Nowadays I presume everyone has a facebook. Recently I got an invitaion from a professional photographer, who is calling his friends to vote his photograph, in order to win the grand prize - 100 thousand mileage points! sounds fascinating? In fact, it's not! At least from my point of view!
The photo contest is hosted by DBS bank Hong Kong, and in my opinion the entire voting system is just completely wrong!
If it is a real photography contest, it ought to have judges for the assessment, not necessary have the professionals in photography field, but at least it has someone's aesthetic viewpoint to criticize the pictures. This company leaves this important role to the public, which means
everyone has the opportunity to vote, to get involved, to be a judge! It pretends to be open but the fact is all the contesters have been utilized as a tool in an advertising campaign.
Let me explane, the DBS bank's new promotion has used a new promoting system called wildfire, through the popular social communication network such as myspace and fackbook to get extensive attentions and maximise the marketing results. I won't deny the idea and the use of the multi-level marketing, but if you use such advertising method to conduct a photography contest, then would the contest have a credibility? would this contest have a capability to winning the public trust?
Perhaps it is my prejudge.
The photo contest is hosted by DBS bank Hong Kong, and in my opinion the entire voting system is just completely wrong!
If it is a real photography contest, it ought to have judges for the assessment, not necessary have the professionals in photography field, but at least it has someone's aesthetic viewpoint to criticize the pictures. This company leaves this important role to the public, which means
everyone has the opportunity to vote, to get involved, to be a judge! It pretends to be open but the fact is all the contesters have been utilized as a tool in an advertising campaign.
Let me explane, the DBS bank's new promotion has used a new promoting system called wildfire, through the popular social communication network such as myspace and fackbook to get extensive attentions and maximise the marketing results. I won't deny the idea and the use of the multi-level marketing, but if you use such advertising method to conduct a photography contest, then would the contest have a credibility? would this contest have a capability to winning the public trust?
When a person submits a photograph to this contest, because everyone can vote his/her 'favorite' picture, presumably that person would advertise his/her work extensively, asking all of his/her friends for a vote to his/her photograph in order to GET THE PRIZE! The entire contest turns to be a promoting act, not for the participants, but for the DBS bank. In other words, this 'photography contest' does not bases on your ability in photography, it only bases on HOW MANY FRIENDS DO YOU HAVE. The more friends you have, the more possibilities you can win the price.
Does this friendship-base voting system sound right in a photography contest? I don't think so! does it reflecting the phenomenon of photographic trend in Hong Kong? I think it does!
If an amateur photographer participates in this competition, I think it's acceptable! If a professional photographer participates in this competition, then I would say BIG NO.
Perhaps it is my prejudge.