Photo Contests: You enter or don't enter....... why?

[F.Gordon]

:shrug:

Edit? Copy and Paste is tough
:dunce:

Edit: Edit: There's also the usual "Other.. please explain".

[NV Whino]

1. Additional reasons

Mostly I enter because I have a photo that works, and it's fun to do, or I enjoy the challenge.
I don't enter because I'm too busy.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. I enter mostly because it's fun...

...and I like the strokes when somebody says, "ooooh, that's pretty," plus I like showing off Alaska to people who may not have been here before.

[superconnected]

3. It makes me a better photographer. It's also fun.

I don't put much emphasis on winning. I don't need it because I already feel good about myself. The win I had was kind of like.. okay, that's nice... but I didn't need it.

I guess I feel self qualified as a photog. Others probably didn't the get the praise some of us did as kids, so don't already feel confident in themselves. Their belief in their worth/quality goes up and down depending on how many votes they have in the photo contests. Sad, but I really believe this is true for some.

Fgordon, cleary has incredible confidence. I enjoy his photos, but he doesn't get much attention. He still shoots what he wants and takes a left from the norm. That's heroic in my book. Someone that can stand on their own and doesn't 'throw themself away', just because they don't always get a lot of votes. And most of all, he doesn't bend over backwards to conform to the norm - a Superhero quality imo, since only superheros stand strong and don't *need* approbation to believe in themselves.

[Blue_In_AK]

4. Hey, I guess that means...

...I don't have to take pictures of cats and dogs. :woohoo:

[superconnected]

12. No you don't have to

But they'll sure be missed if you stop.

[Blue_In_AK]

13. My cats and HullBoss's dog are so pathetic

I feel bad even exposing them to the view of "outsiders." Two of the cats have hip dysplasia so bad they can hardly walk (I think I'm going to have to put them down after Christmas), while the other one is -- well, to put it kindly -- "pleasantly plump."

And here is poor one-eyed Jax, who also has no teeth, and is badly in need of a trim (scheduled).

[superconnected]

30. Actually having a 12" cousin "it", walking around the house looks

kinda cute. I like the photo. You captured a look. You have a dog that apparently doesn't even need the 1 eye to get around :rofl: He's adorable!

[Blue_In_AK]

31. I'll tell him you said so.

It's good for his self-esteem. :)

[F.Gordon]

5. My confidence gets shattered on a regular basis

Some days I feel like chucking the whole photographicalistical thing and take up knitting. I've taken some pretty big kicks in the stomach but I just get back at it. I spend more time looking at my "really bad" pixies than I do my "not so bad" pixies.

I really appreciate the kind words but I'm hardly a "superhero". Please, call me Frank. Frank Gordon.
:rofl:

The reason I started this poll was to hopefully get a pulse on the whole contest thing. I have a shitload of thoughts/opinions regarding the contest but I've just been biting my tongue.

A T.S. Eliot quote I'm fond of..... that I liked because it sorta' kinda' sums up my approach to this whole pixie thing.....

"We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."

[F.Gordon]

6. How bout' those that DON'T enter?

:shrug:

[intheflow]

7. #1 and #4 are the same choice for me.

So I voted for the first choice.

[Ms. Toad]

10. I had the same challenge

...then I decided that the challenge was mostly finding time to play so I chose 1.

[RagingInMiami]

8. It's fun, challenging and a diversion from politics as usual

[ConsAreLiars]

9. Actually, I don't enter because "Other"

I hit the "prize sucks" option because typing something as complex as 3 polls (or a single sentence) is a bit challenging and time-consuming for me, so it is a minor deterrent. But the main reason is that I when I first hosted a contest, and ever since, there have been more than enough people wanting to enter than spaces. I appreciated the votes my photos got when I did enter -- it is pleasing to get some kudos -- but don't really want to take a place that others might want. Also, the competition aspect is a bit uncomfortable for me.

[HeeBGBz]

11. If I don't enter it's because...

I haven't been paying attention and miss the deadline. I love to do the contests even though most of my entries suck in comparison. Some day I'll have a really good one that will fit and and I'll make it in on time. I love seeing everyone's selections.

[Eurobabe]

14. It's fun, it's humbling and brutal at times

and it helps me become a better photographer. I am now in a photo club in Munich, looks to be good. Be prepared for better photos for the contests. :hi:

Most of the time I post what I like, regardless of any poll I have put up to help choose. We all see something special in each photo we take, otherwise we wouldn't have shot it.

[NashVegas]

15. #3 for Me

Because I still use film, the contests would be costly for me if I shot up a roll or two specifically to get an entry.

[graywarrior]

16. I've entered 3. Don't know if I will enter again.

[Ms. Toad]

17. Why not? n/t

[graywarrior]

21. Afraid to win.

[JeffR]

18. Never mind that jive

You just get your...

Warmth
April
Fire
Red
Feet
Hands
Bugs
Motion
Personal Possessions
Water
Downtown/uptown cityscapes
peace
magic in the mundane
rocks
compromise
birds
light
surrealism
Cats vs. Dogs
spirit of the season
Stillness
Golden Arches
2005 VW bug
front door wreath
Festival of lights
Tickle Me Elmo in a Manger
illustrating a novel
1/8 of a second

... shots together and be prepared to play well with others.

Did Davy Crockett say, "The Alamo? Count me out."?

Did Paul Revere say, "I'm not sure if the British are coming. If they are, I hope they bring suet pudding"?

Did Rosa Parks say, "I'm not taking the bus today. I'll just walk home."?

Did Bob Dylan say, "Had an idea for a tune called 'Chimes of Freedom' but I didn't bother to write it down. Oh, well."?

Did Ansel Adams say, "Gee, that's an amazing landscape. Hope someone remembered to bring a camera."?

Sheesh. If we just give up on the contests, the terrorists have won. I'm SERIES!!!111

[graywarrior]

26. Seriously. I can't compete with cat photo's.

[JeffR]

27. Here's how you deal with cats:

Get a beagle.

[graywarrior]

28. I have a cat. He's a lousy model.

[qnr]

19. Other: I don't enter because I'm horrified at the thought of winning. No way in the world I

could arrange for the running of the next months contest.

[Blue_In_AK]

22. It's not that hard, trust me.

Do as JeffR says.

[qnr]

24. Well, I just don't mix well with people, so if I can automate it, then perhaps :) n/t

[electricmonk]

20. Voted for 1 but

I usually don't enter because I forget to check in here and miss the deadline. I saw the theme for November and thought that I had the perfect couple of shots to choose from then I forgot about it.

[CC]

23. You just need to check in

daily and you won't miss it.:) Besides it is a great place to escape all the daily stress.

[electricmonk]

25. Yep, I'm trying to

Funny thing is I was one of the original 10 votes to create the photo group. Unfortunately I have the attention span of a crack addicted kitten.

[Ms. Toad]

29. That's a frightening image

I have experience with non-crack addicted and can't imagine what one would be like on crack. If I look hard I can probably still find scars from being scaled like a tree 17+ years ago!