 Posted 11/7/2006 8:55:24 PM
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During my lunch today, I has a session of voting on images at Daily Awards. During my voting an interesting transition took place. I voted on an image and like always, a new image was loaded. I glanced at the previous image in the post-vote window to check out the rating and I was surprised to see the photographer's name included with their image. I knew this feature was in the works and I enjoyed the addition of seeing who had created the image after voting. Also, during this voting session I had no less than six images presented to me for voting where I did not have to wait to cast my vote to identify the submitting photographer. Their name was included somewhere in the posted entry. This is not just an isolated case either; four different photographers had either added their name in the image, comments or title of these six entries.
During the changeover from the old site this topic was approached in the following thread Is Anonymous Voting . During the run of this topic the forum moderator suggested:
If important enough, then I think it should be discussed (cordially) with input from Eric (instead of assumptions or quotes without context) and a decision made.
I think the time has come for that discussion.
In rereading the original thread I gathered that the general feeling was that the practice of identifying the photographer within a contest entry should not be incouraged. Glynn offered the idea that:
Maybe a social policy of voting an automatic 5 for any such image would deter the practise.
I think that Glynn offers a good solution and I am ready to begin voting with that in mind now. But to develop a consensus, I believe we should have some open discussion first. Please offer your opinions...
One final note. There is another thread suggesting, "We need Fresh Blood" seeking new site participants. I agree and have mentioned to a number of my photographic acquaintaces both in person and on line about Daily Awards. One, rather opinioned one (some might call him snobby - he calls himself that anyway) visited the site, reviewed some image ranking lists and commented to me "how lame" it was having identifiable images up for votes. I certainly did not appreciate his comment but his point was well made. For the good of the site I feel we should work towards discouraging photographer identified images in the voting pool.
Again, please offer your thoughts... WE
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Posted 11/8/2006 6:24:12 AM
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So well put, Blue! I agree 100% with your logic on this matter. 
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Posted 11/8/2006 7:48:21 AM
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wemor (11/7/2006)...For the good of the site I feel we should work towards discouraging photographer identified images in the voting pool.
Scanning the top 300 photos on this website, one will notice that only a scant few have irritating distractions, like identifying bylines in the text or digital frames or other "signals" to the voter. Seems like those who want to label their images with their name or other identifying marks are shooting themselves in the foot. If these misguided folks want to present their image in the voting window to be rated on its merits, then they should not add the extraneous distractions.
Most photo contests prohibit marks or text on the submitted image which would allow direct identification of the artist. That makes sense. It's a lame effort by an artist to try to influence voters with a blatant signal. While there is no rule against this, voters have the right to vote as they see fit, taking the brazen image labeling into consideration.
My best advice to all members who would like to get the maximum rating on their image based on the technical and artistic merits is to forego the attempts to tip off the voters by marking your image with identifying text or any other distracting elements.
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Posted 11/8/2006 7:52:18 AM
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As briefly as possible...here are a few of my thoughts on this subject:
1. It was mentioned in the previous thread about this that any attempt to influence votes is cause for disqualification on other photo contest sites.
To me, prescribing that a certain vote be cast in such and such an instance is doing just that, trying to influence votes. There should either be a flat out "Photos with the photographer's name on them will be disqualified" rule or not. It appears that such a rule would be difficult to enforce on this site so it would be my opinion that the Pros & Cons of photographer identification should be discussed but suggestions attempting to influence how people should vote should be avoided even more than photographer identification should, particularly by moderators or site operators, who would not be allowed to or would voluntarily not participate in some of the other online contests I've been involved with in order to avoid any appearance of impropriety and to remain objective.
2. I don't pay any attention to names on photos when they exist but I cannot imagine that a name would often help anyone in a positive way. If people are really going to collude with each other then there are better ways, I'm sure.
In my mind at least, it is more likely that names on photos either have no effect
or already have a negative effect on a voter and their subsequent vote.
Perhaps I am wrong. What is the percentage of photos with names on them that have won any sort of award?
3. This discussion will probably have little effect, anyway. It seems to be a tiny minority that participate and offer opinions about these issues. Even if you were to reach a concensus among the few forum particpants there will be those
who will do the opposite of what is suggested or will be totally unaware of
this discussion.
4. I do agree that frames and names, unless they are very prominent
and distracting, should not be cause for an automatic knee jerk punishment/deduction,. However, I do have to wonder why people who are aware of the opinions of a few heavyweights who regularly exert their influence, would continue to insist on keeping their name on their photos.
All I've time for at the moment...probably more than enough anyway... 
~ Nick
(Click on Homer to see My Profile!)
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"The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike." ~Delos McKown
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Posted 11/8/2006 8:56:47 AM
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I do not care for the identifying marks. I feel as though I am put on the spot. Whether or not there are relationships here on the forums, I feel that this is a factor which influences voting. It is too bad that more members are not active here and I hope that more will jump in and join these discussions as I dont feel there are enough opinions on this subject to make a judgement at this time.
I may not always be wRIGHTbut I am never wrong Profile -  Top 24 - 
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Posted 11/8/2006 9:18:04 AM
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| Tonka- I agree with you completely. Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, your relationship with someone (good or bad) does influence your voting so I am totally against voting when there are identifying marks on the image so what I have started doing is skipping the images. That way I am not voting down or up on a image based on "knowing". It is not a fair competition in my eyes if you are voting and know who the author is. What if everyone added their name to their images?? Would that still be fair?? If so, why don't we just nix the voting page and just go into everyone portfolio and vote on images there. It is the same thing, right?? You are also correct in saying there are not enough opinions to make a accurate account for how the community feels about the matter. Didn't we discuss before adding a poll to the voting page (or somewhere other than the forum) so that more people would participate in these type discussions....was that not doable??
Christy's Profile
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Posted 11/8/2006 10:37:07 AM
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I just want to chime in to say that I have reviewed this topic. In general, I feel everyone knows that I like to draw a line between social issues and technical issues when possible. In this case, I consider this more a social issue simply because it is technically so difficult to enforce.
What I can do is add some text to the upload page encouraging markup-free submissions. Thoughts?
Eric
DailyAwards.com
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Posted 11/8/2006 10:58:45 AM
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Admin (11/8/2006)
What I can do is add some text to the upload page encouraging markup-free submissions. Thoughts?This is a general principal in most all photography contest. I certainly see no harm in the suggestion of, or the addition of this criteria to the image upload page. WE
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Posted 11/8/2006 11:02:50 AM
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