BYC Contest FAQ (Frequently Ask Questions)
Where are contests?
Most BYC-sponsored contests are held in the Official BYC Contests, Etc. & Caption Contests forums.
Who can enter contests?
Most BYC-sponsored contests are open to all BYC members. However, there are some contests where you must be 18 or older to enter.
Are all contests judged?
No, we have many types of contests.
- Judged - All article contests & most photo contests are judged.
- Random draw - In some contests, including some photo contests, winners are picked randomly using www.random.org.
- Trivia/Scavenger Hunt - In trivia/scavenger hunt contests, the first person to reply correctly gets points. When the contest ends, the person with the most points wins.
- Reactions - Winners are chosen by the most reactions given to their entry.
- Threads/Members/Messages - In Threads/Members/Messages guessing contests, the winners are the ones that pick the date & time that is closest to the date and time the target is reached.
- Candy Contests - Candy contests run until someone guesses the exact number of candies.
No, but your friend is welcome to make an account and enter.
Can I enter the same picture in more than one contest?
You may enter the same picture in any contest if it has not won an award in another BYC-sponsored contest.
Can I enter contests with my other account(s)?
No, only one account can enter a contest.
How are photo contests judged?
All entries get entered into a Google spreadsheet, then a panel of judges scores each qualified entry on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the best.
Who judges the contests?
Contests are judged by a panel of volunteers.
Can I judge contests?
Yes, you only need a laptop or a desktop computer with a 13" or larger screen. If you want to judge some contests, start a conversation with me or one of the other VPMs.
Can anyone start a contest?
Yes! As long as BYC rules are followed, anyone can start an unofficial contest. One of the forums where people start contests is the Online Poultry Show forum.
Do the contest Prizes expire?
Yes, you have 15 days to redeem your prize. If you have not redeemed your prize in 15 days, the PFM will automatically be applied to your account.
Can I gift a store gift certificate to another member?
No, but you can gift the PFM to someone else.
Some contests say, "Images that have been resized might be disqualified if they are too small to judge." What does this mean?
Resizing an image can impact the quality and clarity of the image, which can make it unsuitable for use in a photo contest. Here are some reasons why:
1. Loss of detail: When you resize an image, the software has to make adjustments to the image's pixels to fit it into the new size. These adjustments can cause a loss of detail and clarity in the image, making it less sharp and less impressive for the judges.
2. Pixelation: When an image is resized too much, it can become pixelated or blurry, which can be distracting for viewers and judges.
3. Different aspect ratio: Resizing an image can change the aspect ratio, which can affect the composition and appearance of the image. This can be seen as a deviation from the original composition of the image and, therefore, viewed as not suitable for contest entry.
4. Different file format: Resizing an image can also affect the file format, which can have an effect on image quality. Depending on the photo contest, some specific file formats and sizes may be required or recommended for entry.
In summary, while resizing images can be useful in many contexts, it may not be suitable for photo contests. To avoid losing valuable details, clarity, and composition, it's important to check the specific submission guidelines of the photo contest before submitting your entry, and to prepare the image accordingly.
Why aren't screenshots allowed in judged photo contests?
While screenshots are a quick and easy way to capture an image from a computer or device screen, they are generally not considered appropriate for use in most photo contests. This is because they typically lack the quality and resolution necessary for producing a high-quality print or display image.
Screenshots are usually saved at a lower resolution than actual photos, which can lead to a loss of detail and clarity when printed or displayed. Additionally, screenshots often have a low pixel density, which can result in blurry or pixelated images.
In most photo contests, organizers typically require that entries be high-resolution images that meet certain size and format requirements, such as JPEG or PNG files. These requirements are in place to ensure that all submitted images are of high quality and can be printed or displayed properly.
In short, while screenshots can be useful for capturing images in certain contexts, they are generally not considered suitable or appropriate for use in most photo contests.
