My entry was removed from the shortlist

[rjpphotography]

Now that the competition has been finalised I can start once again trying to find out why my image has been removed from the shortlist. I was shortlisted in the fashion category with an image called "Geek", it was on page 2 about half way down. A few weeks back it disappeared from the shortlist. I emailed one of the web editors who passed it on to the editor and have since heard nothing back, even though I have contacted the editor via email once again.
I would just like to know why it got taken off? As you can imagine it's a bit embarassing telling family and friends that you have been shortlisted and they go on to view the list and can't find it anywhere..

[Ben Brain]

Hi there ripphotography,
I'm sorry for the late reply to your initial query. Your image titled "Geek' was indeed shortlisted, and judged with the other images on the final judging day. However, after it was brought to our attention by forum users that the image had won an award in the AOP student awards (http://awards.the-aop.org/2009_Student_Awards) we removed it to investigate further. We apologise for the poor communication, but sadly your image was not eligible for entry. If you have any further queries, please contact me. Best wishes. Ben

[mungo373]

Hmm... so why was Maciej Dakowicz allowed to come third in this is britain catergory when numerous people emailed you all tellnig you that he won lots of competitons and had that photo published all over the place before? he won with that photograph here..

http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/46060,...inners-gallery

the competition is a joke and rules have been broken and ignored. One of your third place winners is there against the rules and should be ineligable!!!!!!

[maciejdakowicz]

mungo373, I honestly completely forgot that this photo has won a competition before. but it was a very small competition run by a small online newspaper, that I don't think it matters at all. and this image was not published in any photographic magazine.

the competition rules:
An image that has won a prize in a major national or international competition (one receiving more than 500 images) or that has been entered in such a competition where the results are still pending, is not eligible for entry. An image that has previously been printed in Digital Camera or any other photographic magazine is not eligible for entry.

[maciejdakowicz]

I don't know how many entries were there and I don't know anything about a book. You might email them and ask how many entries they received. I don't know why his entry was removed, I have nothing to do with that.

[rjpphotography]

actually my image didn't win anything, it was shortlisted. I assumed that being shortlisted isn't the same as winning and I put it in anyway? If being shortlisted in a competition is regarding as winning one maybe the terms and conditions could have been made clearer to show this? I would have submitted another image to the category otherwise.

Cheers.

[ShutterbugzScot]

::: is waiting to see if digital photographer magazine ignore this in the hope it all blows over::::::

1. Ripphotography had a photograph removed from the shortlist after being wrongly accused of winning elsewhere.
2 Maciej Dakowicz comes third after breaking the rules.

Are there not organisations that investigate competitions and make sure they are run properely? An official response to this thread?

[Ben Brain]

We're looking into it now. Thanks Ben

[Gil Ritchie]

First let me declare I have no axe to grind on this matter - as I didn't enter the competition - but I think the "sour grapes" brigade may want to make capital out of this error by complaining vehemently - and possibly have a legitimate gripe - if this proves to be the case - after all the rules of entry must apply to all entries - so may I suggest a full investigation be made of all the prize winners - at least - to ensure they are all winners within the rules.

Here's hoping no other - rule breakers - deliberate or accidental - have slipped through the fairness net.

We have had enough scandals regarding "cheats" in other walks of life - sport/politics etc etc

Let's hope this potential one can be "nipped in the bud" - So how about a prompt, transparent and full investigation by the organisers DCM. ?

[Ben Brain]

We're still looking into it. So far it looks like the competition in questions which was run by the online news magazine The First Post was not a "major national or international competition" and therefore the image doesn't violate the rules. I will keep you updated. Have a jolly weekend. Thanks, Ben