What IS a "PAD" Gallery Anyway?

[darter02]

This is mainly posted to define what “PAD” is all about for those who are new or not sure what the heck all the hub-bub is all about.

Just what is a “PAD” gallery? Well, to me a PAD gallery is a project in which the photographer takes photos on a daily basis and then posts the best shot taken that day. I’ve seen a lot of “PAD” galleries popping up and also a few old ones where the images are all old or just image manipulations. While the work may be nice imagery indeed, I feel the whole “PAD” concept is somewhat lost. I mean; the essence of a “PAD” is to learn new things about your camera and how to shoot through the daily discipline of actually using it. I’ve found it to be one of the most personally rewarding projects I’ve done in a while.

What are you’re thoughts?

[jillburhans]

Hello and Good Morning Ron:

Yes, I too agree with the concept and I would like to believe that everyone knows exactly what is required for a PAD.

Not only in learning to use the complexities of a camera but to also allow one to utilize creativity is what it means to me as well. You mentioned photo manipulation. My PAD today is exactly that. Early this morning eating a orange...peeled sitting on my table I shot a photo of it. After viewing it-I decided to add some special artwork to it because I did not like it as JUST a orange. My opinion is SOME photo manipulation is ok and at times can make a photograph the more appealing, IMHO.

Then there are other days that I just cannot deal with anything much less taking a photograph and I use a photograph from my archives which I post as such. I am not about to deal with restrictions such as YOU HAVE to take a photo THAT day in order to be a participant. However if one does post a photo from archives frequently and just in order to bring attention to themselves through the use of our PAD that is a whole different animal to deal with. The medium can be abused just as any other. We all hope that everyone can play fairly.

I also have to admit that ones that post a photograph from archives is a pleasure as well because otherwise I may not have seen it for my viewing pleasure.

[kstuebin]

I agree with both of you. I look at PAD as a goal. I plan on doing it for a year.

I am going to do my best to get a different photo every day although I'm already running out of ideas. There's going to be a lot of cats and dogs and scenic views and old barns. And there's going to be some really bad shots too as I will put them up in an effort to be honest and post what I shot that day.

However, I don't see a problem with occassionally using an old photo. We all have lives and life interferes sometimes with being able to take a photo. Having some pic every day establishes continuity in the gallery. Unless, as Jill pointed out, someone uses it just to get their shots viewed. Actually, that would be counterproductive because as soon as people caught on, they wouldn't look at any of that person's shots.

I'm actually looking forward to the day I can post my self portrait. Not because it's a breath taking photo but because it's a hoot. I shot it as a joke for another forum.

Karen

[ziggers]

Karen you have me intrigued now!! Let's see it!

[vid64]

I think we all have our own personal rules. The basic concept is posting photograph taken on that day, every day. I like mine to be as 'out of the camera' as possible. So I don't crop the images. I do use photoshop, but only for tone/contrast adjustments, which would be normal in a 'wet' darkroom. Sometimes I break my rules. Not very often.

The big question is why do we do it? When I started mine, it was just myself and Nicksie. Just a bit of fun. I later found out that Karen Nicols was doing one too, but she's recently stopped. Linda started hers in March. Later, Paul Walters popularised the idea and now look! It's a cult. I only planned to do a year. But I couldn't stop! I wonder how many people will stop at the end of the year? Myself, Nicksie and Linda (Lindarocks) have all passed the one year mark, what about the resto of you? Lifers or yearers?

[areid]

I wonder how many people will stop at the end of the year?

I have 8 months to go and I plan on stopping, but who knows? Eventually I'd like to start doing more galleries with a theme, sort of like my recent "Carnival Experiment".

[ziggers]

I haven't decided the time length on mine.. At the moment, I can't imagine NOT doing it; it's become a big part of my daily routine.

[jeanb]

I'm sorry to see that the original concept of PaD has now gone by the wayside. Whilst I like the new Meta Gallery I don't like the ability to add any old gallery to it. Neither do I like the galleries of an increasing number of people who just want to jump on the bandwagon to be part of it and they take any old pic just to do that.

Like Angela, taking my daily photo has become part of the routine. It's sometimes been difficult, especially through nasty winter days, but with that incentive, I've found myself seeing things I'd never seen before. That was my intention when I started and it has been beneficial to me. I think it's nice to occasionally add an old image if it's appropriate to you, or the date or to some occasion in your life, but not merely because you are too lazy to do something up-to-date.

It's too bad that a lot of the newer galleries are just a ruse to get visitors to a site, come hell or high water. The excuse given is usually the same..'I couldn't come up with something else' or 'there wasn't anything to photograph.' That's rubbish. There's always something to photograph for those who really want to do it. It's too bad that I have to waste time sifting though so much awful stuff to get to the real PaDders.

[simonkirk]

I have allways seen it as a window into my personal day, the things i see on my way, yeah i take a collection of pictures each day and i select the one which is either the best, worst or just what i had to hand, as for keeping it up, i will keep going as long as i have the inspiration.

Simon

http://www.pbase.com/simonkirk

[clickaway]

I think that a PAD should be taking a Photo-a-Day and no more than that.

Some people think that they must upload by midnight, but that's a nonsense, especially when you are away from your PC. Like Jill, I believe manipulation has a role to play as its part of the learning experience. I don't like to apply it to my PAD too often, but when I have a flat day, it does help and I hope give enjoyment to the viewers.

I don't like the idea of spurious PAD galleries in the meta gallery either. I have taken the view that I make no comment on even an outstanding photo if they have broken the 'rules' here. I have raised this with slug already.

I've been doing this since early August 2003, and how could I stop? I'd miss my friends if I did. I have thought that I may take a different approach instead, but who knows?

Ray

[dazedgonebye]

In typical “me” style, I alternate between I’ll never stop this and I can’t see how I’ll get through a year of this. For now at least, I can’t see stopping.
I’ve never posted an archive shot and I don’t intend to. It’s not that I believe it should be forbidden, it’s just contrary to why I am doing this. It’s not about getting an image up, it’s about seeing. The PaD for me is an exercise in changing how I see.
I don’t place any limits on my Photoshop use because, for me, it is not about how to operate a camera. It’s about how to make an image I see in my mind show up on the computer or in print. If, while manipulating the image, my vision changes, I’m going to go with that as the natural extension of a creative process.
Most importantly for the discussion here is that I don’t believe my personal rules have any application whatsoever to anyone else.

[isshinryu_mom]

My PAD started out as a way to learn to use and utilize my camera. Then it moved into a way to challenge myself to learn about photography instead of just learning the camera. Then it moved into a way of expressing some creative things I was feeling. And I find occaissionally it is becoming a place to express, both with picture and words, something I'm feeling. My PAD is all these things to me.

My rules for MY pad are:

1. Take and post one photo a day
2. If life gets in the way and no photo is taken, then an old one will do... but only as a last resort.
3. Photoshop is more than just ok... I love photoshop. It's the second half of the equation in my book.

One of the things I love about the PADs is the individuality of each gallery. Some of you are obviously well trained and talented professionals; some of you are old hands at the hobby; some of you express your vision of the world through your galleries; some of you just post snaps of your lives. I LOVE this variety!

Ice cream comes in 31 flavors for a reason.

[kstuebin]

I have a question about "other galleries." I upload all my photos I'm going to use - or not use after I look at them awhile - into my misc gallery. Then if I use one for PAD, I just copy it to that gallery. Sometimes I copy the shot to other appropriate galleries too. I noticed once when I clicked on one of mine that it took me to the gallery I copied it from not my PAD gallery. This is just a convoluted way of saying that I don't upload directly to my PAD gallery all the time.

Is this what you're talking about? Please clue me in because I'm really not doing it to increase traffic to my galleries. I'm just doing it for convenience.

And for Angela, here's the link to my self portrait. I'll post it in PAD when I absolutely cannot take a photo for whatever reason. Keep in mind it's a joke. Y'all can come visit WV. Just don't stay long. Seriously, it's a beautiful state and we need the money.


http://www.pbase.com/image/24769732

[jjacquie11]

I don’t think there should be any RULES for everyone to follow as far as PAD galleries go. It is a personal thing done for personal reasons. I think adding an old picture is ok if it’s ok with the person doing it. For me it is not ok so I don’t. But I would never push either on anyone. It’s all about how you want to do it for yourself.

Photography can be many things and one of those things is artistic expression. For some this stops at clicking the shutter, for others it goes beyond into photo manipulation. I don’t think it is fare to try to dictate to anyone how to express themselves artistically. Again I think this is up to the individual, if they want to strengthen their out of the camera pictures then yahoo for them, if they want to learn how to use photo shop then again yahoooooo!!!! Please don’t pass judgment on either as to weather they are true padders because of their choices.

Please don’t bring us padders down with rules!! There are enough rules in life I don’t need it in my artistic outlet…padding is where I go to get away from others rules. It is not about conforming to others ideas to make others happy.

I used to get upset at the non PAD galleries in the meta gallery, but I don’t anymore. First I have posted to my PAD gallery and then copied to anther one of my galleries, then when I click on the icon in the Meta Gallery it shows my copy. So people could assume I am not really a padder. Second I just ignore the ones that aren’t PAD’s or I go back to the old way of looking at my PAD buds by using my fav’s list.

I do this PAD for me. I like that others comment, but when it comes down to it – it’s about my personal growth and expression. I WOULD NOT like to discourage anyone from personal growth and expression by harnessing them with rules. That is what is great about PAD galleries do it how every works best for you; and for what ever reason important to you. Then let us all sit back and witness and comment.

[clickaway]

Well said Jacquie!!