http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/newbanner.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss61/budkheir/DcDigitalPhotography.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/2-20.jpg
http://i33.tinypic.com/n5r2x4.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss61/budkheir/banner3-1.jpg
http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/ad235/R91599/fbanner.jpg
http://i49.tinypic.com/ekggwp.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/2emk8za.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/2vmesf5.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/rsacnn.jpg
http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/7234/poshtartedited.jpg
http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af347/dharma815/banner.jpg
http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/af175/_Zippo_/Banners/banner.jpg
http://i48.tinypic.com/28v3ajb.jpg
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/8892/bannercopypn.jpg
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/9150/bannerbeirutmorning2.jpg
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/1993/2cnxwfq.jpg
http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af347/dharma815/1.jpg
http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/5239/aubbanner2.jpg
http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/af175/_Zippo_/Banners/beirutatnight-banner.jpg
http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/553/img7485.jpg (http://img203.imageshack.us/i/img7485.jpg/)
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/3946/img7486q.jpg (http://img823.imageshack.us/i/img7486q.jpg/)
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/6985/newpicture5y.png
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/7964/newpicture3v.png
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/3082/newpicture2o.png
http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/1127/newpicture1he.png
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/6171/newpicturey.png
http://i47.tinypic.com/244wnys.jpg

If any are missing (that you would actually vote for) please let me know ASAP so I can add it and WAIT to vote. You can only vote once but you can vote for multiple banners.

Thanks Beiruti.

I voted for (7) in the following order:

First: #9
http://i46.tinypic.com/2vmesf5.jpg

Second: #17
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/1993/2cnxwfq.jpg

Third: #10
http://i46.tinypic.com/rsacnn.jpg

Fourth: #19
http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/5239/aubbanner2.jpg

Fifth: #20
http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/af175/_Zippo_/Banners/beirutatnight-banner.jpg

Sixth: #1
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/newbanner.jpg

Seventh: #7
http://i49.tinypic.com/ekggwp.jpg

Beiruti i think u should put the Bsharre/Kadisha banner with them..

^^ It doesnt meet Jan's "urban" requirement.

Are u sure?:S i mean it does show the town....or should it be a city?

^^ I guess you're right, so it's #28.

If you havent voted yet please do so soon. The top 5 banners will be selected for the second and final round in which you will only be able to vote for one.

can I submit a banner or its too late?

^^ It's too late since people that already voted wouldnt be able to vote again for your banner.

havn't we already had numbers 1,7 and 9 as banners previously ? Even if they were edited ?

^^lol
Really? i voted for 1,7 and 9 only :D

havn't we already had numbers 1,7 and 9 as banners previously ? Even if they were edited ?

No, we havent. #1 was entered into the last competition but didnt win and the others were submitted a while ago, but for this year's competition.

I dont think any of the banner above are good enough to make it to the top list, except from the 28 (Bcherre). I posted that picture on a non Lebanon-related forum and the response was huge. The banner might not meet the requirements but it’s definitely worth a try.
Too bad it is not gonna win, and it looks like another banner showing the exact same buildings that have been shown in previous banners will win again...booooring.

^^ The Bcharre one does show the village so it does meet the requirements.

In all fairness, the front view angle of #1 is very rare and has never been shown before in a banner.

Actually if Bcharre #28 was not added late, I would have included it in my vote.

Still you can't say that non of the Beirut banners are boring or not worth being posted! #9 is the best and #1 is cool (if it wasn't so damn outdated)..

Personally I would love to see a non-Beirut banner and if Bsharre qualifies to round (2) I think I am voting for it.

^^ I have the ability to edit the poll to change the votes, so I added one vote for #28 on your behalf. If anyone else would like me to do the same for THIS banner please let me know. I'm only making this one exception since it's my fault for forgetting to add this banner and it was only a LITTLE late. No new banners will be added.

^^ Thanks and FYI you're powers are intimidating :lol:

^^ The Bcharre one does show the village so it does meet the requirements.

In all fairness, the front view angle of #1 is very rare and has never been shown before in a banner.


Yes, its a nice banner but Marina tower has been shown in 3 or 4 previous banners.
I want something new and unique, bcharre-banner would show lebanon from a new different angle many havent seen Lebanon from before.

^^ i would like to add my vote to the bcharre banner please

^^ All set.

Yes, its a nice banner but Marina tower has been shown in 3 or 4 previous banners.
I want something new and unique, bcharre-banner would show lebanon from a new different angle many havent seen Lebanon from before.

Well it is the centerpiece of the skyline, but I think its only been in two official banners. Dont forget we have also had banners for Jounieh and Byblos.

Round One voting will close in 24 hours, so if you havent voted yet do so now...

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/newbanner.jpg

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss61/budkheir/DcDigitalPhotography.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/2vmesf5.jpg

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/1993/2cnxwfq.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/244wnys.jpg

These are the top 5 banners from Round 1.

This is the FINAL round of voting. You will only be able to select ONE banner.

Please vote soon as this poll will be closed in just a few days!

Poll will close on Thursday, July 22nd at 09:19 AM ET.

Shit Im too late!! but the one I wanted to win won!!

So what happens now? what will the winning one be used for?

The winning banner will be the official Lebanon entry into the world wide banner competition to promote Lebanon and the SSC forum.

In layman's terms..... it goes on the SSC website for one day.

Guys, I need a good short description of the banner...does anyone have any suggestions? meters above sea level? Also whats the official spelling of the village?

Also, who is the photographer of the original pic?

^^ A photograph (banner) showing the magesty of Lebanon's tree filled mountains. It reflects the seemingly awesome conditions that Lebanon is most famous and hailed for, conditions that make it stand out between its peers as one of the number one tourist destination, and the best soul weaving and energetic location. Lebanon's mountains are the a symbol of the manhood, glory, and magnificence in their own right. We can say that these mountains, most seen from the shore, are the pride and joy of country that always stood out through the course of history from the dawn of phonecia to the dusk of the ottoman empire always looking and working towards to the future.

How about that??

^^ of course this is no factual description its just complementive as you might say.. ya3neh hek just for fun... just ideas to get something started here :D

^^ my god can you be more LBC-ish la2 plz :tongue2:

Would this photo make a better banner of Qadisha Valley? Its soooo similar, just a suggestion :)

http://i25.tinypic.com/nxkx2t.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lux-lucis-pictor/2496630249/

Interesting description...
bes manhood? hahah where does it show that...

ok im getting attacked here!!! heellp i was just goofin around :P

Such a nice photo! though its most probably late, here's a banner attempt anyways:

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/4595/newpicture1n.png

http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/482/newpicture2q.png

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/8671/newpictureo.png

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/1913/newpicture3o.png

abdalalh great idea...im all for that.. anyone else agrees with me? c'mon! :D

From Wikipedia

Bsharri (also spelled Becharre, Bcharre, Bsharre; Arabic: بْشَرِّيْ‎), is a Lebanese town at 1,650 m of altitude, near the Kadisha Valley. It is located at around 34°15′5″N 36°5′50″E / 34.25139°N 36.09722°E / 34.25139; 36.09722, in the Bsharri District of the North Governorate. Bsharri is just under the Cedar forest and is the birthplace of the famous poet, painter and sculptor Khalil Gibran who now has a museum in the town to honor him.

The name Bsharri (بشرّي) can be found in the Phoenician language (بيث الشري) meaning "The House Of Ishtar"[1], Ishtar being a goddess worshipped by the Phoenicians (and King Salomon) before monotheism (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) took over the people living in the area.

Bsharri was the site of a Phoenician settlement in ancient times. Maronite Christians fleeing persecution sought refuge in its mountainous terrain in the 7th Century AD. The Kadisha Valley, below the town, became the spiritual center of the Maronite Church. The town was known as Buissera by the Crusades.

Unlike other parts of Lebanon, Aramaic was spoken in Bsharri well into the 1800s. As a result, Bsharri natives developed an unmistakably strong accent which lasts to this day.

Today, the town is located in a highly touristic zone including such attractions as the Khalil Gibran Tomb and Museum, Kadisha Valley where Antonios Torbey lived as Hermite in the Hermitage of St. Lichaa down in the valley; the Kadisha Grotto, the Cedars of God forest, a ski resort and Bka'kafra (the birthplace of St Charbel).

Heres my attempt:

http://i26.tinypic.com/2w4ah37.jpg

VS.

http://i47.tinypic.com/244wnys.jpg

^^ the first one is really nice :)

The first one is way better than the one that one, at least the buildings don't have pixels showing! The banner that one, you could clearly see the pixels on my 17'' screen!

The first one is way better than the one that one, at least the buildings don't have pixels showing! The banner that one, you could clearly see the pixels on my 17'' screen!

Shouu?? :nuts: Which one is better?

i think he means "better than the one that won"

Guys, this is why it takes us forever to choose a banner - we can never make up our minds! Do we need a Round 3?

^^ I think we need a Round 3

http://i26.tinypic.com/2w4ah37.jpg

VS.

http://i47.tinypic.com/244wnys.jpg

we dont need another round.... its just a waste of time...
just go with the first banner..... and if someone objects we'll do another round

I object, I go with my original choice that I voted for in both rounds. The second one.

Aesthetically, the second one is a grand view showcasing the multiple cliffs and the surrounding towns as well as the Qadisha valley.

The first (New cropped banner) is just of the town, and a bit of the valley... it is not close enough to showcase anything interesting about the town.

Arguably, the only thing interesting is its proximity to the cliff and the valley, and that is better expressed in the original winner.

^^ 3atul badak tni2 w tinza3a :tongue: (j/k)

anyway, yeah u kind of have a point... but still the new one is more intriguing.... well, to me atleast :) !!!!

so i guess now we have to go with another poll !!

^^ I think we need a Round 3

1
http://i26.tinypic.com/2w4ah37.jpg

VS.

2
http://i47.tinypic.com/244wnys.jpg

I suggest we make a new poll to pick one of the two.

which one did u like best ???

How about we stop acting like Lebanese-know-it-all for once and just stick to the rules. We had a deadline, everybody had equal chances on submitting banners, we had a poll and democratically voted, why don't we just submit the banner that won? If someone has new propositions, he can send it the next time we organise a banner voting.

^^ +1, but it is impossible :tongue2:

Martyr I like the original one.. ya3ne # 2.

How about we stop acting like Lebanese-know-it-all for once and just stick to the rules. We had a deadline, everybody had equal chances on submitting banners, we had a poll and democratically voted, why don't we just submit the banner that won? If someone has new propositions, he can send it the next time we organise a banner voting.

agree

Beiruti maybe we should work on a set of rules or criteria to accept proposed banners, Masalan banner # 1 (beirut skyline) is wayyyyyy too overexposed and banner #4 (jbeil's) is over-saturated , and maybe ban pictures obviously retouched by photo editing software (crop and merge excepted akid)

I object, I go with my original choice that I voted for in both rounds. The second one.

Aesthetically, the second one is a grand view showcasing the multiple cliffs and the surrounding towns as well as the Qadisha valley.

The first (New cropped banner) is just of the town, and a bit of the valley... it is not close enough to showcase anything interesting about the town.

Arguably, the only thing interesting is its proximity to the cliff and the valley, and that is better expressed in the original winner.

I agree, the original also gives it the look of being up in the clouds.

How about we stop acting like Lebanese-know-it-all for once and just stick to the rules. We had a deadline, everybody had equal chances on submitting banners, we had a poll and democratically voted, why don't we just submit the banner that won? If someone has new propositions, he can send it the next time we organise a banner voting.


I like the idea of sticking to the rules. We had PLEANTY of time to work on and perfect banners and anyone who wanted to vote had the time to do so.

I am submitting this banner and will put together a 1-2 sentence description using the wiki info that was posted earlier.

Beiruti maybe we should work on a set of rules or criteria to accept proposed banners, Masalan banner # 1 (beirut skyline) is wayyyyyy too overexposed and banner #4 (jbeil's) is over-saturated , and maybe ban pictures obviously retouched by photo editing software (crop and merge excepted akid)

We go by SSC rules, which allows for re-touching, and you will notice that most banners featured have some. Let's leave it up to the voters to decide if a banner scene is "over-exposed" or not.

By the way, I still need the source of the photo (ie who took the pic?) before I can submit it to Jan....does anyone know?

wow! that was just a suggestion, take your chill pill dude

Shouu?? :nuts: Which one is better?

LMAO! Yes the one that WON, hum... Weird Typo! Anyhow The newest one would get my vote.

But we SHOULD stick to the rules, Let's just submit the banner that one, hehe Just kidding ***that WON****

^^ +1, but it is impossible :tongue2:

Martyr I like the original one.. ya3ne # 2.

Do you know the source of the original pic you used to make the banner?

^^ Photo taken by antoan

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14133551@N07/3471017118/

^^ antoan may have uploaded it but he probably is not the author of this work:
1- the image is resized to small resolution.
2- there is a watermark on the right lower side of the picture that is absent from the rest of his pictures

If we had rules to regulate submission of pictures for banners we wouldn't have had this issue

thats where I found the photo, cropped it, then made the banner.
It is not my job to investigate whether he stole it or not.

i know but we treading on thin ice with copyright infringement, this is not a local forum after all

^^ Or we can just use my banner ;)

i know but we treading thin on copyright infringement, this is not a local forum

what are you suggesting?
I mean this is the best we can do.
Plus technically, he is the source.. i mean prolly Antoan was not the person who took it..but thanks to his uplaoding..we found it and made a banner out of it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14133551@N07/3471017120/in/photostream/ this is what im talking about, he isnt the author, im sure now, i ran a search using on TinEye (http://www.tineye.com/) and got these results
1- http://metalogue.img.jugem.jp/20100401_1430923.jpg
2-http://www.ibda3world.com/wp-content/themes/ibdaa-mag/scripts/timthumb.php?src=http://www.ibda3world.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2419511034_80525132f8_b-580x385.jpg&w=80&h=80&zc=1&q=100
3-http://souwar.yaacoub.com/details.php?image_id=40511
I'm only suggesting we should be careful

OK i found it this Flickr user has the same water mark
"lux-lucis-picto"
almost identical picture with the same watermark (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lux-lucis-pictor/2496630249/in/photostream/)

and here you go ! the original found
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lux-lucis-pictor/2419511034/sizes/l/in/photostream/
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2144/2419511034_80525132f8_b.jpg

outstanding :D
on a random note.. you destroyed Abdallah's hope ..:laugh:

^^ :( :(

it is ok. next time.. SSC will stay forever. :pet:

Thank you guys for resolving this. Elie is right, it is very important that we are crediting the right person.

Regarding all future banner submissions, lets make sure we always include the source.

Did we submit the banner? Do we have a date?

^^ Yes, it was submitted last week. I'll let you know if/when I get a date confirmation from Jan (he doesnt always tell us).

ok thanks :)

^^ Hopefully it will appear after XL has been fixed so people can rate/comment.

Beiruti, are all image formats allowed? can we transpose 2 pics of beirut in an animated gif? that'd be cool

^^ Sorrry, SSC will not allow that.