Vote! MPC #5. Abandoned-> Voting Thread

[Pura Vida]

Good work Mags. Place your votes. Voting ends Tuesday, Midnight PST.

Shepherd Wong - Hippy-Bus

http://shepherdwong.smugmug.com/photos/198654339-L-2.jpg


LaZapatilla - Steinsberg Castle

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1199/1432592997_f793c9c38f_b.jpg


MakersTeleMark - Gilman

http://www.pbase.com/praeesse/image/86148408/large.jpg


Rontele - Alcazar Real

http://homepage.mac.com/ars062.01/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/2007-09-27%2008.02.07%20-0700/Image-7FBA84C96D0A11DC.jpg


TeleHoar - Dillon Garage

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb148/Telehoar/Fall%2007/Mine4.jpg

[brice618]

And shepard wong wins again!

You are really good at this photography thing dude.


I will say Rontele's was stiff competition. Really nice shot!

[Lonnie]

First, my opinion and all that jazz, and it's not that the work above isn't good, but I also think it's kinda bogus that the winner from like 1 contest back gets a nod over those that haven't had a chance to "win" yet. I mean, there are only like 10 of us that read this forum anyway. Spread the love around folks....

Sour grapes? Maybe.

Edit: My vote =
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1169/1413580737_f0b595f189_b.jpg

[Tippster]

Meh - the Bus and the Shack are the only images that say "abandoned" to me - the Alcazar hallway is pretty, but it's a hallway. The Gilman shot looks like a landscape - unless you know that the town is abandoned there is nothing in the picture to tell you why it qualifies.

Steinsberg castle looks like 1/2 the castles in Yurp - falling down, but hardly abandoned.

Lonnie - this isn't kindergarden. Not everyone gets a ribbon simply for participating - you want to "win," take a winning picture.

[Lonnie]

Lonnie - this isn't kindergarden. Not everyone gets a ribbon simply for participating - you want to "win," take a winning picture.

Not what I'm saying at all. What my point is here is that if the same folks get the nod week after week, then it's the same folks coming up with ideas for the next contest week after week. Hardly the way to push peoples thoughts, creativity and imagination (which is what I see and the real goal here).

This is only the 5th one of these that has been done and with anything along these lines unforeseen "problems" arise as these things evolve.

As I was lying in bed at 4:00 am unable to sleep, here's a tweak that I think could/should be made. The winner of the previous week still picks the topic. The winners of the previous 3 contests will be exempt for entering (on a voting level, but can still post ontopic photos), but will form a committe of judges that picks the 5 photos for that contests voting. Other than that everything is the same.

But again, it's not my show to run....

Edit: Here are the other photos I thought were in for sure...

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb148/Telehoar/Fall%2007/Mine.jpg

http://adaps.smugmug.com/photos/199871284-O.jpg

http://users.tkk.fi/~hmatilai/Comp/Kelat.jpg

[Tippster]

Ah, gotcha. Hey - it's as much your show as anyone else's. I have nothing against your proposals, but I do think it's a bit unfair to "punish" previous winners by making their entries ineligible. Repeat winners do so because they're good - thus raising the level of competition, IMHO.

[hemas]

Repeat winners do so because they're good - thus raising the level of competition, IMHO.

Bingo...

You wanna win, take a winning pic.

But I do agree that only the bus and the shed are really "abandoned". The rest are still nice shots, though.

[Lonnie]

I have nothing against your proposals, but I do think it's a bit unfair to "punish" previous winners by making their entries ineligible. Repeat winners do so because they're good - thus raising the level of competition, IMHO.

Right (and I agree), but I also look at those folks as teachers too. By making those folks judges, and seeing (no pun intended) what they value in a photo, they can push others by teaching us lighting, composition, etc, etc, etc. Also, by having a committee decide the final 5, it becomes less about personal taste, and more about the topic at hand too (as we are seeing by some of the comments in this thread....)

And it's not like we are kicking them out forever.... :D

[Pura Vida]

Bingo...

You wanna win, take a winning pic.

But I do agree that only the bus and the shed are really "abandoned". The rest are still nice shots, though.

It was hard choice and I figured even though this is just a fun, little "contest" it was just a matter of time before someone starting whining about the choices. While some of the images I didn't choose may have been sticking to theme better, I felt they were lacking in other technical ways, such as being overexposed, overprocessed, etc.

[hemas]

It was hard choice and I figured even though this is just a fun, little "contest" it was just a matter of time before someone starting whining about the choices. While some of the images I didn't choose may have been sticking to theme better, I felt they were lacking in other technical ways, such as being overexposed, overprocessed, etc.

True, but it's actually quite simple. The guy who runs the comp, decides what pics will be on the poll.... Sure, there rest can bitch and moan, but it doesn't matter as the person running the particular challenge calls the shot.

so while I'm entitled to my opinion, so are you... And in this case, it's your opinion that carries the weight.

[Lonnie]

It was hard choice and I figured even though this is just a fun, little "contest" it was just a matter of time before someone starting whining about the choices. While some of the images I didn't choose may have been sticking to theme better, I felt they were lacking in other technical ways, such as being overexposed, overprocessed, etc.

Ok, so wouldn't you have liked some help in making the choices? :smile:

And BTW, I'm not saying changing the rules for this "contest". What I'm proposing is stuff for the future....

[Pura Vida]

True, but it's actually quite simple. The guy who runs the comp, decides what pics will be on the poll.... Sure, there rest can bitch and moan, but it doesn't matter as the person running the particular challenge calls the shot.

so while I'm entitled to my opinion, so are you... And in this case, it's your opinion that carries the weight.

Exactly, with things like this of course not everyone is going to be happy as everyones tastes and eye are different.

FWIW, Lonnie this is the voting thread, not the my panties are in a bunch over some silly Maggot photo contest thread, maybe you can go start your own thread about all your wonderful ways to make this an epic contest.

[Lonnie]

FWIW, Lonnie this is the voting thread, not the my panties are in a bunch over some silly Maggot photo contest thread, maybe you can go start your own thread about all your wonderful ways to make this an epic contest.

No, I think I'm done...

[StormRider]

There is a fine line between using the theme as a guide and trying capture and image that states the theme. While I try to state the theme I think the other approach is OK too.
Also I think the format of the MPCs if fine too. I just need to get better.
Right now, however, I’m going to go cry in my Cheerios.

[Ripzalot]

fwiw, i'm lurking and voting. no time lately for photo contests, only if it crosses somehow with biking and skiing. i enjoy the contest and havent really paid attention much to which photo belongs to whom. i just try to vote with which one matches the theme the best.

i picked the castle, although i do agree with tip's comments on it. but hippy bus (and some others non finalists) just seemed like a pic of junk to me, the garage didn't seem so abandoned (maybe it was too close up of a shot), rontele's was more empty than abandoned (too clean and well kept), and the gilman one had a town sitting on top, hardly abandoned.

just thought i'd throw out my interpretations, not criticisms, just how they made me feel and think. keep rolling the contests and posting pics!

[TeleHoar]

I am just here to say I am stoked that I made it to the top five, and someone voted for my shot. I can die a happy man!

:smile: :cool:

[amyzilla]

I think the voting/judging is fine the way it is. I don't think we have enough contributers to bench people for a number of contests. Besides, competition is good - it inspires me to work harder. I haven't entered the past few contests, but I've been paying closer attention to the composition of all my shots lately, probably as a result of what I've seen/learned from these contests.

As far as theme goes, I haven't been voting based on how closely an image fits the theme - I've just been picking which one I think is best. I think it's interesting to see how people interpret the theme. If everyone took pictures of abandoned buildings (for example), it would be harder to find shots that stand out. That said, I voted for Rontele because I like the patterns made by the light. It was a tough choice though, because they're all interesting shots.

[truth]

Ah, gotcha. Hey - it's as much your show as anyone else's. I have nothing against your proposals, but I do think it's a bit unfair to "punish" previous winners by making their entries ineligible. Repeat winners do so because they're good - thus raising the level of competition, IMHO.

That's bullshit. All previous winners should be punished and cleansed of their sins. All of them, those bastards!

[Pura Vida]

Edit: Here are the other photos I thought were in for sure...

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb148/Telehoar/Fall%2007/Mine.jpg

http://adaps.smugmug.com/photos/199871284-O.jpg

http://users.tkk.fi/~hmatilai/Comp/Kelat.jpg

Lonnie, if you're curious why I didn't choose any of those, here was my reasoning...

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb148/Telehoar/Fall%2007/Mine.jpg
Out all the ones you mentioned, this one, was one I almost choose, but I didn't care for the out of focus beam in the foreground.


http://adaps.smugmug.com/photos/199871284-O.jpg
Composition.


http://users.tkk.fi/~hmatilai/Comp/Kelat.jpg
Lighting, tone, composition.

[smalls]

i actually really like the tone of the last one ^^^^

but that's just me. carry on.

[Rontele]

I am just here to say I am stoked that I made it to the top five, and someone voted for my shot. I can die a happy man!

:smile: :cool:

that is why I love you, Bondo.

I was shocked i made the top five!

[Pura Vida]

That's bullshit. All previous winners should be punished and cleansed of their sins. All of them, those bastards!

Maybe winning is overrated. :biggrin: Reminded me of the last girl I dated, sure that happy feeling in my pants was nice at first, but then the questions started.

[Lonnie]

And here's why I like the following...

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb148/Telehoar/Fall%2007/Mine.jpg
Out all the ones you mentioned, this one, was one I almost choose, but I didn't care for the out of focus beam in the foreground.

Personally, I like all of the "junk" in the center being framed by the beams. It makes the viewer think as to what is beyond what we can see. We are left wondering "How big does this go?" The fact that we can only see very little of this machinery leaves us with more questions that answers.



http://adaps.smugmug.com/photos/199871284-O.jpg
Composition.

Personally, I love the B&W. The contrast between the old wreck in the foreground, and the masts of the new yachts in the back ground speaks to what a throw away society we are. Maybe some of the foreground could have been cropped, but overall I think this pic is one of the best in capturing the theme of the contest.....


http://users.tkk.fi/~hmatilai/Comp/Kelat.jpg
Lighting, tone, composition.
I think the lighting here is awesome. Smalls has alluded to the almost monochromatic tone of this photo. The wooden spools which are made of a natural material, maybe from a forest not unlike this one, but also speak of human industry. In this shot, they are surrounded by and returning to the nature of the forest.

Edit:
My vote =
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1169/1413580737_f0b595f189_b.jpg

Last but not least. I love the lighting. I also like the dust on the floor. I like the starkness. I love the faded color on the far wall. It makes me wonder, "Who lived there?", "Why did they leave?", "What stories would they tell if they could?"

Regardless of composition, lighting and what ever else you'd like to mention, these four photos speak to me in ways that the other 5 above do not.

[Pura Vida]

Regardless of composition, lighting and what ever else you'd like to mention, these four photos speak to me in ways that the other 5 above do not.

Well there you go, you got that happy feeling in your pants without even winning the contest. :yourock:

[brice618]

I am with tipp on this one, if you don't like the way its done, then start winning the contest and doing something about it.

[Lonnie]

I am with tipp on this one, if you don't like the way its done, then start winning the contest and doing something about it.

Please show me where I ever said I was good enough to "win" one of these? (Honestly, I feel like I'm bringing a knife to a gunfight here (ZERO chance)). I just says it kind of sucks to have the same folks "win" time after time and I think it kind of limits creativity in the subject matter of the contests. And nothing against SW, but it appears he's on his way to #3.

If you folks think that by raising these issues, that I'm hung up on winning and losing these things, then your TOTALLY missing the point of what these things should be about....

[Jack]

I like Rontele's Alcazar picture. The more you look the more you see. There isn't a plumb or horizontal line in the whole picture. At first glance it seems pretty simplistic but the contrasting lines almost give you a feeling of vertigo.

[flatlander420]

I like Rontele's Alcazar picture. The more you look the more you see. There isn't a plumb or horizontal line in the whole picture. At first glance it seems pretty simplistic but the contrasting lines almost give you a feeling of vertigo.

I agree, but I am not seeing the "abandoned" aspect of that shot?

[Ripzalot]

yeah, it's gotta match the theme - otherwise what's the point of the theme?

in the end it's the previous winner's game - he's the judge for the finalists and he's free to choose anything and everything regardless of the theme. and i think dissent should be voiced (and tolerated). discussion is actually more interesting than staring at a pic without context.

i didn't say it in my first post but i did like all the shots! (including some non-finalists)

[Rontele]

I agree, but I am not seeing the "abandoned" aspect of that shot?

The only thing abandoned about it is that it hasn't been used in close to 400 years.

[brice618]

Please show me where I ever said I was good enough to "win" one of these? (Honestly, I feel like I'm bringing a knife to a gunfight here (ZERO chance)). I just says it kind of sucks to have the same folks "win" time after time and I think it kind of limits creativity in the subject matter of the contests. And nothing against SW, but it appears he's on his way to #3.

If you folks think that by raising these issues, that I'm hung up on winning and losing these things, then your TOTALLY missing the point of what these things should be about....

I think its ok for the same persons to win it, it inspires me to get better than them and win it over them. It will feel like an actual accomplishment should I do it. Thats my point. It just comes off as if you're bitching because you can't win, so, my bad for mis understanding.

[Lonnie]

It just comes off as if you're bitching because you can't win, so, my bad for mis understanding.

And it's my bad for bringing this up in the voting thread. Moving forward, these types of discussion should most likely happen in the original thread (for reasons that are obvious now). As I said before, this is only the 5th one of these that's been done (only the 2nd one I've participated in), so I personally look at this as growing pains. The value to this things isn't the winners/losers it's the discussion of the photos and motivation for ideas and creativity. That should happen before we get to the voting. Again, my bad.

I guess what started all of this was the "frustration" with the photos chosen, as in my mind, the only one that fit the topic was the hippy van (which I feel, as others have said too, is oversaturated). But again, it's not my show to run. That doesn't mean, however, that I've somehow lost my right to voice my opinion on the matter. Had we as a group done that before hand, then maybe I wouldn't look like the biggest crybaby on tgr....

There is also another matter, which has been on my mind but is really off topic, so I've been reluctant to bring it up. I didn't want to start a new thread as it seems I'm already the pot stirrer here. I'll just broach it here and maybe somebody will start a new thread or something. I have a feeling that with some of these photos that there is a significant "equipment gap" that gives many folks here an advantage. Maybe categories of competition for those with high powered DSLR's/inter-changeable lenses/etc and those without. Just a thought....

[hemas]

Maybe categories of competition for those with high powered DSLR's/inter-changeable lenses/etc and those without. Just a thought....

While dSLRs help in some situations, a good photog will make a simple P&S work... See the numerous pics taken by Summit, some of them are from a "crappy" P&S, and I'm certain you can't spot which are shot with what equipment.

And David picture from Spain is also stellar... And again, it wasn't shot with a dSLR... Neither were any of my crappy pics in MPC #5.

Though, what would be welcome, would be more peeps participating... Amyzilla, Ripz come on, post something in the next one.


The best thing about these comps is, that it makes us go out and shoot... Also by looking at other peeps photos, we might learn some new tricks or perspective and ideas.

[Pura Vida]

My 2 cents, not that it matters as there only appears to be one person with sand in the vag over the contest.

There are more serious and competitive photography contests available on other forums. I think the Maggot version was a good idea due to it's simplicity and the general stoke of the mags. The point is to provide some motivation to go out and shoot, being in the finals/winning I felt was secondary. Elaborate judging panels, more rules, etc I think is unnecessary for a little thing like this.

As far as the topics, it seems with any of the contests so far they were merely a rough guide, which is fine by me. I left my subject open to take in whatever direction the participants wanted to take it. With all the contests thus far I feel there's been images left out of the final 5 that should have been there, but it wasn't my decision and I didn't let the sand infiltrate the vag, as this is not paying anyone’s bills or offering some amazing awards.

In this round there were more then 5 that were finals worthy IMHO, but 5 it is and the ones I choose I felt were worthy enough candidates. If your "worthy" image wasn't chosen don't take it personally, it doesn't mean you or your skills suck, it was just your image didn't do "it" for me at the time I choose the final 5.

Now vote! ends tonight.

[Pura Vida]

I have a feeling that with some of these photos that there is a significant "equipment gap" that gives many folks here an advantage. Maybe categories of competition for those with high powered DSLR's/inter-changeable lenses/etc and those without. Just a thought....

LOL. Do you ever look at TGR? One of the impressive things about this place is all the amazing shots taken with piece of shit equipment.

[amyzilla]

Though, what would be welcome, would be more peeps participating... Amyzilla, Ripz come on, post something in the next one.

Haha, okay, will do.

My $.02: I don't think people should have to justify why their shot fits in with the theme. If people start worrying about whether or not their shot "fits", they might not post it, and we could miss out on seeing some great photos. If you don't think a nominated photo fits, and if that matters to you, then don't vote for it.

Also, I've seen some great photos from disposable cameras. I've seen shitty photos from DSLRs. There are so many variables involved in taking a good photo, only some of which can be adjusted through the equipment. To me, composition and lighting are the most important. And catching the right moment. A few contests ago, someone (I can't remember who, sorry) posted a shot of a terminally ill relative telling stories by a campfire. It may not have been the best shot technically (though I remember it being pretty good), but being able to catch that moment was pretty cool.

[Viva]

Since it's been brought up here, the theme of the next contest should be "Happy in the Pants".

[MakersTeleMark]

Who cares about winning. It's all about thinking about a topic, and taking some time to get off your butt and try to see something. It is also a great way to get to see other folks' non-skiing related places/perspectives that you don't normally get to enjoy.

[Provocyclist]

MTM nailed it. Am I happy Lonnie thought my photo was cool? heck yeah. Am I butt-hurt that it wasnt in the voting? not in the slightest. Lets move on.

[wendigo]

Since it's been brought up here, the theme of the next contest should be "Happy in the Pants".


Now is that really what you want to see...



Also - who gives a shit about who wins. This is a way to get people to creatively shoot and think outside of our respective boxes - always a good thing!

Looks like the bus is going to win - so what is the next topic - my trigger finger is itchy.

[Pura Vida]

Who cares about winning. It's all about thinking about a topic, and taking some time to get off your butt and try to see something. It is also a great way to get to see other folks' non-skiing related places/perspectives that you don't normally get to enjoy.

exactly. I think so far it's done just that with very few butts were hurt in the process.

[Pura Vida]

Nice work Shepherd Wong, the "Hippie-Bus" shot wins the vote.