Hikers Journal's 1st Outdoor Photography Contest

[Kevin]

Ok everybody here is the deal. On Monday Night, Sept 15th I will post the rules and regulations of the Photo Contest. I would like some general input before I waste a lot of time though.

First, the Photo theme for the contest must be selected. (Animals, Trees, Mountains, Weather, etc..) If I hear no input, I will probably randomly pick one based on which one of my photos would have a chance at winning. Ha ha. So please let me know what you think.

Secondly, You will need to be a member of the Outdoor Photography Group in order to place the entry. You will be allowed to choose ONE picture which you took yourself and preferably unedited. Obviously while pertaining to the selected theme for the contest.

Thirdly, the winners pot can still be built. Rory has said he will donate a Hikers Journal T-Shirt to the winner. I think the winner should also be allowed to choose the next contest theme. If you have anything to offer let me know. I will probably put the winning photo on my website as well with a blurb written by you about the photo for a short while.

Lastly, how the contest should be judged. I am thinking of a pole if these threads allow it or should it be some kind of everybody Message there vote to me or whatever? Please any input is good input, let me know.

Thank you for hopefully reading this whole deal and responding.

-Kev

[northern orchid]

I would love to take part in the contest! I have some wonderful pictures from a recent trip I'd like to share. A poll to judge would be best, I think.

Hope this works out!

-- northern

[Rory Partalis]

Kevin, if you would like to start a poll, I used a free website called Vizu to create the poll on the right hand side of this page. It's pretty easy to create and add to the photography group. Let me know if you have any questions.

[Kevin]

Thanks rory, I will check that out.

[Josh G.]

It may be interesting to just say nature for the first topic to see what kind of a variety that you get. As far as specifics go some ideas might be: motion, light, reflections, animals, weather, hikers, trails, water, or any number of things but just under the nature category. I think that this is a great way to get this place more active and for members to get more acquainted.
As far as judging goes just have a cutoff date and everyone votes in one of these discussions after that date.

[Kevin]

Yes, I am excited to see what some members that aren't as active online but probably more so outdoors will turn up. Josh, I like the 'General Nature' concept. It could really be anything. We will see what peoples idea of nature is. well see if more people want a poll or a discussion on the vote. Either would work proper but i want to know that you cannot just repeat vote on the pole. So I kind of like the idea of just casting the vote publicly on here. Or having them sent to a 3rd party member.

[Tobin]

well I got some ideas for you Kev,, i think if you Win then that’s it you cant enter anymore pics for submission... that’s to protect everyone from being beaten by pros winning every time.
2 judging should be done by 3 people that have no stake in the matter... I.E. Rory and 2 others
... I will be glad to be a Judge if no others will come forward.
Also If Rory wants to donate a t shirt maybe that should be for the end result IE Best overall PIC or something...
This is just my ideas
You know how to contact me

[Kevin]

Well in the long run I think there will be more contests. This will just be a single entry contest and only one shot can win. I don't think it would be necessary really or even easily enough to keep track of from banning winners from the future. We would want some ind of incentive for winning, not really a punishment you know?

I agree the contest should be judged by people not involved in the contest but I think it should be more than just a handful of people and basically everybody should be allowed to cast a vote. We'll have to ask rory of the options available for a poll as in limiting votes and such.

In regards to pro's submitting pictures, than I don't know. I guess if we find a ringer we should congratulate them on taking good shots I would think. It's what it's all about, you'll see the best come out of everybody and it gets exciting. If things get too crazy with this one we will implement more rules.

Besides I know you have at least one shot worthy of entry so I wouldn't allow you to bow down out of the contest just to judge. You wanna rock that shirt before i do, you know it. Ha ha.

-Kaybs

[ficade]

What about (Landscapes, Weather, Wildlife)? That pretty much encompasses the backcountry. ?? What about all 3? Maybe a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in each category? Do you have a "poll" program that can track IP's or Cookies? That way as "admin" you can make sure people only get one vote. I know WordPress has a WPolls plugin that can track IP's and Cookies.

Thanks for doing this, should be fun. Anyway, thought I would throw a few ideas your way. I'm in for anything you decide.

[Kevin]

Exactly, although guests cannot reply or participate in polls so I don't think that would even be needed. Really it would end up being 1 vote per member. right?

And by the way, dig the 3 themes and see how it goes thing. :)

[Tobin]

well its your show man. let me know if you need help... and for winning the T-shirt... well have oyu seen some of the ppls pics on here
haha
i think ill end up some where on the back burner!
so let me know what i can do to help

[Kevin]

The beauty of a photo contest is anyone can take 1 brilliant shot. So the worst of amateurs potentially could beat out the best of pros. But you are right, some people have some amazing shots on here.

[northern orchid]

Yeah you're totally right ont that one. I'm no pro, but I'm handy with a little Canon or Nikon digital. It just takes a bazillion more pictures to get there.

It's really all about how you see things.

Artistic nature and all that.