# SDMB Monthly Photo Competition - rolling discussion thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** photo\ **Created:** [November 27, 2022, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642 "2022-11-27T20:27:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 104
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2064 "2026-03-20T17:59:58Z")
Hey @pjd , when I click on the link you just posted to the Monthly Photo Competition, I get an “image not found” error from [imgbb.com](http://imgbb.com). ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2065 "2026-03-20T18:01:57Z")
Sorry, I deleted it ! It wasn’t loading in the thread for some reason. I’ve re-uploaded it. Should be ok now. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2026, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2066 "2026-03-22T17:25:50Z")
Just posted in the comp thread. It occurs to me that flapjacks may be unknown (or little known) outside of the UK. So here’s the wiki page: > **[Flapjack (oat bar)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flapjack_(oat_bar))** > > A flapjack (also known as a cereal bar, oat bar or oat slice) is a baked bar, cooked in a flat oven tin and cut into squares or rectangles, made from rolled oats, fat (typically butter), brown sugar and usually golden syrup. Flapjacks are similar to granola bars. > As well as being baked at home, they are widely available in shops, ready-packaged, often with extra ingredients such as chocolate, dried fruit such as glace cherries, nuts, yoghurt and toffee pieces or coatings, either as individual se... It further occurs to me that Golden Syrup might be unknown or little known outside the UK. It’s worth knowing about, if only because it’s the only foodstuff (so far as I am aware) which has a picture of a rotting carcass of a lion on the tin. (No, really) > **[Golden syrup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_syrup)** > > Golden syrup or light treacle is a thick, amber-coloured form of inverted sugar syrup made by the process of refining sugar cane or sugar beet juice into sugar. It is used in a variety of baking recipes and desserts. It has an appearance and consistency similar to honey, and is often used as a substitute where honey is unavailable. > It is not to be confused with amber corn syrup or amber refined sugar. Regular molasses, or dark treacle (as well as cane syrup found in the southern US, such as S... j ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2026, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2067 "2026-03-22T17:34:41Z")
Interesting, that is absolutely not what I’d have thought of as a flapjack. To me, it’s another word for pancakes. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2026, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2068 "2026-03-22T17:38:07Z")
It’s kind of a way of getting as many calories as possible into a relatively small volume. A cyclist’s treat round these parts. Not something I would eat often, though. j ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Blaylock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_blaylock/32/3235_2.png) [@Bob\_Blaylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Blaylock)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2026, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2069 "2026-03-22T17:42:24Z")
  In America, the word _“flapjack”_ is understood to refer either to a pancake or to something very similar thereto.   This is the first time that I have ever heard of this other use of the word. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2070 "2026-03-23T02:17:08Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > It further occurs to me that Golden Syrup might be unknown or little known outside the UK I know what Golden Syrup is. It’s for smothering a pikelet. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2071 "2026-03-23T13:43:17Z")
This has been a more educational thread than usual this month! ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2072 "2026-03-23T13:47:47Z")
I will be visiting the U.K. soon, my first time there. I may just seek out a flapjack joint. I’m guessing they are granola bar-like, perhaps a bit tastier (because of freshness)? mmm ---
**Author:** ![Teuton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teuton/32/3864_2.png) [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2073 "2026-03-23T14:01:04Z")
You can find them in most good tea shops. They are similar to granola bars, but tend to be a little softer. I make mine myself, they aren’t hard to do. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2074 "2026-03-23T17:30:41Z")
You can probably find a flapjack in any decent bakery (or, indeed, in any National Trust tea room). Off the top of my head I can’t think of another establishment I’ve seen which specializes specifically in flapjacks. j ETA: yeah, better than a granola bar. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2075 "2026-03-23T19:10:44Z")
I guess we should talk a bit more about what may and what may not be discussed about current photo entries. I received a message (politely) asking why the discussion about flapjacks - brought on by the current flapjack store entry - is allowed, given the recent admonishments about discussing active contest entries. My response (plus some): I know, it’s getting a bit muddied. I think it’s ok to talk about things related to the photos, but not about the photos themselves. OK: “I’d love to try a flapjack, where does one get them?” Not OK: “Your photo is amazing, the way the morning light hits the flapjack storefront.” Also not OK: “I waited two hours for the right light and the absence of tourists to get that shot, and I cropped it carefully to emphasize the big bag of oats in the window.” I’m happy to open it up for discussion as to what should and what should not be allowed by way of talking about current entries. Should we allow any and all discussion? Should we allow some discussion, but with restrictions similar to my examples above? Should we allow absolutely no discussion until the poll closes? Something else? What are your thoughts? mmm ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2076 "2026-03-23T19:33:27Z")
I personally like the current rules with limited to no discussion of entries. When I am voting for my favorite three, I tend to be voting on artistic criteria like composition, color, angle, depth of field. The photo and the title are all I need or want for this, and I can see how discussion can sway some votes. (Despite the fact that I would _love_ to bore everyone to tears about where or how I took a particular photo, and very much enjoy praising other people’s work.) So I “vote” to leave it the way it is. If people actually read the rules, it’s pretty easy to follow. But if people really want to change the guidelines, I won’t cry. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2077 "2026-03-23T19:42:52Z")
I’m the furthest thing there is from a learned photographer. All my photos are opportunistically taken in point 'n shoot mode. I tend to make my selections based on how the photo affects me emotionally. And I agree with @ShadowFacts. I love discussing the photos, but I prefer that the current contest photos stay off limits for discussion until the voting has taken place and a winner chosen. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2078 "2026-03-23T20:10:48Z")
I agree with @ShadowFacts and @Aspenglow Johnson. (Blazing Saddles reference, sorry) ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2079 "2026-03-23T20:12:08Z")
\< blowing on fingers with a wink… \> ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2026, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2080 "2026-03-27T11:27:03Z")
March poll is [active.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-40-march-2026-delicious/1028124/33) mmm ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2026, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2081 "2026-03-27T15:30:04Z")
I also agree with @ShadowFacts and @Aspenglow . Interestingly about this month’s photos, I’ve browsed them before and I just voted now, but the ones that look most appealing somewhat depends on the time of day and what I’m hungry for. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2026, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2082 "2026-03-27T15:48:07Z")
There were six I wanted to vote for this month - hard to whittle it down to three. Lots of good use of color with this theme, I thought. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642/2083 "2026-03-30T13:53:15Z")
My vote for **Pardel-Lux** ’s photo does not appear to have been counted. (doesn’t show the screen name highlighted the way the the others I voted for do). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642.md?page=103) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642.md?page=105)