Online Judging Contest using Pictures & Videos

[Lam Nguyen]

Hi guys, I don't know if this has been done before, but I was wondering if it's possible for us to have an online judging contest using both pictures and videos of koi via youtube. I know that it still doesn't beat physically looking at koi in a show vat, but it should sure beat just pictures alone.

The criteria will be to have two or three pictures and a 1-3min clip of your koi that you want to submit. We will choose one class at a time and have people submit their pictures and videos over a period of, let's say, one to two weeks. The owners will do their own benching by telling us a little bit about the koi: length, age, breeder, etc.

Then we will start the judging. Perhaps we will start with the newbie's comments and work our way up, culminating in the judging of the AKCA and ZNA judges that post on this forum. I think that this will be a great learning experience for all of us, regardless of our knowledge and background. I, myself, know that I will benefit greatly from such an exercise.

Anyways, please let me know what you guys think.

[aquitori]

This was suggested before Lam, some think an online Koi Show thingy isn't the best....

[Lam Nguyen]

Thanks for the response, Tonio. Just thought I would ask. Bummer, this would have been a great way to learn online.

[koiczar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lam Nguyen Thanks for the response, Tonio. Just thought I would ask. Bummer, this would have been a great way to learn online.

Lam

Trying to judge fish from pictures is difficult at best! Learning from photos is even tougher, IMHO! Seeing fish in person is THE BEST WAY!

Mike

[Sangreaal]

Lam, I think it's a great idea. Sure, nothing is as good as physically in person, but pictures and videos can be the next best thing for people to practice with. Only thing...they've got to be absolutely positively clear and close. Can't do a "Winkie" and get away with it, and not everyone has a decent digital camera to make pics and videos with.

It would be a fun exercise nonetheless.

[cppond]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sangreaal Lam, I think it's a great idea. Sure, nothing is as good as physically in person, but pictures and videos can be the next best thing for people to practice with. Only thing...they've got to be absolutely positively clear and close. Can't do a "Winkie" and get away with it, and not everyone has a decent digital camera to make pics and videos with. It would be a fun exercise nonetheless.

We did a very simple one on another site that was very entertaining and informative with just pics. There are a lot of practical limitations, and we are trying to implement video for the next one, but we will probably start out only using video in a few classes to see how that works.

It's obviously not the same as a real show, but it is something to do in the winter, for instance.

[PapaBear]

Hi Carl.
Something to do in the winter... In our case that would be adding another thing to obsess about along with the growout contest, going through HUNDREDS of pix from AJS, etc.........................
but one more thing can't hurt

[dick benbow]

I have never been comfortable with trying to teach from pictures because there are things that cannot be learned from them including video, which does allow you to see movement and carriage.

the other side of the coin is that in cases where no shows or high quality individuals are availble to have access to, this effort ( tho not quite up to what would be hoped) would be better than nothing.

I think what has to be considered is the amount of work and expense to produce such an effort in relationship to the anticipated reward or benefit.

A think a natural for this effort would be Brady's koi Fixx, that could cover a show and then
dub in a voice over of the judges commentary on the individual award winners.

Lam, you always thinking....keep it up!

[Lam Nguyen]

Thanks guys for the feedback. I was just trying to recommend something for us to do to kill the doldrum winter time, especially for those unlucky fellas who didn't participate in the grow-out contest.....myself included (kickin' myself in the rear as I type this right now). I understand that while pictures and videos are nowhere close to live judging, but at least it beats not doing anything at all.

Dick brought up a good point in whether this will be more beneficial than the work that goes into producing pixs and videos, and I am not sure as to what the answer to this will be. But I am going to give this a try over the next couple of weeks. In fact, I will try and take pics and videos of the koi at the Toshio Sakai seminar and see if I can post them on this forum....with Mr. Sakai's permission, ofcourse! I will also try and take pics and videos of the koi in my collection as well. While I know that they are not that nice, at least it gives us something to do. AND, if our Dick Benbow and Steven Joneli will approve, I will take pics and videos of the Sakai tosai at the Tosai Selection seminar in High Desert Koi this April and post them.

I think that this is a very good exercise, especially for those who, due to lack of time, finance or location, cannot attend many live shows. This will give them (myself included) a chance to look at the judging criteria that are used and to see what the judges are looking at. Anyways, will try and see if I can launch this off over the next few weeks.

Thanks again guys!

[koiczar]

Lam

Your energy and excitement over this contest will probably get a lot of attention and interest. You're right, it can't hurt. As Marie stated, the pics will have to be very high resolution to really capture any visual stimulation about the subject. As long as the expectations of learning about things such as skin lustre, nerikome, actual "color" and body volume (depth/shape) aren't at the top of the priority list, I think it will be fun. The things I mentioned are really only understood when looking at the subject "in person". I say, GO FOR IT! I'll try my best to support it!

Mike