[orangepeel]

Been thinking about the assignments and competitions. How about another type where there isn't a subject specified.

I like the assignments but they rarely coincide with what I'm shooting - it's such a palarva getting organised that I don't make the effort as often as i should . Anyway, as a way round that, how about an open competition where members can shoot their own subject. Basicly you choose you best shot you've recently taken and enter it.

This has some advantages in that by freeing the user to make their own subject it allows them to integrate it with their normal shooting - as opposed to having to make the extra effort to do the assignment/compo. It also gives the viewer a wide variety of images to vote on.

I'd expect the standard to be pretty high though.

Possible format: -

• Runs for 1 month
• Maximum of 4 submissions in any month
• Images must have been shot in the month the compo runs for.
• All entries discussed & voted on - leave it open while the next month is running.
• All monthly winners go through to the annual super vote.
• All monthly winners go into the pixalo calander which they get for free while other Members can buy it (possible tie in with a printing company?).
• Profits split between winning entrants and pixalo (?)
• As entrants I guess we'd have to grant pixalo non-exclusive rights (correct term?) to reproduce the image should it win.

[Steve]

I like the idea very much but see a few pitfalls. Providing those could be worked out I have no objections with trying to get this up and running. Obviously the Crew would have to discuss it and be willing to run this along side the other comps and challenges. I can assure you that running the current monthly comp is no small task and this proposal seems to be much larger and the rules/guidelines would (on the face of it) seem more complicated…

As you say if you want a calendar at the end as a prize, all entries would have to be submitted with non exclusive rights for Pixalo to print/reproduce and sell your images (if it is to be made available to members as well). The other problem with printed material is that we would be reliant on members having file sizes large enough and not submitting 'aggressively cropped photos'. You can get away with a lot more on the web than you can in print.

How are you proposing judging - you suggest up to four photos per month…then times that by our growing membership, add in the extra difficult job of judging against no subject and you basically have a nightmare there me thinks? Would you have the members judge it, have the crew judge it or have a panel that could be rotated on a monthly basis, or something else completely. How would you keep it fair and unbiased?

I have other concerns too but if we can sort out the above first, we can then move onto the other issues

Like I said I like the idea but it needs to be discussed here by our members and also by the Crew with regards to running and fitting it into the site.

[fionaB]

as far as judging, i know it may mean more work,...... but how about a rotating panel so that all participating members have a go at judging?
those members who do not participate do not get to go on the panel...... So each month will have different judges some more experienced than others...... who will be looking at different things in the photographs meaning that those not as experienced in photography would still have as good a chance as those who turn out stunning image after stunning image?

[namllihs]

Sounds like a good idea for a competition and I like the idea of a rotating panel of judges.

[orangepeel]

Originally Posted by Steve

I like the idea very much but see a few pitfalls. Providing those could be worked out I have no objections with trying to get this up and running. Obviously the Crew would have to discuss it and be willing to run this along side the other comps and challenges. I can assure you that running the current monthly comp is no small task and this proposal seems to be much larger and the rules/guidelines would (on the face of it) seem more complicated…

I think from your pov the backend work involved is a pain. And I'm not sure that can be avoided without help from others. :/ I'd understand if that was a sticking point.

Originally Posted by Steve

The other problem with printed material is that we would be reliant on members having file sizes large enough and not submitting 'aggressively cropped photos'. You can get away with a lot more on the web than you can in print.

Indeed. I think if you want your image to go through to the calander stage then you have to supply an image in printable proportions.
I suppose there could also be a "web based" calander but I see your point. It would involve another restriction on those who enter.

Originally Posted by Steve

How are you proposing judging

I hadn't actually thought about it Just a normal vote was in my mind but the rotating panel mentioned sound good and fair too.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by orangepeel

I like the assignments but they rarely coincide with what I'm shooting - it's such a palarva getting organised

That's just what I like about the current assignment competitions - they make me get out there and shoot something that I wouldn't normally and encourage me to work at my photography rather than just snapping away. But I can understand that if photography is your living and what you do all day, it could be tedious then having to go out and shoot for the competitions as well. Plus having the theme gives something to judge by - how well it has been represented as well as the quality and standard of the photography.

But I'm always game for more competitions so this sounds like it could be fun.

How about that you have to submit a set of photographs on your chosen theme, perhaps three shots, showing different representations of the same thing or a series perhaps? I think that might give the judges something to make a comparison with - ie how well you hae represented the theme - especially if you want this to be a competition of high standards. Otherwise it is very difficult comparing one random shot against another.