POW name change

POW stands for Photograph Ofthe Week.

I'd like to suggest a name change more in line with the realities of this

feature on PN.

Why?

Well, the problem is that the POW is simply too much like 'employee of the

month' or, 'man of the year' or so many other title designations we've all

come to expect in this 'image driven culture comprised of so called experts

who label and designate in order to aid us all in finding our way to the

correct consumer aisle and the correct check out line' (that was a metaphor).

In other words, it pretends to be something it's not and then writes rules to

keep good folks like you and me from addressing that Fact directly within That

forum.

The POW, they tell us, is not a contest. It's not a competition either, yet

it's the ONE selected photo out of thousands (or maybe even millions) that is

singled out by . . . someone (so they tell us) or something (admittedly, my

speculation) for discussion.

It's not a contest, but there are benefits associated with being selected: A

prize from HP and a week's appearance on the Photo.net home page . . . but,

uh, again, it's not a contest and it's not a competition.

If the POW name were changed to PFD (Photograph For Discussion) it would

reflect what appears to be the intent of the feature, plus it's kind of cute

that it also stands for personal flotation device, so there's also a (very)

slight ironic edge to it.

Once the name was changed, the PFD could simply be selected at random from TRP

or whatever sort seemed to work best, which would make the "choice comments"

moot, since there would be no choosing, just selecting. This all seems more in

line with the spirit of this feature as articulated on PN. Finally, PN could

get rid of the silly preface to the POW.

As it is, people (elves) who select and vote on each POW nomination are making

choices based on a criteria they are not prepared to (or feel they shouldn't

have to) defend. This sort of thing might go over well in other places, but

darn it, this is America.

-thanks

However tongue in cheek, this makes certain sense. However -- ain't gonna happen, at the least because POW language will be in contract with HP.

John (Crosley)

Hi John,

>>POW language will be in contract with HP.<<

I suppose. Are you suggesting HP would not like the name change, or just that it would involve a contract revision and that that is too much of a hassel for PN?

America? When did that happen? I live in the Netherlands, thank you very much.

LOL. (is this typical or what?)

Hi Pat, yeah I've been on PN for 'bout a year now. I understand that people from around the world sign on and register to this site here in America.

Hey! there's an elf, let's get em.

But seriously, thanks for weighing in . . . I guess.

Why does it matter what the name is. The purpose is to have constructive critism on a very interesting photo. In my opinion, the constructive critism can still happen, no matter what we call it. The POW is just like any photo uploaded to photo.net (in that it has the opportunity to get commented on), except that it is highlighted on the photo.net homepage, so it gets a lot more coverage.

I don't like the idea of choosing the 'PFD', or whatever you want to call it from the TRP. The image isn't neccesarily one of the most beautiful photos or one that was rated highly. Its just a nice photo that is interesting enough that it promotes discussion. If you choose the POW from the TRP, then the photos that are submitted for critique only, or never submitted for critique at all, will never have a chance to be showcased.

Just my $0.02.

Megan

Hi Megan. It's not Just a name change.

Nothing you currently do would be changed by what I've suggested.

Also something not mentioned in the initial post -- selecting from all the critique submissions would result in an image a member actually wished to be highlighted as opposed to an elf picking something based on the whole "discussion worthy" agenda.

The underlying assumption is that anything submitted for critique in good faith, is discussion worthy.

In essence, you wouldn't be aware of any difference except for two alphabet characters -- O becomes F, and W becomes D.

Heck, that might even encourage more folks to join in the ratings game -- ya know, just to make their image available for the PDF.

-tk

"Yes, god (oops, sorry, 'God') forbid that anything so unAmerican should happen in America."

errr, that's Yahweh to you, sir.

You always get right to the heart of it, E.

Hey Tom,

"It's not Just a name change.

Nothing you currently do would be changed by what I've suggested."

So if it's not just a name change, what is it? How can it not just be a name change if nothing is changed?

Personally I like a good discussion. If you were to choose a photo randomly from the TRP all you'd be getting are 'good jobs' etcetera etcetera for comments.

Most images submitted to the critique forum are discussion worthy. Sure, with some of them (mine included) improvements to the photo are all that can be mentioned, and there might not be much debating. Personally, trying to read everything in the current POW forum, gets pretty tiring. Just joking. I learn a lot from those discussions.

I like the way the current POW runs. I think the elves do a good job picking photos, and they also do a good job changing up the genre every once in a while. I think it would be nice if there was a new Featured portfolio once in a while, but thats off topic.

Megan

Megan, it's in the initial post. I point out percieved problem and offer a solution.

When I said you wouldn't notice a difference, I just assumed you hadn't had posts removed from the POW dialogue for being critical of the particular choice made by the elves.

This change would make all that stuff a non issue . . . and maybe even lower the overhead.

-tk

Tom,

I understand what you are trying to do, but honestly I don't think the administration will follow your advice. I'm not saying that because I have something against you, I'm just saying that the admins of this site are going to do what is best for them and this site. And I think it is highly unlikely that they will let a small amount of people influence their decision.

Megan

Without reading all that went on here, all I could think after reading Tom's comments on

channging the name to PFD is that it might be better to name it BFD, but what do I know.

I certainly would support a change so that people don't mistakenly think it is a "prize".. Although it is certainly spelled out for those that pay attention to the Intro by Patrick. However, in fairness, some people don't read the guidelines.

On a light note though..... POW is really "Prisoner of the week" isn't it? I'd hate to see that little humorous twist changed...

VG, JD.

--LK

It may have escaped people's notice that at present and for the next year, there are prizes being offered by Hewlett-Packard for having a photo designated as Photo of the Week. The instructions to the Elves regarding how to pick the POW's hasn't changed. It is still intended that the Elves pick photos that they believe merit a week of attention and discussion.

But a different set of judges will pick a subset of the POW photographers to receive prizes, based on the overall aesthetic impression and anything else the judges deem relevant. The judges are Gary Bernstein and me. The prizes are very nice Hewlett-Packard ink jet printers.

Brian, the only problem with it, and maybe it is good for people on here, is that HP is getting

a great bargain as compared to what they pay professional photographers for the same

usage, believe me I know first hand! So, maybe as the site moves forward in offering

opportunities for their subscribers they should be sure that the fees and such are

commensurate with the market and not undersell the subscribers' photos or undercut the

market.

Mona, the POW photographers will be asked to agree to the terms of the contest before being considered. If they don't want to make their photo available to HP for advertising, that is entirely up to them. Of course, in that case, they then won't be in the running for the printers. But nobody is going to be presented with a fait accompli.

If none of the POW photographers opt in, then I don't know what we'll do with the printers. Right now, they are stacked up in my office. According to Gary Bernstein, the HP 8750 pigment ink jet printer is fabulous. That is what he uses, and is the grand prize during the first two quarters. And for the last two quarters, we'll be awarding a new printer that is coming out in the Fall that is even better than the 8750. Gary, who has seen prints from that one, says it is unbelievable. If none of the POW photographers want them, maybe HP will let me keep them for myself! Although I only really NEED one.

Am I allowed to nominate myself to win an HP 8750 printer?

"Unfortunately", I don't live in the U.S. and although nobody has said anything, I'm presuming that - because of freighting costs - the printers will only be awarded to those who live in the U.S. (or have either HP or PN agreed to cover the postal costs for sending them to overseas winners?)

<I>"The judges are Gary Bernstein and me."</I>

<P>

Brian I take back everything bad I ever said about you, hell, I'll even take back everything bad I ever thought of saying about you.