Comp Rules.

[Hellbelly]

I've seen them somewhere, but do you think I can find them now? NO. I know what the rules are for the weekly challenge but on clicking the Monthly I cant see any info on how to vote? Or even if we vote (maybe mods decide).

This is the one thing that I would say Byte could work on. There seems to be many forums that overlap. I would find it easier if I could clivk on one link and be taken to a forum where all challenges / comps are running. In there, it would be great to have at the top of each topic, the rules for said topic and how to vote etc etc.

Anyway, I hope not to rub people up the wrong way, I'm still new here I know (plus, a few ales have been ingested by now )

Cheers.......HB

[Ellen]

If you'll look up at the right hand side on the Photo Contest page, you will see a drop down box. Click on it and you will find the links about rules, etc.


Photo Contest Guidelines
Weekly Photo Contests for Digital Photographers


Updated 23th May 2006
Below you will find details on how to enter, rate and critique photos in the weekly photo contest here.

’‚’‚…‚’‚‚ Only registered members can submit photos to the Photo Contest. Sign-up and enter the competition

’‚’‚…‚’‚‚ The photo contest opens on Monday 00h01 (GMT +1) and closes the following week on Sunday 24h00 (GMT +1).

’‚’‚…‚’‚‚ Photos submitted must be the original work of the photographer. Pictures that violate the laws of copyright will be disqualified and removed.

’‚’‚…‚’‚‚ Photos can either be from a digital camera or scanned prints, slides or negatives. Photos don't necessarily need to be shot during the contest dates, they can be from the past or present.

’‚’‚…‚’‚‚ Entries are limited to two photos per week. If there are more than two photos from a member all will be removed and therefore disqualified from the competition.

’‚’‚…‚’‚‚ Judges will select six photos to go through to the weekly finals.

’‚’‚…‚’‚‚ The top six contest entries will be displayed, in the forums, the following week for voting. Members need at least 15 posts to vote in the finals.

’‚’‚…‚’‚‚ This is a family site so please don't submit photos which might offend others, containing subjects such as nudity, obscenity, racial, provocation, violence, offensive weapons, etc.

’‚’‚…‚’‚‚ Judges, moderators and administrators at BytePhoto.com, retain the right to delete any photo(s), rating(s) and/or comment(s) as they feel right.

’‚’‚…‚’‚‚ Contest winners may be contacted by email allowing our sponsors to give away special offers and prizes.




PHOTO MODIFICATIONS Photos edited using the methods below are acceptable in the competition.

’‚’‚…‚’‚‚ Levels, brightness, contrast, curves, gamma, intensity, tone, hue, saturation, desaturation, lightness, channel adjustment, colour balance, tint, resizing, cropping, burning and dodging selective areas. Various filters to sharpen, soften, blur, despeckle, add grain and remove noise, can also be used to create a better final image. Remember photos should only be edited to improve the final image not totally change it.
NOTE: In some cases judges may ask to view the original file.

’‚’‚…‚’‚‚ The use of a cloning stamp tool may be used to remove minor and small unwanted objects, such as telephone poles, cables and power lines, debris etc.

’‚’‚…‚’‚‚ No elaborate frames, however photo matting is are allowed, such as the following examples. [a] [b]

’‚’‚…‚’‚‚ Signatures, watermarks and copyright notices may be added, however, large distracting ones may weaken the chances on receiving justified ratings.

’‚’‚…‚’‚‚ In order to have your photos displayed at their best, a suggestion is to upload photos at 800 pixels in height or in width, and this way the system will not create a medium image size of average quality.



For those who have difficulty commenting on a photo, here are some guidelines.

SUBJECT Is the subject matter simple ? If complex, does the image have a definite focal point or a visual relief area ? Is the subject sharply focused, unless softened/blurred to give the desired effects ? [N.B. View enlarged photo size to decide if sharp.] Does the photo convey the subject’‚’‚…‚’‚…¾‚s environment, if appropriate?

COMPOSITION Is the composition simple enough to show the subject, yet complex enough to allow the eye to move over the image as a whole ? Is the rule of thirds guideline effectively employed? If not, how effectively is it broken ? Is the horizon level, and/or vertical lines vertical, unless angled or tilted for special effect ? Is the perspective correct from shooting at an angle to the subject, unless the angle creates a desirable effect ? Does the subject occupy the correct amount of the frame ? Is the subject enhanced by the choice of background ?

LIGHTING Has the photographer effectively used light ? example: flash or natural. Is the photo correctly exposed ?



Other points to take into consideration before commenting.

COMMENTS/CRITIQUES Beginner and advanced photographers, who enter the Photo Contest should be willing to receive and share advice and constructive criticism on their, or other, photo entries. Remember, some members may be may be tough on your work, however the majority of photographers already accept this, so as to help them improve on their photographic skills and knowledge. At the same time, members should always respect each other and the chosen entry.
Comments/critiques should be constructive in suggesting advice for improvements etc., rather than just pointing out the 'bad points' in the photo. No personal member bashing. Discussions and debates are of course highly encouraged here, but personal attacks which are not constructive or helpful in any way often turns into a heated debate between members, which is not acceptable on this site. Such comments will be deleted. If, and when, you have problems with this contest, inform the administrators by e-mail or PM or use the "Report Photo" link, if there are any issues with a photo contest submission. Also keep in mind, members who continually post comments/critiques only to upset others, will be singled out and their membership immediately deleted.

Try to keep your comments/critiques concise and to the point. These posts may be edited and/or an e-mail/PM will be sent to ask that further comments/critiques be more concise and to the point.
We are all here to share and learn, so keep this in mind before adding your comments/critiques.



:: IMPORTANT :: Please do not use the "Move Photo" function to move a photo from your main gallery that has an original upload date prior to the start of the contest as the votes and comments will follow it giving your photo an unfair time advantage in regards to number of views and comments. If you have a photo in your main gallery that you would like to place into the Photo Contest, you may do so by uploading as a new upload. If the photo is also in your personal gallery you will need to change the file name as the system will not allow a user to have multiple files with the same name. Photos outwith the Photo Contest dates will be moved to the members photo galleries.

[Hellbelly]

Ahh, thankyou Ellen. I'd not noticed the dropdown box before. Its got all the info there about the weekly challenge, but what about the monthly? Where are the rules etc etc regarding that one?



Cheers......Mick

[STaylor]

HB .. here are the challenge guidelines (draft)
http://www.bytephoto.com/modules.php...howpage&pid=18

please note: it’‚’‚…‚’‚…¾‚s not listed in the drop down menu referenced above ’‚’‚…‚’‚‚¦ as it is just a draft

[Hellbelly]

Thanks Paul. Merry Christmas too.

Cheers........HB