Could someone explain the size limit to me please? I understand bandwidth might be an issue, but why not strongly encourage people use free image hosting sites (which are extremely prevalent nowadays) to avoid that concern? Or make using larger photos contingent upon using an outside host (which would effectively 'force' anyone with common sense to use an outside host).
With picture of the day threads far exceeding the number of pictures this forum gets, and having no regulation, I just don't see this restriction as practical. Either add restrictions to those, or remove the restrictions from these, for consistency's sake. Especially considering the fact that this is a contest (I know it's for fun, but it's still a contest), I would think this would therefore be given 'bandwidth priority' over a picture-of-day thread. By limiting pictures to 700 x 525, you're limiting so much of the beautiful details in the pictures. What's the point in having this contest in the first place if only half of the pictures' detail can be made out? I'm not trying to cause any drama or anything, I just think an explanation here would be good; if there is no explanation outside of those I've anticipated, I think it might be time to reconsider the rules.
It is a good question and I will try to explain it, although, I didn't create the contests...only continued them, so whatever reason the original creator's of the contest had for making these rules, I don't know for sure. I only know educated guesses and I also only know why I continue them.
There is a set limit size b/c there has to be a fairness in these contests. I have to find a way to make a "fair" standard. It has been noted before, in previous contests, when I allowed photos to be of any size (the rules were in place, but I was very lenient on them at the time) that photos that were larger, sometimes had unfair advantages against other photos, that while beautiful, were smaller, so people didn't see them for the amazing photos that they were. And I got people who complained. With the way the contest is set up now, it is very fair and all photos are "equal." None have unfair advantages b/c of size.
Now, I noticed you said that when a photo is smaller, you don't notice all the details, however, if a photo is brilliant, you shouldn't need it to be bigger just to make it appear better. It will be great on it's on merits and not rely on the size to up that brillance.
I am not in control of the picture of the day threads...therefore, I have no say in what size photos are put in there...but these are contests that I run and I do have a say in what size I think photos should be.
I also do worry about bandwith. I don't want to create any problems for Steve here, at least no more than he already has to put up with. If I can help keep the bandwith usage down by keeping the sizes smaller, then good. He already has to pay enough for bandwith. This to me is fair.
I agree with what Regina and Nicole had to say about the sizing of the photos as well. Even though I have a large monitor (I think it's even bigger than my tv in my bedroom!), I still don't see all the photo on the screen when it is larger than 700x525. (My computer at work doesn't allow for that, and while my computer at home does, most of the time, I don't have my screen set in widescreen, AOL keeps it smaller). The "smaller" size allows for EVERYONE to see the images fully on their screens.
Also, it would take longer for images to load on the screen. While you may not care if someone has dial up or not...I have to take that into account b/c these contests are for everyone and I have to try to accomodate that.
In the 2 years that I have done these contests, the sizing issue has been the most discussed. It has been brought up to me multiple times, but I believe that the way the rules are set up is fair. It is not difficult to resize images to fit to the size that is stipulated. Sites like Photobucket have it easily accesible for you to do so. And many have things like Photoshop, which also makes it easier to resize images to the right size.
I am sorry that there are those of you who feel that this is "too small" a size for these contests...but as of right now, I am not changing my mind. Maybe when I do the contest for next year, I will up the size, but that's still something that I haven't decided yet and I think that you can understand why, at least from what I explained. B/c I am not just looking out for one person, I am attempting to be fair for all. And to me, 700x525 is a fair size. And everyone then has a somewhat "fair" advantage.
But trust me, it's been chaos here before too! And it's not been pretty!)
