots we did that night you can see the contact sheets here. . .

http://www.stefweb.net/anne/ContactSheets

Awsome work. I like what you did to her eyes on contact sheet 3. Wonderfull stuff.

You guys make me so jealous . . . :nads:

infokill

08-11-2006, 05:19 PM

Mine was the untitled drawing with light.
I was getting ready to submit it to the Nikon thread and figured i'd submit it here instead.
The photo was taken in central park around 11pm and the area where me and my little bro ( the angel) shot the picture was pitch BLACK. even with the lights in the back and the moon shining we couldnt see a thing lol. 30 sec exposure and i didnt touch a thing on the image other than adding the vignette and a black border. I was the person drawing and thats my ghostly image behind him. No flash used either.
We took close to 100 photo's and it was really hard picking which to submit. I have a lot of cool ones that i'll post a little later.
Great contest everyone!
Thanks Yankee! This was fun!

Blaine

08-11-2006, 05:44 PM

Mikko!

After seeing your beautiful girlfriend, I'm more sure than ever I'd like to have seen her face in the portrait :thumbsup: having said that, I wasn't even thinking Isara (Bad Me, Bad Me!!)

Juneau is gorgeous! My only trip to Alaska was Barrow. Even in summer, there's nothing there but snow-covered tundra. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

Good job. :)

Blaine

08-11-2006, 06:04 PM

And PK,

When I saw that little kid staring through the seats, all I could think of was W.C. Fields saying "Go away, kid, you're bothering me." :nads:

What luck to capture that. :thumbsup:

HorseFilms

08-11-2006, 06:06 PM

Everyone knew this was mine:
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/232/1155167781.jpg

The deadline for this contest was staring me in the face, so I quick went with this setup (copied from my thread on the contest site):

The lighting on this one was really simple. I took a cheap set of blinds, hung them from the grip arm of a c-stand and shot a mini mole (lamped to 100w) through it. I tricked the white balance by adding full CTO to the light, balancing to it, then removing the gel. The rest was just me sitting there, looking like an idiot.

Great work, everyone!:beer:

Blaine

08-11-2006, 06:12 PM

Horse, I gotta quote Jeremy on this one because what he said hit the nail squarely on the head...

"I think it perfectly conveys the personality of the artist, the shadows work so well, and as kmuse pointed out, the CTB is perfect for setting mood. This shot makes me smile and then makes me wonder what that sound was and should I go check it out... and if I check it out do I leave the room by saying 'I'll be right back' when we all know, I won't be right back, I'll be dead." - TheYankee

Isaac_Brody

08-11-2006, 07:52 PM

My original.

http://www.isaacbrody.com/photos/grandmaoriginal.jpg

The interpretation.

http://www.isaacbrody.com/photos/grandmadark.jpg

I had another interpretation but I seem to have lost it. In my third one I erased all of her wrinkles and blemishes and artificially darkened her hair. It was just an experiment. It must not have gone well though, since I can't find that one...

Jeremy Ordan

08-11-2006, 07:56 PM

I know you took some weird criticism on this image Isaac, but I really like it, especially after the explanation.

-Jeremy

KOVAROVA

08-11-2006, 07:56 PM

that was my fav Isaac.

Horse i like your shot but didn't believe it.. you don't look drunk at all! :grin:

Isaac_Brody

08-11-2006, 07:57 PM

Criticism is good. I was just happy that a few people got it. If everyone thought it was dark I'd know I was totally off. But the few comments that liked it got it perfectly. Just wish monitor settings were uniform. I have a feeling I'm seeing something very different than everyone else.

HorseFilms

08-11-2006, 08:30 PM

Horse i like your shot but didn't believe it.. you don't look drunk at all! :grin:

That expression on my face = How long do I have to sit like this before I can grab the drink that's sitting right underneath the pumpkin?

I'm not kidding.:beer:

CR_OPSO

08-11-2006, 08:31 PM

My photo was “Waiting for Lunch”:
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/16094/1155180432.jpg

I never expected it to match up to the talent I’ve seen on this website in the last couple of months. This photo wasn’t even planned. The only reason I had my camera was because we had been to a birthday party that morning and it just happened to be in the car.

A little about the location: This place was built in the mid 1930's and my dad used to take me there when I was a kid (I’m almost 30 now). He also used to go there when he was young (he’s almost 60 now). So, this place is kind of special to me and my dad. It’s the only place around here that when you order a Coke, they still bring it to you in a glass bottle. It was in a nice part of town when my dad was younger, but now it’s the part of town you really don’t want to visit after dark. Most of the buildings around it have been hollowed out by fires.

Anyway, after the birthday party, my wife suggested we take our daughter there. When we finished eating, I thought “wouldn’t it be cool to have a picture of her in here to show my dad”. Then it dawned on me that I had the camera in the car. I agree it would have been much better if I could have reflected some light back on her face... but it’s a tiny place and there were people eating... so we were trying to be as discreet as possible (we did ask for permission before taking pictures). I tried a few shots with the built-in flash, but I wasn’t happy with them. I’d love to go back and try to retake it with better lighting... if they’ll let me.

I also had a hard time deciding between the angled shot or a straight one. Seems some really liked it and others liked most everything except the angle! Here are a couple of the other shots I had to choose from.

I almost used this one, but my wife talked me out of it:
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/16094/1155343268.jpg

And here’s the straight version that I considered submitting:
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/16094/1155343350.jpg

Thank you all for the votes and great compliments (and for the constructive comments,too)! The wife got a big kick out of your comment, PK. And a big thanks to Jeremy for setting this up... it’s been a lot of fun.

Chad

KOVAROVA

08-11-2006, 08:33 PM

chad those shots are wonderful. have you printed any?

CR_OPSO

08-11-2006, 08:40 PM

chad those shots are wonderful. have you printed any?

Thanks! Not yet. But I'm probably going to order a couple prints in a week or so. I showed my mom and she thinks my dad would love to have one... just so happens his birthday is next month. So, I think I'm going to order a big one and have it framed for him. I know he'll like it... he'd like it if it was a cell phone picture of her! (she's his only grandchild as of now)

Blaine

08-11-2006, 08:40 PM

Matt Grunau

08-11-2006, 08:41 PM

Isaac:

The idea of a ghostly or almost hidden image to suggest what you were after is a hell of a great idea. However, it seems the image as a whole came out a little to dark, and mayhaps wasn't able to pull that off as you may have liked.

If I may suggest something, by simply copying and isolating only the highlights (to whatever varying degree you want) and putting those on black gets something more, I think, to what you were after.

In Pshop, when you press Ctrl+Alt+`, you select only the highlights. If you press Ctrl+Alt+1 you select more highlights and Ctrl+Alt+2, selects yet more. If you would have used a little levels to balance the picture, and had then selected the fewest Highlights (Ctrl+Alt+` or Ctrl+Alt+3) and placed that on a black background (and mixed in a couple copies blurred) and turned down the opacity the result would look like this:

http://www.paramm.com/gma.jpg

Which may be closer (I hope) to what you had in your head. I'm not trying to show you up, rather, trying to help out.

And the posibilities of mixing varying degrees of blurred copies, the number of copies, and the amount of selected highlights to work with really opens up a lot of doors. The background curtains were removed with the layer mask but you could use an eraser as well, or even the burn tool to darken them into the black background.

KOVAROVA

08-11-2006, 08:42 PM

just so happens his birthday is next month. So, I think I'm going to order a big one and have it framed for him. I know he'll like it... he'd like it if it was a cell phone picture of her! (she's his only grandchild as of now)

perfect.

KOVAROVA

08-11-2006, 08:44 PM

rapier that looks like a painting. powerfull image imo. cool treatment.

CR_OPSO

08-11-2006, 08:49 PM

Chad, that was my personal favorite of the competition. I loved the angle. It reminded me of small town America that I visited with my parents when I was young. btw, your wife's a smart lady. :thumbsup:
Thank you! What's so cool about that place is it's like stepping back in time... it hasn't changed much over the years.

Blaine

08-11-2006, 08:53 PM

Thank you! What's so cool about that place is it's like stepping back in time... it hasn't changed much over the years.
I could feel that. That's why I called it a slice of Americana on the contest page. :)

andreww

08-11-2006, 09:14 PM

My image was shot out of bordem, snaped a shot in the back of her car and it turned out well. Yeah it would have been nicer sharper, but there was no photoshoping involved. I dont believe in photoshop for adding those "magazine graphic's" to photos. Raw imaging.

http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/1154999095.jpg

Isaac_Brody

08-11-2006, 09:21 PM

I loved that photo Chad. Such a great moment.

CR_OPSO

08-11-2006, 09:39 PM

I loved that photo Chad. Such a great moment.

Thank you!

As I said in my comments on your entry... You really made me put more thought and time into yours than all of the others. I even copied your picture over to a basic program (don't have PS at work) and hit auto levels... I was surprised that it almost pulled out your original image. I really didn't understand the meaning... but kind of wondered if you were making a point. I've seen your photos in the past and they're really impressive... so, had I known it was yours, I would have been sure it was intended. I can very much relate as my grandmother suffered with alzheimer's and my wife's grandmother is currently. The comments section would have really helped your photo on this round.

Chad

HowDareMe

08-11-2006, 10:26 PM

Chad-

Nice work, one of my favorites! Great story.

Does anyone else think you should only vote, if you entered a picture

CR_OPSO

08-11-2006, 10:55 PM

Chad-

Nice work, one of my favorites! Great story.

Does anyone else think you should only vote, if you entered a picture

Thank you!

I don't have a problem with that rule... but I guess there will be weeks when some of us don't have time or just don't get the right photo... but we'd still want to vote. I do think everyone should at least be a dvxuser member to vote (I think Jeremy's trying to do that already).

Matt Grunau

08-11-2006, 10:58 PM

Chad-

Does anyone else think you should only vote, if you entered a picture

I think yes and no to that.

No, becasue some people don't have access to or own equipment, some people don't have time, and some may simply choose not to participate for their own reasons. But that doesn't mean they don't appreciate the work and may want to help judge.

Yes, because those of us who do participate are taking time out of schedules and using the equipment we have put so much time into learning, we should be religated to voting, and everyone else to simply commenting.

So, I'm kinda torn. My photo skills blow, but I'm gonna plug away anyhow.

bustak

08-11-2006, 11:31 PM

Does anyone else think you should only vote, if you entered a picture

No, I want feedback from all the people who participate on this site. Also there wouldn't have been as many posts if it was only for participants to leave comments on the pictures.

Just think, PK's beloved isara.com wouldn't have gotten as much cheese if that was the case!
PK's reaction ->:furious3:

MattinSTL

08-11-2006, 11:33 PM

I have no problem with open voting or closed voting... so be sure to also mark me down as "undecided"... I'll be participating after this... just had a bad week.

I'm dying to know which one was Joey's picture? One of the only one's that hasn't been claimed yet, but is still near the top of my personal pics is the "light" picture. I would expect Joey's work to be on that level... and I'm surprised that pic didn't do better.

CR_OPSO

08-11-2006, 11:37 PM

HowDareMe

08-11-2006, 11:51 PM

i guess its nice to have only DVX users voting, but how do we know that it was the real DVX user voting? I could very easily find a registered dvx name, sign on to jeremy's site and vote for my photo, then pick a different dvx user's name and vote for mine again. and over and over...(i don't know why i think like a cheat, im not a cheat, but i think like one.) i hope no-one would do this on our site, it is a FRIENDLY competition. Just a thought to ponder....

maybe if there was a way to use the same password as on dvx, can jeremy access those passwords?

Blaine

08-11-2006, 11:55 PM

I could be a little naive but I can't believe that it would be SO important to win a little photography contest that someone would resort to that. And if they did, well, I'd have to feel kind of sorry for them if that's the big moment in their life. This is for fun. And to learn.

HowDareMe

08-12-2006, 12:10 AM

[QUOTE=Blaine]I could be a little naive but I can't believe that it would be SO important to win a little photography contest that someone would resort to that. And if they did, well, I'd have to feel kind of sorry for them if that's the big moment in their life. This is for fun. And to learn.[/QUOTE

you are absolutely correct, i was just making sure!

iposiniditos

08-12-2006, 12:37 AM

This is my photo:
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/8236/1155082829.jpg

It's my little cousin Alexandros who has syndrome of down.

HowDareMe

08-12-2006, 12:45 AM

another one of my favorites!! of course it was ipos, your a great photographer

Joey Lawrence

08-12-2006, 01:09 AM

This was my picture

http://www.stffilms.com/Photos/albums/userpics/10002/lagoon2res.jpg

It was a thrill and a pain to see people assume this was a digital manipulation. It was one exposure. :)

Let me say this, Sarena is cool. The water was pretty cold and I gotta give her there props for going in the water for about a half an hour.

The shutter was open for 15 seconds to expose the sky and moon, and then a home-made ring-light was turned on (on a dock) for 1/2 seconds. This exposes the model for that time while she is kept in the darkness for the rest of the shutter, not effecting the rest of the picture. You can see the reflection in the
water of the ringlight's bulbs.

In photoshop I did curves, dodge and burn and a layer mask. I also cloned some of water in front of her because you could see her legs. The original image below. (I just cloned out some visibility as per her request to not put it on the internet, lol)

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/JoeyLawrence/lagoonorigi.jpg

And here is an outtake, perhaps I should have entered this instead. :love4:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/JoeyLawrence/DSC_0219res.jpg

anyway, Congrats to the winners and I look forward to the next contest!

HowDareMe

08-12-2006, 01:35 AM

And here is an outtake, perhaps I should have entered this instead. :love4:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/JoeyLawrence/DSC_0219res.jpg

Wow, thats an amazing photo!

can i see a picture of your home-made-ringlight?

Jeremy Ordan

08-12-2006, 01:51 AM

Sorry for the delay in getting this posted but here are the results for the top ten finishers:

1. Waiting for Lunch
2. Omya
3. Balled Emotion
4. Downtown
5. Untitled (Horse Films)
6. Anne
7. Untitled (girl shot)
8. The Light
9. My Friend Erick
10. Taking a Nap

I have also adjusted the gallery to show all votes, but will the person who submitted Waiting for Lunch (I had to clear out my PMs) please PM me with what the topic is for next week along with an address so I can send you your gift card. The top three finishers also get a custom name from Jarred!

Thank you for everyone who entered and I hope to see you next week! This was truly a great learning experience and pretty bad ass if I do say so myself.

-Jeremy

EDIT:

I just read through all the posts, and I think it would be a bit pathetic if soemone tried to stuff the ballot for something as simple as a fun photo contest. This is about learning and about having fun. I do not have access to the passwords and if it ever came down to where anyone of us felt like we had to investigate voting habits or results then it makes more sense not to do this at all. This is about having fun and learning so it doesn't make sense to assume that there was anything sketchy done.

Cryogenic Filmworks

08-12-2006, 03:05 AM

And here is an outtake, perhaps I should have entered this instead. :love4:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/JoeyLawrence/DSC_0219res.jpg

anyway, Congrats to the winners and I look forward to the next contest!

I really liked the one you entered as well as this one. If you had entered this one though, I think I would have determined it to be yours based on the style, which I like btw.

Kirk Gillock

08-12-2006, 05:04 AM

Great work, everyone. And wow, talk about variety. Look at all those different styles. There's a great mix of people here. I love it! I want to take a picture of it so it will last longer. LOL :) And a big Thank You to Mikko and Jeremy for their generous donations. The money raised from just this one contest will help A LOT of people. Don't forget, Isara is located in a place where a two year college degree only costs $250.

Finally found the original file for "Born Again". Less compression.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/3327/1155380239.jpg

Does anyone else take 1,000 shots before capturing one that's worth showing? Or am I the worst photographer EVER? Don't answer that.

Congratulations to everyone. You all did a great job. Can't wait till next weeks show. :)
pk