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RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

rcmannjr — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 06:23:00 GMT

I would agree that some times the lines are blurred. But many times the category selection is just beyond me. My most recent favorite is what appears to be a color triptych portrait (? the image is a little blurry which may have led to the category selection?) in the Black and White cateogry. I just refused to vote on it.

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

ScottyZoozie — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 06:16:13 GMT

I have been voting for his images in the landscape category as they are of landscapes. I did read the descriptions with the image and respected his opinion about where he placed it.

There are some images in the digi category that shouldn't be as they are not manipulated other than crop.

Blurred lines here, I suppose!

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

Tonka — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 05:49:56 GMT

I voted on one of those the other day..

I was under the impression that a pano could be photos stitched together or that it could just refer to the size (not sure what that is..)..

If a pano, is specifically related to size :

What size is it and how would we know if it qualifies as we are voting, the size isnt stated on the voting window is it?, perhaps there should be a size check gate upon upload to the pano category..ie: photos not meeting the minimum size requirement would not go through..

And if it is more size than how many photos are used..then IN MY PERSONAL OPINION, Anything goes subject-wise.:)

I also think that, technically, a landscape is a landscape whether it be manipulated or not. For the sake of argument, I would say that DA does have a separate digi category for the manipulated images and most would agree (here) that they belong in digi rather than other categories.. I think I am gonna look at the definitions again..:D

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

rcmannjr — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 05:33:27 GMT

[quote][b]wilrobking (1/4/2008)[/b][hr]That member has almost said the samething to me. I just saw another one of his digital creations that he put in the pano category.[/quote]

I just got the pano twice yesterday. I was not impressed with the wording of the description and refused to vote on it either time. He should try to follow the categorization noted by the site. It's the same on almost every other POTD site...a digitally manipulated image goes in the Digital Art category cause it is not going to win in scenic, landscape, or anything else with the manipulations. One site that the Digital Art category is sort of looked over is Better Photo. That would be a great place for him to enter. It's a shame, you know, cause I like his work, but as Digital Art.

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

Sherry — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:02:39 GMT

Shouldn't threats be reported?

Categories are there for a reason... are they not?! Sheeesh!~:ermm:

Granted, there have been times, where I have uploaded to the wrong category, but, am very appreciative of those who give me a heads up on it.

I guess I just can't imagine if someone said "hey you're in the wrong category" -- then I reply with "hey, I'm gonna kick your you know what" LMAO

Silly school yard stuff, IMO! again --->> Sheesh! :blink:

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

bhall07 — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:23:56 GMT

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. Not enough of the membership reads the forum or seems to care about this issue. I find no value (for me) in a place where the emphases is on the quantity of votes and not on the quality. I continue to see photos winning high awards in categories where they should not be competing. One member here even post in his photo comments not to tell him his photo is in the wrong category. He has threatened to vote low on my photos for doing so. That is another problem here, bullies who try to use their weight to control how you vote on their photos. Oh well….

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

sarah — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 08:00:56 GMT

There are quite a few things on this site that don't make any common sense to me... regarding category voting for instance..... before I had even cast one vote here I was up to the buffer in more than 50% of categories! After only 200/300 votes I was up to the buffer in all the categories. Why offer us the option of voting by catgegory if the buffer is so large there are no photos to vote for? Or why can't the buffer be made in proportion to the photos available, ie.. a percentage of photos in each category which could be different according to how large the category entry is? I would love to be able to vote by category but is very frustrating to be offered this option and then make it impossible to do it? That's not common sense to me.

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

2funny — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:45:06 GMT

I would like to vote categories too.

I was just going to start a question on this and just saw some comments in this thread. I haven't been on here in awhile and am back again. I was just curious why I can't vote on one category...say portraits...then I choose all and that is the first photo that comes up (portrait). Doesn't make sense to me. I'll have to see what's on here about it.

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

Sunnyside Sandy — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:51:27 GMT

Hi Nick

Yeah, it's a good photo and kinda unique-ish as such but Still Life category is not really right is it? Probably fits best in the Other Category I'd say.

I doubt if I'd score it down though even in the Still Life Category - mainly because it's a pleasing image and it sort of overpowers the fact that it may not be in the correct/best category.

It doesn't happen often though and the originality and quality of the shot gives it strength to overcome its Category placement I guess. (??)

In an ideal world DA would have a team of people (unconnected with the site - non-competitors) who would spend all their time authorising entries into their appropriate categories. :D Imagine the disbutes that would cause! :D

Individual perception is such a wonderful..... and debateable thing isn't it. :)

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

NiKiMoTo — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 19:11:08 GMT

Here's a fairly good picture that somehow won in the "Still Life" category.

[url=http://www.dailyawards.com/imager.aspx?Strict=On&Width=640&ImageID=101576]12/20 Still Life Winner[/url]

Freezing something that was in motion has not been a still life definition
that I have heard before.

Anyway, I'm not complaining. It's just interesting and seems that in the overall
scheme of things most people may not care or be paying attention if this was able
to win in that category.

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

Wacky Jacky — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:15:10 GMT

Oh Glynn my dear brOTHER from anOTHER mOTHER, I just hang my head and cover my eyes 'cause if I read the rest of your category definitions I'll fall from my chair...

Now, would that be OTHER or UNEXPECTED?:P

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

HappySnaps — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:48:09 GMT

Very good assessment, Glynn! I am especially fond of your "unexpected" category definition. For some reason, I just wasn't "getting" that category until now.

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

aurock — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:40:58 GMT

ROTFLMAO Thanks for clearing up those category definitions, Glynn :D:P:hehe:

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

Glynn — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:36:02 GMT

Heres a few category definitions which may help

Unexpected.

This is an ideal category for all those blurred shots - especially if the blur was caused by, say, a sneeze. Sunrises are also another good choice, after all, who'd have expected that? In fact anything may be considered Unexpected - a flower/sunset/cityscape/macro etc etc - for who'd have dreamt that those subjects would end up in this category - how Unexpected is that.

Other

This is a category for all those "other" shots which failed to win a category award first time around. It is an open category where you may place images of your Mother or brother for instance, or else examples of things you find bothersome or people you'd like to smother. Animals and insects are also a great choice - both ectotherms & endotherms qualify.

Seascape

This category caters for a wide range of water related imagery from, the mighty Pacific Ocean, to that cold damp sponge on the bathroom floor. Deserts after rain, a teardrop in a childs eye, a bead of water hissing and steaming on a hot hob - all great subjects for those with a nautical disposition and old sea-salts eye.

Macro.

This category caters for anyone capable of setting their cameras to the Macro function and operating the shutter - in that order. Everything from an Elephant to an Ant is fair game provided the mode button is correctly set.

ETC ETC. Hope this helps.

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

Sunnyside Sandy — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:21:58 GMT

Richard - as you know I have great respect for you as a photographer and for your knowledge and general input. I don't always agree with you here on the Forum but on this occasion I could not agree with you more!

Will has a problem relating to a score received from me on an image.... that basically did nothing to compliment the category in which it was entered. He feels that I did him wrong by the score. I'm a fair voter but he doesn't think so.

I do not want you to take sides Richard (I'd probably lose out anyway) but "please" re-emphasise the importance of the Category and how images should fit into the entered Category.

Just maybe, he'll listen to you cos he's not listening to me!

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

hahn23 — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:59:29 GMT

[color="crimson"]I'd sure appreciate it, if members would vote on a contest image in the context of the category. For example, if you see a black & white image, it should be assessed as a black & white image.... against the other black & white images. It is not fair, nor objective, to vote on a black & white adversely because it is not in color. Come on, people! Each category has its own set of voting criteria. Category selection is important!! Allow the scores to take care of themselves[/color]!!

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

Sunnyside Sandy — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:04:26 GMT

Sorry Geoff!! Not directed towards you ....... not even slightly mate!!

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

Gesta — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:24:00 GMT

[quote][b]Sunnyside Sandy (12/12/2007)[/b][hr]
Whatever you do - don't let anyone try to bully you into voting higher for their images!!!! Especially is their images don't stand up well within the Category in which they are entered!!
[/quote]

I totally agree Sandy, fortunately, like yourself, I am not the kind of person who is susceptible to bullying. I do feel guilty that on occasion I may have appeared to be a bully myself in the past. If so I apologise profusely and I promise NEVER to post while under the influence again lol.

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

Gesta — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:59:56 GMT

I can totally appreciate your viewpoint Will. I won't mark an image down significantly for being in the wrong category. i.e. if I'm hovering between a 6 or a 7 and the image is obviously in the wrong section then I will mark it down as opposed to up. What infuriates me is when people blatantly post sub-standard images into a totally irrelevant category just to obtain the easy win. I've seen humming birds posted in the NIGHT category (you know who you are) just to gain a little weight and an award.

On a couple of occasions..to emphasise my point...I have intentionally posted into the wrong category and added the image description "Yes...I am taking the p**s".
Surprise surprise, the images won. I think people should read the Title, The description, The category and not just blast through the voting pool feeling that they have done their part for DA.

Each to their own I guess, but the unexpected group is a total waste of time if no-one understands the reasoning behind the photo or the category.

Anyway...rant over and guess what...I've just received a "2" lmao. That's a first for me. I posted a vertical panorama with a little humour thrown in ( I have been advised that V panoramas may not appear correctly on some browsers), but a 2??? I dread to think what they're seeing !!! Should've gone to Specsavers (British joke)

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

Sunnyside Sandy — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 12:51:03 GMT

I'm very much with Geoff on this one - Category is of the utmost importance when judging a photo.......the "only" exception is the Other Category unless it fits easily within one of the other named categories.

If it does then I tend to frown a little about an obvious Nature shot appearing in the Other Category. If you're clever enouth to produce a decent image then you're certainly clever enouth to place it in the correct category!

Anything other is looked upon as you're trying to take the membership for a ride and you think they're stupid.

The membership aren't stupid and the majority of those that take their time when scoring will notice and and score a photo accordingly. The only exceptions are ....it seems.......if you know who photo it is because of the style or becuase that person is a buddy who always scores your photos high.

Ultimately, it's a case of other photo sites and the "blowing sinshine up each others bottoms" rubbing off on DA. That's a bad thing!!!

Stand by your votes but vote on them as you see fit and especially so according to how well they fit the Category - I'd go as far as to say this should be considered first and foremost - after which you can the consider allthe other aspects of a good photo.

Whatever you do - don't let anyone try to bully you into voting higher for their images!!!! Especially is their images don't stand up well within the Category in which they are entered!!

Anyway - well said Geoff!!

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

bhasmang — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:02:47 GMT

I understand that Geoff.

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

Gesta — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 07:09:32 GMT

I get really frustrated when those who vote don't bother to check the category or even read the title/description attached to an image. In particular, I have posted many pictures into the unexpected category which have received ridiculously low votes.

The number of times I've had the reply "Oh, sorry, I didn't realise it was in the unexpected category" DRIVES ME MAD. Unexpected is a unique (and often abused) category and most images that are justifiably in it would receive bad scores if posted blindly, and without description, on ANY website.

Come on you lot. Check the category and read the title/description. When voting, most people on here seem to view and vote on the images as if they were flipping through a total strangers family album.....i.e. no real interest !

Imagine if we judged the emotive and powerful images printed on the front pages of newspapers without reading the headline ???? It just wouldn't make sense !

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

Jorge — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:15:54 GMT

I agree, category should be an issue to be taken into account, but not to lower a vote, but to prompt the poster to correct the category (which by the way I think it cannot be done now). I mean, if someone by mistake or misinterpretation posts a pic in an incorrect category then the picture should not be allowed to participate and second, the member should be given the opportunity to repost in the correct category thus losing his previous votes. I think this could be easily controled by the admin. What do you think? Jorge

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

bhall07 — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:49:54 GMT

To illustrate a point: I just voted on a photo that had a rating in the high sixes. The photo was an elephant standing next to a stream. The author had placed it in portraits and described it as 2 children looking at a statue. I am sure the author had just uploaded the wrong photo but, what are people looking at when they vote? I voted on another photo posted in landscape that had been done in IR then large parts of the background were painted in color. A totally beautiful DA but it had a 7.6 in landscape???

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

sarah — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 04:28:52 GMT

Hi Bob.... I agree with you entirely! I was only suggesting that the category name should be more prominent to make sure it is seen.

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

bhall07 — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 03:49:07 GMT

Sarah, IMHO no one should vote that fast! I know everyone wants to get the next 75 votes in but, is it fair to the artist if you don't take time to really look at the photo and the category. I have seen a lot of really basic things overlooked here and I believe it's because people are not taking the time to look. A quick impression is not enough info to vote. I don't want my photos judged like that and I won't judge others in that manner.

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

sarah — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:19:52 GMT

If you are voting in, say, the "flower" category and a photo of a horse popped up then you would notice immediately that it was in the wrong category but if you are voting in "All" this would not really be very obvious, especially if you are voting quickly, as although the category is shown, it is not very prominent.

Could this account for some wrong category choices being overlooked and therefore winning without voters noticing until it appears in the winners page?

Perhaps the category choice could be made a bit larger so that it would not be missed so easily?

Sarah

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

bhall07 — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 19:28:38 GMT

That was what I noticed also but, it did not seem to effect the voting scores. IMHO a photo like that should not win an award in Landscape.

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

bhall07 — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:58:08 GMT

That's what I saw also but, it did not seem to effect the level of the vote. I believe the categories loose meaning when that type photo wins in Landscape. Just my opinion.

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

wemor — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:46:30 GMT

[quote][b]Tonka (12/3/2007)[/b][hr]...hmmm methinks maybe I should start a new self policy.. a 5 for every blatantly wrong category.. is this too harsh ? perhaps a 6?..[/quote]

Anything will be fine as long as you A) are CONSISENT and B) EXPLAIN THE REASON for your deduction.

Anytime I vote for an image that includes a photographer's identification in the photograph, title, or description, I deduct 1 point from my expected rating. I state the reason and always try to apply this "personal rule" consistently across all shots I rate. This is a little off topic but I feel the two key points for making any type of across the board rating deductions are consistency and explanation. WE

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

Tonka — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:08:46 GMT

I too agree with the proper category, there are cases where the choice is iffy though.. I will not take off points in that case..

voting by category enables me to not have to keep checking the category under the title..I like that very much.

I think that the CATEGORY, I have said this before, needs to be more plainly visible...perhaps in bold or next to the title or in front of the title..

but jmo..

:D

Edited to add :...hmmm methinks maybe I should start a new self policy.. a 5 for every blatantly wrong category.. is this too harsh ? perhaps a 6?..

I still wont take off for an "iffy" situation though.

Does anyone think this not a good policy? Would I be a horrible wretch ?
advice welcomed though maybe not heeded. ;)

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

bhasmang — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:43:11 GMT

I totally agree to what you have to say here Bob...

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

Sherry — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:48:29 GMT

A very good point!

I'm guilty of not checking the category, prior to casting a vote.

So, having said that, I will be more aware of this, and pay extra attention! Thanks for a friendly reminder! :D

The only exception (I feel) is the "unexpected" category, thats a toughy!

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

sarah — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 23:48:38 GMT

I so agree with you Bob! If an image is in a daily category contest to win an award then that image must fit the particular category the author has chosen to place it. There are category descriptions to help.

I would love to be able to vote the option "categories" but there are so few categories that this is possible with the large buffers. There are such advantages, in my view, of voting within a category. It enables you to get right into the category and focus on that as you are voting. I would certainly be encouraged to vote more if I could vote this way because it would be much more enjoyable. If something is enjoyable then you want more! I do find it rather difficult sometimes when one minute I am looking at a dog and then a sunset, etc. etc.

I know the reasons for the buffer have been explained but I do think the buffer is too large when it is preventing us having the option of voting by category.

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

ScottyZoozie — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 22:37:32 GMT

I agree also. If it is a picture of a horse in the macro category then somebody's got some 'splainin' to do! :) I usually look at the category. Otherwise...like Bob said...what's the point of having them?

As a photographer, you should have some idea as to where it would fit best so that it can compete against similar images.

If it is clearly in the wrong place, I write them a wee note to suggest a different home for it.

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

bhall07 — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 19:49:24 GMT

Thank you, Richard! I appreciate your comments very much.

RE: Your opinion on category voting is requested:

hahn23 — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:49:18 GMT

[color="crimson"]Bob, I agree with you! And, I appreciate your comments and your participation here. I highly respect your experience and seasoned perspective on photography!

Categories matter a lot!!!! I [b]always[/b] take into consideration the category and vote on an image in the context of the category chosen by the artist. One of the strengths of this site is the big selection of categories.

I think each category has its own unique set of voting criteria. It would be appropriate if more people took into consideration the caliber of an image relative to others in the respective category. Let the scores take care of themselves.... following a fair and objective vote based on category entered[/color].

Your opinion on category voting is requested:

bhall07 — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:10:27 GMT

I am curious how you feel:
Another member and I have had a discussion about voting. He feels that a person should vote on a photo’s merit irrespective of which category it has been placed.
My feelings are a photo must be judged according to which category it is placed or why do we have categories. I would not put a pie into a cake judging contest so why
should I place a Heron in the people category. When I judge a photo I always check the category before I vote and will vote lower if it is in the wrong category. I have notice in my short time on this site that this is not true with everyone because I see photos in the wrong category with high scores. We have a wide variety of categories with a lot of overlap but, if we continue to vote awards for categories we need to either pay attention to the categories or get rid of them. These are my thoughts. What are yours?