I'd like to start a discussion about this gif problem I've been seeing.... When I first started here, I was very against gifs, most of the reason was because I would see them getting far more votes than good static images. So.... here we are again.

Why is it that I see lately that gifs seem to get a free pass when it comes to quality? Shouldn't gifs be held to the same standards we apply to static images? Why do (IMPO) crap gifs beat out really good static image work? Is it because OMG it moves? Shouldn't we still pay attention to the shadows and highlights like we would have to in a static image? Yes it moves, but is it done properly? I'm sick of people voting for crap gifs just because they've been animated!

Ask yourself, would I vote for a single frame of this? or am I only voting because it moves? I don't think if you hold static images to such a high standard that gifs shouldn't be held in that exact same light. Yes I know theres KB issues, but look at some of my gifs like this http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/144254/one-of-those-days-gif.html it IS possible!!!
heres a single shot from that http://img264.imageshack.us/my.php?image=haybalepeoplesv1.jpg

people who have done outstanding static work are getting the shaft because we all seem to be enamored with the fact that someone took some cut outs and moved them across the screen.

so tell me what do you look for when you view these things...

discuss.

I'm with you Sean. But the most voted chop is not a gif.
The reason i vote on a gif are both reasons you talked about. First of all it has to be well worked. 2°) the animation as to seem real.
If i make 15 great frames but i'm not able to put them all together in the right way, my work is lost.
So , a real good gif has to be a good chop + a nice and real animation work.
This is my point of view

If it is done poorly, I do not vote. Sometimes humor gets votes even tho quality is not great and sometimes humor is easier to accomplish with a gif. Maybe that is why they get votes. I also used to never vote for gifs. Sometimes I do get caught in the magic because I suck at making gifs.

-

heres what I consider quality when it comes to good gif making...

bigbuck (one of the best ever gif makers here)
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/93415/gringo.html
he always pays attention to details!


granulated is another one
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/109860/pedal-scooter-gif.html
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/130530/bounce-gif.html

one of the best gifs
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/119510/windy--gif-.html

abraham too.
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/128240/rock-star-gif.html


so tell me what do you look for when you view these things...

I think you're actually one of the ones who pay attention to smaller details. I have no issue with you Twk.
My issue is with people who disregard every thing highlight/shaodows movement just to garnish 30-40 votes.

I just want people to start looking more closely at what they're voting for.
OK I get humor, and I'm not immune either. I've done some craptacular gifs too. I'm not perfect. I would just like people to hold these things in the same light they hold every other image here. there shouldn't be a double standard, or there should be two contests. one for static, and one for animation. period.

I'm tired of seeing good static work getting the shaft to something less than it, just because it moves.

I don't vote for gifs or only unless they are outstanding.

I applaud you for that!

see, when I make a gif, I do it for fun. I'm not looking to win anything with it. I do however try to pay attention to every detail just as I would if I was making it a static image. if the votes come great, if people like you, would just want to comment that is fine with me as well. I'm no longer in this to have my ego stroked.

But it amazes me how many votes some of these gifs get when their work isn't up to par with the top 10 or so static entries that are around it.

things i look for when I vote for gifs
1) would this gif do well if it was a stand alone static image?
2) do they pay attention to details such as shadow/highlight and movement
3) cleverness.

I'd like to know what everyone's standards are.
I mean there are 40 or so people who vote on a regular basis....

discuss.

You forgot this one, Sean
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/115086/migration-loop-gif.html

edit*
Anfa can make a mean gif too!
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/129417/learning-to-fly-gif.html

you're right!
that is one of the best i've ever seen here!!!

good one eve! awesome example of what the standard should be.
thats EXACTLY what I'm talking about


FREAKIN QUALITY!

up yours arse holes

producing animations by imageready is like riding on a chicken instead of a horse. when someone can ride this chicken well, and he/she reaches the finish-line, I will vote for. You're right, that there should be similar standards in shadowing etc. like in static chops, no question. But sometimes there are very cool and funny ideas behind those animations, ideas, that burst this chicken due to its poor functions. For me, this would also be worth a vote, especially when it was tried to find a maximum of skills in the animation. Some ideas should be killed right at the beginning, because they just can fail, like motion of hair, complex textures or waves/tide of the sea. But as long people try to improve, its good. Few years ago, I thought animating rain or snow would always look like shite in image-ready. Today I know it is possible, because some people here tried it successfully.

exactly piggy. no question. I know its hard to get things animated and still have them look good. I'm not really questioning quality of looks, cause you do have to get with in 512k.

and rain is a utter pain. but it can be done
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/144254/one-of-those-days-gif.html

I mean come on. just don't be lazy.

I'd love to show my examples of gifs that are crap, that get 40+ votes, but I'm not about to call out people here. I don't think thats fair to them.

and to be fair to open contests.
this isn't really about any one particular contest.

I've just been noticing that some questionable gifs are getting WAY more votes than they would get if say they weren't moving.

I figure this is as good as a time as any to discuss gifs.

ok heres an example of a craptacular gif that ended up with 40 votes
http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/118494/exploring-the-new-world.html

the colors don't match, its just plain bad. and if it were a static image, say with the boat right in the middle... or just the clean up w/o the boat... which is how that one started...

how many votes do you think it would get? 10? 20 tops.
but because OMFG it moves it gets 40? thats my problem.
at least it didn't come in a placed position. I would have been embarrassed.