Since there are usually 300+ photos entered in the open challenges, I would like to suggest that we give ribbons for placements 1-10 (4-10 could be white with a number on them to indicate placement) and honorable mentions to the rest of the top ten percent.
In the member challenges we can still give 1-3, then honorable mentions to the rest of the top ten percent.
The chances of winning a ribbon are so slim now, that it may be very discouraging to new participants who would like something more than a score on their better entries.
Also, some of the best photos get unnoticed as they may not be a popular as others, but usually end up in that top ten percent group.
I was also thinking of a yearly AWARDS thingy. Ya know, where our peers nominate photos in various categories (like the ones you mention Mag) and also categories for photographers as well.
I wonder if John Setz. would take on such a project?? ;-)
I was thinking of the yearly thing as well. It would be great to have top photographers, commenters, etc. recognized in a bigger way once in a while. How 'bout cash rewards? : )
I don't like the cash reward thingy: anyway, most of the erally good shots here could earn money if their owners wanted.
Photo of the year is a great idea - don't know how one would organise it - though I guess most of us have a mental image of our favourite shots even if we don't have them all in our favourites.
I think we need to think smaller and on a challenge to challenge basis. Basically something that gives recognition for other attributes in a challenge, using a drop down list of selections, would seem to me to be the best way to highlight different people's efforts in that challenge.
Picture of the year is almost definitely going to be a prior challenge winner anyway.
John, if the top 10% was given something, then there would be thirty awards vs. 3, and I didn't think it would be that difficult to program into the site, rather than listing all those categories for each one and figuring a way to honor them.
Most disgusting? Most creative and most original might be a little redundant, being the devil's advocate here.
Everyone has the same chance to be recognised when they hit the shutter release. I really don't think that we're such children around here that we need to give more ribbons out just for the sake of winning a ribbon. Could we have an option of printing it out and taking it home to our parents, too? If you're 7th, you're 7th. You don't need a ribbon to validate this.
I dunno...maybe I'm just cautious about these sort of things as I'm a distance runner and lately, at road races, they've been giving out ribbons 10 deep in 5-year age categories. You basically end up sitting for 2 hours in some community hall surrounded by other very stinky people if you want to make it through the entire awards ceremony. Half the people in every race get a ribbon, which diminishes the value of ribbons. It turns into a massive mutual admiration orgy.
Let's leave the ribbons the way they are so that when you win one, it'll mean something.
Everyone has the same chance to be recognised when they hit the shutter release. I really don't think that we're such children around here that we need to give more ribbons out just for the sake of winning a ribbon. Could we have an option of printing it out and taking it home to our parents, too? If you're 7th, you're 7th. You don't need a ribbon to validate this.
I dunno...maybe I'm just cautious about these sort of things as I'm a distance runner and lately, at road races, they've been giving out ribbons 10 deep in 5-year age categories. You basically end up sitting for 2 hours in some community hall surrounded by other very stinky people if you want to make it through the entire awards ceremony. Half the people in every race get a ribbon, which diminishes the value of ribbons. It turns into a massive mutual admiration orgy.
Let's leave the ribbons the way they are so that when you win one, it'll mean something.
I agree with Jimmy. I think it takes away from the impact of the top 3. I wouldn't like to see some sort of "yearbook" nomination for "best this" or "most that".. (shrug)
I think that 10% vs 50% is a big difference, as well as 1% (the present winners in the open challenges) is a not a good sample of our best photos. But that's just my opinion, and it seems that it's not in the majority. I'll be happy with whatever we have, as I enjoy the site immensely.
I just hate that so many photos end up not in the top three when they are as good as the winners, just because they are more popular and wanted a simple way to recognize them.
but wouldnt it be nice if, even though your pic didnt win, people recognized it for some special attribute? instead of it being forgotten in the dustbin of history?
If you want you can go to a photo right now and add a comment to the effect of "I thought this was the most..." and pop that photo through the "commented-on" stack again.
What if we all got one pick for a "site gallery," one of which would display randomly over in the left frame under the Site Announcements. It wouldn't necessarily have to be your "favorite" and it should be changable at any time.
I think that "giving ribbons" for the top ten, or 10%, starts to take away from the prestige of it. It sounds like this stuff that goes on with the "everyone gets an award" thing, just so people feel good about themselves. There is a reason for WIN/PLACE/SHOW...it makes people try harder. Makes you think, what could I have done better?, how can I improve to get to that upper eschelon?
I was a competitive amateur wrestler for 15 years, and you ALWAYS want to be number 1. You work at it to get to those places...sometimes you get lucky, but more often than not it is from hard work and using your head.
I missed being in the top 3 by one...4th! I am reading the comments, figuring out what could have been better, and now trying to institute them. I WANT to say I had the best picture on this site, as voted by my peers. Do you? So, Buck up!! Grab your camera!! And show me what you are capable of!
