Do the contests here actually have rules???

[GhostPost]

I am relatively new here, and am posting behind a ghost as my flame suit is in the cleaners, and well some of you are intimidating and I fear backlash.

I have noticed time and time again, that there is a cut-off date for the weekley contests. And I have noticed that time and time again, the rules are ignored. If an entry deadline is constantly 10pm on Sunday nights, should photos put up on Monday afternoon, or Tuesday morning be allowed? Couldn't a thread be locked at the deadline to not allow late entries. Why is it, society as a whole, does not feel as though rules apply to them. If it isn't late entries, it's larger then allowed image size, if it isn't that, it is a photo that doesnt fit the contest (can we say Macro). Why are there rules if they aren't enforced? Do Mods assist with the contests? If not, can they? If there is a rule and it applies to me, it should also apply to you.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Hey, Ghost - welcome to the PB.

Contests here are done on a voluntary basis, so I'd say we're pretty lucky to have them. A lot of work goes into them week after week. I think if the day comes that they're becoming too much of a pain to run, they might go away.

This is a fun forum, not a really serious forum. People here do take their photography seriously, but nobody here at present is into hard nosing anyone else around. That's what makes it pleasant here. People will point things out nicely if necessary, or there might be some friendly (occasionally semi-heated) banter about equipment or brands, but that's usually the extent of it.

A lot of people already are intimidated to post. And I see that applies to you yourself. To chastize them wouldn't be especially helpful, then many wouldn't want to post at all. In the spirit of Walt himself, this is a place we all just like to come to have fun and enjoy our shared love of Disney photography. If things aren't exactly a certain way, then so be it. Remember, posters here are more than willing to share their knowledge and help people over and over again with the same questions, etc, so don't be too hard on them.

Contest rules are posted at the top of the weekly thread for all to read. I like to think that people aren't thinking the rules don't apply to them; that maybe it's just that they're unaware of something, they're new here, or that they're having trouble resizing a picture, etc, the latter of which I know has happened to me before. I prefer to give posters the benefit of the doubt, not automatically assume they're being blatantly defiant. I've also seen that Dana (andromadeslove) has excluded pictures submitted after the deadline before so I'm not sure if what you're saying on that matter has merit.

Anyway, hope this helps. If not, just take a chill pill and come back in the morning. (Sorry, I'm on a roll today.)

 

[jann1033]

i don't enter the contest much due to not having been to disney post digital camera but from what i've seen they seem to be run really fairly. i know sometimes it seems to me dana really goes out of her way to accommodate everyone, she is way more patient than i would ever be ..however they are just for fun, not really anything imo to get to nitpicky about or then they won't be fun for anyone

sorry if you are intimidated to post...again imo pretty much everyone here is pretty helpful and friendly, very very very occasionally tempers may flare but they usually only last a post or two then we make nice.... so hope you post more soon.

 

[DVC Jen]

The reason I love this forum so much and felt so comfortable so quickly is because the people who hang out here (for the most part) ARE pretty laid back.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of competition. I never felt like the contests really focused so much on who was best - who wins - but more on just sharing.

And really - it isn't like anyone is winning anything - cept maybe a feel good moment.

Heck - I'm just happy when I have something I can post - or when I see a shot someone else has taken that inspires me.

Never once felt this forum was about besting each other, winning, losing, shooting with a 1978 pocket camera or the latest and greatest in the digital world. I always felt like it was about sharing photos, knowledge, friendship and helping each other grow to be the best we can.

And for what it is worth - I think considering Dana is totally volunteering her time - and she does have a life outside this forum - I appreciate what she does and how she does it.

One last thing - I am definately not a flame thrower - but it means alot more (to me at least) and I have a tendency to respect ones opinion more, when that someone doesn't hide when they voice their opinions - but insteads holds their head high and proud and stands behind their words.

 

[ukcatfan]

Well, I can say that I am not the OP b/c at the time of the post I was in the resort pool

I only think the rules are really important when it affects the operation of the contest. For example, Dana says that over 800x600 images make it more difficult for her, so I think if you violate that then your pic should not be included in the voting posts. As for late entries, that is completely her call as the contest is hers. Basically, until someone else takes over the contests, Dana gets to make the decisions while we can only give suggestions.

Kevin

 

[Michele]

I know that I for one could possibly be a size rule breaker. Because I have no idea what size my pics are or if they are too big, how to change them. All I know is I upload them to the computer, upload them to photobucket and then post them here.

That's the nice thing about these contests, even those with a small amount of photography/computer knowledge can enter.


And a BIG thank you to Dana for putting them up for us to enjoy!!!!!!! I love seeing all the pics even if I don't have one to enter.

 

[ukcatfan]

I know that I for one could possibly be a size rule breaker. Because I have no idea what size my pics are or if they are too big, how to change them. All I know is I upload them to the computer, upload them to photobucket and then post them here.

That's the nice thing about these contests, even those with a small amount of photography/computer knowledge can enter.


And a BIG thank you to Dana for putting them up for us to enjoy!!!!!!! I love seeing all the pics even if I don't have one to enter.

You should be fine on size. I believe that photobucket defaults to 800x600 max. Under your user options you can change this. To see what size they are, just right click and go to Properties. There it should give you basic stuff like size, length, width, web address, etc. If you are right clicking on a file on your pc, you would get even more information, but it would not be resized at that point.

Kevin

 

[andromedaslove]

OK, on the late entries, here's the way I look at it!! If I am late getting to a contest, and logging all of the entries then I will take ALL entries up until that time. If I have all the entries logged by 10pm Sunday, then it's cut off at 10pm Sunday. If I do it on Monday, then anyone lucky enough to post their entry before I am done gets their photos entered.

As far as flaming, to be honest their probably wouldn't have been any had you not decided to hide who you were. People make comments about the way I run the contest all the time. Sometimes the suggestions are helpful, sometimes they aren't but I always listen. I do this for everyone's enjoyment, and I work very hard to make sure that everyone is happy with the rules. If you have a problem or a question about something, next time just ask, don't hide behind a "GHOST" so no one knows who you are. That's just weak.

Dana

 

[boBQuincy]

Rules? We don't need no rules!

We enter the contest to share, to do our best work, to strive for excellence.
That, and to get glory and honor for winning and to brag for the entire week!

 

[Amy]

I've been on the DIS for quite a while, and the Photo Board is one of the nicest boards around - there are very few controversial posts, nobody gets flamed (or maybe I just missed those posts), everyone is helpful, there are no "cliques" - the folks who have the fancy digital SLR's don't talk down to the people with the point-and-shoots, people are just NICE and helpful.

OP, as for the contests, you need to CHILL!! The contests are for FUN. There are no prizes, just everyone sharing their best photos on that week's subject. Dana, like all of us, has a life outside of the DIS, and sometimes life gets hectic. So what if she doesn't cut off a contest at exactly 9 pm on Aug. 10? Who cares? As ukcatfan said, the only "rule" that should really be adhered to is the size of the photos because Dana downloads them to her computer so the photos aren't lost.

If the OP wants a strict contest with strict rules, then I'm sure he/she can find some other site to hang out on. We're here for fun and learning.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I can only echo the above several responses. This board is about the friendliest board on the DIS, and virtually with moderating being needed only on the very most rare occasion....(you have a good board here, Jeff, LOL). If you have a question or thought, it's easy to ask it in your 'normal' posting role, no biters here.

 

[Gdad]

I agree with what has been said already- Dana does a great job with the contests- It's a fun, casual competition I think the point of which is just to encourage people to use their cameras, improve their skills, share & enjoy. I even went back thru the Macro Contest you mentioned to try to figure out what got you steamed but drew a blank- sorry.

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

We try to run a fairly casual board and the contests are mostly to allow people to share some of the pictures they are most proud of. It was never meant to be a serious endeavor. Dana spends countless hours setting these up and managing them weekly many times without recognition or appreciation. If the rules tend to bend a little from time to time I am cool with that. The contests are always run fairly and it gives everyone a chance to display their work. If the original poster is looking for a more stringent and structured set of contests I am sure we can find some great links to point them to. I look at the contests on the DIS Photography Board as more like your kids bringing you pictures they made to hang on your refrigerator. I wouldn't deny my child the opportunity to display their masterpiece just because it came in a little later than the other kids pictures. In the end there really are no prizes other than the fact that you shared your talents with others on the boards.

Jeff

 

[Glinda]

Dittos to what has already been so eloquently said. I enjoy the contests just the way they are. Fun way to share pics from our favorite place.

.02 from Glinda aka DebS posting from the very sultry WDW
OP, if you don't enjoy them don't participate.