P3D Judging & New ideas

[markaren@xxxxxxxxx (Karen Obusek)]

Derek Gee asks what fresh new and innovative ideas PSA should adopt. He
asks for examples of these ideas......I will be glad to offer one
example ( and many more ) ......lets begin with judging. Who is
qualified to be a judge? My proposal is............anyone can judge and
here is why.
In the Cleveland club, during competitions, the audience is asked to
select " the peoples choice" slide, that is, the slide that they
personally like best, regardless of judges scores or opinions. Since we
have instituted the peoples choice idea, in almost every case the
audience agreed with the judges in selecting the best slide. If the
"peoples choice" slide was not the top selection of the judges....it
usually was a second place slide, a top runner anyhow.
This tells me that any active, practicing stereo photographer is
qualified to judge! ( Derek expresses resentment to those who feel the
Detroit club is stereotyped unfairly) How do you think a talent like Dr.
T feels with regard to this judging matter!? And......how do you suppose
I feel about this!? ( being an unknown, but very committed stereo
enthusiast) The quality of the slides submitted in our competitions,
like PSA, is no easy matter to select the clear and obvious winners. If
" peoples choice" continues to closely follow the judges
decisions.....there is your research, proof, and consistency that most
folks (perhaps not all ) can be competent judges!
Why not use a lottery system to pool judges from the active members of
the club or organization. On a personal note, I also feel that ANYONE
can take an award-winning image at least once, and maybe even twice. The
best talents come from those who consistently get great results! I am so
stunned that "T"s experience or competence has been questioned with
regard to judging.......and this is probably why I have given up before
I've entered anything in PSA. "T" is an amazing talent and a dedicated
guy.......I cannot belong to an organization that does not recognize and
appreciate a member like that!
I'm sure by now my many other examples can wait. :-)
Mark Dottle


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