Competition Idea

[Birdsnapper]

I'm a newbie, so apologies if this has been done before, how about a light-hearted competition for photos/captions. Entrants can submit as many photos as they like (with or without captions) and others can add as many captions to as many photos as they'd like. The prize woulld go to the best phot/caption combination. If photo quality was optional, second division photographers such as myself might be tempted to start entering competitions.

[john crossley]

Originally Posted by birdsnapper

If photo quality was optional, second division photographers such as myself might be tempted to start entering competitions.

Surely that defeats the object of the exercise.
Being a second division photographer doesn’t stop you entering a competition. Anybody on this forum can enter the monthly competitions regardless of their competence level.
What is important is to enter an image which stimulates the imagination.

[yelvertoft]

Well said John. I was thinking of some suitable words to reply, you have summed it up very well.

[Birdsnapper]

Originally Posted by john crossley

Surely that defeats the object of the exercise.
Being a second division photographer doesn’t stop you entering a competition. Anybody on this forum can enter the monthly competitions regardless of their competence level.
What is important is to enter an image which stimulates the imagination.

Strange reply. Many activities recognise different levels of ability, I just wonder why you think photography is any different. For instance, I'd be interested in seeing what you would enter against Galen Rowell or Charlie Waite. Anyway, it was just an idea to try to stimulate a bit more interest, as comments on November's competition seem to indicate disappointment in involvement.

[Christine]

I think perhaps what Birdsnapper was trying to say,that it would be interesting to have a comp where all photos had a caption,and perhaps judging would be more for the caption,than perhaps photo content .albeit ,one could not have one without the other.

[Don Hoey]

Birdsnapper,

I think I see where you are comming from with regard to novice photogs. I do not particularly go with the first/second division bit though. I have been here since comp No 1 and the spread of votes cast each time is very wide. I bet Galen Rowell or Charlie Waite could enter here and not necessarily win. Judging is done by members at all levels, and if the image/subject matter does not hit the button with them then it will not attract the votes. Entering the comps is a bit of fun and not to be taken too seriously.

I think comments re November comp relate to votes cast rather than the number of entries, which given the subject ( required a bit of thought ) attracted a lot of entries.

Now to your idea. Have a look at this thread http://www.worldphotographyforum.com...read.php?t=553

It was just a bit of fun but got quite a few of us going as it was NOT a competition.

Am I first / second rate, I dont care as long as I enjoy myself.

Don

[robski]

Birdsnapper I do think that you do yourself an injustice based on your few gallery shots. OK they are not up with the Greats of Adams, Rowell,Waite et al but how many in the galley are? There I was thinking that I was the only manic depressive on the forum.

I believe with time and practise we all develop our own niche. The forum has helped some people find their niche or allowed people to experiment. We can all learn something from one another, young or old.

Personally I don’t see the need for a two tier system. It’s just the case of having the confidence to have a go. You will find that 99.9% of the members are too polite to slag anybody off. However, if you get a deafening silence maybe the shot was not as good as you hoped for.

I go along with what Don has said. I have no idea if I am first, second or third rate. Some days I have some luck and get a shot I am pleased with, other days not. It’s just a hobby which I enjoy.

[Birdsnapper]

Hi Everybody,

OK, no official competition, but given that members show a good sense of imagination when titling photos, how about an 'unofficial' competition.

I've called myself 'second- ranker' (try saying that after a couple of Stellas) without any false modesty or self-deprecation, but because in the eighteen months that I've had my DSLR I've had limited opportunity to get out and photograph. The photos that I've taken tend to be opportunistic (hence the second part of my name. At the moment I cannot 'see' shots, and would not be able to respond to a theme - I've tried.

Anyhow, I'll keep practicing - photography is a hobby where even practicing is enjoyable.

[john crossley]

[quote=birdsnapper;14500]

......in the eighteen months that I've had my DSLR I've had limited opportunity to get out and photograph. The photos that I've taken tend to be opportunistic.....QUOTE]

That’s where the professionals have the advantage. They are taking photos 24/7, the rest of us have to fit it in around work, family and other commitments.

That doesn’t make them better photographers than us, but it dose mean that they have more opportunities to take a stunning photo. They are also very selective in what they publish.