I think photojournalism would let us see what is happening around the world. The gambit of topics is very diverse.

I think that Photojournalism should be added as category on here.

I think that Underwater would be very interesting and challenging topic for the contest!! vote underwater!! =)

Underwater would immediately eliminate a that portion of the Caedes community who don't have waterproff camera.

Photojournalism would be a good challenge as well was an eye opener for us.

Photojournalism for me...

I would like to suggest 'Fine Art Photography' as the next challenge topic. Fine art photography being all about visuals that resemble a work of art. These are highly creative images that have an abstract appeal. These photographs can be equivalent to an artist’s expression on canvas. Showing a real creative viewpoint, one that could be shown in things such as abstract, still life, macro, or literal paintings or sketches. A fine art photographer should have the ability to look --beyond-- the obvious settings. And it would be able to include all forms of art.

"Underwater would immediately eliminate a that portion of the Caedes community who don't have waterproff camera. "

Whats wrong with that? there are many aspects of photography that require certain equipment. There could me a Macro contest or a Wide angle contest... With the number of contests that take place here, I think that having more specialized contests is a good idea.

I agree with Vlad421 that any topic pretty much excludes "someone", on the basis of equipment or geography or something, so underwater is fine. I don't think it does necessarily exclude those of us without waterproof cameras, we'd just have to be a damn sight more creative in how we interpreted the contest topic and how we went about capturing an image.

I've added FACES, not because I think it will get up here, photojournalism is just a really great topic, even at this early stage hard to see it being beaten in the poll, but I think a contest that focussed on FACES (Which doesn't mean the image has to contain more than one face, the contest will contain more than one face, that's where the plural comes from.) would be a pretty good challenge for a community of photographers who tend to favour landscapes but have the skills to take some stellar portrait shots if motivated. I figure if I put it here now the idea might hang around until it's day comes in some future poll.

I'd add another one but can't for now. I reckon BLUR - every shot has to contain some blurred element as integral to the subject or overall impact of the image. Mmmmm, put that way it could be interpreted merely as "make sure you have good bokh". Not quite what I'm after. Maybe "blur and sharp" so as not to end up with a bunch of images taken with cameras being waved thru the air like magic wands. He He. I'm after a topic that makes us incorporate a blurred aspect with an overall sharp image. (scratches head, wanders off chewing his cud... muttering to himself....)
Mikel.

Photojournalism! yes that is going to be a great subject!!

The last contest there were only two non-photographs. The contest before that there was only one. If there isn't some branching out soon, you'll drive away the few computer artists that remain. That's especially sad when you consider that the original gallery was almost entirely computer art.

Something different maybe a shot in the dark. Pictures or images that represent sound you see a picture of a dog barking and hear the dog, or a fractal image of a explosion or a picture of a waterfall or a baby crying as long as you can hear in your mind the sound the image makes. I think this excludes no one it can be a drawing a picture a fractal as long as it is a image of sound. If not for this Poll maybe the next one as I said a shot in the Dark.

As mentioned above... it is time for a graphic artist first contest. Let the camera users do the hard thinking to come up with an entry. I especially support this idea now (more so than normal) because I am on holiday without my camera! :o))

There does seem to be a photo-computer generated artwork divide. I think that is why when I must vote on computer generated artwork in the VB, I give every one of them a 5, because I just don't believe I'm qualified to vote on it since I am ignorant of what it took to create it, how it might have been made better, what the particular artistic pluses and minuses are from the point of view of a creator of such art.

The same is not the case with photography, since I take myriad photos every year. I feel I am better able to judge them critically.

That being said, I also feel that computer generated art might be a great category, giving those folks their due.

I think photo journalism would also be difficult for some of us, me included. But not all of us can enter every contest anyway. It's just a matter of what we are qualified for and what we want to try, if we're able to.

Because I consider myself a photographer first and designer second, I realized last year that I was ignorant of some of the digital art styles here on Caedes, so I took the time to study computer-generated artwork and fractals, downloading software for fractals and trying them myself (and no, I have no intention of submitting any—they're pretty bad). I have also had software for the computer-generated style of art for some time, using it for my work, so I can understand that it is not as simple as some of the fractal and computer artists on this site make it look—they're THAT good at it. I know a number of those people who don't take and submit photographs, because they may not have a camera, or they don't have enough experience behind the lens, or confidence in what they're shooting. That does not, however, keep them from voting responsibly and fairly on submissions they're not familiar with. If we have an eye for aesthetics and even a modicum of artistic taste, we should be able to determine what's good and what's dreck. Giving a standard number for every one of these digital images, some of which are outstanding and deserve much more consideration than that, defeats the purpose of the voting, and may quite likely be contributing to the pervading disappointment with the c-index. What we are voting on here, people, is often an artist's heart and soul, laid out for us to see. It behooves us to comment and vote on them in a responsible and educated manner, and in a way that helps the novices learn and enjoy their craft that much more. Some members don't care for constructive comments, others welcome them with open arms. I prefer to err on the side of sharing my experience with others.

And Vereena's right, we don't need to enter every contest if it's something we don't feel confident doing or something we're not comfortable with. That would give the people more qualified to have a better chance with their submissions. With the variety of contests here on Caedes, eventually we all get our chance.

-Nikoneer

Photojournalism, by its very name, excludes anyone that is not a photographer. I have yet to see a contest that excludes photographers and yet excluding anyone who is not a photographer seems par for the course on almost all of the contests.

"Doors" at least opens up possibilities for computer artists, even fractalist if we use the widest sense of the word, and is therefore inclusive and probably much more suitable topic than photojournalism.

I agree that photojournalism might be difficult, it will be for most people. Telling a story in a picture means getting close and personal to the subject. For samples of the very best look at the Best of Photojournalism site. These are stunning images covering some difficult subjects and I am not sure many of these make good desktops. It is the quality of the photographs that strikes you as you look at them. These are not just snaps of a scene, but some beautiful pieces of work that will be hard to match.

I have voted for doors..while I had the opportunity to hire an underwater camera, and would love the opportunity to put my photos up for being voted on. I have a very limited camera, and limited time so much that is done in photoshop or gimp or other programs, and also with special lenses I just dont have access to.. so what you loose on the round about you pick up on the hurdy girdy.

LOL, if I said some people have made some very good points and some have said nothing that makes any sense, someone is going to be offended. However, voting on someone's work is kind of like that-- it's all a matter of your own personal likes and dislikes.
Having said that, I'd like to point out that giving all work of a particular style the same vote because you don't understand how it's made is somewhat like not eating because you don't understand the growth processes of a plant.
I'm on here mostly to submit my fractals, but I also submit photos. I don't do it because I expect high c-index numbers, I do it because I like them.
And, since I'm on a roll, I'll voice my opinion about the contest discussion too, lol.
As far as voting on the contest, I voted for photojournalism. Why? Because I think it will challenge the entrants to do their best work, not because I do or don't feel that I can participate. I won't, because I'm just not that good of a photographer. Would I like to see a fractals contest? You betcha. And if this one isn't, no biggie. Another will come along soon enough, lol

Now that I think of it..doors..can be a lot of things, not just literal doors. But doors that open up opportunities, and wishes and dreams. Emotions can have doors. Many more things to think on with this I suppose.

I think The World Around Us would be a GREAT topic!!!!!
Under water would eliminate me for sure!

I vote photojournalism. I don't see how that excludes photographers at all. I find it quite challenging to shoot historic places or in low light museums (see my shots from the Kansas Cosmosphere) and those shot qualify for photojournalism. I just gotta figure out what my subject would be...

Okay, it looks like the 'doors' have it... I'm gonna go out and look for some. ;-)

Wow, seriously ? Doors got it ? Last time I looked I thought photojournalism had it...or at the very least it was neck & neck.

Man...looks like I'd better tear up those lottery tickets that I bought earlier too.

Well, lotsa luck peeps !

And next time stairs? Hopefully.

I presume that those of us that voted for Doors saw the opportunities. For those that did not...

If one thinks about what doors represent, a barrier, an entrance or exit, a statement of grander and power (Castles, palaces), an opportunity perhaps or even secrets, the possibilities are endless. Doors frame one scene in another. Glass doors are barriers that reflect one scene whilst showing another. Doorways house the homeless, keep people out until the sale starts and protect people from others (opportunities for the would be photojournalists). A half open door hints at a further revelation to a scene. Some doors are famous (No.10 Downing Street for the Brits).

I hope the fractalists and artists can get something out of this too. I have seen images with what looks like portals in fractal images. Artists can also create imaginary scenes that portray aspects of doors more easily than perhaps photographers.

The possibilities are there, lets grab them.

What do you mean I can only have one entry...

What's this theme, doors??

As always ... and in the words of our 'great eye in the sky' ... 'may the most compelling entry win!'


Lots of room for interpretation and exploration with this theme, methinks.

Have a read of coram9's post two back, for example(s) to stimulate some creative thinking outside the box.


Or, go here:

Door Pictures (and Window Pictures)

/\ Quite literal, in some creative senses ... yet, there is some inspiration to be found. And then again, to be executed well.

Well I'm glad it wasn't Windows. Imagining a whole heap of rejects for logo violations there...

LOL @ Samatar.

When does the new topic poll come out? After this "doors" comp is over? I have a few ideas for a topic, something I would love to see the supertalented photographers here give their take on. =)

@Hukka55...

Normally there will be a new contest topic poll when the voting starts for the running contest, like in this case "Doors"!

So stay tuned!!

Wow - I'm touched and thank you all for your support.

I didn't often get comments from Verena and as you can see, this was one of the few pictures of mine that she commented upon.

I'd like to dedicate this picture to Verena; as it was something she liked enough to leave a supportive message on and her humour still makes me smile in this time of remembrance and reflection.

John