 Maryannebenusisphoto.com - Mary-Anne Benusis  Contact Mary-Anne Benusis Mary-Anne Benusis's Gallery |
Contests I have seen wonderful (just my opinion) and amazing photos (my opinion only) over looked. And I have seen photos that lack imagination, resemble mass produced greeting cards, simple and blurry etc photos celebrated as contest winners. (simply my opinion). Are contest winners only considered if they have taken BP photography courses? thank you for your time
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- Usman M. Bajwa Contact Usman M. Bajwa Usman M. Bajwa's Gallery |
Nope, I don't think so. I have yet to take a class and have been fortunate to get a few badges over the years and I happen to live on the other side of World too. And also I do get inspired from all the Winners, some more than the others, but all are badge worthy (just my opinion). UB.
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- Jill Odice Contact Jill Odice Jill Odice's Gallery |
I also have never taken any classes and through the years have won several times and had many finalists. It is a mystery to us how they do the picking...it's just a contest, it isn't like we actually win anything anymore...back when I joined BP was free and you could win a years membership if you got a 2nd place,a camera bag for 1st place and a deluxe website if you got a grand prize winner..
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- Ken Smith Contact Ken Smith Ken Smith's Gallery |
MaryAnne, similar to Usman and Jill, I have not taken any classes and have gotten some finalists and gold medals. Likewise, I know of others that have taken 5+ classes, without getting many finalists or gold medals.
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countryimpressions.net - Tammy M. Anderson Contact Tammy M. Anderson Tammy M. Anderson's Gallery |
I agreement with Usman, Jill and Ken. Have never taken a class and received Gold, finalist and POTD. In my opinion the Judges are doing great at picking the winners and finalists. To me they are always well worth the awards they received.
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Tiia Vissak |
I have not taken any classes, either, and I've got a few 2nd places, lots of finalists and a couple of staff favorites. Still, I've noticed that a lot has changed this year: e.g. in the beginning of 2013 I got editors' picks for almost every image, while so far, I've got only 2 for November and none for December. Also, I agree that some badge winning photos are not very original and/or creative and some are not techically perfect but, on the other hand, some are...
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- Carolyn M. Fletcher  Contact Carolyn M. Fletcher Carolyn M. Fletcher's Gallery |
Same here. Never any classes and yet I've had a lot of finalists and some winners, too. Definitely the courses have nothing to do with it. We would all agree with you that many great images are passed over and some that maybe aren't so great move on to gold, but as they always say, it's all subjective.
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Maryannebenusisphoto.com - Mary-Anne Benusis Contact Mary-Anne Benusis Mary-Anne Benusis's Gallery |
I am so thankful to read that feedback. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post! Happy Holidays!
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- Betty Ann Kelly Contact Betty Ann Kelly Betty Ann Kelly's Gallery |
I was wondering the same thing and am glad to see the responses. I have won several EPs and a couple of 2nd places but nothing lately. The judging has definitely changed but can't see any rhyme or reason. While I see many wonderful photos being selected I do notice the same thing...that many seem to be blurry, have lots of noise, are over saturated, have poor composition, etc.. I don't want to criticize and give credit to anyone who even enters the contests but something is definitely wrong. I haven't spoken up until now because I didn't want to sound like "sour grapes". I realize that everyone always has room for improvement and it helps us to strive to get better and better no matter how good we are at our craft but it would also help to know why excellent photos are passed over. Is there something we are missing? I am wondering if there is a change in staff ...maybe fewer staff to judge or less experienced. Oh well.
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- Beth W. DeBor Contact Beth W. DeBor Beth W. DeBor's Gallery |
I have taken many classes and have only won three finalist awards in four years and Editor's Picks but those have become few and far between. I haven't been able to figure out why the change so if someone can explain it, I'd appreciate it.
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Maryannebenusisphoto.com - Mary-Anne Benusis Contact Mary-Anne Benusis Mary-Anne Benusis's Gallery |
Thanks Betty Ann. 1/19/2014 7:00:12 PM: 12/19/2013 8:42:40 AM Now I have won badges and am a finalist (but of all the photos I have posted - they not my best shots by far)
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Maryannebenusisphoto.com - Mary-Anne Benusis Contact Mary-Anne Benusis Mary-Anne Benusis's Gallery |
Thanks Jill. 12/19/2013 8:42:40 AM "I joined BP was free and you could win a years membership if you got a 2nd place,a camera bag for 1st place and a deluxe website if you got a grand prize winner.." Good to know.
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marydimitriw.com - Mary Dimitriw Contact Mary Dimitriw Mary Dimitriw's Gallery |
Hi MaryAnne. I've never taken a class through BP but I did sign up for a web site last year. I've had 2nd place winner, a few POTD and many finalists. No rhyme or reason to the judging this past year. I rarely had an entry without an EP and now I receive just a few per month. My personal rule of thumb is that I only enter what I think deserves at least and EP.
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Maryannebenusisphoto.com - Mary-Anne Benusis Contact Mary-Anne Benusis Mary-Anne Benusis's Gallery |
Since posting my question I have have had quite a few recognitions. It's so funny because I sell my work in art galleries that I as starting to think that maybe my work was too artistic compared to others here.
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Maryannebenusisphoto.com - Mary-Anne Benusis Contact Mary-Anne Benusis Mary-Anne Benusis's Gallery |
I was also worried because I do not do staged photos. Most of my photos are dynamic. I was seeing a lot of what I consider typical photos eg. a baby in a hand and forearm - an over used concept. I curate and I like to see and create photos that make people want to look at them for more than a glance. A photo that is not obvious in a single moment. I was considering moving to a different site. But things have changed the more I participate in explaining my purpose, my love of irony, my intentions and my mantra, the more I have been understood.
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