IMHO, the whole COTM thing needs to be re-looked at. The voting (which I didn't even see a thread for this month) is usually only open for a FEW DAYS at most. I feel it would be best if voting should go on for at least 2 weeks. For example, let's assume COTM for March. Feb. 1-14 = open enrollment Feb. 14-28 = VOTE Mar. 1st announce the winner and put the pic up. I'm on here quite a bit more than Joe Schmo casual browser, and if I miss the voting thread, how the hell is Mr. Casual Browser ever going to run across it?
eh, thomas, I don't think we need to wait until the end of November for March's winner to be voted on.
I've kind of been confused as to whether the winner is based on the car itself, or the theme and how well it's executed?...or both? Like for this April one...am I voting for the nicest cars? Or the best execution of a group of Subaru's in one picture?
I know this is only a few voices so far... But do people not like themes? Just keep it simple with just posting pics and info no themes? Or are themes something that makes people change it up some and try for new pictures?
Don't get me wrong, I like the themes because it keeps the same cars from winning COTM. I just think it's unclear about whether we are voting based on the theme, the car, or the combination?
I like to think its the Combo of the two. It offers the car(s) and Putting a theme into it. Instead of just a picture that has been seen on the site before. Also i've tried on these last two themes to get in involved with community and area.
themes can be fun, like one month have sedan or coupe or wagon etc? How about most well rounded, best rotated/fog light setup, cleanest, best dd, best snow fun shot, best donuts(picture should be of car after the start and some marks already laid down aka action shot) night pictures, early am (aka sunrise) pictures, moving shots, group shots(all wagons or seadans or wrx's or sti's, or even one single color of car and winning group each submits a photo of their car to shuffle through the home page along with the winning group shot) or theme'd video clips can be fun as well and you could even add a requirement for a certain type of song be put to said video clip but some months just have a viewer's choice? maybe have a vote in the cotm thread for the next month's "theme" as well as the best car for current months theme? i also think a new photo should be required at times. one that has been kept in hiding or just shot. basically one that has not been previously posted for our viewing pleasures i think said ideas would make it really fun. i tried for numerous months to win last year but i think these ideas would get me trying more.
My $.02 This time frame seems reasonable. As far as the themes go, I endorse them because like previously stated, it forces people to take new pictures and keeps things fresh
I like the theme idea just because it gets you out shooting and being creative. Its almost like a miny homework assignment for the month, gets people out of their shell shooting the same stuff over and over, and i look at is a way to help better my skills as a photographer...
