Monthly Photo Competition Poll

[DibblyDobbler]

Hi All.

We recently tweaked the monthly photo comp so that entries needed to be taken in the current month however this month there are very few/zero entries so far - so do we go back to the previous rule or stick with it as is.

Thoughts/opinions welcome!

[djsmith74]

To be honest, I think the lack of entries is a combination of post Xmas blues, illness (every man and his dog has the lurgy), bad weather, etc.

Personally, I prefer the rules to be one of photos taken this month only, as it gives me an incentive to get out and do some shooting - I've already been out once shooting symmetry, and plan on going out again!

However, if we're finding that there's a distinct lack of entries then perhaps allow photos taken in the last quarter, i.e. last 3months?

Just my thoughts...

Darren

[singlecoil]

My feeling is that the picture should be taken to suit the competition parameters, and therefore needs to be done that month. Going back any time before the parameters were announced is going to result in a picture which fits but wasn't taken specifically for the competition.

[Nigel_O]

If the purpose of the “taken in the current month” rule is to encourage more people to go out and take photos, then I’m happy with it - I can understand the reasoning behind it. However, it will result in less entries, as many people simply wont have time or can’t be bothered to go out to get the shot, especially at this time of year.

However, if the purpose of the competition is for us to share some of our best photos for the enjoyment of others, then we need to use our back catalogues. For example, I have a couple of great “symmetry” shots from last year, but I really don’t have time for a specific outing to get a symmetry shot and if I just find one at home, it will be mediocre.

So - I think we should re-consider the aim of the competition and then set the rules accordingly

[Craikeybaby]

It is too easy to just go back through your archive and find something that fits, I think it is much better to see the subject and to go out and take a photo to fit it!

[C&C]

Agree it should be current month.

November's encouraged me to take the camera to the fireworks (I'd probably have left it at home), and I intend going out this weekend to see what symmetrical things are out there. May not get anything decent, but it's better than leaving the camera at home, or just taking a compact or the phone, which is more likely what I'd have done.

[DibblyDobbler]

Thanks for the views so far Gents. My 2p worth... I think in an ideal world we would get a current pic taken every month but I do fear that we will find that the number of entries drops off pretty rapidly. In days gone by there was a Monthly Challenge which was run in this style and it died a death some time back which maybe gives a clue as to how this experiment will go...

Propose that we keep a watching brief for now and see how interest levels hold up? If plenty of people are keen enough to follow the current rule then fine otherwise I would suggest that going back to the old method would be better than nothing at all - it is just really meant to be a bit of fun after all

[singlecoil]

I'll see what I can knock up this afternoon. Looks like I could get a walkover...

[noell35]

I know January isn't great. One of the reasons I picked symmetry was because I thought it could be done inside if people didn't fancy venturing out.

[chrismarr]

I like the current set-up, don't think it needs changed yet personally.

Some months and themes are just more appealing than others for me, I don't know where to begin with symmetry .

[noell35]

chrismarr said:

I like the current set-up, don't think it needs changed yet personally.

Some months and themes are just more appealing than others for me, I don't know where to begin with symmetry .

You could just clone the boat out of the one from last month!

chrismarr said:

Just a boat by Chris Marr, on Flickr

[Dogsey]

DibblyDobbler said:

In days gone by there was a Monthly Challenge which was run in this style and it died a death some time back ...

This, for me, is why it should revert, it died after 4 years (I was actually surprised it had lasted that long tbh), most months of which were very poorly contributed to (there was one month where I won by being the only entrant!). The Competition, by contrast, has just entered it's 13th year and while it hasn't always seen huge numbers of entrants there's always been enough to see it keep going.

In the past I've always considered the subject and tried to find something to photograph for the competition, if I was lacking in time or inspiration then I'd revert back to my catalogue. There is nothing in the old rules that stops those who want to take a photo specifically for the competition in doing so, however the new rules stop anybody who doesn't have the time or inspiration from entering that month. A busier competition creates more interest and inspires people to try new ideas better than a quieter one will.

[chrismarr]

We could try and do something points wise each month, tally them up at the end of the year for the Pistonheads photographer of the year - You know the winner of the month gets 3 points and two runners up get one each. Something along those lines may tempt people to post each month and try and build something up.

Who wouldn't want to be the Pistonheads photographer of the year

[droopsnoot]

It is certainly limiting how often I can contribute, though I don't think I've entered more than a handful of times in any case. Does make it more of a challenge, though.

[Craikeybaby]

There was mention of prizes being awarded a while back, I'm not sure what has happened there.