2011 GTP Automotive Calendar Initial Discussion Thread : A Question

[LongbowX]

For those who don't know, last year 80Y 2C2, Giles and myself put together an official GTPlanet calendar which some of the proceeds from the sales went to charity.

It will be automotive-ly themed, as it was last year most likely, and it will again be sold through Red Bubble (link to last years calendar for those who want to see).



This threads purpose is really to ask just one thing:


A Free-For All entering in the calendar, first come first serve in terms of who is in the calendar, like last year.

OR

Invite-only. 80Y and myself will review based on people's past work as well as their participation in the Photography Subforum and decide if they should be included or not in the calendar. And yes, I know it sounds snobbish.



Both sides have for and against arguments. One might lead to a higher-quality calendar, but that's not the only criteria to judge. There is also that the participation of the community is important. This is a Forum, and the participation by everyone is crucial. But even with the invite-only method, participation in the forum is a must - it will be significant factor in use deciding whether or not to include you.

There is also the possibility of some sort of hybrid, where we hold a mini-competition, effectively killing two birds with one stone, where we submit around 4 of our best work, and hold a massive vote. If you get voted in, your work will be in the calendar.

I am hoping to get this all worked out in less than a week. We would really like to get the calendar out in November, and the earlier the better.

So there you go. Discuss.

 

[Syntax error]

I'm in. I'd like to see a theme this year. Maybe something that has a vague GT5-ish tie in, since it looks like will actually be released this year for a change.

 

[LongbowX]

I'm in. I'd like to see a theme this year. Maybe something that has a vague GT5-ish tie in, since it looks like will actually be released this year for a change.

But, but, but...which way should we do it? That's the real reason this thread exists. I figured you would be in though.

I don't know about a theme...it would be too difficult to do I imagine. Unless you have any ideas.

 

[Neal]

I reckon choosing the most talented photographers therefore resulting in a higher quality calender is the way forward. They'll still be active GTP members so it's all good. Also you could have half the calender by selected photographers and the other half a free for all with vote maybe.

Either way make sure September is all kinds of awesome

 

[Pebb]

I wouldn't mind, taking part in the new calander.

 

[NISM0_SKYLINE]

I'm down. I want to make up for my entrance last year.

 

[Joey D]

I would be interested in participating with the calendar, although I think picking the 12 best photographers would be the way to go. If that means I'm left out then so be it, just means I have to practice more. I don't think you'd hear to many complaints if you just invited, but who knows.

 

[Neal]

Just thought of the GT5 tie in, we could have Premium and Standard photographers

 

[Speedster502]

I'd be in, if possible. I'd prefer theme-less but still orientated around cars. And, invite only me thinks. Although Chris you already knew my opinion.

 

[boiltheocean]

I'd be game for this.

 

[Beerz]

I'm with Joey on this one; Invite-only, and if I'm not picked, too bad. 👍

I think we should aim for the highest possible quality on this thing, invite-only seems the easiest way to achieve it. Not the only one (free-for-all would probably achieve the same level in the end when all is settled), but surely the easiest and more trouble-free way, IMHO.

 

[McLaren]

I'm down for whatever it is decided. I think I can easily top my submission for last year.

 

[Syntax error]

But, but, but...which way should we do it? That's the real reason this thread exists. I figured you would be in though.

I don't know about a theme...it would be too difficult to do I imagine. Unless you have any ideas.

Cool. I concede a theme might be difficult to pull off.


As to whether we should go with an invite only or free for all comp, I think probably the best way forward is to obtain a list of everyone that has in the past contributed to the photography sub-forum in some way and maybe have a submission thread where only the people listed can submit up to say two images. Then let public opinion take over from here with a poll.

Or another suggestion is to look at past winners of the automotive comp and allowing the top 12 most frequent winners to submit a bunch of photos for consideration via a poll?

 

[Cano]

I'm freaking in. and I think that maybe we could just get the work of all the people who want to be in the thing and then reduce it to maybe 20 shots by a general voting (if there are enough, which I think it will easily be), and THEN a qualified judgment by people who know the stuff would cut the count down to 12 or maybe 13 for a last page 2010-2012 add on on the calendar.

whatever it might be, there is no way I'm missing this this year. At least I'll submit something, haha

 

[LongbowX]

Cool. I concede a theme might be difficult to pull off.

Well...since you mentioned it, you must have an idea or something! A vague-ish GT5 tag in. How?

As to whether we should go with an invite only or free for all comp, I think probably the best way forward is to obtain a list of everyone that has in the past contributed to the photography sub-forum in some way and maybe have a submission thread where only the people listed can submit up to say two images. Then let public opinion take over from here with a poll.

Or another suggestion is to look at past winners of the automotive comp and allowing the top 12 most frequent winners to submit a bunch of photos for consideration via a poll?

I'm actually surprised by how much support the "invite-only" possibility has gotten.

In terms of your first suggestion, how would this poll be displayed - with just the persons name or with both of the images or...something?

And as for the second...quantity is not quality. I don't know. We will have to decide this by the end of the week...

I'm freaking in. and I think that maybe we could just get the work of all the people who want to be in the thing and then reduce it to maybe 20 shots by a general voting (if there are enough, which I think it will easily be), and THEN a qualified judgment by people who know the stuff would cut the count down to 12 or maybe 13 for a last page 2010-2012 add on on the calendar.

whatever it might be, there is no way I'm missing this this year. At least I'll submit something, haha

Adding another step might not be worth it. Not because it isn't worth doing, it just means one other thing that has to be done and we are hoping to streamline the process. Having a vote then having people choose the best after is a bit too time consuming I think. And I would prefer that people have multiple shots to choose from each like last year. Except make a slightly stricter limit.

 

[Cano]

well, I hear you on that, indeed. Then make it an invite-only thing and give the invitees chance to submit two or three pictures, and then vote those? @.@

 

[GPR]

Invite seems like a good idea to me too. And from the contending shots a vote to decide the final 12 as some have suggested.

Wish I had something contribute to this, would love to be a apart of it but alas I have next to nothing in auto photo's.

But if there is a need for any graphic design involved I'd be keen to help out.

 

[Syntax error]

And as for the second...quantity is not quality. I don't know. We will have to decide this by the end of the week...

I'd assume some semblance of quality would be expected for a shot to win a comp. Funnily enough, I had a quick look at the list of winners of the auto comp for 2010 and there are exactly 12..... eerie.....

The problem that I do see with this method is that there are a few talented photographers on the board that might not have taken part of in the comp or if they have, they didn’t win even though their work might be amazing.

 

[addictions]

I would love to have an entry but with my vote count In the competitions I very much doubt I would get anywhere lol.

Would you be having seasonal pics ie snow,sun ect?

If you do have too many pictures for the calendar you could always have a 13th page scattered with pictures that didn't make the calendar, As a bonus picture. (Just an idea)

 

[Roo]

I'm with Joey on this one; Invite-only, and if I'm not picked, too bad. 👍

Same here. I'd like to be in it but cest la vie if I'm not; I'd rather see a higher quality calendar than be in it myself.

 

[LongbowX]

well, I hear you on that, indeed. Then make it an invite-only thing and give the invitees chance to submit two or three pictures, and then vote those? @.@

That would be the plan, roughly. Assuming we go with that option.

But if there is a need for any graphic design involved I'd be keen to help out.

If you looked at the example from last year...there was a design on the cover. And it was done by me, with some slight modifications. I think you could probably improve on it, as I am...not that good at that.

I'd assume some semblance of quality would be expected for a shot to win a comp. Funnily enough, I had a quick look at the list of winners of the auto comp for 2010 and there are exactly 12..... eerie.....

The problem that I do see with this method is that there are a few talented photographers on the board that might not have taken part of in the comp or if they have, they didn’t win even though their work might be amazing.

The point wasn't that the shots weren't quality...just that say, in my case - I might have won a fair bit, but that's only because I enter almost every week. I'm not really that good...and I might not be better than someone else who entered once but whose work is far better.

And...yeah. Every way we slice it will have problems. Don't really know how to solve it. And even in terms of favouritism. No to mention the inclusion of myself! I might not deserve to be in it at all. Who would decide that. The creators don't necessarily deserve to be in!

Would you be having seasonal pics ie snow,sun ect?

If you do have too many pictures for the calendar you could always have a 13th page scattered with pictures that didn't make the calendar, As a bonus picture. (Just an idea)

Well. If you have a car in the picture, then maybe! It could be a way of organizing it. But it likely won't be organized like that.

And the calendar doesn't allow that I don't think, I'm not sure. I think they altered how they work now.

 

[Boffin]

Awesome! Loving the amount of interest once again guys - just posting this to sign in to the whole thing - been without internet for a few days recently so I shall go back and read everything properly now.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

I've not shot many cars this year, so if there's an open theme, and if I'm invited, I'm in.

I'll provide regulatory support as last year whether I'm invited/selected or not though.

 

[F1GTR]

I've not shot many cars this year, so if there's an open theme, and if I'm invited, I'm in.

+1

Though it doesn't really fit in with GTP being a GT site.

 

[Boffin]

The problem that I do see with this method is that there are a few talented photographers on the board that might not have taken part of in the comp or if they have, they didn’t win even though their work might be amazing.

I was just thinking this myself...

 

[Cano]

I think we should not guide this by comp participation or comp wins, but rather by talent and eye, even if people do not participate as much in this as others that do often.

 

[LongbowX]

I've not shot many cars this year, so if there's an open theme, and if I'm invited, I'm in.

I'll provide regulatory support as last year whether I'm invited/selected or not though.

+1

Though it doesn't really fit in with GTP being a GT site.

There has always been grumblings for an "open" calendar. I still not sure it fits though - but I guess this would be the place to discuss it. Maybe we should alternate years. Or even...just put out two separate calendars. Twice as much work, but I know I can have more help.

Appreciate it as always. Giles.

I think we should not guide this by comp participation or comp wins, but rather by talent and eye, even if people do not participate as much in this as others that do often.

The question is...do you think the people picking have a good enough eye?

Also, I think we'll make the final decisions tomorrow. Or Monday. Soon.