September contest theme: Jobs

Don't you think your lead line could be stated better? "Let's concentrate on shooting people..." doesn't sound right. We know what you mean but wouldn't "shooting pictures of people" sound better?

I like this theme. It should prove to be very interesting. I've got some good ideas already on what I might like to do with this theme.

Thank you for highlighting workers. On average, more than 50 workers per year are fatally injured on the job in Massachusetts, and thousands of others are injured or made ill. This topic is timely given that Labor Day is around the corner, but would also be appropriate in April, as April 28th is Worker Memorial Day, an international day of remembrance for those who have lost their lives on the job (http://www.cdc.gov/features/workersmemorialday).

From the houses in which we live, to the transportation we use, the food we eat, and the clothes we wear - workers make the comforts of our everyday life possible. Many take on hazardous jobs, and many more are overlooked. I hope that this month's photo contest helps to highlight some of those workers and the hazards they face.

I'm actually a fan of the rule that the photo has to be taken during the month of the contest. I think it drives the contestants to be more creative, and prohibits passers-by from just throwing in an old photo. I think encouraging people to get out and take photos is a good thing.

I agree with Lee, I like the idea of having to go out and take a picture for the contest rather than finding one from the archives. It gives people a chance to expand their horizons. :)

Re: Lee's and Veronica's comments about pre-shot photos....if one already had the idea of shooting a certain theme (ie workers) 4 months ago, why should'nt that count? The concept is still the same. Whether one had the idea before those at RAW should be inconsequential.

In keeping with shooting in the current month, I think the location of the shot should also be indicated. Neither of these criteria appeared to be applied in the recent "ripples" contest and it detracted from assessing the images.

@jim - because taking the best photo you can in one month of a particular topic to me should be part of the contest - so in my opinion it is not inconsequential. I think prior to August there was a lot of junk just thrown into the contest because folks had something that -sort of- fit the theme, but most participants didn't try anything new - which, again, in my opinion, should be a stipulation of the contest.

I'll put my two cents in that I'd like to see the 'current month' rule reinstated. It encourages us to pick up the camera.

For this "at work" theme is the requirement that the photos be taken this September in force?

Hi, Ruth -- no, it's not. The photo could have been taken any time. I might reinstate it for October, however ... I'll announce that theme after I post the August winners.

I disagree about the "this month" rule. If it was general people shots I'd agree but this is specific enough that I think most of us don't shoot folks working very often. I like the idea that I can choose the best of what few I've taken. Though on more general topics I agree about the "this month" restriction.

I appreciate the reprieve on the "this month" rule for September, although I will say, I've gone out and actively taken some shots recently. We'll see if they rival my archived ones. They just might. but in any event, I'll continue to try my hand at some new shots, even if I choose the old.

Hi, Karen ... Just to be clear, for the September "Jobs" contest, your photo does NOT have to be taken this month. We tried that in August for Architecture, and will probably try it again. But not this month.

Hello, i have a photo of a cleaner in my school taking a nap, i wonder if that fits the theme?
Also, is more than one submission allowed?
Thanks! =)

Teresa,

Like Lee, I also like the 'take the photo that particular month' rule.

Are all of the submissions going to be posted soon for everyone to see?

MBurke,

You can always see the submissions on flickr by doing a tag search for the current month's theme -
http://www.flickr.com/search/show/?q=boston.com+contest+september2009+jobs&s=int&ss=2

(slideshow)

Although the "taken this month" rule may encourage *some* shooters to go out and shoot, I don't particularly like it. The flip side is that it will prevent the best and many more from entering, such as those with great shots from the past that really fit the theme, or those who still shoot film (with a much longer developing and scanning time). I never quite understand why many calls want to restrict entries to be created within a recent period. Freshness has nothing to do with the goodness of a piece of work.

If the October theme has not been announced yet, it should be a no brainer. FOLIAGE, of course. The "taken this month" rule is implied and not needed. One less rule to debate.