Continuing a Contest Discussion That Came Up - Old Photos

[NashVegas]

I saw some debate on this when Algomas first posted for suggestions, and someone asked if we should only be submitting photos that were taken specifically for each contest.

As someone who shoots pretty much exclusively with film, and exclusively for my own fun / muse, I personally don't care too much for that idea. (Film + developing costs)

Just wanted to throw this out there in advance of the next time it comes up.

[MissHoneychurch]

1. does it really matter?

what is the difference between newly shot pictures and old ones? And who cold tell anyway?

[bvar22]

7. A snow covered landscape in August,

or Fall colors in the Spring

or heavy Winter coats in July

would be giveaways unless someone was in the Southern Hemisphere.

[intheflow]

2. I also prefer shooting with film, so I'm right with you, Cisco.

I think if you want to get some new photos based on the contest, or to stretch your skills, great. But I agree with Miss Honeychurch, there's no way to "police" such a rule, and who really cares, anyway? Beautiful photography is beautiful photography.

Not to mention, we're a pretty laid back group. This is supposed to be fun, not stressful. Submit what pleases you, and we'll most likely be pleased as well. :)

[ET Awful]

3. Old are fine by me. I couldn't care less when it was taken. n/t

[Blue_In_AK]

4. Me, too.

I submitted an old one for the "green" contest. I don't think it matters.

[catnhatnh]

5. OK...so this is a friendly competition,right?

I think the real issue is old pro's with scads of pro quality, past award winners and would it be cheating to enter "old" award winning photos to this contest...as Richard Dawson would say "Survey Says...",yes to my thinking that is pushing the contest parameters...I feel real old PROS should self limit themselves to current output so as not to blow out the talented amateurs here and if appropriate post past winners to an appropriate non-contest thread.We would love to see them and I'm sure all involved are willing to compete head to head-after all that IS how you improve your technique....I would go with a suggested limit,maybe last 6 months for pros (or last event for topics like "Christmas" or "fall foliage and maybe 2 years or seasons for we struggling types....Your opinion???

[intheflow]

6. None of us are pros, to the best of my knowledge.

And again, it's just a friendly competition. I think a pro wouldn't be entering stuff in our contests because their photos could be copied and sold by someone else (theoretically). That's why the pro sites usually have their names stamped on the photos.

As far as I can tel, the idea of the group is just to share pretty photos. There are no prizes awarded, unless you call the privilege of hosting the next month's contest a prize. Why limit what people want to submit? This is just fun, it isn't a stiff competition.

BTW, you're new to the group (Welcome! :hi:) so you probably haven't seen that we've actually had a lot of discussion in the past over these photo contests. If you're interested in what's been gone over in the past, here are some of the threads:

(July) Water contest submission thread (This has the rules everyone agrees to play by if they submit a photo.)

Contest Agreement

Building a Template for Contests - Help me (and successors) do it right

Photo rights reserved and given - The Creative Commons License

[catnhatnh]

11. OK....

..I am (I hope) a talented semi-pro...I have shot "money" shots for two newspapers,both with circulation under 10K...also I have been awarded both cash and prizes from juried competitions including one open to "pros". I have read the involved disclaimers to the site and have little trouble posting, since as a primarily film photographer I would have a negative for anything I posted....MY disclaimers aside...I would not post a PAST winner to a monthly competition here...Now if I could just learn scanning and preparing files I will be there soon...

[intheflow]

13. Yeah, I agree about not submitting past winners to contests.

But then, I think chances of that happening is slim since the contest theme changes every month.

I have also done some professional photography (weddings, pets, kids), but don't consider myself a professional photographer. More like a hobbyist with a good eye who needed flexible jobs with good money while being a single parent! :D

I can't wait to see what you have to contribute to the group! Every contest brings out new talent. This group is a joy in a world gone crazy. So nice to have you join us, catnhatnh!

[ConsAreLiars]

15. No money for pics for me, but I have had a lot of practice.

And a whole lot of slides to choose from, which gives me an advantage of sorts, assuming I could tell the good from the bad and had more of a clue about what makes for more votes. "Advanced amateur" I guess.

So I understand the inequality inherent in pitting newbies vs. oldies, and am a bit uncomfortable with it, but still I see the contest as basically a way to share our common love of photography with others. I think the best photos tell a bit of truth about our world, and years of experience is not the best predictor of that quality. I think you are right to withhold past winners from the contests, although I hope you share them in this forum.

As for scanning, etc., check out Vuescan if the software that comes with the scanner doesn't seem comfortable, and for processing Picture Windows Pro. The latter was designed by an ex-Electronic Arts programmer who chose to use his quit-money and skills to develop a program that served his passion for photography, and, for me at least, seems to work in a very natural way, unlike all the others I had tried.

[NashVegas]

9. That's Not the Issue

Not for me, anyway.

The contests were started for fun and sharing.

35 mm film + developing costs anywhere between $9-$17 depending on what speed and type of film you use, and if you have the shop scan your CD for you. If you get two photos worth showing from one roll, you're happy. Five, you're ecstatic. That leaves film users heavily handicapped.

[bvar22]

8. I'm just a beginner, and don't have a stockpile of photos,

but I don't care.
I'm here to learn, sharpen my skills, and have fun.
What others choose to do or not do won't affect my goals in any way.

[Touchdown]

10. I opened that can of worms, but it was ETAwful that started it!

...so blame him.:evilgrin:

I personally think that old photos should be allowed. We all have albums and shoe boxes full of small (and real) masterpieces, and it's a shame to keep them in the dark.

Besides, I have pics of the Berlin Wall, which doesn't exist anymore. So if we have an "oppression" theme for a contest. What am I gonna do?

[ET Awful]

17. All I did was say "I don't have any new pics to post

so I'll use an old one" and y'all ran with that as meaning "you can't use old photos."

I just made a side comment about my reason for not using a new photo.

[Touchdown]

20. Oh' get over it. I'm just razzing you.

:hi:

[ET Awful]

21. Suuure, always blame that Awful dude.

[Touchdown]

22. Bow before Princess Fatty!

[ET Awful]

23. Princess Fatty is no match for the Mighty Quinn

[RagingInMiami]

12. Who is going to know whether you took the photo yesterday or last year?

[alfredo]

14. I have some old photos from back in the sixties,

but I haven't even thought of entering them.

So I see nothing wrong with going back in your archives to find something that will fit the theme. When a theme is announced, they do give time for people to take images to fit the theme. But if you have something already, I have no problem if you use it. It is a friendly competition.

[smurfygirl]

16. my take?

well, all of my film is recent. I just shoot a variety of things. If I have a shot that suits the contest I'll enter it...even if it's not a very good photo. That way, I'm always doing what I love. Shooting the things that make my eyes happy.

[ET Awful]

18. That just sounds so odd. . . "I'm always doing what I love.

Shooting things that make my eyes happy."

Those poor things :(

:evilgrin:

[Mutley]

19. I have no problem with the use of old photos.

I also have just started and none of my pictures are older than April, but I'd have no problem with anyone using an older photo. If it's good and it fits the theme, why hide it?

As for the newbie vs. oldie thing, I really don't care. I've learned a ton of information on taking pictures from the others in this group who have more experience than I do, and I really enjoy being able to see what works for them and try and make it work for me too.