G-Seris Photo Challenges - Rules Draft - Please Read

All,

Here is a draft of the rules for the photo challenges. Please review and let me know what you think. I would like to get these rules tied up as soon as possible so that we can actaully start taking pictures!

Canon G-Series Forum Photographic Challenges – Rules

Photo Submissions:

Submissions must be taken with a Canon G-Series Camera (G1,G2,G3,G5,G6)

Submissions are not required to have been taken during the challenge timeframe – any photo taken at any point in time with a G-Series camera that matches the topic at hand is eligible.

Please keep the size of the photos you submit no larger than 640 pixels on the longest side. This is to save bandwidth for those of us still on dial-up connections and also so that, for most people, no scrolling within the browser is needed to view the entire photo.

Some basic EXIF information will be required:
Camera Model
Aperture
Shutter Speed
ISO Rating

This information should be posted along with your submission for each mini-challenge

All photo submissions must be titled. You need to give your submission a “name” and clearly state that name in the subject line of your photo submission post.

One photograph submission per photographer allowed for each of the challenges.

Photos are to be submitted in the photo submission thread which should be titled “G-Series Photo Challenge #X – Topic”


Critiques/Comments:

Please confine critiques and comments to photos that have an “*” asterisk in the title of the photo. These participants are requesting critiques and comments on their work by using this designation.

A separate “G-Series Photo Challenge #X - Discussion Thread” will be generated by each winner of the previous challenge (along with the photo submission thread) so that discussion around the photos can take place. This is where we have the potential to learn from each other – so I think that the discussion surrounding the photos is important.

Please restrict critiques to ONLY those people requesting them through the use of the asterisk in the subject line of their photo submission.

You can obviously use the private messaging system of these forums if you want to send a specific comment regarding a photo to someone, but we would prefer that these comments stay in the discussion thread so that all may benefit from your comments.

Judging:

In keeping with the other mini-challenges that have been successful, judging of each challenge and selection of the winning photo will be accomplished by the “host” of the challenge in question. This “host” was the winner of the previous mini challenge and selected the topic for the current challenge to be judged.

The host is required to choose one photo from the current challenge as the “winner”, but he/she can also designate 2nd place, 3rd place and so on if desired. This is not required and should be kept within reason. There is no need to list the top fifteen places in any challenge. The winning photo(s) should be placed in a “G-Series Challenge #X Winners” thread. The request is also made at this time for the current winner to create a new challenge photo submission thread and select the new topic. The winner should also create the new challenge discussion thread at this same time.

When the current winner creates the new photo submission thread – he/she should take the time to explain the topic well – what is allowed and what is not. Also, an example picture (not eligible) should be posted by the challenge creator to show what they are looking for.

Timeframes:

G-Series Photographic Challenges will ALL run for a period of 10 days. It is the responsibility of the challenge host to clearly state that dates and times that the challenge will run. These dates and times should be clearly posted in the first message of the photo submission thread. Photos posted to the submission thread AFTER the posted end date and time will not be eligible for the challenge. Some lag time may occur between the selection of a new “host” and the creation of the next challenge. This is expected – people are busy.

Looks good to me. It might take a few rounds to get any bugs ironed out.

When can we start ?

I think the period of each comp should be extended from 10 days to 21 days, with the winner announced at the end of each month. Making it a monthly comp.

I think 10 days is just too short a time frame.

Monthly is too boring... since we can take a shot from our existing collections (and since it's only one shot), three challenges per month seems about right based on my experience with other mini-challenges.

Just one man's opinion.

Don

A personal note first for consideration...

Comments: Most comments are of the “Nice shot” variety and serve little critical purpose. Unlike the CTF Challenge, where comments are featured on a single page along with each photo, comments in a thread only serve to make the thread longer and more unwieldy. Not allowing comments means that we will be creating threads of simply beautiful photos.

Comments can be made in the “Winners” thread after the competition is over. These comments will also stand “the test of time” and will likely be more useful, instructive remarks than the ones we all tend to make on the spur of the moment.

I have also eliminated the “Discussion Thread” in my proposal. It all gets too confusing with three threads for each challenge -- Topic, Discussion, Winners -- (and three challenges per month).

I have also chopped out all the unnecessary words. It's tough enough to get people to read six lines of rules, much less discussions on conserving bandwidth and being good web citizens.

Here's my thought...

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Canon G-Series Forum Photographic Challenges – Rules

Photo Submissions

1. Camera -- photos must be taken with a Canon G-Series Camera (G1,G2,G3,G5,G6)

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

3. Size -- photo must be exactly 640 pixels on the longest side -- smaller/larger photos are ineligible.

4. Borders -- NO.

5. Posting (Required):

• ONE PHOTO per photographer in each challenge.
  
• Name your photo in the message subject line.
  
• Camera model.
  

• Additional EXIF data (aperture, shutter speed, ISO).
  
• Tips or secrets on how the shot was taken.
  

2 things......

1 Personally would prefer a longer timeframe....14days twice-a-month

It would mean that comp ending day is always a friday for example
or we know that submissions must be in on thurs

2 Would still like to see if voting by members is possible

That being said
Bring it on...

Excellent, explicit rules, Bauerman, and also excellent simplification and suggestions from Don (though the verbose edition was a great way to get the ball rolling).

I'd agree with Rich's comments. Bimonthly, and using a poll device to determine the winner. The first makes it easier (and thus more likely) for more people to participate regularly, and the second takes a big load off the moderator.

Two-Week Time Scheme for Challenge

Two-week and bimonthly challenges are not the same. If we want approximately two challenges per month, rather than three, I prefer the two-week challenge because it lets our brains relate to days of the week.

A standard template would look like this:

Posting - Wednesday - Sunday midnight GMT (12 days later)
Winner Announcement - Monday
New Topic - Tuesday

On a practical note, posting really begins as soon as the topic is announced on Tuesday. And besides running in two-week cycles with days we can remember, this plan would allow two weekends for people wanting to shoot new photographs.
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As for voting, I don't think I've heard any reason why everyone cannot vote for one photo using the polling system. I can guess it might not be practical because

• one person can vote multiple times, or
  
• everyone's friends and neighbors can vote, or
  
• it takes away from the number of days for posting because voting days have to be added in.
  

I think there's a limit of 10 items in a poll (on this forum). Therefore, polling would be difficult if there are more than 10 entries.

Thank you... I figured there was a reason and this sounds like one of the best.

I don't really have a problem with the host picking the Top Three... without the poll function, we would have to go to a voting thread which is more trouble than it's worth. Easier just to curse bad taste when I don't win.

Don

Even if the polling function would work - I was not really a fan of that method. Here is the reason.....who wants to see their photo that they put so much effor into lagging at the bottom of a poll with only a few or no votes? Could be very demotivating.

Winning is not what these challenges are for to me - they are about learning from each other and creating better work in the end. Sure we will pick a winner. but that is more of a formality to me just to get the next one started.

Perhaps I missed it, but I see no guidelines on how much, if any, post-processing is allowed. Should this not be addressed or is everyone taking it for granted that none is allowed; as in "AS Shot" only?
Gil

I think, to give us all a level playing field, we should use our G series cameras "As is". Many of us have different post processing software. I for one have the "Arcsoft 5" that came with my camera. I would like to use this camera for what it is worth to the best of its abilities. I am hoping these challenges could also be used as lessons or assignments. Maybe we need to "Focus" on a particular subject for the week and go and get the shot. I do agree with Bauerman that a polling trial would get lost in all the other stuff on this forum.
The gist of this challenge is to learn and to educate the G series owners on how to best use their cameras.
Hope we can get on with this thing .

The usual rule for post-processing in these challenges is "Do what you want and the judge will decide if it works or doesn't."

Nearly every shot requires some form of post-processing, even if it's only cropping, straightening, levels, resizing and sharpening --- and every photo-enhancement program can perform these basic tasks. Digital cameras should come with a warning that photo enhancement is a necessary component of producing good digital photos (although that's implied by the fact that most cameras come with a program).

Personally, I would not want a "Straight out of the camera" rule. It's the human equivalent of rolling out of bed in the morning and going on a first date.

Don

I agree...post processing should be allowed. It's no different that working with filters and exposure, and dodging and burning in a traditional print.