What is the reason you think our participation in the contests is so low? This is not a poll

[Mira]

Surely I am not alone in worrying about our low count of entries - there have in my observation been only 2 times that the entries filled up to 30 since DU3 started.
We had almost a year then when we could not poll and therefore not run contests.
When the polls came back we could no longer do private voting.

I long thought this break and the change were the reason for the lack of participation, but I'm not so sure any more because I figure people have gotten used to it by now, even I gave up flailing about it.

Could it be fear of winning and therefore having to host? Maybe, but that's nothing new.

Could it be that not being a star member prevents a person not from entering, but from hosting? Has that always been like this?

Are we just worn out and no longer interested?

Should we think of some other way to determine the host or hostess?

I'm just wondering about this as I see the struggle to get the Spring contest up to 20 entries. For heaven's sake, anybody with a camera has a photo of spring flowers.........


Thoughts?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Those are all good questions, my dear Mira.

I don't really have any answers.

I can say, for myself, that I'm not entering as many contests as I used to, because I'm really busy with my life. AND the fact that if I win, I will be responsible for the next contest. I'm not worn out, just busy.

(Right now, I am worn out, but that's because I have a stupid cold! )

[Fumesucker]

2. The competition is pretty fierce, we have some remarkably good photographers here

Very often I don't submit because I don't have photos that really fit the category and/or I think are worthy of consideration.

I also have other interests that keep me occupied sometimes, I don't have enough attention left to do more than one thing at a time any more, I tend to wander back and forth between interests so I may not even notice a contest is going.

[NV Whino]

3. I think you've covered most of the reasons

I can speak only for myself when I say.
1. Sometimes the theme doesn't inspire me.
2. Sometimes I'm too busy and can't get out with the camera and like to present new stuff rather than old.
3. When I do have a photo and it makes it to the finals, I cross my fingers that it won't win.
I'm not a star member, and can't run polls. I think (generally speaking) it's an imposition to ask someone else to run your poll should you win.
4. I hate the non-anonymous vote.

[Mira]

4. Please keep responses coming

It may turn into a good conversation, one that may be overdue. I am finding the answers so far quite interesting. Who knows, we may stumble upon something that will help us continue with new energy.
I did not post this to ultimately make any kind of changes, I posted it just to kind of take the groups temperature

[Adsos Letter]

5. I don't feel confident enough to enter most of them.

My stuff is really hit-and-miss, and weighted much more toward the miss side of things these days. Even the hits only rise to a certain level.

As an aside: I miss the days of JeffR, ConsAreLiars, WJMS, and FGordon{?} when there was more helpful critiquing of photos. As Fumesucker noted above, we have some outstanding photographers in this group, so maybe most don't need or want it? I know that I could certainly benefit from it.

[Blue_In_AK]

7. It's sad those guys are gone,

two deceased (Cons also having been TSed before he died), another tombstoned and one just fed up with this place (I'm still in touch with FlashGordon and WannaJump on Facebook).

Frankly, DU gets toxic during primary seasons, and good people are either sent packing or just don't want to put up with it anymore. I reach that point myself on many occasions. It's unfortunate, but it is what it is.

[ManiacJoe]

9. If you want some help with critiques,

post some pictures asking for critiques (one picture per post) and folks here should be happy to help you out.

[Blue_In_AK]

6. Summer.

[ManiacJoe]

8. For me the big reason for not entering the contest is just being too busy

to be able to get out and shoot for personal fun. Yes, I know that this is a crappy reason, but it is what it is.

Hosting should not be a fear as it is relatively easy to do.

Spreading word of the contests in the Lounge and GD would probably help bring in some fresh talent.

[mnhtnbb]

10. There are a lot of really, really, good photographers

in this group and for me, as nothing but a rank amateur, I was intimidated
for a long time to even think about it.

Most of the time I don't have time to go out looking for something once a theme is announced,
but knowing there are seasonal contests I usually do try to be prepared with something for them.
So most of the time I end up entering something I've shot when we've been traveling, because that's
when I have my camera with me all the time.

Being in the group has taught me a lot, and I've learned both from the contests and from looking at other
people's work that they post. It has helped to 'train' my eye to be on the lookout for interesting
shots when I am traveling.

[Scuba]

11. I'd love to enter and have some good pics, but the contest requires that they be ...

... reduced in size from what my camera produces. I don't know how to do that so I just don't enter.

[rdking647]

13. thats very easy to do

i put my photos on flickr and flickr gives me my choice of sizes when i share them for the contest

[alfredo]

17. Flickr does make sharing easy.

[mnhtnbb]

18. You can also upload to photobucket and select edit

Very easy to reduce the size.

[hippywife]

12. I used to participate but

left DU about three or four years ago and just recently returned a few months or so ago. Since I've been back, there doesn't seem to be nearly as hopping a place as it once was. Even Cooking and Baking has been pretty slow, a lot of the old crowd no longer hanging out.

[Solly Mack]

14. I know the loss of anonymous voting keeps some away. They have said so.

Primary season, summer - all times when people are busy doing other things.

The inability to create polls would stop some.

I also think a lot of people think they aren't good enough to enter but really want to give it a try.

I know I felt that way. (and still do, more than I'd ever admit)

Maybe we could come up with an idea to reach out to DU members who feel that way?

[Mira]

15. Thanks again everyone

I am glad to have you check in with your thoughts and feelings and we're beginning to get an overview of where we stand.

I want to not engage with them individually, I'm not an arbiter and don't set myself up for a synopsis. I'd rather everybody sees for themselves how folks respond to the question.

Please add your comments, and if you have not entered a photo for spring please consider it.

[alfredo]

16. They would have been embarrassed if the only vote was their's.

[Callalily]

19. Unfortunately, time is

a big factor that I have not been an active participant in the contests nor in the photography forum for that matter.

[countryjake]

20. Way back when, I think it was F Gordon who suggested having regular hosts...

from the group do each contest, rather than putting the burden on a winner. That would remove any fear of conducting contests, but put an added extra load on members of the Photography Group.

I know that running this contest is something that I'd never even considered when I submitted my entry for Winter and having never done any poll at all before, without your help, Mira, I might have been freaking out soon.

I thought of passing on the hostessing duty to someone on the list up in that pinned thread, but then I figured, I am an old woman, I can do anything.

That brings me to the pictures, themselves. I am a hopeless amateur at shooting photos but I've loved doing it thru my entire life. When I was young, I even emptied out my bedroom closet, just to try my hand at developing my own pictures (black and white birds, ha!). But nothing I've ever taken compares to those of trained artists in the field or even skilled hobbyists, mine are just pictures very far from works of art. Even some of the kitty pics I've seen on DU almost make me cry when I think of all my dearly departed beautiful pets that never got an image that did them justice.

What I mean is, maybe most DUers just don't take good enough pictures to deem them worthy of entering the contest. Maybe many are like me...I've silently read this forum for ages, first trying to learn some basics and then trying to figure out how to decipher all of those icons and settings on a new-fangled camera, which was a freebie to begin with.
Good cameras do make a difference and knowing how to use them makes all the difference.

That's what I think is the amazing aspect of this contest and all of the photos that I've admired here over the years...the utter skill with which you all wield your cameras.

[fizzgig]

21. i was intimidated

we have some incredible photographers here and i feel like such an amateur in comparison. and, other than cropping, i have no post-processing skills (although i'm to fuss with it in flickr a bit) and feel like i don't have anything refined or "technically" good enough to enter.

or, sometimes, the theme just doesn't appeal to me. i'm a bit apprehensive about actually winning and then hosting a contest (i'd be fine getting a star to be able to do so), but it feels a bit daunting.

the spring contest is only the second one i've entered, i didn't vote for myself last time and i won't vote for myself this time. the public vote doesn't bother me.

but it's been fun for me and i plan on entering regularly now that i've gotten into it

eta: i think there's been a slow down in du participation in general and that might have something to do with it.

[Mira]

22. Reading the contributions makes me happy I started this thread.

It's like taking a stroll through the thoughts / feelings you folks care to share about our contests.
I don't want the contributing to the thread to stop because it helps all of us to get to know each other better, I'm only showing up to indicate I know this is still percolating.

Honestly, lots I understand and could and would start a discussion about, but I'd rather make sure we get to read the viewpoint of others, and not stop or derail the thread. We all can from the information internalize what we can do to improve the situation for others, suggestions we could make, or help we could offer.

At this point I would like to say to everybody (other than thanks)
"If it is to be, it is up to us" - of course what I mean by that is we get exactly what we settle for, and what we are willing to work for.
Or not.

[juxtaposed]

23. I think it may be the clique has more power than the posters,,so they stay away..

mira ---I'm still working on it,, so let see where it brings me?

[Mira]

24. I can wait! NT

[postatomic]

25. Cigarettes, ice cream, figurines of the Virgin Mary

Photography, as I know it, has died.



There are fewer 'contests' online these days. I recall recently seeing one that has been going for years... shut down. Why? Lack of interest and heated discussions regarding what was acceptable processing. Since the winner in this contest received actual stuff people would get a little testy.

My word vomit:

1. There is too much emphasis on the contests. There are so many other things that this group can do that might actually be useful to those that crave such things. And who doesn't? I noticed a subtle attempt at posting Rose Photos. That would have been a wonderful thread to have everyone pile on.

2. The voting is largely juvenile. I'm always blown away by photos that are fucking awesome getting only a few "pity votes". And when there is a tie...... the children come out to play.

3. If you enter a photo you should NOT be voting. It's like entering a Pie Baking Contest and you get to judge which is the best Pie. I never vote, even if I don't have a pic in the contest. It just doesn't seem right.

4. There are many times I see a photo and I think "if they just did this, that, and this it would be a better photo". But, I never say it out loud because I don't want to piss off the person who took the photo. However, threads that dealt with critiquing would be quite nice. A great learning tool. I believe there are still a few people out there that want to be able to take better photos.

5. This is the Photography Group. Not the Photography Contest Group.

6. I'm looking through my shoe box and can only find a few spring flower pics. Well, that genre is already well represented. And I'm not going to look for a new photo. I'm going out tomorrow with camera. Maybe I'll get something that represents Spring. Or maybe not.

and....

Cadillacs, blues jeans, dixieland playing on the ferry



On edit: I realize I never actually addressed your inquiry. I'm going with: lack of interest, don't want to host, and it has run its course. I am going to speculate that it had a different 'vibe' to it in years past that it does now. Nothing stays the same.

[a la izquierda]

26. I'm too busy

And some of the contests have been either not inspiring or too technical. Or would have forced me to think so far outside the box that I would've created a Jackson Pollock picture, which...meh.

But mostly I'm finishing a book and I'm just busy.

[groundloop]

27. IMO the contests are fine, leave them be

I haven't entered as much lately as I used to because I've been too busy to take many new photos and some of the themes aren't my niche - but that's fine, when I'm not so busy (or lazy) I might force myself to go out and expand my horizons. I do think there's somewhat of a correlation between the number of entries and how 'specialized' the theme is.

Yes, hosting a contest is a little bit of work but it's not terrible. I really don't think that a fear of hosting the next contest has much to do with it, most everyone wants to be King or Queen for a month. I had a blast the time I won and was able to host, hopefully I'll be lucky enough to do it again.

Finally, I wouldn't worry about whether there are a full 30 entries or not. Actually I think 30 is kind of a lot, I've always felt like that's nothing more than a good upper limit to keep the contest from being really unwieldy.

[northoftheborder]

28. I subscribe to the photography group because I....

....enjoy looking at the wonderful shots many of you come up with, (in contests, and just posted ones). I do not own a camera good enough at the moment to compete, and that isn't my main reason for visiting the forum anyway. Someone suggested posting a theme for anyone to enter, but not make it a voting contest. That would be great for me, and if I ever have time and/or a better camera, and could learn how to enter a photo, I might participate in that way.

[Curmudgeoness]

29. I was overwhelmed by the excellence of the photos of others

and knew that my photos were not in the same class. What got me to post the first time was someone begging more people to enter one of the contests to get enough photos, so I just figured I'd fill up a space. I still do that often.

So there are two things that might help, and one is asking for more photos, especially in the Lounge or GD. And I have pestered a few people who I have gotten to know on DU to post, and a couple have decided to give it a try.....one entered the Spring contest. So maybe it is a matter of asking. And letting people know that no one cares if it is a winner because all the photos makes us smile.

[fizzgig]

33. i think a blurb in gd might help

there's usually one in the lounge, but it's definitely not as heavily trafficked as it used to be.

[Agschmid]

30. A lot of time I just forget to enter.

Not really sure why.

[Mira]

31. I am actually getting a lot out of this thread.

Getting to know the people behind the photographs, and getting to know what makes some of us tick when it comes to submitting, or not submitting.
I really appreciate the honesty and thoughtfulness.
I believe we will grow from this and learn.

[Mz Pip]

32. I don't post as much as I used to.

I'm not on DU as much as I used to be. I do enter the contests to help fill up the slots.

I think Facebook time may be cutting into DU time for some. It's kind of a time suck even for me.

I've voted in very few contests since DU3 and the lack of anonymous polls. Even when I am hosting a contest I will post a tie breaker thread rather than vote. I just am not that comfortable with it.

I don't think the themes are a problem. They aren't that arcane to be difficult to find a picture that fits.

I guess I'll make an effort to participate more. I won't be engaging in the primary battles in GDP. My time would be better spent here.

Mz Pip 🎶

[Curmudgeoness]

34. LOL, yes, your time is better spent here.

I agree about Facebook and hadn't thought about that, maybe because I do check DU most days just to see what is new in my subscribed groups and I do always see the submission threads.

As far as your reluctance to vote in a poll where people can see how you voted, I hope that no one is holding anything against me for my vote. I will say that I rarely remember who submitted any of the photos, so it isn't about the person who submitted the photo. About the only time that I might remember the photographer is if that photo really blew my socks off in the submission thread. There are many reasons why I will vote the way that I do---sometimes, it is the photo that I think is the best. But that photo could have so many votes that I will go with my second favorite to give it a lift. Other times, I might just see a good photo that has few votes and I give them my vote. No one ever knows what my reason is for any particular vote...and sometimes I can't even say why. I don't think that should hold you back.

There have been a few themes that were a problem for me. The night photography was something that I just couldn't do. I had never tried photos at night, and all my attempts did not come out well at all. I also remember the graffiti one, and we just don't have much graffiti in my area, so there was nothing to work with. But I agree, for the most part, it is not a problem with the theme.

[Mz Pip]

35. I suppose you're right

Only someone completely OCD would keep track of who voted for their photo. I don't have that much time! I do remember the first contest I entered. I got 6 votes. Funny that I remember that but have to check back to see what contests I won. Go figure.

[CC]

36. Life

And then I did the math and I have been doing this for over 10 years. And there are those that have been at it even longer. I think I kind of got contest burnout when it came to entering, but never, ever when it comes to enjoying & voting.

As for this Spring contest lets just say I had an idea and a wind driven deluge wiped the props out. I am still irked at mother nature after I have been waiting for weeks.

[Mira]

37. Got this pm from someone who wants to remain anonymous

but allows me to post it for him/her

Header:
Why I don't post on the photography contests

I'm very aware that anything I care enough about to submit to a contest is something I shouldn't put online anywhere with my real name. I've had DUers who were angry with me try to track down where I work. It's too easy to right click and reverse search a photo nowadays; it didn't use to be that way.

I know it's possible to track any of us down anyway, but the contests and permanent gallery make it ridiculously easy and I'm uncomfortable with that.

Sending this as a private message because I feel like posting this on the forum is basically an invite to anyone to search my old posts in this forum. But feel free to repost this without my name, maybe others will chime in to agree or disagree with this as a reason.

[CC]

38. On that one not much the

group can do about it. Actually so far there really hasn't been much of anything mentioned that the group could do anything about. It is sad that someone at DU should feel unsafe posting a photo for any reason but lots of sad/unfair things in this world. There was a time I was all but impossible to find from my internet usage but I knowingly gave that up 15 years ago. I've only gotten easier to find since but the alternative would be to stay offline and not fight for things I believe in with all resources available. I respect their right to do differently and not only understand their reasoning but support it.

[ManiacJoe]

39. As a tangent to this post, we probably need to update

the standard disclaimer that often gets put on these contests with some guidance from Skinner:

CONTEST LICENSE:

An entrant to this contest, by submitting a photograph, is giving permission for that photograph to be copied to Demopedia or to a linked Gallery and included in a DU Calendar that will display the photographs entered for this contest for the purpose of publicizing future contests and/or commemorating current and past contests. The entrant retains all other rights to the photograph being submitted. Neither Demopedia and/or a linked Gallery may use any photograph submitted for any purpose other than to display the photograph being submitted by the entrant, and neither gains any real or implied ownership rights to the photograph.

Demopedia does not exist any more as far as I can tell.
None of the contest photos get put into any DU calendar as far as I can tell.