Looking over this month's (July) entries in the 'show me what you've got' screenshot contest, I'm struck by the quality of these 'unedited in any way' entries.  Little as I know about screenshots, I'll still venture that most of these perfectly arranged, lighted and colored submissions are several steps beyond what showed up when they first hit 'v'.  How many of the screenshot heavyhitters do you see in these 'level playing field' contests.  Get real - let everyone edit. 

Any particular shots that you think may be edited?

I've had a look and nothing is obvious to me.
We have had a few cases of editing but these have all been removed in the past, otherwise it'll come down to who has the most powerful PC and best software...

Perhaps I don't understand the rules.  My idea of editing is cropping and any other image enhancement features found on various freeware/payware editing programs.  The rules say that none of this is allowed other than resizing to 150kb.  My equipment, while not 'state of the art', is well above 'entry level' and I have a fair idea of what makes a good screenshot but, unless there's something I'm missing, I've yet to have a 'raw' shot - click 'v', adjust 'view' (technically editing) then resize to 150kb - come out looking anything like contest material.

It's obvious most of the shots are unedited, but some I see, I have to say, there is no way that someone can have their sim lookinh that well without some payware add-on or edit. I also find that it's find of unfair for those people that can't afford a fancy, powerful computer, and can't run there settings as high and such. Letting people edit might help those that can't get a fancy computer. That's just me. ;) I'm arguing with myself on this subject right now. I can't make up my mind! :D

Well, you have yet to point out specitifc shots that are of concern. That might help your point.

Also, if you think that a computer gives an unfair advantage, what do you expect to do. You suggest editing, but if you want that, the weekly JC contests typically allow that. I don't see any reason to change the rules of the "main" screenshot contest here. SimV is about freeware, quality addons. So, if you see high quality freeware shots in the contest, wouldn't that simply mean we have met our goal as a site?

8-)

B-Valvs wrote on Jul 28^th, 2010 at 2:04pm:

Well, you have yet to point out specitifc shots that are of concern. That might help your point. Also, if you think that a computer gives an unfair advantage, what do you expect to do. You suggest editing, but if you want that, the weekly JC contests typically allow that. I don't see any reason to change the rules of the "main" screenshot contest here. SimV is about freeware, quality addons. So, if you see high quality freeware shots in the contest, wouldn't that simply mean we have met our goal as a site? 8-)

You've caused my internal argument with myself to become even worse.  ;D

I have just looked through every entry, and I simply don't see the issue you describe. Other than shots labeled "non-entry" and 1 other post that has already been found to contain payware, everything looks fair to me.

8-)

B-Valvs wrote on Jul 28^th, 2010 at 2:04pm:

Well, you have yet to point out specitifc shots that are of concern. That might help your point.

Nor am I going to.  Every once in a while I find something I disagree with and have this annoying habit of saying so.  Unfortunately my 'raw' screenshots would never survive the cut - guess I'm destined to edit :).

Remember, anybody, no matter what system they have can take a great shot.


You only need 1FPS to take a fantastic screenshot. ;)

Mitch. wrote on Jul 28^th, 2010 at 9:38pm:

Remember, anybody, no matter what system they have can take a great shot. You only need 1FPS to take a fantastic screenshot. ;)

Probably the best point made in this thread, and one that most people (including me) didn't even think of.  ;)

8-)

olderndirt wrote on Jul 27^th, 2010 at 9:39pm:

Little as I know about screenshots, I'll still venture that most of these perfectly arranged, lighted and colored submissions are several steps beyond what showed up when they first hit 'v'.

While I understand what you're saying, let me reassure you my screenshot is not edited. Depending on the amount of darkness outside this particular S-3 Viking, the cockpit view has a red glow/hue which makes parts of the co-pilot's helment red in color.

As to how radiant that red glow is I cannot tell you as I have cataracts and don't see colors like I should with better vision. 

I think if there are ever edits, they're usually very obvious.

Part of the contest is staying within the rules, but trying to find ways to 'get around them'. No editing is allowed, so in order to get multi-angles you need to use several screens or load up several views within the flight simulator. To get decent lighting you need to change the bloom settings so that they're as they should be. For night vision you need to get another download. For the moon and clouds there's a download for that.


I think the competition is quite fair. Even if editing was allowed, it would be biased to the people with the best talents and the best software... That's kind of how it is already! If you need to spruce up your shot, then get downloading addons!


Part of the fun of the contest is replicating the results of editing, but managing to do that with the power of the simulator alone.