Well, that exactly what they look at don't they? Someone could a have a $10000 rig and still make the worst shots...Screenshots are all about art...the angle, setting, lighting...all these come into consideration I suppose during judging...

AFIAK, myself and Mr.Mugel do not have the greatest systems at all. In fact, looking at your system specs, my computer is actually worse than yours!

I have to be honest but it is better to have a decent pc with  flight sim because it has so much to offer.
It's an expensive sim so why play on a crappy rig ???

I made it to finals once back when my video card sucked, so I don't think that it's really an issue.

Thanks for the words Dave, but it just shows that a simple shot can go that far, in my sig there are my specs, you wont find to many crappier PCs around here, I think.

But it works, I have fun with it, that´s what it´s all about, and it´s creativity that makes a good shot, sure a high end rig can easier produce visually stunning pics, but that´s not allways what the judges look for.

And I think many people seem to vote that way, too, look at the amount of votes I got, such a simple shot, with such a crappy system.

That´s what makes taking decent screens hard.

Let´s keep this contest on, I had many of these moments in which I thought my shot could have gone further, but it didn´t and that´s the way it goes.

Allways remember, the contest is not only to win, not only for the prize, but it´s the fun you have, looking at all the decent pics entered, thinking about options for great screens yourself.

FWIW......
MR. Mugel  got my vote simply because of the fantastic composition of the pic.

As a long time  photography  buff, I learned years ago that composition is of upmost importance and all the fancy equpiment and effects can not equal a simple pic with great composition.

Mr. Mugel illustrated brilliantly that  you do not need a high end sys to take great pics..

It's probably not the quality of the rig that gets a screenshot into the finals.  But I'm still not sure what does make the difference.  There have been some comps here where I've looked at the finalists and known at once which should be the winnner (IMHO).  Other times I haven't bothered to vote because I didn't think ANY of the finalists were that good.  I have yet to figure out what criteria the judges use to select the finalists each month.  But then, my taste in art is rarely mainstream.

Don't forget there are also monthly screenshot competitions at www.screenshotart.com, and not just for FS2004.

Gryshnak

Maybe someone is a little annoyed that they didn't get into the final...

A high tech rig should make no difference. Its all about angle and lighting.

I agree.  I have had some pretty good shots over the last several months and never made it to the finals.  I appreciate over 600 views per month on those, but here it is about software and "thinking outside the box".

Most of the time a screenshot wins due to the angle of the shot, and these are not default angles.  The pilot that has the Corsair shot this month had a view that held a strong contention.  This is something I need to work on.

The new photo-realistic scenery screenshots are going to be taking the trophies home, so you might as well start downloading.  I will continue to keep trying in hopes of earning a plaque and a name in Simiviation history.  

I totally agree with you Mees/Buff!!  

My computer can't even run FS2004 and no matter how well-setup my FS2002 shot is, I will never make it to the finals. However,why would I want to? What should I do with FS2004 Payware??    

I just participate in the contests for fun.   

But if you are capable of running FS2004 on your system, as said before: it doesn't really matter that much what rig you have, as long as it can run at 800 x 600... The videocard is just there to smoothen the edges a bit, to round the curves a bit and to put in some minor effects.  

Contest = hammer it to the max. 1600x1200 even without fsaa will smooth a little when resizing

It doesnt have to be your day-to-day flyable detail setting for screenshot taking...

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But thats my problem.  I think that I have great composition in my shots.  I try really hard to get a good angle, lighting, the whole shabang.  I dont focus on quality, and yet, Ive never made it to the finals

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Actually it's "look at Mr. Mugels' ZEPPELIN!!!!! shot.


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No you need a Zeppelin.

Groan not this topic again. PLease - as John Major said (former Prime Minister in the UK) and I think its probably a common saying; "If you can't stand loosing don't enjoy winning" or words to that effect.

If people can't play then send them away.