Do you think it needs a break?

[dullbird]

Ok Guys

So I have noticed recently especially over the last 3 comps where people have had to actually get there cameras out and use them that the entries to the competitions have been dwindling off bit by bit

I have also noticed that less and less people are now starting to vote!


Do you think we need to break from the comp for a while?

Do you think the interest is being lost and the novelty is wearing off?

I have to say I was quite excited when people started to write the rule that the picture had to be taken after the topic was announced. I was very disappointed to see that a lot of people just didn't bother which was the whole point of the comps in the first place....

I can't help but feel the point behind the comps has been lost. anyone can crack out old photo's form there albums and make them fit the comp...but if you have nice pics just put them in the anything goes thread. make the effort to come up with some thing new.

Anyway just my thoughts and now I want yours...from everyone.

And it has been suggested that the comps go longer...I cant see it working as we cant keep the interest in a short one let alone a long one

Lou

[Bushie]

No

Things will be up and down for a while, for instance last week I had an idea in my mind what I wanted to do but being away from home for a couple of days, then out for most of Sunday the earliest I would have been able to get something up for the comp was after the closing time.

As a thought

We currently run from Sun to Sun and voting runs from Sun to Thurs of the following week. Voting only takes a few seconds maybe the time for voting could be shrunk eg. Wed to Fri, new topic by Sat and then the comp runs through to the Wed ie 11 days later.

I think massaging the timetable would be more beneficial than postponing or abandoning the comp.

It's winter at the moment and dark (and bloody wet lately) by the time I get home (generally) so not that conducive to getting out with the camera.

I think we need to let it run as is or with a few tweaks in the timing.

Personally I would like to see two comps running with an overlap (much like they do on the overlander site), however that doesn't mean I would necessarily contribute every week.

Camera corner is usually one of the first threads I visit when I log in.

/ramble


Martyn



Martyn

[dullbird]

but you never vote cooper :p

[werdan]

I don't mind the 'no old pictures' rule but I agree with Bushie. If there the comp ran from the start of the first weekend to the end of the second weekend, there would be more of a chance for the weekday workers to break out their cameras.

[mjm295]

I think have the comp open for 10 days (Fri to next Mon) and the voting from Mon evening to Thu - then new topic. People get the choice of 2 weekends. Currently if I am busy for the comp weekend, that's 3 weeks without a comp.

[mjm295]

Agreed,the old apathy thing,enough will vote,don't need mine.:(From now on will throw mine into the barrel.:)Me,a hypocrite,never.:blush:

Coops, just vote for me each time if you cant be bothered to look

[Bushie]

Just thinking a bit more about this, at the moment we have one week of competition and one week without, and no topic to think about either. If you have been following the topic then you will know what photos are in, but voting will only take a few seconds sometime between Sunday and Thursday.

I think maybe there is not enough competition and too much spare time.


BUshie

[long stroke]

I think the photo comps are a great idea, but resently i have been really slack and havn't entered any:(
I think you should keep them the same and from now on i will make an effort to get some pics and votes in:D

CHEERS TIM.

[loanrangie]

Its winter ferchristsake, i dont want to be outside if i dont have to be :p.

Nah keep em coming, if your happy posting them then i'm sure others are happy to participate when they can - you lot without kids dont understand time management or lack of time management.

[dullbird]

why is everyone crapping on about the weather outside.....what happened to indoor photography. my last two photos were taking in the house.

What don't you think it rains in Sydney :p

it takes less than a second to take a photo.....the most time used is drumming up the effort to get the camera out in the first place;)

[matbor]

My suggestions;

1. Make the comps run for two weeks, let them finish though at midnight on a sunday though!

2. The voting, can you make it easier, as most people are lazy (me included), maybe set it up with the vote buttons or something.

3. topics are good, keep them coming.


Matt.

[dullbird]

That will only work if there are less than 10 entries....would have been a great idea otherwise :D


Maybe the voting could be easier by one choice only ie which pic is the best. It's only first place that gets the prize anyway ;)

I like the idea of no gaps in the comp also. Sometimes I can't wait to know what the next topic is.

There will be times (like the last comp) where some of us will have other things to do or (like me) will be feeling a little brain dead (after all I did work something like 6 out of 8 of the days in the last comp...I must be getting old but I find work very tiring and brain numbing sometimes :D)


So how do you think I have found first place on a couple of occasions when it has been a tie?

as for the letting it run until midnight.....I'm not staying up until midnight to close the thread;).

[matbor]

So how do you think I have found first place on a couple of occasions when it has been a tie?

as for the letting it run until midnight.....I'm not staying up until midnight to close the thread;).

If it is a tie, call it a tie or run another poll between the two.

just close it the next day, delete any posts after midnight!:D

[Bushie]

as for the letting it run until midnight.....I'm not staying up until midnight to close the thread;).


Why would you have to - all the posts are time stamped, any after midnight are just ineligible. Then the votes can be counted at your leisure.




Martyn

[WhiteD3]

hang on a sec......I finally win and we need a break?:(

This is what we need....less competitors.....more below average photographers and a chance for the little guy...






me:angel:

[Sleepy]

No, don't stop it.:o You guys have inspried me to take up photography again with your wonderful shots. I am saving my pennys for a Nikon D60 - hopefully the next few weeks. (Depends how well my guitar sells on ebay :angel:)

I have voted a couple of times but don't always remember .:(

[dullbird]

Why would you have to - all the posts are time stamped, any after midnight are just ineligible. Then the votes can be counted at your leisure.




Martyn


Because it takes less than a second to close a thread.....delteing them how ever takes longer.

you say people wont vote for the ones that are after that time...but they will it was done on a comp not that long ago.... reemeber when derek pointed out all the photo's that weren't actually with in the year taken specification....those photo's still got votes. So how is that then fair to the ones that followed the rules set by the previous winner

You cant just call something a tie!! the only thing you get out of a comp when winning it apart from the glory is to choose the next topic how can two people do that...

Do people seriously think (and I'm asking an honest question) that other people are not voting because they have to write down 3 names?......would people really be that lazy?...do people honestly have a problem with that? maybe I could reduce it to two names to reduce the work load :lol2:

[matbor]

Do people seriously think (and I'm asking an honest question) that other people are not voting because they have to write down 3 names?......would people really be that lazy?.

YES... I'm one of them! :angrylock:

[dullbird]

well.....to be honest that takes the biscuit for me..

I put a lot of time in believe it or not moving posts, starting new voting threads, counting votes, updating winners, deleting gossip in the upload thread as it was said that it takes longer to view the pics entered when its in there.

and you can't be bothered to type in three names...

To be honest I can't be bothered to make the effort either.

[long stroke]

I'm quite happy to write down three words:angel:

[werdan]

I'm quite happy to write down three words:angel:

I'm too lazy so I just quote someone who is close to my vote and modify to suit. :D

[dmdigital]

Don't ask for my opinion, I'm on holidays for the next 3 months:):):):):):)

Going to be taking lots of photos, but won't be thinking about photo comps for a while. I'll go with what ever is decided though.

I've already worked out I need another USB drive, the 400GB one isn't going to be enough for backups and photos:(

[matbor]

well.....to be honest that takes the biscuit for me..

I put a lot of time in believe it or not moving posts, starting new voting threads, counting votes, updating winners, deleting gossip in the upload thread as it was said that it takes longer to view the pics entered when its in there.

and you can't be bothered to type in three names...

To be honest I can't be bothered to make the effort either.

sorry just being honest and you where asking... and I am guessing this why other people don't vote either.

[dullbird]

sorry just being honest and you where asking...
and I am guessing this why other people don't vote either.

And I thank you for being honest....

But it really has highlighted something for me here. I don't get anything out of doing the comp I do it for you guys...the idea was to give people inspiration and a reason to get out the camera.

This is no longer happening (and I'm not even sure it really did)......and I'm sure its not because people have to write three names when voting. And if it is because of that (not soley) then I to am going to be honest I don't want to do it anymore!!....I don't see why I should be the only one putting in the effort.

Perhaps someone needs to take over the competitions, start a fresh get together work out what you want and how you want to do it. Obviously you need to be able to do this within the confines of the forum as your not moderators but I can stick things etc for you if you ask.

I will however Run White D3's comp as normal on Sun...as he has sent me what he wants already and I dont want to put a dampner on a truely deserved win.

[long stroke]

Fair enough DB;)
I would put my hand up but i don't think i'm up for it, know one would be able to read my spelling:D
Will be a shame if no one else takes it on:(

CHEERS TIM.

[dullbird]

Fair enough DB;)

I would put my hand up but i don't think i'm up for it, know one would be able to read my spelling:D
Will be a shame if no one else takes it on:(

CHEERS TIM.

And you think they can read mine;):p

[long stroke]

And you think they can read mine;):p

I can:D.............;)

[werdan]

I will however Run White D3's comp as normal on Sun...as he has sent me what he wants already and I dont want to put a dampner on a truely deserved win.

Hey db! If he's already submitted his idea, did you want to try the '2 weekend' thing and start the comp tonight?

[Sleepy]

I am sorry if you feel unappreciated Dullbird.

I, for one, appreciate both the comps and the Camera Corner area. I often just look at the photos and admire. But until I have something to contribute (when I get my new camera) I feel a little bit on the outer and tend not to say too much. A few "thank yous" and that's it.

I imagine there are many lurkers here that appreciate your efforts too - we don't say much but we certainly enjoy the threads, the photos and the comps.

It's a free world, so you know you can do what you like, but as all us Aulroians know, efforts such as yours keep this site a nice place to be.

Thanks. :)

[dullbird]

how about I Pm it to you and you take it from here?

[dullbird]

I am sorry if you feel unappreciated Dullbird.

I, for one, appreciate both the comps and the Camera Corner area. I often just look at the photos and admire. But until I have something to contribute (when I get my new camera) I feel a little bit on the outer and tend not to say too much. A few "thank yous" and that's it.

I imagine there are many lurkers here that appreciate your efforts too - we don't say much but we certainly enjoy the threads, the photos and the comps.

It's a free world, so you know you can do what you like, but as all us Aulroians know, efforts such as yours keep this site a nice place to be.

Thanks. :)

its not that I want to be thanked sleepy that's not what its about at all...I just feel some people don't appreciate that it is a two way street. that is why I'm over it. This is not the only forum I moderate and I do have a life just like the people that dont have time to upload or vote ( you might not think so due to the time I spend on here :lol2: )

[Sleepy]

Yeah I know what your getting at Lou. Bit like the calender response?
You sound like me at work.

And I just had to thank you when you said not to. Sorry.:D:p

[Bushie]

Well I'll put my hand up to take over.

Maybe I have no idea what it entails, but I'll give it a go and see what happens. DB if you want to drop Inc (or whoever needs) a PM and get me what ever rights are needed to do it. (or at least let him know you are not interested any more).

We can see how it pans out.



Martyn

[WhiteD3]

My 2 cents worth.

No we don't need a break.
More time to post pics would be good, say 2 weeks.
Voters select the best photo, not 1st, 2nd and 3rd?
The topics need to be accessible (as in able to be understood) by the average forum member which should encourage more entires.

By this I mean that the comp should be about the quality of the photo submitted (in all its attributes), not so much the clever interpretation of the subject.

Personally I love the comp and the photos submitted have inspired me to put more effort into photography in general.

[dullbird]

Well I'll put my hand up to take over.

Maybe I have no idea what it entails, but I'll give it a go and see what happens. DB if you want to drop Inc (or whoever needs) a PM and get me what ever rights are needed to do it. (or at least let him know you are not interested any more).

We can see how it pans out.



Martyn

Martin I think you have missunderstood....I'm not givingup moderation.

You can just continue on the competitions between you all. which can be done in here anyway you dont need to be a mod;)

So you just have to sort out the comps date start voting threads etc just let me know when you want something stickyed and when you want the winner thread updated

[Bushie]

well.....to be honest that takes the biscuit for me..

I put a lot of time in believe it or not moving posts, starting new voting threads, counting votes, updating winners, deleting gossip in the upload thread as it was said that it takes longer to view the pics entered when its in there.

and you can't be bothered to type in three names...

To be honest I can't be bothered to make the effort either.


My apologies, I interpreted this as you couldn't be bothered any more. :D


Martyn

[dullbird]

Oh god no!......(thats just in realtion to what the thread is about the comps)

I have no problem with the moderation (Camera corner was started by me)...more that was a little upset by the lack of effort some people applied with the comps and voting when I felt I went to a lot of effort to bring the comps every week...thats all.

And being as though it appears its time to bring on some changes to the comp to suit more people, I felt probably a good time feeling the way I do about them now to let someone take over. And I'm glad you put your hand up as I dont want to see them stop....i'm happy to help you I'm just over doing everything every week. for very little back.

I commented on it being a 2 way street.....and I dont believe it is thats why I can't be bothered to make the effort with the comps anymore. the effort needs to be made by both parties, and if the effort can't be made to make my life a little easier when doing this then I'm not prepared to do it either.

[Chucaro]

I guess that the problem is that AULRO it is not a photography forum and for that reason the members do not participate with comments in all the topics.
We can see this by looking at the posted images and the percentage of comments about them.
In couple of images I try to mke comments in the same form that we do on the photo forums but they didi not have a follow up.
I accept that we are not in a critique forum so I participate when my inputs can have some value.
In a competition I guess that the person that cast the vote have to say what he/she likes or not like about the image. In this way we all have the chance to learn from each other and photo apreciation.
There were questions about my images and if they always were heavy PP. I replayed to the comments but I never have a responce :(

Cheers

[Bushie]

Well I think the comps dead then.

You say you cant be bothered doing the behind the scenes stuff.


I put a lot of time in believe it or not moving posts, starting new voting threads, counting votes, updating winners, deleting gossip in the upload thread as it was said that it takes longer to view the pics entered when its in there.However I wont be able to do it, so I don't really see how it can work.

Shame


Martyn

[dullbird]

* Sigh*

Maybe it is then....I did say I was happy to help you. but you keep quoting and taking things a little out of context.

you obviously didn't read this



And I'm glad you put your hand up as I dont want to see them stop....i'm happy to help you I'm just over doing everything every week. for very little back.


my point about not making effort was not just that I couldn't be arsed any more...I was annoyed that it was two hard for people to type 3 names so I could pick winners if there was a draw. So I said if people are to lazy to do that then why should I put in the effort! and do what i do...listing some of the things i do.

I'm not going to explain my self any more....if you want help and hold the comps your self I will help you if you dont well so be it the comp dies after WhiteD3's one.

[dullbird]

DB....you would still have to put in some effort

ie
1. Stickying the comp thread
2. Editing out the extraneous posts to leave just the pics
3. Sticky the vote thread
4. Moderate the posts (which you do anyway as forum moderator)

In reality all you are achieving by handing it over is not having to count the votes and post the original comp post ;)

Well actually NM I dont have to do any of it apart from moderate...all that I did, was to help everyone that entered or voted to make life easier for them....(shame the favour couldn't be returned :) )

I would still do some of those things!! it takes two seconds to stick a thread.....I dont have to draw up the voting threads I dont have to write the times in i dont have to decide the start and finishing dates.

I dont have to count votes I dont have to congratualte the winner putting in the winning picture. i dont have to be at home on a sun at 6pm to start the thread if the person choosing the topic is unable to post it at that time.

There are a lot of things I dont have to do...;)

[dullbird]

Yeah that might be a good way of doing it lets see what Martyn comes up with as he has put his hand up to run them from now on....either way I'm happy to help out.

Bushie would you like me to forward you WhiteD3's Competition?

[Bushie]

Maybe I'm a slow learner but after the last few comps I'm about ready to give them away.

The last few comps have had few participants, and it's even been difficult to get winners to put up new topics.

Nobody has commented that there is no topic from last weeks comp, so maybe as a collective we don't really care.

Anyway - I've lost the drive to carry on with them , if someone else picks up the ball I'll still participate when I can.

Martyn

[Xtreme]

Although I didn't enter many, I enjoyed all the comps and thank you for everything you did in regard to them Martyn.

Unfortunately things don't always run forever and sometimes we need to give them a rest for a while and sometimes we simply move onto something else.

Anyway thanks again Martyn for all your time and effort in keeping them going as long as they did - and thanks to everyone who played a part.

[300+]

It is a shame, but entries are drying up, so why keep flogging the horse?

Maybe a break and see where the interest is? Would moving to monthly increase entries?

Either way, thanks to the moderators/organisers for the comps over the last few years. I enjoyed the fruits of your efforts, and it got me off my butt and taking pictures.

Cheers, Steve

[smurf]

i want them to keep going i think an additional rule too posting a photo in the comp should mean you have to vote maybe we should go back and dig up some old topics that lots of people entered too see if the interest is still there.i was abit disapointed in the lack of people entering and voting thoughbut with spring coming up i think there could be some good photos produced

[outasight]

I didn't know there were all these "rules" - I thought it was just an informal bit of fun looking at some nice shots.

Also, usually when entering any contest, the contestants shouldn't vote.

[werdan]

Thanks for your efforts, Bushie!

I know I haven't been much of a contributor this year compared to other years but with less free time lately, it's been an effort to get the camera out.

[WhiteD3]

Thanks for your efforts Bushie.

I'm one of the guilty parties who've stopped participating. I had no camera for 3 months after a break-in at home then I was doing a skin cancer treatment that kept me indoors. Now work is so busy I've got no time for the new camera anyway!

Just a suggestion; CiC run a mini comp that is automated. Open theme and once 10 entries are posted the comp is closed and a poll opened for 3 days.

Mini Competitions (http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/forums/forum6.htm)
Membership is free if you need to register to look at the forum.

Might be worth a look? CiC run two parallel mini comps being colour and B&W. We could do "LR related" and "Open" perhaps? Just a suggestion.

Inc is into his photography now so might find the CiC format of interest.

[blitz]

My 2 bobs worth:

I enjoy looking at them when I have time to get on here (which I have the last week or so)

I dont enter because I lack the confidence to put them up

I am still mentally deficient when it comes to putting a photo up

I dont vote umm not actually sure why?

P.S. I look to get inspiration and see how others compose their photos and which one win, then I try to analyse the composition, light, subject etc, of the photo so I can do better.

[incisor]

Inc is into his photography now so might find the CiC format of interest.

been looking for something like that but havent found anything i could use to automate it....

[dullbird]

Bushie I think you have done a fabulous job and you lasted a year longer than I did so I take my hat off to you:D

Perhaps just a short break and then we can come back with some thing fresh...

I haven't even really picked up my camera for the last few months...terrible really.