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Photo Contest?

I would like to make a suggestion. Having different categories is good...corn snakes, digital manipulation, non-cornsnakes...but having seen many of these run over the years, I would like to see it broken down even further into "Professional" and "Amateur", even though most of the "professionals" really aren't in the technical meaning. I just see two "classes" of photos being entered and would just like to see some new people win something once in awhile.
 
Another suggestion or two. Skip the themes and have only the one contest. If we limit it to one contest for the year, I think we'll have a much better turn-out as well as plenty of prizes. If someone wants to use a theme for their photo, great, and it should be judged on the over-all quality of the photo which includes how well it fits the theme. Not everyone can do themed photos (I know I don't like to do them). "Regular" photos should be judged the same, on over-all quality and how well does it fit it's theme of a portrait, humor, digital manipulation or whatever.
 
Susan said:
Another suggestion or two. Skip the themes and have only the one contest. If we limit it to one contest for the year, I think we'll have a much better turn-out as well as plenty of prizes. If someone wants to use a theme for their photo, great, and it should be judged on the over-all quality of the photo which includes how well it fits the theme. Not everyone can do themed photos (I know I don't like to do them). "Regular" photos should be judged the same, on over-all quality and how well does it fit it's theme of a portrait, humor, digital manipulation or whatever.
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That's a good suggestion. The only problem I'd have with that is that I REALLY wanted to enter a contest, and if I'm going to be the one running it then I'm out for a full calendar year :(. Would I be able to submit photos to my own contest? I wouldn't be the judge or anything, as the entrants are community voted upon... I dunno, I suppose that determination would be up to the community as well, lol.

I'm working up the details now and once I've got them finalized I'll post it in the WIR section as Drizzt80 brought up. Also yes, it will most definitely be run in a similar and organized fashion. I'm 100% open to suggestions from previous contest "runners" so feel free to reply here or shoot me a PM. Also, if and previous "runners" would like to see the final rules before I submit so they can verify for fairness and accuracy, PM me and I'll make sure you see it first.
 
Susan said:
Another suggestion or two. Skip the themes and have only the one contest. If we limit it to one contest for the year, I think we'll have a much better turn-out as well as plenty of prizes.
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I'd like to suggest two contests. A spring/summer and fall/winter. Somebody else could run the other contest so JG could have the opportunity to enter. I think 2 would be a great compromise from having 4 or 5 like we've tried in the past.

Jadie.Glitch said:
Would I be able to submit photos to my own contest?
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I'd say no just to avoid the inevitable drama if you did win something.

Jadie.Glitch said:
Also yes, it will most definitely be run in a similar and organized fashion. I'm 100% open to suggestions from previous contest "runners" so feel free to reply here or shoot me a PM.
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After watching several of these take place over the years, the biggest drama comes with prize distribution. I'd recommend having a set of "rules" for prize distribution and stick to them. Making changes after the fact really causes problems.

Jadie.Glitch said:
Here is a link to the request for donations:

http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1085442#post1085442
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Already stickied. Thanks for taking the lead and getting this started.

D80
 
Drizzt80 said:
I'd like to suggest two contests. A spring/summer and fall/winter. Somebody else could run the other contest so JG could have the opportunity to enter. I think 2 would be a great compromise from having 4 or 5 like we've tried in the past.
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That's a good idea! I'll change the "request for prizes" thread to reflect that.

Drizzt80 said:
I'd say no just to avoid the inevitable drama if you did win something.
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That's true, and I'm all for eliminating the drama so I don't mind waiting until next time ^_^.

Drizzt80 said:
After watching several of these take place over the years, the biggest drama comes with prize distribution. I'd recommend having a set of "rules" for prize distribution and stick to them. Making changes after the fact really causes problems.
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I'm going to have to do a lot of thinking here. I've got some ideas so I think I'm on the right track now...

Drizzt80 said:
Already stickied. Thanks for taking the lead and getting this started.

D80
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Sure, np!! Glad to help! :D
 
This quote was taken from this thread (http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1085496&posted=1#post1085496) and should probably be discussed:

dionythicus said:
How are you going to determine what's Amateur or Advanced? It seems like a difficult distinction. There are some people on here who are incredible photographers and some people just have a rinky-dink camera phone.
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Hmm...

Our main concern with making these categories was so that everyone got a fair chance at winning a prize and having fun.

But you're right, that could get rather sticky. I honestly feel like I have an eye to be able to tell the difference at first glance, but I wouldn't want to risk hurting anyone's feelings. Does anyone have any suggestions on how we could fairly and kindly make this distinction, or should we do away with the segregation all together?
 
As to how to separate... have the people entering decide which skill level they want to enter under.
 
sounds fun, I'd throw something in... I best start giving that bacon a talking to now ;)
 
I thought about that option too, but if we do that then someone could enter something professional looking into the Amateur contest just so they'd win, which would still be unfair. Although if we're okay trusting that people won't be unfair then we can go ahead with this idea.

Also, I will be the one receiving the entrants so if someone really doesn't know where their picture can go I can always privately help them. That still leaves the small issue of "You told me mine was good enough for the Advanced category and I lost!" but we can hope it doesn't go there...
 
Susan said:
You didn't get the book from Nanci?

.
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If you mean that last photo contest, run by Des, I didn't offer any prizes because I knew the whole thing was going to be a cluster, and it was. Payton thought up the whole idea, didn't he, and then it just kind of got taken over??

But if you think someone owes you a prize, (person Susan quoted) I have heard from other people who donated prizes that they never heard from anyone to claim them, so you might still be able to get it straightened out.

Generally, photo contests run better if they follow the standard, proven formula.
 
Susan said:
You didn't get the book from Nanci?

I could probably be talked into donating a prize or two (or three), but I'll not participate in any other way this year.
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Yes, I received the book from Nanci and LOVED it. It was a wonderful story, and Nanci is extremely generous for the donation. I appreciated it so much and have coerced the fam into reading it as well. :)


I was referring to the last contest (ran over the winter, http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93010&highlight=photo+contest) about the MIA prizes. I don't want to sound like a prize-grubber, since I really enjoyed entering them without a reward. It's still a tad disappointing, so organization is key!:)
 
The pro/amateur question is a good one. What makes someone a pro? Is it their camera? Their photo finishing skills? I may have a nice camera, but haven't had much of a chance to learn how to use it "properly" and would not consider myself a pro, but others may, because I have a digital SLR.
 
Pros are usually those people who manage to make money off of their photography, by most definitions. An extremely talented amateur may not make anything, no matter what kind of camera & equipment they possess, simply because, for whatever reason, they haven't sold any of their work. A professional artist who has found a market for their photos (drawings, paintings, essays, whatever), no matter how talented (or not) they are, makes money.

If that definition isn't to your liking, perhaps you can define pros vs. amateurs by whether or not they've shown their work in galleries and/or been published, or whether the photographer's work has found its niche in private photo albums, fun forums, and framed and hung on their own walls.

A talented photographer doesn't necessarily need a high-end DSLR and wicked skills with image manipulation editors/programs. You can see the quality of their work, even if they're using an old Polaroid.

So I guess it would depend on what you want from these definitions. A slick, well-edited, sharp-focused, well-composed, artfully and/or properly lit and exposed photo that Nat'l Geographic or its ilk might consider using, or more of an emphasis on the actual subject matter/theme and the story it tells, while taking into account that not everyone can afford expensive equipment?
 
Pro in the case of this contest, would, for me, include clarity of the photograph as well as the set up. A nicely set up, but slightly out of focus picture is not pro, and nor is one that is perfectly in focus, but taken on your carpet.

For example, I'm hardly "pro" and I have a really old, rather cruddy camera, and while most of my images would go in the "amateur" category by choice, I would be willing to put the image my avatar is from in the "pro" category. It's in focus where important, has great depth, and good flow.
 
Shiari said:
Pro in the case of this contest, would, for me, include clarity of the photograph as well as the set up. A nicely set up, but slightly out of focus picture is not pro, and nor is one that is perfectly in focus, but taken on your carpet.
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I agree with you, but I'd suggest not having the pro v. amateur distinction. I'm an old school, if you want to be the best you have to beat the best type of guy. With all due respect to Susan, if we are tired of seeing the same old people win, then others need to enter some quality pictures to beat those that already do. The unfocused, on the carpet photo really shouldn't be entered, but they are. :shrugs: Take your lumps. Unlike the direction society seems to be moving, not everyone deserves a trophy for participating!! ;)

Just my opinion.
D80
 
Drizzt80 said:
I agree with you, but I'd suggest not having the pro v. amateur distinction. I'm an old school, if you want to be the best you have to beat the best type of guy. With all due respect to Susan, if we are tired of seeing the same old people win, then others need to enter some quality pictures to beat those that already do. The unfocused, on the carpet photo really shouldn't be entered, but they are. :shrugs: Take your lumps. Unlike the direction society seems to be moving, not everyone deserves a trophy for participating!! ;)

Just my opinion.
D80
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You must spread around some reputation before giving it to Drizzt80 again.
 
Shiari said:
Pro in the case of this contest, would, for me, include clarity of the photograph as well as the set up. A nicely set up, but slightly out of focus picture is not pro, and nor is one that is perfectly in focus, but taken on your carpet.

For example, I'm hardly "pro" and I have a really old, rather cruddy camera, and while most of my images would go in the "amateur" category by choice, I would be willing to put the image my avatar is from in the "pro" category. It's in focus where important, has great depth, and good flow.
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Im sorry,but your avatar pic is not a great photo imho. You say it has great dept,but nor really. Just because the snake is in focus and the rest is not doesn't make it have dept. Yeah,if maybe the snakes head and upper neck area were the only thing in focus,then yeah. Plus,idk if you edited your bg,but its way too blurry. . Just my opinions though.
 
Calift said:
Yes, I received the book from Nanci and LOVED it. It was a wonderful story, and Nanci is extremely generous for the donation. I appreciated it so much and have coerced the fam into reading it as well. :)


I was referring to the last contest (ran over the winter, http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93010&highlight=photo+contest) about the MIA prizes. I don't want to sound like a prize-grubber, since I really enjoyed entering them without a reward. It's still a tad disappointing, so organization is key!:)
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Oh...THAT contest! Sorry for the mistake (it really couldn't see Nanci not giving her donation, hence my extreme puzzlement). I had completely forgotten about that contest.

Good points have been brought up about my suggestions. I just had to throw them out there to see where they would fall. I'll donate my prizes but that will be my sole involvement with any contests this year. Some of last year's fiascoes has me completely put off for anything more.
 
Drizzt80 said:
I agree with you, but I'd suggest not having the pro v. amateur distinction. I'm an old school, if you want to be the best you have to beat the best type of guy. With all due respect to Susan, if we are tired of seeing the same old people win, then others need to enter some quality pictures to beat those that already do. The unfocused, on the carpet photo really shouldn't be entered, but they are. :shrugs: Take your lumps. Unlike the direction society seems to be moving, not everyone deserves a trophy for participating!! ;)

Just my opinion.
D80
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I agree completely!
 
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