I am just wondering..I'm sorry if i offend anybody..
should we separate the contest according to the camera used?
you know: have 2 separate contest where 1 for people without access to SLR and the other one for the pro photographer or people with SLR

I am starting to feel that in order to win this contest, you have to take the picture with at least a Nikon D40 or better.. (it's almost like an unspoken rule)- there's almost no chance for someone with ordinary digital camera can win.
Not that i am complaining..

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CARE FOR VEILED AND PANTHER CHAMELEON AT:
http://chamworld.blogspot.com

It's all about how you use the camera... I don't use an SLR or anything. Here's what I use:
http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/d...sp?newsID=3204

With all due respect, it's not entirely the camera being used, it's the person using it. Even a POS Point and Shoot, in the right hand's can take photos that are pleasing and top contenders in the contest. Heck there is this new fad in the photography world that is "Cell Phone Photography". Some of the photos being produced are done so well that you wouldn't be able to guess it was a cell phone. It's knowing your tool, and making the best of it.

If you are having trouble taking chameleon photos, then post about it in the photography forum. Many members are ready and willing to offer advise on improving.

Contrary to what you may think, a lot of the winners are likely not using high end cameras, but just market standard ones, that they have figured out how to operate well enough.

In addition to that, some of the winners or top voted images, have been of poorer quality, but make up for it in the subject and capture itself.

So let's rephrase that last sentence of yours: "there's almost no chance for someone with ordinary digital camera can win." if they aren't going to put effort into making the photo, and mastering the camera.

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WILL HAYWARD

Yeah, the Canon G9 isn't an SLR at all and it's really breaking ground for a digital point and shoot. Someone with a G9 would have a lot of advantages in a non-SLR class.

I agree that it's not the size of your lense, it's how you use it. BUT...I would still consider those with really lower level point and shoots are at a slight disadvantage. I'd agree with Will, know your tool and it's limits.

I'm a forensic specialist and you can great pictures with a point and shoot if that's all you have. I use a Nikon N80 currently and will be using a D80 shortly

A great photo involves a few things....framing the picture...lighting..shadow...distance...holding the camrea steady as you depress the button....and don't forget the subject has to be immoblie. A chameleon can be a trick to photograph, not to mention getting that "perfect" pose or moment.

There is alot more to a picture than just the gear.

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Ralph
1 CH baby Meller's surrounded by lots of horny Tree boas.......

Well this is funny cause i spend quite a bit on my digital cam a few years ago and i have always loved it for taking pics but to take one of the cham is horrible. But this is the funny part my cell phone actually takes way better pics look here is the difference..

the first 2 are with my dig cam the last 3 are my camera phone it's crazy!!!

hey dodolah remember when i tried to get a shot of her foot to determine sex lol well it was so blurry it was driving u nuts lol look at pic #3 what do ya think

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www.freewebs.com/peeka-boo-daisy-designs
Owner of:1 Female Veild Cham,2 Yorkies, a black cat and a black lab

Everyone has a great point, but if you look back through the contest archives how many P&S have won?
Unless it was a funny or cute picture a SLR has won.
A lot has changed in the past couple years during the photo contest too.
The amount of pictures entered every month is huge.
Only the clearest and sharpest 12 pictures usually make it to voting.

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Sunshine Chameleons
SunshineChameleons.com

You have to remember, someone who does pro photography, or photography as a hobby just doesn't take 1 picture. i'm sure they take hundreds and fine the perfect shot. Most point and shoot users are going to take 1 or 2 pictures.
If you have a point and shoot, take tons of pictures adjusting your settings in between. don't just leave it on auto and expect a pic to have perfect lighting and exposure.
I don't use a slr just a standard 5.1 finepix z1. Some pictures are just like picture perfect when playing with all the settings.

This morning i just ordered a Hybrid. Canon s5 IS, Which is an advanced point and shoot camera. What would this be classified under? slr or p&s if they WERE to separate contest???? It's like a point and shoot except i have much more manual settings?

Maybe instead of talks about dividing the contest, there should be a contest on creativity. Regardless of how crisp and clear the camera is.
Right now there are tons of pics of chams with either headshoots, or just sitting on a branch. How exciting is that huh?
That may solve the issue on slr vs ps.

I am into photography and use a very poor camera, but manage to take some beautiful artistic pictures. I'd post some examples, but I still haven't been able to work out the attachments thing yet. It keeps saying there are errors on the page. But I do wish the no editing rule was taken away. A lot of inadequacies of a poor camera can be fixed with the simplest of photo-editing system. My camera always makes pictures turn out very dull in color so I like to edit a bit. This levels out the playing field too. The editing process is something that is integral to the work of nearly all professional photographers today as well. It is not looked down upon because a photograph is art, and the editing process is simply a chance for the photographer to finalize his or her creative vision. That's why I am a bit frustrated about the no editing rule in the competition. I can do it, but I feel like it restrains me from showing my pictures the way that I intended.

Let's see if this works...