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I rarely post anywhere but here, I simply don't have the time to do much elsewhere. Once in a great while i post to Digital image Cafe. I hadn't posted there since January so I thought I'd put some stuff up for May. I have won 5 POTD. May, 12, 14, 21, 22, 25. Naturally I'm pleased and encouraged. And feeling encouraged is the best part for me.

I think the difference between my success there and my lack of it here is because I can post in categories. I think categories levels the playing field. An apple is not being asked to compete with an orange.

I'd like to get opinions on whether the contest might be better in categories. The critique section already is. Oddly the opposite to the other site, where the critique section is everything together.

Sheila.

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Not that I disagree about categories, I do think its a nice idea, but I dont think it matters when it comes to winning online contests.

I say this because I have won a number of POTW's here yet I post them elsewhere 3-4 times over and its never chosen.

Again, I have one that went into the finals at Betterphoto which I was excited about since I had only been doing photoghraphy a couple months at the time.
That same image was posted here and was used when I was chosen for "Editors Choice Award" at Byte.
People I dont even know in my place of business see it on my wall and stop to walk into my office to see it with high compliments.
Yet, I post it to Digital Image Cafe at least 4 times and nothing.. never chosen.

So there is no real rhyme or reason for winning on other sites.

Same goes for ones I win at DIC, sometimes dont get into the finals here on Byte.
ITs all in the choices of the judges at the time.

There is a well known "Photography as Art" contest in Bucks County that is very prestigious. I havent entered yet, but I know the judges change each year. I hear that some years an awesome photographer will be chosen to display their work, yet the following year a different judge wont even choose them to be a displayer.

Thats why I dont necessarily think making categories will solve the problem 100%
just my quarter... <--- inflation

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Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter. -Ansel Adams

Last edited by rct4905 on May 25th, 2006 at 05:18 PM

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I have to mention as I have before that one needs a really thick skin to survive here at Byte.

I have had photos that have done very well at other sites and then when I post them here at Byte they get torn apart. It seems to me that sometimes I have to wonder if some people enjoy doing it as I don't see it as something prevelant at other sites.

I have seen finalists and winners at other sites fall into the description as I outlined above at here at Byte. It bothers me at times to see how rough some people get treated,

As far as categories are concern...I can see a need but the big thing I feel needs to be changed is the scoring. More categories will present even more difficulties with peer judging...I feel it probably would not improve things. I would much rather see neutral judges picking the finalists. Continuing the comments is fine but doing away with the scoring is a need in my eyes. One should also realize that the scoring does not result in the highest six scores becoming the six finalists. Lets do away with the scoring then......

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My personal opinion is this.

I started posting my images at Byte to get opinions, thoughts, feedback and recognition on those images, and similarly to provide feedback, critique and advice to those photographers whose work was excellent or full of promise and grateful to receive constructive critique.

I find (and have always found) that posting @ Byte was not subject to 'expert' critique for the most part, more about sharing my images amongst beginners/experienced photographers.

I've always been aware that images here are not really 'judged', that they are subject to critique from people who shoot and appreciate photos. I've never been totally happy that people who are not experienced and accredited photo judges, pass judgement/score/rate/comment on my images, but having said that, take much comment with a grain of salt, and use this feedback as a sounding board to improve my images. Therefore I post knowing full well what to expect and appreciate that any or all feedback is not the be all and end all of my photographic experience/or skills.

Therefore it's my prerogative to post and if I get negative feedback, so be it...I've said time and again that I believe the weekly comp (of which I've won three now) should not be judged/rated by the photographers here, especially by people who have a grudge against others and can easily influence the outcomes of a given image. I believe that we, as posters should only be allowed to comment (not rate or score) and it be appointed, accredited judges that make the final 6 images happen and then go on to select (or have blind popular opinion) select the best of the 6 for that week.

Another suggestion I've been toying with is that all images are not labelled for the photographer for all images posted, so that there could be no way for 'games' to be played...and the winning photographer be announced at week's end...exactly like the challenge contest...

This is why I post to accredited photographic sites where judging is by qualified photographers/judges, and these wins mean more to me. I too have had 11 POTD at DIC (within a 6 month period) whereby the same images posted here, didn't rate so well or achieve the same kudos...Some of those images have gone into print media or on to win POTD at other places and also at photo accessory websites like Lexar. I haven't won mor POTD at other sites because I've primarily focusssed my attention here at Byte.


I guess in summary, I'm suggesting this...

Byte is a 'free' website and as such, it's excellent for the services and opportunities for exposure (sic) it offers. I suggest that if you don't get good feedback here, you're not necessarily doing badly, don't take it personally, you could pretty much put it down to being that many people who've just started in the art of photography make this their first digital port of call and may not be particularly experienced in the ways of judging, or simply not qualified to do so...I do value several people's opinions here and those people have gone on to be friends of mine, whse work I also admire greatly...

Bottom line? If you don't do good here, a) don't give up, b) start posting in other comp sites, c) enjoy the good/bad feedback here and use it as a positive to achieve greater results.

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MY 2 cents,
I don't go to other sites much. I like it at Byte. I get feedback I need. I would be concerned that categories would lower feedback per shot. Already, this is a concern. Before the "great scoring debate" about 6 months ago, my good shots would get in excess of 250 views in a week. These days, I rarely get 200 views. More categories may create navigation priorities that would further lower the numbers.

BTW, for the record, I have been a finalist here 10 times and have never won the POTW - but I have won - I am a better photographer today than I was last year.

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Buddy

There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer. - Ansel Adams

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I know different sections will make matters worse for comments as people will stick to the subject they like best.

Buddy i think ive done well here. finalist 7 times (i think) and two wins. The same photos have been ignored on other sites so i guess it all evens out. The funny thing is that when I have a photo I consider really good, it never gets into the finals but the ones I put in at the last minute have been the ones to make the final six or win.

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aladyforty

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Julie, how true that is. Perhaps we are not the best judges of our own work (although I like to think so)

I've learnt a lot in here over the years.

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