The 2015 contest winners are available here: http://cs.trains.com/trn/b/staff/archive/2015/09/14/2015-trains-photo-contest-winners-it-39-s-all-in-the-details.aspx
I think that the 2014 contest is not available online.
Brian Schmidt, Editor, Classic Trains magazine
Brian,
Okay, I see that the theme for the three-frames of the switch throwing was "Sequence," which explains the use of the three frames. Are the other entries to that contest available for viewing on line? That is an interesting theme because it seems more like a technique of compositon rather than a subject theme.
I thought this was an unsual winner of a photo contest. The theme was "It's all in the details." Are the other sumbissions in this contest shown on line?
http://trn.trains.com/railroads/2014/08/trains-2015-photo-contest
UlrichMaybe photo essays instead of single photos?
We're working on a good mix here. Perhaps a quarterly event, announced well ahead of time, which would be for a photo essay. Continue the theme concept - submitting your five best general images opens things up a bit too wide for my tastes.
Whether from one's archives or from a special effort (road trip!) to build an essay, folks would have a chance to showcase more than one image - probably three or four, anyhow. It should still be on a theme.
The open competition lets folks simply find/take a picture they're proud of.
And the regular themed contests provide the same focus we've been seeing right along.
When you think about it - the open competition will really be the toughest. The image has to be really good in order to please the judges (us). Technically "OK" but best illustrating a theme is far different.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Specific themes are a good idea as they provide focus and direction. Maybe photo essays instead of single photos?
Ah every other week, I guess I assumed it was weekly. Thanks for calrifying.
It is in the Monday newsletter, about 2/3 down. When there are enough qualifying entries, there is a new theme every other week. Look for one on Sept. 12.
Has this weeks theme been announced? I'm interested in starting to contribute but seem to always miss the theme announcement. It would be great to include it in the weekly newletter.
Just got my new issue of Trains. It includes the annual photo contest, with a theme of "water." The winning images that were published included a great variety of approaches, all of which somehow managed to involve water, including the grand prize winner, which did so in a spectacular, and unique manner.
There were over 400 images submitted by over 100 photographers (the rules allow up to 5 submissions per).
Next year the theme is "lucky 7."
About the only difference between the print contest and "Trackside" is that they had a year (more or less) to gather their images, vs a couple of weeks.
Note to Brian:
It aint broke. Don't fix it.
Norm
Euclid So I guess that proves that a theme acts as a firewall to prevent a flood of ¾ wedge shots from throwing the contest.
So I guess that proves that a theme acts as a firewall to prevent a flood of ¾ wedge shots from throwing the contest.
Historically, it means whatever you want it to mean.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Euclid Murphy Siding Euclid Murphy Siding Consider that when we see the entries, the folks at the magazine have already chosed their top 6 or 8 from those submitted. If the top 6 or 8 were all 3/4 wedge roster shotes, I'm sure that isn't what got picked to show up in the photo contest. I'd be confident in saying they mix it up a little to get some differing shots. Is that a fact? Are the contest entries selected from a much larger group of submissions? If so, who makes that pre-contest selection? I actually have not paid all that much attention to this photo contest. Are all the rules and fine points laid out in detail somewhere as a reference? As far as you know it's a fact, as you can't prove otherwise. What are the odds that only 8 photos are submitted to a contest between 8 submitted photos? Stop and listen to yourself. I had no intention of trying to prove anything. I was just asking for clarification because somebody else implied the same thing. Since you seemed to be stating it as fact, I figured you could confirm it.
Murphy Siding Euclid Murphy Siding Consider that when we see the entries, the folks at the magazine have already chosed their top 6 or 8 from those submitted. If the top 6 or 8 were all 3/4 wedge roster shotes, I'm sure that isn't what got picked to show up in the photo contest. I'd be confident in saying they mix it up a little to get some differing shots. Is that a fact? Are the contest entries selected from a much larger group of submissions? If so, who makes that pre-contest selection? I actually have not paid all that much attention to this photo contest. Are all the rules and fine points laid out in detail somewhere as a reference? As far as you know it's a fact, as you can't prove otherwise. What are the odds that only 8 photos are submitted to a contest between 8 submitted photos? Stop and listen to yourself.
Euclid Murphy Siding Consider that when we see the entries, the folks at the magazine have already chosed their top 6 or 8 from those submitted. If the top 6 or 8 were all 3/4 wedge roster shotes, I'm sure that isn't what got picked to show up in the photo contest. I'd be confident in saying they mix it up a little to get some differing shots. Is that a fact? Are the contest entries selected from a much larger group of submissions? If so, who makes that pre-contest selection? I actually have not paid all that much attention to this photo contest. Are all the rules and fine points laid out in detail somewhere as a reference?
Murphy Siding Consider that when we see the entries, the folks at the magazine have already chosed their top 6 or 8 from those submitted. If the top 6 or 8 were all 3/4 wedge roster shotes, I'm sure that isn't what got picked to show up in the photo contest. I'd be confident in saying they mix it up a little to get some differing shots.
Consider that when we see the entries, the folks at the magazine have already chosed their top 6 or 8 from those submitted. If the top 6 or 8 were all 3/4 wedge roster shotes, I'm sure that isn't what got picked to show up in the photo contest. I'd be confident in saying they mix it up a little to get some differing shots.
Is that a fact? Are the contest entries selected from a much larger group of submissions? If so, who makes that pre-contest selection? I actually have not paid all that much attention to this photo contest. Are all the rules and fine points laid out in detail somewhere as a reference?
As far as you know it's a fact, as you can't prove otherwise. What are the odds that only 8 photos are submitted to a contest between 8 submitted photos? Stop and listen to yourself.
I had no intention of trying to prove anything. I was just asking for clarification because somebody else implied the same thing. Since you seemed to be stating it as fact, I figured you could confirm it.
tree68I don't feel like searching for the thread. Maybe Brian will chime in.
Brian (most likely tomorrow) =
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
EuclidI had no intention of trying to prove anything. I was just asking for clarification because somebody else implied the same thing. Since you seemed to be stating it as fact, I figured you could confirm it.
I don't feel like searching for the thread. Maybe Brian will chime in.
Per staff during earlier discussions, if there are more than the usual amount of entries that go on the contest each time (methinks that's 6-8), they pick that number to appear. Oftimes they don't even get that number, as evidenced by the contests that only have four or five images.
As I recall, it's more of a random selection - it's not a "juried" contest - they aren't picking out the best so we can pick the best of the best. I'm sure any real "losers" get cast aside, but that's a guess on my part.
What has been emphasized by Trains staff is that the contest isn't a major part of their day. More likely it's simply a way to let some folks show off their work and perhaps generate more interest in the forums (and the Trains brand). The possibility of having your image published in Trains is certainly a bonus.
zardoz zugmann I would ditch the whole voting thing, period. Doesn't really serve any purpose than to inflate some egos, maybe? And what is so bad about having one's ego stroked? zugmann And even just picking a random theme and having people find a photo in their archives that somewhat matches seems pretty anticlimatic. I'd like to see the site do what other photog sites do and have photo assignments - where it makes people go out to shoot new photos that deal with a theme. That's if anyone would bother. Maybe they wouldn't. I don't know. However, some of us are no longer mobile enough to go clamoring through the brush or climbing hills or trekking thru the woods, and thus are mostly restricted to using archived photos
zugmann I would ditch the whole voting thing, period. Doesn't really serve any purpose than to inflate some egos, maybe?
I would ditch the whole voting thing, period. Doesn't really serve any purpose than to inflate some egos, maybe?
And what is so bad about having one's ego stroked?
zugmann And even just picking a random theme and having people find a photo in their archives that somewhat matches seems pretty anticlimatic. I'd like to see the site do what other photog sites do and have photo assignments - where it makes people go out to shoot new photos that deal with a theme. That's if anyone would bother. Maybe they wouldn't. I don't know.
And even just picking a random theme and having people find a photo in their archives that somewhat matches seems pretty anticlimatic. I'd like to see the site do what other photog sites do and have photo assignments - where it makes people go out to shoot new photos that deal with a theme. That's if anyone would bother. Maybe they wouldn't. I don't know.
However, some of us are no longer mobile enough to go clamoring through the brush or climbing hills or trekking thru the woods, and thus are mostly restricted to using archived photos
Now, if we really wanted to spice things up, we'd figure out how to add brackets of some sorts. Something along the lines of 8 photos in 8 categories to start with. Top 2 advance.... etc. until you get the final 2 in the championship round. By that time, you would probably have shots from different categories competing. If the top 2 (or 4, whatever) come down to 3/4 wedge shots.....well....then go with the bikini theme the following week.
zugmann Euclid If Chris truely had the best shot, I doubt that he would lose to a generic shot that was not as good as Chris's shot. Hard to tell. There's a lot of people (and photographers) that are into the front lit, 3/4, unobstructed wedgie roster shot. Not saying there's anything wrong with that, but it shows you why voting for the "best shot" is silly. We all have our ideas for a best shot. How counting those votes makes one shot supposedlybetter than another is beyond me. Why can't people just enjoy the photos?
Euclid If Chris truely had the best shot, I doubt that he would lose to a generic shot that was not as good as Chris's shot.
Hard to tell. There's a lot of people (and photographers) that are into the front lit, 3/4, unobstructed wedgie roster shot. Not saying there's anything wrong with that, but it shows you why voting for the "best shot" is silly. We all have our ideas for a best shot. How counting those votes makes one shot supposedlybetter than another is beyond me. Why can't people just enjoy the photos?
zugmann Euclid Not as stupid as a hotdog eating contest. Agreed.
Euclid Not as stupid as a hotdog eating contest.
Agreed.
EuclidIf Chris truely had the best shot, I doubt that he would lose to a generic shot that was not as good as Chris's shot.
EuclidNot as stupid as a hotdog eating contest.
zugmann Euclid It is the contest that defines the winner. Isn't that what a contest is for? I think most photo contests are stupid.
Euclid It is the contest that defines the winner. Isn't that what a contest is for?
I think most photo contests are stupid.
Not as stupid as a hotdog eating contest.
tree68 Euclid If the 3/4 shot of steam in the snow was popular enough to win the contest, how do you conclude that another shot was deserving of the win? It is the contest that defines the winner. Isn't that what a contest is for? Maybe yes, maybe no. The purpose of an election is theoretically to select the best candidate for the job. But if a voter votes for a candidate solely because they are a [name your party], doesn't that subvert the process? There have been comments on the contests in the past to the effect of "I'm a sucker for steam in the snow," and in some cases that "steam in the snow" shot has won a contest here when it only marginally met the theme and there were others that hit the theme dead on. I'm sure you're familiar with Chris's fantastic photographs, which he often shares with us. Wouldn't be a disappointment to have one of his fantastic images lose to a generic "steam in the snow" shot?
Euclid If the 3/4 shot of steam in the snow was popular enough to win the contest, how do you conclude that another shot was deserving of the win? It is the contest that defines the winner. Isn't that what a contest is for?
Maybe yes, maybe no. The purpose of an election is theoretically to select the best candidate for the job. But if a voter votes for a candidate solely because they are a [name your party], doesn't that subvert the process?
There have been comments on the contests in the past to the effect of "I'm a sucker for steam in the snow," and in some cases that "steam in the snow" shot has won a contest here when it only marginally met the theme and there were others that hit the theme dead on.
I'm sure you're familiar with Chris's fantastic photographs, which he often shares with us. Wouldn't be a disappointment to have one of his fantastic images lose to a generic "steam in the snow" shot?
I do not conclude that a person voting for the party subverts the process. The process only asks for a person to vote. It says nothing about a requirement for proper reasoning to back up the vote choice. The whole purpose of voting is to account for everyone's opinion, and then decide by the majority opinion. If you second guess the outcome, it just your individual opinion again.
If Chris truely had the best shot, I doubt that he would lose to a generic shot that was not as good as Chris's shot.
EuclidIf the 3/4 shot of steam in the snow was popular enough to win the contest, how do you conclude that another shot was deserving of the win? It is the contest that defines the winner. Isn't that what a contest is for?
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