Opinions needed: Blind submissions for the next contest?

[HappyCynic]

The new transparency in voting has raised the issue of blind submissions like never before. As I'm in charge of the next contest, I thought I'd ask you all whether or not whether we should have blind submissions.

Pros: Reduces the influence of the popularity of the photographer on the voting results.
Cons: We can't have "help me choose an entry" posts, as that would identify the photographer for an entry.

I'm putting more than just a simple blind/open option so we can get an idea of where we stand on the issue. Let me know if I've missed anything in the poll options.

If we do go with blind entries, do you want a list of all the photographs and the photographers in the final results announcement, a post in the photography group, or no list at all?

If you have any comments regarding blind/open submissions (or this poll), please post a comment. This will be the first photo contest submission round with the new voting scheme so it's important that we get things in the open sooner rather than later.

Thanks all.

1 vote, 0 passes | Time left: Time expired
	Blind submissions - it's more fun this way and the voting transparency doesn't bother me at all
	1 (100%)
	Blind submissions - with the voting transparency, this is the only way I'll enter
	0 (0%)
	Blind submissions - another reason (or don't want to mention my reasoning)
	0 (0%)
	Open submissions - the "help me choose" option outweighs the voting transparency issue
	0 (0%)
	Open submissions - I like the "help me choose" option and the voting transparency issue doesn't bother me at all
	0 (0%)
	Open submissions - another reason (or don't want to mention my reasoning)
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[Solly Mack]

1. I enjoy the 'help me choose' part of photo contests.

Would hate to lose that.

Still, I'm easy. I'll go with the flow.

[NV Whino]

2. I hate the transparency

Blind submissions are a PIA for the person running the contest. And blind submissions curtain the help me choose polls.

There is no good answer.

[CC]

3. I voted open subs with the

help me choose options but I would say leave it to the host. It is extra work with a higher chance of making a mistake. I also like watching a help me pick thread and seeing what the comments that allow me to see what others see. The transparency didn't really bother me as I almost forgot about it then remembered, looked and wondered why anyone would bother looking. This contest seemed to have more comments in it about the photos and wondering if the ability to know who voted how helped there.

[HappyCynic]

4. As host...

I'm fine with it either way. I've run the contest once (open submissions) so I have an idea what's involved. The blind submissions, if we go with it, wouldn't be too much extra work. During weekdays, I may not be able to update the thread until the evening due to work but as long as everyone's okay with that, I'm game for blind submissions.
I just want to make sure that whichever method is chosen, it doesn't alienate too many photographers. So don't worry about the extra bit of work on my end. Vote for the option that best matches your opinion and let me deal with the results.

[CC]

5. As host it is

your choice. You should get something for winning beyond having to work. You can even arbitrarily choose the theme if you want. I don't think either would alienate people or at least it shouldn't. My answer above was more for in general. I had a feeling you didn't mind or you wouldn't of put the option out there. My advice would be, go with what you want and are willing to do. If you haven't noticed we can talk an idea to death and not really come to any set conclusion. Part of what makes this group so great.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

6. In my opinion

the answer is to dispense with the contests.

[HappyCynic]

8. We'll see if there's still enough interest in the contests

If there isn't much interest in having the contests, then we may very well have to consider discontinuing the contests. As this is the first full contest with the new voting system, it'll probably end up being the litmus test. There does seem to be enthusiasm for the contests from the general DU populace. Of course, it's all dependent on the enthusiasm of the photographers - no photos, no contest.

So, we'll see how this contest goes.

We may want to consider something else besides the contests that will allow the photographers to show their stuff but without voting. Maybe something along the lines of the "Friday art challenge". Perhaps there can be a weekly posting of notable photos from the photography group. But that would be a topic for another thread.

[Mira]

9. They will not be the same, diminished by being reduced to child's play

The fact we have to struggle to make contests work and find ways to adapt,
The fact we have so many photographers unhappy and unwilling (myself of course included) to participate
and above all
The fact that the dismay of so many of us seems to not matter to those who could give us the option of turning on privacy for polling when required
all that makes me think what we had may not survive and either go away or just be kind of pablum.

I'm repeating myself, I'm sure, it's because I'm still pissed.
Even though we had a successful contest just now, with ManiacJoe taking over for me. Many new folks are surfacing who say they don't like to vote in our photographer's community when it is not a private vote.

I think we lost something that really worked and made folks happy, gave us a contest every month that was as real as we could make it. We are forced into a position now to have to re-create that and make it work somehow with parameters that may make it impossible. Our opinion is ignored and it means nothing but that the product is not sufficiently valued.

I have not been able to make myself participate and as time goes on I'm watching opinions trickle in and see that I am actually in the majority. Many of those who try are doing it under duress adapting to that there are no options.

I maintain that if our contribution is valued, so should be our input.

You, dyedinthewoolliberal, were able to say all that in one single sentence and I salute you for that.

[HappyCynic]

7. Blind submissions it is...

The poll is scheduled to run for a few more days but from the early results, I think it's pretty clear the blind submissions is the preferred way to go. So, unless there is a huge groundswell of support for open submissions, I'm going with blind submissions.

Thank you all for your input.