March PhotoFest

[Jeremy Ordan]

March Photofest

There are five subjects for the March Photofest.

Upload instructions will be coming in a couple of weeks (prior to the end of the month) along with submission instructions.

Here are the subjects:

1. Portrait (self or otherwise)
2. Art
3. Food
4. Sport
5. Out of place

Very simply:
Portrait – Submit ONE image that is a portrait of a human being
Art – Interpret the theme however you choose and submit ONE image
Food – Interpret the theme however you choose and submit ONE image (meaning it does not need to be a burger on a plate)
Sport – Interpret the theme however you choose and submit ONE image (meaning it does not need to be a baseball)
Out of Place – Submit ONE image of something that is out of place


RULES:
Due Date: March 31st @ 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time

Post Processing: You may post process in any way, shape, or form but may not add text

Restrictions: These contest does not allow any text, words, or letters to appear

File Formatting: All images must be resized to 72dpi and be no larger than 720x720 dpi

Submissions: You may submit only one entry to each theme for this contest, uploading instructions will be forthcoming

Voting: Voting will take place online for ONE WEEK after the upload period.

Standing Rules: 1. Submissions must conform to DVXUser Terms and Conditions (no personal attacks, no politics, no pornography) 2. Submissions are exclusive copyright material of the photographer but please do not watermark your submissions 3. All submissions must be posted anonymously until voting has been completed 4. Please post feedback, comments, and constructive criticism if you participate 5. Spread the word… we have gotten this going again and would like a good turn out 6. All images must be shot between the announcement of the contest and the submission deadline 7. All images will be submitted anonymously until after voting has been completed at which time you may post in the thread announcing which entry is yours 8. All images must be taken during the month of March 2009, no stock images.

[Jeremy Ordan]

Reserved for Winning Images

[Adam Gonzalez]

Yes! Im ready to do this!

[2 in the can]

Sounds like fun. I'm in.

[alveraz]

How about rules? Can we use previous shot images? Any restrictions? I just don't want any sudden rules in three weeks after I've done my shooting.

Thanks for doing this! :)

[Jeremy Ordan]

Rules are coming... but it's pretty standard stuff from previous ones...

must be shot during contest period, ect...


It will be posted before the end of the week.

[Adam J McKay]

SWEEEEET. Im excited. Time to shoot

[Jeremy Ordan]

Rules and fine print added

[Zim]

I'll try and remember to do this,,,,We can just do one or all of the subjects right?

[Jeremy Ordan]

I'll try and remember to do this,,,,We can just do one or all of the subjects right?

Yes

[Keth Andril]

Where do we upload the pictures for the contest?

[Jeremy Ordan]

Upload information will be posted in the next week or so...

[alveraz]

Hi Jeremy,

I think what you're doing is admirable but I have a few questions. Maybe it's just me but this feels just as uninspiring as the previous contest. The only change I see is instead of having the weekly one-topic contest, you simply bundled them together and made it monthly, is that right?

I know it's hard to read tones in posts, but your posts so far in this thread have also been uninspiring. It feels as if you're doing this because you have to or that you don't really care either way. I could be reading this wrong but all I see is, "I'll get to it when I can".

Here's what I'm saying. I know contests are fun, but I for one take my work seriously and if I'm going to take 5 shots, one for each category, I'm going to take my time to insure they have a chance at winning. This requires hours, even days of work. However I'm not going to enter something no one seems to care about. Especially when nothing has really changed.

I know there are no prizes, but how about spicing it up with at least some recognition? I'm sure you could figure out a free way to recognize the winner or at worst post a few encouraging thoughts about the contest or something, anything. I always thought a point system was a cool idea but you passed right by that even though a few of us agreed, the only people that enter these so far. That would at least be a start? As this stands, it's mediocre topics bundled together and no one is even talking about it, including you. That's a problem, no?

Sorry man, I don't mean to be a downer, but I don't think this could be more uninspiring than it already is. Just my 2 cents :)

**I would put some thought into the running point system, it would give us all something to shoot for and you wouldn't have to deal with prizes, we'll all be happy just trying to improve our craft and rising to the top of the table. Something as simple as: 1st-20 pts, 2nd-10 pts, 3rd-5 pts. Then carry those points to the next month, keep a sticky up of the running points table. That would be cool, and fun.

[Jeremy Ordan]

Alveraz,

You bring up a couple of points. The simple retort would be to say that I agree with you and I agree that the contests need to have a continual evolution. Looking back 2+ years ago to the first photo contest we had we have 50 entries, rampant discussion and widespread participation. Fast forward a couple of years and we have a handful of people participating and everyone complaining about either the topics (which were provided by membership) or involvement.

Now there are a couple of things that we can do as a community to increase participation, involvement, and excitement regarding these fests. I agree with the point system and as I believe that I have said in the past, that is the ultimate goal to have implemented. Is it going to happen right away? Most likely not, but it hopefully will be ultimately implemented.

I understand your point regarding not entering something that no one cares about, but I am forced to ask... What are YOU doing to promote this? There is no way that these contest succeed without the participation, involvement and buy in of everyone. So what are you doing or what are you capable of doing to promote these fests and help make them better?

I have invested money, time, and energy into making these fests happen in the past and continue to believe that these fests can be a successful community event. I will take responsibility for not being as active lately as I once was but one person alone doesn't make film festivals successful nor would one person ensure the survival of these photo fests.

I urge members who want to see these continue to participate and voice your opinions. These aren't my fests but a community festival. Voice your opinion, get involved in any way that you want to or are able to, and most importantly participate.

Complaining about something without providing a possible solution towards it doesn't accomplish anything (Alveraz, I am not saying that is what you have done as I like the ongoing point system and think that a tracking system is a great idea).

[alveraz]

Jeremy,

One thing is for sure, you're the right man for the job. Thanks for being rational and open to suggestions, it shows character and I'm behind anyone that approaches a new contest this way, thanks for being cool about it all. You asked what I can do to help the cause, my only thought is, what do you suggest? I'd be willing to help promote or help evolve the contest, just let me know how. I'm not familiar with contests like this and clearly you know how to do this sort of thing. Just let me (us) know what we can do besides jumping into other forums and asking folks to join up and I'm right there with you.

I'm glad you think the points system is at least an option. If you'd like to PM me I'd love to brainstorm this with you to find an amicable system that works for everyone. I may have come off harsh, I apologize for that and I'm glad you took the higher ground with a more mature response. It convinced me to help in anyway I can. I stand behind any system that rewards the photographers for their work and I'm sure you (we) can come up with something that not only recognizes their work but promotes the contest and gives everyone the opportunity to share their work and enjoy the experience without costing you or the forum any dough.

Hopefully others will take an active approach and chime in on the points system or other alternatives that will make this a stronger and educational experience for all of us.

[MikeWilkinson]

As participants, I agree that we are in a large part responsible for generating interest. The larger it grows, the more diverse shots will be submitted, and the more everyone will enjoy it.

I'm going to pass on this thread to a few classmates of mine in a photography class, who I'm guessing just need to register with DVXuser to be eligible for participation. I'd encourage others to pass the word around about it, even if they themselves are not participating. All ya need to do is copy and paste the link! Involved in other forums? Let people know!

[Jeremy Ordan]

Yesterday I had a very long conversation where we essentially went through the history of photofest as well as where we hope it will go.

As some of you might remember, the first photo contest actually was born in the largest thread on DVXUser (the Nikon User thread). It was birthed and initially had about 10 participants. From there the first REAL photo contest was born and on the initial photo contest we had over 50 participants, rampant commenting, and lots of interest. Photo contests at DVXUser were born.

Now I want this to be read and hopefully understood by everyone... Although this is a photography contest in a literally sense, it is more importantly a community event. The great thing about DVXUser has always been the sense of community and involvement. The friendships that are made extend beyond the confines of the internet. Photofest has always been about inspiring people to shoot a specific subject, theme, or object within a dedicated time line, just as we all experience in the real world, and experience not only the commenting and critical feedback that allows us to grow as artists but also the accolades of seeing how our creative vision and execution stacks up against the competition.

Rehashing the history of photofest isn't going to benefit anyone... It is unfortunate that we don't have the original databases of images documenting the history and submissions but server errors do happen. Moving forward hopefully we'll have a more concrete system in place.

I have some ideas of how we can progress throughout the year so we'll see how this unfolds moving forward. Furthermore, I also want to say that this is a community event, not a Jeremy event. I simply act as the admin for these fests:

If you are reading this, then this is your fest.

If you want these to continue and if you want to continue to have a PhotoFest, the DVXUser community event, then you need to take ownership, participate, and promote it.

[alveraz]

I have some ideas of how we can progress throughout the year so we'll see how this unfolds moving forward..

Hmm. All I read was a history lesson on past fests, then this quote above, then a "ask not what photo fest can do for you but what you can do for photo fest".

Right?

I mean, so you have some ideas that might or might not happen over the next year? And, you count on us to make it happen? I offered my help and instead of taking it you asked us all to take ownership of its direction. How does that help? What exactly do you want from us, maybe you should be more specific? I gave you some ideas that are solid, you turned it into a, hmm, I'll sit on this and let you all know over the next year.

Kinda weak.

Again, no hard feelings, I think the idea is admirable, but that's really all it is, an idea. "Go shoot a bunch of stuff and we'll see what happens, when we get around to it." Yeah, sounds like a blast. I know, I'm a sour puss, but at least I'm speaking up. I truly like the idea and wouldn't be agitated if I didn't care about helping you make it work.

:)

[Adam Gonzalez]

I enjoyed the Photo Fest when there was a separate website for viewing and voting, and medals were given out. I remember when I got my first gold medal and how excited I was. I know this takes time, money, and effort and I am sure that this is not the only thing that Jeremy has to do in life, but I am not amused with shooting for these new contest. Back when there was a separate website for the contest, there were many participants during that time and that is when I was more inclined to go out and shoot photo's to up what was from last weeks. Im upset with how the contest are now. We have maybe 10 participants that are die hard for these and then there are the passer bys that shoot one or two and move on. I love taking photos, it's a stress reliever for me and I wish we could do something to change what is at hand. So I guess the only suggestions I have is the seperate website that doesnt look like dvxuser and is not a thread...and going back to the medal system. That's all! Thanks for listening!

[Jeremy Ordan]

Hey all...

Having just gotten back into town and then getting over being sick I am trying to play catch up with a lot of things right now.

I have read the criticisms, the suggestions, and the accolades associated with what we are trying to do here and appreciate the feedback.

What I am asking for is for people to volunteer to join a committee to help structure and create whatever the next version of DVXUser PhotoFest will be.

So if you are interested go ahead and shoot me a PM. I would like to do a conference call within the next week to establish a strategy as well as timetable to implement before we relaunch something that isn't 100%.

Thanks!

[MikeWilkinson]

This one is still on right? I'm assuming now that you are back and in better health (yay!) the submission rules will go up, seeing as how we have until tomorrow to submit photos?

[Adam J McKay]

Is this fest still happening? Also I have a suggestion for making the fest better. What if we had the mentioned point system and maybe gave the winner some exposure in the DVXuser monthly? Just a thought