Contest Party Down! (Photography)

is it ok to futz with color or add sparkles in photoshop? To what degree is manipulating the photo ok?

 

The photo can have some minimal photoshopping, but the focus of the image should be the reality, rather than the special effects. In general, we're okay with normal post-processing (touch-ups to remove stray hairs, color correction, contrast correction) and some slight enhancement... and maybe some sparkles.

However, photoshopping in backgrounds, additional characters, props, etc., isn't in the spirit of the contest. We're looking for good photography and cool ideas, rather than expert photo manipulation.

 

Would changing the overall color of an image (making it warmer, cooler, weird colors... etc...) be okay to do in photoshop if we have no method of doing it traditionally (like with gels)?

 

How late on August 10th? There's no need for me to enter if it's like way early or something, since August 10th happens to BE my birthday.

 

It's due by August 10th, not on August 10th. You can enter any time before then. We don't have a specific cut-off time in mind yet, but probably we'll accept entries up to 11:59pm EST August 10th.

Re: color adjustments - as long as the color isn't the focus of your piece, it's all right to enhance or slightly alter the color of your piece. Doing the excessive burn/dodge effect isn't really going to win many votes, but we don't have any rule specifically against it.

 

I personally think you should not allow any special effects, I would love to see the creative aspect of taking a birthday and/or party-themed photo. Most of the time the "special effects" take away from the original effort of taking/setting up the photo. After all is a "photography" contest not a digital photo manipulation contest ^^

 

i have to agree with shadowlink,no special effects,just a good use of imagination,real props and good shooting technique,that is ll that is really needed,
i bet alot of the people here dont have photo shop or can do manipulation,i carnt,

 

i agree with you both...photoshop modifications take off the spirit of the real photos contests...
lets try to find the real perfect light and colors : D!

 

The rules are the rules, guys. If you don't need photoshop, then by all means don't use it, and know that we will definitely be taking over-manipulation into consideration. Obvious use of PS for backgrounds and such will be grounds for disqualification. But we are allowing what we've said already that we'll allow. Thanks!

 

Do we have to own all dolls present in the photo? Or, say if another family member owned dolls as well, may we put them in the picture too?

 

You may have other members' dolls in your entry, but the entry only counts for one person.

 

Alright

Thanks a bunch!

 

just checking what if i decided to go for a sinister twist to the theme would that be allowed, or must it be a happy out take?

^ making sure before planning XD

 

While a little weirdness can make a party truly unique, we'd rather celebrate DoA's birthday without anything too grotesque or depressing. Use your best judgement.

 

I love also this original idea !

 

the three photos need to have the same background and dolls? just the angle need to change?

 

The pictures should all be different - they should not look the same. They should have different backgrounds or costumes or poses.

If multiple photos look too similar, we may choose just one.

 

OK!!! tks a lot !

 

Thank you for organizing this contest. It should be great fun for all!

 

This was so much fun to do, sent mine in already ^^
Thanks for throwing this contest DoA! XD

 

What is meant by "sinister" and "mean-spirited," per se? For example, is something like this appropriate?

(note: this is not intended to be an entry; this is ooooold.)

 

If that example is sinister, I'm too dumb to get it.

Basically, we're looking for entries that are celebratory. It can be funny, sweet, cute, charming, or whatever... but in general, we're looking for more "positive" images.

What we're NOT looking for are things that make fun of DoA or other members. We're not looking for violence, drama, or sex (even if it's celebratory, it's not 13+).

 

Ah! So, uh, partial nudity and booze is okay, or themes of the hard-style of partying?

Sorry to be so obtuse.

 

Hard-style partying is okay as long as it's lighthearted and okay for a 13+ forum.

 

:] This looks like so much fun! I'm already making plans for pictures!

 

Quick question that I haven't seen asked yet, so I'll go ahead and ask here:

Can we enter multiple contests?
I was also planning on making an entry for the Sock Couture! contest but my girl Hannah has a birthday on July 27th, and I think this would be a very fun way to celebrate her birthday as well as DoA's!!
Just figured I would ask

 

Yes, you can enter as many contests as you would like.

 

Hi! I've gotten a few submissions already, but I wanted to remind everyone that my name is Truffle, not Truffles. (There is only one of me, which my owners would probably say is a good thing!) Please be sure you are sending your entries to Truffle with no s. "Truffles" is also a user here, and if your submissions go to that account, they won't be entered.

If you've sent an entry already, please check your Sent items to make sure it went to Truffle.

 

can i enter the contest? i'm still new on the forum

 

Unfortunately, you joined July 15th, so you may not enter the contests.

 

Ok, sorry to be repetitive, I know this was kind of asked already, but I'm just trying to clarify. I know I could use my roommate's dolls in my pictures (she is also a DoA member), but is she then allowed to use those same dolls for her own entries? As long as the entries are entirely different from my own? (And also use my dolls in her pictures?)

 

I'm sorry, but you can't use all the same dolls for two members' entries. If you use your friend's dolls in your picture, then she cannot submit an entry using those same dolls.

 

Ok thanks for the clarification!

 

D: Ho crap...

In that case, I have a question.

My friend and I had two setups we used, and our dolls were in them. If she submitted one already that she took herself, then I would not be able to use one that I took myself because my doll would be her pictures, and hers in mine?

 

too bad maybe next time

 

No, I'm sorry. Using all the same dolls for two different members' pictures is not permitted.

 

Ok then, how about if there are two entrants who have different dolls in their pictures, all except one? Could two people have only one doll that's the same doll in both their entries and the rest are different? o,0

 

So, it doesn't have to be a birthday party, right? It can be any kind of party, no matter the theme (as long as it's using good judgment, of course)?

 

Well...obviously Christmas parties or 'congrats for getting out of jail' parties would be far from the scope, but there doesn't need to be birthday cake.

 

Darn, there goes my idea.



(Just kidding!! )

 

Can we add words, for example from lyrics, if they're not identifying?

 

Unfortunately, we would like the picture to speak for itself, so no text of any kind. Thanks!

 

Okay, thanks. What's the mode of submission? The first page says 'email', but aren't we supposed to PM Truffle the photo? Thanks for the clarification~

 

Is it allowed to use accessories with text like dollsized books, newspapers or similar things?

 

Please PM your entry to Truffle.

And as long as the text from the props is not the centerpiece of the picture, then yes.

 

Is it okay to have one BJD and her animal friends? Also, I was going to have some sort of banner that said, Happy Birthday, can I use it if I blur out the words and if they are in the background?

 

Yes, you may have animal props in the picture. If you have a banner that says "Happy Birthday," please just make sure it's in the background, not the centerpiece of the picture.

 

I had so much fun working on my entries! Can't wait to see what everyone came up with!

 

Just clarifying....
the first post says the entries are in by the 10th August... the Calender says the 3rd...
or have i read it wrong?

 

NVM, question answered.

 

It says only on-topic dolls. I have a couple of off-topic BJDs. Provided they are among the crowd of on-topic dolls, are they allowable? Or do I need to leave them out of photo time?

 

For this, we'd prefer that only on topic dolls are included. Thanks!

 

i'm sorry but it said in the first post to email truffle... i must be blind coz i don't see an email add. and when i click on the "truffle" link, i only go to her profile page.. >.<
it was the same for my face up contest entry and i'm confused as i'm afraid that i sent it wrongly!

*edit* nevermind i saw your reply to another member already. perhaps should change the first post coz its confusing :/

 

ohhh help XD!!! i dont have a place to put the photos!!!!!! i only have a flickr and i can be removed from the competition if i put it there, no?!

 

You may upload the picture to your Flickr, but do not link it to other people or show it here on the forum.

 

Ok!!!!!!! Tks!

 

I saw this comment on the sock couture contest thread:

"Sorry for the confusion! We never altered the date on the calendar when we were finalizing the rules for the contest.
As the calendar still lists August 10th as the due date for entries, we will accept entries up until 11:59 EST today. Thank you!"

I was just wondering if that applies to this party picture contest too? (I didn't see it on the calendar..)

Thank you

 

Entries are now up for voting! This thread will be locked until the winner is posted, then it will be reopened for discussion and congratulations!