saxkiwi Loc: New Zealand

I have a bee in my bonnet with some of the photo competitions on this site. for e.g the latest one " Artisitic close up" which has just announced the winners. And good on the winners and congratulations to them but I feel a lot of people are up loading photos which don't in my thoughts fit the title of the competition. People are judging a photo I believe not from the competition title but from a photo in general. I feel the winning photo belonged in a portrait/study competition rather than "artistic close up. And second was the rain drop which has a great reflection in it but Im sorry people its out of focus which is why I discarded it immediately. The third one with the harsh flash lighting on the moth didn't really appeal to me as an artistic close up. There were plenty of photos in the comp that should have blown these three away so why do people judge as they do? The standards need to be lifted i think in judging and comp title and photo quality. I know there are a lot of amateur photographers on this site but surely its common sense to judge accordingly! Anyway my gripe for the day. Hope no one gets offended just some constructive criticism.

jazz7 Loc: Toronto

I have to agree with saxkiwi. There are indeed many lovely photographs submitted to the competition, but few fit the "brief" and ones that do meet the criteria fall by the wayside. I think only photos that portray what is called for should be accepted, not sure though whether that could be achieved. We seem to be doing well with the 'concrete' theme though, so perhaps being very specific about the content is what's needed, no room for misinterpretation -:)

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

The old saying..."One mans art is another mans scrap iron"..but I see what you mean. Maybe get a hold of St3v3M with some ideas and suggestions for upcoming contests.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Your observations are the exact reasons that I have not considered putting any of my photos in those competitions!
That and the big egos of some of the users here is why I am no longer posting any of my photos. I am very close to the point of not returning to the site at all.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Good morning everyone and thank you for your post. To be honest this has weighed on me since the first challenge and has been contested in private messages ever since. Allow me if you will to defend the current standings then ask for help.

When the challenge started I thought it would last a few times and eventually collapse on itself so I wanted to let everyone be involved which meant relaxed rules and worst of all overly simplistic challenges that encompass everyone.

For example, it is hard to do a challenge for Spring when half the world away is in Fall or even worse to do one on Macro when only a handful of people on this site really know what that means. In this I have to consider geography, weather, skill level, etc. It is not as easy as you might think to find something everyone can share in.

The biggest issues I think we face here though are education and skill level and in truth I could have done better. With Rule Of Thirds for example I could have added a brief explanation describing it, but on the other hand I have tried since the start to stay out of steering the entries one way or another in an effort to not skew them. Besides I am of the opinion most people will either Google It or PM me. I think too highly of looking it up I am sure.

And since we are on a rant, What Can I Do To Make The Rules More Obvious? I can't even begin to tell you how many people I have to PM... (that is another story)

Okay, so in short, these are challenges for bragging rights not contests with prizes, so how do I include everyone and not make the pros mad? My assumption is for upcoming 'technical' challenges to add a brief explanation explaining what it means, but how do I get people to read it when they don't even add titles?

On another note, as many people here know I am always open to suggestions, ideas, etc. so feel free to add them here or PM me!

Thank you again for taking the time to vent your opinions. SM

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Warhawk, listen to those you respect and ignore the rest.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I was the one to suggest "artistic close-up" and shortly after it started, I realized the title was too ambiguous.

The photos I've enjoyed the most in competitions since I joined UHH have been those thinking creatively about themes such as eyes, bridges, time. Or individual interpretations of something like "joy."

There have been many photos I've loved that received hardly any votes. But that follows the individual posts - sometimes I see what I believe are very mediocre photos receiving lots of praise.

I like st3v3M's mention of adding some guidance to the technical terms. But it's still the individuals who vote for whatever they like and whatever touches them. And if those photos end up being winners, we just have to move on -- and/or PM congrats to those you did like. I started doing that after someone PM'd me similar. That seems like an excellent way to show your support.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Oh - and one more thing: since I really enjoy the competitions, I want to give a BIG shout-out to st3v3M for all his hard work and time! It must be so frustrating to keep seeing entries untitled, and dealing with other issues. THANK YOU!!

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Thank you. Everyone of you make it fun!

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Thank you. Everyone of you make it fun!

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

I will make an addition to this weeks challenge and see how it goes, but please feel free to add your comments, suggestions or ideas.

tk Loc: Iowa

Maybe I am overly intuitive but I always understood what the competition was. Bragging rights and cudos from the voters. It is , I'm sure extremely difficult to get people to READ THE RULES. They just post, which is why many people post untitled shots when the rules clearly state SAY SOMETHING about the photo. If you don't like it don't submit. And I agree, sometimes friends vote for you and they shouldn't but look at how many people are shooting and posting.

I do understand Wahawk's frustration with a seeming change in the mood of UHH. There seems to be fewer people asking for help and asking for critique. But, I feel it is swinging back around and hope you stick around. I've gotten a bit frustrated at times but encourage those that ask for help to keep doing that and hope someone will read it and be encouraged.

Poke 'em with encouragement. If nobody bites, well, their loss.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Ouch. And after over 5.800 posts too.
Please reconsider and don't let the occasional numbskull or mindless comment get to you.
Please stay. UHH needs helpful and active folks like you.

jazz7 Loc: Toronto

I have to admit, I wouldn't like to have to come up with a different idea each week, and hats off to Steve for doing it. I'm aware this is about FUN, and I appreciate photos that not only have titles but also a description of the places photographed, but it is a bit frustrating to have photos recognized that have nothing to do with the theme of the "contest" . I thought the Rule of Thirds was a terrific theme, but it was obvious a lot of people had no idea what was required. Bottom line is, this is a fun competition with Amateur, Intermediate and Pro photographers all thrown together, and may the best photograph, which best represents the theme, win! Now, how are we going to achieve that.....off to have a think :-)

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Ditto! :thumbup: :thumbup: