Multiple Shortlisting from same photographer

[russbarnes]

It would have been nice if the judges selected the shortlist in each category by only using one photograph from each photographer they selected. In several of the categories some photographers have up to three of their shots shortlisted. It's like they found someone they liked in amongst the thousands of entries then put a handful of their stuff forward. A shortlist usually only contains a single photograph per photographer, not a number from the same individual.

I'm sure there are a huge number of other people who both spotted and are disappointed by this, especially given the very high quality images that were passed over and are subjectively no 'better' or 'worse' than those shortlisted.

I would urge the organisers of the competition to bear this in mind for next year and be a little more inclusive of the efforts of others, even if they don't ultimately make the top three in each category. After all, are the judges really going to offer 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the category to the same photographer? How embarrassing would that be for the competition?

[AndyStevens]

That's always a difficult point. I hear what you're saying Russ but you'd like to think the images were selected 'blind' so chosen on impact and merit and photographer's names not taken into account. If you look at past Landscape Photographer Of The Year and Wildlife Photographer Of The Year awards (and I'm talking the Natural History Museum and Charlie Waite backed comp's here), there are often the same names popping up as section winners and highly commendeds in the same year. I guess that photographer hits that particular 'style' that the judge is looking for at that time - which would change from judge to judge and year to year.

Limiting shortlists to one per photographer is a bit like restricting their current 'trendiness' rating and encouraging images with less impact to be included from a fairness perspective. I'd love to be shortlisted but would hate to think I was only included to make up numbers...

It's a contentious issue and there are both sides of the story to be considered... And not sure what the outcome should/could be be... We were restricted to 10 entries per section - perhaps this should be 1? Or if we can't get noticed with 10 entries, we're not good enough? Don't know, this could go on longer than a Mac vs PC debate

[karenoliver]

Its not based on who the photographer is, its based on the photograph. With 114,000 entries its going to be pretty hard for a judge to remember all the names he has looked at but he/she will remember a striking image. Also, this competition seems to have a much larger shortlist than other competitions where maybe there is only between 5-10 per category. So if you take that into account no-one is really missing out on the shortlist at all, in fact their chances are greater.

Karen

[russbarnes]

So by your logic, you think it WOULD be perfectly fair and reasonable for a single photographer to be awarded first, second and third in a category? I call that a farce...

[ricardowed]

Don't be so silly russ of course the same person isn't going to win 1,2 and 3 !!!
It's not a farce it's a case of sour grapes. If u had been shortlisted I bet u wouldn't be moaning . U won potd 3 times is that fair then? Stop spitting out ur dummy and give credit where it's due. The pics chosen are worthy of their selection . R

[russbarnes]

What a pathetic and predictable post. You've missed the point entirely - if there is no way the same photographer is going to win more than one of the final three places in each category then clearly the shortlist process and final selection process is indeed 'politically' loaded. I don't agree that all of the images are worthy either but that's entirely the point, the whole thing is subjective. I've seen a huge amount of outstanding material that hasn't been shortlisted when clearly this could have been showcased too; the shortlists could have been wider in some cases and more representative but the judges have decided otherwise, to the detriment of the competition in my view.

[russbarnes]

Perhaps you should go troll elsewhere? I've put forward a perfectly reasonable comment and suggestion for NEXT YEAR to the organisers of the competition - I'm not interested in your tiny minded low-level bait.

[Ben Brain]

During all stages of judging the name of the photographer did not come into the equation. We were looking at the photographs.
Incidentally in last year’s Landscape category it actually transpired that the first and second place went to the same photographer. We did not take issue with that.

[AndyStevens]

I don't see a problem with a single photographer winning more than one prize - if their work stacks up and hits the judges between the eyes then well done to them. As mentioned in my previous post, I've seen the same tog pick up multiple prizes in major competitions - my reaction was 'he must be good' and yes, he was judging by the images.

[russbarnes]

Looks like Ricardowed who seemed so sure of himself looks a bit silly now - it is possible to win more than one prize in the same category, not just that but it's been done before. So given that this year at least one individual has three shortlisted in a single category then they could scoop first, second and third. No one is that good.

Clearly I'm the only person who thinks that's not in the competition's best interests...I find such a proposition somewhat odd to say the least.