Adey Baker
Member
Chuck A. Walla said:
The vote should hopefully be for the photograph, irrespective of who took it.
Knowing the photographer's name may influence your decision (either way!)
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May theme challenge voting booth! (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter IanF
- Start date
The vote should hopefully be for the photograph, irrespective of who took it.
Knowing the photographer's name may influence your decision (either way!)
Adey Baker
Member
pdackerman said:
Phil, hopefully everyone will be inspired to go and do even better next time, rather than being disheartened.
I've not entered a competition yet (not counting the 'mug-shot' round!) but because of the high standard of many entries it means that when I do it won't be 'just another shot' - it'll be a good 'un (I hope!)
IanF
Moderator
Just to answer a few of the queries raised.
We try to make the competiton themes attainable by everyone, but some like this month are more suited to high end cameras and accomplished photographers. Hopefully the theme for next month will redress the balance as an opportunist photo with a good title will likely attract the most votes.
I'd prefer to retain titles for photos rather than member names as photos should be judged on how they look rather than who took them. That inforamtion is obviously still available with very little effort as is the equipment with which a shot was taken which should carry some weight when deciding say between three shots.
The number of entries the competition attracts are of concern. Whilst we don't wish to discourage members from entering, 50+ entries per month are an awful lot to view when deciding on which to vote for. We are considering limiting the voting booth to 30, 40 or 50 entries. The Mods would select what they judge to be the best entries to be placed in the voting booth.
We greatly appreciate the suggestions made for improving the monthly competitions/theme challenges and welcome any further thoughts/ideas.
We try to make the competiton themes attainable by everyone, but some like this month are more suited to high end cameras and accomplished photographers. Hopefully the theme for next month will redress the balance as an opportunist photo with a good title will likely attract the most votes.
I'd prefer to retain titles for photos rather than member names as photos should be judged on how they look rather than who took them. That inforamtion is obviously still available with very little effort as is the equipment with which a shot was taken which should carry some weight when deciding say between three shots.
The number of entries the competition attracts are of concern. Whilst we don't wish to discourage members from entering, 50+ entries per month are an awful lot to view when deciding on which to vote for. We are considering limiting the voting booth to 30, 40 or 50 entries. The Mods would select what they judge to be the best entries to be placed in the voting booth.
We greatly appreciate the suggestions made for improving the monthly competitions/theme challenges and welcome any further thoughts/ideas.
Michael Frankis
conehead
Hi Ian,
One suggestion for making viewing the pics easier for those without broadband (remembering what it was like before I got it!):
At the moment, there's tiny thumbnails, on which not much can be seen, and the full-size pic, which is fairly large. Would it be possible to add a link to a medium-small version, bigger than the thumbnail, but smaller than the main pic? So each thumbnail on the competition gallery would have two links below it, 1, click here for full-size photo, 2, click here for small/low resolution photo
I've no idea if this would be feasible or not!
Michael
One suggestion for making viewing the pics easier for those without broadband (remembering what it was like before I got it!):
At the moment, there's tiny thumbnails, on which not much can be seen, and the full-size pic, which is fairly large. Would it be possible to add a link to a medium-small version, bigger than the thumbnail, but smaller than the main pic? So each thumbnail on the competition gallery would have two links below it, 1, click here for full-size photo, 2, click here for small/low resolution photo
I've no idea if this would be feasible or not!
Michael
IanF
Moderator
Hi Michael,
I wouldn't mind doing something like that but I suspect it's not feasible as we are very much tied to the Gallery software. It may be possible to have larger thumbnails but that would likely affect the whole Gallery and mean fewer photo thumbnails.
I shall inquire into it though.
I wouldn't mind doing something like that but I suspect it's not feasible as we are very much tied to the Gallery software. It may be possible to have larger thumbnails but that would likely affect the whole Gallery and mean fewer photo thumbnails.
I shall inquire into it though.
tracker
Tom
I too think there have been some really inspiring shots in this months competition.
The level of excellence throughout is something that moves me to keep improving and move the boundaries even further.
I love flight shots, and as shown through this months comp, digi-scoping and flight/action shots requires some persistence, agility and a calm head...... Interestingly, im striving to cultivate all three!!!......LOL......
Great comp, well done everyone!!....... :t:
tracker
The level of excellence throughout is something that moves me to keep improving and move the boundaries even further.
I love flight shots, and as shown through this months comp, digi-scoping and flight/action shots requires some persistence, agility and a calm head...... Interestingly, im striving to cultivate all three!!!......LOL......
Great comp, well done everyone!!....... :t:
tracker
Ian, I would like to see the entire competition judged by a panel of judges. As it stands now, it leaves itself open to being a popularity contest. The more friends and family one has as members, the more votes that person can get. I am in no way implying that this is the case in this month's or any month's competition but it's time this competition moved on to something more.
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Paulyoly
Well-known member
Marysan said:
I agree, but i'm not talking about this competition in particular, you just happen to be the first i've seen mention this. The shot that walked away with this competition is well deserving of the votes as it is very well done.
I think they should consider this atleast for prize competitions so there is no doubt. I could easily get another 20 votes if i so choosed.
Paulyoly said:I agree, but i'm not talking about this competition in particular, you just happen to be the first i've seen mention this. The shot that walked away with this competition is well deserving of the votes as it is very well done.
I think they should consider this atleast for prize competitions so there is no doubt. I could easily get another 20 votes if i so choosed.
Exactly, Paulyoly, well said. I'm just the first one to bring this point up.
IanF
Moderator
It's consideration of which we are already aware and have discussed previously. Particularly for prize competitions the voting pattern is scrutinised. However considering that most months we run a fun theme challenge, then I'd much prefer membership participation both in submitting entries and them deciding which is the most worthy photo by casting their votes.
As mentioned higher up this thread the Mods may soon select the top 30 or 40 entries for members to then vote upon in order to reduce the number for members to view when it comes to voting.
As mentioned higher up this thread the Mods may soon select the top 30 or 40 entries for members to then vote upon in order to reduce the number for members to view when it comes to voting.
IanF
Moderator
Congratulations to Geomorph the winner of the May theme challenge with his superb photo titled 'Landing Osprey'.
The entry attracted 49/244 votes cast.
Thankyou to everyone who participated, both the entrants and to everyone who took the time to view the entries and cast their vote.
Details of the June theme challenge will appear shortly.
The entry attracted 49/244 votes cast.
Thankyou to everyone who participated, both the entrants and to everyone who took the time to view the entries and cast their vote.
Details of the June theme challenge will appear shortly.
geomorph
Enthusiast!
Thanks to everyone for their willingness to vote in this months fun challenge. I really enjoyed the beautiful photos and was surprised at the number of votes mine received. Congrats to all who entered. :clap:
Just to clarify the point, I don't have ANY family or friends that use this site, and have not campaigned in any way for votes. That said, I agree that it could be a problem given the current voting format, but it's not a method that most of us would employ (I hope).
Thanks again for giving us all a place to share our photographs... I appreciate having access to such a superb website.
Cheers, B
Tyler Allred
Just to clarify the point, I don't have ANY family or friends that use this site, and have not campaigned in any way for votes. That said, I agree that it could be a problem given the current voting format, but it's not a method that most of us would employ (I hope).
Thanks again for giving us all a place to share our photographs... I appreciate having access to such a superb website.
Cheers, B
Tyler Allred
gthang
Ford Focus Fanatic: mmmmmm... 3.1415926535.....
Congratulations geomorph! I just saw the picture for the first time, and it's awesome! Excellent shot! Worthy of the title!
Hey Ian, do you guys hold a Picture of the Year contest? If not, the contest will be the winning entries from each month, and as usual we members vote for the best of the best. Should make things interesting, considering the amount of high-quality shots that have been entered. However, I just realized that the contest might be a violation of the rule: "Pictures can be entered only if they haven't been used in a prior contest".
Hey Ian, do you guys hold a Picture of the Year contest? If not, the contest will be the winning entries from each month, and as usual we members vote for the best of the best. Should make things interesting, considering the amount of high-quality shots that have been entered. However, I just realized that the contest might be a violation of the rule: "Pictures can be entered only if they haven't been used in a prior contest".
Forcreeks
If you want to see something new in nature!
Tyler's awesome Osprey shot was one of the ALL TIME BEST Birdforum Gallery postings; so much so that I voted for it even though I liked my Swallows carrying mud photo, a very rare flight shot for me as a digiscoper. I am totally pleased that five others actually voted for mine... and figure there were so many shots, they probably didn't see Tyler's
This brings me to support Marysan's (and others' in the past) suggestion. However I equally support the Mods' idea of narrowing the field for the members' voting... I know, it's "one or the other," but I think either is workable and better than the status quo, and the latter does encourage participation; still, Marysan's point about the "possibility" of soliciting votes is a valid concern... that's what they've found happens with the popular USA "American Idol" TV star-search show, in which viewers call in their votes.
How about a discussion followed by guess what.... a voting poll of the Membership?
And one last thing. Now that the popularity of entering has grown so much, let's consider T H R E E categories of monthly comps: SLR- film & digital cameras; Point-and-Shoot film and digital cams; and Digiscoping. I suggest we may only enter ONE category per month, and that the Mods should refine each category to a fairly small number of entries proportionate to the popularity/number of entries in that category; and if there're under 10 show them all regardless of ratios (IF Members will vote at all).
Oh, and way to go Tyler (Geomorph) - absolutely superb!
This brings me to support Marysan's (and others' in the past) suggestion. However I equally support the Mods' idea of narrowing the field for the members' voting... I know, it's "one or the other," but I think either is workable and better than the status quo, and the latter does encourage participation; still, Marysan's point about the "possibility" of soliciting votes is a valid concern... that's what they've found happens with the popular USA "American Idol" TV star-search show, in which viewers call in their votes.
How about a discussion followed by guess what.... a voting poll of the Membership?
And one last thing. Now that the popularity of entering has grown so much, let's consider T H R E E categories of monthly comps: SLR- film & digital cameras; Point-and-Shoot film and digital cams; and Digiscoping. I suggest we may only enter ONE category per month, and that the Mods should refine each category to a fairly small number of entries proportionate to the popularity/number of entries in that category; and if there're under 10 show them all regardless of ratios (IF Members will vote at all).
Oh, and way to go Tyler (Geomorph) - absolutely superb!
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pauliev69
Proud Smoggie
Congratulations Tyler on a truly outstanding image that deserved to win, an image everyone would be delighted to capture.
Congratulations to everyone who entered, it was a pleasure to view some outstanding captures and thanks to the members who voted. Can we also take the time to thank IanF for all his hard work in running the comp, I am sure its not easy, well done Ian.
Congratulations to everyone who entered, it was a pleasure to view some outstanding captures and thanks to the members who voted. Can we also take the time to thank IanF for all his hard work in running the comp, I am sure its not easy, well done Ian.
IanF
Moderator
Some interesting ideas there Steve, some of which may be brought on board in upcoming competitions.
Ideally I'd rather keep it as one competition for everyone to participate in, but as time progresses that is looking less fair on those without top end equipment.
Limiting the number of entries by whatever means goes against the grain as the main purpose of the competitions is to encourage membership participation in taking photos, submitting them as well as casting votes. A stop-gap solution would be split the categories as you and others have suggested.
As regards the voting, manipulation of the figures by getting friends and family to vote for your own entry is a concern, more so for the prize competitions. Perhaps a Mods only vote to decide the winner would be a preferable solution.
Watch this space
Ideally I'd rather keep it as one competition for everyone to participate in, but as time progresses that is looking less fair on those without top end equipment.
Limiting the number of entries by whatever means goes against the grain as the main purpose of the competitions is to encourage membership participation in taking photos, submitting them as well as casting votes. A stop-gap solution would be split the categories as you and others have suggested.
As regards the voting, manipulation of the figures by getting friends and family to vote for your own entry is a concern, more so for the prize competitions. Perhaps a Mods only vote to decide the winner would be a preferable solution.
Watch this space
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Paulyoly
Well-known member
IanF said:
Ian, i've seen you use this statement a few times now and i used to think the same thing. I've have seen some shots from people with the new canon 1d MkII that are just plan rubish IMO of course and that camera cost $4500usd. I also tried to teach my wife how to take flight shots using my camera/lens and realized very quickly that not everyone is cut out for flight photography.
I think Steve is right, you should consider having two competitions, one for top end equipment and one with low end equipment or you could buy everyone top end equipment
Anyway i have changed my thinking, I used to think 90% was the equipment and 10% the photographer. I think it's more like 40/60.
IanF
Moderator
I agree with you entirely on this Paul. My comment should be read as being 'top end equipment and knowing how to use it properly'!
To my mind an awful lot counts for how accomplished the photographer is. They should be able to take good shots whatever camera is being used. However I'd expect the same photographer in the same circumstances to produce far better photos with a DSLR than with a 3x zoom 2 MP compact!
Ideally everyone should have the same equipment to compare photographic prowess fairly. One way of going some way to achieving this would be to split the competitions into DSLR/Compacts/Digiscoping.
As regards buying everyone a DSLR I only wish I could afford one for myself never mind anyone else 8-P
To my mind an awful lot counts for how accomplished the photographer is. They should be able to take good shots whatever camera is being used. However I'd expect the same photographer in the same circumstances to produce far better photos with a DSLR than with a 3x zoom 2 MP compact!
Ideally everyone should have the same equipment to compare photographic prowess fairly. One way of going some way to achieving this would be to split the competitions into DSLR/Compacts/Digiscoping.
As regards buying everyone a DSLR I only wish I could afford one for myself never mind anyone else 8-P
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