Screenshot Contest Update..

[Fly2e]

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Hello everybody...
I wanted to post this as I know there was some confusion about this month's nominees. We down in the Admin forum have been discussing it in detail. My post yesterday in response to some of your responses about what qualified as a shot resulted in me kind of getting fed up with hearing comments like this from time to time. After discussing it with the others in the Admin forum, it became quite clear that there is/was a problem. We are going to try a new "layout" in regards to the Theme and what is required... it will be a bit more simple so we do not have shots being questioned in future contests. Let's please move foward with this month's nominees and contest without any more posts about what and what did not qualify. They are great shots and let's judge them for what they are.

So you can see what "goes on behind the scenes", I wanted to post what Sean "Rottydaddy" posted in the Admin thread about the nominees and the issue at hand. It allowed me to see it from another perspective which is important. Rotty pretty much summed up what others perceive as what qualifies & what does not. Take a read of it and please tell me what you think... It might be a good time for us to discuss this so we are all on the same page in the future...

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[quote]I hate to criticize, not having much to stand on (for example, not picking finalists this month). This contest represents a lot of work and passion, and I respect that.

But there's more drama here than there needs to be, and I have a suggestion that might help with that.

Obviously it is unclear to a lot of people what each contest's

[patchz]

[color=#000000]Well done Dave. I think Sean hit the nail squarely on the head, extremely well said. And I agree. There should be no confusion and the rules should be clear, to everyone.

[Ghostrider114]

I for one thought the theme was quite clear,
these 3 sentences seemed to sum it up quite nicely:

And what better way to see these sights than in Prop Plane or Helicopter flying "Low & Slow". We want to see a shot of a single engine prop plane skimming the tree line under an October Sky, a Beaver flying the bush on some remote destination or a Helicopter on a "Scenic Fall Tour". It is a "colorful" time of year so let's see some creativity in regards to your set up.

[doomfreak777]

[nasageek]

Well Spoken 8-) Can't wait for next contest!

[ApplePie]

I doubt I'm going to win the main contest, but I can say for certain that I'll win "Most Controversial Finalist Photo" award! [smiley=evil.gif]

[machineman9]

I think in the end a lot of it is down to what everyone would consider is acceptable.

If a shot doesn't fit the grade, then the judges won't put it forward for voting. If they put it into voting but people think that it isn't good enough or not right, then they won't vote for it.

Some people may just look towards the prize and not put in the effort, but it will reflect on their shot.

I don't think the rules should be too rigid as that leaves no room for creativity, but it could be a bit more specific.

But personally I think the people judging the contest (ultimately anyone who votes and the official judges) will balance out the dodgy shots. If it isn't right then people won't vote for it. However, I do think a lot of the points that were brought up were perfectly valid. On occasion there is a lack of quality in the shots. Sometimes you get shots which are far too small, other times they have the headings. Both of which will degrade the shot a lot.

[Rockson 31]

My 2 cents,

As a suggestion for upcoming contests, how about 3 criteria for the contest shot.

Criteria #1 (Aircraft)

Criteria #2 (Environment)

Criteria #3 (Shot)


For example, for this contest and based on the judges finalists, the criteria would have been setup as such:

Criteria #1 (Aircraft) Freeware Only, Single engine piston(no jets). Single prop, Plane, Helicopter or Hot Air Balloon.

Criteria #2 (Environment) Daytime in the Fall. Any Weather.

Criteria #3 (Shot) Fall foliage colors based on aircraft location. Camera or Aircraft Altitude(Ground Level to 1,500 Feet above ground level). Any camera angle.



The criteria that follows is my interpretation of the rules and suggestions for this months contest:

Criteria #1 (Aircraft) Freeware Only, Single engine piston(no jets). Single prop, Plane(Mono or Bi-plane) or Helicopter.

Criteria #2 (Environment) Daytime or Dusk in the Fall. Any Weather.

Criteria #3 (Shot) Fall foliage colors of yellow, gold, brown or any combination. Include sky in shot. Sunsets encouraged. Aircraft Altitude(Just above tree line to 150 Feet above ground level). Aircraft speed should look slow. Any camera angle.


I think with this style of criteria, there would be no confusion or hurt feelings. The shot theme criteria can be set as tight or loose as the contest hosts see fit, with no question of what the final shot should look like.

Cliff
KHIO

[a1]

Nicely done clearing these technicalities up.

[nasageek]

I like the criteria, but wouldn't some of it limit the creativity? (Like limiting the time and day of when to do the shot)

Now of course if the theme is Bright and Sunny, then I would expect a shot that is during the day time. Soooo, if it goes with the theme, then, yes, set that limit, but other then that, I don't agree with a time of day limit.
Agree with everything else though! Good work

[Fly2e]

Guys, we're not reinventing the wheel. The contests have always run pretty smooth. All we are saying is we now understand the problem and will go forward with a much simpler way of keeping the theme. Thanks
Dave

[nasageek]

No, Thank you for all that you have done! I really appreciate it. 8-)

[Capt.Propwash]

I will probably get my head, and/or keyboard ripped off for this, but it is only MY opinion and 2 cents, and may or may not be supported by others.

[Mictheslik]

My opinion of this is chill out guys.....the contest is a bit of fun, not a shouting match. If people enter things that don't quite comply with the rules then let them....the mods will decide whether or not it's allowed....

.mic

[Fly2e]

Posted by: Capt.Propwash Posted on: Yesterday at 5:44pm
I will probably get my head, and/or keyboard ripped off for this, but it is only MY opinion and 2 cents, and may or may not be supported by others.  As part of the theme... what part of .....
Quote:
...a shot of a single engine prop plane skimming the tree line under an October Sky, a Beaver flying the bush on some remote destination or a Helicopter on a "Scenic Fall Tour".

could someone think that a Beech Baron 58, Ford Tri-motor, 737-800, or a Concorde fits into that category.    they are not single engine planes.   

You see, that is exactly the problem, those were just examples. I should not have said "single engined prop" asall we were looking for was "Low & Slow".
Thanks guys...

Dave