OKTOBERFEST 2013 GUIDELINES

OKTOBERFEST 2013 GUIDELINES

Oktoberfest is a month-long photographic challenge that is part of the rich Dyxum Challenge tradition. Please read the guidelines below before you start.
If you do not understand the guidelines, do not worry. You will understand when you see - just sign up.

Oktoberfest is a challenge. However the challenge is not from Dyxum to you. You challenge yourself! The objectives are: (i) to get you out shooting more pictures; (ii) to develop your photographic skills; (iii) to enjoy photography; (iv) to enjoy photography; v) to get to know the other photographers and fellow Dyxumers in the challenge.

This challenge is for everyone! It does not matter if you are a professional or a beginner. Everyone will learn something and everyone can enjoy it.

GUIDELINES
1) Take photographs every day and post one picture for each day in the thread. Pic-a-day (but 7/week or 5/week or 3/week is okay - see FAQ below).

2) Shoot for the whole month with one, prime lens (if you do not have a prime (=fixed focal length), you can use a zoom, fixed to one focal length; but you cannot change the focal length). Any ONE lens is okay, but you should decide in advance.

3) Use only Sony/ Minolta “A-mount” or Sony E-mount (NEX); but the old Minolta mount (SR-mount) is allowed too because in a way that’s where we come from.

4) Because the point is to shoot only one point of view, only minimal cropping is allowed to straighten, etc. However, you may crop ONE SIDE in order to present a picture in a square or other format planned when you took the shot (the point is that you compose in the viewfinder/LV and not on the computer).

5) You are expected to comment on the photographs posted by others – there will be a Talk Thread for this purpose.

6) State your challenge in the Oktoberfest Sign-In thread when you sign up. Add as many details and conditions as you want. You can change it up until the start date. A perfect challenge will be difficult but not impossible.

7) Read the Talk Thread every time you post in the Photo threads, so that you do not miss out on announcements or comments – please try to join in.

8) If you cannot post frequently due to problems with internet access that is okay. You can still join and catch up with posts when you can. If you do not have time to process your photos fully, don’t worry – post them with minimal processing. This is not a beauty contest.

Trust me, it is both a great learning experience and good fun...

FAQs
Please ask questions below - they are very welcome! But here are some answers to some common questions... numbers relate to the guidelines above.

1) If you cannot shoot every day (aka pic-a-day), you can choose to shoot 7 pics-a-week or even 5 or 3 pics-a-week instead. But challenge yourself to shoot much more than usual. If you need to use another lens for an event like a wedding or to make a living, or because the bear living in your toolshed has decided to cut the grass for you, you can claim an “event pass”. However, try to shoot with only one lens if you can – it is a good challenge (e.g. if you are not the paid photographer at the wedding try to do it with only your chosen lens first).

2) One lens only – do not change. If you use a zoom, we suggest you tape it to fix it at the focal length you choose (but don’t use tape that will pull the paint off your 70-200G!).

4) If you need to crop more than a “minimal amount” you can post those pictures in the “Outtakes” thread with a notice “cropped”. For your daily picture, use your feet to zoom and compose more carefully. Cropping to straighten is fine. Cropping to remove distortion is okay sometimes – but don’t do it every day ; learn to include the distortion in the composition. If you want to post in a non-standard format do it in the Outtakes.

7) It is important to encourage other people during the challenge…. everybody benefits from a little help and positive feedback to get through it, and it is much more enjoyable when there is communication. If your English is not so good, don’t worry… nobody minds. This is an international forum and if you tell me “ I like your self-portrait very much but I think your bottom is underexposed “, I will know it is the fault of Google translator. If you do not like “chat” you can just post regular lists of your favorite pictures for the past few days.


Your challenge can be anything! Express it like this:
“I’ll do pic--a-day with the Minolta 16mm fish. Restrictions are no crops at all and at least 3 night-time shots a week taken without flash.
“I’ll use the Sony 50/1.8 and go 3pics-a-week (I will try to shoot more if I can). Restrictions are minimal or square crop and that all pictures will be composed using the LV.”
“I’ll try 7 pic-a-week with the Minolta 500/8, but I will try to shoot every day. No restrictions.

Back in '08 we had a thing called a PrimePair, it makes live easier. As 3/week is allowed, why not a PrimePair?
OnePrime JulyFever 2008 rules

I find that I seldom finish these OnePrimes, I think this might improve the chances I do finish. And there is already 3/week and the event pass to make life easier, why not a PrimePair?

Just a thought, no problem if it doesn't happen....

I don't suppose anyone would like to loan me a 20/2.8 for the month?

I'd really like to get one, but I haven't had the cash at the right moment yet (i.e. when one was available at what I consider a reasonable price).

If not, I may try to do this my Tokina 20-35 stuck at 20mm. I'm really terrible at wide angle, so I feel like I need to work on it.

Of course! You are more then welcome to chat with us and write comments. And it is still not too late for you to sign in...

seeky, I see you figured out...
When you do x/week (and not pic-a-day) it is nice if you distribute the posts more or less equally between the days, but the only restriction is to post no more than one picture a day.