What do you look for in a source.
I put the images for the chopperdome source up and let you all pick which one to use. They were all nice pictures, but as for sources, I never would have picked the source that won. (it's just my opinion and by no means was it a bad pick)
I'm just wondering, What makes a good source pic for you.
Are you thinking of how many things you can do with it or do you just think it's a pretty picture, or did you pick it because you like birds or sculpture? Just wondering.

I personally pick sources (Advantage, ChopperDome, for Advantage submission, etc.) based on the number of ideas I get for the chop in the first few seconds.

That's not to say I personally could pull off those ideas. Just if I see lots of possibles I vote for it for a source.

I vote for the simplest source, in terms of what's actually IN the source (i.e. busy source pic = no vote)

I look at the first ... cant find an idea
then look at the second... cant find an idea
look a the 3rd... no idea
stare at the 4th... gues what?
last one... still no idea

and then i just pick the one where its most likely i will get an idea for when the contest is on.

although i am hardly posting since i am again in this "i have no inspiration" time. I hate when that happens!

I look for the one which i think i could be most creative with.

I like something interesting and with the most detail and texture is nice as well.

I'm with DP. I like simple too. I love nice textures, especially rust and old wood, tree bark, etc. I love animals.These things get my creative juices going. I have A.D.D. so busy images turn me off.

I like a source that is tough, something you look at and say "What the hell do I do with that!"....
Something that makes me think about it for a day or two or even a week before even starting.

But not to tough!

It's not so much the subject in the source that i worry about. My biggest problem is with the shot angle/height and the subject angle in the picture.

Having a group of artist submit photo's for source's means you get a lot of strange angles and people hanging from trees upside down with a half twist while taking the photo. Trying to match the angle even close... THAT MAKES THE GOOGLE SEARCH GODS MAD.

For sources I like open shots...with distance in them....hell, just'a skyline every now and then would be nice. Close ups are for peoples faces...but not for Tulips...unless it's two lips (the kissing kind) ... Thats totally different.

(not that i would use my PS powers for Evil)

Funny how a lot of busy images seem to be getting through...can we get ONE image of say...a cup? Or a wrench? Or a pencil? Or some nuts and bolts? Or SOMETHING?

Seems to me that simple images tend to give way to more creative uses of the source.

I, too, like simple images. And one thing that annoys me about some source pics are the fact they are low quality photographs to begin with. flat contrast, soft focused images you first need to correct before you can even start chopping. Also, images with bits missing like flying objects with wing/fin tips or cut, furry animals missing parts of the chin. Come on, we can fix these things, but there are a lot of non-advantage folks for whom time is a factor and that is a screw job for them.

It's the other way round... the source looks at me and says: Make THIS!
I've nothing to tell

I'm with you Al! Give me a WHOLE object!