bjacxcky, I know what you mean. This happens in the photography contests also. It seems the photo that is way out of focus, blurry and bland rates higher sometimes than others that are in focus, nicely colored and the composition is great.
unfortunately, this is something we deal with all the time, for years we've been dealing with it. At times I feel there is some "friendly" voting going on, but the mods do all they can to spot those kinds. I left for a while because of it (and other things).
For example, in the photography contest "Rebellion", I think the entry that got 7th place probably should have been first place. The crisp clear photo was focused and it was completely on theme. Instead, my own photo got 2nd place just because it looked more like a rebel. It wasn't as clear and crisp as it should be. The way a photo makes you feel is obviously going to rule your mind, but seems voters don't take into consideration the technical aspects.
It is what it is and we are here for fun, not for a job or anything. Some of my entries here that placed LAST or close to LAST in a contest have actually sold at galleries, so even though I hate it sometimes, I don't take it to heart when my photo places last in a pxleyes contest
Kellie

To BJ: First at all, I am not a dedicated Forum visitor, I come here from time to time to see what is happening around Pxleyes. I am sorry and sad to hear that you are leaving for unfair voting on your entries. Well, I will begin with a short story.

I joined Pxleyes three years ago with the idea of finding a place that was challenging for me. I had been in other sites before, with lots of contests every week too, but people there were not as friendly and encouraging as they are here. It was hard for me to adjust to the system, in the beginning I was confused, my Photoshop skills were low, and my entries, were not as good as many others. Getting low votes, did not disappoint me, on the contrary, I knew I had to do something better, so, I started reading tutorials, and looking at other members work. I began to learn how to use other tools and features that Photoshop gives us to work with. I can tell you, I still enjoy participating in the weekly contests. It does matter to me, as I have seen a huge difference in my works, from three years ago to today.

I have been able to learn by still reading tuts. Getting ideas from members who gently guide me with their comments and suggestions. I do not care much about the voting process, because at the end of the contest, I know, that if my entries are not among the best seven, I have enjoyed myself, with something that I like to do. I do not envy no one, on the contrary, I congratulate them for their good work. You know, even the newbies, have good ideas in their work, colorizing, CBR, or using their imagination to create something they like. I am happy to tell you, that this is the place I like, and I am proud that I have written 21 tutorials...., and that I thank my good friends for always giving me a hand, when I need it. Do not leave.... Do what you have in your heart...I think you will find yourself in your work.

I haven't been around much...haven't been participating, but I check in every week to see what's going on. I am always curious about what is going on in contests. I have to say, there are alot of things that make the mediocrity rule here.

We used to have skill levels. Now, there are none. Something I put an incredible amount of work into goes up against beginner pieces, cbr'd kaleidescope images, and over filtered badly chopped works. And the few actual talents. I have seen more than enough of the "moody" images that were once a trademark of one young talent here, and now copied over and over again. It is discouraging to say the least.

Also, the source images. What is with the sources? There are so many unrestricted photos out there for stock, all over the internet, and instead, we are offered images that are not only out of focus, but bad resolution, or completely uninspiring.

And then, there is the lack of prizes. No prize money, no rewards. Yes, I should create for myself, and I do. However, I believe the incentive for some is completely lack. I thought all these banner ads were here to support this site, and yet, there is not any money to use for prizes at all?

What is happening, dear pxl members?

jadedink wrote:I haven't been around much...haven't been participating, but I check in every week to see what's going on. I am always curious about what is going on in contests. I have to say, there are alot of things that make the mediocrity rule here.

We used to have skill levels. Now, there are none. Something I put an incredible amount of work into goes up against beginner pieces, cbr'd kaleidescope images, and over filtered badly chopped works. And the few actual talents. I have seen more than enough of the "moody" images that were once a trademark of one young talent here, and now copied over and over again. It is discouraging to say the least.

Also, the source images. What is with the sources? There are so many unrestricted photos out there for stock, all over the internet, and instead, we are offered images that are not only out of focus, but bad resolution, or completely uninspiring.

And then, there is the lack of prizes. No prize money, no rewards. Yes, I should create for myself, and I do. However, I believe the incentive for some is completely lack. I thought all these banner ads were here to support this site, and yet, there is not any money to use for prizes at all?

What is happening, dear pxl members?

Jade, I couldn't agree more. Where are the skill levels? Let's have some source pics NOT chosen from the photo section for a change. I don't care about prizes, but it'd be nice to see them available for those who do.

k5683 wrote:bjacxcky, I know what you mean. This happens in the photography contests also. It seems the photo that is way out of focus, blurry and bland rates higher sometimes than others that are in focus, nicely colored and the composition is great.
unfortunately, this is something we deal with all the time, for years we've been dealing with it. At times I feel there is some "friendly" voting going on, but the mods do all they can to spot those kinds. I left for a while because of it (and other things).
For example, in the photography contest "Rebellion", I think the entry that got 7th place probably should have been first place. The crisp clear photo was focused and it was completely on theme. Instead, my own photo got 2nd place just because it looked more like a rebel. It wasn't as clear and crisp as it should be. The way a photo makes you feel is obviously going to rule your mind, but seems voters don't take into consideration the technical aspects.
It is what it is and we are here for fun, not for a job or anything. Some of my entries here that placed LAST or close to LAST in a contest have actually sold at galleries, so even though I hate it sometimes, I don't take it to heart when my photo places last in a pxleyes contest
Kellie

quote in all, bravo

CMYK46 wrote:

jadedink wrote:I haven't been around much...haven't been participating, but I check in every week to see what's going on. I am always curious about what is going on in contests. I have to say, there are alot of things that make the mediocrity rule here.

We used to have skill levels. Now, there are none. Something I put an incredible amount of work into goes up against beginner pieces, cbr'd kaleidescope images, and over filtered badly chopped works. And the few actual talents. I have seen more than enough of the "moody" images that were once a trademark of one young talent here, and now copied over and over again. It is discouraging to say the least.

Also, the source images. What is with the sources? There are so many unrestricted photos out there for stock, all over the internet, and instead, we are offered images that are not only out of focus, but bad resolution, or completely uninspiring.

And then, there is the lack of prizes. No prize money, no rewards. Yes, I should create for myself, and I do. However, I believe the incentive for some is completely lack. I thought all these banner ads were here to support this site, and yet, there is not any money to use for prizes at all?

What is happening, dear pxl members?

Jade, I couldn't agree more. Where are the skill levels? Let's have some source pics NOT chosen from the photo section for a change. I don't care about prizes, but it'd be nice to see them available for those who do.

its not that i care that much about prizes either, but it is nice to see a reward come from really hard work.
it used to be 1,2,and 3rd place got rewarded. then just first, and now nothing.
skill levels help separate the talents, and now with them all lumped together, its a mess to vote on. i instantly give a lower vote to less skilled entries based on the fact that other entries are much better, but only because of their skill. It would be nice if there could be more even playing field, so that people could be voted on in a fair way. BASED ON THEIR SKILL.

i don't know how some of the pieces win that do win. i get that its based on votes, but..some of these pieces do not deserve the votes they are getting, and its obvious at times that when there is nothing quality to vote on, people close their eyes and click a number. and unfortunately the higher skilled artists are overlooked, and their scores suffer.

i don't care if i don't get first. i spend enough time working on artwork that has nothing to do with pxleyes, or contests, i don't need the validation of winning a contest. however, i do enjoy the competition, and i have grown so much as an artist because of my beginnings here on pxl. i just wish it were like it used to be, where there was real competition, learning, critiquing, growing...it was a community back then. it just doesn't feel the same. and i am almost scared to critique some of the pieces for fear i would be tearing them apart.

jadedink you've made some valid points. I have to agree with what you are saying, I've been thinking those same things for a while myself. No offense to the photography side of the house but come on guys some of those pictures we've had lately...If we are going to have to use those sources only (as has been the norm lately) is that the best you are willing to let us "choppers" play with?

I have to agree that the sources lately haven't been that good in choppers eyes. Before anyone who supplied those sources gets upset: Yes they are great photos and most choppers are thankful you do supply them, but to be a good source we need something extra to it.
1. DOF photos are great but they do not make great sources for chopping.
2. a good source for chopping can be the worst shot of a shooting but:
- sources do not need to have a perfect composition or color balance
- the object needs to be sharp
- a source needs to be a (simple but) interesting object, this can be a headphone, a wallet... ordinary but interesting objects to chop
- a source needs to be big
and so on...
Please before you click on that button (to make a photo in your portfolio a source) think if others actually can do something with those sources, the question "I'm curious what choppers can do with this photo" is not something that helps choppers.

BUT choppers can do something as well about this:
1. if you see a nice photo in our contests which would make a great source: ask if the author is willing to make it a source
2: go through the contests suggestions regularly and leave your opinions on them, If you leave a comment maybe also point out why a certain suggestion would be a bad source, educate the suggesters to look through choppers eyes.

To make 1 thing clear: mods do not pick the sources, they have 0% influence on the choice.

Good points and for me I know what may be a good chop image and do suggest those.
We can also take shots just for chops and suggest them.
Maybe some photogs would like to do this once in awhile just to keep things interesting.
It is fun to have a suggestion used for me.
So ya guys don't get to put out about this really. Just think about it before you tick the image.
Good clean sources can be hard to come by.

As someone who does not know what makes for a good source but would happily allow some of my pics to be used, may I suggest using the "tick box" as a request option (by the choppers) instead of a suggestion option? Then the photographer can either accept or refuse. Just an idea.