Silver1SWA From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 4535 posts, RR: 26 Posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 1593 times:
For the past few months, since the purchase of my Canon EOS 400D, I have been actively shooting and uploading almost daily. However, recently I have stopped uploading. I have spent hours going through my photos and editing the best candidates, but I am never happy with any of the results anymore. I'm becoming paranoid...too scared of rejection. I stare at my photos never sure if they are level. I stare and stare, taking note of sharpening which has been a huge problem for me. I get batches of photos rejected at a time all for being soft. Then the next round, an entire batch will get axed for being oversharpened. I have dealt with those issues for a while, and now my acceptance ration has dropped to 52%.
I'm developing another problem. I am paranoid about potential color casts. I think I see a cast on every photo, and when I play with the colors, I end up changing them from the natural scene I photographed. I haven't had a color rejection at all in the past few months, so why am I becoming so obsessed over this??
I know there are more important things in life than getting photos on airliner.net. But, I have become very interested in photography as of late, and I see airliners.net as a challenge. Knowing that I can get a shot on this site is something I am proud of. It's satisfaction that my hard work and learning has payed off. But I feel like I am in a slump right now.
I'm not really sure what I'm looking to get out of posting this thread. I just feel the need to vent. I'm sure many of you are experiencing, or have experienced something similar here at airliner.net...so, any advice?
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
JeffM From United States of America, joined May 2005, 3266 posts, RR: 53 Reply 1, posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 1583 times:
Quoting Silver1SWA (Thread starter): I know there are more important things in life than getting photos on airliner.net.
That is a major understatement.
Quoting Silver1SWA (Thread starter): I'm not really sure what I'm looking to get out of posting this thread.
ThierryD From Luxembourg, joined Dec 2005, 2021 posts, RR: 52 Reply 2, posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 1577 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW HEAD SUPPORT
Hey Silver!
Why don't you have a chat with Psych (aka P. Markman); I'm sure he can offer you some professional aid concerning your paranoia!
But seriously though, you should take it more relaxed. I've gone through the same process a few weeks ago getting rejection after rejection. I then spent lots of time finding out what A.net is looking for and edited my pictures accordingly; putting together the rejection guide helped a lot as I was studying lots of accepted photos and rejections to get it done.
I got to raise my acceptance ratio but lost it again as I was trying to get some more challenging shots in.
On the other side I noticed that no matter how carefully I edit a shot, sometimes I just miss something. Only had one rejected today for dirty because when equalizing my picture the area in which the dust sat was so dark that I couldn't spot it and didn't notice it later on in the process neither (didnt look for any dust anymore anyway as I was sure I already erased them all).
That's the risk of the game.
So just edit your shots according your best knowledge and conscience and upload them. If they aren't A.net acceptable the screeners will tell you soon enough. Next choice will be appeal, re-edit or drop it. It's that easy and really nothing that should keep you from sleeping.
DC10Tim From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 1405 posts, RR: 16 Reply 3, posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 1575 times:
Sit down, have a nice cold beer and don't worry about it
I've not uploaded a shot yet that I am 100% happy with. There will always be photos that you look at on here and think "wow, that's a million miles away from what I'm doing at the minute", but a ratio of 52% isn't that bad in the grand scheme of things.
If you're struggling with sharpening try one of the workflows published by members of this forum. Fergul's is particularly well explained. It should be a routine process. It is just a matter of getting an eye for what is right and what isn't.
As for colour, it is one of the biggest problems I have. You can play about for hours and not get it looking right. Make sure your screen is calibrated to begin with though.
Silver1SWA From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 4535 posts, RR: 26 Reply 4, posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 1568 times:
Quoting JeffM (Reply 1): Well, there is always Brand-X. If you get shot down there, then you really do have a problem, and this whole thread will be justified.
Haha. Well to tell you the truth, I have never been a fan of the alternative brands out there.
Quoting ThierryD (Reply 2): Why don't you have a chat with Psych (aka P. Markman); I'm sure he can offer you some professional aid concerning your paranoia!
But seriously though, you should take it more relaxed.
LOL But seriously, I'm not worked up over it or anything. Just frustrated that I'm not comfortable enough to upload any shots right now. Sometimes I'm not even happy enough to hit "save" on an edit.
Quoting DC10Tim (Reply 3): Sit down, have a nice cold beer and don't worry about it
No worries. It's only 5:47pm local time. I plan on having a few before the night is over. After all, it is college night at all the bars tonight.
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
Aussie18 From Australia, joined Jun 2005, 1608 posts, RR: 10 Reply 5, posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 1532 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW PHOTO SCREENER
Think we all suffer from going through good periods of getting shots accepted and building acceptance ratio up than to watch it tumble down with a collection of rejected photos in a row......
Just continue editing and uploading to the best of your ability and await to find out what screeners decide on them.
JeffM From United States of America, joined May 2005, 3266 posts, RR: 53 Reply 6, posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 1532 times:
Quoting Silver1SWA (Reply 4): I'm not worked up over it or anything. Just frustrated that I'm not comfortable enough to upload any shots right now.
Nothing to worry about. I go months at a time with out uploading. Give it a break for a bit, it does nothing but good.
CalgaryBill From Canada, joined May 2006, 686 posts, RR: 6 Reply 7, posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 1502 times:
If you're getting that obsessed with image editing then limit yourself to working on one image. Don't spend more than a couple minutes on it, then put it full screen on your monitor. Now, get up and walk away! As Tim said, go have a beer, watch a movie, get lucky, whatever.
After an hour or so, go back into the room and look at the picture from a few feet away. You will instantly know if it's level, dark, light, or has skewed colours. Adjust, submit, and go back to whatever you were doing during the first break.
Silver1SWA From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 4535 posts, RR: 26 Reply 8, posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 1481 times:
Quoting CalgaryBill (Reply 7): If you're getting that obsessed with image editing then limit yourself to working on one image. Don't spend more than a couple minutes on it, then put it full screen on your monitor. Now, get up and walk away! As Tim said, go have a beer, watch a movie, get lucky, whatever.
Whoa, I never said I was getting obsessed. Photography and image editing is far from any kind of priority in my life. I'm just tired of not being happy with any results lately. Where does that say anything about how much time I spend on them? Anyway, I haven't let a shot sit in the queue all the way til screening in about two weeks now. I have uploaded, but pulled a couple days later because after looking at it again, I see problems with it...or think I do. Doesn't matter how long I look at a photo, or how much time I spend with this. The fact of the matter is I am doing a lot of second guessing on every single one.
I know the way I presented the problem sounded a lot like I'm in need of therapy. I'm just presenting a frustration and venting it to the forum.
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
Psych From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2004, 2968 posts, RR: 60 Reply 9, posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 1477 times:
Quoting ThierryD (Reply 2): Why don't you have a chat with Psych (aka P. Markman); I'm sure he can offer you some professional aid concerning your paranoia!
Maybe this would be a fruitful line of work to consider when our NHS completely implodes!
It is a brave post and will illustrate the feeling that I think a lot of members have been through. There is a lot to discuss about this, but it could take us into a long-winded discussion and my own psyche isn't up for the abuse that will be hurled my way here if that happens.
For me this is a predictable outcome of the very high standards required here and the feeling some have that they see decisions in the screening process that they don't fully understand. A combination of the requirement for seriously good quality photos/editing, mixed in with some feeling of unpredictability, and you have a recipe for loss of confidence. Add to that melting pot some perfectionistic tendencies and a critical eye and the result is the 'A.net wobble'.
If you have a camera like a 400D, a half decent lens and appropriate editing software, then you will have what it takes to get photos accepted here. I think many lose some objectivity when looking at their own photos and find it easier to critique those of others. When in doubt stick a few up here for conversation. There are still some remaining members prepared to make this Forum a constructive, positive place to be.
Quoting Psych (Reply 9): Why don't you have a chat with Psych (aka P. Markman); I'm sure he can offer you some professional aid concerning your paranoia!
Just seat back, relax, and enjoy life...Women can do much...!
Ciao
PS
Just add a bit of humor to your life...There's a lot to laugh about...
Eadster From Australia, joined Jan 2005, 2214 posts, RR: 16 Reply 12, posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 1435 times:
Quoting JeffM (Reply 6): Nothing to worry about. I go months at a time with out uploading. Give it a break for a bit, it does nothing but good.
Good point Jeff has made there. I've decided to take a break for a while from uploading. Some of us get way too involved in it, and it does take up a lot of time and effort.
I have taken a fall like most. Gone from 82% to 44% in less than a few days. Yeah its only a number but we all watch it! It's crazy! We read so many asking if a shot is ok as their acceptance ratio is plummeting! But it is kinda funny be at the bottom! Been there many times.
So clearly I need to just kick back, have a break from editing, and uploading. Just take some snaps, take em off the camera and leave them for another day.
Quoting Silver1SWA (Reply 4): Haha. Well to tell you the truth, I have never been a fan of the alternative brands out there.
I often upload at "brand-X" or Jetphotos occasionally. I don't mind the site. Apart from the awful upload page. That side of things keeps me from uploading more often.
But if things aren't working for you, just have a break from it all. Enjoy your shooting and don't let Anet ruin if for you as it may be doing currently.
Silver1SWA From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 4535 posts, RR: 26 Reply 13, posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 1421 times:
Quoting CalgaryBill (Reply 7): If you're getting that obsessed with image editing then limit yourself to working on one image.
Quoting Silver1SWA (Reply 8): Whoa, I never said I was getting obsessed.
So I just realized I actually did mention obsession in my original post. Just to clear up what I meant, I was talking a recent obsession with color casts with no apparent reason such as rejection. Overall, I wouldn't consider myselft obsessed with image editing. Certainly not to the point where it's the most important thing in my life.
Quoting Psych (Reply 9): I think many lose some objectivity when looking at their own photos and find it easier to critique those of others.
Exactly.
Quoting LIPH (Reply 10): I've had a 30% acceptance ratio until 1 month ago...
Quoting INNflight (Reply 11): I'm around 30% I think at the moment....so what?
I don't know. I guess I have just set a personal goal to stay above 50%. It's like a baseball team trying to stay above .500. Not the end of the world if I dip below 50%, I know.
Quoting Eadster (Reply 12): I often upload at "brand-X" or Jetphotos occasionally. I don't mind the site. Apart from the awful upload page. That side of things keeps me from uploading more often.
It's just, I have simply spent very little time at those sites. Never gotten very familiar with them. Airliners.net has always been the aviation website for me since the late '90's.
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
Acontador From Chile, joined Jul 2005, 1392 posts, RR: 33 Reply 14, posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1396 times:
Read my signature...
While upload stats are only numbers, they just don't correctly reflect all the work that's behind! The many hours actually taking the pictures, the editing, the uploading and the waiting time until they are screened. And of course we're all humans (almost all...), so we tend to blame the screener for a rejection when actually the only thing they are doing is pointing at something that WE did wrong! Then again, sometimes it is difficult to understand exactly what we did wrong...but that's what this forum is for, exchanging views on each others work, giving tips and useful information, and basically helping each other.
Just sit back, relax and have a glass of Merlot...enjoy your life!
CalgaryBill From Canada, joined May 2006, 686 posts, RR: 6 Reply 17, posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 1329 times:
Quoting Silver1SWA (Thread starter): I have spent hours going through my photos and editing the best candidates, but I am never happy with any of the results anymore....I stare at my photos never sure if they are level. I stare and stare....
Quoting Silver1SWA (Reply 8): Whoa, I never said I was getting obsessed.
I was just trying to offer advice that would improve your confidence in colour/level issues and make editing more relaxing at the same time. At least I didn't tell you to contact Psych! Just trying to help.
Kukkudrill From Malta, joined Dec 2004, 1122 posts, RR: 5 Reply 18, posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 1273 times:
If you're having trouble with a shot upload it to the forum and seek advice. People on the forum can be tougher than the toughest of screeners, but you'll still learn a lot and it will sharpen up your editorial eye.
Make the most of the available light ... a lesson of photography that applies to life
San747 From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 4934 posts, RR: 13 Reply 21, posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 1184 times:
I hate to say it, but its shots like those that totally destroy my acceptance % and confidence periodically... I see those and then I think I can get a shot of similar quality or flaws on and it gets shot down...
Halcyon From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 22, posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 1176 times:
Think you have it bad? I got ONE picture accepted (with the help of our local Good Samaritan ThierryD, thank you so much!) and I've been too scared to ever upload again!
Just kidding. Actually, having just one photo on here was enough. The kindness I experienced from the A.net users, the screeners, and the database editors was a great experience. I don't want to become freaked out over it, so I let all my new photos go, and upload them to my pbucket account. (They're temporarily upgrading accounts to Pro it seems, so i can upload the BIG sizes there for at least two weeks! Yes! )
Anyway, just take it easy and don't let it get to you. I've heard that a good thing to do is try to take really good non-av related pictures. I do this and it's highly enjoyable. I've won contests, and I find my friends like them better too, because they think that it's "cute" that I like aviation so much....
Of course, I still have to buy external hard drives for all my aviation pictures, but I can enjoy the best of both worlds that way.
JeffM From United States of America, joined May 2005, 3266 posts, RR: 53 Reply 23, posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 1168 times:
TedTAce From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 24, posted (6 years 2 months 1 week 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 1163 times:
Quoting JeffM (Reply 23): Looks like a damn nice shot to me.
Don't get me wrong, Over ALL it's a great shot, but it's not 'perfect' thus SWA shouldn't get all upset over trying to achieve said 'perfection'.
25 Dbudd: Silver! Sorry we could not hook up last time you were in town. I was in MIA for my birthday and took a nice drive down to Key West. That is a vacation
26 Silver1SWA: I know what you mean. Believe me. I do. This isn't a problem I am having with photography in general... I work at an airport. I take my camera with m
27 Acontador: I know that I don't know too much about Italian wines, but I know for sure that the best wine is the wine you most like ! Personally, I like very dif
28 Dbudd: My best friend up here just got hired on by WN so you'll have lots to talk about. You might know him. He is an accomplished photographer on this site
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