PotM: What gets your vote?

WendyFish · 10-17-2012, 7:27 PM

I'm really psyched about being able to help with PotM!

Since it's not November photo time yet, I thought I'd ask a question I've always wondered about: what attributes of a photo get you to vote for it?

Pick what matters to you the most, and feel free to comment.

JasonC · 10-17-2012, 7:41 PM

I voted for composition. Being a "creative", I tend to look at composition the most critically. Good composition not only draws the eye into the picture, but also tells a story. A well composed picture can accomplish most of the other choices. I tend not to look as critically at the technical aspects of photography (exposure, focus, etc), as not everyone (especially me) is on the level of a Mo Devlin (or in my case even remotely close ;P) The technical stuff definitely can help sell the composition, but, good composition can definitely help forgive bad technique!

Tony · 10-18-2012, 9:23 AM

Greta topic Wendy!

It's tough for me to pin one specific item on earning my vote. I am certainly moved by everything you mentioned, but there are so many good photos out there that it's become a tough decision seemingly every month lately.

I do have one rule though... an out of focus or poorly lit shot will never get my vote. The fish could be standing out of the water, hula-hooping with an afro wig on and it still wouldn't win imo.

(Well... if it was doing that, then I'd probably vote for it, but short of that, forget it if it's out of focus or severely over/under exposed)

fischfan13 · 10-18-2012, 9:28 AM

IMO it's all about the photo...not the fish.
The contest is called "Photo" of The Month, so I believe the best photo should win.

Pat Kelly · 10-18-2012, 9:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fischfan13

IMO it's all about the photo...not the fish.
The contest is called "Photo" of The Month, so I believe the best photo should win.

True, I don't vote because its a certain type of fish.
My answer would be a combination. It must be in focus(or real close), it must have decent light and I look at the position of the fish in the picture.

dogofwar · 10-18-2012, 9:48 AM

Thanks for taking this on, Wendy!

My vote always goes to New World Fish. Except when there are better pictures of Old World Fish.

Matt

Pat Kelly · 10-18-2012, 10:14 AM

You should also look at what the fish is doing?
Other wise you get shots like this.

I call it a little bit of blue but too much poo!

rich_one · 10-18-2012, 10:41 AM

My method isn't very scientific. I just vote for whichever one really makes me go "WOW"! LOL...

So... no October photo contest?

-Rich

rsretep · 10-18-2012, 4:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fischfan13

IMO it's all about the photo...not the fish.
The contest is called "Photo" of The Month, so I believe the best photo should win.

Gotta agree with Bill, "photo" of the month is best photo regardless of species

hollyfish2000 · 10-18-2012, 4:52 PM

I'd vote for the prettiest picture -- species is irrelevent. For me, generally, the prettiest is the one that shows the fish off the best but also has a beautiful background. A pretty fish photographed against a sponge filter or with a big ugly heater in the background wouldn't get my vote. Neither would one with poo hanging out of it . . .