Weekly competition no. 42 'Our House'

Very nice of you George to be so concerned on my behalf that the ‘burden’ of judging may be having an effect upon me.

Neither I nor Daniel seem to consider judging a burden, IMHO more an opportunity to examine in detail others work and thereby learn and improve my own skills as a photographer. Of course I cannot speak for Daniel but my ‘free time’ ‘is’ photography.

I agree that in special circumstances ie illness, business commitments that the judging may be passed on to another forum member as has happened in the past, so what is the problem?

I have just gone over my previous entries since Pete had the idea of this great comp and had to check how many times I had indeed won. It seems this weeks win, was for the sixth time, which IMHO does not constitute as George quotes an ” umpteenth win” out of 42 competitions.

Initially, not critiquing all entries sounds a good idea but then those entries would not gain insight as to why they did not get placed, which IMHO is a valuable prize in itself.

I get the feeling that my choice this week has not gone down too well, I try to choose a subject that hopefully pushes people out of their comfort zone to try something new and extend their skills that they would not under other circumstances try. Over the past 12 months I know I have gained skills in this way, even down to volunteering to take pics for the local rag on occasions to get over my shyness of approaching strangers for photographs.

Like Don says if it ain’t broke…..

My three pennyworth for what its worth.
Lilly

That's fine.

There is however another point, which is that perhaps it would be good for other people to have a go at judging, too.

Don't worry about your choice of subject. I tend, like several others, to choose pictures that I already have. I suspect that many people don't have a lot of pics of the local shop, and this will force them out to take some.

G

So that implies, that you can get to be a judge at Crufts because you own a dog (I don’t think it works like that).

Lilly

I'm sure it doesn't, but this isn't Crufts. There is a lot of money at stake at Crufts. This is a friendly place where people are trying to learn.

Incidentally, I wasn't concerned "on your behalf". I was concerned on behalf of everybody that we don't put off the better photographers. I was thinkiing of this:

"Again?!? (Without sounding smug, as that's not the intention, I promise )

Just the thought of judging again..."

It came from the heart, I think.

G

I really have nothing else to say to you, not even you George would put me off from entering this educational competition, end of conversation, leave it to the moderator.

I feel that it would be a backward step not to critique all of the entries.

I like to see each week what has been said about my entry in the hope of learning and improving.

I have not personally had to judge a competition but was on the sidelines when Belinda B. judged the "Wildlife" competition and I can see that the judges, as well, can learn much from the process.

I still feel that ending the competition at midnight on a Sunday could be improved, since this means either a very late night for the judge or trying to complete the judging on a Monday, when many are attempting to "earn a crust".

The full quote was:

I think that was after the second time of winning (trying not to sound smug again ), and was meant with tongue firmly in cheek - notive the smiley.

I think if anything would put me off taking part, it would be if you didn't get to judge the next week's competition. That's all part of the fun, and that's why I enter (assuming I have a good pic to put in).

I was only joking about Lilly's choice of subject, it's what interests her, and she does like to set more challenging themes.

We've had a good range of entries and winners over the weeks we've been doing this - I haven't won since January, and I think that's due to entries getting better all round, and the choices made by the particular judge for that week.

I people feel they should be handed the opportunity to judge, then so be it. I'd rather get that opportunity on my own merits.

Dan