Before I think about goals for 2008, here's a review of my 2007 goals and progress...
1. To be a regular attendee at CCC - Have been to all bar two sessions in 2007 CCC season.
2. To complete the population of my website and to build in the purchase prints facility - Decided not to progress this, since not in a position to launch any print sales just yet...
3. To have one or more of my prints available for sale in a local outlet in/around Cambridge - Failed! (Didn't try, though).
4. To sell some of my prints to paying punters (this could be linked in to number 2). Again, no sales. Have not really tried, though.
5. To have some more "success" in CCC competitions and perhaps inter-club competitions too - this has definitely been achieved. Came third overall in the serial projected image competition, and won the Creative section of the Annual Digital Championship (as well as the 2nd in the same category). Also got a commended in the Creative section. In 2007/8 season, got a First in the first print competition, and a HC in the first projected image competition.
6. To enter one image in this year's CCC Annual Exhibition - Yes, achieved this.
7. To enter, and hopefully be placed in at least one round, a national photo competition (e.g. a magazine "Photographer of the 8. Year" type competition - I did enter one competition, but was not placed. Did not enter again!
8. To obtain Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) status in Photoshop - This didn't happen, but didn't try/have time, and also don't have CS3!
9. To begin the process of obtaining another photographic "qualification", through CCC - I am going to attend the Aperture group in 2008.
10. To stop buying as many books and magazines, and start doing more photography!! - alas, failed on this so far; have done very little photography, although no new books have been purchased. Magazine purchases down greatly too - only really buy 2 a month.
So, achieved some of the goals and some were - in retrospect - not achievable without more time and effort!
Must think of achievable goals - but still stretching - for 2008.
Ivan
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
2007 so far; Runners and Riders (and dismounts...)
As a summary (if anyone's interested), my results and "considered" opinions for the CCC competitions I have entered so far.
I've managed to enter every competition so far this year, something I set out to do in my objectives for season 2007/8, so I'm chuffed at that. This has included print portfolio (5 images), and serial print x 2 (4 images in total, 2bw, 2 colour), two projected image competitions (4 images total) and a projected image portfolio (5 images total). All images are new in the sense that I did not use any last year (more than can be said for some members - more on that later). No new images taken for the competitions, but extensive reworking of back-catalogue images, so the next best thing. In 2008, I aim to submit some new images to competitions, and hope to enter all competitions to season end.
My two portfolios (projected and print) each got good comments, particularly the last print portfolio, even though no distinctions were awarded. This is fine, as it's a new skill and I was trying to craft a set from images that were not taken with that originally in mind. I was happy with both sets, but can see where there were weaknesses, so it's been a learning exercise.
In the serial (projected and print) competitions, I got off to good starts (see below), but then chose to submit less conventional images in the next two competitions, and they did not fare well, grading wise. I loved the images, and they got good feedback on the blog, so I've learned there too, but I think it's down to judges' preferences, and there have been some crap judges (as evidenced by the comments they make) this year so far. Last night's was OK, and he was ruthless with awards, as the general standard was quite high.
Highlights - definitely getting a First grading for "Window and Chair" in the first print competition of 2007. Also, getting a Highly Commended grading for "Peak Heather and Barn" in the first projected competition.
Lowlights - bombing out in everything else.
Last year, my Rookie year, I did really well. I only entered the 3 Projected Image competitions and the Annual Digital Championship, and came 3rd overall in the serial projected and got a Category First and 2nd (Creative) in the Annual Digital.
So, last year, I splurged my best images, and did well. I was more "traditional" in approach, and did well. This year, I did well with the traditional stuff, and not well with the alternative stuff. So, we can draw conclusions about what works in competitions, but I am personally happy with the amount and general quality of the stuff I've submitted. I've learned about porfolios and I think have a better insight into serial competitions too. I think the larger prints do better in the print competitions, so perhaps I'll enter some larger (A3) prints in 08. I'll also enter some new pics next year, and see how they get on.
So, that's me for 2007 so far. No chance of replicating 06/07's success, unless I have a Kimi Raikonnen-style comeback in 08...
Watch this space...
Ivan
I've managed to enter every competition so far this year, something I set out to do in my objectives for season 2007/8, so I'm chuffed at that. This has included print portfolio (5 images), and serial print x 2 (4 images in total, 2bw, 2 colour), two projected image competitions (4 images total) and a projected image portfolio (5 images total). All images are new in the sense that I did not use any last year (more than can be said for some members - more on that later). No new images taken for the competitions, but extensive reworking of back-catalogue images, so the next best thing. In 2008, I aim to submit some new images to competitions, and hope to enter all competitions to season end.
My two portfolios (projected and print) each got good comments, particularly the last print portfolio, even though no distinctions were awarded. This is fine, as it's a new skill and I was trying to craft a set from images that were not taken with that originally in mind. I was happy with both sets, but can see where there were weaknesses, so it's been a learning exercise.
In the serial (projected and print) competitions, I got off to good starts (see below), but then chose to submit less conventional images in the next two competitions, and they did not fare well, grading wise. I loved the images, and they got good feedback on the blog, so I've learned there too, but I think it's down to judges' preferences, and there have been some crap judges (as evidenced by the comments they make) this year so far. Last night's was OK, and he was ruthless with awards, as the general standard was quite high.
Highlights - definitely getting a First grading for "Window and Chair" in the first print competition of 2007. Also, getting a Highly Commended grading for "Peak Heather and Barn" in the first projected competition.
Lowlights - bombing out in everything else.
Last year, my Rookie year, I did really well. I only entered the 3 Projected Image competitions and the Annual Digital Championship, and came 3rd overall in the serial projected and got a Category First and 2nd (Creative) in the Annual Digital.
So, last year, I splurged my best images, and did well. I was more "traditional" in approach, and did well. This year, I did well with the traditional stuff, and not well with the alternative stuff. So, we can draw conclusions about what works in competitions, but I am personally happy with the amount and general quality of the stuff I've submitted. I've learned about porfolios and I think have a better insight into serial competitions too. I think the larger prints do better in the print competitions, so perhaps I'll enter some larger (A3) prints in 08. I'll also enter some new pics next year, and see how they get on.
So, that's me for 2007 so far. No chance of replicating 06/07's success, unless I have a Kimi Raikonnen-style comeback in 08...
Watch this space...
Ivan
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Interesting Metrics...and initial goals for the 2007/8 CCC Season
Remember I finished third overall in the 2006/7 projected image competition? Well, I scored 52 points for that third place. I knew Barrie Hatton (Club President) came second and Ann Miles (Programme Secretary and semi-pro photographer) came first, so I totted up their scores (sad, ain't I?) from the results on the CCC webpage...Ann had 104 points and Barrie 82, I was a distant third with 52.
Shows that in order to challenge this season, I do need to have both images scoring at each competition, as both Ann and Barrie regularly did. I ALWAYS had one image that bombed, with no score, and one that did quite well. Still, numerically I am half as good as Ann Miles, so being half of shit-hot is good enough for me (for now)!
This year, it's my goal to achieve at least a 3rd overall again, but with a higher score (realistic goal) or to come 2nd overall (less realistic). I also want to enter some of the print and portfolio competitions too. I'd like to also do well again in the Annual Digital Championship, but will be hard-pushed to improve on winning (and coming second too) in the Creative category. I think I'd like to enter in the Pictorial (i.e. Landscapes) and do well in that - entering the Creative section was a calculated strategy to use my relatively good photoshop skills to good effect in a category I knew would be less intensely fought. This turned out to be a good move, for my ego if nothing else!
I'll have a think about my CCC goals for 2007/8 and put them on the blog; last year, being my first season, I had no idea what to expect, and hoped to place in ONE competition. I did a whole lot better than that, which makes 2007/8 a bit tougher. A bit like Lewis Hamilton in his F1 rookie year...(sort of).
Cheers
Ivan
Shows that in order to challenge this season, I do need to have both images scoring at each competition, as both Ann and Barrie regularly did. I ALWAYS had one image that bombed, with no score, and one that did quite well. Still, numerically I am half as good as Ann Miles, so being half of shit-hot is good enough for me (for now)!
This year, it's my goal to achieve at least a 3rd overall again, but with a higher score (realistic goal) or to come 2nd overall (less realistic). I also want to enter some of the print and portfolio competitions too. I'd like to also do well again in the Annual Digital Championship, but will be hard-pushed to improve on winning (and coming second too) in the Creative category. I think I'd like to enter in the Pictorial (i.e. Landscapes) and do well in that - entering the Creative section was a calculated strategy to use my relatively good photoshop skills to good effect in a category I knew would be less intensely fought. This turned out to be a good move, for my ego if nothing else!
I'll have a think about my CCC goals for 2007/8 and put them on the blog; last year, being my first season, I had no idea what to expect, and hoped to place in ONE competition. I did a whole lot better than that, which makes 2007/8 a bit tougher. A bit like Lewis Hamilton in his F1 rookie year...(sort of).
Cheers
Ivan
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Mid Year Appraisal
Well, it's mid-year appraisal time at work, so I thought it opportune to revisit my Photography Goals for 2007, as originally posted in January this year. They are below, with updates as of June 2007.
1. To be a regular attendee at CCC - Managed to get to more sessions of CCC for sure, but still missed some. Mostly due to illness, work or Abby.
2. To complete the population of my website and to build in the purchase prints facility - This is coming along, and the print purchase facility is quite easy to do. This one is moving slowly...
3. To have one or more of my prints available for sale in a local outlet in/around Cambridge - nothing to report here.
4. To sell some of my prints to paying punters (this could be linked in to number 2). Again, no sales. Have not really tried, though.
5. To have some more "success" in CCC competitions and perhaps inter-club competitions too - this has definitely been achieved. Came third overall in the serial projected image competition, and won the Creative section of the Annual Digital Championship (as well as the 2nd in the same category). Also got a commended in the Creative section.
6. To enter one image in this year's CCC Annual Exhibition - this is not until October time I think.
7. To enter, and hopefully be placed in at least one round, a national photo competition (e.g. a magazine "Photographer of the 8. Year" type competition - I did enter one competition, but was not placed. May try again before year is out.
8. To obtain Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) status in Photoshop - this will definitely not happen this year. Time, plus don't know enough about CS3 yet.
9. To begin the process of obtaining another photographic "qualification", through CCC - may address this when CCC starts up again in September.
10. To stop buying as many books and magazines, and start doing more photography!! - alas, failed on this so far; have done very little photography, although no new books have been purchased. Magazine purchases down greatly too - only really buy 2 a month.
So, some progress. Will update you towards the end of the year.
Ivan
1. To be a regular attendee at CCC - Managed to get to more sessions of CCC for sure, but still missed some. Mostly due to illness, work or Abby.
2. To complete the population of my website and to build in the purchase prints facility - This is coming along, and the print purchase facility is quite easy to do. This one is moving slowly...
3. To have one or more of my prints available for sale in a local outlet in/around Cambridge - nothing to report here.
4. To sell some of my prints to paying punters (this could be linked in to number 2). Again, no sales. Have not really tried, though.
5. To have some more "success" in CCC competitions and perhaps inter-club competitions too - this has definitely been achieved. Came third overall in the serial projected image competition, and won the Creative section of the Annual Digital Championship (as well as the 2nd in the same category). Also got a commended in the Creative section.
6. To enter one image in this year's CCC Annual Exhibition - this is not until October time I think.
7. To enter, and hopefully be placed in at least one round, a national photo competition (e.g. a magazine "Photographer of the 8. Year" type competition - I did enter one competition, but was not placed. May try again before year is out.
8. To obtain Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) status in Photoshop - this will definitely not happen this year. Time, plus don't know enough about CS3 yet.
9. To begin the process of obtaining another photographic "qualification", through CCC - may address this when CCC starts up again in September.
10. To stop buying as many books and magazines, and start doing more photography!! - alas, failed on this so far; have done very little photography, although no new books have been purchased. Magazine purchases down greatly too - only really buy 2 a month.
So, some progress. Will update you towards the end of the year.
Ivan
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