ION Photo Contest Congrats Stringy

Old Yeller · Since 08 Jun 2009 33 Posts Mosier

How would I make the contest better next year?

1) Have a panel of experienced photographers judging the contest. That way the photos would be judged fairly by someone who understands art. Everyone would still show up at the party to see who won.

2) Allow Photoshop for everything except pasting in logos. Montage, multiple photos and design would all be allowed. Allow us artists the freedom to do what we do. The tools are not important. Photography is art and it's up to the artist to decide what is right or wrong. There should be no rules inhibiting artistic freedom.

3) 48 hours to create the photos. This gives the photographer two sunrises and one sunset with time to tweak the photos. Lighting is everything. We also have a better chance of getting good weather.

4) All winnings are donated to a non profit cause.

I believe these simple changes would create a better contest and It would still be just as much fun.

What do you think? Should we propose some new rules for next year?

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1738 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

ian,
not sure what all the drama is about. I'm going to respond to a couple of things that are brought up in this thread.
first of all, nothing rigged. voting was done by ballot at river city saloon by all those that attended. yes there was a significant group of seattle there.
i guess one rowdy guy too. I can't respond to that other than it's unfortunate but let's move on.
the reason there were so many from my community there was A) either they were on my team of 12 actual participants, B) they just came down to enjoy the hood river area and kite and coincidentally came to support our photo team.
by the way, I had one college friend who came. little joe from hood river. I assume he voted for me. really I couldn't tell you. oh yeah, I had some friends from portland that showed up and voted too.

so really there was no rigging. keep in mind that the images were viewed by all on a big screen. I knew this would be a deciding factor and tried to use images that had the best visual appeal.
no egos. just people voting for what they wanted to win. not ashamed at all. period.

it's obvious there were some very talented shooters capturing some incredible stuff.

henry, amazing light on barnes' face on that shot. all your work is always cool.

sean- your work is so strong. I'm in awe. the use of off camera flash is incomparable. a true artist. I enjoyed your site. I've been there before. it's just incredible. nice to have met you at the the slider build on friday.

fred- I love the slow shutter shot you captured. I saw you doing this that night and wondered how it would turn out. that was real cool. thanks for the criteria you listed. you seem to know your stuff.

so let's talk a little bit about the money. just so you know, our little group that comes down to your playground every weekend, probably spends over a grand in fuel costs alone. and you know we always throw down some coin when visiting your town. cut them some slack.
I most likely kicked in more than anyone of you did for this contest. I covered my friends who couldn't cover the cost of $20. I'm not here to complain or whatever. I will tell you this.

every dollar that was awarded will be returned to the gorge.

every dollar.

Our team has offered to make a $1000 donation towards KB4C.
So there you go. I won as much money as you did.
we didn't come down to win it.
we came down to have a great time and enjoy the experience.

see you at the jam,
stringy

CrazyC · Since 07 Apr 2007 174 Posts P Town Stoked

Z9 is the best photo in the contest. True work of art.

forrest · Mon Jun 15, 09 9:15 am

Just an FYI, Stringy was over here Friday morning helping out on the slider. The Slider Project received donations from quite a few people from Seattle, including Stringy himself.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

That's an extremly generous donation Stringy & Team! Great photos!

I'm glad you guys won, at least one of the T&A only photo teams didn't win! Very Happy

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Stringy glad you made a big donation to KB4C with your winnings, that is great. As I said I have nothing against you or anyone else in the contest. But do you not understand why Im pissed. I can tell you without a doubt that the best photos did not win this contest. In fact it seems the photos did not matter at all. As I said I could win this contest taking pictures with my fucking camera phone of the ground with my kiteboard sitting there, and invite all my friends to come and vote for me. That is bullshit. And the teams that were actually putting effort into this and not just chilling at the sandbar two days snapping off totally stock, weak kite photos, get nothing for their effort.

I think in future years it would help if they actually had some judges who knew something about photography.

Old Yeller · Since 08 Jun 2009 33 Posts Mosier

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Yeah an independent judging panel and a decent projector would be good.

Also I liked how the Gorge Games contest had more rules about the photos. The T&A aspect appeals to a bunch of drunk people in a bar but doesn't really have anything to do with sports or wetsuits.

Anyway - Stringy your a great guy and I love your crew, keep it up!

j · Since 08 Nov 2006 94 Posts Seattle

Old Yeller · Since 08 Jun 2009 33 Posts Mosier

Sella · Mon Jun 15, 09 11:03 am

Many many good pics from everyone....and you cannot deny Stringy's were top notch as always.

Whatever the drama voting at River City...probably was the bigger issue and if you're not 21 and could not vote...don't kill the stoke. The Seattle crew is one of the COOLEST kiting crowds. Their $1k donation and constant road-tripping support of the Gorge is just how they roll and ride.

Congrats to all the photographers....each one had a submission that was wayyyy legit.

Rico, Lance, Stringy, Shawn, Yeller etc...etc...get your camera's primed because the real money payout is coming next weekend so think global. It will be at your front door next weekend.

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Old Yeller · Since 08 Jun 2009 33 Posts Mosier

eli_anderson · Since 04 Jun 2007 507 Posts Addicted

all sick pics

97031 · Mon Jun 15, 09 1:50 pm **Team 97031**

Guess I'll throw my team's photos up too.

Mo · Since 08 Aug 2006 14 Posts New Member

Everyone worked hard, had a good time and put on a rockin show!
I had a blast!
The wind was amazing!
The sandbar on Saturday was super fun!
Thanks to ION for sponsoring a great event!
Thanks to Doug Hopkins for making this happen!
Thanks to Sky Solbach for spreading the word!
Congrats Stringy!
Nice work everyone!
See you out on the water!

Link

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Jun 15, 09 3:23 pm

what the hell does ION make or sell anyways?