December 2024 POTM Poll!!!

[saxguy64]

As mentioned on a different thread, we ask that folks bear in mind that the contests are for fun. How one comes to the end result of their photo is much less important than having fun doing so. The members decide which one strikes a chord with them, for whatever reason. Since (as far as I know) none of us are professional photographers, more often than not the subject matter and scene has more weight than what might be considered a "perfect picture." That makes for a level playing field because we don't have to be the best photographer, or have advanced Photoshop skills.

Before I became a mod, I entered pictures in almost every POTM contest, many of which I spent countless hours for doing photo shoots of my birds. It feels good to win, but that's much less relevant than having done something I really enjoyed with my fids, and ending up with something I'm proud of to show for it. That's the best part

 

[JjEjFjF]

As mentioned on a different thread, we ask that folks bear in mind that the contests are for fun. How one comes to the end result of their photo is much less important than having fun doing so. The members decide which one strikes a chord with them, for whatever reason. Since (as far as I know) none of us are professional photographers, more often than not the subject matter and scene has more weight than what might be considered a "perfect picture." That makes for a level playing field because we don't have to be the best photographer, or have advanced Photoshop skills.

Before I became a mod, I entered pictures in almost every POTM contest, many of which I spent countless hours for doing photo shoots of my birds. It feels good to win, but that's much less relevant than having done something I really enjoyed with my fids, and ending up with something I'm proud of to show for it. That's the best part

In my opinion I think that puts the less creative people at a huge disadvantage. Myself, i like to simply take pictures of my birds being birds, not manipulating the photo to make it something its not. That being said , we have the choice of participating or not. I think ill wait for the mod who chooses to have a “natural” (for lack of a better word) photo contest.
I understand what youre saying and its all good ,its just not my kind of fun.
I hope i dont sound argumentative, its not my intention.

 

[Terry57]

I'm a bit confused at the comments considering that the picture that won isn't AI or Photoshop; it's simply a wonderful photo that received enough votes to win. The winner has faithfully entered Pebbles every month and this is her well-deserved first win. She should be allowed to enjoy it.

I am curious as to what is meant by 'natural'. To me, this would include no blurring of the background or any other options our cameras do that change the photo. I always allow Photoshop on my POTMs so the answer wouldn't change anything for me, I'm just wondering where the cut-off would be.

 

[Katya]

A lovely photo and a well deserved win. Congrats!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

The thought never crossed my mind that any of the POTM entries may be photoshopped and I still don't think any of the entries were. I'm not tech savvy with photos other than cropping them and don't think I could tell if a photo was altered.

To answer your question, Terry57, if the photo of Pebbles with the Christmas ornament had been modified to add the ornament to the photo, making it appear as though it was in Pebbles' beak, that would be too much alteration for me.

 

[Terry57]

The thought never crossed my mind that any of the POTM entries may be photoshopped and I still don't think any of the entries were. I'm not tech savvy with photos other than cropping them and don't think I could tell if a photo was altered.

I also didn't see any entries that were Photoshopped, which was part of my confusion as to why there were several posts discussing it.

To answer your question, Terry57, if the photo of Pebbles with the Christmas ornament had been modified to add the ornament to the photo, making it appear as though it was in Pebbles' beak, that would be too much alteration for me.

Thanks for answering, Donna! If something like that is where you draw the line, hopefully there will be other entries you love that you can vote for instead.
I know that most (if not all) of the Mods allow Photoshop, and what you mentioned would be allowed in my month. Everyone has a chance to vote for their favourite photo, and people can always skip pictures they think or know are Photoshopped. I believe that it is fairer to everyone if people just not vote for one they suspect rather than to make a rule where no one can use Photoshop or make any other alterations.