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Kim Peto

9 Years Ago

Contest Administrators

One of the reasons I haven't participated in contests very much in the past is because the Administrators don't seem to follow their own rules. If a topic is clearly given and then a winner is chosen who doesn't meet the basic criteria, it's super disappointing. For me, as a voter, its disappointing as well to see that the items I am voting on don't clearly meet criteria either. An example is the First of 2015 contest, where a good percentage of the images were posted prior to 2015. How can you claim an image was taken in 2015 or created or even loaded, if the load date is last year or two years ago?

It would be really nice if there was an administrator of administrators that ensured that contests were run appropriately and fairly.

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Joseph C Hinson

9 Years Ago

I can't help but feel that the good admins greatly outweight the bad ones. The biggest thing is that you enter contests to have fun and get a little added exposure. If you're not running a contest, there's not a lot you can do about the rules other than possibly message the admin. If I'm running a contest, you can always send me a message to point the offenders out. Trust me, I go through and take them out myself if I find them.

 

Adam Jewell

9 Years Ago

Maybe it is time to start running your own contests to ensure they are done properly and everyone adheres to all the guidelines.

 

Kim Peto

9 Years Ago

I have run and am currently running two contests and have gone through and not only weeded out the offenders, but took the time to send personal emails explaining why. Most people are happy, a few rude, some don't even speak English so they don't understand what they are posting to. Understandable. It's a lot of work, but I try to comment on or personally thank those that enter my contests.

 

Kevin OConnell

9 Years Ago

I ran three contests in a three week period. My contests were for originals only. This was for one, to keep the submissions down, and the other was to give people that sell originals a chance to show. I had to delete half the submissions almost every hour because people don't care to read or respect the rules of the contests. I don't blame an administrator for not wanting to police their own contest, when they spell it out upfront. Some people just have no respect, and treat everything, discussions an all as their own marketing tool and image dump.

 

Mike Savad

9 Years Ago

really depends on the rules they set for themselves. something like the 2015 content would be nearly impossible to check as it would take so long. but the contest is unfair since most places are closed, dead, or just not attractive. many don't realize the maintenance needed for contests and start many, then find out and jump ship, and let it coast.

others i think just use it to enter their latest thing, then do the same and leave.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

 

Geoffrey Coelho

9 Years Ago

People don't read the rules, or simply ignore them. I delete non-conforming images. I email the most egregious offenders. It's irritating.

I offer contests mainly to get inspiration for some particular theme. The rules are always clearly stated, and I'm always looking for quality work, something that better than what I do. Most entries are ghastly junk that I wouldn't tape to the inside of a gym locker, much less hang on my wall. But I usually get a few real gems.

And then comes the voting. People lean heavily toward backyard photos of domestic pets, and oversaturated sunsets, and many people will solicit votes even when asked not to. Frustrating when poor quality images come out on top.

 

Valerie Reeves

9 Years Ago

It infuriates me, too--one of the things that keeps me from entering contests more often. I go through periods where I enter a whole bunch (like now), then I am reminded why I don't do it, and stop entering for awhile. It's a cycle. lol

 

Jane Linders

9 Years Ago

I have administered a few contest and had to remove many , many images because folks don't follow the rules. One artist in particular (won't name him) repeatedly enters contests that don't comply with the rules. I wish there was a way to block the repeated offenders. It's so annoying.

 

Geoffrey Coelho

9 Years Ago

Example:

Here's an active contest - voting in progress - that I'm hosting. I sent an email to all participants indicating that, for the first time, I had not deleted a single image. I told them some they might find paintings (it's a photography contest) and that many submissions violate the rules, which I cited. I left it up to the voters to set things right. Some photographs here just suck, but that's always the reality.

The results so far are mixed. Judge for yourself:
http://fineartamerica.com/contests/post-apocalypse--photography-only.html?tab=overview

 

Kevin OConnell

9 Years Ago

Maybe one of the rules in a contest could be. I wont delete any images that don't comply to the rules, but feel free to leave comments on their images about it. maybe that will stop it.

 

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