 - Nikki McDonald  Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
New Categories Okay, so ever since I got the e-mail from Jim about the changes in the categories as of April 1 . . . which is tomorrow . . . I've been watching the forum and checking the Contest tab to see what's up. I think a lot of people didn't even get the e-mail. Can you please weigh in, Jim, and tell us what we can expect when we go to enter tomorrow . . . which at this point is less than 12 hours away?
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
BetterPhotoJim.com - Jim Miotke  Contact Jim Miotke Jim Miotke's Gallery |
Hi Nikki and friends, Here are the new contest categories: Siberian Tundra (Nature/Landscapes) Happy Photographing! xxoo, P.S. You will noticed that I've tweaked these a bit. P.P.S. Happy April 1. ;-) P.P.P.S. Get the real contest categories here. Have a fun week!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Patrick Rouzes Contact Patrick Rouzes Patrick Rouzes's Gallery |
Cool! I have photos of all of the above. Let the games begin!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Ann Coates Contact Ann Coates Ann Coates's Gallery |
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
Mountains and Hills (Nature/Landscapes) Birds (Animals) Street Photography (People) Abstracts (Elements of Design) Black and White (Techniques) Small Towns (Travel/Place) Bouquets (Still-Life/Flowers) Flower Petals and Parts (Details/Macro) Architecture (Man-Made) Catch-All (Monthly Theme) I'll give it a try, too, but I'm not hopeful. I see lots of resubs in my future . . . if I can even find them to resubmit them LOL At least Catch-All is back :)
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Martha R. Mazon Contact Martha R. Mazon Martha R. Mazon's Gallery |
Darnit, I was all set with a hand-held long exposure! ;) I admit I was doubtful about the all-theme concept at first, but now I think the themes will help push us out of our comfort zones, sparking more creativity. I like that for the first month, they are mostly common subjects and techniques, along with the safety net of "catch-all", to ease us into the new format. But the one that intrigues me is the more unusual "Flower petals & parts". I look forward seeing to many unexpected and captivating images in this category!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Ritajane Smith Contact Ritajane Smith Ritajane Smith's Gallery |
I kinda like the idea, however, like a few I’m limited, I’m handicapped and I don’t get out much which limits the places I shoot now. But seeing the category Landscape-Nature it will bring awesome photos of different mountain ranges, and they will be from all over the world.... rj
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Patrick Rouzes Contact Patrick Rouzes Patrick Rouzes's Gallery |
When I made the above comment I didn't know about the changes and didn't notice "the message in red" under Jim's comment, so I thought it was an April Fool's joke! lol. Oh, well!!!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
I lost what I had written and it was long. I will try to figure all this out. I am very confused. Within these categories, will each month have a sub-theme? I just did a still life that has fruit and flowers in it. Where would this go? It is not a bouquet and the still life category says flowers/ bouquets. What if I have a still life that does not have flowers? Does this mean I have to wait until some future month to enter this? At this rate I don't know how I will be able to enter very often. Is that the point of all this? Wow. I would appreciate more clarification. -Please.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
Ok, just did a resubmit in the Animals (Birds) category. I saw some other animals besides birds. I did not receive an email about this that I know of. I think this is limiting. If I went to the zoo and took a photo of a tiger, like the winner last month, does this mean I have to wait until some future date to submit this photo when the theme just happens to be "Tigers" . I mean really? Will someone please clarify my questions?
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
As I understand it, yes to your first question, Harriet. The categories in parentheses (Nature/Landscapes; Still-Life/Flowers; Man-Made; etc.) are the new main categories and will stay the same from month to month. Each month there will be a sub-theme, as you say, within each main category; those will change from month to month. As for the still-life with fruit and flowers in it, I would say you have several options: if the flowers can in any way be considered in a bouquet, go with Bouquets; if they can't, go with Catch-All or Black and White; or, as you say, hold the image for another month when the sub-theme feels right for it. And before you get rid of the flowers you used in it (if it's not already too late), shoot for Flower Petals and Parts and Abstracts :)
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
John Koepfer @PresentPleasures |
I thought I would throw in my two cents here. It is said that change is good so I am not against this new look and it may turn out that I really enjoy it more then the old way, but I think what I will miss is the unique and creative spin each member would put on the different categories, it made it so interesting to see the diversity and taught me so much. I think this new category system will be so monotonous with all the photos of each category being the same!! Hope I am wrong and come to love it!!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
John, you mentioned a dimension I had not thought of. A category with all birds could be boring. Maybe not but I am not enthusiastic about these changes. It feels like change for the sake of change, which is not always good. I am disappointed.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Susan Williams |
So, the category is "Birds (Animals)" Does that mean Birds only? The way the categories are presented, the odds of properly categorizing an entry do not weigh in our favor.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
Yes, Susan, for April the only Animal that's appropriate for entry in the Animals category is Birds. If you have animal images other than birds, you can save them for another month (when the sub-category will, presumably, be something like Pets or Mammals or Reptiles or whatever), convert them to Black and White and give them a try there, or enter them in the Monthly Theme which this month happens to be Catch-All. My personal hope would be that the new Monthly Theme would always be Catch-All :)
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
I agree with you, Nikki. Since all the categories seem to have a "monthly theme" built inside them, it would stand to reason that the category "catch all" would be for that photo that you take that you like a lot but does not fit in any of the other categories. I went somewhere recently and have a couple of good photos that I would like to use ASAP or I will probably forget about them. Oh, well. Just my opinion. I am digging up old photos that didn't go anywhere in hopes that they can have another chance at it.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Susan Williams |
Thanks, Nikki. Pity the Judge of Catch-All.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Leslie McLain Contact Leslie McLain Leslie McLain's Gallery |
I think all themes are way too limiting and will drive people away from BP. A few special themes along with several general category would be a better way to go. I belong to Viewbug, an all theme contest site. It was fun at first but eventually the themes became very limiting and I lost interest. I’ve been with BP for 10 years and I still enjoy entering every day. With the themes this will end and I would hate to lose we BP.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Ann Coates Contact Ann Coates Ann Coates's Gallery |
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
For this month, I'm mostly using the sub-categories to remind me of stuff I've never processed and to get me into mining my archives with a purpose. I do happen to have a photography outing planned that COULD yield birds and small towns, so that's fortuitous.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Carolyn M. Fletcher Contact Carolyn M. Fletcher Carolyn M. Fletcher's Gallery |
I'm with everybody else..I find it very limiting, and given our rotten weather, maybe we will get spring by July...and I mean the maybe part. Instead of looking for new stuff to shoot, I, like many of you are digging up old stuff and resubmits. Hard to shoot when you can't go anywhere because the snow is all over the place. I considered getting some of the sand they use in our parking lot and plopping some snow on top and calling it a mountain...do you think that would fly?
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
I find it interesting that the big "Two For One" sale was pushed so hard just before the changes. I didn't go for it and now I am glad I didn't. When the new look in the galleries came along, people complained but nothing happened. I don't expect anything to change just because we complain. I guess we better get used to it or move on. I don't belong to another site and have enjoyed this site so much. I hate that this has happened. I have done only resubmits because of the limitations of the categories. How is this inspiring?
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Lola M. Contact Lola M. Lola M.'s Gallery |
I happen to really like the new categories.This is a fun change. I have so many photos that I have never edited that this gives me an opportunity to revisit these photos and get them ready to submit. And if all else fails, the catch-all is a wide open category for those who find the other categories limiting.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Natasha Pliss Contact Natasha Pliss Natasha Pliss's Gallery |
It surprises me that almost everybody finds new categories limiting. Immediately after I saw the new list I was very happy about changes. I think this new system is flexible, exciting and well thought through. And I am sure everybody will like it but … ONLY if the sub-categories change every month. Looking forward to this month abstracts, B&W and bouquets. Thank you, Jim!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
How are they not limiting? I just came back from White Sands and have a few photos but they are not mountains or hills so I can't submit them in Nature and Landscape. I have been working on still life shots but if they don't have a bouquet in them, I have to wait. I personally don't do a lot of black and white so why would I convert my new shots into black and white just so I can submit them? To each his/her own but what was wrong with the categories the way they were? My only suggestion when the survey came around was to have macro one category and still life another. What if someone does not have the equipment to take photos of birds? They most likely have a cat or dog that they could photograph but no, we have to have birds. Again, how is this not limiting? Please!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
Harriet, I would enter photos from White Sands in N&L in a heartbeat. I certainly consider the wonderful rolling dunes there hills . . . and if you got any with the mountains in the background, well there you are. And you say you don't do a lot of black and white, but again, White Sands can be WONDERFUL in BW. Do you have the Nik collection? It's a free download and Nik Silver Efex Pro can give you wonderful results. I'd sure try some of these in BW. Yes, it's limiting in one sense, and I understand where you are coming from. Honestly, that was my initial reaction, too. But I'm finding I CAN make it work and I'm going to try to do so if only because I value my friendships here. Why not start off the month by using what you do have that works and putting in some re-submissions if necessary; and then keep the themes in mind any time you are shooting for the rest of the month. You may find that you come up with some photos you really really like that you would otherwise not even have thought to take :) Back to black and white for a moment . . . we all know shooting in the middle of the day makes for horrible light. But we've all been in situations where it was either take pictures at midday or don't take them at all. Sometimes those photos convert to BW beautifully.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
Nikki, you are a kind soul. You truly make lemonade when given lemons. I don't know if I have the energy to make any lemonade at my age. If it ain't broken, why fix it?
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Irene Colling Contact Irene Colling Irene Colling's Gallery |
Jim’s April Fool Joke contest list was a hoot; thanks Jim for the laugh. You had me scratching my head for awhile. How many of us have traveled to Mars? Past Presidents? I’m sure we all have a selection of those lying around. I’m with Natasha and Lola on this subject; I welcome the change. Unlike most of you on this thread I only enter the contest occasionally so the ‘limiting’ factor is not a hardship for me. From time to time some of you have asked that specific categories be added to the contest. I see having themes is Better Photos’ strategy to fulfill those divergent/individual requests. I was delighted to see that the travel theme is Small Towns. I’ve never entered a photo in Travel because I don’t travel…but I live in a small town…all of sudden I have lots of ‘travel’ photos. ;-)
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Usman M. Bajwa Contact Usman M. Bajwa Usman M. Bajwa's Gallery |
I find myself tilted towards welcoming the new category changes. I also don't have big zoom lenses and probably wouldn't do well in the Animals category this month......which is limiting of course....but then many a times I had not entered in categories previously throughout a month. The only thing that I don't like about the new change, is that my goal of getting 10 Golds in a month, has become even more harder :) Maybe that would make me put in just a bit more effort and try the things that I never thought I would, which is challenging indeed but might open up new love for certain subjects. Like Nikki I value the friendships here at BP and the camaraderie among fellow photogs, which is non-existent everywhere else on the web, at least in my knowledge, so lets just wait and see maybe we start seeing the benefits of the change more then its pitfalls. Just my two cents.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Lindley Johnson Contact Lindley Johnson Lindley Johnson's Gallery |
Count me among those who find the new very specific categories as too limiting. I agree with those who believe that this will discourage participation rather than the opposite. Kudos to those who are finding the bright side in the new challenges, but I'm not in that camp. Hopefully, after a trial period, Jim will return things to the way they were.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
I have already said more than enough but here I go again. I can see how there are some pros and cons with the new categories. I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt and trust that what is good for the website and those who participate will win out. I am grateful for the catch all and hope it will be used often enough to allow for those moments when a good shot just happens but there is no theme that fits.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Ann Coates Contact Ann Coates Ann Coates's Gallery |
I think I have said enough too but I can't not. So I know it's early days but I mainly upload into the animal category. Birds are my thing so I have no trouble this month. I would always look in the animal category to see what other interesting animal shots there were but I have found myself being bored with just looking at birds and this is me, a bird lover!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Gord MacEachern |
I too think this is very restricting and actually encouraging resubs or spending more time finding and looking for old files than just going out doing some good shooting. I liked going out shooting the way it was before, in that no problem finding a slot in the contest for your pictures. Somewhere for sure you could find a good opening in the contest. Just my two cents worth. Gord
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
countryimpressions.net - Tammy M. Anderson Contact Tammy M. Anderson Tammy M. Anderson's Gallery |
I thought I would give this new change a chance before commenting but I have to agree with the others here. I find myself spending a lot of time going through older pictures to find something that fits into a category. I have also been doing resubmits. I do like that the Catch all category was brought back but do not like the others themed. A lot of the pictures I am taking now do not fit in any category. I do not like the restrictions put on the other categories and I hope Jim will see a lot of the older members have voiced their opinions here and open them up again.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Ann Coates Contact Ann Coates Ann Coates's Gallery |
Yes, I agree Tammy, I have been looking through older photos too and have resubmitted some. To me the contest as it is now is no different from lots of other photo contest sites. I liked BP because of the freedom you had.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Usman M. Bajwa Contact Usman M. Bajwa Usman M. Bajwa's Gallery |
5 out of my 17 entries for the month are resubs till date.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Ujjwal Mukherjee |
Over 2 weeks into this month with the new categories and I am already missing the ones that we had before this change. There are just way too many monthly themes now which like many of you, I am also finding it hard to come in terms with. I think, there are probably few categories where bringing in a monthly theme concept makes sense – like that of like ‘Man-made’ category where different aspects like Architecture, Transportation , Still-life etc. can become a theme for a month, may be even the EOD category can be theme based but to do that for such inherently diverse categories such as Landscape, Travel, Animals and People - it is just way too restrictive or limiting with the choices that we have to enter into those categories. I hope there is a change - either going back to where we were or bringing this monthly theme concept to few categories and not to all and in that case we don’t need catch-all as another category.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Maria Warren Contact Maria Warren Maria Warren's Gallery |
I dont like this new thing :( is so hard for me because I do mostly newborn babies and the way the contest is I cant submit anything. so sad and I am sure slowly most of the photographers here that have been here for many years are going to go away. I have been here for a very long time but like this month I cant really submit anything :(
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Usman M. Bajwa Contact Usman M. Bajwa Usman M. Bajwa's Gallery |
April 23, meaning almost 3/4th of April has already gone by, I just wanted to check how all of us collectively (BP Community) are doing with respect to our category submissions this month. So, here is our actual submissions break-up in the new categories: Mountains (N&L) = 342 This gives us a total entries count to-date of 3,462, with a projected month-end count (at the same rate) of 4,616. It would be nice to know the total number of entries in March? so that one could see the trend of submissions after the recent change. To me, it looks within the normal range of submissions for the month, at least for the past year or so. Glancing on the above figures, it is quite evident that the Flowers (Bouquet) and Travel & Place (Small Towns) categories have been the most restrictive and limiting ones for many of us, whereas Animals (Birds) has the most entries this month till date. It might also be interesting to be able to compare the total number of re-submissions vs fresh images monthly trend from April onwards. This Indicator, I believe, is one of the most important yardsticks for BP as it may like to gauge and monitor it for the next 3-6 months, and then fine tune its contest accordingly, with the goal of making BP Contest more fun/interesting while keeping the BP membership from dwindling. Not a small task for sure.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
Some judge is going to have a time with that bird category. It is like shopping for wallpaper. After a while, nothing stands out. Of course, I haven't shopped for wallpaper in a very long time....say 1990 but it was not a whole lot of fun. Thank you Usman for all the work compiling those stats.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
This is from the March Finalists' e-mail: "Congratulations! You have placed as a finalist in this month's BetterPhoto And today (April 23) Usman reported: "This gives us a total entries count to-date of 3,462, with a projected month-end count (at the same rate) of 4,616." So it looks as if numbers are slightly up from March.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Ann Coates Contact Ann Coates Ann Coates's Gallery |
So going by Usman's figures some categories are going to be easier than others to get a finalist/winner because some categories have very few numbers entered compared to say other categories such as birds. And I agree the birds category is becoming tiresome (I'm a bird lover). At least before there was variety in the animals category which I thoroughly enjoyed.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Carolyn M. Fletcher Contact Carolyn M. Fletcher Carolyn M. Fletcher's Gallery |
That's probably because we all had a ton of resubmits we found...not necessarily going to be the case next time..
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Lola M. Contact Lola M. Lola M.'s Gallery |
For all of you who are having an issue with this month's categories, here is what Jim told us about the new themes. Unless he changes his mind, each and every month will be different. Perhaps next month will be more to your liking.Please read the below copy of Jim's original message dated 3/28/2018: In a few days, I will be changing up the contest at BetterPhoto! So many, in fact... here's what we are going to do: Elements of Design will be focus on specific subjects like "Abstracts". The "Digital Darkroom" category will be expanded to include in-camera techniques such as "long exposure" or "intentional blur". Often the entire category will be devoted to "Black and White". Travel/Place might be "Small Towns" one month and a specific popular destination the next month. The previous Flowers category will be totally transformed and will now be Still Life and Concepts subjects such as "Still Life: Bouquets", Historical Rooms, Writing/Books, Liberty, Joy, etc. Details and Macro will now include flowers as well as many other specific (small) subjects like "Flower Petals". Man-made will have a new specific category each month such as "Architecture". The previous Monthly Theme category will to totally transformed. It will now sometimes be a "Catch-All" category, and at other times it may be devoted to "New Winners" only (people who haven't won 1st, 2nd or Grand yet), or be focused on a particular kind of camera such as a "Smartphone Camera".
If you haven't already, now might be your time to enter the contest and join the fun. Thanks, P.S. These new categories for April will be posted soon (and hint, hint... you might discern them in the above text!). Stay tuned and have fun!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Irene Colling Contact Irene Colling Irene Colling's Gallery |
Always having photos to fit the theme will be a hardship for many, but I believe that having category themes will make judging easier. Rather than having to choose between a striking zebra, a magnificent elk, a fantastic fish, or an awesome eagle; the judge will be comparing "apples to apples" instead of "apples to oranges."
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Usman M. Bajwa Contact Usman M. Bajwa Usman M. Bajwa's Gallery |
Irene, really enjoyed your sentence stating "a striking zebra, a magnificent elk, a fantastic fish, or an awesome eagle" :)
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Peggy Pfister Contact Peggy Pfister Peggy Pfister's Gallery |
I have a question about the new categories... Will the monthly themes be posted ahead of the next month for all the categories, as the single monthly theme was published in advance in the past? I think it would be helpful...
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
My guess on that would be no, Peggy . . . simply because members need the "old" themes through midnight on the last day of the month and "new" themes are being announced in all the places old categories were listed. Maybe Jim will send an e-mail to give us a heads-up and someone can post that in the discussions to alert those who don't get BP e-mails?
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Peggy Pfister Contact Peggy Pfister Peggy Pfister's Gallery |
Good point, Nikki. Maybe Jim can either send an email or create a new place to announce the coming month's themes ... Or we can just live on the edge and be surprised, LOL!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
thejpalzpics.com - Jacquie Palazzolo Contact Jacquie Palazzolo Jacquie Palazzolo's Gallery |
Just returning after being gone for many years, I kind of like the arrangement of the categories. I feel like it will stretch me a little to get out of the "comfort zone" of my own way of doing photography. I can totally understand enjoying the categories as a "general" idea. But this sounds fun. Or maybe there can be a special category each month for something different and unique or more specialized like "blue", or "happy", or "urban", or "backlighting". Just throwing in my two cents as the newbie. ;)
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Lindley Johnson Contact Lindley Johnson Lindley Johnson's Gallery |
Earlier in this thread I expressed my dissatisfaction with the new monthly themes. I haven't changed my mind about that - I still see it as overly restrictive. I'm curious to see what happens going forward. Another point - I just looked at this month's entries and see more than a few that don't fit the narrow categories for the month. Obviously, not everyone got the message.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
I noticed the same thing as Lindley - especially in some categories (the Street Photography - People category is a good example). I guess I don't understand why people are making this mistake? Whether you enter a previously uploaded and/or submitted image from your gallery or a new upload, the change is front and center. A few just seem to be ignoring it.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Carol Quina Contact Carol Quina Carol Quina's Gallery |
Put me in the "like" column for the new categories. I think its great to mix it up. That being said, I've mainly entered the Street "People" and bird categories but I've mixed in a few flowers. I'm just gonna roll with it.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
I am with you now, Carol, and actually looking forward to the new topics in May. This approach has not gotten me out shooting more - though I HAVE found that when I am out shooting, I have some of the categories in the back of my mind But it HAS given me lots of ideas in other ways. By the end of the month I will have entered one image per day, 4-5 resubs (normal for me) and the rest new uploads. Some were already in my "To Be Considered for BP" folder (I put stuff in there all the time and there are over 600 images there right now), a few others are newly taken, and many are archive images but newly edited for BP upload. Since I enjoy taking all sorts of photos, I have long been of the opinion that I do best by trying to enter about 3 images in each of the 10 categories per month, and by trying to have those three images be quite different one from the other. I found that I was able to continue this approach. Time will tell, of course :) , but so far, so good.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Carol Quina Contact Carol Quina Carol Quina's Gallery |
Nikki, I know you've always been one to try and distribute your entries throughout the various categories each month, I admire that about you, it takes discipline, which is something that I'm striving for, but since I'm a procrastinator I'll work on it next month. hahah
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
Back to someone's question about number of entries. In my last month's Finalist announcement (February, a short month), there was this: "Congratulations! You have placed as a finalist in this month's BetterPhoto Contest! Over 3600 photos were entered into the competition." And the month before (announcement for January, a long month), there was this: "Over 4200 photos were entered into the competition." The April entries went over 4200 today with a couple of days to go. Admittedly some are inappropriate, but not that many. I'd say that at least so far, the change did not hurt the numbers.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
I hardly ever do resubmits but I had at least three this month. The architecture category was useful since I went to Dallas. I bet submits were up like never before. In fact, I bet the bird category had more resubmits than new photos. I may be wrong, of course. It has happened before. It just so happened that our camera club had a contest with still life. I worked hard on it and fortunately I had a fresh batch of tulips so I could enter the BP still life, too. All in all, I was able to enter just as many as usual. It all depends on the theme of the various categories. Without catch all, it may be hard. I am glad the entries have not fallen off. We'll just have to see what happens. Good luck to all.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Carolyn M. Fletcher Contact Carolyn M. Fletcher Carolyn M. Fletcher's Gallery |
If the idea is for us to get out and take more pictures, you would think they would give us the new categories in time for us to actually get out there and shoot some..Just sayin'...
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
I agree, Carolyn, that it would be very cool to have a "heads-up" e-mail that we could then spread in the forum (for those who don't get e-mail messages from BP despite all their efforts) so we could be semi-prepared for the new month upon its dawning :)
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Peggy Pfister Contact Peggy Pfister Peggy Pfister's Gallery |
Yep, I agree with Carolyn and Nikki. Announcement of the new categories before the beginning of the month would be very helpful!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
Yes, it would.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
BetterPhotoJim.com - Jim Miotke Contact Jim Miotke Jim Miotke's Gallery |
Thanks for all your thoughts here. I will investigate and get back to you later. In the meantime, have fun making great photos!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Ann Coates Contact Ann Coates Ann Coates's Gallery |
Just having a look at the new categories, nothing much there for me I'm afraid. I'm sorry to be so negative but I'm not liking it at all. I'm a huge animal and bird photographer. I don't come across too many farms in my day to day life.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Carolyn M. Fletcher Contact Carolyn M. Fletcher Carolyn M. Fletcher's Gallery |
I'm only finding about 4 categories for me, too..Not so good out of 10.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Martha R. Mazon Contact Martha R. Mazon Martha R. Mazon's Gallery |
The March winners are displayed under the April category headings...which oddly enough, fit the images quite well, at least for the 1st place winners. Will this be fixed?
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
I thought the "people" category was candid shots. I am so confused.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
The new People category for May IS Candids.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
Yes. I REALLY was confused. Sorry. I will get this thing figured out ....eventually. Thanks, Nikki
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
Here are the May categories: Bodies of Water (Nature/Landscapes)
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Patrick Rouzes Contact Patrick Rouzes Patrick Rouzes's Gallery |
If the new categories are working out for you, I'm sincerely happy for you, but for many people it is not working out so well. IF you have a disability, have to stay close to home because of an ill family member, don't own a vehicle, don't have editing programs,don't have the means to travel, don't own macro lenses, don't own a smartphone, etc.,then these categories are extremely restricting. With the former categories, you could choose almost any photo and find a category in which to place it. Now, that is not even remotely possible. Personally, since the introduction of the new categories, BP has become a source of frustration rather than a place to have fun.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Ann Coates Contact Ann Coates Ann Coates's Gallery |
I agree Patrick. I have loved BP for all the years I have belonged to it but now I am not sure if I will renew. The contest is a big draw for me but just looking at this month there isn't much there that suits the photos I like to take. I will possibly not even enter a photo this month and if that continues to be the case then there would be little point in my continuing with BP.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
I revisited some photos I took last September. As often happens, I discovered a photo I had overlooked. After I developed it I was very pleased with the outcome. Immediately I wanted to upload it and enter it in the contest. The problem is, there is no category to enter it in. Now, it will be put away in the "do overs" folder and forgotten until there is a category to fit it in. This is frustrating and a real downer.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Natasha Pliss Contact Natasha Pliss Natasha Pliss's Gallery |
As I said before I am really excited about these new changes. And the 2nd month is going to be even more fun for me. Although I have to stay close to home because of my husband’s health problems, and I don't drive, and last time we traveled 5 years ago, I try to make the best of all I have. I love revisiting my old photos and create something totally new from them. As a result, a nice photo converted to B&W (not an easy process) won me a Grand Prize. B&W has limitless possibilities. Arranged objects! There are numberless ways to have fun with them. You don’t need a macro lens for it, just the right light and all your creativity which many of you have in abundance. Happy May shooting!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
Well, to each his/her own. Even if the categories had never changed, those who love the new themes could have entered those photos anyway. You could enter those black and white photos, or those farm animals. I on the other hand cannot enter that photo I rediscovered. No matter how you spin it, this is a restriction on me. Hardly something to be excited about. I hope Jim will reconsider and will at least have a permanent "catch all" category.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Carolyn M. Fletcher Contact Carolyn M. Fletcher Carolyn M. Fletcher's Gallery |
I agree with Harriet. Very restricting for me also.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Lola M. Contact Lola M. Lola M.'s Gallery |
I will once again comment on how much I am enjoying the monthly change of categories. I take photographs because I love taking photographs. I am also one who tries to make the best of any situation and am happy for what I do have, not upset for what I don't have (in this case my usual contest categories). For those who find it very restrictive I am sorry, but if you look around wherever you are right now I think you could find something to fit a couple of the categories quite easily. Such as Patterns (elements of design) they are everywhere. For instance, just sitting on my couch I can see patterns in the curtains, the windows, the stair railing, carpet, the grain in the wood, furniture, spiral of a notebook, books on a shelf, lamp, branches of the tree out my window, plus many more. Be creative! Craftsmanship (man-made) almost everything that isn't nature fits this category. I have not been one to try to enter every category every month as anyone who has seen my gallery can tell, I do have my favorites and will continue to take photos of them. But if you give yourself a chance you will be able to find something to fit at least some of the categories. By the way most of my photos were taken in my house or backyard. No expensive vacations, no macro lens - just a point and shoot camera and no smart phone either.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
You were doing ok until the part about giving myself a chance to find something to enter in at least SOME of the categories....Limiting. Restrictions have been imposed on this contest. No other way to spin it. Bring back catch all and everyone will be happier. Another post stated that the contest has become more of a frustration than a joy for many of us. It does not have to be like that. You could still see your patterns and I could still use my rediscovered photos if things were the way they used to be.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Usman M. Bajwa Contact Usman M. Bajwa Usman M. Bajwa's Gallery |
I second Harriet and I am also all for having a permanant ‘Catch All’ category and believe that all of the fellow photogs who are finding the categories restrictive and suffocating will have an outlet. I hope Jim will announce this revision in the contest soon. BTW the most easy category which I am sure all of us can participate is current month’s ‘mobile phone’ category. It is actually Catch All, all one has to do is ise a mobile phone :)
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Usman M. Bajwa Contact Usman M. Bajwa Usman M. Bajwa's Gallery |
.... is to use a mobile phone.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
LOL think again, Usman. My mobile phone is an inexpensive tracfone and takes terrible photos. I have yet to get one I have even saved, much less would consider worthy of upload at BP or elsewhere. I grant you that the subject of the photo in that category is wide open, but that will probably be the only category for which I will not have an entry this month . . . and you know how hard I work to have entries in all 10 categories.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Usman M. Bajwa Contact Usman M. Bajwa Usman M. Bajwa's Gallery |
Nikki, I see what you mean when you say that the quality of mobile images are not comparable to images shot through SLRs and cameras. And That is true most of the times. At the same time, in my experience, I have found that if you shoot with your mobile phone in good light, the images are comparable. I am pretty sure that when we look at some of the winners earlier next month for the mobile phone category, many of us will agree. And if your mobile is a hurdle, you could always use the mobile of your hubby, son, daughter, etc, people who are easily accissible and happy to lend their mobiles.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Cary Rogers |
Maybe it's JUST me...but I am very confused. If you click on the Winners link for the March Contest http://www.betterphoto.com/contest/winners/1803.php and look at the categories heading, they OFTEN don't match the Winnners. ANIMALS-BIRDS, for example, has dog photos and a lion and some other animals as Winners...?! Are the current month's categories labels being shown for the previous month's Winners---of a different category?
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Ann Coates Contact Ann Coates Ann Coates's Gallery |
The new categories started in April so March contest winners are under the old format.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Gord MacEachern |
Would it not have been easier to have kept the contest entries status quo, and for something new and exciting add two or three new monthly themes every month instead of just the customary one. This way it keeps everybody happy (not a small feat). BP cannot afford to Lose anymore members. It makes me sad to see the many dear friends that have moved on the last two or three years. Happy shooting my friends.....
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Peggy Pfister Contact Peggy Pfister Peggy Pfister's Gallery |
The system appears to have applied the April 2018 categories retroactively to the winners page for March 2018. It's also applying the current categories retroactively to the previous month's "My Contest Entries". I hope this gets fixed. It kinda makes me crazy...
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Jan Deaton |
I agree with the group of people who find the new catogories too llmited. I am a landscape photographer and now find that it has been completely eliminated. Now you have to pidgeonhole yourself into someone elses idea of what makes a photo interesting within the landscape catergory. I'm not on assignment here. I like to shoot what may inspire me at the moment. So I am very disappointed with this new format.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- MARLON IGNACIO Contact MARLON IGNACIO MARLON IGNACIO's Gallery |
I agree with Usman that a mobile phone can sometimes deliver very nice captures. One of my finalists was actually shot with an iPhone. But I am wondering how the judges will be able to determine if a photo was really shot with a smart phone, or are we all just relying on the honor system? And, for what it's worth, I for one am liking this new category system.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Ujjwal Mukherjee |
@Jan Deaton - Well said! I also can’t imagine myself going out and taking specific photos because certain categories in a photo contest are defined that way! I shoot based on what inspires me and my personal preferences. That is why, I felt, having one monthly theme every month was good enough for trying out something specific away from the generic categories but to have a monthly theme under every general category is just too much! I am not only disappointed but also feeling disengaged, something that I never felt in last 12 years of entering into BP contest. However, I am also hoping that there will be a change . My suggestion will be to bring back the categories that are inherently generic such as, Landscape, Travel, Animals , People etc. and introduce few theme based categories if there is demand for more than one monthly theme - that way we keep a balance.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Ann Coates Contact Ann Coates Ann Coates's Gallery |
I agree totally Ujjwal with everything you said. I have gone from entering mostly every day to entering nothing this month. The changes are too radical. I really hope they reconsider and pull it back.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
countryimpressions.net - Tammy M. Anderson Contact Tammy M. Anderson Tammy M. Anderson's Gallery |
I agree also with Ujjwal and Ann. Usually I look forward to posting everyday. Now I get tried of trying to find a photo that fits one of the themes. Kinda makes me lose interest.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Amy JACKSON |
I miss the contest the way it used to be. The contest categories are too specific.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
I hope our concerns are being heard. If we didn't care about BP, we would not express the concerns in the first place.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Cary Rogers |
Apparently, I'm in the minority here. I don't really mind the new monthly themes for each category. Although I can't go out and shoot like I used to, the new category "themes" have given me the opportunity to go through my archives and find images to enter that I probably would not have entered otherwise---with certain categories being so broad and therefore highly-competitive. Personally, I usually only enter images into maybe 3-4 categories every month, depending on what the Monthly Theme used to be. I've also entered a lot of resubmits in March and April, and I rarely used to do that. If so many long-time members are unhappy with the changes, I think BP should probably figure-out a compromise. When Jim had sent out that survey email about categories a couple months back, the only suggestions I had were to add a "Catch All" category, and to split Nature and Landscapes into 2 categories. I also mentioned that many members had expressed that they'd like to have a B&W only category...or as a recurring MT. Just my 3 cents worth...
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Ann Coates Contact Ann Coates Ann Coates's Gallery |
If I recall correctly I think BP wanted to keep entries pretty current at some stage and brought in a rule that you could only enter photos that were taken within a couple of months time frame and if it is still a rule then I would think they would not be too happy with resubmits. It's just a recollection I have and I think people were upset about that at the time because if you had been on a trip you wouldn't be able to get through the hundreds/thousands of photos you took within such a short time frame. It seems a lot of people are going through the archives now. It's a shame we have to resort to this. I hope BP reconsiders. I feel disengaged as Ujjwal said. The contest gave me a huge incentive to pick up my camera and shoot my favourite subject animals and birds but I have nowhere to upload them to now.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Carolyn M. Fletcher Contact Carolyn M. Fletcher Carolyn M. Fletcher's Gallery |
From reading the responses here, it seems like most of us are way deep into the archives, looking for what will fit, rather than getting out to shoot. Many of us have had rotten weather to contend with and had little choice, so that needs to be kept in mind...we're going to run out of old stuff someday.....or not. LOL
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Lola M. Contact Lola M. Lola M.'s Gallery |
It will be awhile before I run out of old stuff - I just checked the number of photos on my computer in my Pictures folder - I have 24, 480 photos. I do love taking photographs!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Patrick Rouzes Contact Patrick Rouzes Patrick Rouzes's Gallery |
As a follow up to my last message, I want to add that when I listed all these restrictions I wasn't talking about myself. Yes, I am frustrated about the changes, but I was also thinking of others who may be at a disadvantage- at photo oppportunities and winning- because of all these restrictions. Re: my last message, I don't have a disability, I have an editing program ( DPP and GIMP) ,we take vacations, I have macro lens & mobile phone, etc. I am frustrated, even with those advantages, so it must be even more limiting for those who do not. Hope that makes sense.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Martha R. Mazon Contact Martha R. Mazon Martha R. Mazon's Gallery |
The way I see it, BP offers two distinct advantages over other photo sharing sites. 1) The contest format encourages daily image sharing of (for most members) a single image with a small and friendly community. This format makes it easy to view and comment daily on the images of BP friends. 2) The contest award levels provide us members with feedback based on the judges' comparisons of all entered images within defined categories. The new theme concept doesn't change #1 at all. BP judges are not going to delete your image if it doesn't quite match the category. Your friends are not going to refuse to comment on it. As for #2, well, it has always been a contest with specific rules. Now the rules are a bit different than before, but the images still need to adhere to what the judges want in order to earn a badge. We, meanwhile, can still shoot and share whatever we like.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Ed Lauderdale Contact Ed Lauderdale Ed Lauderdale's Gallery |
I look at the theme and define it in my own terms. Example: Today I defined a ground fog as a "body of water" and entered a picture in Nature/Landscape. A least I'm having fun trying out my imagination.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
I'm going to side with those who have said bring back Catch-All as a permanent category. That would go a long way toward solving the problem. I really feel for people who take a picture, are super excited to share it, and then can find no place to enter it because of the categories. Yes, they can put it on hold for a month or two or three and a suitable category will probably roll around, but the point is they have just taken the picture and want to enter it now! Do that and fix the category naming mess so that photos entered in
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
So far, I have not entered very many photos. I think three so far.... Just not feeling it. Oh well. Tomorrow is another day. Happy Mother's Day all you mothers out there.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Karen Celella |
Thanks to Nikki for questioning my entries into the Animals category, which this month is Farm Animals, and I have wild African animals entered! I thought that the main category would over ride the suggested sub categories. Guess I misunderstood. This will be much more difficult for most people and may limit the entries. I am a fan of changing things to make improvements, but this change may be more damaging than good. For now it's just very confusing. Thanks once again to Nikki and I will keep track of this thread.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Usman M. Bajwa Contact Usman M. Bajwa Usman M. Bajwa's Gallery |
A request letter to Jim: Dear Jim, Please know that BP Members do appreciate your devoted efforts and intentions behind making the contest more fun and a lively experience for its members while at the same time providing them with the opportunity to 'do more' at honing their already acquired skills and to step out of their comfort zones and try to learn new photography related techniques/styles, which by all means is just great. However, going over the responses in this thread, it is quite evident that majority (at least in this thread) of the BP members (even the die-hard long time members) are having a difficult time adjusting to this across-the-board change, due to the fact that most of the new categories are only but a tiny subset of a larger set. By not being able to easily find the subject matter which will fit within a subset category, gives a feeling of 'suffocation' and 'unnecessary limitations' to many of us. What many of us, including myself, has started to do is to either resub an already judged image or to go deep mining into our archives in hopes for finding a better match. Both these activities are actually counter-productive, if the purpose of the change was to goad us to shoot new subjects and to learn new techniques/styles! Furthermore, please appreciate the fact that the BP membership cover persons of age ranging from teenagers to seniors, some in their seventies and above, who do it for the fun of it and do not want to try out new things which they don't have to. In light of the aforesaid, and as suggested in the thread above, to lets try and find a middle ground. Will you please consider bringing back at least the 'Catch All' category, so that all those Grand Prize worthy pictures which we shoot could be entered the same month, without waiting for an appropriate category in the coming months. I, for one, would also like to keep 'Animals' and 'People' intact. The final decision, of course, is yours, I just hope its a win-win for all. With kind regards, Usman.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Carolyn M. Fletcher Contact Carolyn M. Fletcher Carolyn M. Fletcher's Gallery |
A big fat AMEN to everything Usman said. I fit into that old people's category. Please reconsider this change.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Ann Coates Contact Ann Coates Ann Coates's Gallery |
Well spoken Usman. I am feeling so down about the changes. I have absolutely loved BP and do not want to leave. I love this site. But I have gone from entering almost daily to entering nothing this month. The changes are stifling. I want the categories back the way that were but would settle for catch all and keeping animals and people as a compromise. I can't understand why the changes had to be so full on, perhaps BP could have tried a couple of categories like this but not the whole lot. I love going out to take photos and I get so excited when I feel I have got a great shot but not being able to upload it anywhere is damned annoying. Please please please reconsider Jim.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Lindley Johnson Contact Lindley Johnson Lindley Johnson's Gallery |
Thank you, Usman, for sharing your heartfelt letter to Jim. I agree that the changes have been counterproductive for many and I hope that we can go back to the previous categories.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Bob Cournoyer Contact Bob Cournoyer Bob Cournoyer's Gallery  |
Here, here, Usman! Well stated!!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
ecameronphotography.com - Errick L. Cameron Contact Errick L. Cameron Errick L. Cameron's Gallery |
I am getting ready to head out of town for a mini break-vacation. As always, I am packing my camera bag. Is there any way to find out the themes for next month so that I can shoot with them in consideration?
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Cary Rogers |
(yes, Errick...wouldn't THAT be nice?) ;-)
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
Errick, you hit upon another big problem with these categories. Instead of going on your trip and feeling free to express your creativity, the creativity is now pigeon holed into specificity. It is like telling Van Gough to paint snails instead of stars.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
I participate in any number of local and online groups and frequently shoot with themes - some quite broad and some very narrow - in mind. I don't find doing so restrictive - I still take all the same photos I normally would. But I can also keep my eyes open for the opportunity to take shots that are out of the norm, too, and sometimes I get a new "personal favorite" out of it. Of course I can only know to do so if I know the themes or challenges; I think that's what Errick is hoping for.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Ann Coates Contact Ann Coates Ann Coates's Gallery |
That's well and good if you belong to many photo sharing sites but I don't, I only belong to BP and for that reason it is too restrictive as it presently stands.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
I guess my point was that shooting for themes need not be restrictive in and of itself. You can still go anyplace that appeals to you and take every shot that you normally would. Errick can and will go on vacation and take all the pictures he wants to take. The thing is that IF he knows the upcoming themes, he might take a few extra shots that he would not think of taking otherwise. The restrictive problem comes in terms of entering the contest since many of his "other" shots will no longer fit, at least not this month. And there I happen to agree with you - the new, narrower themes are restrictive.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
ecameronphotography.com - Errick L. Cameron Contact Errick L. Cameron Errick L. Cameron's Gallery |
Well said Nikki. As you and some others know here in BP, I am and have been working on a number of different projects in my photography. Some of which I have been working on for a decade. I will be returning to some of my favorite locations this next week and will shoot in reference to my projects; yet, if I can incorporate some BP themes in with the mix it would be fun and challenging.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- G. Margaret Hennes Contact G. Margaret Hennes G. Margaret Hennes's Gallery  |
I agree with the views put forth by Usman, Nikki and Errick as far as the restrictive nature of the new themes! While I too fall into the seniors category I am not adverse to broadening my range of subjects to photograph. The preponderance will continue to be that which I enjoy shooting but I find themes can stimulate me to think out of the box and outside my usual categories. I agree with the suggestion to keep animals and people intact. Perhaps if Jim is going to continue with sub themes he might consider publishing them ahead of time eg for the next 6months, which would give us a better chance to participate.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Ed Lauderdale Contact Ed Lauderdale Ed Lauderdale's Gallery |
Well, now Jim has me having fun trying out effects functions on my camera (Nikon 5100) I had really ignored. It tickles the old brain muscle and I can see some real possibilities. I'm still up in the air over the categories situation though. Gotta thank Jim for the push!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
I am so not enthused. Am looking elsewhere to see if there is anything. Not ready to give up just yet but it's getting there. I will wait for the new categories to see if there's anything that interests me. The ones this month don't do it. I am still photographing but am not bothering with these categories. This is just my opinion but it is still how I feel.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
ecameronphotography.com - Errick L. Cameron Contact Errick L. Cameron Errick L. Cameron's Gallery |
I have actually enjoyed the categories I just would like to see the next month early so that I can shoot for them.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
ecameronphotography.com - Errick L. Cameron Contact Errick L. Cameron Errick L. Cameron's Gallery |
I have actually enjoyed the categories I just would like to see the next month early so that I can shoot for them.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Ed Lauderdale Contact Ed Lauderdale Ed Lauderdale's Gallery |
I'm with Errick. X2 :-)
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
To each his/her own. I am with the majority on this thread squared. Contentiousness is no fun.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Usman M. Bajwa Contact Usman M. Bajwa Usman M. Bajwa's Gallery |
Jim, it would be nice for us to be able to know the Sub Categories defined for the coming month at least 10 days prior to the current month. Thanks in advance.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Ann Coates Contact Ann Coates Ann Coates's Gallery |
If we didn't have sub categories then we wouldn't have this problem. I'm all for going back to how it used to be.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Lindley Johnson Contact Lindley Johnson Lindley Johnson's Gallery |
I just got an email survey asking for a vote; go back to the old way of doing the contest or keep the new categories approach. I'm hoping we go back!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Usman M. Bajwa Contact Usman M. Bajwa Usman M. Bajwa's Gallery |
Voted for Back to the good old ways.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Carolyn M. Fletcher Contact Carolyn M. Fletcher Carolyn M. Fletcher's Gallery |
I also voted to go back, but with a note that I wouldn't mind a category a month (or 2 at the most) themed, but overall wanted it back the old way. The Gods were with us! Somebody is listening!!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
Well, I think you all know how I voted :-). Remember "Digital Darkroom"? I loved that one and I hope they bring it back. I am so happy our voices are being heard. Hope it goes back to the good old days.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Ann Coates Contact Ann Coates Ann Coates's Gallery |
Well, I think you know how I voted. Fingers crossed we go back.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Ken Smith Contact Ken Smith Ken Smith's Gallery |
If it ain't broke...don't fix it. :-) Based on forum comments, the overwhelming majority want to return to the way it was. I hope that's the final verdict.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
buffalogalphotos.com - Terry Cervi Contact Terry Cervi Terry Cervi's Gallery |
I never received the email survey this morning and would like to be involved in the voting. I don't know why I wouldn't get the email. Did all members receive this survey?
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
I got it. Check your spam filter, Teri.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
countryimpressions.net - Tammy M. Anderson Contact Tammy M. Anderson Tammy M. Anderson's Gallery |
I think it was probably sent to all members. Terry. Not sure why you didn't get it. My vote was return to the old ways too.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
Sorry. Terry. One of the small changes that came about with one of the "new and improved BP versions - you can no longer see the post or thread you are responding to so you are dependent on memory . . . which in my case is not a good thing at all.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
buffalogalphotos.com - Terry Cervi Contact Terry Cervi Terry Cervi's Gallery |
Thanks Nikki and Tammy. I can't find it. I'll try contacting Jim to get things resolved.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Gord MacEachern |
I got it too. Bring back the old,the sooner the better!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Cary Rogers |
Whatever happens with the categories: unless an email goes out TONIGHT with June's categories, we'll have to wait until tomorrow---hopefully, no later---to find out what categories to enter our photos into, for June's contest. ALSO: CONGRATS to all this month's Winners!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Ujjwal Mukherjee |
Of course, I also voted to go back! :-)
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Joannie Bertucci Contact Joannie Bertucci Joannie Bertucci's Gallery |
To quote a song from the movie Lil' Abner..."oh put them back, oh but them back, oh put them back the way they was"! :-)
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Carolyn M. Fletcher Contact Carolyn M. Fletcher Carolyn M. Fletcher's Gallery |
Did anybody get new categories? I'm still showing last month's..
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Gord MacEachern |
Yes, me also!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
thejpalzpics.com - Jacquie Palazzolo Contact Jacquie Palazzolo Jacquie Palazzolo's Gallery |
So I was just wondering if there were new categories. I guess you haven't seen them yet either? Looking forward to seeing what they are! Ready to enter. 😊
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
New Categories are up. Wide Angle Wonders
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
John Koepfer @PresentPleasures |
Jim, would love to see the result of the poll from yesterday, is there a link to it!!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Carolyn M. Fletcher Contact Carolyn M. Fletcher Carolyn M. Fletcher's Gallery |
I hate it.. I guess everything can go in Catch All..I only see 3 other categories I can find anything to enter.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
Gonna be a lot of flowers in Catch-All, that's for sure.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Martha R. Mazon Contact Martha R. Mazon Martha R. Mazon's Gallery |
I see a lot of options in the new themes, but I don't like the way they have affected participation and enthusiasm. So I voted against continuing with them, also. (I am glad to see that the headings have been fixed for the past months' contests.) More feedback from Jim regarding the poll results and his rationale would surely be appreciated by all.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
Thank you, Martha.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Cary Rogers |
VERY STRANGE! I just uploaded a photo and entered it in Catch All; and then my Current Entries page appeared and indicates that I entered that photo in Catch All, and ALSO in (Monthly Theme) Smartphone Photography! Still are some obvious glitches in programming! Anybody else have strange category entering results, like that?
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
Yep, we all have that anomaly, Cary - or at least we did earlier today. Haven't checked recently.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Peggy Pfister Contact Peggy Pfister Peggy Pfister's Gallery |
Same thing just happened to me today (June 2nd). I entered a photo in "Line Leading the Eye", and now my contest entries show that I have an entry in "Patterns (Elements of Design)", and one in "Line Leading the Eye". The current contest entries show the image in "Line Leading the Eye", so I guess it's really entered there. I have a basic membership, so I can only enter one image per day, so I hope the system doesn't think I've tried to enter twice.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Cary Rogers |
Peggy, I am in the exact same boat as you: I can only enter one image per day. Today, the same thing happened to me as yesterday: my image was entered into Catch-All (Monthly Theme), where I intended to enter it, as well as indicating that it was also entered into last month's (Monthly Theme) Smartphone Photography. I am assuming/hoping that it is ACTUALLY entered into Catch-All, and some programming glitch with the new categories also displays it as being entered into last month's overarching Category (which doesn't really exist in the current month).
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Peggy Pfister Contact Peggy Pfister Peggy Pfister's Gallery |
Hopefully, it will all get sorted out ...
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Gord MacEachern |
Not very happy at all!!! Sick of playing " Post your archives "
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Nikki McDonald Contact Nikki McDonald Nikki McDonald's Gallery |
The glitch Cary, Peggy and I were referring to has been sorted. No duplicates as of today :)
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Ann Coates Contact Ann Coates Ann Coates's Gallery |
Sorry Jim, I don't call 50% the majority when 42% don't like it. Yes, more like it than don't but 42% or thereabouts is something you should be worried about, that's a lot of unhappy BP photographers! And for what it's worth, I like what I like to photograph, having these categories won't make me go out and try something new.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Harriet Feagin Contact Harriet Feagin Harriet Feagin's Gallery |
42% still are not happy campers. I haven't entered anything so far this month and last month I think I only entered a few. The thrill is gone. Don't think I am going to get it back any time soon. Just not feeling it.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Peggy Pfister Contact Peggy Pfister Peggy Pfister's Gallery |
Thanks for the glitch update, Nikki. That's good news...
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- G. Margaret Hennes Contact G. Margaret Hennes G. Margaret Hennes's Gallery |
I think it might remove some of the frustration if Jim were to announce the categories ahead of time, I am talking MONTHS ahead of time, so that we can think ahead as to where our images might fit within these very specialized, restrictive classifications! A number of images I entered last month would fit in better with this month's categories. Feeling frustrated!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Carolyn M. Fletcher Contact Carolyn M. Fletcher Carolyn M. Fletcher's Gallery |
I agree. I would love it if we had the categories a couple of weeks ahead. Would be a great help..I happened to stumble upon something that fit in pretty well this month, but that was a really unusual circumstance so I would also like to be able to plan ahead a little bit. Please consider it, Jim.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here
Report this Thread |
||||||||
