POTN Photographer of the year (subjects)

[Big_B]

All,



Last year we had our first POTN photographer of the year competition. Despite a few organisational problems, I think it proved to be a great success and I hope it will go ahead again this year. However, I was thinking that it might be quite fun to develop the concept somewhat further. I’m proposing that we have a series of subject-based contests, so we would have a POTN wildlife photographer of the year etc.



These contests would run every 3 months and would culminate in the overall POTN competition this Christmas. However, I want to make it clear that I’m not suggesting you would need to win the intermediate contests in order to enter the overall one.



I was thinking of having the following 4 contests:


People & Portraits
Landscapes and Cityscapes
Wildlife
Sports


Is there enough interest to make this work?

[Vetteography]

I would love to take part!

[CappuccinoDavid]

I'm all for it, bring it on...

[Mills]

Go for it.

[am_pitbull_terrier]

I'm interested :)

[cactusclay]

I'm in.

[Big_B]

Edit: The below rules have been superseded. Please refer to the second post for the final contest rules.

Well, since no-one has trashed the idea, let’s go ahead and make it happen. http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif I’d be grateful for thoughts on the below proposal.



Timetable:

People & Portraits (Closes 31st May)
Landscapes and Cityscapes (Closes 31st July)
Wildlife (Closes 31st September)
Sports (Closes 31st November)
Entry requirements:

The photo must have been taken in the 12 months preceding the closing date
The photo must not have been entered in the 2004 POTN photographer of the year contest (NB. I’m aware that the last contest only closed in December. Therefore, this rule is so we get a fresh new set of photos.)
Voting:

Following each closing date, there will be two or three weeks of voting. The exact length will be a practical decision based on the number of photos.
Given the large number of expected entries, I’ll adopt the same voting method as the last POTN POY contest. The photos will be grouped into sets of approximately 10. The winner of each group will be put forward into a play off. A third or fourth round of voting will be used if there are a sufficient number of entries.
How does this sound?

[Big_B]

bump :D

[charlesu]

Art/Abstract/Other might be a good category. No people.

[PhotosGuy]

I'm making book on who wins the People & Wildlife ones. Any takers? :D:D;)

[Big_B]

I'm making book on who wins the People & Wildlife ones. Any takers? :D:D;)

If charles was to take a photo of a duck in a bikini then I think the matter is already settled.

[PhotosGuy]

Well, that takes care of that!

[Rob612]

Lets do it !

[Big_B]

Art/Abstract/Other might be a good category. No people.

Can you expand on this a little more?

[Rense]

Big_B

Count me in.

Concerning the rules: shouldn't there be a rule that in order to win the title of POTN photographer of the year you should have made an entry in each contest?

Concerning the timetable: a whole month (August) is missing!

[Wazza]

Bugger, I don't go down to the beautiful South Island till September.

Rense: I don't believe months are missing. Just June, August, October are not they as they are the odd month. Seem to be spacing them out for every 2 months.

[boomer1959]

I am definitely in, Great Idea :D

[DxHatchback]

i suck, but i'm up for it

i'll have a few new lenses this summer, so i'm up for it

[tckadventures]

I am quite new to this whole digital photography thing and had such a great time with thinking and entering the shapes comp I would love the idea to do more.

[tommykjensen]

As for voting I think we should avoid the grouping kind of voting, in my opinion one vote with all the photos is the most fair to all contestants. I know the forum poll sets a limit which is why I suggested that a dedicated contest server was setup. This is currently on hold since Pekka stated that the requirements (more or less) for such a voting would be present in the next release of Exhibit Engine due out ... soon (when its done ;-) )


Concerning the rules: shouldn't there be a rule that in order to win the title of POTN photographer of the year you should have made an entry in each contest?


I think the rule should say that You should have made an entry in at least one contest (not all).

[charlesu]

If charles was to take a photo of a duck in a bikini then I think the matter is already settled.


LOL!!!!! You guys are too funny? What kind of bird would that be? You know, on a more serious note, I do often shoot birds. Kind of wildlife shooting. The most common variety I shoot is the Double-Breasted Mattress Thrasher. Of course, I look for prime examples.....

Sorry, I know that was bad but you all had me cracking up!!

[charlesu]

Can you expand on this a little more?

Yeah, I guess what I am saying is to have a category that would allow artistic exploration but be a more generic category. Art or abstract (without people) but which also would not be a landscape, etc. For example, a shot of father and son baseball gloves laying on a table (I'm trying to get this one now and I can't quite get the image that's in my head). ANyway, it doesn't fit the above topics. I guess this would be a still. But the category could certainly be open for interpretation. Maybe we just call it "Other"?

[ssim]

I would definitely be interested in this.

[aam1234]

Big_Guy, the idea is great, but I think the rules are a bit complicated.

Btw, just knew that we are both economists...cool!

[am_pitbull_terrier]

If charles was to take a photo of a duck in a bikini then I think the matter is already settled.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Big_B]

Big_Guy, the idea is great, but I think the rules are a bit complicated.

Btw, just knew that we are both economists...cool!

aam, I hoped the rules were fairly simple - :confused: Perhaps you could explain what ones you don't like and we can see about simplifying them. :)


Glad to see another economist on the forum. What sort of stuff do you do?

[aam1234]

What I'm confused about is the different dates for different subjects. Why can't they all take place concurrently...and on a quarterly basis (since you chose 3 months. I would've preferred semi-annually).

As for what I do, please check "what do you do for a living"...the very first post in that thread.

[Big_B]

What I'm confused about is the different dates for different subjects. Why can't they all take place concurrently...and on a quarterly basis (since you chose 3 months. I would've preferred semi-annually).

As for what I do, please check "what do you do for a living"...the very first post in that thread.

Ok, I see where you are coming from. Essentially I was trying to vary the competitions slightly. Rather then it getting a bit stilted with everyone a repetitive format, I thought we could break them up a little with occasional 'set piece' events.

So thats the reason that I've spaced them out. In terms of how these would run, I had envisaged having a closing date, followed by voting shortly after. Thus although you would need to submit your landscape by 31st July, you wouln't need to wait to the end of the year to get the result. So essentially there would be a series of rolling competitions.

Does that help to clarify things?

[aam1234]

Does that help to clarify things?

Helps very much. Now it's clear.

Not sure if that's the best way to go. But hey, it's your contest you can do whatever you want with it.

[Big_B]

Yeah, I guess what I am saying is to have a category that would allow artistic exploration but be a more generic category. Art or abstract (without people) but which also would not be a landscape, etc. For example, a shot of father and son baseball gloves laying on a table (I'm trying to get this one now and I can't quite get the image that's in my head). ANyway, it doesn't fit the above topics. I guess this would be a still. But the category could certainly be open for interpretation. Maybe we just call it "Other"?

Thanks charles, I like what you are getting at. I'll try to think of something more instructive then 'other', but definately agree it would be an interesting category.

[Big_B]

As for voting I think we should avoid the grouping kind of voting, in my opinion one vote with all the photos is the most fair to all contestants. I know the forum poll sets a limit which is why I suggested that a dedicated contest server was setup. This is currently on hold since Pekka stated that the requirements (more or less) for such a voting would be present in the next release of Exhibit Engine due out ... soon (when its done http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif )



I think the rule should say that You should have made an entry in at least one contest (not all).

Tommy, apologies - I somehow missed your post http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_confused.gif

Anyway, I know what you mean about the grouping. For the moment I'm going to stick with the grouping because its the most tractable way of organising the vote. However, I'm happy to review this when the next version of EE comes out. http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

[Pyromaniac]

If any of the members that are web designers would be interested in setting up a voting system that would allow all the photo's from each contest to be together in stead of in smaller groups I have space on the server I host my website on I'll share in exchange for some instruction on PHP.

That DOES NOT mean I want them to write the code for my personal website, I'm trying to learn php and having some trouble with various concepts and some one that can explain how and why things work would be very helpfull (basicaly answer my stupid questions and tell me that I forgot a ";"). So the offer is out there let me know if your interested.

[Loki1117]

When are September and November 31st? Those catagories will never be closed. :(

[Claire]

I might try to give this contest a go. :)

[sixshot]

Great idea.

[Big_B]

When are September and November 31st? Those catagories will never be closed. :(

Ummm, yeah - I never was a details man :o

[Maureen Souza]

Count me in..... just for the fun of it:)

[Big_B]

If any of the members that are web designers would be interested in setting up a voting system that would allow all the photo's from each contest to be together in stead of in smaller groups I have space on the server I host my website on I'll share in exchange for some instruction on PHP.

That DOES NOT mean I want them to write the code for my personal website, I'm trying to learn php and having some trouble with various concepts and some one that can explain how and why things work would be very helpfull (basicaly answer my stupid questions and tell me that I forgot a ";"). So the offer is out there let me know if your interested.

Thanks for the offer. Now all we need to do is fine a coder :)

[Big_B]

Right, the contests are open now. I'll ask CDS to put an announcement up in the photo fora. I've tried to accomodate all the suggestions you have been making so here is a summary of the rules as they now stand:

Timetable:

Landscapes and Cityscapes (Closes 31st May)
Abstract/Other (Closes 31st July)
Wildlife (Closes 30th September)
Sports (Closes 30th November)
Note: To enter the overall POTN Photographer of the Year 2005 contest you must submit a photo in at least one of these categories

Entry requirements:

The photo must have been taken in the 12 months preceding the closing date
The photo must not have been entered in the 2004 POTN photographer of the year contest (NB. I’m aware that the last contest only closed in December. Therefore, this rule is so we get a fresh new set of photos.)
Each member may submit one photo to each of the contests
This photo may be changed at any time up to the closing date for submissions
Post processing - nothing that substantially changes the original composition of the image.
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.
No framing of pictures, text or copyright notices.
Send your photos to sam dot blackie at gmail dot com
Voting:

Following each closing date, there will be two or three weeks of voting. The exact length will be a practical decision based on the number of photos.
Given the large number of expected entries, I’ll adopt the same voting method as the last POTN POY contest. The photos will be grouped into sets of approximately 10. The winner of each group will be put forward into a play off. A third or fourth round of voting will be used if there are a sufficient number of entries.
The voting system is subject to change if EE/another better option becomes available
Good luck everyone :D

[mrclark321]

Any prizes for last place......just kidding....count me in!!

Dan

[Big_B]

Now we have agreed the principles I thought it best to start a new contest thread.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=71563