Monthly Photo Awards at P.ca

[Mad Aussie]

I was wondering whether a way to attract more forum action might be for Marko (and perhaps guest photographers Marko knows) to pick out a photo from the 'Critique' or Show Your Photo' forums each month, and do an indepth review on the photo.

The photo would be a photo that Marko feels is a particularly good effort and then would discuss the photos particular elements he likes (composition, lines, patterns, technique etc etc) making it a positive review.

This would encourage members to show more photos and could be used almost like an Award. Something like ... "Photography.ca Marko's Monthly Choice Award"

Perhaps an additional idea (perhaps in a board of it's own) would be a "Members Monthly Choice" where a poll is put up with several photos to vote on.
This might even be an opportunity for a different member to be chosen each month to make the choices of, say, 5 photos including 1 of their own if they want.
Marko can set the poll to only show the results when the poll expires (I think Vbulletin does that).

[Marko]

I LOVE this idea M.A.. Let's try to build on it.

Will all members appreciate the in depth critique though from the show forum?

any other additions to this idea?

Thx
Marko

[Mad Aussie]

Will all members appreciate the in depth critique though from the show forum?

I don't see why not. As I said ... the idea is to deliver a positive critique, choose only photos that qualify for that in your mind. I realise every photo probably has some negative critique possible depending the person reviewing but in this case the photo should be good enough to ignore those.

That being the case, who wouldn't want their photo highlighted and the better attributes within it highlighted?

I realise also that some of us may take a long time to ever get a photo highlighted and some may be regulars but that's just how it is. A good race driver makes the podium often and a slower one has to work on his skills to get there one day. Same same for us. In this way we can watch and see what does make the Award (and why) and learn from this.

[EJC]

I think this is a fabulous idea! I wouldn't mind comment on improving negative aspects as well.

cheers
EJC

[Mad Aussie]

I think this is a fabulous idea! I wouldn't mind comment on improving negative aspects as well.

cheers
EJC

Well that's mostly where the Critiques forum comes in now

[Marko]

I like it - and will try to do it this month (at the end of january).

We'll see how the first one goes and can build from that.

Many thanks
Marko

[kat]

I think this is a lovely idea! I'm in!

Anything you need I'm here

[kiley9806]

yup - sounds like a good addition!

[AcadieLibre]

A dissenting opinion here, why not just have in depth discussion when the photo is posted, lord knows I like Marko and have the utmost respect of him as a photographer. That said I think it is wrong for anyone person to discuss exclusively a photo not of their own on a forum, different if it was an Art or Photography review/ critique site.

An all involved discussion should be had when its posted, I notice a lack of discussion on photos that are posted. The depth of discussion, myself included really seems to be lacking as of late.

Rather why not get each and every member more involved in comments and discussion of photos posted. I prefer if someone is going to talk about a photo in depth it should be the artist, it will teach them to express themselves and understand more about their own work, what motivates, inspires, etc.

Photography as all artistic mediums is very subjective, therefore the Artist should be the one who explains the photo, why it works for him/her. I think Marko picking out the photo is fine but not the one who discusses the positive;artistic merits of another photographers work.

Picking out a photo a month to highlight is a good idea, just if someone is going to talk about the photo is should be the photographer. As always just me worth.

A Devils Advocate is not always bad to have around ............

[Mad Aussie]

A Devils Advocate is not always bad to have around ............

Absolutely. It certainly helps to find more perspectives and streamline.

I couldn't disagree with your opinion more on this more though. Which would be expected I guess seeing as I floated the idea.

Possibly that's because you have more experienece than I or are more of a professional so you mind having another person speak of your work. I don't.
I don't consider myself a professional even though I do sometimes earn money from my phoptography. I still consider myself a learner that is good enough in some arenas to work within photography.

From a learning point of view I'd love to have Marko go into depth (technical if need be) on a photo so I can see why the photo is considered a worthy peice for the cause.

I agree that photography is subjective of course, but I don't think that should stop someone having their photo highlighted if they've managed to capture something that fits the bill.

I'm sure after Marko's Choice of the Month is shown each month there will be plenty of other chat about the photo and the owner can freely jump in with their own story or views as well.
Seeing as, most of the photos would be chosen from the forums then I guess much of that may have already been discussed.

Your comment makes it obvious that marko will have to ask the photo's owner if they mind their photo being his choice of the month and simply, respectively exclude shots from yourself and others that agree I guess. Which is sad, I'm certain I can learn from your photos as well.