Before putting up the next competition I thought I'd ask the regulars for any changes to the rules or ideas? I've a few ideas for titles but before putting one up wanted to make sure that we can keep the quantity and quality up :)

Oh, I promise not to choose the title "record producers in the studio" :D

http://recordproduction.smugmug.com/photos/217914398-M.jpg

Mike

As far as I can see, there's no reason why we can't use a theme that has already been used a few years ago, as many of us only got a decent camera in the past 12 months and would like to have a go with some of the previous themes.

Also, taking photos during the month itself can be a bit restrictive, especially since we're now in the time of year where it's dark when you leave for work, and dark when you get home again. It might be an idea to permit photos taken within the past year but that haven't previously been entered to be used, but perhaps with a bonus point on each score if it was taken within the month of the competition ?

John

Some random thoughts...

Sometimes a month is too long, other times it is too short... depends on the weather and all sorts of things. Regarding outdoors being dark, perhaps a theme that lends itself to indoor pictures (abstracts, closeups, glam.. sorry portraits, and so on) would work.

Over the last few weeks I've been participating in a competition in another forum where it ends every Sunday night. The winner of the competition sets the theme but can't enter. They judge all the entries and produce a specific critique of each entry, and the winner sets the next one, and so on. The main difference is that pictures don't have to be taken during the competition, so someone with a large archive of good pictures can just dip into it to find one that fits the theme. That makes for some good entries, but compared to the Scoobynet one it doesn't encourage learning new stuff, and new users are at a disadvantage. I find that the Scoobynet approach makes me actually take stuff I wouldn't normally do. I don't normally use colour but for 'Autumn Gear' I spent ages looking for something with effective colours for the competition.

How about just voting for the top three as well. That would make voting quicker and easier and might encourage more voters.

Should have been a week or two quick comp for the fireworks! :D

Fireworks are hard to capture. I only got a few last night hanging out of the bedroom window (they were in the field to the right of my house), and - all hand held so not nearly as sharp as they should have been:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2138/1885285342_4217f6b577.jpg

I had no idea on what settings to use, but ended up on manual focus on infinity and manual aperture and shutter speeds.

I think a C&C thread would be more helpful than a discussion thread comments on composition, technique, manipulation etc with out people taking it personally. I also think the photo should be taken in the time scale of the round as i think it inspires people to get out there and think instead of just looking through your archives.

As you may know, I am fairly new to this side of the forum. But I think that some valid points have been made.

Is there any reason why we can`t have a pic of the week for example? You may have taken a shot that doesn`t fit in with the category for the competetion. But you feel that you would like to share it with the forum.

Also this maybe used for c&c to further assist the skills of the photographer.

That is use of various aspects of their setup. Maybe over or under exposure for example.

I am only trying to further already excellent ideas that I have discovered throughout this forum.


Any thoughts Welcome

Regards

Ant

(Just Learning ;) )

As you may know, I am fairly new to this side of the forum. But I think that some valid points have been made.

Is there any reason why we can`t have a pic of the week for example? You may have taken a shot that doesn`t fit in with the category for the competetion. But you feel that you would like to share it with the forum.

Also this maybe used for c&c to further assist the skills of the photographer.

That is use of various aspects of their setup. Maybe over or under exposure for example.

I am only trying to further already excellent ideas that I have discovered throughout this forum.



Any thoughts Welcome

Regards

Ant

(Just Learning ;) )

I'd agree, I'd like to see a pic of the week.
I've thought before about starting a thread along the lines of 'bst pic of your kids, pic withing a mile of work' etc, less formal than the comp, and quicker to participate in

I prefer the shots to be taken in the timescale of the comps as again it does make people go out (or stay in) and take pictures

I find it a bit annoying that some pics get used over and over again on other comps I see running on other forums

On saying that Pic of the week sounds like a good idea, along with a C & C thread