Contest Triathlon Round III: Twist of Fate

Oh people this is the challenge! This one will keep my brain busy for days.

I only wish I had gone for something different. I have very limited choice now with the clothes and prop I made. And now that I look back it's obvious my choice of lucky / unlucky wasn't ... lucky!

 

Edit: asked a question that I had the answer to..

Another question though.. are we allowed to borrow a friend's dolls to be in the shot if we make their clothes from scratch?

 

Seconding this, can we put another doll in the photo? Wearing something made for this round or otherwise?

It seems that one of the possibilities I have thought of for this round was indeed what we have to do XD. So I have a couple ideas at least, but they're all difficult.

Edit* also, since there was a 5 hour delay in getting this round up, will there be 'extra time' to get the entries in? I'm just trying to make sure ^^

 

YESSSSSS

 

Similar question about using other dolls. If we could use another (additional) doll in the shot, and we make clothes for it for this challenge, then we have to show materials used to make these clothes, but do we need to show the dolls? Especially if they are just in the background.

 

I'd also like to know about using other dolls and if so, do their clothes have to be homemade?

And more generally whether this is a "making" challenge where we make everything in the image from scratch or more of a story telling challenge where we can use items we already own (things like props, animals, backdrops, doll clothes etc.)

Finally a question about text. I understand that nothing can be edited in afterwards, but does any text in scene (engraving etc) need to be on something you would expect to have text (eg newspaper, shop front) or can it be more stylised so long as it is physically in the photo (eg a cardboard cut out saying bang next to a gun or labels on other dolls in the scene)?

 

omg!! what I chose fits with my dolls story and I'm slowly freaking out because I know exactly what I'm doing!!

 

Ooh, this will be a tricky one!

 

... oh boy... this is going to be tricky... ><

 

Hmm... This will be an interesting one indeed! I may have the perfect oppurtunity to get something today, but man that's fast. We shall see!

Also, this is probably a long shot, but is there any way we could possibly use larger photos for this particular challenge? 600px on the longest side is so small and so much detail is lost... For something where the entire challenge is a photograph, it seems like having a larger photo size or at least being able to use a file type that preserves some quality would make sense. Maybe that's just me though...

 

Ack not sure if this is better or worse than the gif photostory I've been dreading!

I think I'll have to sleep on this one, there's too many possible directions to take this in.

 

I have NO idea what to make.. So I can't plan anything before a couple of answers from the mods ^^'
In the meanwhile I can work on some of the other competitions x'D haha.

 

Oh man my pc decided to break down. Right now I'm sitting here and wait that he come from work... Every round something happrns x.x argh! Well I already planned my photo and ordered some materials for my background. Amazon prime my savior in this competition

 

I was thinking the same thing!!!

 

Are they still processing entries? Mine still hasnt been accepted. I know i cut it close submitting it, but i know i got it in on time.

 

I read this challenge, sat in hopeless silence for about ten minutes, then it hit me!! I know exactly what I'm going to do!

 

Feeling really disheartened after round 1's results.
So, I want to start with this round to get my mind off it, I hope the mods answer the questions soon.

Btw, how detailed should the scenery be? I don't want to go into full scale diorama mode, as I'd probably mess that up

 

Results?
Did I missed them?
Are they out already?
O.O

 

When it says full crafted scene: Does that mean backdrop, etc. Or can you create a scene using say outside/nature and obviously set up props, made items, etc. around it to create the feel?

 

They are on teh voting page for round one.

 

Seconding this question

 

Oh and please don't despair, just remember that this is the first part on three.
We still have two other challenges to get points from

Each challenges are very different from one another, so that allows people with different types of talent to actually have a chance of scoring. =^.^=

 

@Mew-Lidia9 And also, with some of the awesome stuff that was made for that round, not getting a lot of points doesn't necessarily mean you did a bad job. I for one would probably not have voted for my own entry because there were only 3 votes to give and so many god ones to choose from, but I'm still proud of what I made

 

I got so little points that I don't feel like competing further. To be honest I'm very surprised that the score was so low despite how much effort I put into it. Maybe next time we shouldn't be allowed to know the results until all the challenges are complete. When you put all things together (in my case it's low score from round 1, probably low score for the prop because I messed it up and plus it's too much stress for my eyes crafting after work in dim room), competing further is just not fun anymore.

 

I feel the same way.. it is my first time competing but I felt very confident so seeing my score was... Is... Kind of heartbreaking

I am however still going to finish and do my best!!

 

[I was just being a little baby carry on]

 

I'm still fighting with myself, let's hope my stronger part wins!
For me it's only second triathlon. I got low score last time but back then I entered challenge one so late I didn't have time to make anything decent. But this time I was so optimistic maybe that's why it's so hard to see the poor score.

 

It's definitely worth it to keep trying! Even if you came in towards the bottom on the first round, it is possible to make up for it later. If you don't try, that guarantees you won't win. Everyone has different strengths. I am not at the top, but I feel more confident about my second round and have high hopes for the third. I probably won't win, but I will have a nice outfit and prop for my doll and some cute photos, plus the feeling of knowing I finished all three rounds without giving up (something I've never done before). That might not be quite as exciting as having a new doll, but I think it's still something worthwhile.

 

We must keep it up
Don't forget that we get four points to distribute for the last challenge!

• Narrative skill.
• Creative use of materials.
• Concept development.
• Artistic merit of final photograph.

 

I was also kind of bummed at the amount of points I got after putting over 30 hours of work into my outfit... It looks so great in person, but getting all those details into a photo (and even a collage, considering the small photo size allowance) is really difficult! I'm not gonna give up and I'm still really proud of my outfit and my prop, so we'll see how things go from here.

 

It's definitely discouraging to put your heart and soul, not to mention blood, sweat and tears into something and not see the votes reflecting that. However, keep in mind that your doll now has a new outfit and/or a new prop they didn't have before. You did that, and no one can take that away from you. You may also have learned some new techniques or improved your existing skills because of the work you put in. Be proud of what you've achieved.

 

Aw guys, I mean I don't compete in this to... Well actually compete, you know?

I mostly view it as a learning experience/way to practice techniques on a project that wouldn't be as big a deal to me as something that I'd genuinely want to make perfectly.

Mostly I get annoyed with myself, since I know that I tend to pick projects that either need an awful lot of explanation, or that look easier than they actually are. (I mean I still think my clock last year didn't get as many votes as it perhaps could have, because no one could work out how I'd actually done it!)

Ahem sorry anyway, mostly I think this is an event that's all in good fun, and a way to actively get the community on here talking to each other.

I'm really looking forward to the talk afterwards, when I'll be able to put names to entries (and get advice on future projects!) And well at the end of all of this, I'll still be a lot more familiar with the mechanics of my chosen doll, and said doll will have a few cool accessories/outfit pieces that they'd likely never have gotten otherwise.

 

I have a question about one of the criteria: "Concept Development".

Could it be possible to elaborate a bit on the meaning of this voting point?
I get the feeling it might confuse a few people, myself included.

 

I have been competing on and of for years now (this is my 4th triathlon and i have also entered other competitions in the last years) and i have learned one thing, don't compete for a prize, winning is a bonus. Compete to improve your skill and dare to go where you have never gone before. I know my aesthatic is not the one appreciated by lots of other members, but i usually do get credits for my craftmanship and i am usually very happy with what i make and proud of what i have done. There a so many members with all their different tastes in what they like to see, if you are proud of what you did, no other persons opinion should matter enough to make you quit, challenge yourself and be amazed of what you can do!

 

You guys are right. That's why I started competing in the first place, anyways. I need to just focus on that. I do have a cool outfit, experience making doll things, and an interesting direction I could take my doll's character now, and that should be winning enough. Let's do this, round 3!

 

I like this, because this year's triathlon actually did prompt me to learn a new skill, something very different from anything I've ever done before in this hobby, and I actually really really enjoyed it! I won't say what or give any hints, but it is something I do want to continue to learn and master.

 

I only once competed (for fun back when I wasn't a mod) and I only made something for the first round I have never completed a triathlon but it's something I want to achieve someday!

I think a big part of the triathlon is a lot of what has been said so far already, about improving your skills and just be creative, but it's also a lot about finishing the round. It's one thing to start on a project, but it's a whole other story to actually complete it, especially three rounds!

Anyone who completed and entered the triathlon should be more than proud to have finished what you started. That, if anything, is a huge accomplishment

 

I must admit it was the prize why I chose to participate in this particular challenge and not the others. But I wouldn't mind losing even if I took 5th place (which is, 1st place who won't get the prize). It's the fact that what looked so good to me has been ignored by the others. But no more of this, I'm going back to continue crafting for challenge 3!

 

This is exactly why I decided to join in
I am the type who can be starting so many projects at once and then not be able to finish any because so many other projects just sprouts in that head of mine. The Triathlon became a mean to beat myself into working on a single project at once and NOT touch another until it is done!

 

Yes, that is fine. The focus should be on the doll you chose for this triathlon, if their fate involves that other doll's clothes then yes, clothes should be made - else it is fine to use already made clothes.

First question: yes (see above)

Second question: I'll have to discuss with the rest of the team to answer this. You can assume it's a no until further notice (and consider any extra time as a bonus )

Edit* Answer is no.

If you make clothes for that doll then yes you have to show the materials used. The focus should be on the doll you chose for the first challenge and the prop you made (and their fate of course!)

No, see answers above. If the clothes are important to the doll's fate then yes, othervise it's fine to use another doll as a "prop"

I'm afraid the 600 pixels for the longest side rule is staying as far as I know. You should try to use it to your advantage, small details may get lost so I would recommend to focus on the scene as a whole and to portray the fate as best as you can!

All entries for the second round has been processed and unless you've been contacted to fix something your entry has been accepted

It's up to you to best portray your dolls fate!

That should be fine yes ~

 

@Lawrichai @Snyblind Thanks for the support

I am sad though, sewing is my best point of the three, so my hopes are a bit low ^^; I had thought that I might be in the upper tier, especially with almost 50 hours of work (excluding patterning/designing/photos) and opinions of (non-dolly) people I know.

I only competed because I wanted to enter one of the anniversary things, but the prizes definitely become more and more alluring with time. But it still hurts to not see anything for the effort.

Sorry to everyone for bringing up the votes, it seems a lot of people were put into a bit of a slump
But thanks to everyone who is trying to support and motivate those of us who are disheartened.

Anyone got any advice on scenery photography? I totally suck at this

@Akara thank you it's sad to lose those 5 hours though

 

If the scenery doesn't play important role in your story, just use curtain or big piece of fabric I find it useful - it saves time and then you can concentrate more on characters and other details.

 

The fact that so many of us have even made it past round 2 is phenomenal. A lot of entries were hours and hours of work, and amount of votes received don't really reflect that so much because we were only able to vote for 3; it doesn't disqualify how awesome your personal entry is!

I know there were so many entries I wanted to vote for, but having to pick only 3 made me especially critical in my choice. Voting for an entry because I believe the craftsmanship or use of materials was best of all despite there being entries I like more is sort of the spirit of the competition.

And personally this triathlon forced me to make an outfit and prop for my doll which I wouldn't have ever done outside of the competition, so I view that as a prize in itself tbh.

 

Thank you. The background/scenery does indeed play a role to represent part of the character's wish. I don't know a lot about photography, especially not how to tell a story with a scene

 

@Mew-Lidia9 I can tell you natural lighting is going to be a life savor! If you can pull off nice weather in an area around you, maybe you can find the right scenic, on spot place to take you rphotographs. For me, I know of a few places I can probably get some photos snapped, since all pictures always ends up looking soooo much better with the natural light~ That is the best, number one rule and tidbit I can share with you when it comes to taking pics of these dolls.

 

I felt this too. I actually didn't vote for my absolute favorite entry because the things I loved so much about it weren't categories for voting, but I thought it was just awesome!

 

That's how I just picked my overall favorite. xD But it wasn't an easy vote!~

 

I am surprised by the glumness over the scores. There are like three that are in a league of their own in terms of total points....but that's just round one! You've got every chance to come back strong! I've never made it out of the bottom 25% in triathlon voting for any year I've competed but I still do it...because of the comradeship! Getting to engage with other collectors! And see the amazing talent within our hobby.

 

I don't think glumness is the correct word. The only thing we do wrong is expressing our dissappointment in the thread which is more supposed to be used for discussing the technical side of the entries. But then, everybody has their own feelings and their opinions. I'm still dissappointed. And I have a right to. Yet I'm still participating further. And I will say no more : ]

 

I'm glad you guys have been asking such good questions, you've already asked everything I wanted to know! Now to figure out what exactly I have to make and what to use for it!
Good luck everyone! I know it's hard but it's such a good push for our skills and creativity no matter where we place!

 

I had to send a private query to the moderator before I take a decision on which plan to execute for the last challenge.
I'm really eager to get their answer.


Also, speaking of moderator, can someone define the criteria " Concept Development " to me please?
Thank you very much =^.^=

 

Think I've worked out the broad brush-strokes of my planned thing. Perhaps. Maybe.

It's yet another case of a thing that requires more explanation than I'd be willing to read... But eh better an idea than waffling over plans until the last minute and trying to cram something in on Friday evening after work!

(Whether or not it's doable is another matter, but at least I've narrowed down my ideas from the seemingly infinite possibilities I was struggling with this morning.)

 

Super exited for this round. there are so many possibility i can't wait to see all the amazing ideas and things everyone makes
got a good start to my crafting today finished one part today but another thing i wanted to make took way longer than i thought and didn't get as far on it as i wanted but still have time.

 

I get the feeling I should have chosen "unlucky" for this competition...last night my poor doll (still holding the prop) did something he's never done and crashed to the floor, breaking off a finger. I have never had a doll (standing on the floor) that has fallen and damaged themselves. Ever. Especially with enough force to break a finger that was fused to another finger. My mind is boggling right now. I could continue grumbling about this, but instead I shall just say, this last challenge is perfect! The moment I read the title I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I've super excited to get this done now.

One other thing, to those of you who are disheartened over your round one results: I've been entering these competitions for the last four year and have never even cracked double digits with my entries. Every year I go all out and enter them all, for realistically, a very slim chance at actually winning anything. BUT. I have so much fun! Last year I created an outfit that one of my dolls still uses. This year I did a face up I've been meaning to do for years, not to mention make another outfit that I have been procrastinating on for ages. I may never win a prize, but every year I'm left with a bunch of fully completed outfits and props, not to mention .gif making skills and better photography, new ways of doing face ups...I really can't complain because these competitions are so motivating! That in itself is a reward.

 

I have to join this comment. I didn´t hit the number of votes I expected and yes yesterday evening I was very salty but you know what'? As hard this contest was I had so much fun and now my girl has a very pretty dress. I learned so many new things in such a short period and hell yes I enjoyed the second round even I only days for it. I found something new what I really like.
Plus my boyfriend was so supportive and admire my dress to bits. He is not into dolls but helps me when he can. And if it´s only next to the doll, balancing her or straighten hair so that I don´t have to stand up (I´m several disabled and it´s very hard for me).

Plus it´s not over!

On a side note: I did choose the right at the beginning. While I prepared the table for some dolly photos today my prop fell and crashed on the floor.

 

xD I'm also going to add my prop 'broke'! (Mine is a realllly easy fix)
It broke RIGHT after pictures for the entry. Lol! Really, no harm, no foul. I'm still in good shape and ready to move on! I have so many ideas in my head right now. xD

 

I knew what I wanted to do as soon as I saw the challenge. I picked the wrong side, but I think I have a way to work it out.

Regarding the voting again. There are certainly many more than 3 entries that are beautiful and deserve votes, but I think the results are a combination of how well they fit the voting criteria, and the taste of the voter. You can't always predict how people will vote. But as long as YOU are satisfied with what you did, it's all good.

 

think i might of under estimated what i'm making for the last round...although i keep adding to it so that is not helping ha ha ha ha.. only on day 2 of making it and it's a bit more work that i thought :P but what they hey might as well go all out on this round.