Fortnightly Competition - Do we want it?

Can we define whether it's judging as in picking first second and third or judging and having to pass comment on each entry.

I would vote for a comment (of some sort, at the very least).
I accept that I haven't won (this time) but would like a hint as to what I might do to improve (at least in the eyes of the judge, even though he/she might not be any better than me - but have at least scored a win)

regards
Bernard

The reason I enter is for the feedback. I'm trying to improve my photography, not win the non-existent prize. I'd appreciate feedback from anyone whose picture, in anyone's else's opinion, is more worthy than mine. A short polite helpful sentence would be enough. If I didn't get any feedback then I wouldn't bother to enter that individual's comps again. Also I don't always agree with the judge's choice but I do respect that their opinion is the one that counts. Surely its only fair that winners should take their turn at judging and commenting.

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Well we've had two people in the thread already. And the chances of winning the fortnightly are a lot higher with so few entries. It will almost become a certainty one will get to judge when there is only one entry. Which is looking more and more of a possibility....

More likely than not, the judge will pontificate (especially with people's expectations/encouragement), but I see no issue if they choose to keep schtum. Folks who crave feedback can request it in the unlikely event of the judge just judging.

If folks want status quo and to keep things they way they have always been done, not a problem, but the trajectory seems quite downward.

If you want feedback on a photo then the best way is to post it in 'Your Photos' and title it in such as way that you are asking for C&C. There are plenty of other photography websites that have specific sections for that too.

I do like to read the judges's comments, however I don't think it is necessary to comment on every entry, only on their 1,2,3. If they choose to comment on every entry then that's great .. but it shouldn't be an imperative.

Doug answered David's question so I don't think it needs repeating.

There may be other sites or areas of PU that give feedback on a particular image. That could be feedback on what is just a lucky shot. Feedback when the photograph is intended to meet a specific criteria is more targeted and therefore, IMHO, more useful.

+1

Bernard

Hmm a matter of opinion perhaps. One person's opinion (the judge's) versus many.

Thanks Doug.
David

I think the judge's minimum responsibility (picking 1st, 2nd and 3rd place) should be encapsulated in the rules, but that's where it should end. Making more detailed comments should be encouraged, rather than made a requirement IMO. Most people enjoy the challenge of critiquing each shot, and are aware that doing so is well appreciated by entrants, so I think the tradition of doing so will remain, by and large. However it would be nice to be inclusive to the minority of people who don't feel as comfortable with this.

I have to say that I think the judges reviews are a very important element for the weekly and fortnightly competitions.

For me it means that everyone who takes the trouble to enter gets something out of it regardless of whether they achieve a podium pace or commendation.

When I started in the competitions my pictures were often fairly bad but the comments kept me in and over time improved my photography skills. Certainly when I have, very occasionally, been in the privileged position to judge one of these competitions I have lots of feedback saying that the reviews were really appreciated.

I don't think long and deep reviews are necessary. A single, short, sentence for each entry is completely acceptable.

I also think the task is only onerous if left to the last minute. Very early on someone pointed out that best way to tackle the reviews was to spread them out and do then as the entries were submitted and this has worked well for me.

I found my first judging really daunting but actually it provided confidence and now I use these new skills to judge other competitions, something I certainly would have never thought myself capable of without the experience gained here.

I fear that without the reviews we might put people off, particularly our beginners or new members who don't think they have much chance of winning but are pleased to get something back to help them along.

Glyn

But people won't enter for fear of winning!!!! It's a ludicrous proposition! They won't get any feedback as they don't enter.

One size doesn't fit all.

If people are serious about feedback then join a club, enter the weekly, [when I do I mostly enter a new image and get far more and faster feedback to get you improving], do a course and get professional feedback, ask for C&C etc....

If you want a theme, make up your own, go out and shoot, edit them down and post the set and see what happens. Pull yourselves up by your bootstraps.

Mostly the winner WILL leave feedback but it should be up to them.

The trouble is that I think without the reviews you can only be in it to win.

Perhaps less so recently but certainly early on the the winners were mostly a small group of our more experienced members. Without having the reviews if you don't think you can win why bother to enter.

I worry that without a firm encouragement to include reviews people won't bother to do them and the competition will no longer be fully inclusive, may become an exclusive club and decay away.

Certainly without a commitment for reviews I don't intend to participate.

Glyn