Gurushots

Gurushots is an online competition which I have been involved in for the last two years.

It gives me the chance to gauge my ability on an international stage.

I think the thing I like about it most, is that is a blind voting platform.

You cannot know who you are voting for, the image is judged on its merits alone. 

The more votes you cast, you fill your 'exposure bonus' meter up to a set value.  

You must vote on other images for your images to be seen, in hope your own images will attract votes. 

In theory all images in a competition will be seen the same amount of times, so it is an entirely even playing field.

It does not matter if you are based in Invercargill, with a limited social circle, smoking too many cigarettes. 

Its not a popularity contest, only the image matters. 

The scope and reach is quite mind boggling at times.

Some competitions attract almost 50 000 other photographers.

From internationally renown photographers, to mums and dads wanting to show off their kids.

I am quite pleased with some of my results.

I have learnt to selectively enter competitions. 

I am a portrait photographer, there is no point in me entering landscapes or astro photography.

Below is an example of a current competition with eight thousand other photographers. 

Each submits up to 4 images, thats potentially 32 000 images. 

Having an image ranked 11 out of 32 000 is something I still dont think I comprehend.

I know I am no Lisa Holloway or Jessica Drossin.  .

A certain reverence is held for those who have achieved what I have not.  

They are big names in America, big internationally in their genre.

They have successfully marketed in their niche, and are damn good at what they do.

Gurushots gives me an opportunity to put my images side by side with some off the greats. They are my competition. 

But the thing is, at times, I am close.

In terms of mass appeal, in terms of being judged by my peers, I am competitive.

I hope I will never succumb to the urge of overly post processing my images.

(Or convert images to black and white because the color balance is driving me nuts.)

But perhaps that is what it will take. That will be the next great leap forward.

Time will tell.

For now, I want to wear out the camera, get it right in the camera.

Photoshop is for when I am bored.  Push buttons and learn new stuff. 

Its not just the 'arti farti' images that do well.

Above is a family session at Gem stone beach (Thanks Jo). 

This is what you can expect from me any given time.  World class images.

That is not my opinion, this is the true value of Gurushots. 

The ability to place my images alongside the best in the world, and to do well.

That (in my opinion lol), is a fact.

Gurushots also gives you the opportunity that would normally be out of reach of geographically disadvantaged Southlanders. 

Occasional competitions offer the chance to be shown in art gallery's all over the world.

How many other photographers in Invercargill can say they have had their images shown in art gallery's in three different continents?

I already know the answer to that. 

#notmanyifany

It is a huge time sink.  It is my new Asperger trait driven 'thing'.

I have recently joined the Gurushot union.

A group of enthusiasts formed the for the soul reason of finding cheats. 

Those who 'borrow' others images and try to pass them off as their own.

Many hours have been spent reverse searching entry's into competitions, trying to find the original copyright owner and then gathering evidence to prove that fell play is a foot.

I have caught and reported two members in the last two days, many more I have my suspicions, but proving it is a little harder to do.  

There is no pride or satisfaction in having members removed, it is just something that needs to be done. 

I am glad to say that the practice of 'borrowing' images is not wide spread.  

Out of he millions of images submitted, the majority play by the rules.

I have to say I am very much addicted to all these shenanigans.

I know that I am still not there. 

But it is within reach. With time, and effort and practice.

Top 100 still attracts a buzz, top 10 even more so.

Especially when an image, which is merely me and my daughter fart ass'ing about with a new light (such as the one above) does well. 

A little more thought, a little more pre-planning, the potential is endless. 

That is the exciting part. Not what I have done and acheived.

But what is still yet to come, what I am to learn, what I will acheive. 

I know there are strategy's and tactics to be learned.  It is a game after all.

I seem to lose placings every time I go to bed, only to gain a couple during the day,

only to lose them again sleeping. 

It does suck being asleep when the majority of the world is awake.

But still, if it was easy I would have been bored of it already.

Bring on the challenge, bring on the nuance, bring on the detail I am missing.

That is the difference between being good and great.  The little things. 

I have never wanted to be good, but to take it further. 

A pretty picture of a pretty girl is easy.

I do enjoy the process.  The what if's and maybe's

The fire in my belly is just enough to counteract the doubt.

The dream of becoming a Guru myself is very much alive.

"A million dreams is all it's gonna take"

If you want to check out my portfolio.  Just click on these links below.