Originally posted by lukelbd I feel I should reiterate my suggestion, since it was largely ignored:
I apologize for seemingly ignoring your suggestion. It seems I've "ignored" several other topics, including a pretty contentious one - I have been extremely busy as of late and I apologize for that perception.
Regarding your suggestion, I just had this conversation with another entry submitter. This is what I sent to him:
Quote: There are a few things I would change had I been able to do this all over again. Regardless, I won't change it now because that can only breed more cynicism, and I don't want that to happen.
But had I been able to make 1 change, it would be "I will personally pick the best 15 submissions and those will make it to the homepage for further peer review and voting." There's a few that, frankly, are not to the caliber that I had expected. I had to DQ several for the complete refusal to submit a single word of text. One guy's entire submission was a link to a flickr album of 15 photos. That's it. No text, no caption, no explanation, nothing - just a copy and past of the URL and nothing more. But it is what it is and lesson learned for when I'm chief of Pentax Marketing
But, at the same time, there is the side effect of what VD brought up:
Originally posted by VisualDarkness I can see why Heie takes the slower approach as a big part of this challenge is to inspire others with people's stories about fearlessness and a lot would be forgotten and missed if it was done with just a short poll.
It wasn't intended to be done this "slowly" on purpose - I really didn't expect this many submissions and like I said above, in retrospect I would make some changes. But to make them now? That would be unfair to everyone that met the criteria for submission - I never published that in the initial rules, so to all of a sudden chop the legs out from someone -- and while you or I at the end of the day scratch our head and feel it isn't worthy, it was to them to submit it -- would be disrespectful and contrary to the spirit of this contest. For all we know, this inspired someone to turn off the computer and pick up their camera. That alone is a win and I stand by that. Not to mention, how many new PF members are here because of this giveaway and entered in it? Some are not going to have even the remotest chance of winning - I got that. I think those who submitted these "subpar" entries will at the end of the day be inspired to "up their game." And the price to pay is the winner and everyone else has to wait 2-3 more weeks to make it to the final entry? Spend the time photographing instead of being here wishing the process were faster and those that "absolutely won't win" aren't given their 5 minutes of fame. It means more to them and their potential as photographers than the 2-3 weeks does to you.
Now, I don't mean to address that to you (lukelbd), however I know there are many whom are breeding cynicism towards this project because of the last few submissions. Like I said above, in retrospect I would do a few things differently from the beginning, but as I am a young 25 year old newby (this marks less than 2.5 years since I first touched a DSLR) that has never hosted a contest like this before, I am bound to make a few mistakes and learn in the process.
I promise there are
many good entries to come, and if the entire process takes a little longer, then so be it. I personally love that I caused someone to pick up their camera and say "I'll take a stab at being fearless" and/or "Hmm...let me see what this Pentax/Pentax Forums thing is all about." That is worth more than a lens in my opinion. And don't worry, the winner won't go anywhere
Also, to revert to a topic preceding Luke's post above this, apparently there were miscommunications on the previous page (toneless text has that effect), and I apologize for putting anyone on the defensive regarding their legitimate questions about the pace of this contest.
Very Respectfully,
Heie
P.S. Just because this contest is over doesn't mean you still can't be FEARLESS! Tonto, I LOVE IT!! Thank you for picking up the baton and continuing to run with it.