APRIL 2007 Photo of the Month - Discussion Thread

[Reefscape]

This is the discussion thread for the photo of the month competition.

[blackwolfXKAV]

AquariaCentral.com (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/../)


Photo of the Month



~Photo Requirements~


All entries must comply with the following:




- Photo must be submitted in company with the participant's username.

- Photo must not have any watermark, copyright mark, or any such mark, imprint, label, or representation which identifies the photo to a specific source.

- Photo must be a minimum of 600 pixels in length and 300 pixels in width. Higher resolutions are more desirable.

- Photo must not had been tampered, manipulated, or distorted. Quality of photo is to be determined by Aquaria Central & Monster Fish Keepers Staff Team.

Photo of the Month Contest will only admit aquatic-related animal/plant photos. Subject(s) can be any or any combination of the following:

- Fishes
- Invertebrates
- Reptiles
- Amphibians
- Mammals
- Plants

Please be advised, that invertebrates, reptiles, mammals and/or plants that are not aquatic-related will not be considered for admission.





As opposed to those of us who keep aquatic mammals in our tanks, right?

:D

good idea!

But why do the participants have to 18?

[Reefscape]

The 18 year old guide line is there due to legal requirements...

Niko

[Bryce]

The rules regarding size as stated are:

- Photo must be a minimum of 600 pixels in length and 300 pixels in width. Higher resolutions are more desirable.

Did you per chance mean it the other way around?

[Reefscape]

no, that is right, 600 x 300 pixels is the minimum prefered size...unless i did not understand your comment correctly mate...i will resize any images that need it..

Niko

[bkw1982]

I finally get to show off my dolphins and sea otters :) Be awsome if someone did keep aquatice mammals lol.

Anyway serious question, is there a prize? or is it just for honor?

Also a suggestion, on some forums when a competition is won the winner gets a cool logo above there name or some type of identifier to show others that they won, would be cool if we could have something like that.

[5xevy]

How is the voting determined, in a poll-like fashion?

Also, so there's no separate freshwater and saltwater sections I guess?

[Cory Lover]

So, when can we start posting pics?

I have good Cory ones.

Cory Lover

[5xevy]

So, when can we start posting pics?

I have good Cory ones.

Cory Lover

We don't post them...we have to send them via e-mail.


http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104237

[Pufferpunk]

What's the prize?

[aardvark1]

Ok, a POTM has to be aquatic in nature, but what other criterion do we go by?

A good focus and exposure go without saying, but is there a theme?

A good extreme close-up of a fish of a group of fish interacting? Fish caught in the act of breeding or eating? Fish being silly or attacking the camera? Snail climbing up a long branch of a Val, or one sinking down after a breath of air at the surface? The aforementioned close-up with all action frozen, or one showing action with a slower shutter speed and panning the target fish?

As I read the rules, anything aquatic goes! What makes one pic "better" than the other? What is expected? To repeat is there a theme we should follow?

Maybe I'm being dense....

:huh::huh::huh:

[WeeNe858]

What's the prize?

?.. what is the prize

[Reefscape]

BKW1982 - Anyway serious question, is there a prize? or is it just for honor? The prize for the competition will be that you are able to say that you won the competition and you will be able to display a badge which shows your the winner.

5XEVY - How is the voting determined, in a poll-like fashion? Also, so there's no separate freshwater and saltwater sections I guess? Yes, it will be voted by a poll as written in the guidlines. This is a site wide competition, open to all aquatic hobbist's.

CORY LOVER - So, when can we start posting pics? You can now submit your pictures at anytime to the email address provided in the guidlines. potm@aquariacentral.com

PUFFERPUNK - What's the prize? See quote above by BKW1982

AARDVARK1 - Ok, a POTM has to be aquatic in nature, but what other criterion do we go by? All the criteria is stated in the guidleiness thread.

AARDVARK1 - A good focus and exposure go without saying, but is there a theme? The only theme is that is it Aquatic.

AARDVARK1 - As I read the rules, anything aquatic goes! What makes one pic "better" than the other? What is expected? To repeat is there a theme we should follow? What makes one picture better than others? well, you have to ask yourself that question. What do you look for in a photophaph? what makes a good picture to me is little things like capturing a moments.

WEENEE858 - ?.. what is the prize See response to BKW1982.


A point to note on the submitted images. As we are trying to promote the use of your own images, all submitted images will be google search on. It is fair that this is carried out as i am sure everybody is aware of the quality of the images available on the internet these days and for some-one to use an image that is not of their own is dishonest, and more so, a copyright infringement..

We are looking forward to recieving some great pictures from the forum members, and from past experience here on the forum, i have seen some that are outstanding in all sections of the forums..

Good luck everybody

Niko

[mrodman]

Can we submit more than one picture?

[Reefscape]

MRODMAN - Can we submit more than one picture? Afraid not, its one picture per member...so, make it your best shot mate..

Niko

[OldManOfTheSea]

Say Niko, the pic admitted, does it need to be of our own tanks, or like what some other sites do? That it not matter where the pic were taking, as long as they took the pic themselves>

[Reefscape]

Yes, i am afraid it does. The whole idea behind the competition is to show people what each of us have, the work we have put into creating what we have...

Thanks for asking my friend..

Niko

[OldManOfTheSea]

Yes, i am afraid it does. The whole idea behind the competition is to show people what each of us have, the work we have put into creating what we have...

Thanks for asking my friend..

Niko

Oh dear me, Don't be afraid for im glad it does here at AC for I find it crazy somewhat that other links which hold a POTM contest and they say as long you taken the pic, I entered pics and told them that I declined to be selected as POTM. This is so much refreshing I must add :) :dance2: :clap: :thm:

[chut7]

What is the reason for this rule:
- Photo must not have any watermark, copyright mark, or any such mark, imprint, label, or representation which identifies the photo to a specific source.

If I don't watermark my photo, what's to keep AC (and subsequently, other people or companies) from using it for their own purposes? I've always been suspicious of photo contests, and what they do with the photos afterwards.

[flyfish25]

I have the same question as Chut7.

Can the photo have our user name on it?

[Reefscape]

As stated in the rules and guidelines, photo's are to emailed in without any marks or brandings on them.

I speak on behalf of AC when i say that your photo's WILL NOT be used for any other purpose other than for the voting poll/thread of the respective competition.

Niko

[Que]

I guess when it's posted for the world to see it'll then be grabbed off the site if someone wants it.

Look... if you're worried that someone may copy your picture then Id' say stay out of the contest. I would personally be flattered if someone wants to copy my photos. I'm not a professional photographer so I don't really care if you want a copy of my pics but thats me.

Q

[OldManOfTheSea]

The prize be is that others here will have a whole month to flatter you, until the next POTM winner that is :huh: I would think that which photos members show of their success, should be prize enough>

Look... if you're worried that someone may copy your picture then Id' say stay out of the contest. I would personally be flattered if someone wants to copy my photos. I'm not a professional photographer so I don't really care if you want a copy of my pics but thats me.

Something as that, there be many who know that that photo is what you had taking, I had something as this happen with me that a person wanted to see some eel pics and about a year or so later, that same pic came back to me from others showing what he claimed to had, that I told the person who briught the photo to my attention that I shown her a list of photos of that same eel and location.

Buddy

[Rallysman]

It's easy to dislike the competition rules. It's also easy to refrain from entering. I also feel that it's easy to compose a sentence that is intelligible.

[bkw1982]

aquatic annimals......does this include water fowls? just double checking cause i didn't see it in the list of aquatic animals.

Fishes
- Invertebrates
- Reptiles
- Amphibians
- Mammals
- Plants

[Reefscape]

Sorry, it may be because i am from the UK, but i have never heard of a water fowl..Can you explain?

Niko

[jamie1972]

Water Fowl means water that hasn't been changed in a very long time.......JUST KIDDING!

It means a bird that resides in or near water.....ducks, etc.

[Reefscape]

the idea behind the comp is to show something that you have, something you own. Its a way of showing others just how good your fish, mammals, reptiles etc etc look..You dont own the bird, so the answer would be no i am afraid..If that was allowed, then everybody would just being going onto google search and finding a stunning image of something and posting that..That is not fair..Hense, the reason why we have produced a list in the rules and guidelines which says what can be posted....

Hope that is clearer..

Niko

[bkw1982]

uhh how many ppl u know with aquatic mammals? and i must be confused, is there a different between TOTM and POTM? I assumed TOTM was for tanks and POTM was general aquatic pictures....and thats why mammals was included in the list......but guess im wrong

p.s. i used to own a duck when i was little, well he stayed at the pond behind our house and i would feed him and he would come in the backyard all the time....still counts :P

[Rallysman]

I'm kind of confused now as well. The way you're describing it makes it sounds like it has more to do with the subject rather than the quality of the photo. Should it be re named to subject of the month?

[Reefscape]

You are correct, as you said...TOTM is for people to be able to show off their tank as a whole..POTM is to show off a spcific part of what we own.

Rallysman....I am not sure what is confusing, all the rules of what is allowed and what is not allowed are clearly stated in the rules and guidelines...Its exactly the same as on MFK if i am not correct and you have not raised this on there?

Niko

[bkw1982]

:confused: so tank of the month is the whole tank? and POTM is for a picture aquatic, kinda like a free for all? Wow i was down at the river tryin to get a good picture of some pictures thinking POTM was a picture we took of anything aquatic..oppps

[mystic1]

I thought all of the rules were clearly stated also. I did not feel confused on the subject until I started reading some of the questions that were being asked!!

[Blueiz]

This contest really isnt that complicated. Take a picture of the life in your tank, and submit it for entry into the contest.

No, it cannot be of the river out back, or the water fountain down by the park...it has to be original work by you of your stuff. Browse through the members fish photo section for an idea of what the pictures should be focused on. You wouldnt post a pic of the local river there, now would you?;)

- Photo must not have any watermark, copyright mark, or any such mark, imprint, label, or representation which identifies the photo to a specific source.

As the rule says, your picture canNOT have any mark on it to id it as to who it belongs to. This would not be fair to other contestants. No, AC is not interested in "stealing" your pictures. If anyone is caught submitting work that is not theres, ex. google search pictures, action will be taken against that person at staff discretion, and the person will be prohibited from participating in ALL other contests, competitons.

Come on ppl, ths is suppose to be fun...now get out there and take some pix!!!


:D Blue

[bkw1982]

I'm not tryin to confuse anyone. i read the rules over and over and it really doesn't sound like POTM is for ur tank thats all, but it's been cleared up, so thats the end of that :dance2:

:OT: Atnixon what do u call aquatic birds if not waterfowls in the UK? nothing serious just curious.

[Reefscape]

a bird !!!!!

Niko

[bkw1982]

a bird !!!!!

Niko


O_0 well there u go, guess i got my answer. Not so much a language barrier after all.

Anyway back to POTM

- Photo must not had been tampered, manipulated, or distorted. Quality of photo is to be determined by Aquaria Central & Monster Fish Keepers Staff Team.

So what about the people who dont hav expensive cameras or with poor lighting in the room, are we still allowed to atleast lighten it up? or would that be considered tampering

[Reefscape]

People, we are not after a david bailey master piece picture here, all we asking is for people to submit their best picture they take..

Niko

[Rallysman]

I'm actually confused now though. I can't submit a picture that I took at a public aquarium? Are we scoring the picture or what the picture is of? I get tired of entering photo contests and having technically crappy pictures of an awesome fish beat me lol.
Edit: I see now that it has to be your own stuff as well as your own pic. cool:)

I still would like to know what the judging is supposed to be based off of. Since the title is "photo" of the month I'm guessing it's the quality?

[daayda3]

how do I enter? im under 18

[Reefscape]

Hiya Rallys...this is my opinion.....when i look at a photograph ( and i have seen countless with my father being a photographer by trade ), the quality ( sharpness, grain, lense flair, brightness, contrast etc etc ) is not always the important factor. It is sometimes the moment that is captured, the infomation that is there in the pic...not always the quality is the winning factor...

Like i said, that is jus my opinion of how i look at picture..

Niko

[Reefscape]

• To participate, a member must be 18 years old. Otherwise, a parent/legal guardian must enter for the member.

Niko

[daayda3]

So I have my mom enter the pic. that I want?

[Reefscape]

Yes Daayda....that would be fine

Niko

[BrkD]

how do I enter? im under 18

ohh i have to be 18? i guess ill be the potm winner for july :dance2:

[Reefscape]

BrkD - this rule has now been removed. So, you can now enter the competition. Please review the rules and guidlines.

Niko

[Reefscape]

** NOTE ** - Admin has now pulled the age limit, so its open to all regardless of age !!

[5xevy]

Glad that was lifted. Seemed too restrictive.

[daayda3]

1. I can enter now?
2. can I submit a photo to bothe POTM and TOTM?

:D

[Reefscape]

You certainly can Daayda...on both accounts..

Niko

[daayda3]

Cool! I have some "great" pics!!

[mrodman]

Will we be able to view the photos submitted? Also, who will be voting on these photos?

Thanks!
Melissa R

[OldManOfTheSea]

Cool! I have some "great" pics!!

That's great but, your to only send in one, just pick your best shot :)

[Rallysman]

I just saw the one I submitted on another monitor and it sucks.

[Reefscape]

Will we be able to view the photos submitted? Also, who will be voting on these photos?

Thanks!
Melissa R

You people will be voting on the pictures to decided a winner...

Niko

[web2844]

Rallysman, you have the most hilarious avatar i've ever seen. BTW how is your jaguar doing.

[Reefscape]

Can we keep this thread for POTM discussion please.

[daayda3]

OK, mine are in:D

[daayda3]

That's great but, your to only send in one, just pick your best shot :)
yup:D one for TOTM and one for P0TM:D

[KingOfTheDeep]

so..when does the actual contest start

[Reefscape]

Contest started as of the beginning of April..

Niko

[KingOfTheDeep]

i mean where we can vote ..

[Mgamer20o0]

the pics get sent in and a few are chosen. then you can vote on them.

[KingOfTheDeep]

i know how it works, how many pictures have been sent in?

[Reefscape]

that will all be seen when voting starts..There will be a voting thread..

Niko

[daayda3]

do any of you know when that thread will be made?:D :o

[Reefscape]

an update will be posted when it time...be around the end of the month when all entries have been recieved..

Niko

[daayda3]

ooooohhhh:D ok, thats cool:rolleyes:
mine prob. wont make it...lol, i know lots of people with lots of good pics!
another question, will the names of the people who submited the pic. be published?

[Reefscape]

published in what respect?

[daayda3]

With the picture, will the name of the person be published with it...lol

[Reefscape]

yet to be decided, as it could sway members voting if they know the person the pic has come from..

Niko

[Michael Marino]

so who won?

[5xevy]

yet to be decided, as it could sway members voting if they know the person the pic has come from..

Niko


I was thinking about this before you posted it. Although I'm sure some will know anyway, I think it is best to not have the person's name known for the exact reason stated above.

[Mgamer20o0]

so who won?
i won... lol

keep sending the pics in.
With the picture, will the name of the person be published with it...lol

the user name wont be on the pic.

[Reefscape]

correct, names will be hidden

[Reefscape]

ha ha ha ha...MG...a little bit premature there.....or have you seen the future?

Originally Posted by Michael Marino
so who won? The competition does not finish untill the last day of april...

Niko

[Mgamer20o0]

i know all i see all lol.

[Reefscape]

erm....except the winner? perhaps?.....lol

[KingOfTheDeep]

so...when does the voting thread start?

[Reefscape]

The voting will begin at the start of May.

Thanks

[aquaman#1]

Where exacly do we post the photos for your photo of the month?

[Blueiz]

Where exacly do we post the photos for your photo of the month?


Entries are only accepted through electronic mail (e-mail). Unless otherwise noted, only the following e-mail address should be used:

potm@aquariacentral.com (potm@aquariacentral.com)

^

[Reefscape]

beat me too it Blueiz...Thanks..

Niko

[cajinfry]

April is almost gone..... When exactly will it start... I have email'ed a pic

[Reefscape]

The voting will start at the beginning of may...and yes, i recieved your pic Cajinfry...

Niko

[KingOfTheDeep]

argh, it feels like we've been waiting forever!

[Reefscape]

Only 5 Days Left To Submit Your Entries

[OldManOfTheSea]

Say Niko, you did say we can enter a photo of any pets, did you not? But what of a pest? My grandchildren, LMBO :laugh:

[Reefscape]

ha ha ha...i wonder if "Terror Of The Month" will stick.........hmmmmm...

No, it has to be a photo of aquatic related nature and something that you actually own...

Niko

[Reefscape]

Only 3 Days Left To Submit Your Entries

[Reefscape]

The "Picture" ( one only ) need to be emailed to potm@aquariacentral.com

Niko

[Jessu]

Can the picture be cropped?

[Reefscape]

All re-sizing will be done by me when i recieve the picture.

[Reefscape]

Today is the last day to submit your entries for the competition. Just a reminder that last orders at the bar is 23:59 EST..

Any entries recieved after that time will automatically be entered into May POTM.

[daayda3]

Have yall set a date on when the poll will be made???

[Reefscape]

Yes, it shall be up and running for tomorrow and ready to vote...

Niko

[daayda3]

:dance: yay!!!
Did you get mine? I sent it a long time ago...

[Reefscape]

erm....no?........................................ .............














ha ha ha ha ha ha ha....got you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, i got it fine...

Niko

[daayda3]

:p: lol:D
OK, thats great....
When will the TOTM voting be up and running?

[Reefscape]

they will be running side by said, all the same voting rules apply to both competitions....

View the months discussion thread here..

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108194

Niko

[Reefscape]

The winner for May 2007 Photo Of The Month is Bryce !!