December contest theme: Toys

The rule of having the photo taken in the current month is a bit biased. I have much more free time on my hands during the summer months, and as a result, devote a lot of time to shooting during the summer months. You really limit what I and others can submit with this rule. I understand you want us to actively go out and shoot; however, time constraints don't always allow that flexibility. I had great silhouettes shots, but couldn't even submit one since they were taken prior to November. You should really reconsider this rule, it is limiting to those of us who enjoy this hobby, but can't devote as much time during particular times.

I think taking the shot in the current month is a good idea. But I did have problems with the silhouette shot that had to be shot in November. Getting out and shooting in the winter months while working a 9-5 job can be challenging. It is dark in the morning, and dark when I leave at 5. It was difficult to find the time, where the warm weather and longer days gives people more time to get out and get a shot.

I think it could be better with this month's subject, "toys". Being able to take the shot inside may be easier to accomplish.

I also had great shots for November that I could not submit.

Does it have to be a child's toy? Grownups have toys, too, and I have some ideas for that....

I wondered if the requirement regarding the taking of images in November had an effect on the overall quality of the images. I, too, had to pass on an entry although I had a few potential entries in my archives. I also noticed that a number of images are likely to be disqualified because they were not taken in November.

Hi Britta -- Yes, I should have been clearer ... let's stick to children's toys - otherwise I'm afraid I'd get lots of photos of BMWs and boats and riding mowers and mammoth outdoor grills ... ;-0

China, you might be right ... I'm trying to strike a balance between those who want the requirement and those who don't ... I'll be more judicious as to when I make it a requirement, especially with the cold weather coming.

Fun choice for December's theme! I can have fun with this.... :)

I love the rule of taking the shot in the current month. For me, this contest is about trying to become a better photographer. Like many of you, I have what I consider some very good silhouette shots in my archives, but this rule forced me to go out and experiment and practice shooting silhouettes. My goal is to stretch my creativity and I find the "this month" rule helps me to do that.

As far as winter shooting and working during daylight hours - I felt the same way last winter, but vowed that this winter I would not be constrained by the lack of daylight.

I think the rule for the current month is a good one. Go out and shoot, I say!

I'm not crazy about the rule that I have to take the photo myself. Other photographers have better photos and I think I could increase my chances of winning if I used a better photo, even if I didn't take it.

That sounds absurd and whiny doesn't it? Complaining about rules of contests, especially when it levels the playing field for all participants, sounds childish. Pick up your camera and take photos, it's as easy as that. If you can't then don't enter the contest.

Rant over.

Let's stick with the current month rule...a little structure is good.

I agree with Lee. Since when do we have the right to ask that the rules for a contest be changed to match our schedule? It's a contest. You can either meet the challenge or you can't.

I think most people would admit to not having enough time in the day to do the things they enjoy. I'm a mother of 2 young children and hardly ever have time for photography. But this rule of taking the photo in the month forces me to pick my camera up when I otherwise might feel to lazy at the end of the day or during my "free" time. I agree, and like the rule of taking the photo in the month.

The "take it during the month" stipulation is a good one. Sure it might be difficult at times, and yes, I have silhouettes in my archives better than my submission, but so what? I like to have something to keep me looking forward rather than back, and that rule requires a forward look.

It also levels the playing field for those who don't have an archive going back decades not to compete with those who do.

Requiring the entries to be taken within a month MAY encourage SOME to go out and shoot, and will DEFINITELY prevent ALL those who don't from participating.

The ONLY CERTAINTY of such a rule is a reduction in the number of entries and the probability of getting great ones.

A photograph is not a tomato, nor is it a Chardonnay. Its goodness has nothing to do with its freshness or its vintage.

Fair, use of the word MAY can be used for all, not just limiting, speculation. In addition, your ONLY CERTAINTY sentence makes 2 assumptions that are possibilities but hardly certain.

The probability of getting great photos would also be increased if Teresa changed the rule and allowed professionals to submit if that was the only goal.

I think this contest is about more than that. To me it's about potential and reaching, expanding and progressing in what is a hobby for most.

I like the monthly rule but it truly doesn't matter to me as I will go out and shoot monthly regardless.

"A photograph is not a tomato, nor is it a Chardonnay. Its goodness has nothing to do with its freshness or its vintage."

I don't think you would find a single photographer that would argue this point in its own context. However, it adds very little weight to the argument at hand. The crux of the "Monthly Rule" debate logically boils down to those who support it and those who don't.

Those that support it are most likely the most avid of amateur photographers whose most immediate desire is to improve their photography consistently on a monthly basis with the help of this RAW forum and seek their peers admiration and approval for a photo "well done".

Those that don't are most likely photographers whom have a vast catalog of photos taken over the years and are attempting to seek recognition for their work in hopes of monetary gain and/or a semi-professional push from the RAW community.

In either case, both camps are legitimate in their causes, and of course, these two scenarios are not the only arguments to be had.

But here is the kicker...each month's theme is a COMPETITION. And like all competitions, everyone wants fair footing.

The Boston Public Library has a vast collection of literature, knowledge and other media venues readily available to the public and quite frankly dwarfs a public library at a small town. Who has the upper hand here when it comes to providing knowledge and/or literary leisure to the public, the Boston Public Library or the Hokinton Public Library?

So I ask here...who has the upper hand when it comes to an open competition with no monthly stipulation, a photographer with several years worth of photography under their belt and a large catalog to boot or a relatively new photographer with a few months under their belt?

There are 30 days in a month; plenty of time to think up a composition and shoot it. Are people actually suggesting that their love of photography is seasonal and that there is NO time at all in certain month's to shoot one photo? That's not the heart of a photographer as I understand it to be.

There are folks everywhere living in New England taking photos no matter what the climate is. People with full time jobs, kids, running personal errands etc, etc., and yet, they find the time to indulge their creativity through the venue of photography.

These are not required competitions, they are voluntary and like most volunteers, you participate when you can. But the competition must be fair to some extent for all. Everyone should be kneeling from the same white line out of the gate.

Hello Teresa, do doggies count as kids ;-) I just am wondering, because I have a wonderful little model at home that just adores her toys but she really isn't what most would consider a kid ;-) Thanks! If not, that is fine ... just would like to ask!

Trin, sure, you can shoot doggie toys -- just remember that the focus of the shot is the toy, not the dog.

I have no interest entering Raw's competitions, and do not belong to either of the two camps Warner mentioned. Instead, my comments are intended to help my fellow photographers to gain exposure and receive feedback, with minimal constraints. I've been advocating for critiques without rules and prizes instead of contests. That would truly level the playing field for everyone, and allow a much wider range of work to be submitted. The critiques of individual photographers have no constraints of themes or ranking and prizes, etc. Nor does the cell phone image call. By letting everyone submit and letting everyone comment along these lines will hopefully generate more discussions on photography and less on rules, which are currently dominating this blog. (OK, I'm also guilty, sometimes.)

Those who show their work with the sole intent of receiving "admiration and approval" or winning prizes are short changing themselves. If that's all I want, I would show my work to my Mom. But when I show my work to others, I expect a wide range of opinions and hope for constructive criticisms. The best lessons I have learned are not from the numerous meaningless accolades ["I really like it."], but from the very few insightful criticisms. I feel greatly indebted to these critics for being able and willing to point out my blindspots and shortcomings. Without them, I would have gone on my merry ways, with blinders on and without improvements. However, it does take humility, an open mind, and thick skin.

That's what Flickr is for Fairnsquare; feel free to go comment and critique till you fall asleep at your keyboard. RAW is pretty simple, competitive fun. It's exciting to have something on the line. It's not like any of us are going to quit our day jobs as much as we'd like to. And it's fun to be made to have to shoot within the month. As well as sometimes be allowed to go back through your archives. (Not that I have many - bought my camera in April) You get to go through your old photos and see them in a new light; it's amazing what a little cropping can do. No one's made the rule mandatory each month. Shooting toys within the month of Dec should be pretty do-able. Silhouettes in Nov was harder. Critiques are great; that's why I love this site as well as flickr -- not having the time to take a class, what I've picked up from those more knowledgeable has been awesome. But let us get a little acknowledgment after putting to good use what we've learned from the insightful critics. Let's also let Teresa do her thing. It's worked out pretty well thus far.

As Teresa notes above, she is seeking a balance between the two poles - shoot during the month or use past images. I enjoy participating in RAW. I have belonged to a critique group and larger clubs that had monthly "assignments". They make me feel a bit like a short order cook, and I ended up abandoning these groups. As I attempted to fulfill assignments, I would find myself asking why I was doing this. For me, photography is something of a personal expression, not a production-oriented task. That being said, RAW is a unique forum. The discussion remains civilized and fun. I enjoy reviewing the work and matching wits with the judges. And thanks for putting the joy in toy!