Voting Booth - Feb/Mar 2005 Prize Photo Competition - sponsored by Carl Zeiss UK (1 Viewer)

I use a real range of things to make my final choice. I tend to like action shots (bird flying, landing, stretching, etc.). I like bright colors but generally don't choose on that basis.

I go through all the photos and mark down which ones just jump out at me as photos. I had about 15 on my first round. Then I go through again and take out the photos that don't just jump out and say WOW based on action, clarity, color, or something special (like those furry legs of the Great Gray Owl flying)!

From there I look at the information that has been entered on the photo and start deleting if info is incomplete or too minimal. That includes the geographic info - local area name; province, county, state, etc., COUNTRY! Can't believe how many photos don't include enough detail on this info. Also - are both common and scientific name included (scientific name in proper format: Genus - with capital letter, species - all lower case). If I notice misspelling with the name or location I take the photo off my list. Next screen is whether the habitat is described well enough that I can get a sense of the setting? From there I discard photos based on the lack of a story included by the photographer - what was going on when the photo was taken, how hard was it to get, what did the person have to go through to get it? On the basis of all the above, I voted for the 3 Snowy Owls. But if I hadn't been able to knock photos out for the above reasons - I think I'd have been unable to make a choice!

My regards to all who submitted - whichever photo Zeiss chooses, they will get a beauty. Barbara

BarbaraM said:

From there I discard photos based on the lack of a story included by the photographer - what was going on when the photo was taken, how hard was it to get, what did the person have to go through to get it?

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That's interesting. I never know whether I should include a story in the description for a contest entry because I feel that the photos should be judged based on their aesthetic and technical merits rather than the storytelling ability of the photographer. On the other hand, I do give some weight to the perceived difficulty of getting the shot, and a detailed description can help figure that out, but I think I still have a slight bias against photos with elaborate stories because I feel like the photographer is trying to unduly influence the vote. Probably just my own peculiar way of thinking.

How about rarity? Does anyone give extra credit for rare or rarely photographed species (not necessarily the same thing)? I do, and tend to hold photos of common species to a higher standard, but I think I am in the minority on that point.

Glen

I feel much the same way you do, Glen. If the photo isn't worth a thousand words, then the 50 or so the photographer uses in a description isn't going to help. In a contest such as this one, where the photo is going to be used for professional editorial purposes, if the photograph needs any explanation at all, it's failed in its purpose, IMHO.

Also for contests of this nature, I have some very stringent personal judging rules, but they're technical in nature and apply only to the photograph itself: If a photo is soft (not tack sharp focus) or blurred (from, e.g., camera shake), it's out. If its composition doesn't adhere pretty closely to the Rule of Thirds, it's out. If the horizon isn't level, it's out. If it's under- or over-exposed, it's out. If I don't think the quality of the photo fits what the end purpose will be (in this case, advertising high-end photographic/optical equipment), it's out.

I don't think I would give extra points to a photo of a harder-to-get species unless it's an absolutely stunning shot. All too often, I do see soft or badly composed/exposed pictures of exotics used in travel adverts, which cheapens the message, than if a better quality photo of a less rare bird or animal were used. My rationale: If a company doesn't care enough to use a decent photo, it probably doesn't care about the kind of trip/product/service it's trying to sell me, either. But that's just me.

Please excuse me if I've missed the post, but I still don't know who won the Feb-March Photo competition. Can someone please enlighten me on the subject?

TIA,
Marysan

I don't think we know yet, Marysan. Ian has forwarded the 21 "finalists" to Zeiss (post #61), and now it's up to them to choose the winner. I can't wait to see who it is! :t:

Katy Penland said:

I don't think we know yet, Marysan. Ian has forwarded the 21 "finalists" to Zeiss (post #61), and now it's up to them to choose the winner. I can't wait to see who it is! :t:

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Thanks, Katy, I guess I haven't missed anythng then.

Yep! Still no news yet from Zeiss.

Thanks, Ian.

I based my decision purely on the character of the bird in the photograph and its setting.

If I feel the photograph is over stylised then it will be straight off my list. I was quite surprised to see how many votes the avocet got. Yes it is technically very good and well captured but to me it is the equivalent of a model shoot on a catwalk.

Another photo (albeit very good) was rejected because the photographer said they had waited three days for the photo which isn't what photography is about to me.

One final pet hate of mine is stupid captions. A very quick way to be removed from my vote list. Phrases such as ‘Peekaboo’ or suggestions as to what the birds are saying “You looking at me” (oh dear) to each other are absolutely ridiculous! Sorry but they are. I equate it to hearing mothers ‘baby talk’ to their children. Just say what the bird is as it is all that is required.

Enough ranting for now.

I will now let you know that I voted for the Tawny Owl with cold toes (not a stupid caption) and a very nice understated photograph.

Tim,I think that sometimes people add captions to their shots in the Gallery to draw attention to the picture.If there was just a long list,of Starling,Blackbird,Thrush etc,people may find viewing the images a little dull,so to add a caption to the image just singles it out from the others.In this country we do not have the luxury of the more exotic birds.No one needs to add a caption to say, a Hummingbird,the colours and movements of the bird speak for themselves,but with our Sparrows and Chaffinches etc,a little something extra is sometimes helpful.

Yes Christine good points.

Hadn't thought of it like that and from that perspective I agree. Didn't mean to rant but I've always found slogan captions irritating although I suppose they are harmless.

However I will always have a dislike for "Peek-a-boo!" or "Sleepy head" type captions. House Sparrow or Town Pigeon is much better in these cases. :bounce:

Feb/Mar 2005 competition judging.

An update has been received from Carl Zeiss UK.

The judging panel comprising judges from Germany, UK and USA are still considering the entries.

A decision should be reached within the next week or so :t:

The suspense is killing me!! I can't imagine what the contestants are feeling if I am this bad!!

Taryn o

If they are taking so long to decide,it shows how high are the standards of the entries.