Monthly monochrome competition?

[IanCD]

This may have been raised here before (I'm fairly new to the forum and am still following some strands back...), so apologies if it's revisiting somethimg that's been addressed recently...
I was wondering, given the level of interest in the mini monocrome competitions and the rate at which new competitions are starting (10 since 6th Feb), whether there was a place for a monthly or similar / other monochrome competition..? Thoughts?
Ian

[WJT]

Sounds good

[Nat]

I would like to see the monochrome comp in the monthly comps, too. Seems to me the mini comps run soooooo fast, I can't even keep up with looking at them or voting.....or even entering. I would also like to see the voting stressed to quality, technique, composition, etc, and less on the subject (as in, "OHHH, such a cute tadpole! I am going to vote for it , it is so cute!") I have seen some excellent, excellent images in the mini comps that don't get many votes and I can't help wonder "Why????" I'm not saying the winners don't deserve to win...and I don't want to step on any toes....but I would like to see more thought go into some of the votes....(hope I don't get blacklisted for my honest opinion, here. There are wonderful photographs posted by everyone! I enjoy them all, that's why I am here!!)

[Colin Southern]

Find a moderator who's prepared to run it, and it's all yours

Seriously, I can't speak for Donald or Dave, but running these comps are a LOT of work, and we're already busy with themed comps - PP comps - monthly comps - and to be honest, I really can't see why a greyscale image should deserve it's own comp any more than portraiture, landscape, HDR etc.

Also - from reading the comments people (for some reason!) keep giving with their votes that I count for the monthly comp, I can tell you that people vote based on a wide variety of criteria - some like the "oh-ah" appeal - some the technical perfection - others the commercial potential - some vote to encourage others.

[Donald]

I'd be concerned that breaking off monthly challenges into different sub-sections would devalue the whole ethos of the Monthly Challenge. It's there for people to put up the very best of their efforts for that month, irrespective of the style or genre. I know some people seem to drop all manner of images in sometimes, but I think it should be a place where we see the best. Quantity doesn't substitute for quality.

We can't tell people how to vote, but can only hope that as a serious photographic forum, people can see beyond one genre or another and judge images on their artistic and technical merit.

So, I'd be keen to keep it at just one Monthly Challenge.

[wilgk]

Less is more

[kdoc856]

My vote is to keep the monthly competition as is- a sort of "Best in Show" with all genres represented. I might be in favor of possibly slowing the rate of the mini-competitions, but I love this site as is and would be happy if it didnt change at all.

Kevin

[IanCD]

Fair enough, particularly your (Moderators') time compiling the votes, etc..!
Just seems the mini comps are rolling over so quickly, as Nat says, it's hard to keep up with them (though, obviously, we don't necessarily have to enter, review and vote on all of them..!)
The fact there is a monochrome-only competition seems to acknowledge that this does have a place here... it's just mini-format only at present

[Donald]

Fair enough, particularly your (Moderators') time compiling the votes, etc..!

Thanks Ian.

You're right. About a year or so ago, the pace of entries into the Mini Comps suddenly took off. That's why Sean automated the whole process. Imagine what it was like when we Mods were trying to keep up with them and had to manually make up a poll after 10 had been posted and then manually start up the next one. It became a full-time job.

We just about manage with the monthly comps as they are.