POTM Suggestions

[Pennies2Cents]

Hello all,

Looking back it has been proven that the POTM has had great success in the last 8 months. Thanks to your continued involvement. Therefore, we are looking to get ideas for the POTM contest in 2010. Yes, we are only in August but we are just planning for the future. :) Looking to hear/see some great ideas. Please submit your idea/thoughts in this thread..

Thanks,

POTM Committee

[cpreefguy]

Aptasia :angel:

[txav8r]

Aptasia :angel:

You beat me to it! LOL

[Pennies2Cents]

Aptasia :angel:


:rofl: How did I know... lol

[Mr Cob]

You know my vote... "Yes" to Aptasia... that would be hilarious! I think the members would get a good laugh from it.

[Mr Cob]

We could try and do some equipment shots too...like "Skimmate"...who's got the darkest sludge?

-Feather Dusters or just tube worms in general
-Refugium shots
-Brains/Favia
-Acans
-Zoanthids/Palys
-Mushrooms
-Coraline Algae
-Coolest piece of live rock with lots of various life...
-Cave shots of anything peaking out
-Shrimp
-"Feeding time" some people have crazy tanks during feeding time, this one would be fun.

[MRSBIGBIRD123]

Seahorses
Eels
Lionfish
Zoanthids
Acans
Feather Dusters

[MRSBIGBIRD123]

Hawkfish
Urchins
Angelfish
Butterflies

[Ping]

I second refugiums

[Mr Cob]

I second refugiums

Yeah, there's a lot going on in some people's refugiums (Peter)...I'd like to see some shots that focused in on some life we don't see every day...I'd like to see macro refugium shots and full refugium shots.

[msmith619]

Lets do something that hasn't been done... say.....full tank shots, or clams...:angel:
OK. seriously. I like angels, anthias, butterflyfish, eels, etc lets do some fish pics.

[allan]

Well, that should cover us till 2012.

I have seen some wicked cool aptasias... in fact the guy at alamo aquatic tried selling me one for $29.99.... it was huge.

[allan]

Box fish?

[Mr Cob]

Well, that should cover us till 2012.

I have seen some wicked cool aptasias... in fact the guy at alamo aquatic tried selling me one for $29.99.... it was huge.

LOL!!! Steve has some big one's too. We could couple it with majanos. Giau has a nice garden...!

Majano/Aptasia

[recoiljpr]

If your looking for off the wall/funniest how about something like nastiest fuge, most embarassing spot in your tank, etc?

You know even with those gorgeous tank shots, everyone has a part of their tank they avoid EVER taking a picture of it. Or, they frame the picture in such a way as to make it look a bit better (ala high camera angle facebook pics).

[allan]

You know there are a few of you all out there that could take a truly awesome picture of just sand, like a drift or a swirl. So I nominate... sand...

[Gseclipse02]

We could couple it with majanos. Giau has a nice garden...!

Majano/Aptasia


LMAO

[Kristy]

I liked Rob's "something peeking out of a cave" suggestion... that sounds like a fun theme! And for the majano / aptasia theme, you could open it up to all "pests" and see what people come up with.

I'll throw in:
schools of fish (or maybe "pairs" would get more responses)
gobies
mandarins
shrimp
inverts

[Mr Cob]

I liked Rob's "something peeking out of a cave" suggestion... that sounds like a fun theme! And for the majano / aptasia theme, you could open it up to all "pests" and see what people come up with.

I'll throw in:
schools of fish (or maybe "pairs" would get more responses)


Schools of fish...that's awesome. I definitely prefer "Pests" over limiting it to just Majano/Aptasia!

Seriously...adding themes to the contests will make it fun.

[Bill S]

If your looking for off the wall/funniest how about something like nastiest fuge, most embarassing spot in your tank, etc?

You know even with those gorgeous tank shots, everyone has a part of their tank they avoid EVER taking a picture of it. Or, they frame the picture in such a way as to make it look a bit better (ala high camera angle facebook pics).

How about do it with 3 photos, and call it "The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly". Let folks determine what good, bad and ugly are - probably turn out some pretty funny series'.

[moe]

cleaning wrasse in action

[cbianco]

Well, that should cover us till 2012.

I have seen some wicked cool aptasias... in fact the guy at alamo aquatic tried selling me one for $29.99.... it was huge.

...and you didn't buy it? Cheapskate... lol :)


...Majano/Aptasia

Great!


Schools of fish...Pests...

Great! Great! Anymore topics Mr. Cob? :p


...over limiting it to just Majano/Aptasia!

Plenty of room for ALL topics.


..."The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly"...

Great!

How about something goofy like... empty tanks or broken equipment?

Christopher

[Ping]

WOW, you folks are awesome! I would like to see all of this.

[JimD]

Well, if ya'll decide on Aiptasia or Majano's, I wont be able to play.... lol... :innocent2: :bigsmile:

[Gseclipse02]

Well, if ya'll decide on Aiptasia or Majano's, I wont be able to play.... lol... :innocent2: :bigsmile:


must be nice:wink_smile: lol

[princer7]

Jim, need some peps?

[JimD]

I do! But I need some for a different reason...... See the Shrimp I.D. thread in the general forum... :)

[Paul28]

Well, that should cover us till 2012.

I have seen some wicked cool aptasias... in fact the guy at alamo aquatic tried selling me one for $29.99.... it was huge.


HAHAHA now thats funny

[Pennies2Cents]

These are some great Ideas and funny ones too! :) Thanks for all your input. I could even combine a few like you all mentioned. :) Keep em coming... This has turned into a great thread...Also please keep in mind that the winning photo will be published in The Monthly Maastard Newsletter as well as the home page of the MAAST website.

POTM Suggestions submitted by Members.
Ø * "Pests"* Majano/Aptasia
Ø Feather Dusters/Tube Worms
Ø Refugium- FTS, Sections & or Macro
Ø Nastiest fuge, most embarassing spot in your tank
Ø Brains/Favia
Ø Acans
Ø Zoanthids/Palys
Ø Mushrooms
Ø Coraline Algae
Ø Coolest piece of live rock with lots of various life.
Ø Cave shots of anything peaking out
Ø Shrimp
Ø Feeding time
Ø Seahorses
Ø Eels
Ø Lionfish
Ø Zoanthids
Ø Hawkfish
Ø Urchins
Ø Angels
Ø Angelfish
Ø Butterflies
Ø Box fish
Ø Cleaner Wrasse in action
Ø Sand bed swirls or drifts
Ø Gobies
Ø Mandarins
Ø Shrimp
Ø Inverts
Ø “The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly". Let folks determine what good, bad and ugly are - probably turn out some pretty funny series'. Max 3 photos. :)
Ø empty tanks or broken equipment

[allan]

How about night shots? Aside from the normal night feeding guys my yellow rim always comes out for a snack.

[markmesquite]

How about corals that are feeding/eating?

[aggman]

i think cbianco brought up broken equipment.

that would be an awesome subject. i think most of us have cracked a mag drive, or knocked a deltec off the kitchen counter, you know something that really makes you love the hobby...

~alex

[Pennies2Cents]

i think cbianco brought up broken equipment.

that would be an awesome subject. i think most of us have cracked a mag drive, or knocked a deltec off the kitchen counter, you know something that really makes you love the hobby...

~alex

Yea someone did. Its on the list! :)

[BigKGlen]

Why do we have a POTM thread in the Charter Membership Forum?

[MRSBIGBIRD123]

Why do we have a POTM thread in the Charter Membership Forum?

Official POTM Rules:

1) Must be a Charter Member to submit picture and vote.

2) One picture per member monthly.

3) Subject picture posted must be taken by you from your current tank.

4) Member may only win once per year with the exception of POTY.

5) a) If submissions require multiple polls because of volume, then the
top submission from each poll goes to the final poll.
(b)In the event there is a tie in one or both of the polls, there will be
a 3 day run-off to find a winner for each poll.
(c)If submissions warrant a single poll, then the top 2 submissions
will go to the final poll.

Can't speak for Eve, but I am sure that Rule #1 is why......

[JimD]

Why do we have a POTM thread in the Charter Membership Forum?

Where else should this be located?

[Pennies2Cents]

Official POTM Rules:

1) Must be a Charter Member to submit picture and vote.

2) One picture per member monthly.

3) Subject picture posted must be taken by you from your current tank.

4) Member may only win once per year with the exception of POTY.

5) a) If submissions require multiple polls because of volume, then the
top submission from each poll goes to the final poll.
(b)In the event there is a tie in one or both of the polls, there will be
a 3 day run-off to find a winner for each poll.
(c)If submissions warrant a single poll, then the top 2 submissions
will go to the final poll.

Can't speak for Eve, but I am sure that Rule #1 is why......


Rule#1 is the exact reason why.

The POTM was created for the Charter Members to enjoy and to participate in a monthly fun contest. Therefore any announcements pertaining to Charter Members can be posted in this forum. Thanks for understanding.

[BigKGlen]

Since there is a specific Forum for POTM, what about there?

[JimD]

Why does it matter? Is it really that important to you? If so, why? Feel free to pm... Just curious is all...

[Pennies2Cents]

Since there is a specific Forum for POTM, what about there?

Kevin,

That forum is only for the contest submissions/polls and winners. Can we please stick to the subject of the thread as it has gone off track a little. If you have any more questions feel free to contact me via PM. I will be more than happy to answer your questions.

[Pennies2Cents]

This thread was originally created in the Charter Membership forum but I have decided to move it to the POTM forum. Even though the rules have not changed it is important to hear ideas from all members (Web & Charter) for future POTM submissions.

Please keep the great suggestions coming!

[BigKGlen]

This is a great showing of integrity. It's really appreciated and won't be forgotten! THANKS Eve!

[GuitarCrazyo]

Let's keep this conversation on topic.

If you feel the need to post regarding your signature and/or avatar, please do it in the appropriate forum.

Christopher

P.S. Neither your signature or avatar exist. I am under the impression that this just may be a spam post.

[Europhyllia]

Two more possible topics:

Biotopes
Camouflage

[Still Learning]

What if the potm was anonymous? That way it wasn't a popularity contest but more of a picture contest. People could summit their photos to you, then you post without the names until the end of the contest.

[Mr Cob]

How about occasional color submissions. Such as... POTM for just blue...anything blue or Pink....green... i think you get the point.

[Roo&Lis]

How bout? Duh duh Dunnn!

[rocketeer]

I don't think I could win this, but I'd love to see some great rockscaping. And I like the school of fish idea.

Jack

[nubz]

actinic shots, and anemones eating fish, thats all i got

[Still Learning]

What if the potm was anonymous? That way it wasn't a popularity contest but more of a picture contest. People could summit their photos to you, then you post without the names until the end of the contest.

Since you liked my previous suggestion I figured I would add another one. What if the tanks didn't have to be CURRENT but could include your past set ups.

They still have to be your aquariums, just not the current ones. That way if you had something in the past you could still participate.

I also think it would be fun to let web members vote too.

[kkiel02]

Starfish? I just picked up one that has some color so....
or anemones.....
I need someone with a decent camera to come over and pick up a free frag. Catch is they have to bring the camera.

I dont ever remember doing a shrimp potm either, just some ideas that popped in my head.

[Gseclipse02]

pics of your skimmer waste collector :)

[ShAgMaN]

I like the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly concept...but especially the Ugly. Pics of old or jacked up fish still kicking it. I don't mean one's with diseases, just Ugly SOB's which owners love - even though everyone else wants to hurl at their sight. There gotta be some crazy looking fish out there. This reminds me of the ugliest dog competition I watched on tv...pretty darn funny.

[OrionN]

Picture of live rock. Just to see all these under appreciated but very important animals in our tank

[Europhyllia]

fish pairs

[rocketeer]

Salt Creep.

[Europhyllia]

Blennies! Who could resist those cute blenny faces with the big curious eyes. Blennies rock!

[Gseclipse02]

Blennies! Who could resist those cute blenny faces with the big curious eyes. Blennies rock!


we did this one before

http://maast.org/forums/showthread.php?t=50881


i

[Europhyllia]

Aww. and only two entries...

[jroescher]

Sand Beds

[ErikH]

How about a random shot each month?

[Europhyllia]

How about a random shot each month?
huh?

[ErikH]

Well since no one really sticks accurately to the theme.... Why have one?

[saabtech]

coral polyp (single or double max) looking for some real closeup detail.

[Submariner]

tank progression shots...I think they are the coolest and very encouraging.
My favorite from RC.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1674294

[Europhyllia]

Well since no one really sticks accurately to the theme.... Why have one?
Got ya. But if we have a theme and people stray from the theme at least it seems like they all stray in the same direction! ;)

[OrionN]

Clowns won as schooling fish beat it all.
The other things is that we should not prevent people from entering. So what if someone won before in the year. We should open it up for everybody, every month. This way we get the best pictures. If we want this to be a true contest and the best picture win, then have minimal restriction, both for the subject the photographer.

[corruption]

What about a submitters choice? The only restriction is it has to be a picture posted to the site within the last month, submitted by someone other than the shooter..

-Justin

[Gseclipse02]

Clowns won as schooling fish beat it all.
The other things is that we should not prevent people from entering. So what if someone won before in the year. We should open it up for everybody, every month. This way we get the best pictures.
3 :thumbs_up::thumbs_up::thumbs_up:

[Still Learning]

4) Member may only win once per year with the exception of POTY.


I don't really care if a person wins a bunch of times...even if they are a professional photographer. Maybe they will teach a workshop on picture taking at one of the meetings!!!

[Kristy]

Well, if we do decide to do any tweaking of the rules, I would LOVE to have a little more advance notice of future topics to allow more time to prepare. BECAUSE...

I travel 6 or 8 weeks at a time, so I would have to plan way in advance
I prefer to take photos when my tank is in optimum condition: right after the water change when the glass is all clean
even then, I'm not a very good photographer, so I really have to take a thousand shots, trying different flashes, etc. until I finally get one that works.
I often would like to participate but never do because I don't have / make the time to get the right shot. I know I would have more participation with more prep time, and I bet there are a few others out there that would too.

[Europhyllia]

I would LOVE more prep time as well. :)

[Pennies2Cents]

Hello Everyone,

It seems that the POTM may indeed need a review of its rules.

However, Still Learning, I believe with this rule it gives everyone a chance to win.. :angel:

We had an issue with the same person winning last year, and no one was submitting their pics. Dont get me wrong those pics were of great quality and nice and may have very well deserved to win after all it is a photo contest. (POTM= PICTURE OF THE MONTH) Still, complaints were made and a rule was created to resolve the issue.

Although the topics of the POTM have not always been in everyone's favor I do try my best to go by what the list by members in this thread has offered.

In the future what I can do is I can create a thread of each topic being chosen a couple (2) weeks in advance with an actual week to allow for submissions.. I think this is definately plenty of prep time. (no rule) just something I want to do, to help continue the success of the POTM.. :bigsmile:

I do not want to make this a contest with so many rules. In opinion it just wouldnt be fun.

As of right now I will look into was exactly needs tweeking in the rules and will get back to you just as soon as I am able. In the mean time thanks all for voicing your opinions and thoughts. :bigsmile: Keep those ideas coming...

[Gseclipse02]

hey eve i was wondering it said we win a shirt of we are the potm but how do we get that shirt ?

[Pennies2Cents]

pm sent JT. :) Its on its way!

[Still Learning]

Heheheh...I cannot take credit since it was Orion that made the original suggestion...I was just agreeing with him.

OrionN

The other things is that we should not prevent people from entering. So what if someone won before in the year. We should open it up for everybody, every month. This way we get the best pictures. If we want this to be a true contest and the best picture win, then have minimal restriction, both for the subject the photographer.

Perhaps you should bring it to a vote and see what the members want. Who knows...maybe the other rules take care of one person winning so often. Heck, if it were up to me it would be open to web members too.

[Pennies2Cents]

Charter members also need to have some perks and this is one of them. I wouldnt want to take away that privilege.

However, If it is you the charter members that are asking for a review and reduction of rules to open up the POTM, then the only way we can sort this out is by asking you the charter members via poll.

I will create a separate thread here in this forum to allow for a discussion to get different views & opinions about the POTM rules and once the discussion is complete a poll with then be set up for you all to vote.

In the mean time, can we please get back on track with the ideas for the POTM contests in the future....

Thanks
Eve

[HoppyBunny]

Pests...I cold get some great pictures of the aiptasia that seem to be so happy in my tank , or the asterina that are eating my coraline or even the redbugs I deserved to get for not dipping all corals before introducing to the tank.

[Still Learning]

It would also be kinda cool but might be a pain to do, but have a sticky with the past POTM/Y in one thread. It would be cool to just scroll through them. So many cool shots.

[Kristy]

Or -I saw on a website recently - a slide show in one area of the home page of the winners from the past year. It was a cool touch, and of course one that we'd have to get Brian involved on if it's doable.

[Pennies2Cents]

It would also be kinda cool but might be a pain to do, but have a sticky with the past POTM/Y in one thread. It would be cool to just scroll through them. So many cool shots.

I can see what I can do later tonight~ :) Shouldnt be too hard..


Let me work on it! :)