A few weeks back, Segador introduced me to some interesting Flickr groups (PFO, TMOAC) where people submit photos in bake-off challenges in various themed categories. As some of you have noticed, I’ve been slowly collecting medals on a lucky few photos that managed to conquer my rival photos. bwhwhahaha.
My mouth dropped when Segador showed me the following link to PFO’s July bracket entries, consisting of one photo that managed to survive two rounds of challenges per person. I’ve always been on the lookout for ways to train and develop my photography eye. I soon realized, looking at other people’s shots in these challenge groups is a great way to accomplish this goal.
My first photo to win a PFO Gold medal is the “transportation” shot on the right. This was actually taken in Toronto on the day of that fateful trip to Denver, Colorado. It also happens to be my first photo to win a PFO Platinum medal. :)
Over the past few weeks, I’ve managed to win PFO medals on 45 of my photos. You can view them here.
I’ll admit I’m sort of addicted to these challenge groups now, checking them several times a day. When I go out shooting, I’m consistently thinking of ways to take photos that will fit the major challenge themes. I’ve uploaded a photo to Flickr solely to enter an open challenge thread. I’ve been a little annoyed when an undeserving (in my opinion) photo beats out my submission. You win some, you lose some. I’ve grown much more critical of my own photos now, sometimes wishing I had framed certain shots better, or capture certain lighting better.
While not as storied as Sega’s accomplishments, I do have two honourable mentions under my belt. :)
This shot of Toronto during the Luminato Festival managed to sweep a Medals (Round 2) challenge, which is said to be quite rare.
This rainbow shot from McGregor trip got selected as a PFO Hidden Gem. :)
[sweetgoddess71]: This Hidden Gem was an easy choice for me. This rare shot of a full rainbow popped off the page at me. What a stunning capture, truly worthy of a place in the spotlight this week. Way to go!
:D
I'd have to say I am experiencing the same things as you - checking several times a day if I can, uploaded photos just to enter a contest, and being a little annoyed when an undeserving photo wins a challenge (*recalls the sea lion winner*). But this is also good because I am now much more critical of my own photos too, and am finding out about what I should improve. I haven't gone so far as to shoot photos just so I can fit them to contest categories, though. :P But sometimes I do think about deleting photos in my photostream that are not worthy to win in the contests...
Thanks Tochi and Sega for introducing me to PFO and TMOAC!