Photoshop Contest Help

[Master Mason]

So, we have been running the photoshop contests for a couple of months now. Participation has dwindled. So I am asking what we can do to boost participation. Any ideas would be great.

The purpose of this contest as I see it is not to be great, but rather to chalange oursleves to get out of our comfort zones, try new things, learn what the programs will do, so I am hoping that we can get some more folks participating.

So, what say you?

[Gdad]

I do enjoy the contest and try to participate-

Maybe mix it up a bit and just have a theme rather than a specific photo to work from sometimes- like 'Magic Kingdom' or 'Charactors' or something- that may give everybody a little more creative liscence.

Or maybe a specific photoshop tecnique theme- like Cloning or B&W or Duotone or something where everyone posts a version of their own picture they modified.

Or maybe a mood everyone should shoot for in a processed picture- like Dark- or Dreamy-

Or how about a best recovery week where you post your most proud-of salvage of a photo where you made something out of nothing. Post before & after.

Just a few random thoughts...:)

[JR6ooo4]

I have a hard time coming up with ideas.

and this latest pic of the pumpkin festival.... to try and do a selection on that looks quite intimidating.

I will try to think of ideas to help.

Mikeeee

[Philagoofy]

I find photoshopped photos so interesting because I love people's creativity. While I have no suggestions (I like Gdad's ideas to not limit to a particular photo), I'm hoping that either the contests don't end or people will still post their photoshopped pics here.

We have Photoshop, I've never tried it but hope to someday. Is it difficult?

[klmall]

I like the theme idea since Photoshop work does take thinking and work time. Maybe we need a longer submission window.

Last week's photo just didn't "inspire me" so I didn't enter so I like the idea of submitting a picture you have used a specified technique on.

OTH - One of the problems with the current contest (in my opinion) is that it is wide open allowing people like me to stray way off from the given picture and simply cut elements of the given picture out and insert them into another scene and add my own warped sense of humor. That probably would have been fairer as a contest theme of its own. I guess what I'm saying is it's hard to enter, vote etc. when some people are doing true "artistic" rendering photos and others are doing silly things like I did.

I'll quit now before I get into more trouble! :rolleyes1

[cryssi]

I hope more people participate, as I love the photoshop contest. There was only one week that I didn't participate, and that's because I didn't have any ideas. My Sully entry the other week was pretty sorry, though.

I don't have any ideas for the contest now, but I like the idea of themes like Gdad said... I've been using these contests as a way to hone my photoshop skills and I really think that they are improving! I think that if we can learn new techniques from the many talented people here, we will all benefit! :)

Please keep 'em coming! I love photoshop (except to color elevations, which is what my work does and it drives me crazy...I'd much rather use Illustrator for that! But I digress...)

p.s. Hey! I won the china one! That's cool... :)

[CheshireVal]

I think the whole premise of a Photoshop contest sort of inherently limits the number of people who can and will enter. I bet the majority of posters don't have access to high end photo editing programs, and if they do, they don't really know how to use them.

I count myself as one of those people. I have Macromedia Fireworks on my work computer, and I think it's similar to PhotoShop, but I don't have the first clue how to use it. And I don't have time at work to figure it out!!!

[mabas9395]

The thing that makes the other photo contest so easy is that I can do it while I am at work. Read the subject, find photo on smugmug, post it.

I like and need this contest, its like photoshop exercise. But I have a hard time thinking of a creative idea to do with the photo. If I was given a specific task, I could do that no problem. But I'm not sure that making that sort of change would be a good idea because half of the point to this is coming up with the creative ideas.

That being said, I've had to travel a ton for work and stuff the past month so I haven't been home to work on the challenges. But things should slow down now and I'll be able to participate again. And now that my kids have found out about these contests, they keep wanting me to enter so they can root for me.

[SharonLowe]

I really like the contest but for me, I just don't have the time to do it very often. I think possibly extending the timeframe - maybe even making it a monthly one - and using themes rather than a set image might boost participation. If I had a month and a theme to work with, I think I might be more inclined to do it every month.

[DBL101]

I saw a couple of posts where some of the members didn't enter one week or another because nothing came to mind. Maybe we could have two or three pictures to choose from each week. This should make it more likely for everyone to get an idea while still having all of the entries start with one of the same two or three base entries.

[crazydadguy]

:confused3 I enjoy the challenges with the photoshop contest, but I happen to use Paint shop pro photo XI, as I didn't have the extra $500 laying around for Photoshop. I would post more often, but I have been away from home on business travel lately, and didnt have the software handy to work with. As to any ideas, dont know. :confused3

[Pea-n-Me]

I would like to participate, but I found Photoshop difficult to use and put it aside for a while. I'd like to learn it sometime but I'm currently focusing on honing my basic photography skills first.

[orchjoe]

I enjoy seeing what comes everyone comes up with their submissions. I don't have the time with college and work to sit and crank out something that quick, so I have been one the sidelines looking in.

[Suburbanmom]

I like the contest just the way it is, but I don't always have time to participate.

[Master Mason]

:confused3 I enjoy the challenges with the photoshop contest, but I happen to use Paint shop pro photo XI, as I didn't have the extra $500 laying around for Photoshop. I would post more often, but I have been away from home on business travel lately, and didnt have the software handy to work with. As to any ideas, dont know. :confused3

Crazydadguy,

Just so you know, I use Photoshop as a word for photo manipulation programs. It is like calling a copy a xerox. The word has become ubiquitious for all editing programs.

[Master Mason]

I have made the following two changes to the rules

Edit: The contest may also consist of weeks where the entry is a theame, and the person entering would use their own picture. For example, we could have a Black and White theme, so the entrant would use one of their pictures, turn it B&W and post. For these types of contests, it will be asked that before and after pictures be posted.

Edit number 2: Starting on October 29th, the submission period will be extended to a 2 week time frame to encourage more participation.


Please keep the ideas coming I want this to be of use and fun for the members of the board.

[Master Mason]

I think the whole premise of a Photoshop contest sort of inherently limits the number of people who can and will enter. I bet the majority of posters don't have access to high end photo editing programs, and if they do, they don't really know how to use them.

I count myself as one of those people. I have Macromedia Fireworks on my work computer, and I think it's similar to PhotoShop, but I don't have the first clue how to use it. And I don't have time at work to figure it out!!!

This is the point of the contests to me though, to use the programs we have. You don't have to have High end software, there are cheap or even free programs out there, but for me, it is about working in the program, to learn, more than the final outcome.

I hope that more folks will start messing around with the programs they have.

I have also made some modifications, which will hopefully allow more folks to take the plunge and join in.

[Gdad]

I saw an interesting photoshop contest one time that had 6 sample images and the contest entries had to combine some element of all of them. That may be a bit much but 2 or 3 may work.

[DBL101]

Can we cross-post the contest thread on the CreativeDISigns board also? The designers on that board would probably be interested in this contest if they were aware of it. A lot of other members that just go to that board to look at designs would probably have some interest in the voting thread as well.

[boBQuincy]

One reason I don't enter is that I am not very interested in working on someone else's photo.

How about we mimic the weekly contest, for subject matter? We could put some limits on the editing, such as limit it to one filter or one group of filters, or a certain treatment (such as duotone or whatever).

Then we would have two contests in tandem, one for "straight" photos and one for edited versions. That might push peoples creativity.

[jann1033]

i think i don't enter much cause i'm not really sure what to enter,,,originally i thought it was a more do something artistically with this photo but it seems like it's more do something funny and i don't always get a chance to think up something and since i basically have no disney photos, that kind of limits me as far as that goes

i would be more interested in doing a certain something , ie b&w, use a filter, paste it someplace else, clone something out, ie something specific to use, but that is probably cause i stink at photoshop so maybe that would be another thread...:rotfl:

[cryssi]

2 weeks, that's torture! LOL

I am excited to see the progression of this contest...

[Gdad]

2 weeks, that's torture! LOL

I am excited to see the progression of this contest...

I agree.

[DragonSlyr]

I have really enjoyed the contest so far. It has helped me to experiment with different elements of Photoshop. Had a good idea for last week, just didn’t have time to get it finished with work and running the kids around.

Looking forward to where this challenge develops in the future.

Tom

[Anewman]

i think i don't enter much cause i'm not really sure what to enter,,,originally i thought it was a more do something artistically with this photo but it seems like it's more do something funny and i don't always get a chance to think up something and since i basically have no disney photos, that kind of limits me as far as that goes

i would be more interested in doing a certain something , ie b&w, use a filter, paste it someplace else, clone something out, ie something specific to use, but that is probably cause i stink at photoshop so maybe that would be another thread...:rotfl:


I am 100% in agreement with Jann.

I think a weekly thing is fine but restricting everyone to use the same image can be very repetitive unless you are the first to post your submission.

But if you have "Best use of _____" contests we can still share our photos even if the effect used is the same.

examples
Best use of Cloning
Best use of layers
Best use of HDR
etc...

And we can even post the before and after pics.

[Master Mason]

so I have some that say that 1 week isn't long enough and 2 weeks is torture.... Help.

I really want to make this something that is fun and useful to everyone. Also realizing that you can't make everyone happy.

Should we try the new format with just a week and see how it goes first?

[Master Mason]

Can we cross-post the contest thread on the CreativeDISigns board also? The designers on that board would probably be interested in this contest if they were aware of it. A lot of other members that just go to that board to look at designs would probably have some interest in the voting thread as well.

Yes that can be done.... I just have to remember.

[Blueyed Girl]

so I have some that say that 1 week isn't long enough and 2 weeks is torture.... Help.

I really want to make this something that is fun and useful to everyone. Also realizing that you can't make everyone happy.

Should we try the new format with just a week and see how it goes first?
I think this is a great idea. 2 weeks seems like a long time.


I am enjoying the contest as it is because it forces me to think outside the box a little bit. I haven't entered very many but I've been having fun working on them. It has been sort of a practice session for me to get the ball rolling again since I haven't used photoshop in a while. I do wonder if this will sort of end up being a photo contest, as opposed to a photoshop contest. No offense to anyone. I was just thinking that there is already a photo contest. I do like some of the suggestions given here and look forward to trying something new. :goodvibes

[CheshireVal]

This is the point of the contests to me though, to use the programs we have. You don't have to have High end software, there are cheap or even free programs out there, but for me, it is about working in the program, to learn, more than the final outcome.




True, but the free or basic photo editing programs don't really allow you to do as many things as the more advanced programs do. So, if you're using, say, Irfanview or MS Picure Manager, there's no way you could dream of possibly competing in a contest where people are using PhotoShop.

I'm pretty familiar with lots of different *basic* photo editing programs, but none of them would allow me to use layers to combine two pictures or do selective coloring, etc.

My only point was that, if participation is low, it's probably because a lot people just aren't able to do that kind of editing.

I do enjoy looking at the contests, though! :thumbsup2

[Amy]

I'll toss in my 2 cents' here......

I really enjoy Dana's contests and about 95% of the time I'll post one of my photos. Even when I don't have one to fit the theme, I'll check the thread to see everyone else's photos and will vote every week.

When the Photoshop contest started, I watched the thread for the first week or two. I'm a complete novice with Photoshop - the most "advanced" things I can do are the selective coloring and occasionally cloning something. The stuff I saw on those first threads scared me!:scared1: There's no way I could compete with some of those photos. (And I know it's just a friendly competition, but I'd be embarassed to post what my paltry skills can do.;) )

Anyway, I like the idea of weekly (or bi-weekly) "themes" that some people have suggested, using our own photos or one you supply. Using diff. filters, cloning, layers, B&W, whatever that HDR thing is (I know there was a thread a while back and I forget), etc. This would give us novices one specific thing to try each week. My creative imagination isn't that great and there are so many possibilities with Photoshop that I feel overwhelmed when trying to come up with ideas unless I have some guidance.

[Master Mason]

So how does this sound? We would use the topics listed below, they can be changed if others are better, just my first pass. You can use your own pictures, but must post the before and after versions. Also topic list is printed in advance, so people can work ahead at their leasure.

Oct 29 B&W conversion
November 5 Cloning something into a picture
November 12 Cloning something out of a picture
November 19 All filters all the time (creative use of filters)
November 26 Selective coloring
December 3 Out of Bounds
December 10 Retouching (retouch a portrait style Picture)
December 17 Saved Picture (something that was initially bad, but you managed to save in PS)
December 24 Creative (you decide)

[Gdad]

:thumbsup2

So how does this sound? We would use the topics listed below, they can be changed if others are better, just my first pass. You can use your own pictures, but must post the before and after versions. Also topic list is printed in advance, so people can work ahead at their leasure.

Oct 29 B&W conversion
November 5 Cloning something into a picture
November 12 Cloning something out of a picture
November 19 All filters all the time (creative use of filters)
November 26 Selective coloring
December 3 Out of Bounds
December 10 Retouching (retouch a portrait style Picture)
December 17 Saved Picture (something that was initially bad, but you managed to save in PS)
December 24 Creative (you decide)

[jann1033]

so when are you going to post how to do it all...just kidding :)

[Anewman]

so when are you going to post how to do it all...just kidding :)
I would assume that along with before and after images, the poster would be allowed to post the exact technique used. It can turn out to be an instructional thing too.

[mabas9395]

So how does this sound? We would use the topics listed below, they can be changed if others are better, just my first pass. You can use your own pictures, but must post the before and after versions. Also topic list is printed in advance, so people can work ahead at their leasure.

Oct 29 B&W conversion
November 5 Cloning something into a picture
November 12 Cloning something out of a picture
November 19 All filters all the time (creative use of filters)
November 26 Selective coloring
December 3 Out of Bounds
December 10 Retouching (retouch a portrait style Picture)
December 17 Saved Picture (something that was initially bad, but you managed to save in PS)
December 24 Creative (you decide)

Are we keeping this to Disney related photos or opening it up to all photos?

[Master Mason]

Are we keeping this to Disney related photos or opening it up to all photos?


What ever everyone wants to do... I'm easy, I just want it to be fun, usefull, and to have people participate.

[cc1075]

Please don't stop this thread - - it would be wonderful if everyone would post how they do what they do - - so that novices like myself could learn and try our best to create something. The only thing I know how to do in Photoshop is remove the wrinkles from my face in photos - - - I must say I look much better! But I would love to learn more - and I love this post for ideas!!

Thanks!

[orchjoe]

You should still post a picture of something at Disney for the contest. While you may not have to use that picture the contest, I enjoy trying to come up with ideas to use (even though I never spend the time to actually do them).

[Anewman]

You should still post a picture of something at Disney for the contest. While you may not have to use that picture the contest, I enjoy trying to come up with ideas to use (even though I never spend the time to actually do them).

While this is DISboards, some might not have access to a Disney property each week. I feel the ease of going out and shooting an image that suits the weeks topic can be a real benefit where the photography board and photo editing are concerned.
Disney pictures should be encouraged but not mandated IMO.

I also think it should be renamed "Photo EDITING contest"

[MICKEY88]

While this is DISboards, some might not have access to a Disney property each week. I feel the ease of going out and shooting an image that suits the weeks topic can be a real benefit where the photography board and photo editing are concerned.
Disney pictures should be encouraged but not mandated IMO.

I also think it should be renamed "Photo EDITING contest"

I might be wrong but I think what orchjoe meant was that Master MAson should still post a disney pic that people can use if they don't want to use one of their own..

[Master Mason]

Ok,

I have updated the rules, and added the themes above.

Basicly I will post a pic as I have been doing, the participant may use said picture or one of their own. If they use one of their own then they must post a before and after picture. I have also added the themes for the upcoming weeks though the end of the year.

I have also changed the name to photo editing contest.

I hope with these changes we can increase participation and make it fun for all. If anyone has any further suggestions, I am still looking to find out what everyone wants this to be.

Thanks
Gregg

[MICKEY88]

1.November 5 Cloning something into a picture

2.December 10 Retouching (retouch a portrait style Picture)
3.December 17 Saved Picture (something that was initially bad, but you managed to save in PS)


1..cloned in ,or edited in...???

2. retouched as in making it better or could it be turning a nice portrait into a monster..??

3. saved in Ps,, or saved by post processing with any software...?

[Master Mason]

1.November 5 Cloning something into a picture

2.December 10 Retouching (retouch a portrait style Picture)
3.December 17 Saved Picture (something that was initially bad, but you managed to save in PS)


1..cloned in ,or edited in...???

2. retouched as in making it better or could it be turning a nice portrait into a monster..??

3. saved in Ps,, or saved by post processing with any software...?

When ever I say Photoshop, it is a generic term for a photo processing program. It is like calling a copy a xerox regardless of the machine it came from.

And I guess I'll show my ignorance, is there a difference of cloning in vs editing in?

To me retouching means making a portrait better, but I guess if you wanted to turn it into a monster, that would also be retouching...

[MICKEY88]

When ever I say Photoshop, it is a generic term for a photo processing program. It is like calling a copy a xerox regardless of the machine it came from.

And I guess I'll show my ignorance, is there a difference of cloning in vs editing in?

To me retouching means making a portrait better, but I guess if you wanted to turn it into a monster, that would also be retouching...

cloning in would involve the clone tool, and is a harder way to add an element, editing in You can open 2 pics, cut an object out of one and insert into the other

[Master Mason]

Ok, switched it to adding and removing, that leaves it open to however someone wants to do it.

[cryssi]

If a previously submitted, unwinning entry (up until the new, revamped contest) has utilized techniques pertinent to the current week's contest, can it be resubmitted?

[Master Mason]

sure don't see why not

[Master Mason]

sure I don't see why not.

Honestly really don't want to get bogged down in rules, I want it to be simple and fun. Obviously there needs to be a few rules, or there is not contest, but want to keep it simple and keep people trying new things.

[cryssi]

cool, thanks...

[DueyDooDah]

I'm sorry I am late to add to this but my new moterhboard has been sent back to the manufacturer so I'm DItW for awhile. But, I was thinking maybe taking a RAW file (I know, this limits even more participants), one that is technically correct (out of the camera), then have people attempt to make basic adjustments (expose, WB, saturation, etc.) to develop the most appealing finished product possible. Posting the steps taken (actual settings, as in the case of Lightroom) would help others learn how to improve their photos.

[Anewman]

I'm sorry I am late to add to this but my new moterhboard has been sent back to the manufacturer so I'm DItW for awhile. But, I was thinking maybe taking a RAW file (I know, this limits even more participants), one that is technically correct (out of the camera), then have people attempt to make basic adjustments (expose, WB, saturation, etc.) to develop the most appealing finished product possible. Posting the steps taken (actual settings, as in the case of Lightroom) would help others learn how to improve their photos.


That is a very interesting concept. I just think too many entries will be almost indistinguishable(if everyone uses the same file), and then we run into the issue that not everyones monitors are calibrated the same.

[DueyDooDah]

Yes, I thought about that but maybe we could still give it a try. I'd love to see how others process the same photo.

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Sorry to be late in responding, but we just returned from our annual October visit to the World :cool1: (yes that means more pictures :))

As others have said, I too would post more often but don't always have the time to work on a photo or find it hard to come up with an idea. I don't like the idea of having a task for us to do to a specific photo.

Bonny

[Master Mason]

I don't like the idea of having a task for us to do to a specific photo.

Bonny


I agree with this, so I will post a photo that can be used, but you can also use one of your own if you so choose. We will give it a try and if it gets more folks to participate then great, if not, then we can re evaluate.