Allotments 4 All
Photo Gallery => Competition => Topic started by: Admin aka Dan on September 19, 2007, 14:57:35
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A volunteer to run the competition each month (as some of you will have noticed sometimes I'm not that organised).
The position will bring glory, respect and a much coveted @allotments4all.co.uk email address!
If anyone is interested, let me know and we'll sort it out.
Cheers
Dan
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Job description please ??? ??? ???
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Sounds interesting.... ;D
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Does this position come with free seeds or anything? ;D ;D ;D
Lauren :D
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Well now, I've been giving this some thought.
I quite like viewing pic's submitted on here due to the variety of subjects covered. We are a gardening site but we all have other interests too and it shows in the photo's submitted.
The topics covered are quite something and it's great to see 'through the eyes of another' how wonderful and new things look when seen for the first time. (Great stuff from many of you, love them, thank you.)
Via the camera we can go from macro to moon and every photo submitted is unique...how good is that?
I'd be willing to look after the monthly photo shoot, but...! Only if I could make a change or three to open it up a bit.
Personally I'd prefer 3 catagories.
1: Anything to do with life. That would include people, animals, insects; etc.
2: One that didn't include living things....that would be buildings, scenic, water, etc.
3: I would like to see a changing-by-month catagory with a theme. One month it might be clouds, then chimneys, then reflections, then macro then.....well, you get the gist.
The competition section is well supported so there is certainly a need to expand and Dan does have his hands full so; if someone does help take the strain, I for one would like to see an expansion of the topic.
Oh!...And to keep a level playing field, I'd have to insist that all submissions are 'as taken'...that is, apart from cropping, no photo-software is used. (Not everyone has 'state of the art technology, eh?)
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I for one think Ken's ideas are excellent :) It will give us all something to think about as winter approaches and we are not able to get out in our lotties/gardens so much.
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I have sent Ken a PM, it looks promising.
Dan
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I'm backing Ken. If he has the time then there are some brilliant ideas there.
I know Dan is very busy and he does a fantastic job with the forum so it is probably a good idea to "delegate" :)
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Quite a task running a busy site. Keeping track of what's going on and keeping up-todate with everything isn't easy, that's why I'm prepared to do a bit here and there to help what I reckon is the best gardening/friendship www.site ever, although the real hero's are the contributors themselves. Without the interesting in-put the site couldn't be as popular as it is, and don't we lot cover a heck of a lot of stuff!
Thanks for the couple of confidence votes to-date. If there is a general feeling that my ideas are a way forward, I'll certainly go ahead with it; but not at the cost of upsetting anyone on here.
The 'Competition' catagory is somewhat hidden beneath the 'Gallery' catagory so maybe many people out there have yet to discover it, that and this thread relating to possible change. I would prefer more people to see this thread and comment one way or the other before we head off down a path which might not be popular.
If you read this, please point others in this direction so we get a bit of feed back and opinion.
Thanks. Ken.
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I like Ken's ideas ;D and I'd be happy to help if help is still needed in any way :)
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It sounds good Ken. You have my vote. ;D
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Ken, Go for it.
Can I make a suggestion without sounding too pushy ?
Can Leonnie be like a deputy assistant ?
In case Ken is on holiday or something. She does seem keen to help ! :)
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Ken gets my vote also :) I agree the competition should be made more prominent as i always forget :(
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Sounds a brilliant idea, Ken - with just one small proviso. Please - (for us 'point and shoot' types) - don't let it get too technical!!!
Good luck! x
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From another"Grandma"...... I couldn't agree more ;D
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....and from this Grandad, ( of 11...!) I am listening to what's being said, 'though I'm not 'there' yet.
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One little problem! I take photo's in RAW I'm sure there are some others out there who do as well. RAW is to digital photo's like a negative is to film...it needs developing, sort of, most importantly needs sharpening at the very least from your description of what's allowed that would be excluded as it's altering the image!
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KEN, YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT , IT SOUNDS GOOD TO ME, NOT TO TECHNICAL THOUGH PLEASE, DON`T FORGET US POINT & SHOOT PEEPS WILL YOU . GOOD LUCK HOPE YOU TAKE OVER DAN, THE MAN HAS DONE WONDERS & NEEDS TO FREE SOME TIME UP I AM SURE. ALL THE BEST MARY. ;D
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Sounds as if Ken's the best person for the job - and a deputy as well. Excellent idea :) :) :)
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Sounds good to me. I agree about not getting too technical, a lot of us just enjoy taking pics but haven't a clue when it gets to the finer points of photography.
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One little problem! I take photo's in RAW I'm sure there are some others out there who do as well. RAW is to digital photo's like a negative is to film...it needs developing, sort of, most importantly needs sharpening at the very least from your description of what's allowed that would be excluded as it's altering the image!
I knew this would come along at some stage, Kea, and actually I expected it from a different source before now, but thanks for mentioning it, it has to be addressed at some point and it's a fair question, particulary with the rapid advancement in the Digi-SLR market, so a good point and one to consider.
As you know, 'developing' from RAW gives the user a multitude of options as to how the final 'print' will turn out and there is a vast difference between downloading directly into 'My Pictures' as against dropping NEG's into 'Lightroom' for instance.
I'm getting the impression that most A4A people don't own 'state of the art' camera's, or have the necessary software that goes along with them. Which leaves me, even before I've been given the job, with my first dilemma!
However, I have already given this some thought (and other probably queries along the same lines), and I'm confident a solution can be found which will suit the majority of contributors but, at the moment I'm not in a position to say 'this or that' will be the new criteria. If I do the job, I'll get it underway in what I consider a fair fashion. From that moment I'll be open to comments, suggestions and constructive criticism and I'll make changes by listening to what people say and where we all think it's applicable if it improves the photo competition section.
Ken.
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I understand that some people will be against digital enhancement of pics but...
1. All digi cameras take slightly soft pics which need to be sharpened to come up to the standard of film pics.
2. There is usually a need to boost colour saturation too, which can be done with film , simply by using a specific colour boosting film. So to disallow this digitally would seem a bit unfair.
3. If someone is developing their own film, they wil be able to manipulate the pics in lots of other ways too, so if digital manipulation is to be banned, then so should manipulating in the dark room.
cj :)
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I understand that some people will be against digital enhancement of pics but...
1. All digi cameras take slightly soft pics which need to be sharpened to come up to the standard of film pics.
2. There is usually a need to boost colour saturation too, which can be done with film , simply by using a specific colour boosting film. So to disallow this digitally would seem a bit unfair.
3. If someone is developing their own film, they wil be able to manipulate the pics in lots of other ways too, so if digital manipulation is to be banned, then so should manipulating in the dark room.
cj :)
Thanks for the info Carol'.
It's going to be impossible to please all camera type users. The question of 'Film-v-Digi' will continue for some time yet, but I have to point out that the winner of the August competition used a point and shoot pocket digi camera and downloaded directly into windows without any computer tweaking what-so-ever and gained the highest percentage score this year. So it does show that direct down-load without manipulation can attract votes.
The results of using a colour enhanced film in a camera gives a result that isn't to everyones taste but I see that as an acceptable option for the user.
Developing your own film in a dark-room is a million miles away from today's computer enhancement software and let's not forget that either the negative or the finished photograph would then have to be scanned and unless were talking 'Publishing House' quality machinery there is something of a disadvantage with film.
As I say, it's impossible to please all types, but if I do run the competition section I'll certainly try to organise it to suit all tastes, hence my comment previously in that I'll take on board all comments and suggestions.
Many thanks for pointing out this additional side to the discussion. Much appreciated.
Ken.
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So, has a decision been made yet? ;)
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.....hope not!!!!!!......
For me, as an all-time voter, the ONLY thing wrong is the lack of ease in finding the Competiton Board...........greater prominence, please, Dan?
For Dan, as owner/moderator/facilitator, the only problem is getting someone to take on his role as Administrator of a Competiton Board which is working well for both competitors/voters apart from the fact that it's hard to find ;D
Other than that, my vote is firmly where my 'X' is......
Each month, I love to vote for the pic that most appeals to me taken during the previous month = simple as that.
I vote for keeping it as it is (but with only the suggestion that the Competition Board is more clearly defined)
and I certainly hope that you, Dan, find someone who will agree to take over the running of it for you as it is - well, as it will be, given my suggested 'improvements' ;D
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Although (so far) I have never entered a photo for the monthly competition I always try to vote. Really enjoy the entries. I must admit when all this technical stuff is mentioned it just goes over my head, and certainly wouldn't consider my amateur
efforts for the competition. Hope it doesn't get too complicated for either the posters or the voters.
Good luck to whoever decides to help Dan.
Lorna
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If I knew where to find the comp I would vote. Plus I like the fact that no body knows who the pictures were taken by... anonnymouse is always fairer ::)
Lauren ;D
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I like Ken's ideas for changing themes and categories and suggest he be allowed to have a go. He's keen and will no doubt get feedback........
I also think the competition needs to be more visible. The technical stuff is beyond me, a point and shooter. A deputy/assistant sounds sensible too.
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This whole discussion has come about due to Dan looking for someone to take a bit of pressure off him time wise. After a few days no-one had come forward so I thought I'd offer to help out a bit.
There are those who are quite happy with the present way the contest is run and not to change anything wouldn't be a disaster. I just thought if there is an opportunity for change, then now is a good time.
I'm still hopeful of more people coming forward with an offer to run the contest board, not all of us have the same ideas as to how best it should run. If anyone is willing to give it a go with other thoughts, please, please, come forward. This is a chance to give everyone a choice of the way forward.
If I give a brief layout of how I would like it to work, then others might come forward with a different even better format.
I would like to see a dedicated catagory headed 'Photo's'...In there would go 'Fun Pic's'..'Gallery' and 'Contest' etc.
In the contest board I would like to see three contests running where we now have one.
Theme one would be a pic where 'life' is the main theme. 'Life' would mean people, animals, bugs, birds...anything 'alive'.
Theme two would be anything at all where 'life' is not the main theme or subject.
This would then not have fluffy kittens dressed up as Santa competing aganst a pic capturing the second a volcano explodes...(bit OTT I know, but you get the idea. A furry kitten has huge 'Awww' factor.)
These two 'themes' would be 'non-changing'.
The third theme would be a changing one and one which would involve imagination as much as a good photo. The idea would be to give a phrase or word and that's it...from then on it would be for contributors to submit a pic which best suits that title.
All themes would be voted on in exactly the same way we already do. Submitting pic's would be exactly the same apart from having to submit them singly if you entered more than one category.
If I manage to get it right this would then mean three options to 'have a go' at and also mean, hopefully, that as one contest is ending, another is open to votes and the third is about to start...sort of a continually running contest.
So, apart from splitting the themes there's not really all that much that would change.
Well, that's how I would like to see the contest move forward. But again, I'm hoping for others to step-up and offer to help and put their thoughts on how they would run the contest and then maybe all those interestd would choose for the way they want any changes to take place.
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Sounds very logical to me! ;D
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Love your ideas Ken,
Sounds like fun ;)
You've still got my vote :)
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Ken, you have still got my vote too.
I'm only sorry I haven't got the time to help. I am only able to dip in and out now and then as I am sure you realise.
Good luck anyway.
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I endorse what I said previously Ken. Your ideas are great and I think would suit all abilities. I think I am a bit long in the tooth to help with all the technical stuff but you have my wholehearted support ;) :)
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Thanks all. Check out a (suggested) test run at...
http://cowling.forum5.com/index.php?mforum=cowling
Go to the bottom of the page and find 'A4A test Photo area'.
How easy it to follow the layout? Suggestions?
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I liked the three catagories, also the idea that the comments are on a separate thread post vote. My only suggestion about the test site would be to group the votes and comments together instead of alternating, I think that would work better.
I liked the 'whoops' theme, and the idea of themes in general too!
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Good point, Deb.P but that can't be done. As with other threads, on here and elsewhere, as an additional entry is made, that thread will move to the top of the board.
I thought that comments could go in the same thread as the votes, even to put the winner in the voting board, snag is, the voting board has to be 'open' for people to vote and there-fore would be open also to comment and I'd prefer comments about the pictures not to be made until after voting so that others wouldn't be influenced.
Thanks for your feed-back. Here's hoping for more. If this goes ahead I would hope it's as people wish, and if it does go ahead I'm hoping there won't be too many moans, after all, now is the chance to offer suggestions.
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Still sounds good to me :)
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I think maybe you should just try out your ideas live for the next competition and then any wrinkles can be ironed out later when we all see how it works.
Go for it!
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looks good to me, kk..I've got a piccy for the september comp raring to go ;D
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The suggested format must be of interest, there are 3 other sites I know of that have people who visit here and who have 'borrowed' the idea and introduced it into their sites already!
:-X
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I like the layout ken :) It gets my thumbs up :)
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thumbs up from me, too!
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Sounds good Ken, just wish it was up n running before I forget where my Sept pics are.
;) ;)
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Me too, Carol....I'm sure Dan's got his thinking cap on regarding this, and as I said, other forums run by visitors to A4A are already using the ideas I've put forward! (Naughty or nice?) But as soon as Dan has time I'm sure the September comp will make a start.
I'm sure the 'new' suggestions I've mentioned will be popular regardless of who organises it and I'm certainly going to be part of it as organiser or contributor. I love to see pic's of the variety we have had to-date.
Here's hoping for many more.
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Looks to me as if kenkew was the only candidate for the job. if i had known about it i might've offered my services. Then again perhaps not, as i am probably more badly organised than Dan was (no offence Dan). At least ken seems fairly well organised with the competition, even if i dont exactly agree with his Ideas for taking it forward.
Can anyone tell me (since I clearly missed it), was there any sort of consultation concerning the categories for the new look competition. Or have they just been decided on by ken?
Plenty of support for the competions in the past? I beg to differ there. On occasions only a handfull of members bothered to enter, myself being one of them.
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The suggested format must be of interest, there are 3 other sites I know of that have people who visit here and who have 'borrowed' the idea and introduced it into their sites already!
:-X
But do we really want to be like all the rest ken? A4All is (or maybe was) the best so we should be different.
Here are my suggestions for alternative categories. Ones that might be less confusing to some folks:-
1) Plants, Flowers Gardens and Plots (ie anything 'Horticultural')
2) Animals and wildlife (anything from pets to farm animals to wild creatures)
3) People (portraits, candid camera shots, crowds etc)
4) Other (anything else not covered above - objects, machines, landscapes etc)
Could be open ended or monthly (but not nessesarily taken in that month).
TA DA!!
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Ken and I discussed the format, and we agreed to try this one.
I'm sure as time goes by the format will be tweaked!
The plea for help was posted for quite some time before ken was chosen, so anyone could have volunteered....
Cheers
Dan
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The suggested format must be of interest, there are 3 other sites I know of that have people who visit here and who have 'borrowed' the idea and introduced it into their sites already!
:-X
But do we really want to be like all the rest ken? A4All is (or maybe was) the best so we should be different.
I took what Ken had written to mean 3 other sites had copied the ideas Ken had put forward.
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Ken
I like the idea of splitting up the categories, but I think plants/flowers perhaps deserve a category of their own.
However, what concerns me at the moment is that we have so many competitions going on at the same time. Voting for Life1, Scenes 1 and Themes 1 is still going on? and yet entries are now requested for version 2 and we do not yet have a 'winner' of the first batch. How many contributions were you planning for each month? I think it would be preferable to have a competition each month for each category. We do not all have the time or opportunity to take a picture of one let alone three categories which is good enough to enter several times a month.
However, I am prepared to try but cannot guaratee quality, perhaps you could have a rethink on the frequency.
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Ken
I should have added that I like the idea on the Themes 1 vote that voting trends are not shown. Could you do this for all the categories. Unfortunately voting trends often influence those who have yet to vote.
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Ken
I should have added that I like the idea on the Themes 1 vote that voting trends are not shown. Could you do this for all the categories. Unfortunately voting trends often influence those who have yet to vote.
Yes, i think that would be a good idea aswell :)
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Ken
However, what concerns me at the moment is that we have so many competitions going on at the same time. Voting for Life1, Scenes 1 and Themes 1 is still going on? and yet entries are now requested for version 2 and we do not yet have a 'winner' of the first batch. How many contributions were you planning for each month? I think it would be preferable to have a competition each month for each category.
I agree 100% with this. It seemed more special to have one a month.
I should have added that I like the idea on the Themes 1 vote that voting trends are not shown. Could you do this for all the categories. Unfortunately voting trends often influence those who have yet to vote.
I completely disagree with this. My choice has never been influenced by the voting trends that are shown. Leave it as it is I say and have faith that people have a mind of their own. :)
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The contest will settle down into a more steady flow very shortly. In fact 2 of them close today. We have a few underway to begin with to test how the different categories would go.
After this week, although there will be variety, there won't be quite so many running at once but I do want to try and keep parts of the contest continually active be it submitting or voting.
The 'hidden' voting method is just one option and like the rest of the new format, it's a case of finding what's popular and what's not.
Could I ask that further contest queries by placed in the Contest comments section of Photo Talk to help keep all the contest questions and suggestions in the one place?
Thanks for all the input towards improving the contest(s).
Ken.