POTY 2011: First details

[karenoliver]

Originally Posted by grahamhgraham

My own estimate is that there will be no more than 1500 entries which of course means a direct gross income of 15k. After staff, overhead & other running costs, I don't expect there will be much change left, leaving just enough to cover some of the prize money as stated in the rules.

I hope there is more than that because it was great last year with all the entries and it really gave a sense of achievement to be short-listed out of so many.

How many people entered last year, does anyone know?

Karen

[Stormsong]

Over 100,000 entries, 100 images per person (10 in 10 categories), subtract those that entered under their own name and a few pseudonyms and it's probably around 8000 - 10,000 people.

I disagree that imposing an entry fee will sort the cr*p from the could-be-the-winner contenders. Money doesn't buy you talent so why should imposing an entry fee make any difference to the quality of the work submitted?

[Flashman_]

If I want to pay for something that is in effect a lottery I will do better to actually spend £10 on lottery tickets.

I am only very poorly funded amateur but have made about 30% of the value of the top prize by selling just one photo. If I spent my time trying to sell shots rather than entering this competition I might make much more than could be won here! I imagine many pros would come to the same conclusion.

If the magazine has some kind of funding issue then they should probably be seeking sponsors. I would have thought that there would be many companies that would be very keen to sponsor such a "prestigious" competition!
I suspect it has more to do with deliberately trying to reduce the number of no hopers as somebody has already said. If that's the case, I must be one of those as I am now fully discouraged from entering. Luckily there plenty of very good free comps still out there.

[Reinardina]

Originally Posted by Stormsong

I disagree that imposing an entry fee will sort the cr*p from the could-be-the-winner contenders. Money doesn't buy you talent so why should imposing an entry fee make any difference to the quality of the work submitted?

People who want to 'try it out,' because they just discovered digital photography, might be discouraged, so there might be fewer poor 'amateur shots.'

I guess, professional photographers won't like to pay for the privilege, and give Future publisihing the right to use their pictures for free. Especially if there is no substantial prize to win. The overall quality of the entries could therefore suffer.

There will still be many talented amateurs though, and for them the chance of winning, should increase.

Haven't quite worked out yet, if I could fall in the 'talented housewife-photographer' category, or whether I'd better stay in the 'probably slightly better than poor amateur club,' so I'll sit on the fence for a bit.

[karenoliver]

Originally Posted by Reinardina

People who want to 'try it out,' because they just discovered digital photography, might be discouraged, so there might be fewer poor 'amateur shots.'

I guess, professional photographers won't like to pay for the privilege, and give Future publisihing the right to use their pictures for free. Especially if there is no substantial prize to win. The overall quality of the entries could therefore suffer.

There will still be many talented amateurs though, and for them the chance of winning, should increase.

Haven't quite worked out yet, if I could fall in the 'talented housewife-photographer' category, or whether I'd better stay in the 'probably slightly better than poor amateur club,' so I'll sit on the fence for a bit.

I was going to say you could join me in the ' Obsessed amateur photographer' category then realised it abbreviated to OAP lol.

Karen

[karenoliver]

Originally Posted by Stormsong

Over 100,000 entries, 100 images per person (10 in 10 categories), subtract those that entered under their own name and a few pseudonyms and it's probably around 8000 - 10,000 people.

I disagree that imposing an entry fee will sort the cr*p from the could-be-the-winner contenders. Money doesn't buy you talent so why should imposing an entry fee make any difference to the quality of the work submitted?

I agree. And how can you define photographic talent these days anyway? The person who got the lucky break, got exhibited and published or someone who wins lots of competitions. Do you have to be a pro to be a talented photographer because I don't think so. The only difference is pros make their living from it.

Karen

[pwalderh]

Agreed Karen, talent comes in many shapes and forms - this competition to me as an amateur both a learning experience and a way to get feedback on my own work and a 10´er as a "fee" i can very well live with given all the inspiration i get here. Have a great weekend & have fun...

/per

[Reinardina]

Originally Posted by karenoliver

I was going to say you could join me in the ' Obsessed amateur photographer' category then realised it abbreviated to OAP lol.

Karen

'Obsessed Amateur Tog' would become 'OAT.' Does that sound any better?

Only, I haven't got the determination (obsession?) you have, nor the equipment.

I'm quite limited in the things I can do, taking into account poor eyesight as well as an older camera.

[Reinardina]

Originally Posted by pwalderh

Agreed Karen, talent comes in many shapes and forms - this competition to me as an amateur both a learning experience and a way to get feedback on my own work and a 10´er as a "fee" i can very well live with given all the inspiration i get here. Have a great weekend & have fun...

/per

Welcome to the forum!

I remember your photographs from previous POTY competitions. Nice to 'see' you here as well.

Reinardina.

[karenoliver]

Originally Posted by Reinardina

Welcome to the forum!

I remember your photographs from previous POTY competitions. Nice to 'see' you here as well.

Reinardina.

Yeah me too I loved the dog shots and the tree shots :-) Nice to see you here too. As for being an 'OAT' I can live with that, Reinardina :-)

Karen