1 thing i learned

[bnk1953]

One thing I learned from this experience - the people that send in for contests are so way over my capabilites, etc. that I know I won't have to bother working on exact dimensions etc anymore - I'm going back to lurking.

Wait a minute! That's just crazy talk!

Don't go back to lurking -- the whole purpose of this site and the forums is to learn and grow and expand your skills, all with the help and support of Elements users all over the world. Each person has so much to contribute. And all of us have things to learn.

So keep on shooting, keep on posting, keep on asking questions and drawing inspiration from your peers.

There will be other challenges. And more opportunities to share your work.

So don't give up!

[kerriann85]

Now don't get discouraged! I feel the same way when I look at betterphoto.com and see all the photos submitted there. I enter the contest anyway....just because I can!!

Keep lurking, but join in too. It's a great way to learn. Look at what you like and decide why. Learn about the rule of thirds, sometimes that can help in composition, it's helped me see things a little differently. (i can dig up a link if you'd like.) And keep shooting!

[DanielleL]

bnk1953,

I didn't have a pic that I felt was worthy enough for the challenge but I had one that I really liked. I'm glad I submitted it and proud even thought mine wasn't a 'winner'.

We all win here. Maybe not a prize but I'm a newbie. I look at the other pics and see all the possibilities for me as I strive to improve.


Danielle

[Wendy]

Bruce,

No way do you get to go back to being a lurker ... once you start then there is simply no way back :lol: :lol:

You entered a good image ... it was a difficult shot and you have some good effects with the light. One thing I have found out about both using Elements and taking photographs ... the more you do it the better you get.

I am no photographer, why I got a camera to take images so that I could use them in Elements ... now how sad is that and I looked at everyone elses images and thought Wow I wish I could do that.

However, whenever there is a competition I enter anyway. Its fun ... we are all friends and it helps me improve.

So please carry on entering ... if you don't then we will all miss you :cry: :cry:

Wendy

[GaryK]

Don't just lurkand don't get discouraged.
We have all had, and asked newbie questions. Everybody was a novice at anything they try, at one time. Seeing what other people are doing just proves it can be done.
The people here are great, probably one of the best bunch of people you will find anywhere. So keep plugging away and keep asking questions. You can only get better.

Gary.

[Kathy]

Kerriann,

Would you please post the link about "thirds"? I'd love to learn about composition ...... I am usually a "just shoot and see what I get person" ... but I would love to learn about composing before taking the shot. Maybe then I might get more shots that I like ..... instead of the "pure luck factor".

Thank you,
Kathy

[Wendy]

Kathy,

Take a look at this link:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...mposition.mspx

Wendy

[kerriann85]

Thanks for that link Wendy, I can't for the life of me find the site I was looking for. Here's another pretty informative place tho.
http://www.morguefile.com/ver3/classroom.php?lesson=1

[Pauline]

First off, if you don't try, you will never succeed!! When I first started on this list, only a few short months ago, I knew NOTHING! The challenges looked intimidating. Everyone was so much better than me.......they all knew so much more, BUT I've been learning so much and playing around and the one thing that I always remember is that 13 years ago, I didn't know how to paint! The painting books looked so hard. "I'll never be able to do that." Well I can pick up some of those older books now and laugh........."why did I think this was difficult??" I have grown and learned and never let it discourage me that there were people out there that were much better than I was. I was like a sponge and sucked it in. One famous painting teacher told me that she still takes lessons from others. No matter how much you know.......there will always be tons that you don't know! Take the challenge and join the rest of us. Some are better at one particular challenge than they are at others. We all have our weak spots. Eventually when you get more confidence, you will notice yourself improving and there will be someone below you on the ladder.

Also in this particular challenge.....it was "what you considered you best shot". Everyone has different tastes. What one person likes, another might not. In my eyes, I love my Golden Retriever and any picture of him is great. A cat lover would prefer a cat picture. Others prefer landscapes. You will never learn by lurking!! Join in. This group is the best I've seen and no one is judgemental. We all do the best we can and strive to get better!!