Oktoberfest 2018 guidelines

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. This is what we call '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 (or two), prime lens(es) (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 lens is okay, but you should decide in advance.

3) Use only Sony/ Minolta “A-mount” or Sony E-mount (NEX) bodies; but the old Minolta mount (SR-mount) bodies are allowed too because in a way that’s where we come from. Any brand/style/mount lens is allowed (directly mounted, via an adapter or even free-lensing if you're into that way of shooting)

4) Because the point is to shoot only one focal length, 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-up 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.

9) Participants are encouraged to post mini-galleries in a Thumbnails thread. This gives you a nice overview and is useful for others to browse your shots.

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 (or 2) lens(es) 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 or 2 lens(es) 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!).

3) 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.

4) 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.

5) For special events (eg. family gatherings, one-prime days, parties, weddings, DPC's etc.) that you have during the month and need to use other lenses you can give yourself an "event pass" and use any lens you need to cover that event. However you are encouraged to use your chosen prime(s) for all shooting that is not covered by an "event pass" for a special occasion.


Your challenge can be anything! Express it like this:
"Pic a day, Sigma 35mm/1.4"
"7/weeek, no pics more than 7 days old"
"3/week, first two weeks with STF then switching to the Fujinon 55/2"
"7/week, Tamron 90mm Macro. Nothing closer than 1:2 magnification"
“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 3 pics-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.”

You get the idea- be as creative as you like with your challenge terms.


Edited by darosa - 18 September 2018 at 22:50

Thanks Fred!