Changes to "Assignment" Threads??

[Jonathan Huyer]

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

[Raid]

just a wild thought! C&C welcome

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".

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?

[Kayaker72]

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.

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.
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".

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.

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.

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.

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.

The-Digital-Picture.com Community Statistics
Threads 6,835 Posts 86,968 Members 3,558 Active Members 80

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.

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

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?

This could also be accomplished by a second related "how to" thread associated with each assignment thread.

Maybe a prize like a birding adventure with Joel or a landscape trip with Jonathan would motivate people to participate.

Ummm....yes.