DA Photo Contest Forum / Welcome to DailyAwards.com / Ask Questions / Voting Scale / Latest Posts

RE: Voting Scale

PictureThis — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:00:10 GMT

Boooooyaaaaaaaaahh!! I got it figured out now. Took me a bit but persistence payed off!

RE: Voting Scale

hahn23 — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 17:26:22 GMT

[color="indigo"]Alarm bells ring[/color]!
[color="crimson"]
I think I smell a rat[/color].

RE: Voting Scale

PictureThis — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:26:00 GMT

I don't know whats going on.

RE: Voting Scale

hahn23 — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:24:02 GMT

[color="indigo"]I assume you can open a .pdf file. Open the file attached. Select, highlight and copy the text. Paste it into your signature space through the "Your Forum" portion of the Control Panel. You may need to edit out extraneous spaces and/or line breaks. Or....

You can type the text from the pdf document into your signature space. I just tried it . It works[/color].

[url=http://tvland.classictvhits.com/AndyGriffith/Sounds/AndyGriffithTheme2.WAV][size="2"][color="purple"]Andy Griffith Theme Song[/color][/size][/url]

RE: Voting Scale

PictureThis — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:42:26 GMT

Ok I have no idea what I'm doing. What is url and how do I get it?

RE: Voting Scale

hahn23 — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:23:44 GMT

[color="indigo"]1. Select the url from the page containing the theme song.
2. Copy this url.
3. Navigate to your Control Panel for the forum. Under "Your Profile", click on "Edit Signature".
4. Select to highlight the words in your signature that you want to be a hyperlink.
5. Click on the "Insert Hyperlink" icon. (globe with chain)
6. A dialogue box will open.
7. Paste the url into this box. Click "Okay"[/color].

RE: Voting Scale

HappySnaps — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:04:00 GMT

Richard will no doubt give you the correct method.

I will give you the easy way... COPY AND PASTE it from his post!:P

RE: Voting Scale

PictureThis — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:01:22 GMT

Wow that would be sweet but I don't know alot about computers so I'm not sure how to do that. Any advise?

RE: Voting Scale

hahn23 — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 12:28:38 GMT

[url=http://tvland.classictvhits.com/AndyGriffith/Sounds/AndyGriffithTheme2.WAV][size="2"][color="purple"]Andy Griffith Theme Song[/color][/size][/url]

[color="navy"]You could place this song in your "signature" area. Then, those with speakers on their computer could hear your song.... rather than just read the words[/color].

RE: Voting Scale

PictureThis — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:52:24 GMT

Yes freeflower I think thats kinda what I said earlier but not with so many words. So I feel ya...I'm riding that wave!

RE: Voting Scale

aurock — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:16:29 GMT

[quote][b]HappySnaps (3/15/2008)[/b][hr][quote]This is not a contest for snapshots. [/quote]

Very good point, Freeflower. Glad you mentioned it. This, in addition to the fact that many of the lower averaging images get booted out early are reasons why the whole scale never gets used by many, especially less active, voters.[/quote]

I agree with both of you. Excellent point to bring up, Freeflower :D This is my perspective too on why the sitewide stats shows such a low percentage of votes at the low end of the range.

RE: Voting Scale

HappySnaps — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 09:59:42 GMT

[quote]This is not a contest for snapshots. [/quote]

RE: Voting Scale

freeflower — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 09:50:52 GMT

OK, I'd like to mention something that I haven't read anywhere on this topic yet. Regarding the scoring. We do have a scale of 1-10, however, the photographers that are interested in competing with their images are not all the photographers in the world. I would have to guess that a contest draws the better photographers.

If someone were to enter their snapshots of a child's birthday party I would think that these images compared to all the other images in the contest would be pretty bad. Hence, receiving scores of 5 or lower. This is not a contest for snapshots. It's for well thought out, planned and carefully executed images with a fair amount of post processing. These planned images are worthy of scores of 6 and above. If someone entered an image with a finger covering part of the subject, it deserves to get a score of 1, but who in their right mind would enter an image like that in a competition? Even the worst photographer in the world wouldn't want anyone to see that.

The more the newbies view the incredible work of the best photographers the more they can improve their own. The best photographers on the site create images that are indeed worthy of 10's and why shouldn't they get those scores?

Leaving comments about your votes is the way that people learn what other's think. This is how we learn. Without any comments one way or another the learning is difficult. So, I say if you have strong feelings about any image and can express your thoughts with a quick comment it should be appreciated. (although many times it's not) People do need to develop thick skins if they want to learn. If you're giving scores of 5 and 6 do you know why? Can you express it in words?

RE: Voting Scale

Tonka — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 05:42:46 GMT

Me...of this world? Yup :D

Ordinary? ummmm I would venture to guess...Not :D

Try and emulate or copy other's works? absolutely positively yes.
Who as a photographer is not copying someone's work in some way shape or form?

Afterall, I might not be wRight ;) here but, I do not think there is an OOF series of photos which everyone admires and is thought of as great works is there?

so we strive , all of us, to copy the works of others who achieve superb clarity, focus and light do we not?

If we did not observe and try and copy others works then we would not have a fraction of the "unique" images that we do..

Being individuals, is the reason that when we try and accomplish something we admire, we end up changing it so that it indeed becomes our own.

Artists are always trying to emulate or rework pieces they admire, but end up with a piece that is all their own. They try and copy technique, skill and attention to detail...the execution of such skill is necessary to have an end product which is worthy, in most cases, to even view by others.

, oh and I know what your point was, I just think that that is not how Richard meant it....even so, this is how I personally view this issue.

i do not think that any of my images are the "same" as anyone elses but I indeed strive sometimes to create the same effect with my own personal signature .

Take Bokeh for example...I am a huge fan for appreciating bokeh, I love it and how it can make an image look...I love to get good bokeh..lol..I try and copy other's bokeh all the time....(plus I get to mention Richard's 'BUCK AND BOKEH' again :D..one of my faves...) I don't know if it is up anymore but Will had a good one too :D it was a self portrait specifically "Practicing bokeh" ;)....It was good bokeh too..lol...(there are many other examples. )

so I try and copy that image...only I use a magnolia bud as the subject with the tree/sky as my bokeh background.

That makes it all mine :D..

Using ..long exposure for night shots is indeed copying someone elses work.

right? right. I know I am getting technical here :)
but just wanted to ramble this morning..:)

RE: Voting Scale

Sunnyside Sandy — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:31:57 GMT

[quote][b]Tonka (3/14/2008)[/b][hr]Okay, listen,

I have to disagree with you Bubba, as far as the "imitate other's works" interpretation.

[/quote]

Nobody should ever Aim to be the Same Tonka! If we all did that and some of us even achieved it then we'd all mostly be mundane - it's not the way forward! Either individually or as a species!

Aspire to be different - learn the basics by all means but try hard to put your own slant on things!

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIGHocLxpy0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIGHocLxpy0[/url]

RE: Voting Scale

Sunnyside Sandy — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:34:14 GMT

[quote][b]hahn23 (3/14/2008)[/b][hr][quote][b]Sunnyside Sandy (3/14/2008)[/b][hr][quote][b]hahn23 (3/14/2008)[/b][hr][color="indigo"]I retract all comments on this issue. Hey, if you want some "constructive comments", be sure to ask SS, the anonymous voter and never comment responder, for help! Good luck and best wishes[/color].[/quote]

What's all that about Richard??

Are you saying that I can't offer constructive comments?

Are you saying that because I'm an anonymous voter that my opinion isn't worthy?

Are you saying - sorry - What are you saying regarding your "Never Comment Responder" comment - I really don't understand.
[/quote]

[color="navy"]can't = won't

anonymous = malicious

RFC = never

constructive you? = [/color]no[/quote]

I've almost worked this out - it took me so long because I'm not on your wavelength (I'm happy about that!) - I give feedback often and usually at the point of voting when my input isn't tainted by knowing who I'm giving the feedback to.

I'm also happy to give more indepth feedback. My input is always real and the way I see things. I try hard to keep it simple and never try to glorify myself when trying to help others. My feedback will be as valuable to some as the next person's - maybe no more so and maybe not less valuable neither.

The important thing is that it is genuinne and meant in good heart.

Of course, I've got it totally wrong at times but hey who hasn't?? At least I try! And at least the reason for my providing feedback is for the benefit of those posting their images rather than to put myself on a pedestal and tell them how wonderful I am!

RE: Voting Scale

Tonka — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:22:55 GMT

Okay, listen,

Since I have joined I have stuck by the RFC in a "gung ho" manner..

Just because there are a very few who this feature is not complimentary for, does not mean it is the norm..

Sometimes members really need a thicker skin, as a comment may not be offensive but rather,,just , straight up or blunt with no offense meant,,on either the giving or receiving end..

Sometimes, I would say even less so, there are others who just like to "get into it" with each other.
This is a valuable tool, one which should be respected and used appropriately rather than abused. Even is someone is not using it with respect, we still can respond appropriately instead of "following the bad example"

If this feature has been abused, there is always the option to report to admin. but remember, sometimes a person is allowed their own opinion regardless of whether it is what we want to hear or not.

I have to disagree with you Bubba, as far as the "imitate other's works" interpretation.

imitation is the greatest flattery, which is beside the point but still.

Trying to copy another work is practice. You take another image you admire and usually you can MAKE it Yours , right?!....When you study someone else's works and then take what you gain into the field, you are already making changes, your own creativity is sparked and what you end up with may very well be totally different than what you thought you were going to have. Even if you have the same subject with the circumstances, there is usually a significant difference in the result.

existing images are inspiration. The whole point was not to create a duplicate but use what you have observed, try and apply it, master it and then use it for your own..:)..

:cool:

RE: Voting Scale

Sunnyside Sandy — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:14:36 GMT

Edited by Zeke.

Thanks Linda - much appreciated!!

RE: Voting Scale

prissylou — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:08:51 GMT

Wow I can't believe I started all this robust debate with my simple question about the voting system. Sorry guys. :) (Sandy you rock!)

RE: Voting Scale

hahn23 — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:03:38 GMT

[quote][b]Snapnit (3/14/2008)[/b][hr]Ahhh....love is in the air....can you feel it?[/quote]
[color="navy"]Sure! You can count on SS to give you all you desire in terms of feedback and constructive criticism from a peer review contest website. Good luck[/color]!

RE: Voting Scale

PictureThis — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:53:57 GMT

Ahhh....love is in the air....can you feel it?

RE: Voting Scale

LAC — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:49:37 GMT

It really doesn't matter who says it, this is good info/advise for any newcomer.

'Lots of members leave good comments and are happy to do so....at the point of voting - you'll soon learn that these comments are the most valuable and indeed the most genuine.

You can also send RFC's for more feedback but please phrase your request in a friendly and positive manner to obtain feedback. Otherwise, people may get defensive and not be very helpful in your quest to develop your photography skills further.

Remember too, that you have an under-used facility available to you as well - there's a box that you can click at the point of upload where you can request an appraisal of your uploaded shot.

Most of the time the feedback is sound and very helpful - use it every now and then to your advantage....at the end of the day you can only gain from such things. '

RE: Voting Scale

hahn23 — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:34:55 GMT

[quote][b]Sunnyside Sandy (3/14/2008)[/b][hr][quote][b]hahn23 (3/14/2008)[/b][hr][color="indigo"]I retract all comments on this issue. Hey, if you want some "constructive comments", be sure to ask SS, the anonymous voter and never comment responder, for help! Good luck and best wishes[/color].[/quote]

What's all that about Richard??

Are you saying that I can't offer constructive comments?

Are you saying that because I'm an anonymous voter that my opinion isn't worthy?

Are you saying - sorry - What are you saying regarding your "Never Comment Responder" comment - I really don't understand.

Have you been on the Whisky again? :D[/quote]

[color="navy"]can't = won't

anonymous = malicious

RFC = never

constructive you? = [/color]no

RE: Voting Scale

Sunnyside Sandy — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:28:12 GMT

[quote][b]hahn23 (3/14/2008)[/b][hr][color="indigo"]I retract all comments on this issue. Hey, if you want some "constructive comments", be sure to ask SS, the anonymous voter and never comment responder, for help! Good luck and best wishes[/color].[/quote]

What's all that about Richard??

Are you saying that I can't offer constructive comments?

Are you saying that because I'm an anonymous voter that my opinion isn't worthy?

Are you saying - sorry - What are you saying regarding your "Never Comment Responder" comment - I really don't understand.

Edited by Zeke.

RE: Voting Scale

Sunnyside Sandy — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:21:31 GMT

[quote][b]LAC (3/14/2008)[/b][hr]Wow Sandy......that really was good, sound advise. Good stuff!!:)[/quote]

Thanks Linda - feeling kinda [i]Hippy[i][/i][/i] (peace to the world and all that ;)) tonight :D Think positive and make your own good fortune - it rubs off on others. :)

RE: Voting Scale

hahn23 — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:20:47 GMT

[color="indigo"]I retract all comments on this issue. Hey, if you want some "constructive comments", be sure to ask SS, the anonymous voter and never comment responder, for help! Good luck and best wishes[/color].

RE: Voting Scale

Sunnyside Sandy — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:08:00 GMT

[quote][b]hahn23 (3/14/2008)[/b][hr][quote][b]Snapnit (3/14/2008)[/b][hr]![/quote]

[color="indigo"] then don't hesitate to send a private message to a photographer you would like to emulate, about a specific active image in the voting pool[/color].[/quote]

Please don't aim to "emulate" or copy another member's style of photography - by all means learn from their strong points whether it be with lighting, composition or indeed original subject matter.........BUT.......

The strongest point of anyone's photography is their unique view on the subject that they photograph - do things via your own eye and not how you think others might like to see it!!

At the end of the day, whether your shots are judged as good or not on DA isn't the end of the world but one thing is for sure you'll not ever, ever be recognised if you try and produce same-ish type shots just to please others either here or anywhere else.

So, I'd urge you to go with your own view of the world - it's unique after all - some may value it...some may not but if you ever manage to get your perception "right" along with the composition, the lighting etc etc etc then it'll certainly be celebrated and be well worthwhile!

Don't ever lose your individuality.......it's totally priceless and the most valuable "thing" that you can offer on any photography site. Caress it and make the most of it!!

Good Luck!!

RE: Voting Scale

LAC — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:57:40 GMT

Wow Sandy......that really was good, sound advise. Good stuff!!:)

RE: Voting Scale

PictureThis — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:55:27 GMT

Thanks Sandy for you great insight.

RE: Voting Scale

Sunnyside Sandy — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:46:18 GMT

Hi Snapnit

You're going through the journey that the vast majority of members here have experienced - don't worry yourself too much about it!

It certainly sounds as though you've got "the hunger" to better your photography and no doubt in time you will indeed improve and shine through..... hopefully.

With regards to the lack of comments.......they'll come! It's a bit of a lottery really - depending upon who is voting and who isn't I guess. Lots of members leave good comments and are happy to do so....at the point of voting - you'll soon learn that these comments are the most valuable and indeed the most genuine.

You can also send RFC's for more feedback but please phrase your request in a friendly and positive manner to obtain feedback. Otherwise, people may get defensive and not be very helpful in your quest to develop your photography skills further.

Remember too, that you have an under-used facility available to you as well - there's a box that you can click at the point of upload where you can request an appraisal of your uploaded shot.

Most of the time the feedback is sound and very helpful - use it every now and then to your advantage....at the end of the day you can only gain from such things. Go for it!

Good luck in the future!!

All the best!

Sandy

RE: Voting Scale

hahn23 — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:28:25 GMT

[quote][b]Snapnit (3/14/2008)[/b][hr]Here is my thought if anyone cares. I'm new to this site and pretty much photography for that matterbut really can't get enough of it. So having said that I've uploaded a few photos and they are all 6's and a couple boarder line 7's....at first I was discurraged because all the winners were high 7's and 8's but then I stepped back and thought about it. Now I can say I'm putting in atleast twice the thought and effort that I was previously. The only thing I'm still dissapointed about is I haven't recieved one single comment...not any clue on what is going on in the minds of the ones voting. To me that could be some of the most useful or just plain rewarding things about being a DA member![/quote]

[color="indigo"]null commentl[/color].

RE: Voting Scale

PictureThis — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:23:54 GMT

Here is my thought if anyone cares. I'm new to this site and pretty much photography for that matter but really can't get enough of it. So having said that I've uploaded a few photos and they are all 6's and a couple boarder line 7's....at first I was discurraged because all the winners were high 7's and 8's but then I stepped back and thought about it. Now I can say I'm putting in atleast twice the thought and effort that I was previously. The only thing I'm still dissapointed about is I haven't recieved one single comment...not any clue on what is going on in the minds of the ones voting. To me that could be some of the most useful or just plain rewarding things about being a DA member!

RE: Voting Scale

Tonka — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:44:45 GMT

I guess I am an inbetweener..lol..

I am usually basing my scores on the images I am voting on..
I visit other sites, I am aware of the quality or lack of, at other sites, I see pictures every day on tv and the internet , mags , etc...

All of this knowledge is relevant if you ask me.. I think category/genre (for lack of a better word) actually has more to do with it than whether or not one votes on images based on only those here or the universe of images..

I am sure that it is quite impossible NOT to have SOME consideration of images we have seen elsewhere..

but...that is just my thinking on it. :) as always.

RE: Voting Scale

Kiwi — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:50:22 GMT

[quote][b]~ (3/14/2008)[/b][hr]The underlying problem wih the scale is context. I've often asked, and I still haven't gotten an answer, what the scale is based on? Is it the universe of images that we have ever seen or the universe of images that are presented here? It appears to me that either my life experiences are different from the majority of the membership orthe scale here is somewhere in between the two. Were it based on the universe of images here then the scale would display a much larger degree of variability but if it were based on the universe of images I have seen in my lifetime then the images would score a bit higher than they do and the variability would be further tightened.[/quote]

[color="red"]I base my scoring on the images I see within this contest. We vote on what we see here not on what we see outside of this contest. If we are not doing that then it's not comparing apples with apples is it?[/color].

RE: Voting Scale

prissylou — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:42:28 GMT

Sunnyside Sandy,

I thought I was crazy to think that it was just a bullying tactic to send RFC's. I'm glad I'm not the only one. Your advice is solid, I'll continue to trust my instincts about the photographs. Thanks for the advice! As for everyone else, I won't be making use of the 1-4. I think they are terrible scores, and I really can't think of any photos on this website that I've seen that deserve them.

RE: Voting Scale

Glynn — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 04:05:02 GMT

Contrary to what the Highlander Sandy says about RFC's being used to bully people into voting higher the next time - I don't believe that to be the case at all. Sure, people may be a little irate from time to time, but how can you bully anyone into voting higher next time around when its almost certain that you will not know the moment when that members shot will appear on your screen. Anonymity - it works.

My advice to Prissylou is to forget the numbers 1 through 4. Only one vote in a thousand (1/10th of 1%) is made in that direction. Once you grasp that fact it will reform your voting habits, recognising that 5 & 6 are at the lower end of the possible scale. Madness? Maybe. But it works. The cream rises and others sink. Its only when members fail to appreciate this fact of life here that their voting becomes subject to criticism and increased RFC's.

Prissy, 6 is never viewed as a "decent" vote. 6 does not carry the message that you done well. Just because it lies more than halfway up the imaginary 1 to 10 scale means nothing - it langushes next to bottom on the actual 5 to 10.

RE: Voting Scale

Kiwi — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 02:32:35 GMT

[color="red"]Jacky, downunder a "doosie" is something that happens that is really big, either positive or negative. For eg. Did you see that car accident?, that was a really "doosie".

Sorry about the hi-jacking[/color].

RE: Voting Scale

Wacky Jacky — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:54:48 GMT

[quote][b]wilrobking (3/13/2008)[/b][hr] SNIP doosies SNIP.[/quote]

Okay, off the topic question, WHAT does that word mean around your parts of the world? In my language (Afrikaans) it is actually a very bad word. As in the ultimate swearword.:D

RE: Voting Scale

Sunnyside Sandy — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 22:03:27 GMT

Hey Prissylou

Bar from a few odd people - RFCs are primarily used to bully people into voting their next image higher.

Solid advice is to ignore them unless they come across as a "real request for input for improvement!" You'll gauge what is what in time.

Vote as YOU see fit and not according to site stats or anyone else's slant on what is a fair vote - too much of that goes on here!!

Have trust and faith in your own opinion - if an image floats your boat then great! Score it High - if it doesn't ......then don't!

There is NO REQUIREMENT to justify your vote - don't feel compelled to do so - especially as most will rubbish your opinion anyway. So basically...it's pointless!

As you progress with your membership you'll come to realise that there's a lot of "[i]Currents[/i]" on DA!! They don't like the future telling them what's good and what's not!

Don't succumb to bullying tactics - you'll hate yourself for it if you do!

RE: Voting Scale

hahn23 — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:24:35 GMT

[quote][b]prissylou (3/13/2008)[/b][hr]If I make FULL use of the scale, then I will be receiving more RFC's than I possible can reply to. I haven't seen proof that anyone on the website makes full use of the 1-4 section of the scale. I vote with fairness in mind, and I think that a 6 is a decent vote. For those who are disappointed with it,they can send me an RFC with no comment or question and expect that all answer it. Just be glad that you have an average of 8 or 9 on each of your photos and that a peon weight like myself won't make a bit of difference.[/quote]
Nevermind! :angry: