NORTH AMERICA vs. EUROPE PHOTO CONTEST

[Chris Johnston]

AoB organized the photo contest last year and it set the Internet record for number of entries and number of countries represented. It was also the first such collaboration between a forum and a bonsai magazine. It is now the contest to measure all others against.

AoB also ran a display contest last year that also set Internet records for such a contest.

I was serious in my question, and I didn't ask the question you answered. What kind of internet records? Who keeps tabs on these things? Is there an Internationa Amateur Webcontest Union as an overarching ruling body to keep track of how many contest entries there are?

 

[Anonymous User]

I was serious in my question, and I didn't ask the question you answered. What kind of Internet records? Who keeps tabs on these things? Is there an Internationa Amateur Webcontest Union as an overarching ruling body to keep track of how many contest entries there are?

Chris,

Since you seem to be overly interested in this contest, more so than any other in the past, I'll attempt to satisfy your curiosity.


I take it you are referring to the records set by AoB with previous contests and not this contest in particular, so....

It is easy to determine the number of entrants in any Internet contest, all you have to do is count the entries. In example in this one at AoB (http://www.artofbonsai.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=467&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0) there are 15 full pages of entries from 17 different countries with an average of 15 entries per page. I'll let you do the math. Remember, I am not even counting those that were rejected due to one reason or another. My personal searches of all Internet forums dealing with bonsai failed to show one single contest that came close in the number of entries or even the number of countries represented. It is actually simple to figure out and verify, the original posts are all still posted in the link above.

AoB was also, as mentioned, the first bonsai forum to colaborate on a contest with a major bonsai publication, also easy to research and verify.

The display contest (http://www.artofbonsai.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=535&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30) brought in 40 entries, more than any other on-line display contest that I found in all my searches. Again, easy enough to research and verify.

These claims were made when the contests ended last year and no one has refuted them to date. Of course, if anyone can refute these records, please post the sources, data, and links. I'd gladly and happily admit defeat and then set out to beat the records.

Until then,


Will

 

[Anonymous User]

I'm in support of any activity that will generate more photos of great trees for me to learn from!

Now there is a great attitude!


Will

 

[Boondock]

here are legitimate questions...

Why is there always a 3 page fight/argument/discussion anytime an event is posted linked to art of bonsai ? (same thing happened when KNOB blogs were promoted)

Why are there multiple forum fights/arguments/discussions occuring simutanously ?

This is about a photo contest. There must be more to this.

 

[Ashbarns]

Although the contest is good for worldwide bonsai and will showcase the talent out there perhaps the exposure on this channel has dragged the chain to its nth degree. Might be time to pull the thread and let AoB handle it from here before people get too hysterical, emotional and precious.

Ash

 

[John Hill]

Just wanted to say Good Luck to all that enters and I personally look forward to all the great bonsai out there being European or North America.

Good Luck to all!!

A Friend in bonsai
John

 

[Anonymous User]

There must be more to this.

Yes, go to the other place and see the same five names there complaining as you do here, in fact, look at any such heated debate where it concerns myself and you will see the same five names.

Now you don't have to be a genius to see the pattern.


Again,


Enjoy the contest.

 

[Vance Wood]

Although the contest is good for worldwide bonsai and will showcase the talent out there perhaps the exposure on this channel has dragged the chain to its nth degree. Might be time to pull the thread and let AoB handle it from here before people get too hysterical, emotional and precious.

Ash

I don't understand why you or anyone else would want this thread pulled. With the exception of a half a dozen individuals with axes to grind, everyone else has been pretty civil, interested and interesting. Perhaps in claiming ulterior motives for the contest, some are guilty of having ulterior motives for seeing any discussion about this contest pulled.

Every day when I come to this site I check for New Posts. Sometimes I find none. When that happens I go to general discussion and I scroll down the list of topics and I open those that interest me and I ignore those that do not. No one is putting this subject up as a headline or a pop up that you cannot ignore, you have to look for it, you have to click on it, you have to read it, and then you have to comment on it. What's the problem?

If you don't like it ignore it.

 

[Anonymous User]

Just wanted to say Good Luck to all that enters and I personally look forward to all the great bonsai out there being European or North America.

Good Luck to all!!

A Friend in bonsai
John

Thank you!


Will

 

[Chris Johnston]

Chris,

Since you seem to be overly interested in this contest, more so than any other in the past, I'll attempt to satisfy your curiosity.

These claims were made when the contests ended last year and no one has refuted them to date. Of course, if anyone can refute these records, please post the sources, data, and links. I'd gladly and happily admit defeat and then set out to beat the records.

Until then,


Will

Geez, Will. You seem to be the only one counting and keeping those kinds of records. I don't know why you'd need to throw that kind of stuff around.

I am not overly interested in this contest. I am more interested than in other contests, which you may note that I have never participated in, except for articles contests. I am looking forward to the entries and results. I think this is the right direction for a contest although (and don't get me wrong, I understand that I am free to organize a contest any time I want) I think making it Europe v. North America is a little unfortunate.

So good luck with the contest, I will be watching the results along with those who are complaining. You know they'll be there.

 

[Vance Wood]

I don't understand why a friendly bonsai photo contest between European and American bonsai should be considered "Unfortunate"? Is it possible for you to elaborate on that?

As to the issue with records surrounding entries at previous contests. I can answer that one. Ever since AoB went on line there have been some members of other forums who have made the claims that AoB and KoB are really irrelevant to bonsai. If you examine the numbers and the members list on AoB you soon discover that AoB has become a who's who of bonsai and the contests the site has promoted have been very well participated in by members from all over the world.

 

[Anonymous User]

Geez, Will. You seem to be the only one counting and keeping those kinds of records. I don't know why you'd need to throw that kind of stuff around.

Because, as always, the question of qualifications and the validity of the endeavor was hinted at, so the proper response was to list past successes to show that the people running this contest has proved beyond any doubt that they are quite capable of organizing and managing respected and record setting contests. In short, it is very hard to argue with results.

So good luck with the contest, I will be watching the results along with those who are complaining. You know they'll be there.

Oh yes, like a fly buzzing around when you're eating, kind of bothersome, but doesn't really do any real harm.

I did a quick search for "bonsai photo contests" on google earlier and the discussion on that other forum about this contest came up on the first page. Sometimes the flies do more good than the harm they originally intended.

Since the contest has a deadline of June 1st, I don't really expect to see a major number of entries for a little while still, however, I think we all will be pleasantly surprised at the turnout.

Enjoy,

Will

 

[Greg Brenden]

The Art of Bonsai Project
Proudly Presents the Great
NORTH AMERICA vs. EUROPE PHOTO CONTEST
Sponsored by Bonsai Today Magazine

The contest objective is for bonsai artists from North America and Europe to submit quality pictures of world class bonsai which will be judged and awarded points by qualified judges who reside neither in North America or Europe.

The goal of this contest is educational and is meant to inspire friendly competition between artists of both regions.

http://artofbonsai.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=62

One small question about the nature of this contest as it is worded above; let's suppose I'm a bonsai artist from North America. If I take my camera to the Pacific Rim collection on a nice sunny day and the light is perfect and I get several great shots of trees that aren't my own, do these qualify? It is a photocontest after all isn't it? There is no mention the tree has to be mine, only the photos, right? Mind you, I'm neutral about this competition and it could turn out to be a good thing once the glitches are worked out. Rarely does anyone get it exactly right the first time out and if it's to be a success, mistakes will be made along the way. I understand that if someone does this, there is the chance their photo won't make the cut if the initial editor is on the ball.

But what if someone were to make a really great photo of someone else's tree? Does that disqualify the fact the photo is a winner? It's a nagging ambiguity in the wording of the contest I can't help wondering about...

 

[Greg Brenden]

O.K., I did my homework and after reading through the rules @ AoB, there is mention the tree must have been in the artist's care for a certain time. But I still think my question is valid--is this a photo contest or is this a bonsai contest? You may want to say Duh! isn't it obvious? But it's right there in the title of the contest. Maybe a little clarification in the announecment to other forums would be helpful here ;-)

 

[Vance Wood]

It is my understanding that it is both. I mentioned this earlier; a great picture of a really bad bonsai will disqualify the entry because the bonsai is poor quality. On the other hand a really bad picture of a world class drop dead beautiful bonsai will disqualify the entry because the picture is bad. Both elements must be present in order for the entry to be considered, accepted or rejected.

 

[Jon Chown]

Quote
BonsaiOutlaw
It is offensive and I honestly don't understand why Greg does not see through your hidden agendas. You could care less about this site other than the free publicity.

and

LOL...Well then your contest has been won already if contestants can enter more than one tree.

I would like to be the first to congratulate Herr Walter Pall. A fantastic job sir and taking 1st 2nd and 3rd.... Wow...What an accomplishment.

That sure would be an accomplishment and let’s hope that the mighty USofA can give him a nudge. If he does take out all prizes, what does it tell you. He deserves it and no it won’t mean that the Judges are biased. While you are winging about all around you he is practicing the art.

Boondock
here are legitimate questions...

Why is there always a 3 page fight/argument/discussion anytime an event is posted linked to art of bonsai ? (same thing happened when KNOB blogs were promoted)

Why are there multiple forum fights/arguments/discussions occuring simutanously ?

This is about a photo contest. There must be more to this.

Legitimate questions perhaps, but I can’t help wondering about your ulterior motive when I observe that you are the instigator of the said forum fights. I am guessing that you can’t handle the truth or the answers.

From my observations of your posts, I have learnt that you like to hide behind a pseudonym on over 30 sites, you have a grudge on AoB and KoB for not letting you be a member and to top it off you don’t like someone one of the editors there.

Here are the answers to your questions and Bonsai Outlaws I‘m guessing:- Grow up, get over your problems, understand that there are other bonsai sites on the internet and they all have a place and following and get on with bonsai.

But that’s just my opinion.

Jon

 

[Vance Wood]

As long as we are talking about facts. Getting banned from Bonsai forum @ Garden Web is not difficult. The administrator did not allow, most of the time, even mention of another site. If you linked something there you were likely to get banned. Of course you see today the quality of that site. Bonsai Chat;? I got banned over there just for supporting Will Heath and because of some obscure paranoid dillusion that I was trying to fix one of their styling contests along with Will. You need to get your facts straight my friend you are allowing someone else's hatred to fester in you. Your posts to this thread have had nothing to do with Bonsai, they have been nothing more than attacks on Will Heath and anything he is involved with. If you are going to have such passionate and negative feelings about someone, you owe it to yourself to make sure you have good reasons of your own and not just a simple minded acceptance of an-other's bitterness.

I know you think that maybe your feelings about this thread will encourage Greg to kill the thread, but everyone who reads what you have written, on two occasions now, are not stupid. The message that comes through loud and clear is nothing more than: I hate Will Heath and you should too.

Please, turn that negative energy into effort on your bonsai, the only person you are damaging is yourself.

As to the contest: It seems that every time someone has a desire to do something not done before there are those who will try to stop it, condemn it, or make it less than it is or could be. In reference to some of the responses it really is an issue of shooting messenger, because you cannot kill the message, the idea is too good. Personally I think Greg has done a good job in letting the cream rise to the top and the dregs to settle to the bottom. Though there have been disagreements they have been civil with a couple of exceptions.

 

[Anonymous User]

For those who were wondering,

Judges to date are:

Min Hsuan Lo - Taiwan
Budi Sulistyo - Indonesia


Will

 

[irene_b]

For those who were wondering,

Judges to date are:

Min Hsuan Lo - Taiwan
Budi Sulistyo - Indonesia

Will

Both are very fine artist!
Irene

now if only I could take a good picture I would be tempted to enter my Cascade BC

 

[Jon Chown]

Both are very fine artist!
Irene

Yes, I doubt that anyone could doubt their talent or their humility.

now if only I could take a good picture I would be tempted to enter my Cascade BC

I have to agree with you on this subject Irene, taking good photos of Bonsai seems to be very difficult, for me anyway.

Jon