Contest #24: Shapes (closes 23rd April)

[Big_B]

The latest contest is now under way and the title is:
“Shapes”

Remember, everyone is welcome to join in. You don't need to be an expert or to have a fancy camera, this is all just about having fun and, through that, getting better at photography.

Just please make sure you've read all the rules before sending in your pictures.

As per usual, you may submit up to two photos for this competition.

Good luck everyone! :D



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SEND PHOTOS TO: sam dot blackie at gmail dot com

Note: Please allow up to 48 hours for your photo to post. If it is not posted within this time frame please send me a note via this forum.


TITLE All e-mails "Shapes." If the e-mail subject is not titled as such, I will not open the attachment and you will not be entered into the contest!


Please submit photos in the format "username_0x.jpg", where x is the number of the submission (i.e. 1 or 2).


Please submit a TITLE with your picture along with the DATE it was taken, and SPEED/APERTURE/ISO.


Additionally a brief explanation if needed to emphasise how this photo meets the theme.


VIEW PHOTOS AT:


http://canondigitalphotographycontests.fotopic.net/ (http://canondigitalphotographycontests.fotopic.net/)


Anyone can enter this contest. It is not so much we have these in the spirit of competition, rather we have these contests to challenge ourselves and to give ourselves motivation to take pictures that we might otherwise not do. And in turn learn and grow.


RULES


1) The contest will run for two weeks and will end on Saturday 23rd April, 2005 at 8:00AM GMT.


2) You can submit up to two pictures, and change these if you wish up to the time that the competition ends.


3) Post processing - nothing that substantially changes the original composition of the image.


4) Photos must be no larger than 800 pixels at the longest dimension. Also, please try and keep the filesize down to under 200k if possible to make viewing the gallery easier for modem users.


5) No framing of pictures, text or copyright notices.


6) At the end of the competition, a separate thread will be started to seek the votes of forum members over the period of 1 week. The person with the most votes will be declared the winner.


Please be patient with me if it takes one or two days for me to get submissions posted.


Finally, please ensure that you have read this post fully and understand the rules prior to sending.

[Big_B]

The first photo is online! Keep them coming! :D

[Big_B]

One week to go and #2 is online!

[Big_B]

Two more online!

[Big_B]

There are some really great photos coming in. One more online now!

[Big_B]

Another three online.

[Big_B]

Another one was sent in as I was typing the last message. They are really coming in thick and fast now!

[aam1234]

This thread used to be very active, do you think we need a controversy of some sort to jazz it up :lol: How about RAW vs. JPEG :lol:

[Big_B]

I hate canon. Canon are rubbish! Nikon rule. They make the best cameras ever.....


(how was that? :lol: )


Oh and another 7 pictures uploaded. :)

[aam1234]

I hate canon. Canon are rubbish! Nikon rule. They make the best cameras ever.....


(how was that? :lol: )

Oh man, this will bring the house down :lol:

[Moppie]

Your all wrong!


SONY make the best digi cam!

That, will being the house down.

[Moppie]

So, heres something to discuss.


Why did this contest get this many entries, and the last contest get none?

[aam1234]

Hi Moppie,
I think the subject of the last contest was a bit complicated, that might have turned people of. Just guessing.

[Moppie]

Im blaming it on Easter and the long weekend :)

[aam1234]

If it's ok with B_B, how about you give it another shot for the next contest. Again, if that's alright with B_B.

[Big_B]

That's fine by me.

oh and one more photo online. :)

Now, who's going to start a fight with me on the canon debate.....

[Big_B]

Another three great photos online! This is going to be a seriously competitive contest!

[aam1234]

Now, who's going to start a fight with me on the canon debate.....

We can leave that for later, how about more constructive (rather than destructive debate :p )

How about allowing comments on the photos. Personally, the comments are the main reason I participate in contests. One might say that the name of the participant will be known. I'd say...so what? The other contest I submit to require the names to be provided, otherwise their photo(s) will be deleted. And they highly encourage comments too. Personally again, knowing the names never affected my voting, and I'm sure others feel the same way.

So what do you think guys.

[aam1234]

Update!

I tried on the first entry and it seems one can leave a comment without showing his/her name and without knowing who's photo it is.
So what do you guys think now.

[EricKonieczny]

Glad to see so many entries with a variety of subject matter.

I like the Comments, but can they just be under the large photo, and not have to click on the button.


I think a good way to display the contests with comments , would be with EE. It can be set up with all EXIF and comments, etc.

Is this possible on the current server?

[aam1234]

That's what I was thinking too (comments under the pic), but I doubt that it could be done. unless somebody with IT skills can contact fotopic.net and discuss it with them.


Edit: corrected the name of the site.

[Big_B]

aam/Eric - I'm glad you guys raised this. I have been thinking very much along these lines.

Firstly - the long-run plan is to move to EE. I'm not sure when the newest version comes out, but Pekka tells me that it will allow voting and comments. Obviously the perfect set up for us.

given that, how do we proceed in the short-term? Well I'm open to offers, but am not inclined to the comment option on fotopic. This is primarily becuase it is not easy to see whether pictures have been commented on.

I was thinking of asking people to leave comments when they vote. Perhaps indicating what they liked about the photo they voted for, but also if there was something that stopped them voting for a particlar photo. e.g. found the background rather distracting. If people made the criticism constructive, I think this could work well.

What do you guys think?

[aam1234]

That's great news from Pekka! any time frame there. Btw, what is EE :o

I like your suggestion of commenting when voting (as a short term solution). But not sure everybody will do so, or it might discourage people from voting. But we can try and see what happens.

[aam1234]

Another suggestion :D How about we comment here while the contest is running. We don't know who's photo it is (except you Big_Guy).

[Big_B]

Most importantly ANOTHER 3 photos are online. I can't beleive how many entries we are getting!

EE = Exhibit Engine. Its an online photo sharing system similar to pbase. I think Pekka wrote it himself, but don't quote me on that.

I don't have a strong view on whether people should be able to comment on photos as the contest progresses. I guess my thoughts go as follows:
- Its always great to get constructive feedback on photos, but some people might be concerned about biasing the votes.
- However, comments during voting might be seen as even more likely to bias the outcome.
- Furthermore, does anyone mind if the vote is a little biased? It is only for fun after all.

As I say, I really don't have a strong view on this either way. However, before changing the rules, I would like comments from a few other people. After all, its everybodies contest, so we should all have a part in deciding what the rules are.

[Big_B]

Oh and I'm not sure about the time frame. I'll send him a PM.

[Big_B]

One more thing.... glad to have some other people posting on here. I was beginning to think I was talking to myself :D

[Wazza]

Ooo, totally forgot about this competition. Looks like we have a great turnout. Keep them coming in.

[aam1234]

Most importantly ANOTHER 3 photos are online. I can't beleive how many entries we are getting!

EE = Exhibit Engine. Its an online photo sharing system similar to pbase. I think Pekka wrote it himself, but don't quote me on that.

I don't have a strong view on whether people should be able to comment on photos as the contest progresses. I guess my thoughts go as follows:
- Its always great to get constructive feedback on photos, but some people might be concerned about biasing the votes.
- However, comments during voting might be seen as even more likely to bias the outcome.
- Furthermore, does anyone mind if the vote is a little biased? It is only for fun after all.

As I say, I really don't have a strong view on this either way. However, before changing the rules, I would like comments from a few other people. After all, its everybodies contest, so we should all have a part in deciding what the rules are.

Big_Guy, I understand the concerns above. But think about it, we are a bunch of people who enjoy a common hobby, and we like to improve our skills. I for one don't care who wins, as long we are having fun and learn something in the process.

About voting, why do people assume that we are in some kind of competition to see who wins. Let me give you an example. Currently I have 3 photos in another contest. I like a couple of entries and give "my competitors" advice left & right hoping they can win. No, my photo skills still stink, but I try my best hoping my ideas have some value to help them win.

So it's really the spirit of the contest that matters, not winning.

[aam1234]

Let me give you guys an idea what people tell each other in that contest. This is what I wrote to somebody:

"I was checking the photos in eligible and an idea came to me. For the first version of "Breath" I was thinking you could blur the BG a bit and re-submit it (either in eligible or exhibition). You might even try B&W if you are so inclined. Hate to see that photo go to waste (so to speak) I really liked it. This, of course, is just a suggestion."

[Big_B]

Aam - I totally take your point and I'm thinking on much the same lines as you. Particularly that it should be a fun learning experience rather then a heavy competition. I would still like the opinions of other competitors (we have over 20 now) so will pose the question when we get to voting. Unless anyone has any strong negative views, I suggest we introduce it for the next competition and see how it goes. Is that ok for you? :)

[aam1234]

Thanks Big_Guy, you are Da Man :D

And I agree with you that we should see if people feel strongly against it.

I should have mentioned that in that contest, if a person wants comments he/she put an asterisk (*) at the end of the title. If they don't, people won't say a word about that photo. So there is this option.

[aam1234]

One more thing.... glad to have some other people posting on here. I was beginning to think I was talking to myself :D

Ha ha, we finally made some noise. If it gets quite again, I'll drop by and bug you :lol:

[Big_B]

I should have mentioned that in that contest, if a person wants comments he/she put an asterisk (*) at the end of the title. If they don't, people won't say a word about that photo. So there is this option.

Great idea! :D

another 3 photos online!

[Big_B]

Last chance to send in photos! :D

[Moppie]

That's fine by me.



Thank you for the offer, but how about the one after the next one :)
Iv just got a new job, which has ment some very long days (12hrs) working two roles to help with the transition.
:cool:

[Big_B]

No worries. I hope your new job goes well :)

[EricKonieczny]

and the voting begins soon.


I am definetly anxious to see the ratings and comments.

[Big_B]

The voting has begun!!


http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=511174

[aam1234]

I've already voted and commented. Hope I did it at the right place.

[Big_B]

Spot on, thanks aam! :D