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Voting Booth - Dec Photo Comp (1 Viewer)

Pick your favourite 'Happy Holidays' card

  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/1061Wreath_chicks_P5170354w.JPG]Wreath Chicks[/URL

    Votes: 1 0.8%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/243christmasglober4jpg.jpg]Christmas Mocker[/URL]

    Votes: 13 10.8%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/1685Christmas_Dove.JPG]Christmas Greetings[/URL]

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/1919PA180020robinxmas_copy.jpg]At least it's not s

    Votes: 1 0.8%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/1685Christmas.JPG]Merry Christmas from ....[/URL]

    Votes: 1 0.8%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/544cardinal_card_2.jpg]cardinal_card_2 [/URL]

    Votes: 1 0.8%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/1683christmas1.jpg]Mockingbird in Holly[/URL]

    Votes: 1 0.8%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/2332gbani-rpfray.jpg]'We Three Kings'[/URL]

    Votes: 8 6.7%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/715079XMasBF.jpg]The Singing Turkey Vultures[/URL]

    Votes: 4 3.3%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/4149IMG_8639Noel.jpg]Pica pica[/URL]

    Votes: 3 2.5%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/1671christmas_card.jpg]It's that time of year...[/

    Votes: 1 0.8%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/1564happyB301659d.jpg]Happy Holidays[/URL]

    Votes: 1 0.8%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/204dm_xmas.jpg]xmas card comp[/URL]

    Votes: 5 4.2%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/3337HCFinal.jpg]Chickadee Cheers[/URL]

    Votes: 1 0.8%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/2793bluejayholly.jpg]Merry Christmas[/URL]

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/3459Xmas_in_Australia_copy.jpg]Greetings from OZ[/

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/590BERRY_MERRY_CHRISTMAS_2-1.jpg]AND A BIRDY NEW Y

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/21Great_Grey_Shrike_DSCN4159c_Xmas_card.jpg]Great

    Votes: 2 1.7%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/622Comp_Christmas_Card_2.jpg]Happy Holidays Bird F

    Votes: 2 1.7%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/21Xamas_card_DSCN4430oo.jpg]Black Grouse Tipple[/U

    Votes: 1 0.8%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/704cardinal_in_snow.jpg]Holiday Cardinal[/URL]

    Votes: 5 4.2%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/4893Holiday_Shrike.jpg]Holiday Shrike[/URL]

    Votes: 1 0.8%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/431untitled.jpg]Peace[/URL]

    Votes: 1 0.8%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/1092christmas.jpg]Crystal Christmas - House Sparro

    Votes: 19 15.8%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/182Christmas_card_1a.jpg]Christmas Wishes..[/URL]

    Votes: 6 5.0%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/2474Osprey_Card_5_with_border_low_res_compressed_9

    Votes: 4 3.3%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/1282recr1_holiday.jpg]Red Crossbill Holiday Card[/

    Votes: 1 0.8%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/4690WrenXmas3.jpg]CHRISTMAS WREATH[/URL]

    Votes: 2 1.7%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/5155Dscn2401_F64.jpg]Early Morning Danube Delta[/U

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/5158eco_mapi_ave01_jm.jpg]Gould's Inca[/URL]

    Votes: 2 1.7%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/329XThrush.jpg]A Christmas Wish[/URL]

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/2474Christmas_Card_with_Landscape_and_small_border

    Votes: 5 4.2%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/1710Coop_Jr_036rz.jpg]Happy New Year from Coop Jr.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/1710Coop_at_the_Bath_8-25-03_010resz.jpg]Happy New

    Votes: 1 0.8%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/1683christmas.jpg]Peace[/URL]

    Votes: 2 1.7%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/1061X-mas_Anna_s_Holly_P10200335brt3.JPG]Anna's Ho

    Votes: 3 2.5%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/590IMG_1840_Christmas_Card_Comp-1.jpg]Holiday Chee

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/1498Merry_Christmas.jpg]Fieldfare eating apples[/U

    Votes: 11 9.2%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/341American_White_Pelicans_-_Holiday_142_4218.jpg]

    Votes: 2 1.7%
  • [URL=http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/533/341Greater_Sage_Grouse_-_Holiday_133_3338A_final_.

    Votes: 9 7.5%

  • Total voters
    120
  • Poll closed .
helenh said:
I echo that sentiment.

I’m fairly new around here – only seen this and last month’s competition – so hope I’m not speaking out of turn and certainly no offence intended, but I think the posts above (about the borders) to my mind are missing the point.

It strikes me that in the main BF competitions are fairly “serious” (I use the word advisedly) and are most likely to be won by folks with some experience of bird photography (either serious amateur or pro) with fairly robust kit. (I seem to remember a thread a little while back about maybe splitting the comp into `pro’ and `amateur’ categories). When I voted in last months I considered things such as technical proficiency, composition etc

This months seemed to me to be intended to be more light hearted allowing the opportunity for the less proficient photographers amongst you to have a go and stand a chance …. by using a bit of creative flair that did not rely solely on the quality of the photograph. This time, therefore, I voted for the card that made me feel the most “Christmassy” – I therefore found myself voting for a card that would never by any stretch of the imagination be close to winning a photographic competition (no disrespect to the photographer meant !!) but which had a combination of colours (including the `fancy border’ !!) which put me in the festive spirit and which the creator had obviously put some time and thought into AND enjoyed doing and sharing with Bird Forum – doing and sharing is for me what Christmas is all about.

And on that note - a very Happy Christmas to you all whatever your beleifs and practices !!!
 
AnnieW,

No offence taken on my part. The world would be a poorer place if we all liked the same things .... and the monthly competitions would be very boring indeed!

I also voted for the entry that made me feel the most festive - and also for the one that I would most want to receive. It was a tough call and I can honestly say that a few of the entries were considerably better than some of the pro cards I've received from people who know I'm into birds (and I've received some nice ones this year).

However for me Charles' posting was a "eureka" moment - I couldn't understand why some of the entries just didn't appeal - and when I looked again I found that, like Charles [1], the borders were a distraction for me.

[1] Edited - I mean that I, like Charles, found the borders a distraction - not that I found Charles to be a distraction [2].

[2] Edited - Not that I'm saying that Charles wouldn't be a distraction (in the nicest possible way).

[3] Edited - Hmmmmmm - I'm just making things worse aren't I? Maybe I'd better just stick with "Seasons Greetings to all".
 
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Well the idea this month was to have the nicest looking card with hopefully the most appealing attracting the most votes. Everyone looks for something different in a photo else just one would get all of the votes ;) We added the having the option, not a condition, of adding borders and the such like for this month due to the season and attracted some very nice entries. We tried to make it as attainable as possible for more members to be able to enter. I think the additions have helped in that respect considering the 'Happy Holidays' theme.

AnnieW, no problem with your comments. That is why we like feed back from our members so we can try to keep on improving things. Opinions really count for something on Bird Forum.
 
This months seemed to me to be intended to be more light hearted allowing the opportunity for the less proficient photographers amongst you to have a go and stand a chance …. by using a bit of creative flair that did not rely solely on the quality of the photograph.

Annie, while we always encourage people to stretch their photographic talents, I could not agree with you more. We wanted truly the opportunity for anyone, including those good film users out there, to stand a chance to win.

Happy holidays all!
 
Helen,yes,I also wanted to say to the person who had submitted the photo,how great it was etc,and was dissappointed not to be able to do so,but then again,a comp with a prize,one has to be fair.
Charles,sorry I cannot agree with you re the borders.I found some of the exhibits with the borders truly stunning.After all,birds were included in the theme,they were not the main theme as such.
Christine.
 
Congratulations To All Photo's, Photographers, And Forum Workers For All The Work Put In From All Directions.
I Voted For A Traditional One.
Looking Forward To Next Comp.
Happy New Year To All.
 
I agree, I think some of the borders were particularly amazing and I admire those people's talents.

Just a note, Ian and I have discussed this and we are going to leave the photos in the competition forum for a few days AFTER the voting closes to allow people an easy place to find them and hopefully make comments. When the winner is announced we will remind everyone at that time that you can make comments.
 
I think the last monthly competion of the year with our thoughts turning to the Holidays and New Year; allowing for nearly any bird photo genre or content to be creatively turned into a Holiday message by Members, was a brilliant and generous idea on the part of our competition Moderators. It is only ONE month's theme, and does tend to even the playing field somewhat as mentioned above. If I can find any critisizm about this one, it would be that I'm not sure it's the right contest for a bird-related site to offer it's best reward for. However if the award donor generously offered it up, then I don't see sufficient reason for Birdforum to decline to present it.
 
I believe that the photos should continue to be presented as they were in this most recent competition, that is photo only, no names. People can then judge them solely on the photos themselves and not be influenced by who took them. I think also that the borders did add to the overall effect of the card and that is what this particular competition was all about.
 
Larry has said just what I had planned to say ie no names. As he said he would like to follow the latest example, I hope he was implying also no comments about the entries.

I feel this is the fairest way to conduct the competition to ensure no bias in the judging.
 
The problem with not giving the photographer's name is that it makes it difficult to find the entry you want to vote for. For example I knew the one I wanted to vote for but there were 2 entries with very similar names - the easiest way to distinguish them, and make sure I put my vote next to the right one, would have been by the name of submitter.

I'm not sure that the argument that people will vote for the competitor rather than the best entry holds water. You have to go back and view the entries anyway to work out which one you want to vote for - so if someone is determined to vote for the photographer then they'll just scan through the thumbnails and vote for their favourite person.

As I said earlier I would regret it if it was decided to exclude comments for future comps. I really do feel that they add to the whole community feel of the competition. It makes it a friendly competition which is very much in keeping with the spirit of BF. Let's face it, no one's going to get rich or famous by winning a BF monthly comp so I'd much prefer it remained a chatty, informal affair (though still serious in terms of sticking to the rules).
 
Forcreeks said:
If I can find any critisizm about this one, it would be that I'm not sure it's the right contest for a bird-related site to offer it's best reward for.

Certainly the best prize offered yet, but I'm sure the next 12 months will see even more generous prizes... hopefully the competions will continue to be fun and enjoyable for all.
Regards,
Andy
 
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Just noticed that EVERY entry has received at least one vote!

Well done everyone!
 
Wow, 146 votes as I write this. That is great. Thanks to all for taking the time to vote.

Whilst many truly do vote for the one they like the most, historically on similar forums it has been found that person A likes person B and therefore votes for person B regardless. This also holds true in the negative realm. Person A loathes person B and therefore would not vote for Person B no matter what. Does it matter as far as any one getting rich off of this? (There goes another one of my bubbles that burst!). No, it does not. Does it matter to fairness? We believe it does. Just another thing which would take this one more step in achieving fairness, not allowing anyone to see how many votes any particular photo is getting until the end. Reason? Because again there are people out there who cannot make up their mind and see Photo X getting more votes and think, well, they must be right. I have research to back me up on that one folks. Even people who have made up their minds have been shown to change their minds even when they are 100% correct, when their decision is in the minority.
 
bcurrie said:
.... Whilst many truly do vote for the one they like the most, historically on similar forums it has been found that person A likes person B and therefore votes for person B regardless. This also holds true in the negative realm. Person A loathes person B and therefore would not vote for Person B no matter what. ....
But not including the name on the voting form won't stop that from happening. The photographer's name is attached to the thumbnail - and to the full-frame picture. So the people who vote on personality will still do so (especially in the irrational world of "I hate Fred - so I'm not going to vote for his stunning shot") and for those who vote for the best entry life is made that bit more difficult. I wouldn't have a problem if the entire entry was anonomised (but I guess that would be, technically, very difficult to achieve ... and very low down the list of planned technical enhancements).

I'd like to echo the comments on voting numbers - it is great to see such a high turn-out in the voting booth. It's also wonderful to see such a spread of votes.

helenh
 
Just a note of congratulations and thanks to the contestants and BF administrators for making the competition very enjoyable. Cheers!
 
Good to see 146 votes cast . . . but that's still only 3% of BF membership! C'mon, where is everyone! Go to the polling booth now!

As for what is viewable - it is nice to see which pics are getting the highest number of votes, but I think it would be good if this can only be seen AFTER one has voted. Would that be feasible?

Michael
 
Michael and Jason,you have a point there,esp as it could be possible by reverting to the thumbnails to see the indentity of the entrant ,so the most important vote could be swayed by the fact it could end in a tie,and/or the submitter of the entry.Someone perhaps being loyal to their fellow country man etc.Not that I think for one instance,the very honest B F members would contemplate such an idea,but well,who knows!!.
Christine.
 
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