Photo Comp

Mark Gowans said:

Why not create an account on fotopic. If some-one sets it up, the username and password can be
eMailed to those interested in uploading a photo. Fotopic's free and'll take care of all the
voting etc for you..

Just a thought..

I suppose that's a possibility, thanks for the suggestion.

There are a number of Photo Critique sites out there. One possibility would be to submit to those,
although anyone would be free to comment on them.

Paul
--
The October Project 2003
wildwales.fsnet.co.ukoctober.htmlOpen ↗
wilderness-wales.co.ukwilderness-wales.co.ukOpen ↗
photosig.comuserphotosOpen ↗

"John Laird" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
| On Mon, 13 Oct 2003 21:47:57 GMT, "ste ©" <[email hidden]> wrote:
|
| >"John Laird" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
| >"]news:[email hidden]...
| >| On Mon, 13 Oct 2003 12:02:13 GMT, "ste ©" <[email hidden]> wrote:
| >|
| >| >...so what do I win? ;o)
| >|
| >| A job on Blue Peter ?
| >
| >No, because the work on Blue Peter normally comes out better than that!
|
| Only the one they made earlier...
|
| --
| John

LOL! :o)

Ste

"Paul Saunders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
| ste © wrote:
|
| >> for example;
| >>
| >> Mountains Waterfalls Sunsets Coastal Woodland
|
| > Don't forget the macros, florals, people shots, etc. We can't have a competition where your
| > favourite category (Landscapes) is subdivided into 5 or more sub categories! ...nice try
| > though! ;o)
|
| What do you mean "my" favourite category? This is uk.rec.walking remember! Surely landscapes are
| everyone's favourite category in this newsgroup? This is a landscape group! I don't think florals
| and people shots are really appropriate, do you?

It was meant as a joke (see the wink!), but people shots may have been a poor example. But Florals,
Macros, Abstracts, Architecture & Animals/Wilflife would certainly be valid categories in my
opinion. Although I don't go camping or walk for 10 miles a day, I'll still take photos of a variety
of subjects in all these categories on a walk. After all, people can shoot *anything* they come
across on their walks, and not just landscapes. That's fair don't you think? It's not a landscape
group, it's a walking group, although I'd expect landscapes to play a major part in any categories
(but *not_the_only* categories).

Interestingly, if you check back on your Trip Report for October Day 5 at Worms Head, you describe
what you and Chris were taking photos of: "We then strolled around the coast to Tears Point,
stopping first to let Chris take some macro photographs of some worm like fossils in the area. Then
around the headland there was a fine view of Fall Bay with the long line of cliffs stretching away,
topped by interesting clouds. I took a few panoramics while Chris concentrated on butterflies and
flowers." As you can see, there should be more categories than just Landscapes, whatever personal
preferences are!

| > *THAT* crappy tripod! <grrr!>
|
| Oh by the way, now that you have the hot-shoe spirit level, do you realise the best way to use it?

Don't know about the *best* way, but I have *a* way! :o)

| You *don't* have to spend ages aligning the tripod anymore, you only need to get that set up
| *roughly* correct. As you move through each shot of the panorama, you can use the adjustments in
| the tripod head to level the camera for each individual shot. That may mean a moment or two spent
| fiddling for every shot in the pano, but it's much easier than getting the tripod set up for a
| perfect pan.

Thanks for the advice. At first, I was arsing about adjusting the height of a tripod leg to make
each shot even, but after a while, I soon figured that it was easier to adjust the head instead!
My tripod allows me to turn the tripod head in two directions, so depending on which direction
the camera is screwed on, I can either tilt the camera left and right (best for panoramas), or
up and down.

| Provided each individual shot is correctly leveled (in both directions), the shots will stitch up
| correctly.

My biggest problem previously, was extending the centre support of the tripod to it's maximum
height. As it was a screw-clamp to hold the height, I found that the height would slowly lower as I
was panning the camera on the tripod (as the clamp would also control the panning, as well as the
height). I now leave the tripod centre support at it's lowest, so there's nowhere for it to go now.

| Paul

Thanks,

Stephen

"Paul Saunders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
| ste © wrote:
|
| > Not really, but I've got about 70mb of spare webspace if anyone ever wanted to email me a photo
| > to put online. No bells or whistles though, and it would just be a straight link to the jpeg
| > image.
|
| That would be fine if you are prepared to do it.

It's no problem and wouldn't take any time for me to upload images to my webspace, they'd just take
the format of sm9.co.ukbeach.jpgOpen ↗. But like I said, it would just be a direct link
to an image, and not a fancy website or anything. I'm not offering to host the whole competition,
but I could help out anyone who wanted to enter but never had their own web space.

| > I guess this method links in with your idea of posting links to images in the group - perhaps as
| > a thread named: 'Photo Competition 1: Waterfalls.'
|
| That might be the best way to do it, one photo at a time. How about this for a structure?
|
| 1. Announce the competition, allow two weeks for photo submissions, with a *DEADLINE*. No voting
| until all the photos are in.
|
| 2. Two weeks for voting, with another deadline. All votes counted during this time. Winner
| announced at end of deadline.
|
| In fact, this could be a monthly thing, the first two weeks of each month would be photo
| submission time (from the 1st to the 15th). The last two weeks of each month would be voting time
| (16th to 30th/31st).
|
| So November would be the first competition.

That all sounds fine to me. I'll just sit back and wait for the announcement, then get snapping! :o)

| >Then people could post links to their images in this thread, and people could then reply in ths
| >thread to say which image they preferred.
|
| I think there are a few possible ways of voting;
|
| 1. Each person votes for their favourite photo, 1 vote per person.
|
| 2. Each person votes for their favourite three photos, giving three points for their first
| choice, two points for their second choice and 1 point for their third. (Or even five photos.)
|
| 3. Each person gives marks out of ten for *every* photo.
|
| Any other suggestions?

No, any of those ideas would be okay. I guess it's a case of 'who wants to add up the votes?' The
more votes people have, the more adding up there is...

| One more thing. Anyone with a vast photo library might have a bit of an advantage (no names
| mentioned), so how about a time based competition? For example, all entries must have been taken
| within the previous month. This would level the playing field somewhat.

I think this is the best idea of all, as it's something that would encourage people (me in
particular) to get out and take some photos! This way, there would be a target shot to be had, and
it would certainly be a challenge, although I don't expect to ever win anything (not with all the
competition out there!), but it would be cool to put my mind to something, rather than snapping
away randomly.

| So the November competition could be "Best October Photograph". :-) ;-) ;-) :-)
|
| ;-)
|
| ;-)
|
| ;-)

Wink wink indeed! ;o) Nudge nudge Paul... ;o)

I also take it the competitions would be a mixture of pros and amateurs then! :o)

| Paul

Ste

Paul Saunders said:

ste © said:

Quoted message said:

for example;

Mountains Waterfalls Sunsets Coastal Woodland

Quoted message said:

Don't forget the macros, florals, people shots, etc. We can't have a competition where your
favourite category (Landscapes) is subdivided into 5 or more sub categories! ...nice try
though! ;o)

What do you mean "my" favourite category? This is uk.rec.walking remember! Surely landscapes are
everyone's favourite category in this newsgroup? This is a landscape group! I don't think florals
and people shots are really appropriate, do you?

The best thing would be to set a theme appropriate to the time of year and invite entries. The
winner gets to chose the next theme. Four or six competitions a year so it doesn't get too taxing
for the person running it.

I reckon the best way is to set maximum image and file sizes (750x550 ish and 100kb should be OK)
and get somebody to host the competition on their webspace. You'd better get yours sorted Paul,
hint hint. Set a closing date for entries (one entry per person) and then have voting for a month
after that.
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"

ste © said:

It was meant as a joke (see the wink!), but people shots may have been a poor example.

Yeah, but then again, "people in landscapes" is a valid category I think, that is "landscapes with
people in them" rather than "photo of people with a landscape in the background". The few people
shots that I've put up in my October project are clearly of the latter type and thus not allowed.

Quoted message said:

But Florals, Macros, Abstracts, Architecture & Animals/Wilflife would certainly be valid
categories in my opinion.

Well all except Architecture I'd say. I mean, this isn't uk.rec.walking.around.towns.and.cities is
it? There's a distinct preference for hills and mountains in this group.

And abstract what exactly? ;-)

Quoted message said:

Although I don't go camping or walk for 10 miles a day, I'll still take photos of a variety of
subjects in all these categories on a walk. After all, people can shoot *anything* they come
across on their walks, and not just landscapes. That's fair don't you think?

Yes, of course.

Quoted message said:

Interestingly, if you check back on your Trip Report for October Day 5 at Worms Head,

Yeah, yeah, I know...

Paul
--
The October Project 2003
wildwales.fsnet.co.ukoctober.htmlOpen ↗
wilderness-wales.co.ukwilderness-wales.co.ukOpen ↗
photosig.comuserphotosOpen ↗

ste © said:

No, any of those ideas would be okay. I guess it's a case of 'who wants to add up the votes?' The
more votes people have, the more adding up there is...

Call me cynical but I don't think we'll have too many voters, so adding up shouldn't be a problem.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

One more thing. Anyone with a vast photo library might have a bit of an advantage (no names
mentioned), so how about a time based competition? For example, all entries must have been taken
within the previous month. This would level the playing field somewhat.

I think this is the best idea of all, as it's something that would encourage people (me in
particular) to get out and take some photos! This way, there would be a target shot to be had, and
it would certainly be a challenge, although I don't expect to ever win anything (not with all the
competition out there!), but it would be cool to put my mind to something, rather than snapping
away randomly.

So in October we'd be taking photos for the November competition? So we'd need to announce the
assignment beforehand then. So what's the November assignment going to be? Best waterfall? ;-)

Actually, to make it more of a challenge, how about best sunrise/sunset? So far I haven't seen a
single one this month!

No, forget that. The November assignment has to be the autumn colours! The best colours usually
occur in the last week of October, so everyone is in with a chance there, and it even gives film
photographers time to develop their shots in time for the deadline.

So I propose;

November Assignment: Autumn Colours Photos must be taken from 1st October 2003 onwards. Photos to
be submitted between 1st and 15th of November. Voting from 16th to 30th November. Winner announced
1st December.

What do you think?

Quoted message said:

I also take it the competitions would be a mixture of pros and amateurs then! :o)

I guess so. Never thought of myself as a pro before.

Paul
--
The October Project 2003
wildwales.fsnet.co.ukoctober.htmlOpen ↗
wilderness-wales.co.ukwilderness-wales.co.ukOpen ↗
photosig.comuserphotosOpen ↗

Phil Cook said:

The best thing would be to set a theme appropriate to the time of year and invite entries. The
winner gets to chose the next theme.

So who chooses the first theme? Who started this thread? Autumn colours seems logical, but the comp
wasn't my idea.

Quoted message said:

Four or six competitions a year so it doesn't get too taxing for the person running it.

Perhaps, depends on how much is involved. Why not start with one and see how it goes?

Quoted message said:

I reckon the best way is to set maximum image and file sizes (750x550 ish and 100kb should be OK)
and get somebody to host the competition on their webspace. You'd better get yours sorted Paul,
hint hint. Set a closing date for entries (one entry per person) and then have voting for a month
after that.

A whole month?

Paul
--
The October Project 2003
wildwales.fsnet.co.ukoctober.htmlOpen ↗
wilderness-wales.co.ukwilderness-wales.co.ukOpen ↗
photosig.comuserphotosOpen ↗

"Paul Saunders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
| ste © wrote:
|
| > It was meant as a joke (see the wink!), but people shots may have been a poor example.
|
| Yeah, but then again, "people in landscapes" is a valid category I think, that is "landscapes with
| people in them" rather than "photo of people with a landscape in the background". The few people
| shots that I've put up in my October project are clearly of the latter type and thus not allowed.

Yes, you could have shots like your Day 12. Or I've also seen shots of people rock climbing, or like
one of Mike Reids shots (of his wife on a mountain? ...Whatever he put on photosig once). I also
agree with what you say about the people shots that shouldn't be allowed.

| > But Florals, Macros, Abstracts, Architecture & Animals/Wilflife would certainly be valid
| > categories in my opinion.
|
| Well all except Architecture I'd say. I mean, this isn't uk.rec.walking.around.towns.and.cities is
| it? There's a distinct preference for hills and mountains in this group.

I said architecture because I'm always seeing interesting buildings on my walks. I went on a day
trip to the east coast of England a few weeks ago, and I had a short walk under the Humber Bridge:
sm9.co.ukhumber bridge.jpgOpen ↗. I also went for a walk at Flamborough Head, and
they had a few nice lighthouses there: sm9.co.uklighthouse.jpgOpen ↗ I could have
equally posted a shot of a coastal scene at Flamborough instead, or even the beautiful white
cliffs there, but I found the lighthouses to be as stricking as any of these other features. Just
my opinion of course.

| And abstract what exactly? ;-)

I guess this could be similar to macro shots, or small details (perhaps ripples on the sand, or
something else arty?).

| > Although I don't go camping or walk for 10 miles a day, I'll still take photos of a variety of
| > subjects in all these categories on a walk. After all, people can shoot *anything* they come
| > across on their walks, and not just landscapes. That's fair don't you think?
|
| Yes, of course.
|
| > Interestingly, if you check back on your Trip Report for October Day 5 at Worms Head,
|
| Yeah, yeah, I know...
|
| Paul

Anyway, enough posting, I'm going to bed! :o)

Take care,

Stephen

Paul Saunders said:

ste © said:

It was meant as a joke (see the wink!), but people shots may have been a poor example.

Yeah, but then again, "people in landscapes" is a valid category I think, that is "landscapes with
people in them" rather than "photo of people with a landscape in the background". The few people
shots that I've put up in my October project are clearly of the latter type and thus not allowed.

Quoted message said:

But Florals, Macros, Abstracts, Architecture & Animals/Wilflife would certainly be valid
categories in my opinion.

Well all except Architecture I'd say. I mean, this isn't uk.rec.walking.around.towns.and.cities is
it? There's a distinct preference for hills and mountains in this group.

Ahem! There you go making assumptions. A good deal of my walking involves towns and cities, and not
just the stuff I do for a living.

It's no less walking because it isn't on moor and mountain.
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"

Paul Saunders said:

Phil Cook said:

The best thing would be to set a theme appropriate to the time of year and invite entries. The
winner gets to chose the next theme.

So who chooses the first theme? Who started this thread? Autumn colours seems logical, but the comp
wasn't my idea.

OK then "Autumn Colour" is the first theme. When's the closing date and who is hosting it?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Four or six competitions a year so it doesn't get too taxing for the person running it.

Perhaps, depends on how much is involved. Why not start with one and see how it goes?

Quoted message said:

I reckon the best way is to set maximum image and file sizes (750x550 ish and 100kb should be OK)
and get somebody to host the competition on their webspace. You'd better get yours sorted Paul,
hint hint. Set a closing date for entries (one entry per person) and then have voting for a month
after that.

A whole month?

People go away...

....and come back

--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"

"Paul Saunders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
| ste © wrote:
|
| > No, any of those ideas would be okay. I guess it's a case of 'who wants to add up the votes?'
| > The more votes people have, the more adding up there is...
|
| Call me cynical but I don't think we'll have too many voters, so adding up shouldn't be a problem.

So I can keep my socks on then? :o)

| >> One more thing. Anyone with a vast photo library might have a bit of an advantage (no names
| >> mentioned), so how about a time based competition? For example, all entries must have been
| >> taken within the previous month. This would level the playing field somewhat.
| >
| > I think this is the best idea of all, as it's something that would encourage people (me in
| > particular) to get out and take some photos! This way, there would be a target shot to be had,
| > and it would certainly be a challenge, although I don't expect to ever win anything (not with
| > all the competition out there!), but it would be cool to put my mind to something, rather than
| > snapping away randomly.
|
| So in October we'd be taking photos for the November competition? So we'd need to announce the
| assignment beforehand then. So what's the November assignment going to be? Best waterfall? ;-)

Definitely a category that you'll be entering then! ;o)

| Actually, to make it more of a challenge, how about best sunrise/sunset? So far I haven't seen a
| single one this month!

I seen a sunset yesterday over the beach, with a lovely bright pink sky. Unfortunately, by the time
I'd drove to the beach, parked the car, and walked along the coastal path, the pink sky had
disappeared and it was really [censored]. I was gutted, I'd even brought the tripod along too... Next
time, I'll just pull the car over and take it wherever I am!

| No, forget that. The November assignment has to be the autumn colours! The best colours usually
| occur in the last week of October, so everyone is in with a chance there, and it even gives film
| photographers time to develop their shots in time for the deadline.
|
| So I propose;
|
| November Assignment: Autumn Colours Photos must be taken from 1st October 2003 onwards. Photos to
| be submitted between 1st and 15th of November. Voting from 16th to 30th November. Winner announced
| 1st December.
|
| What do you think?

Sounds good to have the theme based on the seasons, and those dates seem fine too.

Also:

One photo per person? A maximum file size (both dimensions and file size)?

For the file size, how about around 700 x 525? And 250kb max? I don't mind what these are to be
honest, but it would be good to keep the image within a 800 x 600 monitor, and as a broadband user,
the size isn't a problem (for me) either, but 250kb seems to fit in within what other photography
sites have (photosig has 360kb, and usefilm has 200kb I think).

Just need to figure out exactly what the scoring system will, and how this will be done? I know
you've had ideas, so it's just a case of deciding on one, or if there are others?

| > I also take it the competitions would be a mixture of pros and amateurs then! :o)
|
| I guess so. Never thought of myself as a pro before.

I don't suppose you're going to have a rule which gives the amateurs a head start then? ;o)

| Paul

Ste

Phil Cook said:

Ahem! There you go making assumptions. A good deal of my walking involves towns and cities, and
not just the stuff I do for a living.

It's no less walking because it isn't on moor and mountain.

True. I'm just [censored] at photographing buildings.

Oh, one more thing, these photos, should we have a rule that they must be taken during a walk? Not
something that would have occurred to me with most landscapes since walking is unavoidable to get to
such places, but with architechtural photography you could just drive around with a pile of gear in
the boot of the car.

Paul
--
The October Project 2003
wildwales.fsnet.co.ukoctober.htmlOpen ↗
wilderness-wales.co.ukwilderness-wales.co.ukOpen ↗
photosig.comuserphotosOpen ↗

Phil Cook said:

OK then "Autumn Colour" is the first theme. When's the closing date and who is hosting it?

Didn't you see my other posting regarding this?

Ste has offered.

Paul
--
The October Project 2003
wildwales.fsnet.co.ukoctober.htmlOpen ↗
wilderness-wales.co.ukwilderness-wales.co.ukOpen ↗
photosig.comuserphotosOpen ↗

"Paul Saunders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
| Phil Cook wrote:
|
| > Ahem! There you go making assumptions. A good deal of my walking involves towns and cities, and
| > not just the stuff I do for a living.
| >
| > It's no less walking because it isn't on moor and mountain.
|
| True. I'm just [censored] at photographing buildings.
|
| Oh, one more thing, these photos, should we have a rule that they must be taken during a walk? Not
| something that would have occurred to me with most landscapes since walking is unavoidable to get
| to such places, but with architechtural photography you could just drive around with a pile of
| gear in the boot of the car.

The photos should definitely be taking during a walk, but it would be one of those things which
would be hard to prove otherwise. At the end of the day, as it's a walking group and there's no
prize money involved (if Jessops are watching, how about a EOS 10D? :o)), it should work out okay.
At the very worse, I'm sure tha if someone posted a photo that didn't fit in, people just wouldn't
vote for it.

| Paul

Regards,

Ste

ste © said:

The photos should definitely be taking during a walk, but it would be one of those things which
would be hard to prove otherwise. At the end of the day, as it's a walking group and there's no
prize money involved (if Jessops are watching, how about a EOS 10D? :o)), it should work out okay.

How about an entry fee? Every submission costs a fiver, winner takes the lot? ;-)

Quoted message said:

At the very worse, I'm sure tha if someone posted a photo that didn't fit in, people just wouldn't
vote for it.

I wouldn't be so sure.

Paul
--
The October Project 2003
wildwales.fsnet.co.ukoctober.htmlOpen ↗
wilderness-wales.co.ukwilderness-wales.co.ukOpen ↗
photosig.comuserphotosOpen ↗

"Paul Saunders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
| ste © wrote:
|
| > The photos should definitely be taking during a walk, but it would be one of those things
| > which would be hard to prove otherwise. At the end of the day, as it's a walking group and
| > there's no prize money involved (if Jessops are watching, how about a EOS 10D? :o)), it should
| > work out okay.
|
| How about an entry fee? Every submission costs a fiver, winner takes the lot? ;-)

Nahhh, that would jeopardise my amateur status... :-P

| > At the very worse, I'm sure tha if someone posted a photo that didn't fit in, people just
| > wouldn't vote for it.
|
| I wouldn't be so sure.

Naked women it is then... ;o)

| Paul

Ste

ste © said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

But Florals, Macros, Abstracts, Architecture & Animals/Wilflife would certainly be valid
categories in my opinion.

Well all except Architecture I'd say. I mean, this isn't uk.rec.walking.around.towns.and.cities
is it? There's a distinct preference for hills and mountains in this group.

I said architecture because I'm always seeing interesting buildings on my walks. I went on a day
trip to the east coast of England a few weeks ago, and I had a short walk under the Humber Bridge:
sm9.co.ukhumber bridge.jpgOpen ↗. I also went for a walk at Flamborough Head, and
they had a few nice lighthouses there: sm9.co.uklighthouse.jpgOpen ↗ I could have
equally posted a shot of a coastal scene at Flamborough instead, or even the beautiful white
cliffs there, but I found the lighthouses to be as stricking as any of these other features. Just
my opinion of course.

Fair enough, it just rarely interests me.

Paul
--
The October Project 2003
wildwales.fsnet.co.ukoctober.htmlOpen ↗
wilderness-wales.co.ukwilderness-wales.co.ukOpen ↗
photosig.comuserphotosOpen ↗