October 2021 Photo of the Month Contest

jaguarlax

Tactical Gardener
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
My intent was not to setoff an issue, it was an off hand remark. I am not going to change my entry, the rules at the beginning are clear.
Actually, the rules allow for a bit of mod discretion. One photo, and if a second was submitted, it is up to one of the admins to decide which goes into final vote tally. The rules do not make mention of photo changes, they will going forward tho. :/
 
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Willie

🍓 Crush Genetics 🍓
Actually, the rules allow for a bit of mod discretion. One photo, and if a second was submitted, it is up to one of the admins to decide which goes into final vote tally. The rules do not make mention of photo changes, they will glowing forward tho. :/
Where are these rules? ;) The way I remember it is you get one photo.......not 2 not 3, not a do over to improve focus.....one picture. So submitting more, should actually disqualify that poster since they did not follow the rules. That somehow a mod is able to pick a photo from someone that violated that rule and then enter it, is totally fucked up, imo. Where in the rules does it say that?
Not trying to be a ballbuster, but since the topic is afoot, we might as well discuss it.

imo........
1) you get one pic
2) mods have nothing to do with submitted pics
3) Prizes should be announced prior to the contest

All of that is appropriate and fair.
 

Schwaggy P

🦨
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
That somehow a mod is able to pick a photo from someone that violated that rule and then enter it, is totally fucked up, imo.
The purpose for a mod choosing a single photo was realized after a member posted more than one photo without clear indication of which single photo was meant for submission. Before this amendment was made, the only stipulation read:

"One entry per participant (one photo per entry)"

This does not say "one photo per post", only that one photo would be used as an entry. Since ambiguity in a contract/set-of-rules should break in favor of the party who did not draft the wording, I asked the member to clarify which single photo they intended to submit as their single photo entry and included only that photo which the member specified in the final poll.

After this incident with the ambiguous multiple photo post was cleared up, the amendment to the rule was added:

"If more than one photo is posted without clear instruction as to which specific photo is to be the official entry for the poll, it is at the discretion of the POTM Contest custodian to select which photo will be the participant's single official entry to appear in the poll."
I could have changed "entry" to "post" but that would remove the possibility for banter between members about their plants. There have been times when other more seasoned members have posted more than one photo in a post with clear indication that they were only answering a request for more pics/info.

The Photo of the Month Contest is meant to be a fun activity between well-meaning participants in a fair environment with a low barrier to entry. The previous rule change regarding how the voting works furthered this goal allowing for a more equitable voting time that didn't favor the earlier entries. This change, like the one mentioned above, didn't restrict anyone's ability to interact/participate in POTM, only provided guidelines for how that can be facilitated while maintaining the integrity of the competition. If the fairly sparse rules that appear at the beginning of every POTM thread have been glossed over by both newer participants posting multiple pictures and veteran participants realizing months after a change that the wording lacks specificity, a very involved set of rules with a laundry list of stipulations and disqualifications would most likely enjoy a higher rate of bypass.

I can understand how this month's prize has elevated the stakes but it shouldn't disrupt what has been a relatively smooth and enjoyable process for the forum. If any member has an issue with either the rules or the administration thereof, they are encouraged to make this known either in these threads or through private message and the resultant clarity will be disseminated in a manner that respects the privacy of the members. The only request regarding such inquiries is that they are made at the time an amendment is announced. I can assure there is no conspiracy between me or any member to fix POTM contests, bend any rules, or violate the integrity of this competition. Any suggestions regarding the rules or administration of POTM is welcome. I will take this as a form of inquiry and spend time/consideration on how to make the rules more specific while maintaining a succinct and enjoyable environment for future POTM contests.

This response is not meant to single any one member out but is in response to an allusion of impropriety and requires address to mitigate distrust or doubt in the POTM contest. Along with the maximum freedom in the participation of the contest seen in the succinct rules, transparency is another priority and will be honored when issues such as these require it.
 
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