Is it fair to say that this is dead in its current form?

I still have two month's worth of entries in!

If there's a problem I'm happy to help!

Paul.

Hi Folks,

Been out of the loop, keeping my head down over Christmas for some 'me' time, only coming back to this now.

The past 2 to 3 months were just overhectic for me. Some nice images were submitted for the October and November competitions, and I aim to have all images up for polling this week. I have had concerns that many competition themes were out of the reach of some, and I am thinking about opening up the targets for more open, and therefore, more submissions each month. What do you think?

Thanks for the interest and concern, the competition will continue in earnest again shortly.

Seanie.

I lost my original reply………I’ll try again!
Anything that brings more astro-shots to the forum is a good thing as far as I am concerned. I think more experienced photographers should put their shots up in the competitions only to show what can be achieved. I believe they can indicate (privately) with their entries that they should not be considered for the prize. These photos can spur on less advanced members to perfect their techniques. Prizes should be awarded to the novice astro-photographers that show some ingenuity and perseverance in getting their shot regardless of equipment or more likely the lack thereof. The monthly prize is what will encourage those that need the ‘carrot’ to put their efforts on public display and hopefully self-improve because of that. They may still win the monthly prize even if their shot is not technically as perfect as some others that month.
For this to work – those submitting “experienced” shots should do so only to receive the comments of their peers (unless the prize that month is really wanted). Less experienced entries are submitted in the hope of adding much wanted gear by the way of the prize – and entered with as good a chance as any. Voting will have to continue as before but not visible with a final decision made by person or persons behind the scenes. (This is how AstroBin went about awarding Image of The day …..The voting by peers only system just spawned a Mutual Admiration Society).
It makes more work for the administrator(s) but surely will help many people get out there and take more shots. This should be our goal. Those that have got so far are likely to continue without needing a monthly prize…..it is those just starting that need the most help and encouragement.
My above suggestion (that more experienced photographers forego any prize) may not suit all – but at least it may spark some discussion…..which is no bad thing.
We need to thank the two big sponsors of the monthly prizes. We owe them our gratitude for making the monthly competitions so interesting. I hope they continue to provide what may be big stepping stones for the many budding astro-photographers that we all hope to see ‘stepping out of the closets’ this year.
Clear skies all!

I don’t particularly think there is much wrong with the current format if it was run properly.

I would not want to dilute the validity of entries with the view that we should give a ‘win' every now and then just because beginners took them but I do think there should be a technical merit weighting on the final decision whether that be by judge or voters are asked to judge on this basis. My opinion is you either vote or you have judges but don't have votes then decide not to use them as it makes a mockery of the voting system. Or you vote in the top two and a descion is made from them.

Here is a suggestion on the targets - pick ones that are achievable by all for the majority of the time and then have 3 months dedicated to advanced targets.

Advanced x3 - (Do this quarterly). If possible you also have token novice prize for someone one who actually manages to capture a target with limited means or experience.
Constellations/Asterisms etc. x3 - Anyone with a camera and even a Phone camera can capture these both advanced and novice.
Lunar/ Lunar Features x 3 - Mix this up a little and maybe also include 'The most phases in a month' or ‘closest visible to new’ and this may cover dedication rather than experience or equipment.
Mixed intermediate targets or events x3 - a seasonal or monthly highlight e.g. Jupiter Moon transit or Moon at Perigee, meteor shower - this would hopefully be a mix of beginner and intermediate targets.

Thanks to Scopes and Space and Ktec Telescopes for the great prizes as this makes it all worthwhile. Maybe the sponsors should choose the targets and winners?

KevinSmith wrote:

I don’t particularity think there is much wrong with the current format if it was run properly.

Im sure we can sort something where all the work on presenting this competition is not left to Seanie. Can others on the committee help out?

Kevin is right, there is no need to adjust it at all, just get it running properly, should not take months to get a result either. why is the voting open for a month when you get the only 25 votes that get cast in the first week?

Could easily open and close each one in 6 weeks, that's from announcement to result.

I'm happy enough with the format myself, and as a long term supporter of the competition, and a keen photographer, I'm happy to help in any way I can, just ask!

Paul.

I am too happy to help in any way I can but also suggest that a few key improvement areas are looked at this year and run as programmes (each with their own set of project teams/volunteers).

Speaking from the side of an astronomer, I also think its fine in its current format, however, I do think images submitted should be current, or at least, not older than 6 months.

I think the idea behind it is to get people out, photographing objects, rather than searching their D drive for a photo from 2009.

I also agree with posters here that it should be weighted, depending on the gear used.

For example, no amount of effort on, say, Rosette Nebula, with a dslr, and an 80ED refractor, is going to beat a ccd shot narrowband image through a 5 grand telescope (in the right hands!).

I think, somehow, this chasm in equipment and experience should be taken into account.


Speaking as a sponsor of the competition, I do have a say in the targets
Seanie asks pretty much every time about possible targets/subjects, hence the recent "anything in Orion" subject.
As a sponsor, I also think it should be recent photos.

Clear Skies,

Stephen.

I too would like to thank the sponsors for their very generous support.

My 2p:
Personally, I think that trying to account for people's gear when judging the competition could be troublesome. Whilst I can happily say that I've yet to see anyone here be anything other than good humoured, polite and friendly I don't think that one can ask more than for people to post a short list of their gear (as Seanie does) with the photo.

I've seen people get far better results than I've been able to with far more modest gear.


(Note: the euro is currently trading at 0.76 GBP, it should not be inferred that my opinion is worth 2.62 cent)

StephenK wrote:

I do think images submitted should be current, or at least, not older than 6 months.

Definitely agree on the above, I think its a must personally.

Is the voting over on Oct/Nov comp ?

yohan wrote:

Is the voting over on Oct/Nov comp ?

+1

Could someone on the IFAS Council please reply to Yohan. I think its about the rudest thing I have seen on these boards that he is not only waiting months for the voting he is now waiting weeks overdue for the polls to be closed and his prizes given to him.

Yohan has emailed me directly, asking about the competition, and, as his image is the winner for my November comp, as far as I can tell, Ill be sorting out his prizes with him.

Stephen.

Thanks guys, not sure what to make of this at this stage, would like to see official conclusion to both competition also.

Yohan, I am afraid the competition must be dead at this stage and its a real shame.

Help has been offered by people to run this comp but can't see it continuing in this manner. Hopefully you receive your prizes and glad to see Stephen has honoured his prize directly.

Hey Yohan..

In my honest opinion I reckon you can kiss that prize goodbye, I've been trying to contact S&S looking for Bob's Knobs for my scope and got no answer not even a return call option ..
But I also believe that ifas should honour this prize even if the sponsor let em down as it not your fault.

I'm not going to rant off in here about how I feel about this and the practice that has been taking place here, that's for face to face should anyone want to talkabout this.

Cheers Roy
#ClearSkies

This is sounding very familiar. I hope there are no more "issues" lurking in the shadows.

Hi all
What about December January February march and Aprils Competition ?
Dare I say LOST IN SPACE

Looking for Nobs from Scope&Space.
Over a Year, blue in face.
Emails, phone calls, went to shop,
Spoofs, excuses, never stop.
So, one day,called Bob direct
A mere week later got my bits
Them Scopes& spacers are sure the pits

Alan

Hi all,

Needless to say, this has already been looked into from Scopes and Space's angle and the impact it will have on our astrophotography competition.

Dave,
Thank you for your concerns.

Yohan,
I have been trying to find out some other info before getting back to you. I don't know if any other committee member has been in touch with you yet (I have been 'offline' over a week myself). If not, I do apologise on our behalf. PM me your number.

The IFAS committee are trying to resolve this as soon as possible, but as you can appreciate, there is a difference between sidereal time and Irish time!


Thanks,

Seanie.

So ... are the competition going to be closed off then?!

Nope, we're working on getting them up and running again. Still have 2 (same) sponsors and someone is going to take it over from me.

Oh, I meant the Oct/Nov comp

Yohan has a very valid point. These competitions were never closed out properly. A winner for each should be declared and notified officially. That surely can only take a few minutes of somebody's time......