Vote! MPC #5. Abandoned-> Voting Thread

**Lonnie** · 10-01-2007, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by brice618

I am with tipp on this one, if you don't like the way its done, then start winning the contest and doing something about it.

Please show me where I ever said I was good enough to "win" one of these? (Honestly, I feel like I'm bringing a knife to a gunfight here (ZERO chance)). I just says it kind of sucks to have the same folks "win" time after time and I think it kind of limits creativity in the subject matter of the contests. And nothing against SW, but it appears he's on his way to #3.

If you folks think that by raising these issues, that I'm hung up on winning and losing these things, then your TOTALLY missing the point of what these things should be about....

**Jack** · 10-01-2007, 11:01 PM

I like Rontele's Alcazar picture. The more you look the more you see. There isn't a plumb or horizontal line in the whole picture. At first glance it seems pretty simplistic but the contrasting lines almost give you a feeling of vertigo.

**flatlander420** · 10-01-2007, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by Jack

I like Rontele's Alcazar picture. The more you look the more you see. There isn't a plumb or horizontal line in the whole picture. At first glance it seems pretty simplistic but the contrasting lines almost give you a feeling of vertigo.

I agree, but I am not seeing the "abandoned" aspect of that shot?

**Ripzalot** · 10-02-2007, 12:11 AM

yeah, it's gotta match the theme - otherwise what's the point of the theme?

in the end it's the previous winner's game - he's the judge for the finalists and he's free to choose anything and everything regardless of the theme. and i think dissent should be voiced (and tolerated). discussion is actually more interesting than staring at a pic without context.

i didn't say it in my first post but i did like all the shots! (including some non-finalists)

**Rontele** · 10-02-2007, 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by flatlander420

I agree, but I am not seeing the "abandoned" aspect of that shot?

The only thing abandoned about it is that it hasn't been used in close to 400 years.

**brice618** · 10-02-2007, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by Lonnie

Please show me where I ever said I was good enough to "win" one of these? (Honestly, I feel like I'm bringing a knife to a gunfight here (ZERO chance)). I just says it kind of sucks to have the same folks "win" time after time and I think it kind of limits creativity in the subject matter of the contests. And nothing against SW, but it appears he's on his way to #3.

If you folks think that by raising these issues, that I'm hung up on winning and losing these things, then your TOTALLY missing the point of what these things should be about....

I think its ok for the same persons to win it, it inspires me to get better than them and win it over them. It will feel like an actual accomplishment should I do it. Thats my point. It just comes off as if you're bitching because you can't win, so, my bad for mis understanding.

**Lonnie** · 10-02-2007, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by brice618

It just comes off as if you're bitching because you can't win, so, my bad for mis understanding.

And it's my bad for bringing this up in the voting thread. Moving forward, these types of discussion should most likely happen in the original thread (for reasons that are obvious now). As I said before, this is only the 5th one of these that's been done (only the 2nd one I've participated in), so I personally look at this as growing pains. The value to this things isn't the winners/losers it's the discussion of the photos and motivation for ideas and creativity. That should happen before we get to the voting. Again, my bad.

I guess what started all of this was the "frustration" with the photos chosen, as in my mind, the only one that fit the topic was the hippy van (which I feel, as others have said too, is oversaturated). But again, it's not my show to run. That doesn't mean, however, that I've somehow lost my right to voice my opinion on the matter. Had we as a group done that before hand, then maybe I wouldn't look like the biggest crybaby on tgr....

There is also another matter, which has been on my mind but is really off topic, so I've been reluctant to bring it up. I didn't want to start a new thread as it seems I'm already the pot stirrer here. I'll just broach it here and maybe somebody will start a new thread or something. I have a feeling that with some of these photos that there is a significant "equipment gap" that gives many folks here an advantage. Maybe categories of competition for those with high powered DSLR's/inter-changeable lenses/etc and those without. Just a thought....

**hemas** · 10-02-2007, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by Lonnie

Maybe categories of competition for those with high powered DSLR's/inter-changeable lenses/etc and those without. Just a thought....

While dSLRs help in some situations, a good photog will make a simple P&S work... See the numerous pics taken by Summit, some of them are from a "crappy" P&S, and I'm certain you can't spot which are shot with what equipment.

And David picture from Spain is also stellar... And again, it wasn't shot with a dSLR... Neither were any of my crappy pics in MPC #5.

Though, what would be welcome, would be more peeps participating... Amyzilla, Ripz come on, post something in the next one.

The best thing about these comps is, that it makes us go out and shoot... Also by looking at other peeps photos, we might learn some new tricks or perspective and ideas.

**Pura Vida** · 10-02-2007, 08:44 AM

My 2 cents, not that it matters as there only appears to be one person with sand in the vag over the contest.

There are more serious and competitive photography contests available on other forums. I think the Maggot version was a good idea due to it's simplicity and the general stoke of the mags. The point is to provide some motivation to go out and shoot, being in the finals/winning I felt was secondary. Elaborate judging panels, more rules, etc I think is unnecessary for a little thing like this.

As far as the topics, it seems with any of the contests so far they were merely a rough guide, which is fine by me. I left my subject open to take in whatever direction the participants wanted to take it. With all the contests thus far I feel there's been images left out of the final 5 that should have been there, but it wasn't my decision and I didn't let the sand infiltrate the vag, as this is not paying anyone’s bills or offering some amazing awards.

In this round there were more then 5 that were finals worthy IMHO, but 5 it is and the ones I choose I felt were worthy enough candidates. If your "worthy" image wasn't chosen don't take it personally, it doesn't mean you or your skills suck, it was just your image didn't do "it" for me at the time I choose the final 5.

Now vote! ends tonight.

**Pura Vida** · 10-02-2007, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by Lonnie

I have a feeling that with some of these photos that there is a significant "equipment gap" that gives many folks here an advantage. Maybe categories of competition for those with high powered DSLR's/inter-changeable lenses/etc and those without. Just a thought....

LOL. Do you ever look at TGR? One of the impressive things about this place is all the amazing shots taken with piece of shit equipment.

**amyzilla** · 10-02-2007, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by hemas

Though, what would be welcome, would be more peeps participating... Amyzilla, Ripz come on, post something in the next one.

Haha, okay, will do.

My $.02: I don't think people should have to justify why their shot fits in with the theme. If people start worrying about whether or not their shot "fits", they might not post it, and we could miss out on seeing some great photos. If you don't think a nominated photo fits, and if that matters to you, then don't vote for it.

Also, I've seen some great photos from disposable cameras. I've seen shitty photos from DSLRs. There are so many variables involved in taking a good photo, only some of which can be adjusted through the equipment. To me, composition and lighting are the most important. And catching the right moment. A few contests ago, someone (I can't remember who, sorry) posted a shot of a terminally ill relative telling stories by a campfire. It may not have been the best shot technically (though I remember it being pretty good), but being able to catch that moment was pretty cool.

**Viva** · 10-02-2007, 12:58 PM

Since it's been brought up here, the theme of the next contest should be "Happy in the Pants".

**MakersTeleMark** · 10-02-2007, 01:23 PM

Who cares about winning. It's all about thinking about a topic, and taking some time to get off your butt and try to see something. It is also a great way to get to see other folks' non-skiing related places/perspectives that you don't normally get to enjoy.

**Provocyclist** · 10-02-2007, 01:53 PM

MTM nailed it. Am I happy Lonnie thought my photo was cool? heck yeah. Am I butt-hurt that it wasnt in the voting? not in the slightest. Lets move on.

**wendigo** · 10-02-2007, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by Viva

Since it's been brought up here, the theme of the next contest should be "Happy in the Pants".

Now is that really what you want to see...

Also - who gives a shit about who wins. This is a way to get people to creatively shoot and think outside of our respective boxes - always a good thing!

Looks like the bus is going to win - so what is the next topic - my trigger finger is itchy.

**Pura Vida** · 10-02-2007, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by MakersTeleMark

Who cares about winning. It's all about thinking about a topic, and taking some time to get off your butt and try to see something. It is also a great way to get to see other folks' non-skiing related places/perspectives that you don't normally get to enjoy.

exactly. I think so far it's done just that with very few butts were hurt in the process.