Weekly Competition # 80 - Nearness

Agree with most of what`s been said, however my personal choice would be David`s. Hope the judges comments does not turn out to be a dead topic.

I just hope Johnny-Rino turns up or we are really in trouble!
P.S. Is a dead topic one thats been eaten? Tony-O

Thanks for the vote Kris. I found this competition a close call, like you I'm glad I wasn't the judge although as I've already said my winner would have been Tony's
david
PS. Thanks also to you Josh.

Well for me it was between Coriander and Davidtrout. Tony-(Ric)O(h)'s picture I liked too, I know the location quite well and their prohibition on photography

I'm not going to enter this again unless I believe that considered C+C will be forthcoming

Hi Gartmore,Just to let you know the that the last two Ricoh ho ho ho pics have been posted in the gallery.I'm a Pentax puritan from now on.Probably!
Tony-Pentax-Pal.

I agree

Welcome to photography competitions on Pentax User. Our users create new competitions every week based on a theme and pick winning images. The winner of the competitions get to host next weeks competition. It's great fun, so get involved!

Above is the wording from the competition header.

I think that this needs to be changed.

It makes no mention of constructive comments being made about all the images submitted.

It just mentions picking a winner - completely missing the point.

Whilst it is obviously nice for the winner to win and something we all aspire to, the main function of the competition, apart from fun, is for everyone to learn from the considered c & c from the judge, even if we do not always agree with what is said.

I think you guys are being a little harsh considering that out of 80 weekly competitions critiques have always been forthcoming, with only one previous and temporary glitch. This time it remains to be seen whether the comments will arrive.

There is no history of judges failing to deliver, but equally well they can't be forced!

Didn't we have this discussion earlier?? And I say it again........
What is wrong with stipulating some rules, so every participant who wishes to enter, knows what is expected on the judging part. And it doesn't have to be a problem, if someone isn't raised in the English Language.
We all know we are a forgiving lot, on that matter. As said by others.....The least you may expect by entering is a few words from the judge, what he feels about it. That the fun of it, isn't it?

Martin.

I would like to add what John and Martin say by repeating some of our colleagues in the Gallery and Forum speak other than English as their first language and may find commenting on dozens of pictures a very difficult task in what is to them a foreign language. Yes some of our friends from outside the English speaking countries have excellent English, but for some others it must be very difficult.
I know from experience that it takes up a lot of time doing C+C on every entry. Perhaps on the rare occasions this little difficulty arises we should be flexible and not put our judge under additional pressure. It doesn't happen very often.
david

All,

This forum has 7860 registered members as of today's date (19/1/09).

Not everyone wants to enter the weekly competition, some are content to look at the entries and appreciate the high standard attained.

However, the number of entries submitted as a percentage of the member total is very small, say about 18/7860 and that is 0.002% with many entries coming from regulars.

I have entered a few times but dread winning because of the onerous task of providing meaningful critiques come judging time a week later. Could this be putting members off entering? I know it is great to get feedback but if comments could be expected only on the winning entry and second and third place, then perhaps we could encourage more members to enter?

Dunno. Waddya think?...

Personally I think the critique part is *more* important for those outside the top three as they're the ones who need the input to see where they're going wrong.

Just my opinion though and like John says it doesn't happen very often so I'll carry on entering when I have something suitable...

Hi All,

Just to let you all know I'll be continuing with the usual format for 'C & C' after the close of the competition this week!

Thank you for confirming that! Cheers!

Good to hear and thank you for an interesting theme that should keep you busy

I do not think that this is a factor.

Whilst many of us joke about getting 'that coveted 2nd Place', the judging process can be very instructive in itself since it forces people to think about why they like one particular image more than another one.

I hope that you are a winner one day and you will see that if you approach the judging in an organised way, making notes regularly as the entries are submitted, it can be an enjoyable and informative process.