In my opinion caedes should accept a repost of an earlier posted image (if necessary with slight rework) as contest entry. This will make it easier for us to find a suitable entry for the theme instead of going on a search with the camera. It will also undoubtedly improve the quality and number of the entries.

You could.. petition *caedes via the "Suggestion Poll", Raj.

'Cause.. as it now stands, and as you are probably aware.. a member would have to re-upload an older image to qualify for any new site contests.

(And then, subsequently.. delete the older version. Duplicates are a no go, I think everyone understands this.)

Since, only images uploaded after the commencement of a contest will appear in the drop-down menu for entry/submission. Allowing older images from a member's galleries would require a change in the site's coding.

But.. therein lies the rub, methinks.

From The Caedes.net Code of Conduct:

2. Images

e. "Once an image has been uploaded to the site it should not be uploaded again unless substantial changes have been made to it. These changes should be enough so that it could be reasonably assumed that the resulting changed image would receive a better critique than the previous version."

... ...

Problems will arise when it comes to individual interpretations of what exactly constitutes "substantial changes".

So..

As it stands now.. members are encouraged to create, take a photo.. to produce a unique and original image for site contests. Which, I think is a good good thing, really.

Since, and in my humble opinion.. resting on one's creative laurels could lead to more complacency and potentially, more redundancy on site.

... ...

And.. the time frame for the site contests was (somewhat) recently extended to be more accommodating. If 'you' think that even more time is needed.. feel free to add that in as a suggestion as well.

I do like the idea of a re-do and I think I could make enough "substantial changes" to a previous post to be "allowed" in:):)

I think it is a great idea and would increase entries enormously - giving more food for thought and more inspiration.

Could the mechanics of the entry procedure not be changed so that an entry does not have to have been uploaded after the announcement of the contest ?

I do not agree that it would be resting on one's laurels by entering a previously uploaded image, either the original post or as a rework. I am of the opinion that anything that will increase the popularity of the contests and increase numbers of entries can do nothing but good. Some of the longer term members may have little gems hidden away never seeing the light of day that could be hauled out and displayed.

I agree that is is indeed in theory a good thing "to create, take a photo.. to produce a unique and original image for site contests" as purmusic stated . . . but judging by the interest currently shown in the monthly contests it just is not 'pulling in the crowds'
21/22 entries for the contests is a high number, usually it is lower.

Maybe an alternate contest that could run concurrently with a different subject and fewer restrictions would invoke some extra activity and interest.
The site really is in need of something to stir us all up and create some excitement.

I believe one purpose of the contests is to encourage members to create new work/explore a technique or subject they have not previously.

That being said I don't know if it is effective in creating that result right now.

I don't think it is effective

129 regular members. 16 new images today.. 20 entries considered a good effort for monthly contest ?

what more is there to say ? It's a far cry from when 150 images per day was the norm. I believe that rules and expectations that applied then are perhaps not as conducive to generating interest today..

Les and Sam - As Lyn said when you have only about 15 to 18 photos posted daily how can one expect to inspire people to go out and shoot a winner for the competition ? Caedes is already on existence minimum. So in my opinion what we need is a relaxation of rules to create an interest in matters such as contests.

I don't have any expectations, just sharing my thoughts. I have no more influence on the outcome than you do.

Sam, I meant not you or Les personally when I wrote "How do you expect"- I have made it clearer by writing "how can one expect" instead.

The thing is, most members like showing off their work, otherwise they would not be here. Most also like to compete. More MAY do so if it were made easier. With more entries each time the glory of winning would be of greater value. Even the exercise of voting would be more useful - seeing and evaluating a greater number of entries. It could be said, and likely will be, that this should be the aim anyway- to view and evaluate outside of competitions and that would be correct, but competitions stimulate extra interest. It is human nature to want to strive to be better and competitions give that opportunity.

I copied this from another old thread about contests - yes I did write it :) but I still believe it to be true

"No reason why two (contests) could not run consecutively - it is not compulsory to enter and a choice of two could be advantageous. Members not interested in one may be attracted to the other. . . . . . .

Maybe there could also be a 'Mods Highly commended' or something similar, accompanied by their reasons - could be a learning aid."

On the subject of Mods commendations - when images are selected for promotion to the Main Galleries could the artist be advised? It is nice to know. There was a mod in the past who always used to give an indication on the actual image page - it meant a lot. OR maybe a list of promotions posted periodically ?

I appreciate Raj' comment about rework and understand why that might be a good idea. But to be honest the contests have caused to me to think outside the box more. I primarily photograph flowers and run a large flower photo group, so the topics from the contests force me to stretch and get out of my comfort zone. Yes, I have seen topics come up where I've said "oh darn I posted the perfect thing for this last year" but I would go to try to find something new for the topic. I've learned a lot from trying these contests and trying new things.

I see both sides of the fence. In my opinion it would be nice to go with the redo that Raj, mentioned. With our learning curve over the years, and some really neat programs, it is a nice challenge to take an old image, and give it a new look.

Food for thought..

What's the possibility of a site contest topic lining up with that of an older image in your galleries?

Happens, I am sure.. but, how often would it happen?

And to the point.. to justify putting this on *caedes' plate to make the necessary changes to the site's code to accommodate older images?

No need for that Les. You have said yourself that one can rework and post an older image provided the changes are substatial. If that is so it should suffice. I can imagine that changing color tones, changing the sky or changing the background/foreground could be called substantial changes

Got you, Raj.

I should have been more specific in that I was addressing Lyn's point that had come up a couple of times in this discussion;

"Could the mechanics of the entry procedure not be changed so that an entry does not have to have been uploaded after the announcement of the contest ?"

I was absent from Caedes for a couple of days.
I like to go back to Raj's initial post of this thread to share my opinion with you.

I fully agree with Raj that Caedes should accept an earlier posted image as entry for a current contest.
The current contest is ' Whimsical'. I don't have a suitable present entry available (an image that can be or is uploaded to Caedes after this contest was been started), and it's doubtful whether I can go for a photo shoot within the available time (10 days) to achieve a proper entry. In that case there won't be a contribution from my side. I suppose that other Caedes members had (in the past) or have (nowadays) a comparable situation.
If a member had the possibility to enter an approved post from his or her complete gallery, the situation would be different and possibly even more attractive.
I suppose that changing the criteria will take 'some' effort from 'Caedes' (Gerald), but that might be not that complicated because a list of selectable images already can be found by checking-out the link 'Caedes Control' at the left column on the Caedes main page.
It might be even easier by not using the 'limited time frame' within an image has to be posted, in stead of using using the present 'limited time frame' selection criterion.
Think too that it will stimulate the Caedes-members for participating in future contests.

Cornelius

"What's the possibility of a site contest topic lining up with that of an older image in your galleries?

Happens, I am sure.. but, how often would it happen?"
_____________________________________________________________________________

Would be dependent upon the ratio of the number of images in ones gallery and the number of contests we have had which is well over 100.(I started counting but lost count twice so gave up)
I think it is very possible, in fact almost inevitable. I have in my gallery an image I believe would fit the criteria for the current contest, but I would not want to alter it substatially, or even slightly and would not want to delete the orginal. I think others would feel the same way so it would be unlikely there would be an enormous influx of recycled images. Therefore I am in agreement with what Cornelius said above.

corngrowth: "I don't have a suitable present entry available (an image that can be or is uploaded to Caedes after this contest was been started), and it's doubtful whether I can go for a photo shoot within the available time (10 days) to achieve a proper entry. In that case there won't be a contribution from my side."

As mentioned above..

"And.. the time frame for the site contests was (somewhat) recently extended to be more accommodating. If 'you' think that even more time is needed.. feel free to add that in as a suggestion as well."

... ...

LynEve: "I think it is very possible, in fact almost inevitable. I have in my gallery an image I believe would fit the criteria for the current contest, but I would not want to alter it substatially, or even slightly and would not want to delete the orginal. I think others would feel the same way so it would be unlikely there would be an enormous influx of recycled images."

It seems to me.. that you've essentially argued against putting in the time and effort to change the site's code, then.

I think I am not understanding properly. If the code were altered to allow previously uploaded images to be used in a contest I would have no need to substantially alter the image. I would be happy to enter it 'as is' but would not want to rework it to enter as a 'new' image is all I am saying. I like it the way it is In this particular instance. All I am really interested in in generating more interest to bring in more entries. So far the current one is fairly sparsely populated. Hopefully that will change.

Current contest : 8 entries, 8 days left.

Deja Vu

I do not know if this is proper to request here but I need help with a logo and alot of people did a great job on the CAEDES logo work. I am not for profit media project legally formed as an LP (partnership) we are doing a project yet facing opposition with firms with billions at their disposal as well as political speculation so now we have to refocus our efforts outside of USA. I can tell you about the project via email @ wgh120@gmx.com if you think you can help. check out DESVEN for now, we have no funding for art as of now but will credit you and perhaps gift you if we you help. (we are not a company a LP is a partnership which various by state federally its an agreement between people)

To be clear - an LP is a business organization. It can be a non-profit business/organization, but it IS one. I'm not sure why you think making the distinction that it's not a company matters?

If somebody believes in your mission and wishes to donate their time and effort to creating a logo for you, that's awesome. However, in general, even as a non-profit, you probably need to set aside some budget somewhere for something as important as a logo. And any other artwork you require.

Artists - even part-time hobby artists - are increasingly aware that being asked to work for credit or "exposure" really isn't something that is valuable to them or a useful use of their time. Among other things, it devalues and makes it harder for people who are trying to make a living with their art to find paying work which is appropriately valued and compensated.

Google "working for exposure" - this article is a pretty good overview of the general issues and sentiments. And for people who already are freelancers, if you haven't come across the For Exposure Twitter feed yet, have fun.