Why don't you participate in our photo contests?

[ezdays]

These past few months, the photo contest participation has been dismal at best. I've had to extend some to two months, I've asked for input from everyone as to what subjects they'd like to see, and we still haven't been getting the response that we used to. So, let's take a poll and see if we can get to the heart of the problem and put some fun and excitement back into these "contests.". I placed "contest" in quotes because there really is no prize awarded, we just run them for the heck of it and call them contest just to give us a reason to enter.

Anyway, give us some feedback and you can check as many of the items on the poll that applies to you. You can also post a message and let us know how you feel about these things and what you think we need to do to improve the situation. I noticed that on some other forums they've cut back on their photo contests as well, maybe because of lack of interest, let's find out for sure.

If you check any of the items marked with an *, you can check out some recent thread regarding these contests because I think we have tried to be as versatile as possible, but I could be wrong there too.

 

[Gary S.]

I'll echo the post above. Plus, my hobby time is spent working on my layout for the most part. Now, once I get it respectable, I may participate in some contests.

 

[TrainNut]

I'll echo the post above. Plus, my hobby time is spent working on my layout for the most part. Now, once I get it respectable, I may participate in some contests.

I know I'm totally missing the point your trying to make Gary by saying this but it Kinda sounds like it could be fun to have a contest that does not show finished pictures but rather pictures of layouts in progress. Say next months contest could be the best use of foam.... or best track plan for a door layout etc. .... things that don't show finished scenery pictures.

 

[Gary Pfeil]

There are a couple reasons I haven't posted entries in the contests, mainly because I haven't done much new and who wants to see the same scenes with maybe just different equipment? Contests which have a theme such as ptototype structure, etc., require one to build a model and would only be suitable to me if it happened to coincide with a need for that item on my railroad at that point in time. I have so much to get done, and for too long now so little time to do it (I'm afraid that may change by the end of the year, as the plant I work at will be closing) that if a contest is about something I'm not currently working on, such as the scratchbuild contest when I entered my Northeast Corridor scene, that I won't take the time to participate.

On the other hand, if I finish something I'm not likely to wait for a suitable contest, I just post it.

I have posted photos a couple times on the weekly photo thread, I feel its no problem to post older shots there as opposed to contests.

 

[CNWman]

I know I'm totally missing the point your trying to make Gary by saying this but it Kinda sounds like it could be fun to have a contest that does not show finished pictures but rather pictures of layouts in progress. Say next months contest could be the best use of foam.... or best track plan for a door layout etc. .... things that don't show finished scenery pictures.

Best 'in-progress' shot contests? Sounds like a winner to me!

The main reason I don't enter is because most of the time it's asking for stuff I can't do, don't have, or can't get.

 

[Tommybza]

My vote is for best in progress .time limit's could be a issue , ''for me any how'' a rookie contest- a mid level -and then the real deal .
just a idea I think were having a think tank here.
or brain storming is a good one too .
time for my power nap ..
T

 

[eightyeightfan1]

One thing I've noticed is, we've kinda steered away from the Photo Contests in favor of kitbash, or scratchbuild challenges(or am I missing them, because I don't go to that forum, in which case, announcements in General Talk for a new "photopic" is in order).

 

[N Gauger]

One thing I've noticed is, we've kinda steered away from the Photo Contests in favor of kitbash, or scratchbuild challenges(or am I missing them, because I don't go to that forum, in which case, announcements in General Talk for a new "photopic" is in order).

LOL youre missing them We have run contests almost every month ... Advertisement might be the issue... We have the "Parties and challenges" 2 - 3 times....now most likely 2 times a year...

 

[ezdays]

One thing I've noticed is, we've kinda steered away from the Photo Contests in favor of kitbash, or scratchbuild challenges(or am I missing them, because I don't go to that forum, in which case, announcements in General Talk for a new "photopic" is in order).

Like Mikey says, we've had a photo contest running just about every month. The reason I've even brought this up is that participation has been waining and it gets a bit much to have to keep reminding people that we have one running. I've not done too much of that for September's contest and we only have about four entries. I didn't close it or start a voting thread, and no one knew the difference. I'm just wondering why, and what we need to do to get them going again.... We had months were we had thirty or more entries and almost 100 votes. How do we get back to that level without having doctorwayne visit each and every one here, along with his crew of..... well, really nice guys.

 

[Gary S.]

I know I'm totally missing the point your trying to make Gary by saying this but it Kinda sounds like it could be fun to have a contest that does not show finished pictures but rather pictures of layouts in progress.

That does sound like a good idea.

As you know, my point was that right now I just don't have enough time to do everything I want to with model railroading plus take the time for contests. I usually don't even vote in them. But like I said, as my workload in the hobby (woah - work??? I thought this was a hobby, not work) diminishes, I'll have more time to be an "All Around Gauge Super Star"!!

Gary

 

[nachoman]

my reason: simply a lack of time lately. I just have too much going on and really nothing but a messy workbench to take a picture of!

Kevin

 

[Roger Hensley]

Well, I just checked out the Contest area. I find that there is more gab there than photos. Oh, well.

 

[sumpter250]

Contest: an event in which one wins, and everybody else does not.
OK, three winners if there is a first, second, and third place, although most competitive individuals consider second or third place as not winning. Then, of course, there is the dreaded "also ran".
In a group, where every member is within the same range of creativity, skill, and experience, contests can be stimulating, requiring each member to try to excede their standard level. In a group, such as we have here, a mixed experience and skill level, it is pretty much guaranteed that only the older, more skilled can "win" (yes, even in the popularity vote style of determining the winner).
To be fair, a contest should run at three levels. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Contestants could then choose the level they could best compete in. The rules could be set so that the winner of the beginner level, would next be required to compete in the intermediate level, and intermediate winner to the advanced level, to help insure that one individual can not dominate a lower level contest.
In the end though, there will still be a few winners, and a lot of those who didn't win, and those who have not won, will be less tempted to compete. Weekly Photo Fun, gives everyone the chance to post, and have their pictures appreciated. We can still run contests, but with the acceptance that participation will be limited by the number who wish to be competitive.
Competition does indeed bring improvement of skills, much faster than would normally occur. Consistantly missing the mark (I really don't want to use the term losing) can result in no improvement of skills, and possibly, discouragement with the hobby, at worst, and disallusionment with the forum, at best. It has taken me fifty years to develop my skills to the level they are today. I have done this not by competing with those better than I, but by learning from them, and believing that "if they can do this, I should be able to as well". Let's try to keep the gauge primarily a learning environment, accomodate the competitors, but do not require competition of everyone.

 

[MadHatter]

I just don't have the time, and when I want to post a pic, some of the shots need to be made minute wile others can be left large??

Anyway, it would be hard to get a prize to someone like me or anyone overseas for that matter (if there was a prize), and who would have to fork out the money anyway to send the prize wherever.

For me personally it is reward enough to be considered having the best shot.

A suggestion:

1) Make an annual contest:

Locally the RSSA (Railway Society of South Africa), run a contest every September, everyone from amatures to proffessionals enter. We don't need to pay and the prize is a floating trophey. (Sorry if this is a repost, this all sounds fimiliar).

Maybe run an annual photo contest and if there is a prize, maybe we should pay a fee- a US dollar maybe?? Or get a hobby shop to sponcer the price maybe??

Just my thoughts.

 

[SPmodoc]

I have noted that in most "photo contests" a certain group of people always win, even if their picture might not be the best. So why bother, I don't stand a chance.

 

[TrainNut]

Well, I just checked out the Contest area. I find that there is more gab there than photos. Oh, well.

Darn those comments just for the sake of gab! You just never can tell where they will pop up! If you want a nice quiet gab free environment, go to the gallery. It's kind of like a big picture book with no story.

 

[yellowlynn]

Great pictures

SPmodoc, I agree with you, up to a point. Sometimes the winner doesn't seem the best to me. But I still vote for the one I think is best. But if I thought the same way as everybody else, I wouldn't be me now, would I? I'm not fussing at you, just trying to say what I think. The only contest I tried to enter, was when Everyone was having problems with getting pictures posted. I never did get entered.

I have learned over the years that most NEWBY'S do a great job for their skill level, and their effort is greatly appreciated by one and all. Give it a try and see. Like the TV ad, "Try it, you'll like it". I enjoy seeing ALL the entries, and one of these days I'll get a round tuit too.

Lynn

 

[N Gauger]

Contest: an event in which one wins, and everybody else does not.
OK, three winners if there is a first, second, and third place, although most competitive individuals consider second or third place as not winning. Then, of course, there is the dreaded "also ran".
In a group, where every member is within the same range of creativity, skill, and experience, contests can be stimulating, requiring each member to try to excede their standard level. In a group, such as we have here, a mixed experience and skill level, it is pretty much guaranteed that only the older, more skilled can "win" (yes, even in the popularity vote style of determining the winner).
To be fair, a contest should run at three levels. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Contestants could then choose the level they could best compete in. The rules could be set so that the winner of the beginner level, would next be required to compete in the intermediate level, and intermediate winner to the advanced level, to help insure that one individual can not dominate a lower level contest.
In the end though, there will still be a few winners, and a lot of those who didn't win, and those who have not won, will be less tempted to compete. Weekly Photo Fun, gives everyone the chance to post, and have their pictures appreciated. We can still run contests, but with the acceptance that participation will be limited by the number who wish to be competitive.
Competition does indeed bring improvement of skills, much faster than would normally occur. Consistantly missing the mark (I really don't want to use the term losing) can result in no improvement of skills, and possibly, discouragement with the hobby, at worst, and disallusionment with the forum, at best. It has taken me fifty years to develop my skills to the level they are today. I have done this not by competing with those better than I, but by learning from them, and believing that "if they can do this, I should be able to as well". Let's try to keep the gauge primarily a learning environment, accomodate the competitors, but do not require competition of everyone.

All that sounds good.. We do the "Annual Gauge Party" just for the reason to see who would want to improve their skills. ezdays & I have repeatedly offered to "Split" the challenges and photo contests if we got enough interest.. We have not, as yet, had the opportunity. :cry:

 

[60103]

My usual reasoning for not entering is that I have no sense of time and the contest is over before I realize it!
Since the current contest was my topic, I made a special effort to get a picture in -- and I have lots of other possibilities. (Train pictures from your vacation? what else do you do on a vacation?)
And what's this about no prize? I thought the winner got a packet of NMRA couplers.

I may go back and enter a couple more pictures in this month's.

And quality of modelling/photography may not matter if you concoct a good story.

 

[railohio]

And quality of modelling/photography may not matter if you concoct a good story.

They do if you want my vote.

~BS