If you are referring to Pen of the Week, I think a good photo counts for an awful lot. I'm not saying that's how I judge a pen, but the folks that regularly win all have in common the ability to turn out a good photo. Their turning styles, choice of blanks and kits are generally very different to each other though, and I've seen many fantastic pens get very few votes because of a poor photo. As to type of kit, I'm not sure that makes a great deal of difference - slimlines and streamlines win just as much as expensive kits. Penpal and Bammer for instance (sorry to pick on you guys) - are both extremely skilled pen makers, both are regularly successful in POTW, both command attention when they post a pen, but they are at completely opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to their preferred choice of kits.
The profile of the turning is important though, I would say - a great big, fat, bulbous profile will generally never do very well, unless there is something else about it, like a blank to die for or exceptional segmenting and so on. For me, and for most people I would guess, the profile needs to flow from the components so that they gel together as a whole, and make it seem that the pen is one you would want to write with, not look like a couple of sausages strung together of a french poodle's tail, which whilst that may show off a stunning blank or a perfect finish, is not particularly practical from a writing point of view.
Finish is hard to perceive from a photo in many instances, but something with clearly visible imperfections such as inaccurate sizing, or radial sanding marks, is not going to do as well as one that appears perfect.
At the end of the day though, speaking for myself I enjoy seeing them all, and seeing other people's journeys along the road. The pen that is not quite right, shown by a relative newcomer, is just as much a part of the forum as the best pens by the best makers in my view. We all had to start somewhere, and to be honest, I'm not sure my first pen was anything like as good as many folk's first pens I see here. Pen of the Week is just a bit of fun once a week to help create a bit of participation. If you want to win it, I would say you need to show endeavour and then be able to photograph it, so we can all clearly see your endeavour. As I say, complete beginners or near beginners have won it on more than one occasion. There are without doubt some fantastically good pen makers here, but quite apart from their skills at the lathe, they've also acquired some skills with a camera, or phone, or what ever it is they use to photograph their work.
You've asked a good question though Frederick, and it'll be interesting to see what others have to say
