Thanks to all the judges who graciously give of their time to judge model contests. It is a lot of work, often times thankless!
A few points I might mention based on conversations I have had with various judges over the years (mostly judges in NMRA model contests). 1) Depending on the volume of models to be judged, most judges I've spoken with are happy to provide unattributed comments on areas for improvement (unattributed means the comments would come from the judging team as whole, not a judge by name on the team). Some judging teams will record comments on models when requested as they go through the judging process -- it is much harder to do afterwards. Almost none wanted to provide comments later. And all said comments were private to modeler. One judge related one contest where the entrant was asked to attach an additional blank page (yellow paper was used) with some basic header info to identify the model/modeler (modeler filled in), at the back of the entrance form/package when they brought the model to the context room. That was the signal to the judges that the entrant would appreciate comments - if the judges saw that page, they would/could make notations on that page for the model. Then after judging, all those yellow pages were removed by the contest committee and stored. When the modeler came by to pick up their model, they could ask for the yellow page if they had attached one. 2) Out of more than a dozen judges I've chatted with over the years, I've run across two judges who had very specific policies if the modeler had requested the judge not handle the model. One judge said he simply recused himself from judging that model -- if he could not examine all facets of the model (e.g., by lifting and/or turning), he simply did not judge the model. (Non-destructive means of examination of course). Another judge told me his policy was that if he could not touch the model, the model could never get all the points in one or more of the judging categories, because he felt he was prevented from making a close examination of all aspects of the model. He did not give anymore specifics, but I clearly read between the lines that the model would be unlikely to take a first place or best in show. 3) Effort - judges opinions on "quantified effort" (my words) as reported by the entrant were all over the place. A couple of judges indicated that they took quantified effort into account in Amateur class, but not in the higher classes. A couple of others have told me they did not consider it at all. It's all about the result. One judge said it made no difference to him whether the entrant spent 2 hours, 20 hours, 200 hours or 2000 hours on a model. What was the quality of the finished result? Of course he did agree that usually more hours may mean a better quality model. But modelers have all different skill levels to start with and work at all different paces. So factoring in the weeks or hours someone worked on a model was generally not fair to all. Just a few notes from past conversations with some judges... Michael Greene Sent from my iPad On Aug 14, 2013, at 1:55 PM, Bob Werre <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Roger is totally correct regarding what typically happens in the contest > room. Everything has it's compromises, there are lighting issues, height > issues, security issues, qualification issues, and transporting the models > isn't easy anymore. So I applaud those who take enough pride in their work > to display it at these shows. > > As I mentioned before I believe I have a perfect record when it comes to not > damaging models during my photo sessions as Roger has also accomplished. I > hadn't even thought about having to move models around as more come in. > Asking 20 entrants to move their models isn't a task I would wish on anyone. > So I think we need to have some understanding that the judges who might turn > a model around, or the contest room 'guards/helpers' who might rearrange > things a bit, and even a photographer, need to be granted some slack in doing > their job. Of course, I can understand those who don't want anybody near > their models--I guess that's why so many drawers and closets are full of > models <G>. > > All that being said, many of us have seen the U Tube videos of the Fed and > UPS delivery guys tossing electronics over the fence too. When I was > shooting the last "This is S" brochure, I thought it would be nice to feature > our manufacturers to the North in the publication. Andy Malette sent down > one of his engines, upon arrival there was some damage. We don't know if it > was the shipping companies or perhaps customs officials. Well I still > photographed the engine and after I was happy with the shot then sent it > back. Apparently the shipping 'gods' again played their mischief and > returned it even more damaged. In the meantime Andy moved causing delays, so > collecting insurance wasn't going to happen. In this situation we had two > post office departments, and who knows how many customs/homeland departments > involved. Hopefully the governments will stay out of contests! > > So this brings up a couple of thoughts that perhaps an insurance agent might > answer--are our models insured against such damage or even theft when out of > the home. These items could be stolen from the car, hotel room, disappear in > luggage or simply be dropped. I understand a table of RR china collapsed on > a sales table once--I can only imagine that damage! > > Another thing--does anyone know if there is a 'big book' someplace of all the > contest models, what class they were entered into and what scores they > received? I don't think I've kept any of my paperwork but obviously kept the > ribbons and a few plaques. I also assume that our models that were entered > into a NASG contest are probably not transferable to the NMRA records--is > that correct? > > Bob Werre > PhotoTraxx >> boB, >> >> You have a good attitude. That’s why I like to build all my own stuff, so I >> know that I can always fix it. I’ve entered several modeling contests, and >> have had only minor repairs to make. I’m not sure if the judges or the >> viewers did the damage. Actually, I’ve done more damage transporting the >> model to and from the convention! >> >> I have also worked a few contest rooms, and can say that the models >> typically had to be rearranged for space as new models were entered. And it >> would be impossible for judges to do a proper job of evaluating an entry >> without at least turning it around. It just goes with the territory. At >> the narrow gauge convention last year in Seattle, I carefully moved about 20 >> models for Don Heimburger, editor of the '”Sn3 Modeler”, to a table that he >> had set up with a background and lights for shooting images for his >> magazine. Hopefully, I didn’t break anything, or leave any noticeable >> fingerprints. All the volunteers had cloth gloves. >> >> Roger Nulton > > > >
