Announcing the 5th annual DG Photo Contest!

No, we're not adding any more categories. There's only 2 weeks left in the contest.

dave

Dave, can we still add sub-categories?
Sandy

Yes, we can add judging categories all the way up through Nov 30th.

dave

Dave, we've had some discussion over on the Lilies Forum and have a request.

Under Lilies category could you please change the judging categories to:

Best Closeup
Best Combination or Group
Best Mixed Planting or Garden Scene

I have a question, and it may seem silly, but here it goes.
Can people vote for their own pictures? and if so, how will we know if it is a fair contest?

I suppose just like in elections, you can vote for yourself, but there are many people not running who vote so it works out. I would vote for what I thought was the best picture, not necessarily my own, but I don't really think it would cause a problem with so many entries and members.

In High School. my brother won class vice-president. I asked him if he voted for himself and he declared 'Yep, 18 times!!!' I imagine this voting will be fair because we can only vote once LOL

Rachel

I'm not voting for my images because I just don't feel that's right. Why should I? I KNOW mine are the best! '-)

On the one hand I feel it is just a friendly competition, but I am glad to have the opportunity to view such great photos. On the other hand, I am still taking it seriously and will vote on which photos I feel are the best in their respective categories and not because I may be a friend of someone's (as I said, excepting my own).

-Ron-

I think that you have answered my question, if we can only vote once for each of the pictures, then I guess it wouln't make a lot of difference,

Although 1 vote can tip the scales, it is really just for fun.

Josephine.

Do I understand this correctly? We are not actually entering a photo for competition, but rather what is *in* the photo? IOW, this is not a photography contest, but a subject contest......

Any photo contest has to consider subject as well as quality of the photo. Certainly a picture with a over-the-hill rose photographed beautifully would not win over a half-open rose at the obvious peak of vigor and also photographed beautifully.

I see both your points.

If I see two pictures taken of different sunsets, my vote would go to the one most pleasing to the eye. That may be due to color, or perspective, or whether or not there are birds or trees in the shot. It is most likely NOT going to be based on the photographer or the camera used or the speed of the film. I won't know any of that. All I'll know is what I see.

But I can't imagine a competition based strictly on "photography", unless every entry was of the same flower, using the same type of camera.

It's a friendly 'Gut Reaction' competition.
If you like it best, no matter what reason, vote for it.

You be the judge, and me, and her, and him...........

Ric

Seems to me that if you truly think your photo is the best after carefully viewing the others, there is no reason not to vote for your own. The trick is to try to be as objective as possible.

Ann

ok, i'm a new member and need some hand-holding here
is this a contest for regular people with inexpensive cameras who get a good shot now and then and want to share it
or is it for "photographers" wise in the ways of photoshop with thousands of dollars worth of equipment????
i'm feeling a little sheepish about my duffer entries - which are probably just "nice pictures"

mcgina..it's for everyone. I iimainge there are some folks on here who are photo buffs but most are just gardeners :)

All types of phototgraphs are entered....no one is excluded. All types of cameras are welcome too. The only thing that we discourage (but don't outlaw) is manipulation with a Photoshop type program.

The images can range from neat snapshots of pets, to dazzling shots that make time stand still. All are welcome, and all are given equal billing.

It's a friendly little competition among friends, and I love looking at every single entry. Even if I don't happen to vote for a shot, I still might enjoy the moment in time it represents. That's what we do when we take a picture...we have captured that split second that will never return.

If you think the shot is special, then it's an honor to see what you are feeling. You are giving a bit of yourself every time you show a photo....photography is a very personal art that is so much more than just snapping the shutter.

mcgine.........yes we are just regular folks with regular cameras who sometimes happen to get lucky and get a nice shot..........please share yours, each photo is unique and special!!!

Are we allowed to put two shots side-by-side for a before/after pic, do you think?

I think that would be cool!

I don't think there are a lot of "rules" for this contest... :-)

Am I missing something here???????

WHERE can i find a post to actually enter some pictures in this contest?

Where can I find the categories I want to submit pictures to?

Sorry if I have missed some previous instructions.....

Thanks, Gitagal

Gitagal,

The link is in the first post that Dave started the thread with. There you will find categories and subcategories.

Good Luck, Kelly

Personally, I would never vote for myself. You might get the prize, but is it worth the quick kick in the butt because you know you got it because of yourself. and not a true vote? I've always felt that way and will stick to that. I think most people from this garden wouldn't go there as well - we have good and honest people here.

I have some changes going on tomorrow that may mean that I might not even get an opportunity to vote. I just ask for your prayers - I'm going through a very difficult time right now and the situation I am in right now is not for me at all. I wish I'd have known. Prayers are definitely needed.

Thanks, Kelly!

I have another question now....

Through a hyperlink in another post, I entered 3 pictures of flowers, but then realized they were in the "Miscellaneous" category and should be in the "Flower" category.

Is there a way I can transfer them or should I re-post them in the correct category? Are multiple postings of the same pictures allowed???????

Thanks--anyone. Gita

Gita,

You can go to the category you posted them in and click on view picture you have posted, you can delete them from there and then enter them in the correct category.

Don't know if multiple postongs are allowed, sorry, can't help you with that one.

Kelly

I think Dave said - way on up this thread - no multiple postings of the same pic.

I think I entered 4 but can't remember what catagory they were in now, or where they went. So if Dave or Terry et al can look at them and move them for me, I'd appreciate it.

Looking at the top of this thread, the question of multiple postings is addressed in the first dozen or so messages.

Ann

You can also access it from the home page by clicking "Extras" then scroll down where it says "Photo Contest" and click on that and it lists the past several years' photo contests and click on "2005" contest.

This message was edited Nov 22, 2005 4:13 PM

I think Dave said you could re-post the pics if you want, in the new category that is more appropriate, but I didn't see where he said that you had to delete your original postings. I think, from what I read, is that he doesn't encourage multiple postings. I think we can all understand why.

So is there an easier way to move pictures that you already posted to the proper catagory?? I see now we have one for Flowers.....

Deann

Nope you need to repost the pic and remove the old pic..

Hi Dave

You said earlier you can still add subcategories up until the 30th, is it possible to add a fuchsia category to the flowers in general, as I feel this is as specialist as hemerocallis or irises.
Thanks

In the Fruits and Veggies category there is no judging category for Best Fruit photo nor Best Veggie photo. The judging categories are the following:

Best veggie patch, orchard or berry patch
Biggest tomato
Harvest basket (inclusive of all edibles)
Strangest veggie or fruit
Edible Plants in Flower

If I wish to add photos say of swiss chard, peppers, flowering cabbage (not in flower) do they need to be entered under Miscellaneous?

In the Iris Category, do photos of any plants being to the Iridaceae Family or do just plants in the genus Iris go here?

I added the veggie categories, htop. As for your iris question, it's up to the judges to decide what belongs. There's no harm in adding them in there (my opinion is that any Iridaceae would "fly")

wallaby1, fuchsia is added.

The deadline is tonight at midnight!!! Then the voting begins.

Oh, I can't Wait to see all those lovely pics,,,,,especially at this time of year here in WI,,,,,brrrr.

Kelly

Thanks, Dave.

Great, better get the running shoes on!

Hi Dave,
Maybe this is mentioned somewhere else but I didn't see it. How long, or how many days, will the voting run for?

Guess there will be plenty of people up late tonight. Hope you got enough power in that server, lol!

Thanks,
Erynne

LOL @ Erynne,,,,poor server will be smokin' tonight it will be getting so much traffic. And lots of tired DGer's in the morning.

Kely

You must be tired now.....you spelled your own name wrong!!! lol


edited to add that Dave thinks of me as pedantic so I have to live up to my title.

This message was edited Nov 30, 2005 1:27 PM