"Astro-photographer of the year" award.

[Sausageman]

I believe we should have an "Astro-photographer of the Year" Award at the next IIS get together.

There are some absolutely Awesome shots being taken by our members, and they should be recognised.

Who is with me to get Iceman to put this into our forum ? Maybe he could get us to vote on it.

Maybe we could also take the 12 best photo's and put them into a calendar. I would buy one for sure. Profits to IIS of course.

I think it is a great idea to recognise the outstanding work in the field of Astro-Photography by the members of this forum.

I am sure it will inspire others to try their hand, not only at taking photographs of the wonders of the Universe, but to leave a Legacy behind of the work that Amateur Astronomer's do in the field of Astronomy in general.

Mike.

[rogerg]

There are many various forms of astro photography, also many ways to take astro photo's with extremely different and uncomparable setups. I'm not sure how you would fairly judge such an award.

It's hard enough making an astro photography comp based on a narrow selection of topics fair.

Roger.

[ving]

quite simple really roger, we just look for the best regardless of equipment....

it could be judged much like out monthly photo comp.

really, if we were to make a calendar then we'd was the most popular ones anyhow hey :)

[davidpretorius]

Yup, best pics of the year redardless of equipment voted by members

best galaxy, best nebula , best wide field??

and an IIS award for the most improved etc

[iceman]

I think the IIS astrophotography calendar is a good idea, though I don't like the idea of a "competition".

But, the images have to be chosen somehow.

Perhaps I can have an entry form where people can submit their entries for inclusion, and then have a voting system where people vote their favourites.

It could be organised so that the January image has to be an image of something that's visible in January (like, M42 for example). The July image has to be something visible in July (like, M17 for example).

We could have 1 image per page (of any category), or have 4.. Divide the page into 4 and have an image for each category (globular cluster, open cluster, nebula and galaxy) on each page. I guess it's a trade-off between one large spectacular image, and 4 smaller spectacular images per page.

So, people submit their entries for each category for each month of the year and we then have a voting system where people choose their favourite.

We could have a rule that once someone has "won" a particular category/month, they can't be chosen again for any other month. This way we don't get Brad Moore images on every single page (as nice as a calendar that would be :)). So everyone has a chance of getting an image on.

Thoughts?

[h0ughy]

before you get too carried away Mike, remember who has bought the tShirts and the Pens and the Astronomy 2006 books. No kiljoy but realistic

[iceman]

yeh no worries h0ughy, it's a valid point. I'd probably do something through cafepress or similar, so i'm not actually holding "stock" that doesnt' get sold.

Just throwing ideas around anyway.. wouldn't do anything about it till later in the year as it would be a 2007 calendar.

[ving]

easy fix houghy, make it a free pdf download and people can print it out themselves :)
not everything has to cost ya know :P

[xstream]

I reckon that's a good idea David.
Then if you want it photographic quality, print it on photo quality paaper. :thumbsup:

[ving]

i love it when my brain works ;)

[shelly]

Mike - What stock do you still have? Is there a link to a list of Ice In Space products?

[ving]

thats the spirit shelly :D

[Striker]

Sounds good to me.....just need someone to make it out in the right format so people can print them out.

I wouldn't mind knowing what a proffesional finish callender would cost even if we have to pay and pre-order.

Would love to stick this callender over the current one we have that has pictures off teddy bears for every month....hehehe

[leon]

It's agreat idea, but very difficult to judge as everybody that makes the effort to take astro pics is a winner, regardless, as his or her images to them are precious and worth an award for having a go. :thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

I've already posted this comment at the imaging group

I don't think the "Imager of the year" suggestion is a good idea at all

Firstly, how would such a person be chosen and on what criteria?

And secondly, what purpose does it serve?

A "Person of the year" type acolade IMO might perhaps be presented to somebody who has made outstanding and charitable "contributions" to our hobby, but not for someone who has simply produced "the best...?" image/s :shrug: ?

If it is awards we are after there are real imaging competitions that we can enter our work in for recognition but as far as this forum goes, I think we should just keep on just posting our work and sharing this great and rewarding hobby with no strings attached...?

The callender is a different story though, what ever tickles one's fancy I guess? :)

Mike

[Sausageman]

My suggestion of an award was just that, a suggestion.
It was brought on purely by the astounding photo's that are being produced and posted on this Forum.

I'm not talking about an "Oscar", or a Grammy or rubbish like that.

Take it in the spirit it was thought of, recognition of outstanding work and the pleasure it gives us all to see.

I don't remember the suggestion being a "Person of the Year" though.

I don't even take photo's. I just love looking at them.

I wasn't even thinking of "categories", just the most beautiful photo's that have been posted.
If the photo of the year was voted on by the members of this Forum, then it would be a simple thing. the most votes wins, easy...... No Politicking, no favouritism, just a simple thing. I would even be willing to donate the trophy's.

But it's not up to me to decide if it happens or not, let the member's decide.

You have all been praising the members who post photos, good or mediocre, or giving them advice on how to improve thier techniques, so why not.

As for the calendar idea, Iceman's suggestion sounds great using the monthly photo session.
Somebody get Comet 73P on film please.

Mike.

[strongmanmike]

Hi Mike

But in your original post you said:

"I believe we should have an "Astro-photographer of the Year" Award at the next IIS get together." ?

This is the only bit I don't agree with.

This is a forum not a competition and should be left as that IMO, that's all I'm saying. :)


MIke

[Muddy Diver]

imho I feel that the guys who give so much inspiration, help to others whom they have inspired, encouragement even when we rank amateurs know that we have posted something of which only the poster can be proud of, should have therir 15 minutes of fame. I havent been in the forum for long but have recognised pretty quick that there is a standard of astrophotography here that is exceptional.

Lets give back something to those who are on hand to help others. If thats the form of recognition by way of a voting competition, then I see no harm in it and don't believe that this was suggested to be a serious competition anyhow. The calendar is an awesome idea too. I say lets do both :thumbsup:

[ving]

of course one would have to obtain permission to publish the pictures too....

[Sausageman]

You are right of course David.

Maybe photo's could be submitted, with the understanding that they may be published, that should cover it.

Of course, photo's already posted are now public domain methinks. unless they carry a copyright statement.

Watch out, them dratted Pirates are everywhere.

As for the "Competition" idea, though I never mentioned the word, let the Moderators choose wisely on it's merits.

Nuff said.

Mike

[strongmanmike]

Here are some info sheets on copyright from the Copyright Council of Australia.

Scroll down to P for "Photographer" G011

http://www.copyright.org.au/publications/infosheets.htm

Basically whoever physically takes the photo automatically and without the need for registration, has copyright on it and in most cases being in the so called "public domain" does not automatically give anyone else rights to use that photo without permission. A copyright notice on the image is not required either.

Anyway it is interesting read I recon

Mike

[Dennis]

Interesting read Mike, thanks for that.

Cheers

Dennis