I did not feel this relaxed and comfortable about my photography in the beginning, no, not at all! Back in 2012, as I joined W1K, it was so much more personal. I imagine it's like that for many of us when we're rookies. The step, to actually participating from just lurking is really quite a large one. You see, I've actually been lurking at W1K for many many years, on and off. A friend of mine told me of the site, and the first time I checked it out I was completely awestruck! The things you can find there are just... there are no words to fit the awesomeness of it, and to dare to become a part of that is a bit daunting.
I don't know what finally pushed me to competing myself. Maybe it was the university, and the fact that I really needed a creative outlet in my life back then. You see, learning about math can be quite dry at times (believe it or not haha). Or maybe it was the new camera that finally gave me the inspiration - DSLR cameras are so much more flexible than compacts. Or maybe it was a very lucky combination of both.
My first entries, were no beauties, let me tell you! It's a long process to learn how to compose, use light, and post-process. But the fun of W1K is all the help you can find there, and all the helpful generous people. You'll find a lot of great tutorials on just about anything, and, if you want to, you can ask for help in the forum, or even get critique on specific photograph. They also have a great mentor program, that is completely free! I promise, if you keep the ego monster away, it will really jump start your journey towards becoming better. I learned so much from my mentor, and it's so much fun to get to know people from around the globe too.
Oops, sorry, I've rambled a lot now, lets get back to my original intent. So, I was very pleasantly surprised by the outcome of this last contest. The top picture actually actually made first place! But not only that, it is now my highest scoring entry ever! It got so very close to that "magical barrier"; the mean was 7.935 and I've set a goal to score an entry over 8. You see, all entries with a mean over 8 gets added to a special collection, and I would be so honored to be added to that group of select artists that have made it. But hey, I've passed a lot of my goals over the years - my first medal, my first gold medal, graduating to the advanced arena, winning a gold trophy, and finally, winning a master's gold trophy!So, even though I've not quite made all my goals, I's nice to still have something to strive for, and I'm proud to have come this close!
Thank you for listening!
/MrsHjort
I have to start this comment over, because I somehow clicked on something by mistake and lost all I had written... oh, well... such is life.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your win, Natalie. What a gorgeous (I think that's a cabbage butterfly - although not 100% sure) photograph. It really did deserve 1st place.
I like what you are saying about the comments that people leave you on Worth and how you have to learn to put your ego aside to learn and become better. You will find also, though.. that the more experience you get, that you are better able to step back and see what comments are helpful and which are not. As you become a better photographer, some of the comments you may get are from less experienced ones and they may not always understand your objective. For instance, perhaps you have an image that you have blurred slightly on purpose, either to create an ethereal mood or to achieve the movement of a dance etc., some may say it is not in focus, but you never wanted it to be. The stronger you become, the more confident you are about your work and of the choices that you make. So -- yes, put your ego aside but don't put it in a box and then in a drawer because you have to also trust your instincts and believe in yourself. I'm not saying when you are a complete noob and you think you are bees knees but as you become proficient you need to make your work yours and not what others think it should be.
You've done really well and I think you have an excellent eye. Yes, keep your ego in check but trust yourself too... you are quite good!
all the best,
Maggie
Thank you very much Maggie, how kind of you to say, it means a lot to me to hear it from you. I really admire your photography :). Yes, W1K has definitely helped me to develop, it's a great place for that, and I'm definitely more confidant now.
DeleteI absolutely agree with your point, though I kind of like those "inexperienced comments", despite the fact that they might not always be on the ball - it's interesting to get to know how others view my pictures, no matter who they are. I might not take the comments to heart, but I like the perspective they provide, and I am thankful for the fact that they took the time to stop by and think about my picture.
Hugs :)