POTN Challenge #136 - Pouring a Drink

[BBoi]

Challenge #136 - Pouring a Drink: This one is open to interpretation, could possibly be a great chance to learn how to use your timer, or flash, or light-sources. Extra features like smooth bokeh & good focus will get my attention; as will consideration for novices by posting your EXIF data. Good look everypeeps ! .
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To submit, click Post Reply and put your Photo Name and Camera Model either in the Subject line, or in the body text of your entry.

Post until Monday noon GMT, 8th September, 2008.

Photo Submissions
1. Camera -- Any Canon Powershot Series Camera (SD, A-series, S1/2, & S-series only...No Pro 1's!!!)

2. Time -- any on-topic photo taken at any time is eligible, although photos that have won other competitions should NOT be entered.

3. Size -- photo must be EXACTLY 800 pixels on the longest side, with NO BORDERS.

4. Post-Processing -- do whatever you like and the host will decide if it works.

5. Posting --
* One photo per photographer in each challenge.
* Photo Title in the message subject line or post.
* Camera model.
* EXIF data, if you like.

6. Commenting -- No commenting on photos by anyone, including the photographer. Once the winners are declared, photographers can add comments to their images and everyone is invited to discuss.

7. Photo Display -- Photos must appear in this thread to be eligible.

8. Hosting & Resize -- If you need assistance readying your image for entry, please PM either a moderator, or the person running this weeks challenge.

9. Time -- One challenge every week, on the following schedule:

*New Topic ... As soon as possible after winning.
*Posting Starts ... Right after topic is announced.
*Posting Stops ... Monday noon GMT
*Winners Announcement ... Tuesday noon GMT.
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Please consider turning on Private Messaging in your profile.
This will allow the host to contact you about winning or ineligible photos. You turn this feature on by clicking User CP, Edit Options, Enable Private Messaging (about a third of the way down the page). Thank you
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[CameraMan741]

if only my old powershot still worked. will love to see some of the things people will do!

[BBoi]

Closed ... and seemingly, dead.

Time to wrap it up folks. :( 136 is a good run though, what is that anyway ? about ... 2 and a half years or something ? A shame but there it is.

[Paul B]

BBoi, I think you are right for at least the time being. I think this was a good subject, but I couldn't enter this one because I didn't have time to shoot something original and I had nothing like it in my portfolio. It seems like there are only a few of us interested at this point.

I also just got a G9 and will be going through the learning curve on that.

If you can see your way clear I would wait a month and then re-institute it as the last winner. I really think as winter arrives in the northern hemispere there will be a lot more interest in the forums and these contests. At least I hope so.

[BBoi]

Maybe we have simply exhausted our standard libraries subject matter, and given the speed life moves at, we have less and less time now to go out and do something new - which is a sad thing for a photographer.

One of my goals, when I bought the 640 a couple of years ago, was to learn about this new world of information and use it to capture some wild images. Going to graveyards at 3 in the morning, shooting in fog, painting with light, freezing water plips from a tap, getting to grips with macro, exploiting lens apertures to attain flare effects and so on .. yet, i noticed as time went on, fewer and few people were entering, less and less creative effort went into the ideas behind the shots.

The idea has gone stale, and definitely needs a break, and I think as 'togs' we should use that time to reflect, create and evaluate why all this has happened, and do something about it. My latest foray is into HDR which I recently used at a car show, the colours are simply magnificent as a result.

It's my profound hope, that after a short 'holiday' from these competitions, we can get our collective breath, get back on the horse and power ahead full steam again.

What I WOULD like to see added to this thread, is people's IDEAS for subject matter. We could then arrange a type of timetable maybe, and give people more than just a few days to come up with entry images; instead, shooting well in advance in some cases. I'd like to hear thoughts on this, because right now, it's the only one I have.

In terms of break, dunno, a month, 2 maybe ? i'll await feedback and see what the community thinks. Over to you guys ...

[speedy_2]

Darn. I just got this A80. I'd love to join in on this.

[prcrstn8]

You lost me after the last round of rule-bending.

My opinions, my 2¢ - it's like a private club. An outsider is allowed to win once in a while as long as a member wins most of the time. To that end, rules are bent, creativity is frowned upon, focus, composition, and lighting are irrelevant.

You want competition for small compact digitals? Eliminate the S1 - S5. The G-series has it's own competition, so should the S. Want more inclusive topics? Go back to competition #1 and start all over again. Some of the recent topics eliminate large sections of the membership right from the outset.

And finally, if you own a DSLR as your primary camera you shouldn't be entering these competitions no matter what you shot the photo with. Likewise if you've won this competition several times - time for you move on.

Flame away...

[speedy_2]

You lost me after the last round of rule-bending.

My opinions, my 2¢ - it's like a private club. An outsider is allowed to win once in a while as long as a member wins most of the time. To that end, rules are bent, creativity is frowned upon, focus, composition, and lighting are irrelevant.

You want competition for small compact digitals? Eliminate the S1 - S5. The G-series has it's own competition, so should the S. Want more inclusive topics? Go back to competition #1 and start all over again. Some of the recent topics eliminate large sections of the membership right from the outset.

And finally, if you own a DSLR as your primary camera you shouldn't be entering these competitions no matter what you shot the photo with. Likewise if you've won this competition several times - time for you move on.

Flame away...

I do understand the part about getting rid of the s1-s5 entrants. And the topic idea too.

But the whole DSLR owners not competing is kinda weird.

[Paul B]

Well that was helpful.

Seriously, one suggestion that comes to mind immediately is to leave the contests open for a much longer time as the participants in this forum seem to be less diligent about checking every week.

The one on amusement parks had some fantastic photos after the contest was over.

Don't play with the rules just leave the contests open for a longer time. Have each contest be for a month and then judge. If we get too many entries then shorten the time.

[DreDaze]

i agree about the rules kinda being b.s....i mean the whole must have a title thing really pissed me off personally...i think the topics need to be way more open to interpretation...the last one was what people enjoying a garden...or something to that extent...i mean what the hell...how about just gardens...i think one of the entries changed because it didn't have people in it...and then it did at the end of the contest...i think doing just colors for topics would be better...

as far as eliminating S1-s5...they don't have their own section in this forum...so i don't think they should be eliminated...the object is to get more participation...not less

also i own an SLR now...but most the shots i've submitted over the last few months are from when i only had an S2...

and winners should stick around...again...problem is the amount of participation...

[DreDaze]

I do understand the part about getting rid of the s1-s5 entrants.

the S-series cameras on considered small compact digitals in this forum though...until they have their own section...i don't think you can exclude them...hell i think most the entries are by S#IS anyways...

i like the idea of a month long competition...then after the month is up...i think it should become a seperate thread with a vote...this way it's not just left up to one person...

[Joe'sMom]

Sorry....didn't see this one or would have posted......I have a great shot in mind I had taken, oh well!!!

[traildad]

It seems to me that the topics are a little bit specific. I was under the impression that the pouring a drink idea was to show some stop action ideas. Why not just make the contest "stop action" and open things up? I have not been entering long enough to know if the "private club" charge that was made above is reasonable. It might be reasonable to not have repeat winners for a few contests to at least avoid the appearance of a click. You could also consider having a new contest start every week as it does now, but keep them open for a month. After the first month you would have a contest ending every week but people will get a month to enter photos.

[BBoi]

A click.. interesting, never saw that one coming myself, i'd always liked to see anyone enter these contests. Even I don't have that high a post count that I go all the way back to the start - we all start somewhere and beginners should be encouraged; I certainly was on my first win.

Seems there's a lot of discontentment out there though; think i'll pass this one over to the forum staff rather than start a new one myself, don't want to get all tangled up in this felkercarp. I chose 'pour a drink' because it's something all of us can do, in my experience, short though that may be, if the topics are so open to interpretation that you loose sight of the goal, people simply choose the fastest and easiest option rather that getting creative. In every competition I post I try to encourage peoples creativity. Judging from what I read here, that maybe a bad move.

For once i'm actually lost for words and I think it's best for all I give these competitions a break since i feel somewhat responsible for this latest failure, and it's subsequent comments. I'm certainly not trying to be clicky or part of any private club, I just want to take photos and enjoy posting them.

[traildad]

Please let me be clear that I was responding to the comments made previous and suggesting what might address those concerns. I have not been around here long enough to get a sense of whether or not it is a reasonable comment. If the winners are out for a few contests it opens things up.

[BBoi]

My comments are on the general feel i get reading the thread, don't worry I wasn't writing in reply to you or any one specific member here. Truth be, i'm quite the n00b myself. I'm just sorry to see the competitions break down and I hope we can have a productive thread that leads to it's revival. I however, as the last winner, should not be the one to make decisions based up on it. I had my shot with 'pouring a drink' and it fell apart. Next one will more than likely be upto the staff to sort and post. If people truely are seeing the formation of a click, then my place, is not to be in it - ideally, i've always hated clicks and the old boys club. Competitions, imho, should be open to all, and it's upto the beginners to read the exif of the winners, experiment with those settings and learn from that. Eventually they too will become winners, but it takes time, patience and experimentation to find what works best for you/them/etc.

[DreDaze]

i don't think you need to worry about the click part bboi...but i do kind of understand what prcrstn8 was trying to say...i have noticed that a couple members seem to pick each other quite often...the only reason i notice is because it seems to be the photo that i wouldn't have picked myself...but the thing of these contests is that one person chooses...so it's up to what that person prefers as far as taste...i'd say most of the time...the winner is not someone i would have chosen myself...however bboi i do enjoy your shots, and don't think you should take some time away...i think maybe a longer entry time, and a few bumps once the thread gets off the 1st page...might help...who knows really...

[BBoi]

Well thank you for the compliment, I appreciate that very much, I also enjoy your work, among many others.

You can create a poll in a new post, but not after one is started, so without having multiple threads, I can't see how we would be able to vote unless we have multiple threads. the time constraint, dunno, I'm open on that one, for me, whatever is good that suits the masses as long as the chap who set the thread off, remembers to come back to it at it's close.

I have a suggestion to add though. As far as topics go, we could do it simply by 1 word rather than a descriptive; concrete, clouds, sky, water, glass, reflect, tint, old, new, you get the idea... Without a short narrative, it is what it is, however it is perceived. First one to suggest 'moon' gets banned though ;) lol ... lets keep it clean - hahaha :D

[Micky Daeus]

Having read all of this Bboi's last idea was a good one.
One word topics.
Also would it hurt to start recycling old topics again as I know myself it is hard as a winner to come up with a topic under pressure?
I'm not sure what has happened but the community has gone out of the comps and forum (well the parts that I visit) lately, it's more than just the n00bs like me who posted before searching, just can't put my finger on what's missing.
Monthly comps would suit me better as I can't get around to entering each week and it would also give more time to get about to get new material, maybe it could be new photos only? This would make me get out and be creative instead of relying on my library/archive of happy snaps when I really joined up here to get more skills and learn new techniques and be encouraged by peers.

[Cindi]

I've sat back and haven't said anything only because I felt that I shouldn't based on the fact that I don't enter the competitions any longer. I do still update the winner list though. I visit other forums and there is one in particular that has competitions and they always have tons of entries. I've often thought that we should start running ours a bit like that. Each camera section runs theirs a bit differently though and If memory serves me right the "Canon" section has 2 different competitions. The more model specific sections just have one competition I think. I have to agree with the others that the topics are becoming too specific, they need to be a bit more broad. The other thing I like about the other competitions is that some allow everyone to vote on the entries, not just the judge, but there are ones that just the judge gets to pick the winner. The winner does get to pick the next topic, just not judge it. That would be a bit more fair. I'm not sure if I can post a link to the other forum that I'm referring to, but if anyone would like to go and check out the other competitions send me a PM or the like and I'll send you the link. I suppose I could just mention the website I'm referring to.....It's over at Dpreview. You can go into the different camera forums and see how they do theirs. They seem to have 2 different types though. BTW...the reason I don't enter these competitions any longer is because I own an SLR and I haven't shot with my S2 in a long time, but that could change in the future.

BBoi, don't feel like you are the cause of all of this. I know you were simply just trying to get the competitions rolling again.

[prcrstn8]

other competitions ... allow everyone to vote on the entries Great idea. You can vote for anything except your own photo.

[shutterfiend]

A click.. interesting, never saw that one coming myself, i'd always liked to see anyone enter these contests. Even I don't have that high a post count that I go all the way back to the start - we all start somewhere and beginners should be encouraged; I certainly was on my first win.

Seems there's a lot of discontentment out there though; think i'll pass this one over to the forum staff rather than start a new one myself, don't want to get all tangled up in this felkercarp. I chose 'pour a drink' because it's something all of us can do, in my experience, short though that may be, if the topics are so open to interpretation that you loose sight of the goal, people simply choose the fastest and easiest option rather that getting creative. In every competition I post I try to encourage peoples creativity. Judging from what I read here, that maybe a bad move.

For once i'm actually lost for words and I think it's best for all I give these competitions a break since i feel somewhat responsible for this latest failure, and it's subsequent comments. I'm certainly not trying to be clicky or part of any private club, I just want to take photos and enjoy posting them.

I think this was a great idea. I didn't think this had much to do with being in a click (other than having internet on a computer and being a POTN member). Besides there isn't any cash prizes. No prizes at all. Right?

I just bought a Canon P&S recently (A590IS). I saw this competetion before I bought the camera and forgot all about it when I received it. So, like someone here mentioned before me, if you could run the challenges for longer they may fair better.

"Pouring a Drink" is an excellent theme. I can think of so many things to do with it. I didn't, so shame on me. And shame on those who thought about it and didn't act.

I think you should continue the challenges (especially now, since I've bought a P&S ;) ). It's hard to please everyone, especially when you assume a leadership role (it takes a leader to come up with challenge themes). I think you should continue these challenges (running them longer would cetainly help, since people don't visit very often, I don't). In time more members would thank you. Throwing in the towel is an easy way out not suitable for leaders with great ideas.

[watt100]

I'll throw in my $.02
some of the requirements may discourage submitting photos. I know for me the EXACT pixel count for this forum doesn't seem compatible with Flickr so I just gave up. Many people upload file sizes to a host, not pixel count. And then it gets resized three different ways to make it more complicated. There may be a good reason for the requirements but if you look at other forums, competitiions, etc. there isn't any shortage of people participating.
just my could be missinformed opinion!

[shutterfiend]

I'll bet the software that came with your P&S can save in exact pixels. You can always attach the photograph. Similar dimensions make judging easier.

[stanley_pope]

Hi -I joined this forum about 18 months ago, I think if you continue to post good shots you will eventually be placed. I have a couple of firsts, and I am certainly not in the “click” I like the idea of lengthening the challenge, I would favour two weeks, as lately the challenge has been starting Wednesday. The judging is by a single amateur photographer who will undoubtedly see things different from most of us, as we are all different individuals. I also think Cindy’s Idea of everyone voting is EXELENT

Stan

[traildad]

How would we vote? Post online or private message to the contest leader?

[DreDaze]

i think the easiest way would be to have a seperate thread started...and leave the voting open for a couple of days...

[abuseddog]

Being somewhat of a noob, some things have crossed my mind in regards to entering.

I think generic one word topics are the easiest to get more participation, narrowing it down more eliminates possibilities.

I think people who buy some of the more moderate priced camera's, are just taking pictures that they enjoy and would like a place to post the pics. I'm thinking of a couple of topics lately that were better subscribed to, were about topics that somebody could submit holiday pics.

Some people have better skills and camera's, and can "stage" a shot. I Think that also eliminates some of the participation, as for me, I've seen some very nice shots, and thought what's the point. I usually submit something, just to participate any way.


I tried to stay out about the debate over rules last time on purpose, but this time, I should mention my beliefs on a couple of items. The hardest part in business is to get the guy in the front door, after that it's up to you to keep him happy. I really think it should be rule free, every rule that is put up will eliminate people. People have posted pics in good faith (noobs), not knowing size rules, titles, etc., only to have pictures removed or eliminated. I think that would tend to put people off from entering next time. What about the only rule being camera model number, the rest being 'open'. Anarchy might ensue with fewer rules, but, people would be free to try post with out worry about looking foolish over details.