POTY 2011: First details

[Reinardina]

Are the new rules set in - digital - stone yet, or would there still be room to manoeuvre?

POTY always created a lot of interest and lots of acclaim worldwide; the sheer size and the fact it was free to enter undoubtedly played a big part in this.

Now that it is to become one of the many competitions where you have to pay to enter, it will already have lost some kudos. It will lose a lot of entrants too, I think. But this may be one of the reasons for this change; it must have become quite unwieldy to handle and judge so many entries.

The fact that rank amateurs never stood a chance to win, did not seem to matter, the enthusiasm was always plain to see. This made this comp a very special thing.

Is it too late to save at least part of the old competition? Charge entrants for certain categories for instance? Like the Portfolio thing last year? Or demand a fee if someone wants to enter more than five photos per category? (With a set maximum.)

And keeping the pros and the amateurs apart, as has been suggested, might also enhance the chances and, therefore enthusiasm and loyalty, of the many happy snappers who are Future's future.

[pburness]

Originally Posted by Reinardina

And keeping the pros and the amateurs apart, as has been suggested, might also enhance the chances and, therefore enthusiasm and loyalty, of the many happy snappers who are Future's future.

How do we know a Pro isn't posing as an Amateur? The policing of this could be very difficult.

Phil

[Reinardina]

Originally Posted by pburness

How do we know a Pro isn't posing as an Amateur? The policing of this could be very difficult.

Phil

There are prestigious competitions where pros and amateurs are separated, Sony being one of them, so it must somehow be possible.

[karenoliver]

Originally Posted by Reinardina

There are prestigious competitions where pros and amateurs are separated, Sony being one of them, so it must somehow be possible.

Amateur versus Pro is very complicated anyway. What is a pro and how do you become one? My understanding is that a pro is someone who makes a certain percentage of his/her income from photography. Yet, that doesnt always make them a good photographer? I mentioned on another thread this week that some people set themselves up as a pros and run wedding or portrait businesses yet their work is awful! On the other hand you could have a highly skillled amateur who would get accused of being a pro.

I think the number of entrants will certainly be less than the last two years, And I also think that some pro photographers are more likely to give it a miss now anyway because the prize money amount has been reduced. That would free up the chances of winning for amateurs?

Karen

[DigiDiva]

HAHA< not sure I would have even considered and entry for free as no use building hopes up when I can't even win a weekend comp or even pull decent votes. Charging a fee as you all say, will put even more people off. Crazy idea!

[Reinardina]

Originally Posted by DigiDiva

HAHA< not sure I would have even considered and entry for free as no use building hopes up when I can't even win a weekend comp or even pull decent votes. Charging a fee as you all say, will put even more people off. Crazy idea!

Chris,

Poty used to attract a worldwide 'audience,' with lots of people from all over the world entering pictures. There always was a friendly atmoshere, where you could 'meet' photographers. Lots of people left comments and you could also vote for photographs, so you'd have a sort of 'people's choice' list of favourites.

On occasion, some of my photos ended up at quite repectable places, thanks to very kind people who voted for them. Never got near a shortlist or anything like that, but I wasn't really expecting that, as there were too many really good photographers who entered.

It was always lots of fun though, and a good way to see other people's pictures, get ideas and inspiration.

If it was still free, you should definitely enter.
To have to pay for a prize you'll never win, is something different altogether. But you can still enjoy the entries and I suppose we'll still be able to leave comments.

Reinardina.

[DigiDiva]

Hmmmm, Im on the fence here R......

[ianwebb 2]

I was for the first time going to enter even thoe i would come no where. But this i did not mind and was going to do it for the fun and just to see how things are done on competitions..... but as you will have to pay now i am not so certain. And going by all the people who have entered POTY on previous years, and from poor backgrounds and poor countrys. I think you will loose some of the best raw tallent around...It might be more prize money in the pot but it will definetlly stop alot of people entering...

[ShutterbugzScot]

I'd pay to enter if the prize fund was in line with your takings!! How can you charge a tenner but lower the first prize ? 1500 first prize just lowers the esteem, quality and reputation of the competition. It's no different now to photo contests ran by photobox or ephotozine... Except they don't charge entry fees. Is gone from one if the top 10 contests to an ordinary run of the mill contest .

Why won't Any body answer?

We have all done the math ; you are going to make some serious revenue but your lowering the prize money.
Second and third places have more at the expense of first ..,
To add insult you are raking in a much larger amount from entry .

Scot bemused

[xavier]

Originally Posted by DigiDiva

HAHA< not sure I would have even considered and entry for free as no use building hopes up when I can't even win a weekend comp or even pull decent votes. Charging a fee as you all say, will put even more people off. Crazy idea!

I could not aggree more with you. it will do nought but annoy and put off people. Frankly I wont enter in protest I'm so annoied