There are no rules which state only local people.
If they allow one vote per hour not per user then they have automatically set it up as popularity contest. Not to mention if it were a serious contest they would not unfairly bias user opinion by utilizing one of the entries for promotion.
The thing that bothers me is that what if Judi wins, then finds out that Bob DIDN'T have a bunch of friends on a photo site voting to help him out...
None of his recent dpreview posts are soliciting votes so perhaps he's doing it privately. Hopefully the prize money will be a big enough sum to erase the memory of statements like "and I must admit, his photo is a tad better - nevertheless I voted for yours." :)
I see where some people mentioned cheating....I guess I'm kind of stumped....the main reason being...what is the difference between someone asking people to vote (she said pick the best not neceesarily her) for a photo for a newspaper and asking people to vote for their dog pictures on other sites? (several on here on DPC have done this...and I do believe there was a prize involved.)
Does the winning prize make the difference? I don't think so...same principle .... different contest.
I voted....but I voted for the one I liked best...and it was a toss up between Judy and Bob IMO....and I voted for Judy.
Again...just curious...what is different between this one and others asking for a different contest? If the character flaw in question, is asking to vote...wouldn't it ALL be cheating?? :)
Maybe I'm missing something....(that has happened on more than one occasion! :)
Goodness....I had to be in the office today and looks like I missed a bit of conversation.
I agree with just about everything except that it is cheating. I don't like how the contest was set up at all. I don't believe it was set up from a photographer's point of view. But...I cannot change the fact that it has been done this way.
Also, you cannot vote any other way, so I'm assuming that probably what the Journal wants more than anything is a way to drive traffic to the site...which is what I'm doing. :)
There is no way for me to know what "Bob" is doing or not doing for his entry. I do know he seemed like a nice guy, and I was a nice photographer too - suggesting he share my vantage point (he didn't even know quite where the fireworks would be shot from).
All in all, it IS definitely a matter of who can drum up online votes - but that's the way it has been set up, which was not my choice. I also do believe that my photo is as good as any other photo there for various reasons. There are three shots that I think all would have a legitimate chance to win, and mine is one of them.
Also...I have done many photographs of my hometown and allowed usage of said photos for a lot of events - free of charge. Being a Realtor, I utilize my hobby as a way to promote the good things about my town.
So while I don't agree with how this contest is decided, I think I'd be at a distinct DISADVANTAGE if I didn't try to "herd" some votes. It does say you can vote once an hour, so I think they probably acknowledge that people will utilize as many votes as they can.
So thanks again for those who have shown support and even for those who question the request. People of integrity are one strong reason why I like this community. I don't question my own integrity in this case, but I respect your choice to do so.
I just voted again. Judy is down 408 to Bob with 439.
Edit (added): Considering that the next lowest number of votes was 163, I believe Bob has got some voters in his pocket as well. Otherwise this would have been a blow out. I say we give his community a run for their money.
And don't forget, Judy plans to use a little of the prize money to donate a year's subscription. Spread the love people!
Yep...in color no less. I gotta get me that remote though. It still bugs me that the photo isn't sharp. Next year, they should have all the bridge construction surrounding the monument complete. You can see in the b/w competition shot, the bridge mess on the left.
It's a pretty bridge / water / monument shot when they have it cleared away. The mounument also used to be easy to shoot...no streetlights etc. right in front of it. We have a wide, nice looking High Street...the main drag through downtown - with the courthouse there and everything. You used to be able to look right down that main drag from maybe 2 miles away and it lead right to the monument. Very nice plan. Now, however, there are other statues in the middle of the street, plus streetlights, landscaping etc. that make it difficult to see clearly.
Gotta teach these folks how to think like a photographer :)
I see where some people mentioned cheating....I guess I'm kind of stumped....the main reason being...what is the difference between someone asking people to vote (she said pick the best not neceesarily her) for a photo for a newspaper and asking people to vote for their dog pictures on other sites? (several on here on DPC have done this...and I do believe there was a prize involved.)
Does the winning prize make the difference? I don't think so...same principle .... different contest.
I voted....but I voted for the one I liked best...and it was a toss up between Judy and Bob IMO....and I voted for Judy.
Again...just curious...what is different between this one and others asking for a different contest? If the character flaw in question, is asking to vote...wouldn't it ALL be cheating?? :)
Maybe I'm missing something....(that has happened on more than one occasion! :)
I'm still waiting for anyone to explain this one to me... :)
Actually, Dave Duricy's one was my fav. I covered up the names when I was scrolling through them so I wouldn't be influenced... :)
edit: strangely enough, I didn't have to sign-up to vote, I went straight to the voting page and just voted (maybe it knows I'm outside the US so doesn't bother sending me to the sign-up page)
