Contest Rules and Topics Discussion

Mark Watson Apr 23, 2009

  1. mrhedley

    mrhedley TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the feedback. Once I move back in to the layout room for the hibernation period, I'll try to participate more. Maybe I'll be fortunate as you have each pointed out and I'll get some constructive feedback that will correct some of my deficiencies as a photographer and a modeler, too! It's much more fun sharing our efforts with others, than hiding them in a cave!

    Ron
     
  2. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    Nominated Photo Contest, yes? no?

    We were throwing around the idea of having a contest in which members would nominate photos from other members (limited to photos hosted on Trainboard.com and Railimages.com). The win would be credited to the photographer, obviously.

    We never got the idea straightened out before Mr. Train was called away on business, the reason for his recent absence, so I figured I'd open up the idea here and get some opinions from you guys.

    Thoughts? [​IMG]
     
  3. HOexplorer

    HOexplorer TrainBoard Supporter

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    Good idea, but do enough of us have time to go through the thousands of photos here? I'll think on this some more. Cheers, Jim CCRR/Socalz44
     
  4. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    2009 Contest Season Wrap Up

    Hey everyone,

    As we near December I though it would be a good idea to take some time to brainstorm any ideas on how to wrap up our 2009 contest season.

    I think a "photo of the year contest" is a good idea to start out with, but there are too many options on how to run this special contest for me to decide alone. Before I flat out release some of my ideas, I'd like to get some fresh opinions and suggestions on what you all think would be a fun way to wrap up the year in photo challenges. [​IMG]


    And dont forget to vote for this weekends prototype contest.
     
  5. Stourbridge Lion

    Stourbridge Lion TrainBoard Supporter

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    "Seasonal"
    :present: :ip: :qq: :clock2:

     
  6. BuddyBurton

    BuddyBurton TrainBoard Supporter

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    Maybe do a bracket system.
    Sort of like the NCAA Tournament does, but the only difference is the photos will be voted on during a 24 hour time limit.

    The final two photos will square off in a 48 hour vote to determine the winner for 2009.

    Maybe do it during the month of December. Announce the winner on New Years Eve 2009.
     
  7. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    Good ideas. Let's decide which photos should be eligible. Do we vote on the best overall weekend winner? or doe we hold a separate contest, open for any photo taken in 2009?

    Or perhaps we can do both. A "Photo Winner of the Year" and a "Photo of the Year" award?

    I'm partial to the idea of allowing each member 3 or so entries with no topic requirement. Deadline could be maybe Christmas. Then we'll have the voting bracket.
    The only loose end is that many people travel for Christmas, being left with minimal or no internet access, so how would we compensate for that? Maybe the entry deadline would have to be New Years, since between Christmas and then is still 2009.
     
  8. Tbone

    Tbone Permanently dispatched

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    What about the people like myself who has never won a photo contest?
     
  9. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    You would still be free to submit entries to the "Photo of the Year" contest.

    The "Photo Winner of the Year" would aim select the best photo of those who have already won. Now that I think about it, that might reach beyond the "fun" factor of some, as you stated, what about those who've never won.

    So I think as of now, unless someone can convince me other wise, we'll just focus on a "Photo of the Year" contest, open to all members.
     
  10. BuddyBurton

    BuddyBurton TrainBoard Supporter

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    I'm all for it. I do have a couple good ones from this year plus I may have another one or two to add.
     
  11. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    Well December is TOMORROW! Last chance to get any ideas in for the end of the year wrap up.

    As it stands right now, here is the plan:

    All challenges are "No Subject" and open to any theme of the photographers choice.
    Each member will be allowed 3 entries.

    4 Contest categories -

    • Modeling Photo of the Year
    • Novice Modeling Photo of the Year
    • Prototype Photo of the Year
    • Novice Prototype Photo of the Year
    Novice challenges are closed to anyone who has won a photo challenge in the year 2009. A novice may enter the standard challenge, in addition or instead of entering the novice challenge. If entering both challenges, a novice may also choose to enter the same 3 images in each challenge or to enter 3 different images for each challenge, allowing for 6 different overall possible entries. (I hope that makes sense).

    The submission period for entries will be December 1st through December 31st and open to any photograph taken in the year 2009. (I may require everyone to state, at very least, the month and if possible the day in which the photo was taken, however I am undecided on this point still)

    Depending on the number of entries, a special voting bracket will have to be custom built at the end of the submission period. TB polls only allow for 25 options (and I hope we get much more than 25 entries per challenge on this one) so entries will have to be divided carefully.

    Simultaneously, we will also be holding our end of the year VIDEO challenge wrap up!
    Since 2009 held only a few past video challenges there will be no Novice/Standard separation. This challenge will be held in the same way as the August video challenge, except that the winner's video will be named the video of the year!


    So, if anyone has any objections or further suggestions, act now or forever hold your peace! :D Otherwise, these challenges get posted TOMORROW!
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    I would also like to take the time to touch on the subject of "Self voting" that has tapped the challenge thread more than once recently. I want to further stress that there is no restriction on voting. Self voting, swing voting, buddy voting, ect is all part of the game. The statement for voting states "Choose your favorite photo(s)" and if entered, the photographer's own photo is usually among their own favorite. In any case, rarely does it come down to the "true vote" vs "the photographers own self-vote", and when it does it makes logical sense that a photographer who believes his own entry is worth his own vote should step ahead of the photographer who judges all except his own. Therfore, if you truely want your photo to win, it should deserve your own vote.

    This might raise some further discussion, and by all means please share your opinions as that is the intent of this thread. However even if a strong objective opinion is raised, there is still no option within the polling structure of Trainboard to deter self voting.
     
  12. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Mark,

    If the photo could have been taken any time this year, would film photography also be allowed? Usually, there is no way I am going to shoot a roll of film and entrust it to the vagaries of the few one-hour processor hacks left just to get something in the contest, but if it is generalized to the entire year....

    Adam
     
  13. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    Of course. I understand about the dreaded 1-hour photo processing when it comes to praised film photography. In the end, a photo is a photo but perhaps a word or two on the process/set up of using film when submitting the entry might appeal to voters. :)
     
  14. jhn_plsn

    jhn_plsn TrainBoard Supporter

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    Please do not misunderstand me but shouldn't the photos be nominated for voting. Its a big deal as its for the entire year and every novice should be considered equally weather they won in past months or not. I don't want to step on any toes but it seems this should be from photos already posted in during the last year.

    Just my .02 cents.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 16, 2009
  15. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    Those are good questions and they were considered in the Contest Rules and Topics Discussion starting on post 24 with how to set up our end of the year wrap up.

    We've looked at nominating photos in the past and found that introduces a world of complications, such as nominating a photo who's owner does not wish to participate or worse, someone being left out because they received no nomination. So by everyone entering their own photo(s), everyone's satisfied. Remember, we're here to have FUN and nothing is at stake. Winners receive only the title and the "TBPhotowinner" icon for their signature.

    We also looked at having a Photo Winner of the Year award, but decided against that as well. Past photo winners have already had their glory and such contest would just be redundant. However, if your photo did win a past contest, it would probably be wise to submit it again, only not to the novice contest.

    Finally, by splitting up the contest into regular and novice, we're opening the field to more participation. Anyone who has not already won a previous 2009 photo challenge is free to enter any or all, of the 2009 Photo of the Year contests while anyone who has won a past contest is only able to enter the regular proto/modeling contests. Within each contest, all entries will be considered equally, but only the best 3, as decided by the TrainBoard community will be named the TrainBoard 2009 Photos of the Year. Any TrainBoard member may vote, regardless of whether they submitted an entry or not.

    I hope that answers your questions sufficiently. If not, you know where to find me. :)
     
  16. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    One extra thing, if you do wish to nominate anther's photo, feel free to send that member a PM inviting them to participate. Just remember it is their photo and they may not wish to participate.
     
  17. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    Update:

    I know I've been kind of slow finishing off the 2009 End of Year contests here, but bear with me, I'm just one soul. I'll get the first of the last 4 polls underway tomorrow, then post the next polls once a day for the next 3 days.

    See, its ok, you can breathe now. :D
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 19, 2010
  18. Stourbridge Lion

    Stourbridge Lion TrainBoard Supporter

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    Call 911, I'm turning BLUE!!!!!!! :doctor: :doctor: :doctor: :doctor:
     
  19. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    Give me some feedback on the 2009 End of the Year Contests!

    Well our final End of the Year contest will be all finished in a few hours so I'd like to take the time now and fish for some feedback. Do you guys think this was a successful wrap up for our 2009 Photo/Video challenges? If no, why not? Are there any other questions/comments/concerns to these photo/video challenges? Now is the time to voice your opinions. :)

    I've had a blast as the host, and I know Mr. Train had a great time too before his availability changed. Our biggest goal is to get everyone to have fun as well, and I think we had a very successful 2009 in that aspect. :D

    The 2010 season starts up this weekend!! :D
     
  20. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    Prize Icons

    I just sent out the last round of prize messages for everyone who has won a photo or video contest in 2009. If you have won but did not receive your prize instructions, please let me know! :)

    Other than that, let's kick off the 2010 Photo/Video Challenge season with a bang!
    Weekend Modeling Photo Challenge "No Subject" Ends Monday February 8th.
    :D:D:D
     

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