Should HDR shots be permitted in the photo contest?

[GPark]

I vote no, because if HDR was allowed all of the members would vote for the ugly cartoon looking photos.

[Fondy]

here is what I say, take a standerd photo no fancy schmancy stuff only adjust brightness and contrast like the rules state and submit. that way its fair for all.

[Fondy]

wow just took the time to read everything here, and am even more glad I have nothing to do with this "contest" anymore.

I liked it back when there was not prize and only the braging rights. people didn't care as much back then about all this crap.

[Threehundredc]

real. raw photos. only

[AzSwag]

What is sad, and I am sure I'm not the only one, but I was very excited when I stumbled across the fact that there was a monthly photo contest. Now though, I want to have nothing to do with it. When you stifle someones creativity while taking a photo, it is just as bad as telling everyone the only pictures you can submit is from a cheap disposable. I have a nice camera, know how to use it, and also can adjust colors and contrasts to make a picture superb. While I may not know how to do HDR, I would never say another can't use it. You may know how to do HDR, take a horrible picture, and it will still look like crap. HDR only enhances a photo not makes a great photo. So if I use a grey card to make sure my colors are right, is that against the rules? The best photographers in the world still use photoshop on all their pictures in order to make them the best that they can be. You are walking a fine line when you tell someone they can alter their pictures in some ways not others. Photoshopping items in and out is a different story, but adjusting colors and levels should not.

[MY - HEMI]

The rules are meant to keep the playing field level for everyone no matter what kind of camera or experience they have. I know that personally it gets discouraging when you see killer photos every month and know that you can't compete (so you usually don't). Not everybody has the $$ or skills to Photoshop everything they take.

Digital photography has made people lazy, myself included, but I don't Photoshop a lot. When using film and slide film (way back when!), you had to take the photo the way you wanted it the first time. No taking a shot and seeing it isn't perfect or what you wanted and saying "Eh, who cares? I can fix that in Photoshop". If, once it was developed, you weren't happy with the results you learned from that..."What did I do or didn't do and what can I do to make that even better the next time?". Strive to take the photo you WANT without having to "fix it" in software.

[xk49]

I think there's a huge semantic issue at root of this debate in the sense of what someone constitues as a raw image.

Hypothesis: If the camera has the "built in" functionality, then it should be allowed.

The HDR is basically a little mini computer that is running soft/firmware to alter/layer images. My "camera" is the ipad(not really, but for the sake of argument), I should be able to use all the applications on the device to alter an image since it's my "camera". There's a multitude of camera apps out there for the ipad/iphone etc., which enhance a "naked eye" image in real time as you snap the picture. A well versed programmer could also string a series of photo capturing functionality together with photo editing into a single app if they want to.

Long story short, we just need a clear simple definition of what's a raw image. Advancements in digital photography will obviously blur what is reality and what's not.

Example: an optical counterpart of an object as produced by a reflection from a mirror


Now, here comes the sticky part. I guess someone could argue things like f-stop and other functions we take for granted on "old school" cameras are "altering" the image as well. Hell, who doesn't like a good snapshot when the depth of field is slightly modified. I think you stick with the "mirror" definition, then there's little wiggle room for interpretation.

I'm not advocating either direction as I enjoy all the entrants photos.

[boggart]

I do not feel it is an unfair advantage. It is something that IS available to everyone. Just because some people don't choose to own a camera with it doesn't mean it's not available. Just like fancy wheels, just like Nitrous, just like SRT vs. SXT. Those things are available to everyone and it's peoples choice whether to use them or not.

Putting the HDR rule into effect seems much like turning NASCAR into the IROC series where everyone is supposed to be on an even playing field. You know what, I'm not a socialist, not everyone is on an even playing field and why should we pretend that they are. When we do that, we take away any reason for a person to strive to better themselves. That's just my $.02

And, I do not believe it is anything like photoshop. It is not "altering" an image. It is taking a picture exactly the same way it came out of your camera and posting it. People used to be able to do multi exposure shots on film....

Oh, and often times, I will end up voting for the more plain pictures, because I feel that people go WAAAYYYY to far when editing pictures. To me, they need to look natural to be impressive.

[loweredtoy]

Looking at both sides is understandable and I also have a great camera and am able to do HDR I am sure but have not learned how too. But would be able to learn really quick. But at the same time it should be an EVEN playing field so that the people that enter know there is a chance that they might be able to win.

Be creative with your eye.

[6Shooter]

Same thing here. If we let a couple guys run away with the prize every month because they are the only ones with HDR capability, then everyone else will stop playing because they feel they are at a significant disadvantage. It is our job as moderators of the contest to do what we can to appeal to the masses. Submissions are down lately, and it will only get worse if nobody thinks they have a shot. I'm not saying fuzzy cell phone pics should stand a chance, but it has been proven that you can win using basic point-n-shoot digital cameras. In my mind, HDR is a whole 'nuther ball game.

That was the money shot paragraph.

Although I like HDR in some applications of it - I think that for our purposes here, and to have the contest appeal and be participated by all with a reasonable shot at winning, HDR should be excluded.

[Dreadl0ck]

YES HDR should be allowed. Why?

WHen I take pictures, I snap them as RAW - which looks ugly when I look at the raw image in let's say Adobe Camera Raw or Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. I see the RAW file as the digital worlds equivalent to analogue negatives - they need to be developed. So I adjust tones, levels and some times blacks and whites in order to make the picture look like it's supposed to. I even adjust sharpness and some times add/remove vignetting). This is a part of the digital imaging process which should not be confused with retouching the images (remove phone poles sticking out ot people's heads, removing shadows, adding stuff that's not supposed to be there and so on).

If I just slap together three or more images of different exposure level to one picture - it's more of a photo processing thing rather than retouching - therefor HDR should be allowed. And for the record - HDR isn't about making cartoon looking pictures - it's a picture style just as black/white or fisheye pictures. See this image for an example, it's not cartoony but a pretty good representation of what I talk about: http://www.dailyfundose.com/wp-conte...foto-zima1.jpg

And just as you allow point-and-shoot cameras, cell phone cameras and $6000 pro DSLR's in the same competition, you should also allow HDR shooting and let it be the voters who decide who wins and by doing so accepting HDR as a picture style.

[Bobby V.]

Funny..I read all the input and looking at all the names who are trying to change the rules to allow HDR. Most of the Names dont even enter in the contest, those are the ones who always say I missed it this month I'll get one in next month, or 100 other excuses why they didnt enter. It's been working great the way it is for years, leave it the way it is because it gives everyone a fair chance. If the ones who feel so strongly about doing hdr then start your own contest for HDR only pictures. It's hard enough keeping the contest going and the people running it spend alot of time keeping it going. So why cant we get past the BS and lets just have fun doing it, otherwise I bet we can kiss this goodbye.

[Dreadl0ck]

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