Re: [Leica] RE : FOM2

["Ted Grant" <tedgrant@home.com>]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I think there are so many photo websites on the LUG that given any one year
of touring them it would be very hard to re-call every photo and who shot
the image.

Yep in some cases one might, but it would have to be some mind blowing image
that would be selected every round during the 5 year period, whether seen
previously or not.

Yes I feel it would be nice that every image for FOM2 was a virgin image
never before seen until posted to the FOM2 site, hardly practical. And
considering how many images it will require to reach the ultimate goal,  I
believe the figure is 500,  trust me, considering the approximate number of
shooters on the LUG to reach this "final cut figure" there had better be a
major contribution of  minimum 500,000 or more images, probably way too low
an estimate. And for about 1000 Leica users to accomplish that number even
in 5 years, there had better be an incredible increase of submissions.

So a photograph used on a previous site and then sent for FOM2 is not likely
going to be burned into the mind of the selection group each year. And even
though one may remember the photograph it surely doesn't mean you're going
to remember the shooter.

Not to say we wouldn't in some cases, but the bottom line question..."is it
good enough for the FOM2 regardless of whom the photographer is?"  If it
doesn't cut the grass as an image it surely isn't going to make it,  if it
"ain't any good," it's out!.

I've judged many a picture competition, internationally and at home, work of
professional and amateurs and if the photo doesn't cut it, it doesn't make
it! Period!  And I don't care who shot it, as the "names" don't always
produce magical photographs every time they push the button!  I never want
to know who the photographer is, as  human nature has it's psychological
effect on ones decision making process.  However!

The final choice must never have anything to do with who took the picture!
NADA! nothing, Nyet! Sure if a shot doesn't make it the photog is
disappointed, tough beans! If the final product doesn't cut it as a stand
alone image, it's out! Even if it's JC coming down off the cross to shoot a
few!

And let me say on more than one occasion I've known who the shooter was,
also turned out a friend and when you dump it.... tough beans!  No emotional
crap in here! It didn't stand alone! OUT!

So on that note, if and when the day comes and I might be asked to judge,
all you guys and gals now know just how tough assed I will be!

Now let's see those submissions! Me? I'm putting a bunch together at the
moment.

Ted Grant
Ted Grant Photography Limited
www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Bernard Degaute" <bernard.degaute@village.uunet.be>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Sunday, January 21, 2001 10:16 AM
Subject: [Leica] RE : FOM2


>
> >>Bernard Degaute wrote:
> >> I think the photographs submitted to FOM2 must
> >>be original ones, I mean never seen on a personal web site like PAW or
> >>something else. Otherwise where is anonymity (if this point is critical
> for
> >>the vote)?
> >
> >True to some extent at least in theory. I would still think that FOM2
> >organisers have been unrestrictive in the ownership of the images. In
other
> >words, you can post your image in other sites and still put them up at
> >FOM2. With so many websites that one can potentially visit, the chances
of
> >putting a name to an image in the FOM2 is in practice quite remote.
> >
> >Dan K.
> >
> >- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >          To handle a hard situation, try a soft answer.
> >
>
>
> Dan,
>
> I'm trying to follow your great advice :-).
> I agree Alastair don't talk of absolute originality of the photos
submitted
> to FOM2. But discussion about those photos on the LUG  is not, I think,
the
> guarantee of a personal and sane vote.
>
>
> So I agre completely with Steve :  ...........
>
> >I think that to be fair about influencing the final judging we would want
> to
> >have our photos exclusive to FOM2. If I take a photo that is on my
website
> >then put it on FOM2, anybody visiting both sites is obviously going to
make
> >the connection to me, or anybody else doing the same thing. I know that I
> >have dozens of photos that are worthy of being on my site, but which are
> >not. So why not play by the rules and make it exclusive to the FOM2?
>
>
> .......... and your last post :
> >I don't recall the FOM2 organisers making it a rule to have any of the
> >submitted images made exclusive to FOM2. IMO, that seems reasonable. An
> >image is judged on its merits.
>
>
> Moreover following the rules of Alastair the photog who submits must take
> pictures with the project in mind. So archives older than Oct-Nov 2000 are
> unusable. So let's get out and shoot.
>
> Bernard