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Hi Everyone,
Before starting the next assignment, I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions in how we might adjust the assignment threads or if there is even enough interest to continue the assignments. I personally still enjoy the challenge and enjoy seeing everyone submissions. I have received PMs from several people who also enjoy them.
However, participation has been a bit low and I was wondering if anyone had suggestions in how to increase interest.
Thanks,
Brant
In my opinion we can use a unique THREAD for each category of pictures, and not different ones. It will help to focus the attencion on a single "virtual place" and enhance the competition on that.
For example:
This entry period for Week 40 will be from Monday September 29th through/including Sunday October 5th.
Images of the Week
Submit just one picture per category
Kind of picture:
Portraits -- Anything with eyes; people or animals
Landscape -- Country, town, city, sea, abstract, things (water drops, smoke, flowers, candles, and so on)
Kind of tecnique:
Blending: any picture elaborated at least with blending
HDR: any picture elaborated at least with hdr
Weekly shot: any picture taken in the last seven days!
---
Instead of creating different topics for different categories, make em all in one big thread.
Maybe it will be a little chaotic, but it's all in the same place.
Another cool thing would be having a sort of "historic-hall of fame" for previous week\pictures! ^_^
I think Architecture could be a fun spinoff of the Landscape category…buildings, skylines etc. These are occasionally sprinkled in but as their own category might bring out some higher end images…just a thought….
Thanks for the ideas.
Just to be clear, the question was about the "Assignment #xx" threads and, at least not originally, the "2014-Image of the Week" threads. At least to me, these are two different concepts where the "Assignment xx" are supposed to provide a specific challenge and "Image of the Week" are more intended to allow people to present their best shots.
Granted, combining them in one or another is an interesting idea. I would at least want to be able to finish out 2014 with monthly/quarterly winners for landscape and portraits.
Ultimately, this is a community forum. So, with the declining submissions for "Assignment #xx" I wanted to see if anyone had those on how to make it better. We have two already, anyone else?
It would take some effort but....an annual TDP photo contest would be fun. Have multiple categories and a panel of judges. Anyone could enter by paying a small fee. but the assignment winner and image of the week winners would be given a free entry as a prize as well as having their image posted on the TDP home page. TDP might be able to get some corporate sponsors to donate prizes. Would not have to be extremely expensive stuff. It would require some effort but might be fun and spark more interest.
While the thought of winning something inexpensive, like an EF200-400 1.4 would force me to enter more often. I think you, Sean, Denise, Bill, Bob, Neuro, Kayaker, Piok, Dave, Jonathan, Pat etc. would win most times (and deservedly so). I don't know what the laws are in the US but here competitions (involving money and/or prizes) are strictly regulated to stop scams. So this may well introduce a lot of work for Byran and others who run the site.Quote:
Originally Posted by Joel Eade
Some would say that the competition on this site (by those with talent) is intimidating, preventing others from posting, well that's always going to happen. I don't enter competitions very often, the last time I entered I didn't get any votes, this didn't bother me at all. The shot from Pat was just incredible, so he had to win.
http://community.the-digital-picture...ead.php?t=7773
What I like most about Assignments and keeps me coming back, is that gem of a shot that's makes me think "Maybe one day I could do that".
When there are only two left submitting photos it should be easy to win every other assignment.
The problem is not just with the assignments, it is with the number of visitors coming to the forums.
Just looking at the stats there are a lot of visitors (GMT +11. 08:52 AM) even when most users in the US should be asleep. As I see it, the problem is not a lack of visitors but a lack of participants.Quote:
Originally Posted by HDNitehawk
Currently Active Users
There are currently 178 users online. 7 members and 171 guests
Most users ever online was 370, 11-16-2012 at 06:22 PM.
http://community.the-digital-picture...orum_stats.pngThe-Digital-Picture.com Community Statistics
Threads 6,835 Posts 86,968 Members 3,558 Active Members 80
I think the rules could be set to encourage a diverse group of entires and limit the chances of just a small number of people winning too frequently. You could even have a category for new members or first time posting etc....Quote:
Originally Posted by Raid
I agree the assignments and images of the week are fun to see because you get a glimpse of other photographer's vision and technique. It is a valuable learning experience. I just thought some simple prizes or recognition might be a motivational tool that would help increase forum participation.
This is a good discussion. I'm wondering if we should try eliminating the voting part of the assignments altogether. Instead, everyone would be encouraged to comment on the images, either during the assigment or perhaps more productively, at the end. I'm wondering if that would help encourage people to submit their shots, whether or not they think they are 'winners'. Since this is such a polite and friendly forum, there are going to be lots of people ready to offer praise and constructive criticism on the photos, which I think is always helpful. At the end of the assignment topic, the moderator could perhaps choose a half-dozen images for critique by the group. We'd all be welcome to comment on them and offer suggestions for improvement. I'm sure there is a better way of doing this than I'm describing right now, but you get the drift. Anyhow, just a wild thought! C&C welcome :)
Maybe a prize like a birding adventure with Joel or a landscape trip with Jonathan would motivate people to participate.
When I look at the Photos on this site I tend to think about the style that the photographer has. There are so many different types of photography to today that it's difficult to define. As I have said before, I'm very impressed by Photojournalism "Capturing the Moment".Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonathan Huyer
When I look at Sean's work I think of Gregory Crewdson (hope you are not offended Sean) "Creating that Single Perfect Moment" with the highly staged images. For me, while I like some of this style, it doesn't have the power of Capturing the Moment.
When I look at the bird images from Joel and Bob, I'm most impressed by the real life images with their imperfections, I don't understand why they search for perfect symmetry. Also the image from Denise with the guy searching through the trash, while technically poor, it was incredibly powerful.
I was looking at some of the work by Hiroshi Sugimoto who made a huge amount of money from an image that I was told you should never do.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...ectedIndex=191
My purpose for adding more confusion to this subject is that how do you critic images?
Of course I would be happy to share my little set up but it's not exactly what I would consider an adventure:rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by HDNitehawk
Agreed there is some great discussion. I started the next assignment, but that does not change our ability to change something during the assignment or in the near future.
There is excellent work posted here. It still inspires me to try to be better. I would point out that several newer members have had their photos selected for image of the week.Quote:
Originally Posted by Raid
And Raid, I've seen some great shots from you over the years...and some great advice. If I recall correctly, half my computer system was bought based on your recommendations.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HDNitehawk
I think both of these are great points. There is no doubt active members are down and I would love to figure out a way to increase that. It also seems a number of the members that originally inspired me are still checking in on the site and I would also love to see them more actively participating. I imagine what they are shooting is still inspirational.Quote:
Originally Posted by Raid
Raid made the point that perhaps critiquing may not be the best, although I do think this group would do a good job of respectful critiquing. But I find this interesting. Are people put off by the voting at the end? Would more people be interested in participating in the assignments without the voting? Or, would assignments be better if it was more question and help based. For example, I still can't get PS to produce a HDR image I am happy with. Instead of posting about my issues, I simply didn't submit. Would assignments be better if it was about the process rather than the end result?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonathan Huyer
This could also be accomplished by a second related "how to" thread associated with each assignment thread.
Ummm....yes. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by HDNitehawk
To a certain extent, there are too many places to post new pictures. The image of the week, the assignment, the current shots thread. Perhaps if people feel their image isn't going to be in the top X places, they'll just post it as a current shot instead, or as a Macro, or any of the other "Post your best" threads.
Perhaps people don't feel comfortable posting their macro spider, or their butterfly as a Portrait. I know when it comes to voting and there's a great people shot and a great animal shot, I have a hard time. Traditionally portrait shots are of people. Should I choose the traditional shot because it's a portrait category? Perhaps it should just be a free for all, rather than the two categories, since the category names themselves have pre-defined meanings. Just the names can influence if you would vote for, or even enter, an image that doesn't fit the traditional definition of the category.
Any other thoughts?
I think David (DavidEccleston) has some valid points.
We do not get enough submissions to break them down into categories, and if you do not have enough categories, someone is going to feel there best shot for the week does not fit in one of the categories. I would suggest the weekly assignments just be "Photo of the Week" assignment. This opens it up to everyone without judgement of its appropriateness for a particular grouping of shots. That should open up the weekly assignments more. I do like the monthly , quarterly, and yearly accumulation of the weekly winners.
People also feel they should not comment or editorialize on how the shot was taken. This makes the weekly assignments very stale and mater of fact... not personable and inviting. The weekly assignments should be more interactive, fun, and perhaps a learning oppertunity.
Maybe that separation between the weekly and the monthly assignments (or bi-monthly) is the seriousness of them, and that is OK. The monthly assignments are far more rigid and focused. I like that also, because it forces me to try different techniques, hardware, or thought processes. The problem for me is: Who has time to put into doing this right twice a month? I get to shoot 4 times a month at best (weekends basically). Trying to to do an assignment right will take me a month if I can get around to it. The bi-monthly is tough to do. I do like these focused assignments, and would like to see them continue; but the participation is low. I am not sure participation will increase if it is lengthened out... mostly because it will not be on the front page of the forum among other reasons. Perhaps the two assignments should be separated out on the front forum page to keep the reminder in front of people.
Pat
The "Portrait - Landscape" distinction is really good in my opinion.
But you can do:
Image of the week:
Portrait
Landscape
Freekind
Or
Image of the Week - Freekind
1st classified
2nd classified
3rd classified
honorable mention
Simple, all in one thread, no confusion - max 1 image per category per person, or max 2\3 image if you choose the "freekind 1-2-3-h" way.
Because, the contest is nice, but is really better to post some images in "show images" section with some talks \ tips about them!
More than once I have found the right subject a day late for an assignment. "Prime Time" started on the 7th and ends on the 26th. While 19 days sounds like a long time it only gives us two weekends to look for subjects.
We ended up with two assignment threads running. Barley one is supported. I would suggest a longer submittal time and only one at a time.
Often I see what the subject of the assignments, get interested and then loose interest in taking an actual photo because others are just pulling from their library. Maybe the assignment should be go take a picture of...Not look up your best picture of...
Just my thoughts.
I like the way the assignments are set up. Specific and to the point. I do agree that maybe they need to be a little longer. I have had a couple times where I had an assignment topic in mind for a weekend out, but it will be past the submission period. I have noticed that people sometimes pull their archives for photos during these times, I am guilty of this also. I think the assignments should be a month and then set in the rules that the photo has to be taken during that month period. I think that was the purpose of the assignments when they started but they have morphed since then. I think the point was made earlier that maybe the monthly assignments have their own section on the front page so they don't get lost in all of the other posts. I really enjoy the challenges put forth in the assignments and hope they stay.
Regarding the weekly assignments, I like the free for all aspect that was suggested, maybe limit the photos to 5 per person. There have been a couple times when there were two or three outstanding landscapes and some not so outstanding portrait shots (or vice versa). You would really like to pick the two best photos from the week, but you have to leave one out for a shot you really didn't want to pick. I like the fact that people get to judge the photos because it keeps everyone involved. I would suggest having them taken during the week rule also. I believe this would maybe get people out to shoot and post what they want. Explaining the photo and its meaning also would be something that wouldn't be discouraged. I think the mindset behind a photo is about as important as the photo itself. I was going to suggest having a pole at the end of the week instead of the judging because I know sometimes it is hard to find the people to judge or they may be away for a while during their week. However, if it is a free for all, making a pole for the amount of photos that you may get during the week might be exhausting.
I think making them into different categories like monthly, quarterly, and photo of the year is a good way to keep people looking at the site.
I have notice quite a few shots posted to the current shots thread that I think would have worked great in the photo of the week category. I wondered if the problem with posting them there was getting it to fit into the guidelines. By that I mean most people think as portraits as people and when you have a person vs something else, most of the time people pick the person. I think the elimination of categories will make it more popular to post, and a possible pole easier to select winners.
As with changes, you could always try something and see if it works. If it doesn't try something else. Right now there are only about 6 people a week posting regularly to the weekly threads and the monthly even less. Might not hurt to try something new to see if we can get some of the lurkers and visiting guests to maybe post a shot or two.
Sorry if the post was patchy and rambling.
Jayson had some good points here!
I like them, but now we need to summarize... maybe i'll try tomorrow now i'm falling asleep! :o
I agree with most of what has been said actually. And I for one know I am guilty of not posting here as much as I should or could (though I visit and read the forum practically every day), but I often find it difficult to find the time to satisfactorily edit and post pics to different topics. I'll often read the forum during my lunch at work, but my photos are on my home computer mostly. And when I'm at home many other things seem to take priority. That includes finding the time to post-process some of the many shots I've taken in the recent and not-so-recent past. Actually, that would be my one point against restricting assignments to photos taken during a certain period. Sometimes I'll have shots taken awhile ago that I just haven't processed until recently...sometimes I'll enter those in the weekly photo contests. So maybe change the criteria for the weekly contests that the photo must be taken or processed during the week to count. I agree that the stricter assignments should probably be new work inspired by the assignment topic to encourage new photos and even the playing field more for everyone. Just my 2 cents.
Stephen
I would think posting pics on the weekly events would be right in line with the thread if you post them as PP finishes, not as you take them. After all your pic isn't complete until you finish PP.
The assignment is different in that we are given a task. If we post a pic that was taken earlier we may not have even had the task in mind. It makes the thread more of a competition show your best thread. For instance the current thread Prime Time, until the 24-70 II I used the primes almost exclusively as walk around and wide lenses. I have a library full of prime shots. I doubt I will enter a pic because we only have two weeks. Also in two weekends I would have to come up with a concept and it would have to be on par with a top pic that someone pulled from their library to compete.
Please do, but I will also make an attempt below.Quote:
Originally Posted by jamsus
I think this should culminate into a quick poll on the different options, one for the "Image of the Week" threads and one for the "Assignment" threads. Allow people to vote on their preferences, just in case people have a preference but not being vocal. Right now I see the poll questions as something like the following:
"Assignment" thread:
- Should we have two concurrent assignments?
- Should we have the entry period for greater than the ~3 weeks we currently have?
- Should we allow a repeat of topics not used in the previous 12 months (this is becoming a bit of an issue)?
- Should photos taken prior to the assignment be allowed as submissions to the assignment?
- Should there be a poll at then end of each assignment?
- Should there be a "How to" companion thread with each assignment?
- Should the moderator select images to be critiqued at the end of the assignment?
"Image of the Week" Thread:
- Should we have architecture as a third category?
- Should we have open competition with no categories?
- Should the photo have to be taken that week? (note, as most people shoot on weekends, I'd probably accompany this with changing the thread from Monday to Sunday to Thursday to Wednesday so people have time to process the photos from the weekend)
- Should the photo have to be taken or processed that week?
- Should there be a limit to the number of entries per category(s)?
Hopefully I have captured the main topics and questions. But please let me know if I missed something or if there are any additional thoughts. I'll post the poll either late Wednesday or early Thursday.
Also, thinking of changes to the "Image of the Week" thread. A way we could make changes for Q4 and still consider the fact we have Quarterly Landscape/Portrait winners if we went to an open format would be to select the "Landscape" and "Portrait" images from Q1-Q3, and then have those two images and the "Image of Q4" compete for "Image of the Year." Perhaps I am getting ahead of myself, but something could work.
^^^^^ This. I wonder if we should also start a thread under "Image Critique" somehow? I know we already have enough threads, but I have learned much from reading questions from others as they learn. I would like to see more of that.Quote:
Originally Posted by conropl
As a quick heads up, Jonathan let me know by PM that he will be away on vacation when this assignment ends. He said we could have someone else select the finalists, but I've been waiting to see how this all shakes out. In all likelihood, I suspect the "Prime Time" thread submission date will be extended, likely until Jonathan gets back (Nov 8).Quote:
Originally Posted by HDNitehawk
What people appreciate, reading some posts:
- Discuss pictures, not just post them
- Post "pool" shots (because in some period people can't go around) but also "shooted during the contest pictures" (because it's fun!)
- Some fixed themes (Portrait - Landscape as now?) but also 1 or 2 variable picture theme on "shooted during the contest pictures" choosed by the last winners
- Instead of multiple threads, one thread with everything?
- Instead of 1 week, we could easily do from 1st to 15th of a month, from 16th to 28\29\30\31th of a month!
What people do not appreciate, reading some posts:
- Just 1 week time
- Taking only old pictures from your pool (for contest submission)
- Dispersive multiple threads
- No discussion\critique in the contest thread itself
Sorry my boss arrived! got to go
The poll is up for 4 days (through the weekend)
voted
Just wanted to bump this thread as the poll closes Monday morning
Have been busy again. Work, travel, editing, even a few days off strung in to the mix which means a LOT more editing to get behind on.
Indifferent to voting, prefer critiques to better learn how others view my work.
Agree with principle of newer work only for contests but at the same time it can easily be weeks, at times months, before I get caught up on editing when I am busy and putting work first. Would this time lag keep me from entering a contest or how could this situation be managed?
It shouldn't have to become chore. So maybe it does not have to be shot that week, but if it was recently processed (within a couple weeks - need to be flexible). And we just need to trust that people are doing the best they can with the time constraints of there life at the time.
There are still two days to voting left, but the way things are trending it looks like the answer is no worries, it wouldn't keep you from entering the shot. And I agree with Pat, this definitely shouldn't be a chore and should be fun and interesting for all of us. I'll try to summarize a plan for each thread (Image of the Week and Assignment) after the vote is complete. But all of this is intended to keep people interested and participating.Quote:
Originally Posted by jrw
Here is an attempt to interpret everything in this thread and compromise between what a majority and near majority would like:
- We will go back to one assignment at a time. Which is what we did previously and after awhile we decided to go to two simultaneous threads. I am ok with either, but I do like the idea of two overlapping threads with a 6 week entry period for each, which would work out to ~ 1 assignment per month when you consider voting and set up time.
- The idea of a 6 week entry period had just a bit under a majority. As a compromise, I am thinking of a 4-5 week entry period? That would have an assignment approximately every 6 weeks. I had been targeting a 3 week entry period before.
- Allow repeat of topics that are older than 2 years.
- Leave it up to the judge to decide if archive photos are allowed for their assignment.
- Start creating a "How to" companion thread with the next assignment.
I will work with Neuro and try to have the next assignment up around the start of November.
Please let me know if you have any comments