Monthly assignment moderators

[Eyelight]

It has winners so it must be at least part contest. If you wanna remove the contest part, don't announce winners. Just announce the top 5 liked photos. I'd say don't even tally the likes, but the announcement and accolades does add a little to the atmosphere.


Just an added thought that popped into view. Take the top 5 liked for each month over a period of 3 months (or other period) and let a group of judges pick the "best" based on those 12 thingies. That way, the monthly task is lightened while keeping a little "reward" in view for the participants.

Just thoughts though. I'll endeavor to support whichever way whatever is done.

 

[Woodyg3]

I'm still pretty new here, so take my opinion for what it's worth, but tally of likes doesn't work so well unless all pictures are posted at the same time. Posts made early in the assignment period have an a longer time period to collect likes than pics posted near the end of the month.

I'm not trying to stir the pot, this is just something that stuck out to me.



Meanwhile, thanks tot those who take the time to administrate and judge this whole venture. I greatly appreciate the time and effort put in!

Now, excuse me while I dig out my 50mm lens to get some "Nifty Fifty" shots.

 

[Eyelight]

@Woodyg3 has a good point on the lagging of likes. Could leave the thread open for a week, and encourage everyone to view and like. Just thinking out loud here and maybe offer a useful idea.

 

[Marcel]

@Woodyg3 has a good point on the lagging of likes. Could leave the thread open for a week, and encourage everyone to view and like. Just thinking out loud here and maybe offer a useful idea.

Even when the thread is closed, I think that people can still express their "likes". I know I can, but not sure if this is only a "mod" privilege. Maybe someone could try it in the latest closed assignment thread. But the likes posting from members would have to be done within 3 days of the closing of the thread. After a week, we start getting queries about "when will the results be posted".

I'd love to see this assignment as part of an exchange of ideas and techniques within our membership without it being too competitive.

 

[Eyelight]

Even when the thread is closed, I think that people can still express their "likes". I know I can, but not sure if this is only a "mod" privilege. Maybe someone could try it in the latest closed assignment thread. But the likes posting from members would have to be done within 3 days of the closing of the thread. After a week, we start getting queries about "when will the results be posted".

I'd love to see this assignment as part of an exchange of ideas and techniques within our membership without it being too competitive.

Yep. I just liked the last duck.

 

[Mike D90]

That is my problem with the way the "assignment" is judged as to winner. Not everyone who posts a "like" knows the difference in a good photograph and a bad photograph. Just because someone, even a lot of people, likes a photo does not make it an award winner.

I am not at all implying that the winners of this last assignment posted bad photos. I am just stating that I am not in agreement with the method of assigning a winner.

The previous assignments, posted by Horoscope Fish and others, had specific guidelines as to what the photograph entries should contain, i.e; 2/3rds rule, leading lines etc. These are all areas that a photograph would be judged against in a real photography contest, not whether it was "liked" by the most people.

My intentions for entering an assignment is to learn more about that particular discipline of photography.

 

[Michael J.]

Not everyone who posts a "like" knows the difference in a good photograph and a bad photograph.

Oh, that is heavy. I like a photo. Actually I like a photo cos there is something what speaks to me. And others don't. That doesn't mean I don't know what is good or not. It is a personal decision. Technical cos of some rules I don't care that much.

People buy something cos they like it. It doesn't mean that the product they like/bought is technical perfect.

 

[mikew_RIP]

Oh, that is heavy. I like a photo. Actually I like a photo cos there is something what speaks to me. And others don't. That doesn't mean I don't know what is good or not. It is a personal decision. Technical cos of some rules I don't care that much.

People buy something cos they like it. It doesn't mean that the product they like/bought is technical perfect.

Completely agree Michael a photograph should have visual impact on the viewer,make a statement,enlighten,if it has all these and more going for it in the the eyes of the viewer then its a winner even if it breaks every rule in the book.

 

[Eyelight]

The criteria for a "good" photo is useful, but I agree that there is an element to the art that is undefinable until an image stirs something beneath the thoughts and reasonings that can be voiced.

There are pictures that speak a thousand words and then there are ones that leave us speechless but warmed.

 

[mikew_RIP]

Think i should just add Miked90 is not wrong there is a place for everything i just feel the monthly assignment by its nature should be just that,competitions are the place for strict rule adherence.

 

[Eyelight]

Think i should just add Miked90 is not wrong there is a place for everything i just feel the monthly assignment by its nature should be just that,competitions are the place for strict rule adherence.

I agree and along those lines, I would support a strict competition/contest that was judged in line with the magic 12, but I think it should be in addition to the current monthly fun/learning assignment.

 

[Michael J.]

Think i should just add Miked90 is not wrong there is a place for everything i just feel the monthly assignment by its nature should be just that,competitions are the place for strict rule adherence.

I didn't say he is wrong I just don't agree with this:

Not everyone who posts a "like" knows the difference in a good photograph and a bad photograph.

How should I know for example that Mike knows the difference or not? But h elikes lot of photos.

But now, I am over that quoted part and think maybe I got it wrong in my mind.

 

[mikew_RIP]

I didn't say he is wrong I just don't agree with this:



How should I know for example that Mike knows the difference or not? But h elikes lot of photos.

But now, I am over that quoted part and think maybe I got it wrong in my mind.

Didnt think you meant anything Michael i was just clarifying my own statement

 

[Eyelight]

I didn't say he is wrong I just don't agree with this:



How should I know for example that Mike knows the difference or not? But h elikes lot of photos.

But now, I am over that quoted part and think maybe I got it wrong in my mind.

The beauty of this hobby/profession is that we can communicate with pictures, so understanding the words isn't all that critical.

 

[Mike D90]

I didn't say he is wrong I just don't agree with this:



How should I know for example that Mike knows the difference or not? But he likes lot of photos.

But now, I am over that quoted part and think maybe I got it wrong in my mind.

I do like a lot of the photos posted here. Many are fantastic as to visual appeal. That does not mean, however, that they would necessarily win a photo contest. I agree that visual appeal is a huge part of whether an individual likes, and would purchase or display, a photo for their own pleasure. But, my point is, that for competition sake, that visual appeal may not necessarily be enough to make it a winner particularly if it does not adhere to the particular rules of the contest.

I have no issue with having contests here that offer everyone a chance to enter their photo. However, if the contest is based on "likes" given their should be no rules attached to the contest other than maybe "subject matter". For example, if I were to spend a day getting a photograph that adhered to every rule of the contest, but no one liked it and it had no visual appeal to them, I would not have a chance to "win" even though my efforts to adhere to the rules were successful.

 

[Eyelight]

I see your points Mike D90, and more or less agree. But even though there are winners, the stated purpose is learning, so adding some criteria makes perfect sense to help (force) people to learn.

Using the July assignment as an example, I walked up and down the beach to get the shot I posted. Would not have moved my lazy #$% away from the first zoomed-in shot if I had just spied the scene form a distance. But in order to comply with a fairly simple criteria, I learned (already knew but reinforced in my mind) that moving my feet changes things that moving my zoom ring does not.

On the flip side, I think it would be good to have a strict contest with anonymous entries and judged based on those 12 thingies as a bit bigger challenge for those who wanted to do such.

 

[Rick M]

When I view entries I put assignment compliance first (as far as the goal of the assignment, not photography rules). From there I judge for impact, subject, ect. An image can be technically perfect, but not adhere to the assignment and have no impact, I'll pass it by. An image can be a technical nightmare and still be chosen due to it's appeal and adherence to the assignment guidelines.

 

[cwgrizz]

I'm new here and have just been playing with my new equipment for a short time. I appreciate the monthly challenges. It gives me something to shoot for. Seeing what others do, really emphasizes how weak I am in this game. Along that line, I thought of another challenge that probably will get as much flack as this month's is getting. Only One shot for the three entries. The three entries would be PP of the same shot. A little different angle on what we try to learn to do. Ha!