Ok, here is my question...so much feedback will be appreciated. I've been thinking about this for a long time and it seems photographers get left out of the realm of prized contests here at RO. It's kind of hard to give a photographer a gift certificate to the RO Marketplace for obvious reasons. So in thinking that, I'm a millimeter away from holding a contest for the photographers here at Renderosity with the prize being a $50 gift certificate to B&H Photo video. www.bhphotovideo.com No, $50 isn't a lot (but I'm not rich either. lol) but it may allow someone to buy film, memory card, small camera bag etc. However, my dilema is this....I think this would limit entries to just the U.S. and I really don't want to do that...I feel everybody has equal rights to enter...but how the heck to you get over that hurdle? There are amazing photographers here from all corners of the earth and I wouldn't any photographer excluded. Does anyone have any advice on this matter? I'm more than willing to do this and on more than one occasion to give incentive and show appreciation for the hard work. Mel

An Amazon gift certificate could allow worldwide participation, yes? They have a decent photography product selection.

Not sure if it works like that through Amazon or not. I guess if they do...the winner would also be able to possibly choose a book on photography as well or basically whatever they like. I'll check into it. My other question to everyone would be concerning participation, if anyone is really interested in this idea.

I just checked...it does seem that Amazon's gift certificates work world wide. However their products are generally more expensive. So most likely I would need to up the $50 to $75.

I think $50 would get someone a spare 256MB card or some other item for their camera. Glad to it is workable. I'm interested. :)

how nice of you!!!!!! very sweet!

Such a lovely concept Mel. Few questions :) Would the contest be held monthly and under what conditions? Will it be themed? Regarding the images, will they be aired on a private website? Sorry so being so forward, that wasnt your question but just wondering :) Great idea...hope it pulls off :) jimbO

If this is really something you want to do for the forum Mel.... contact administration. You have to work with them if prizes are being awarded..... and they have to work out the details in regards to the contest laws that vary from state to state. It cannot be done without their authorization, and I only know this because I've seen issues of this before where unauthorized contests were held, and caused grief for many..... So just wanted to let you know.....

Hey JimbO! All your questions are not only fair but good ones. :) As for if it will be held monthly, I would like it to be. However it may be every other month (6 months out of the year), since I would be the only contributor to the prizes. Then at the end of the year have a reward for the best of the best winners. The final prize would be something of much greater value and I may be able to even get a donation from a camera dealer that will contribute the prize for the final winner. I've always felt the photography gallery always deserved to be rewarded for not only their hard work and effort but the participation as well. Yes it would be themed, because the whole point of it would be like what is already being held...to push the individuals thoughts and skills...to maybe do something they ordinarily wouldn't do. I was going to list all the requirements for the contest if there was enough people interested. To be fair in the contest as well, outside judges will be selected so as to not have any favoritism. These judges will be professionals or semi-Pros. The entries would be posted here at Renderosity and obviously the winners would be announce here as well. I wish I could afford to award 2nd and 3rd prizes. We'll see what can be done about that. Any more questions...let me know. What do you think thus far? Mel

Thanks Michelle! I will be contacting them if everyone thinks this is a good idea and would like to see something like this for our Photography gallery. I hope it works out...I would like it to.

Thanks Mel for info. I'm all for it myself..as I mentioned, great concept :) I'm willing to donate a bit of money ( for prizes etc). Then , you can give away super duper toys :) About postwork Mel...the norm ?

Thanks Jimbo! Postwork is such a touchy subject these days eh? I feel that postwork is allowed as long as the photographs are from the photographer and not another source. I feel that excessive postwork should be avoided. Basically anything you can do in a wetroom should be allowed and encouraged in the digital darkroom. Which can even include combining of more than two photographs. I think that's fair don't you? I also think that any entrys should be strictly new photographs...not something that was done prior. Participants will be given a month for their entry...that way everyone has time to get thier capture. I think the super duper prize I can handle. ;)

I feel this could become a big thing Mel...once its off the ground and running :) In agreement about postwork. ps...thanks...just thought I'd offer :)

Yes, I think it can be as well. I've already started listing some of the grand prizes. As I said, I'm going to try and get donations from certain places before I state what the prizes are. As for the $50 that's all on me every other month. If there is somebody willing to fill in the gap, that is cool with me. I'll have to get in contact with the admins to set this all up and get their ok. I don't want this to sink before it gets off the ground. :)

Well, never heard of a competition/contest sinking...lol Best of luck :)

I will post this thread in the moderators forum for reviews and answers. When I started out as moderator I was thinking of a contest where there is prizes. Then the monthly challenge and banner contest took up my time so never kept up with my thoughts. Let's all work on this.

Thanks dB! I'm glad that I'm not the only one that thinks the photography forum deserves something like this. I'm dedicated in working this all the way through. :)

it sounds great Mel, awfully generous of you... will be interested to see what happens :]

Now this is so nice of u!!! I'm definitely interested and would definitely participate! What a great and generous idea indeed!!