Pro Member Competition Feedback

[Tim Mayo]

Please use this thread to post feedback and suggestions on the Pro Member Competitions.

Thanks!
Tim

 

[Clix Pix]

Will each monthly competition have a specific theme, and will there be a time-frame within which the image must be shot or can one pull out an image from an earlier shooting session?

 

[Tim Mayo]

Will each monthly competition have a specific theme, and will there be a time-frame within which the image must be shot or can one pull out an image from an earlier shooting session?

There will be no specific theme for the first couple of competitions but I may introduce a theme now and again. If I do then it will be a theme that is open to everyone, so there's unlikely to be a birds in flight theme as not everyone has the gear for shooting birds in flight. There's no restriction on the creation date of the image submitted, it could be from a decade ago so long as it was shot on a Sony

 

[Clix Pix]

On other forums where I participate, it has been found to be helpful to have a theme of some sort, but, yes, the theme needs to be fairly broad in scope so that people may join in, regardless of the type of equipment they're using. Something like "Birds in Flight" would absolutely never work, as it is too limiting. A broader topic like "Water," or "Flowers" or some such, which then can attract members who can usually find something within that kind of topic to shoot, regardless of their specific camera body or their lenses. Any sort of topic which requires a specific type of lens is really a no-go.

I do think that it is helpful to put forth a specific topic, as then all the entries are at least somewhat focused (oops, sorry about the pun) on a particular topic and that also provides parameters within which to compare various entries. Is this person's image of a flower more interesting and more of a potential prize-winner than that person's entry? Why? What makes the difference, what qualities about one image shine out way beyond qualities in other's images? This is what makes a competition meaningful......to participants, to viewers, to the judge.

 

[Jeff A]

I don't see the vote button. Am I the only one? :-(

 

[Tim Mayo]

On other forums where I participate, it has been found to be helpful to have a theme of some sort, but, yes, the theme needs to be fairly broad in scope so that people may join in, regardless of the type of equipment they're using. Something like "Birds in Flight" would absolutely never work, as it is too limiting. A broader topic like "Water," or "Flowers" or some such, which then can attract members who can usually find something within that kind of topic to shoot, regardless of their specific camera body or their lenses. Any sort of topic which requires a specific type of lens is really a no-go.

I do think that it is helpful to put forth a specific topic, as then all the entries are at least somewhat focused (oops, sorry about the pun) on a particular topic and that also provides parameters within which to compare various entries. Is this person's image of a flower more interesting and more of a potential prize-winner than that person's entry? Why? What makes the difference, what qualities about one image shine out way beyond qualities in other's images? This is what makes a competition meaningful......to participants, to viewers, to the judge.

Some great advice here Clix Pix, thank you! I actually hadn't considered that by setting a topic it would make the job of comparing entires a lot easier for all involved. I'll have to think about a suitable topic for the competition next month. Thanks again!

 

[Tim Mayo]

I don't see the vote button. Am I the only one? :-(

Hey Jeff,

It should look like this on desktop:

And this on mobile:

Are you not seeing either?
Tim

 

[Jeff A]

Hey Jeff,

It should look like this on desktop:

View attachment 5106

And this on mobile:

View attachment 5107

Are you not seeing either?
Tim

OK, I get it now. Thank you.

 

[Clix Pix]

It took me a while last night to figure it out, too, since technically it isn't a "button," so that threw me off stride. When I saw that it was to be at the right-hand top of the post, bingo!

 

[Clix Pix]

Some great advice here Clix Pix, thank you! I actually hadn't considered that by setting a topic it would make the job of comparing entires a lot easier for all involved. I'll have to think about a suitable topic for the competition next month. Thanks again!

I write from experience......LOL! On one forum we have a weekly competition, and the winner of that competition then is responsible for choosing the next week's competition topic, plus also serves as the judge when closing the competition at the end of the week. Three positions are named: third place, second place, and first place (winner). It can be rather daunting if, as the winner, one chooses too broad a topic and then is faced with needing to consider, comment on and then select the top three entries! Although commentary on each entry isn't really required, most of us do that as a service to help our fellow photographers with a gentle critique and explanation of how his or her image could be improved, or we simply state why we like a certain image so much and pick out the specific elements of that image which are so pleasing. When the judge has twenty or more entires to review and comment on, that can be rather challenging in itself!

By having a specific topic or theme of a competition, that makes it more fun and also more challenging for those who choose to enter, too -- another way of encouraging people to get out there with their gear and shoot, and especially if it is something a little different from one's normal choices of things to shoot, it can be a fun albeit challenging learning experience, too. Sometimes in his or her archives someone will already have just the perfect image for a particular topic, and that is permitted, too, rather than requiring that images be shot fresh and within the time frame of the competition. People do have busy lives and sometimes just cannot get out there with the camera.

Looking forward to the topics you'll be coming up with in future competitions.....!

 

[tcoquelin]

By having a specific topic or theme of a competition, that makes it more fun and also more challenging for those who choose to enter, too -- another way of encouraging people to get out there with their gear and shoot, and especially if it is something a little different from one's normal choices of things to shoot, it can be a fun albeit challenging learning experience, too. Sometimes in his or her archives someone will already have just the perfect image for a particular topic, and that is permitted, too, rather than requiring that images be shot fresh and within the time frame of the competition. People do have busy lives and sometimes just cannot get out there with the camera.

I totally agree, constraints stimulate creativity and make every contest unique and joyful, and push you out of your comfort zone.
It sure will help getting more voters too. Curiosity is a powerful drive.

 

[Tim Mayo]

I write from experience......LOL! On one forum we have a weekly competition, and the winner of that competition then is responsible for choosing the next week's competition topic, plus also serves as the judge when closing the competition at the end of the week. Three positions are named: third place, second place, and first place (winner). It can be rather daunting if, as the winner, one chooses too broad a topic and then is faced with needing to consider, comment on and then select the top three entries! Although commentary on each entry isn't really required, most of us do that as a service to help our fellow photographers with a gentle critique and explanation of how his or her image could be improved, or we simply state why we like a certain image so much and pick out the specific elements of that image which are so pleasing. When the judge has twenty or more entires to review and comment on, that can be rather challenging in itself!

By having a specific topic or theme of a competition, that makes it more fun and also more challenging for those who choose to enter, too -- another way of encouraging people to get out there with their gear and shoot, and especially if it is something a little different from one's normal choices of things to shoot, it can be a fun albeit challenging learning experience, too. Sometimes in his or her archives someone will already have just the perfect image for a particular topic, and that is permitted, too, rather than requiring that images be shot fresh and within the time frame of the competition. People do have busy lives and sometimes just cannot get out there with the camera.

Looking forward to the topics you'll be coming up with in future competitions.....!

I really like the idea of letting the winner choose the theme of the next competition. Maybe from a list of ideas to make a it a little easier and avoid any themes that are too restrictive. I had planned to just let the votes select the winners, but I'll think about a judge based selection as well. I'm also thinking about maybe selecting the top 10 entries than asking people to vote on these as well. I'm sure the competition will evolve through trial and error as I find out what works well and what doesn't. I think limiting entires to only shots taken during the competition time frame would be tricky to moderate, but like you say by having a topic many people might have to step outside of their comfort zone and shoot something new. You've certainly provided a lot of food for thought here which I really appreciate!

 

[Spiderx1]

I like the idea of getting people to step outside of their comfort zone, this forces learning a new skill. Allowing a winner solely to chose the next could lead to a person picking something they are very good at. But at the same time allow the winner to participate in the next round. Hmmmm, maybe allow the top 3 to vote from a list of subjects. You have a more difficult job than most imagine.

 

[Clix Pix]

A lot of people on the other forum like to enter the weekly competition but are happiest when they get third place or second place rather than winning the thing, since the latter does mean a fair amount of work on their part for the following week! . People have learned from experience that if they know they will be busy in the next week or two, not to enter the competition unless they have an entry which they don't feel would win anyway.....

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

A question out of ignorance here: if I enter the competition as a beginner with an A6400, will I be at a disadvantage going up against someone with the same level of skill using an A7R4? Is there such a thing as having a maximum resolution limit for picture uploads?

 

[Tim Mayo]

A question out of ignorance here: if I enter the competition as a beginner with an A6400, will I be at a disadvantage going up against someone with the same level of skill using an A7R4? Is there such a thing as having a maximum resolution limit for picture uploads?

Not really since uploads here are limited to 2048px and larger files will also display in the same sized window.

 

[cliknstik]

I really enjoy the competitions. They're a fun way to inspire.

 

[Osval]

One interesting competition is to post a picture and the challenge is to shot the most similar picture to that one.

Personally I don't like season themes, like snow or autumn, because it leaves half of the world out that competition. Living in the southern hemisphere, we are always in the opposite season than most of you. A workaround could be something like, "show us your season" or something like that.

 

[garuda]

Tim, for contest category "Street Photography" can you give a rough general description of what constitutes St. Pho pics?

Is it the same as description you find when you Google St Pho?

 

[Tim Mayo]

Tim, for contest category "Street Photography" can you give a rough general description of what constitutes St. Pho pics?

Is it the same as description you find when you Google St Pho?

Sorry for not being clear Mike. But yes, if you Google it you'll pretty much find the definition. Any photos taken in a public place really, they don't necessarily have to include people but many street shots will. This search on Flickr should provide lots of ideas: https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=street photography

 

[Jeff A]

Sorry for not being clear Mike. But yes, if you Google it you'll pretty much find the definition. Any photos taken in a public place really, they don't necessarily have to include people but many street shots will. This search on Flickr should provide lots of ideas: https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=street photography

After going through many of those "Street Photography" images on flickr I realize two things:
1. I don't get out much
2. Maybe that's a good thing

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

After going through many of those "Street Photography" images on flickr I realize two things:
1. I don't get out much
2. Maybe that's a good thing

I was thinking the same thing. I'm working from home and not mingling on streets for a reason. But then again, even before the Coronapocalypse, I always felt a bit sheepish about taking pictures of strangers.

 

[Jeff A]

I was thinking the same thing. I'm working from home and not mingling on streets for a reason. But then again, even before the Coronapocalypse, I always felt a bit sheepish about taking pictures of strangers.

I'm a new photographer and still wondering what genre I am interesting in shooting a night photography is interesting to me. I thought I could go into the city and find lots of subjects to shoot, then I began to wonder how I would survive such a venture and still have a camera and some degree of good health. Pretty sad when you think about it.

 

[Tim Mayo]

I was thinking the same thing. I'm working from home and not mingling on streets for a reason. But then again, even before the Coronapocalypse, I always felt a bit sheepish about taking pictures of strangers.

Maybe in hindsight a street photography theme wasn't the best idea for this year! I guess it depends very much on where you live, how busy your local city or town is and how comfortable you feel going out. I still like to visit my local city of Worcester and walk along the river where I can comfortably keep my distance from people. No need to shoot people either if you aren't comfortable with this, there are many other things like buildings, landmarks, bins, traffics lights, graffiti, transport that can be shot in the street too. Or break out the 600mm and shoot from a mile way!

 

[WeeMalky]

I was lucky enough to be the December winner. I would encourage all members to participate in the coming months ahead. Tim is doing a great job in getting this all up and running and I feel he needs our support and it also builds a good community spirit. So come on folks we see your work in all the other forums and there are some stunning shots amongst them. So let's get going in 2021 take care and stay safe

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

I think your submission end date needs to be edited for the February competition Tim

 

[Tim Mayo]

I think your submission end date needs to be edited for the February competition Tim

Cheers Chris!

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

Tim, I have a suggestion; let me know what you think for future comps.
The closing date of the competition is usually close to the end of the month, but since voting is open immediately people tend to vote early (or when they are submitting their own entry) and may not re-visit the thread throughout the month to vote again. I feel like an entry on the 1st of the month should have the same chance to get votes as an entry made on the 24th of the month; and the only way to do that would be to allow voting only once new entries are prohibited.
Thoughts?

 

[Tim Mayo]

Tim, I have a suggestion; let me know what you think for future comps.
The closing date of the competition is usually close to the end of the month, but since voting is open immediately people tend to vote early (or when they are submitting their own entry) and may not re-visit the thread throughout the month to vote again. I feel like an entry on the 1st of the month should have the same chance to get votes as an entry made on the 24th of the month; and the only way to do that would be to allow voting only once new entries are prohibited.
Thoughts?

Hey Chris. Thanks for the feedback. I did actually try this format last year for one month but it didn't seem to make much of a difference in the number of entries or voting. That said, I have been thinking about giving it another go as like you say it would make it fairer for those who submit photos later, so we'll try this again next month

 

[garuda]

Tim, I have a suggestion.... to allow voting only once new entries are prohibited. Thoughts?

.
The theory of Chris' suggestion sounds good, but I suggest modifying it somewhat: ie. Make entry dates from Jan 1st thru Jan 15th and then close entries. From Jan 16th thru Jan 28th will be the voting window only. This way the voting window is longer and all entries are now available for 13 days.

For the possible argument that only 15 days would restrict the entry time period, my argument would be to buy a faster lens for the competition.