Tom, you wrote:
I think you hit the nail squarely on the head.
It is no longer a Members contest.
The problem is that the EDO Photo Contest had obviously become a popularity contest, which clearly violates the third criteria. It is still a Members contest, but now the photos are better guaranteed to be judged according to the criteria. I see that as a good thing.
I could agree with the decision if the regular prize was going to something more that a $13 embroidered hat or an annual prize of an embroidered denim jacket. Now if the yearly prize was going to be a Randall Knife or something comparable that's totally different and I could understand the need for a more formal judging process.
Come On Guys!, over the years this has been a laid back, mostly informal contest just for fun that has yielded some great photographs in the process and now you announce a judging panel for a "Members Contest" with ZERO input from the Members you expect to participate.
Think about the purpose of the EDO Photo Contest, which is specifically to promote photographic excellence. When it turns into a popularity contest, it actually encourages photographic mediocrity. Rhett obviously noticed this.
Keep in mind that the three judges are ineligible to win anything. We can certainly post photos to the contest threads, but they would serve only to (hopefully) inspire others to make an effort to improve their photographic abilities. Rhett chose Edo as one of the judges, for obvious reasons. He also enlisted the help of Jim Gates and myself.
Some of us take photography quite seriously. I am one of them.
Allow me to get up on the proverbial soap box for a moment or two. Photography is the art (and sometimes science) of capturing light onto film, whether it is traditional film or a digital representation. For this reason, adequate lighting, or the ability to control lighting, is path toward photographic excellence. I am grateful that Edo had inspired Rhett to start this contest, and I feel that the rules that Edo has set forth are in the spirit of what was originally intended. I, for one, shall respect them.
As for myself, I am still learning ways to improve my photos. In my experience, your best critic is yourself.
Looks like this forum needs something similar to the Tea Party Movement.
To be perfectly honest, you're way off base here, and the above statement clearly conflicts with what you are attempting to convey.
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