I'm encouraged they've liked as many of mine as they have. Doesn't mean I think less of the images they've rejected. But it would be nice to have some idea of the cause for rejection.
In every photo contest I've entered, when I could talk to the judges, I've found they had very definite reasons for rejection/acceptance. People are different. I do my photography for my own reasons, but it sure is nicer when others like my work. I applaud Pentax for supporting the gallery & putting up a very professional effort. Kenneth Waller ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Stenquist" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Pentax-Discuss Mail List" <pdml@pdml.net> Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 2:06 PM Subject: Re: Pentax Gallery > I'm not dismayed. Surprised by some choices, but that's true of every > selective show or website I've ever dealt with. > Paul > On Mar 21, 2007, at 10:26 AM, Jack Davis wrote: > >> My incidental comment: We've all been dismayed by the inconsistencies >> in judging. A photo which may have been honored with a first place >> ranking in a well attended inventory of work assembled by a respected >> gallery, would reasonably be expected to show well in most judged >> exhibits. Not the case. >> >> Jack >> --- Mark Roberts <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >>> Paul Stenquist wrote: >>> >>>> Yep. Either the people who do the pickin' like 'em or they don't. >>>> Fairly simple. Their taste doesn't correspond exactly to mine, and I >>> >>>> suspect others feel the same way. But, hey, it's their gallery. >>> >>> Precisely. >>> >>> Furthermore, I've come to realize that I *already know* which shots >>> of >>> mine *I* like best ;-) Part of the value in a selective gallery (or >>> a >>> photography contest) is specifically in gaining some insight into >>> what >>> *other* people like. Sure, any artist has to please himself/herself >>> first and foremost. But if the only person you please is yourself >>> you're not going to get anywhere. Moreover, if you're only pleasing >>> yourself you clearly aren't communicating with, or connecting to, >>> anyone else with your photographs. You can't possibly expect to >>> please >>> everybody, but that shouldn't be taken as an excuse to reject or >>> ignore >>> all other opinions. >>> >>> Another thing that's useful about selective galleries or contests is >>> that they encourage you to think about *why* you disagree with the >>> official selections. Thinking about why you like what you like (and >>> how >>> to achieve it) is a crucial part of growing and improving as a >>> photographer. Even learning about opinions with which I may disagree >>> is >>> valuable. >>> >>> If the Gallery accepted every shot I submitted and put it in their >>> Premier Collection it would be a huge ego boost, but I wouldn't learn >>> >>> anything. >>> >>> In light of all this, it certainly would be helpful if they provided >>> some commentary to explain why photos were declined, but I can >>> understand that there's no possible way they would have time for >>> this. >>> The note on the web site that says they'll provide a reason for >>> declined shots was clearly intended to refer to technical issues like >>> >>> "not taken with a Pentax camera". They'll eventually remove that text >>> >>> or at least fix the wording, but this gallery is a huge undertaking >>> and >>> these projects never have all the staff they need. Heck, two weeks >>> ago >>> their list of Pentax cameras didn't even include the MX (for shame!) >>> and last time I checked, their lens list didn't include the original >>> "K" series. >>> >>> After weeks/months of being too busy, I'm determined to get out and >>> do >>> some shooting this weekend and I think the Pentax Gallery has played >>> a >>> major part in motivating me. Come to think of it, it's having shots >>> declined by the Gallery that's the biggest motivator. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
