How do you vote (for photos other than your own?)

[Pea-n-Me]

Thought it might be fun to see what drives you to pick the photos you pick in the Weekly Photo Contests.

[fhirleighinn]

Fow me it is all of the topics that you list, with the exception of sympathy (although that might explain the votes for the barbershop quartet group ((are they 4 for a $??))
Although it does not have to be difficult, some of the best shots are easy.

[Pea-n-Me]

I guess I should have added "emotional response to picture" as a category but I can't edit the poll now. But what I meant by "sympathy" is something more along the lines of, if all else is equal and someone has zero votes, do you throw your vote that person's way? Just to clarify.

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

It's whatever pic from each group I like best. The technical stuff is lost on me, so the technical merits don't play into my choice.

[loopner67]

For me, it's whichever picture makes me say "ooooh" or just think "wow, that really brings me back to WDW (even though I'm sitting in PA in my den). Emotional response is a great choice.

[Michele]

I voted Other....first I look for a picture that really suits the theme, then it has to keep drawing me back to look at it. I go up and down through the pictures 3 or 4 times and the one that really makes me stop and look again and again gets my vote.

[ukcatfan]

This has actually been on my mind lately. It is is hard to get it own to one thing, but I think the composition is very important. I think I am of a minority though. I always tend to lean towards the shots that had good composition, were properly exposed, had a correct WB, etc. and are still interesting. That does not seem to be what gets the most votes around here though. I think the WOW factor rules the votes here. There have been quite a few shots get good reception that would be eaten alive on places like DPReview. I guess that is part of the beauty of this place. For my own contest entries, I have been having my kids and DW pick which one to use out of about ten I feel match the contest. For the response to mine, I am happy when I get just a few votes.

[oogieboogieman]

I have only entered 2 photos in the contest and I did vote for mine only once. I had to make sure I received at least one vote! So it's a 50/50 chance.

[YouJustBideYourTime!]

I usually like photos for their originality, content, creativity, humour, things like that and then for the technical stuff second.

if I'm voting for a contest and there's two I like about the same i will vote for the one that is better technically executed.

But I think photos sometimes stand out for different reasons. Something might not be the most astectically beautiful but maybe it is funny or something like that, whereas sometimes it is the most visually appealing one that i vote for. it's all on an individual basis I suppose. Because i think there's merit in trying your best as well as being skilled and practiced.

[mouselovenfamily]

I try to vote on seeral things on the list. The Wow! factor is high on the list but I like the fresh look at a shot, very clear and maybe something not the average person would see.

[Ducky4Disney]

I voted composition, but there are many factors - it depends on which pictures I narrow it down to. If it's between two pics that are both composed well I'll look for which one was more difficult, or which one is more interesting. Should have been a multiple choice poll, or rate these from 1 -10...

D4D

[zackiedawg]

For me, the first seven options in the poll are definitely considered...the last three definitely not...and the other factor I'd include is how well it meets the theme.

As UKCatFan mentioned Dpreview, I've been on those boards for many years, so I guess I sort of come from the more technical and compositional voting style used on those boards...but I do try to let originality and intent count for more here than I would on a strictly photography site.

I've only been here a month or so, and have participated in 3 of the contests and votes so far...so I'm still new here and learning my way around. I'm honored to get any votes on my entries, for whatever reasons the voter used...for me, it's just fun to enter regardless of end result.

[DebºoºS]

Good composition gets me first. Then if it tells me a story or says something about the topic. Those aspects are more important to me than the the technical here on the DIS.

JMHO

[Golf4food]

I voted Other....first I look for a picture that really suits the theme, then it has to keep drawing me back to look at it. I go up and down through the pictures 3 or 4 times and the one that really makes me stop and look again and again gets my vote.

I'm the same way almost exactly.

If a great shot doesn't fit the theme for the week as well as a slightly lesser quality shot, I'll still vote for the lesser shot because it fits the theme better.

[Donold_Fan]

Definitely composition weighs the most for me. I tend to get confused when the discussions get too technical. Most of the photos fit the category, but if there's one that is especially fitting and original, I'll give it more weight. Definetly agree with UKCatfan, I think the WOW factor is hands down the driving force around here.

I do have to say that I love the contests and really appreciate RTPHokie organizing them. And I appreciate all the talented photographers (GDad, Groucho, MarkBarbieri, MasterMason, DVCJen, UKCatFan, etc. I could go on and on as there are so many.) on here that don't hold us (especially me) to as high a technical standard as they could. Everyone here is so helpful and nice.

[Gdad]

I think it is the Wow Factor- My kids usually run the voting process here it also has to be something they like. ;)

[Amy]

I voted for originality as the most important for me. For instance, when the theme was Disney's Hollywood Studios, how many of us have a photo of the Sorcerer's Hat taken at night, and how many were entered in the contest? Tons. After a while, it becomes ho-hum. But somebody had a neat shot of a fog-shrouded lamppost at Tower of Terror that was different, so I remember voting for that shot just because it was unusual but you still knew where it was taken. That's just the most recent example that comes to mind, but I think you know what I mean.

Composition is a close 2nd.

And I'll be honest here.....sometimes I won't vote for a photo if it's TOO good. Makes me think there was some editing going on behind the scenes. ;) (I apologize....I don't mean to insult those of you wonderful photographers on this board who DO take those photos that are "too good" without the need for editing. I know there are quite a few of you who ARE that talented, and I bow to your expertise:worship: )

[Pea-n-Me]

For my own contest entries, I have been having my kids and DW pick which one to use out of about ten I feel match the contest.
That's going to be Part II. ;)

I must be in the minority too. I usually go for the degree of techincal difficulty. Which is actually what made me think about this today. Someone posted they were having trouble deciding on a picture, but one had edged out another. Both were nice, but one was daytime and one was nighttime. The latter had a higher degree of technical difficulty so I liked that one better, but the poster chose the daytime shot.

It's all very subjective, isn't it?

[juligrl]

It used to be WOW factor for me until I gave my DD5 my camera and loaded those photos onto my computer and she taught me some lessons about perspective. Now I'm much more drawn to perspective.

[Alztybrn]

I really look at composition. I like when a photo is planned out, well thought out, and executed well. I also look to see if it is exposed correctly, is focused and maybe a little unique...

[mabas9395]

You mean there are people out there who vote for a photo besides their own??? Who knew? :confused3

[wenrob]

Since I started hanging out here I've noticed that I've started to become more critical of my own pics and I think that affects how I vote at times. However, I'm much more of a captured moment kind of girl so even if the picture is technically a mess if it caught an expression or moment that moves me I'll vote for that. Composition is next if there aren't those types of photos to be had.
I've yet to enter a contest here, I'm just not that brave.:scared1: Contests I've entered (and won some actually) on other boards it would never cross my mind to vote for myself or someone I'm friends with.:confused3 I really take my time looking at all the pics and always skip over my own.

[klmall]

Originality but that's based mostly on watching these contests since before there was a Photography Board (in the Community Board I think) and this factor greatly influences my own entry choices now. I photograph differently now and my entries are often different than others.

I voted for originality as the most important for me. For instance, when the theme was Disney's Hollywood Studios, how many of us have a photo of the Sorcerer's Hat taken at night, and how many were entered in the contest? Tons. After a while, it becomes ho-hum. But somebody had a neat shot of a fog-shrouded lamppost at Tower of Terror that was different, so I remember voting for that shot just because it was unusual but you still knew where it was taken. That's just the most recent example that comes to mind, but I think you know what I mean....

Amy, I agree with your first point about overkill on some photos. I might even choose a poorer quality photo with originality over the best Sorceror's Hat photo but I am definitely in the voting minority it seems.

[Sha]

I look at a lot of different things when I vote for a photo (the subject, the compostition, appeal... it goes on). With this poll I wanted to refer back to the contest (Poster's Choice) that were to be future contest subjects. I voted first based on what the poster of the photo said the topic was and then I looked at the photo to see if the subject was well presented in the shot.

Regardless if a shot has been repeated, it's the poster's thought that this is the best shot to fit that catagory. I try to keep that in mind when I vote too. And it all helps us see though another's lens and help us (or at least me, a non professional) to improve.

[MrsJackSparrow]

I vote nearly every week but have never posted a picture. The pictures I vote for are the ones that bring a smile to my face. I usually view the pictures with my kids and it's usually a concensus picture that gets the vote. The picture that most takes us into the scene is the one we like best.

[fortheluvofpooh]

I peek at the poll and check and see who has the least amount of votes, if I am in the contest I will pick my own, and then in the other groupings I will pick the one with the least amount of votes to give myself a better chance I guess. I dunno, the reasoning works out in my head. LOL.

[ILuvCrush]

I like to vote for the pic I WISH I could have taken!!! It may be any of the reasons listed in the poll....but if it is one I would have loved to see in my scrapbook.... they get the vote!!

Call it the jealousy factor:thumbsup2

Paula

[klmall]

I peek at the poll and check and see who has the least amount of votes, if I am in the contest I will pick my own, and then in the other groupings I will pick the one with the least amount of votes to give myself a better chance I guess. I dunno, the reasoning works out in my head. LOL.

Oh, so you're the one who voted for me! :thumbsup2

[orchjoe]

It is the wow factor for me. Too many things can affect how an image turns out and if get me to say WoW! Then that's usually what I go for.


There are so many wonderful photos that everyone posts. This is also such a great learning environment too. Thanks everyone! :goodvibes

[Quicklabs]

For me, it's creativity, originality and how well it expresses the theme. I love to see the world from different angles, so that's big on my list. Of course, it has to be a good photo as well.
I absolutely agree with Donold Fan--there are so many great photographers on this board, and there is such generosity of spirit here, while still being effective in teaching newbies like me. The photos in the contests inspire me to improve my skills. THis is one of my favorite places on the web.

[fortheluvofpooh]

Oh, so you're the one who voted for me! :thumbsup2yup thats me...;)

[DebºoºS]

Regardless if a shot has been repeated, it's the poster's thought that this is the best shot to fit that catagory. I try to keep that in mind when I vote too.

:thumbsup2me too

[jann1033]

i resurrected this since i hadn't seen it but voted other cause i go by technical composition( by that i mean composition, wb, etc and originality equally first,then narrow down by color( basically only to rule out if it looks over saturated) and the others. something has to really stand out and grab me to get me "emotionally" voting...which has only very occasionally happened, how emotionally grabbing can Disney be really i mean, not like a crying mother holding a starving child grabbing...i like the letters since i always tried to ignore the photographer to keep my self impartial and that is easier...

[rtphokie]

Its interesting that no one has selected "who posted it". Beginning in June of this year, contests were switched to identifying photos by letter instead of name (though you can click through to the original post if you really must see who posted it).

Prior to that, we'd see the same 3-4 posters getting the top votes in about 75% of the contests. After that they are winning less than 50% of the contests. While this shouldn't be directly attributed to "I'll vote for that person, I've seen him/her winning a bunch of contests, this must be a good photo", I'm guessing it was a factor.

[MarkBarbieri]

I always start by voting for my own with my regular account and all of my fake Disboard IDs created just for the contest. Then, for the other heats, I vote based on the camera maker (I almost never vote for anything other than a Canon shot). I also look at the picture to try to make sure that a photo better than mine doesn't advance to the finals against it.

If I think I have a strong competitor, I look for a technical flaw in it and then post a thread about the technique. That gets the idea on other voter's minds so that they'll look more harshly at the photo.

I also like to spam the moderator with complaints about technical violations as a way to reduce competition as well. Besides, even if he doesn't disqualify them, he loves getting the PMs and so I know he'll probably help me out later.

I'm not really interested in the pictures. It's all about winning and furthering my photography career.

[MarkBarbieri]

Its interesting that no one has selected "who posted it".

I should have added that I always consider who posted it. For example, I would never vote for a GDad picture because he cheats by sticking cute little girls in his pictures. jann1033 is always mean to me, so I immediately rule hers out. I ignore everything that DebºoºS posts because the little "º" things in her ID bother me. In fact, now that I think about it, I never vote for anyone who's ID I recognize.

[Pea-n-Me]

Mark, you are unique. :rotfl2:

[ukcatfan]

jann1033 is always mean to me, so I immediately rule hers out.

HA!!!! I think have caught you in your little lie!!!! As far as I know, she does not enter the contests b/c she has not visited WDW since owning a DSLR. :woohoo:

[DueyDooDah]

I, too, have been thinking about this very subject. I am routinely surprised by some of the selections that are made during the polling. I imagine that because I'm in a photo class, my view is tainted by education. Sometimes it's a good thing, other times, maybe not.

I look for composition using these three criteria:

Clear subject: Can I decifer what the person is trying to depict? Does it have too many ambiguous elements to determine the subject? If I look at a photo, the subject must be immediately apparent.

There is focus on the subject: Does the viewer's eye get drawn to the subject?

Is it simple: Does it include only elements that draw attention to the subject? Can anything be removed without affecting the overall subject of the image?

Then I look for sharpness. If the photo is unintentionally blurry/out of focus, then I can't vote for it.

Then I look for the feeling of the photo. Does it make me feel all warm and fuzzy? Happy? Sad? Bring a tear?

IOW, techincal appearance seems to dominate my views, followed by the touchy, feely stuff. I guess that's why I'm a computer geek.

[jann1033]

HA!!!! I think have caught you in your little lie!!!! As far as I know, she does not enter the contests b/c she has not visited WDW since owning a DSLR. :woohoo:
yeah uk is right so liar liar pants on fire mark although i do try to be equally mean to everyone here so as not to be partial

[Groucho]

Then, for the other heats, I vote based on the camera maker (I almost never vote for anything other than a Canon shot).
That evens things out, I make sure to vote for any picture that isn't shot with a Canon. ;)

I always tend to lean towards the shots that had good composition, were properly exposed, had a correct WB, etc. and are still interesting. That does not seem to be what gets the most votes around here though. I think the WOW factor rules the votes here. There have been quite a few shots get good reception that would be eaten alive on places like DPReview. I guess that is part of the beauty of this place. For my own contest entries, I have been having my kids and DW pick which one to use out of about ten I feel match the contest. For the response to mine, I am happy when I get just a few votes.
I think you're right, but also I think it has to do with (without trying to get pretentious here) a "trained eye". I certainly notice WB immediately now, whereas 3 years ago, I would probably barely notice when the indoor shots are all yellowy and the night shots have brown skies. My first round of posted shots from my first WDW trip with a DSLR had little WB adjustment and I shudder when I look at the awful brown skies in some of the night shots. (I just recently went through and edited some of my old posts to point to the newer, tweaked photos. :thumbsup2 I also fixed a ton of old broken links and was able to delete a ton of duplicates off my online gallery in the process!) I've just glad that I shot in RAW on that trip and was able to adjust them months later. That's one of the biggest reasons that I encourage people to shoot in raw even if they won't do anything with it yet. But that's a separate topic...

Anyway, WDW is such an emotional connection for many of us that it only makes sense that people tend with vote with their heart ("wow" factor) instead of their mind (technical nit-picking).

rtphokie, I agree on the new trick of putting letters rather than usernames in the contest. If it helps even the playing field, that's good for everyone.

One thing that this reminds me of is when I met ukcatfan in April. He was mentioning how the standard of photo talent on Disboards has really been skyrocketing over the past year or two. We've got a pretty good number of people who are churning out notably better photos than they were a year or two ago, and new people who have pretty solid skills as well. What this means for contests is that there are a lot more "amazing" photos than there have been in the past, and the competitive nature of humans means that as each of us goes back, the task is to top what's out here now. The bar is constantly being raised.

Yet, even with all that, it's still possible (and fairly common) for a "humble" PnS to produce a contest-winning photo. It's just got to touch the right nerve, and technical merit be darned!

[MarkBarbieri]

Mark, you are unique. :rotfl2:
Huh? Weren't you paying attention? With all the ID's I had to create to stuff the weekly contest ballot box, I'm anything but unique. I'm actually half of the people posting on this board. The worst part is that I keep loosing arguments with myself.

HA!!!! I think have caught you in your little lie!!!! As far as I know, she does not enter the contests b/c she has not visited WDW since owning a DSLR. :woohoo:
That just what she claims. She's so intimidated by my voting machine that she's afraid to enter.

yeah uk is right so liar liar pants on fire mark although i do try to be equally mean to everyone here so as not to be partial
See, there she is being mean to me again.

That evens things out, I make sure to vote for any picture that isn't shot with a Canon. ;)
I think that in the upcoming US elections, I'm going to vote that all of the candidates be shot by a canon...and I'm not talking about a camera.

[DebºoºS]

I should have added that I always consider who posted it. For example, I would never vote for a GDad picture because he cheats by sticking cute little girls in his pictures. jann1033 is always mean to me, so I immediately rule hers out. I ignore everything that DebºoºS posts because the little "º" things in her ID bother me. In fact, now that I think about it, I never vote for anyone who's ID I recognize.

TU, Mark for once again enlightening me :worship:
and giving away your voting technique. I thought my shots were losers because they were not up to par. Great, I don't need to improve my skills. I'll just change my name to DebCanonS :cool2: and then get some fake id's and stuff the weekly contest ballot box. ºº:rotfl: ºº maybe I'll get to the finals this week!