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Guys, I think the idea of the MR photo contest is to get some people off of their duffs to take some photos of their great modeling and SHARE it with the rest of us. Photos are the only way for everyone to see your work (unless you are going to personally invite us all to your layout). They have to hang a carrot out there (contest prizes) because, as many of you have said, it is not easy to get good modeling photos. The main reason I buy MR and other mags is for the photos of other people's modeling. Who wins the contest? Everyone who enters because they all end up with some decent photos of their work which they can share with others. Who actually wins the prizes is an asthetic judgement. These types of decisions are always subjective and therefore open to legitimate debate. There is a part of the NMRA (I don't want to hear trash about them, lets just say we disagree) modeling philosophy that says that part of the hobby is sharing and promoting the hobby with others for the greater good of all of us modelers. I say having good photos of good modeling is one of these aspects. How many of you saw John Allen's railroad in person? I was 14 when he died. Never made it to Monterey to see the layout. Through photos that he took of his layout, I have been deeply influenced by his work (yes, I know he was a professional photographer). I think most of us could cite some influences that have come through seeing photographs of work that would be impossible for us to view in person. Is there bias sometimes when deciding what photos get printed? Who knows? I would postulate that because photography is very technical, the reason most photos don't end up in MR is due to some technical flaw (too dark, out of focus, bad color shift, poor depth of field, poor lighting etc.) rather than some great conspiracy. Read the section on taking photos on the MR site. There are a lot of factors. I am sending some photos in to the contest. I don't care if I win. I still have some good shots of a layout that is now history. Years from now when I am gone my grandkids (I hope I have some some day) can look at the slides and see what I did back in the old days. I can also show the slides to others who might be interested in model Railroading. Photography is one of the most effective means of communication we modelers have. There are lots of ways to get photos of your work. Yes, it is a lot of extra time and can cost money. In the end you might find it to be worth it. Just my two cents worth. Guy
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