Time for the 2009 Dave's Garden photo contest!

I don't know if that's explicitly addressed in the rules, but I would try to pick one category for it and just enter it once. If it's something like a rose which has a specific category of its own as well as potentially fitting into trees/shrubs, I would put it in the more specific category. Otherwise, put it in whichever one you feel it fits best.

When does voting begin?

The rules are listed on the link to the contest..
http://davesgarden.com/contest/2009/

Ah, thank you. I'd already gone to that page and got so
intrigued with the categories that I didn't even read the top part!

voting begins in the begining of next month, doesn't it?

Interesting about the slug photos. I hope people wouldn't be put off voting for a wonderful photo because they don't like the subject matter. (Or conversly vote for an ok photo because they like the subject).

I'm looking forward to voting, always find the contest interesting and a lot of fun.

Sue

Voting begins Nov 2

Still debating between a few pictures. Took some new ones this weekend, and now have to decide whether to delete my original entries, or stick with what I entered. I guess it's not like it is a one-time opportunity. We have this contest every year, and I don't see that changing any time soon! It's just my first time entering, so I want to enter ALL of my best pictures NOW! LOL

Angie

I know what you mean, Angie! i am exactly the same.
Isaac

I always enjoy viewing everyones photos and contributions. I see now that there are over 2000 entries and a lot of viewing will be going on a week from now.
I also make changes at the last minute ! I donät think I will do that this year though gonna be a good boy and stick with what I have so far! LOL

I think this one is going to be really tough! Can't wait to see everybody's entries!

Me too, voting is always so hard!

More difficult than choosing photos for the contest?
:) LOL

GGKin...Oh Yeah! I'll be glad when the closing date comes as I keep changing my mind! hehe

Ugghhhh the suspense is killing me!
I can't wait!!!

I find the judging much harder than the entering.

Entering is quick and easy--grab some of my favorites from the last year, figure out which categories they should be in, upload them, and done.

Judging is a long, grueling process--choose a category, look at picture, picture, picture, choose a favorite, back to the picture, picture (50-300 times), then narrow down the favorites to only a few, prioritize, submit, back to the categories to start over, for every category. Takes me days to do, but I try to get to all of the categories (even the bugs and pets, which don't interest me much)!

There are so many great photographers here, and it's cool that so many people are out taking pictures through the year, for whatever reason.

This isn't a contest photo, but I thought we needed more photos in the photo thread. ^_^

Sweet shot! A budding photographer!

That is a cute picture!

Nice shot of a nice shot!

I've been good this time and only made 1 change to my original entries. I have forbidden myself to go back and change any more...maybe.

I'm preparing to have my eyes crossing when judging begins! LOL. Still, I do love seeing everyone's entries.

Would someone tell me what is meant by the "Home Gardens" category?

Thanks!

Deb

It's for pictures of your garden (vs public gardens which have a full time staff to keep them beautiful)

Ah! Thanks, Ecrane. Thought it might refer to veggie gardens.

Great shot Tropic!!
LOL...DebSC
Most likely the only reason I'm not changing any of my photos is because I'm away from home and don't have access to my photos! THank goodness for that...lol I too believe I will be crosseyed when we begin to vote There are over 2250 entries!

OK, I am stumped for a catagory, any suggestions for a fern?
Next year maybe a foliage catagory would be good!

This message was edited Oct 29, 2009 9:41 AM

Is the fern potted? Could you call it "tropical"? If it is somewhere scenic outdoors it could be a landscape. Lots of possibilities!

It is in a pot but that is not apparent so I wouldn't consider it for that category. I do mostly close-up shots. No to the other two. Oh well, maybe I'll just have to skip it.

Close up... might be considered a macro shot?

Nope, got those already covered with more macro qualified images. Thanks anyways, I just have to forget it this time.

Since it will live over from year to year you could probably call it a perennial if you don't already have entries there (or a tree/shrub if it's big enough. Or if it's a fern that could be kept as a houseplant, houseplants are lumped in with tropicals so you could put it there. And there's always miscallaneous if you can't find anywhere else.

Well, that's the problem with taking so many pictures like I do and only being able to enter 2 per catagory, I already filled those catagories with my choices!

I had a hard time picking out my animal photos.
Animal is such a broad spectrum =X

I am curious. When the contest voting ends, will all the photos entered show how many votes they received or just the top three in each category? I was just thinking, that unless there is a count, you wouldn't know if you received any votes for your photo or not.

I hope Dave will show the counts like he did last year, just the tops ones plus the runner ups. I think it would be very dishearteneing to show all the counts, the ones at the bottom could be very discouraged and this contest is for fun and DG encourages everyone to show off the images they are proud of, even if others had different preferences.

I agree Calif_Sue. I wouldn't want anyone to be discouraged. It's about sharing what is special for each member.

When I see photos that I really like it inspires me! It isn't worth it to be discouraged about this very subjective contest. I think that showing numbers for the top 3 is fine but not necessary for the rest. The fun really comes in seeing all the diversity of the pictures. I can't wait to look!

I liked seeing last years runner ups too, thought that was nice, to see how close with the votes many were.

Good point, Sue. That way we can all imagine we came close. ;-) I was reading someone's post about how much time they spend voting and looking over every photo and I found that quite comforting. That and how many people have expressed how much they enjoy seeing everyone's photos. I voted last year and I sincerely did enjoy seeing every photo. And there were so many that I would have also liked to vote for.

Last year I spent an agonizing amount of time on a subject I thought would be very fast. I kept going back and forth between my favorites and admired all the talent DG people have.

I agree with only showing numbers of the top three. This is the first time for me and even though I am looking forward to seeing all the entries, I'm not looking forward to judging.

Reminds me of the times in high school when I was asked to judge student entries in our school district's science fairs - I enjoyed seeing the creative projects, but not fun having to select one to win.

Hack

We aren't expected to be professional photographers so we can just go with what "feels right". And change our minds, too. A very friendly contest.