Are you ready for some Mayhem?

[verchad]

(03-27-2011 05:48 PM)GbyP Wrote:  This is a "OMG it's happening again! They don't realize" tournament tip from yours truly, Insane Panda Dude.

1. Make a Clear Connection to the Theme

What I mean by that is include a reference to the theme anyone can identify. For example, I thought about fully colorizing my Predaturnip's elements so they matched exactly the source. Then I remembered the rule above. Looking at my image it is obvious I used watermelon (for the noggis and shoulder pads) and pineapple for his pecs. I also made sure the image was large enough - making the Predaturnip the focus. With references common to most humans, I felt comfortable using more exotic fruits/veggies for detailed work.

I didn't know this because I'm some chop super stud (that would be Supdog), I learned this from hosting 5 of the last 7 tourneys, seeing great images submitted with sources, but seeing those images failing to connect to the audience (who don't have access to the sources).

I thought verchad's entry was the funniest. I LOL'd. My friends LOL'd. I use my 40" HDTV for my PC monitor - I see all the images BIGG. verchad fully vegitized himself. But because he went HWP to his local subjects, it was difficult to see his work. I thought the image would have been just as funny (and his work clear) if he put himself front & center in the foreground - just a head and shoulders shot - and slightly blurred his potato friends in the background, sortof like having your picture taken in front of a landmark.

The same with impishimpi - how he framed it made it difficult to discern vegetation. In BIG-O-VISION, I could tell that it was not human by the skin texture and hair mostly, but even I had to clarify with Clink.

In rounds where no sources are available, subtle & flawless won't win you a pass or trophies - your connection to the theme needs to be clear. When I get the galleries set up, look at the winning (round & tournament) images of the past and you will see that this is true.

An argument has been made that we should include sources in all rounds. But very few competition sites outside MS allow sources to be shown with entries - including Fark - so it is good practice.

Don't assume you've made a connection, ask a nearby non-chopper friend or family member: "Can you see see what I'm doing here?" If they can't, add or alter it so they can. Remember, choppers are people too. Make it clear to all people and you'll make it clear with us too.

Panda PSA

You are so right about seeing the detail by changing the size of the image, I didn't think of that. I guess that's why you make the big bucks here, LOL