Competitions: A Topic for Discussion

Honestly, I'm not sure about the "judges" idea. We are suppose to have fun and learn something in the process. We are not here to be "judged".

Thinking about it. We might as well make sure the photos conform to the subject. Notice many (maybe a lot) don't adhere to the contest rule.

IMHO, if the decision is made to get judges for these competitions, they need to be given some criteria for judging. Say... composition, DOF, lighting, adherance to theme. If judges are used, they need to judge on the technical quality of the photograph, otherwise its just subjective. Although, isn't all art subjective? I would also like to see comments from the judges about why each photograph was given the rating it was. Afterall, a lot of us use this forum to learn how to be better photographers (at least I do!) so rather than just a flat ranking, give some feedback about why and how the decisions were made.

Just throwing in my 2 cents worth...

It's where you add some intereest element to a much bigger element. For example, a big mountain landscape with hiker in the shot. The picture isn't really about the hiker, it's the landscape. But you quickly see the hiker, and it draws you in, hopefully noticing other details you would miss just admiring the landscape. Here is an example: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=91503
It doesn't have to be a big landscape, though. Could be a fountain with a couple sitting on the edge. Basically you frame the landscape, and leave the "phony" subject wherever it ends up.

Just to add to this one...

I think the last day of one competition should immediately be the start day of the next comp. as i have seen being done on other comp sites, this provides a more rolling comp. system and also doesn't waste any time as a person usually votes - lets say within a maximum time of 30 minutes, which leaves the next 7 days basically dead time until the next comp is announced?

What do you think?

I agree. I've been bringing the start date forward so that it commences before voting closes, but haven't done it in a systematic manner yet. The start date is generally determined by the amount of work I have on, thus the amount of time I have to sort out the details.

I'm going to try something a little different this time, hence the longer then usual delay. I'll try and get something up by tomorrow.