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Weekly Informal Challenge: Feedback & Input

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1designguy
 
Posts: 2515

Weekly Informal Challenge: Feedback & Input

Post Wed Mar 23, 2011 2:46 am


It has been almost a year since the Thursday Challenge officially came to an end and Walter and I pushed forward the idea and format of a Weekly Informal Challenge. It has been fun to give this challenge a chance with a more casual format. We are interested in your opinions of year one (strengths and/or weaknesses) and feedback/ideas for improvements. This would also be the thread for throwing out thematic ideas as we move into a second year.

Please feel free to post any input you have and participate as it is discussed. A few questions that might spark some discussion:

What would make the challenge more interesting for you?

What changes would better help you to improve your photography and stretch you?

Do you miss anything about the old format that could be incorporated into this challenge?

Is there something that could be done to bring you back if you once participated in the TITC?


Thank you!

Scott (for Walter and Scott)
Last edited by 1designguy on Wed Mar 23, 2011 3:49 am, edited 1 time in total.

jasana
 
Posts: 148

Re: Weekly Informal Challenge: Feedback & Input

Post Wed Mar 23, 2011 3:08 am


wow! a year already! Hard to believe that time has flown by so quickly. No wonder I'm feeling so old LOL.
I haven't participated much (only 11 in the past year).
Part of it (the biggest, I think) is that the topic suggestions are a challenge for me. Many of them didn't resonate with me -- some are quite obscure and I can't grab hold of the ideas --- and coupled with the time lines (not to mention my own busy lifestyle and some other factors) translates in to me not contributing to most of them.
I always enjoyed the weekly challenges under the old format, and was pretty good at participating. For me (and I don't know whether anyone else shares my view) sometimes "simpler is better".
I do appreciate that it's probably difficult for the organizers to come up with funky ideas for the weekly challenge, because we are diverse and come from the many corners of this wonderful planet we call "Earth" but (for me) there are commonalities that bind us together. And time constrains us as to how creative we can be with some of the theme suggestions.
These are just some of my thoughts.
I DO enjoy looking through the photos that are posted and I appreciate the efforts of the people who come up with suggestions and those who take the time to take pictures and post them. It IS good to be "stretched" to think outside the box.
Keep up the good work my fellow PBasers .... photography is good for the soul :-)

1designguy
 
Posts: 2515

Re: Weekly Informal Challenge: Feedback & Input

Post Wed Mar 23, 2011 12:59 pm


Thank you. Noted about the themes. I would be interested in some suggested themes that would be of interest to you. It might help us to better understand and also offer direction for the coming year. Thank you!

norm4fun
 
Posts: 1628

Re: Weekly Informal Challenge: Feedback & Input

Post Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:26 am


great job you guys did. I hadn't notice that there had being a change in the weekly chalenge. I only participated lately because I do not have the time to do daily photos (PAD). I actively participated in over 20 photo sites in the last five years, and ideas for challenge are really hard to get now... new ideas I mean. On every site I go, it is the same, admins need ideas for the challenge. Nothing bad about that. ideas get repeated, some branch of on themes, and people who like the themes participate regurarely but loose more generalists, some branch off into games... the next photo has an object of the preceding one or...etc ..etc.

What should be considered first, is the level of participation people can afford. The shorter the time span, the less you can do on building up your shoot. The more precise your challenge, the more time it takes for the majority to be able to produce the image. There is also the regional differences of the photographers. Obviously snow images are out of reach of a lot of people. Also there are people shots, some people don't like to be photographed, or can't photograph others because of laws.

Thankfully, this leads us to our most common denominator... our living quarters and surroundings. These do permit fast and universal shooting option. using this, we can use the same objects or situations enclosed in different variables to present a variety of challenges that can be expressed by a larger group in less time. if we take for exemple objects, let's say, cup. Obviously once you have done that, one time, you don't feel like repeats, but if we had conditions, then this might lead to some interesting situation, like briging up more ideas that could create more excellent shooting challenges. Broken cup, filled cup, empty cup, moving cup, used cup, group of cups, cute cup, ugly cup, history of a cup, danger of using a cup, fun of using a cup, cup cake, sports cups ???? :), cup size !!!! :(, measuring cup, cup games, cup rules, enforcement cup ...or is that cop? whaever, informative cup, stupid cup, genius cup.... I'll drink to all those.

Now I wonder what we can do with a broom....?

Just my 5¢, I'm sure you can keep the thing going for another year without my ideas... :)

I'm sure others will agree with me, that you have done a good job, and should win the winner's cup.

emmelafoto
 
Posts: 2401
Location: Zoetermeer

Re: Weekly Informal Challenge: Feedback & Input

Post Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:28 am


I always enjoyed the Thursday Challenge and I enjoy now the weekly challenge. I use the themes mostly to think out of the box or to practice photoshop skills.
Each theme is a real challenge although some more then others of course.

Some themes are very basic which can be nice, but from time to time I would like an abstact theme, like an emotion or something like that.

Maaike

jasana
 
Posts: 148

Re: Weekly Informal Challenge: Feedback & Input

Post Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:34 pm


Appears I may have p*ssed some people off, if comments in my guestbook are any indication ("LOL" isn't doin' it for me, unless I'm misinterpretting their comments). Oh well. Such is life.
Perhaps tRay, Kathy and Marty should be offering some ideas here on the forum.
I agree with what Norm and Maaike have posted. Time constraints, weather challenges in the Great White North and three jobs makes it difficult for me to be able to get out and shoot pictures of the themes as often as I'd like.
Spring time (for us up here, anyway) is just around the corner. Most of the overcast skies are (hopefully) a thing of the past. Birds are coming back, the first buds of new flowers are starting to poke their head through the frozen earth, and people are getting out and about more.
And I DO agree that you guys have done a great job. Keep up the good work.

mairead
 
Posts: 1065

Re: Weekly Informal Challenge: Feedback & Input

Post Fri Mar 25, 2011 5:03 pm


I've enjoyed the weekend challenges although I'm not a regular participant but I'm hoping to improve
now that spring has arrived. The weekends probably give people, especially those of us who are working,
more time that the old Thursday challenge. Sometimes I just know I don't have the time to comment
on other people's entries so I'll skip that week. Keep up the good work guys.

1designguy
 
Posts: 2515

Re: Weekly Informal Challenge: Feedback & Input

Post Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:30 pm


Jasana- Sorry to hear some are making this personal and attacking/responding to you privately and negatively. Your input, suggestions and involvement are significant and greatly appreciated. Thank you and sorry for any collateral damage.

jasana
 
Posts: 148

Re: Weekly Informal Challenge: Feedback & Input

Post Fri Mar 25, 2011 9:24 pm


Scott wrote:
"Jasana- Sorry to hear some are making this personal and attacking/responding to you privately and negatively. Your input, suggestions and involvement are significant and greatly appreciated. Thank you and sorry for any collateral damage."

Thanks Scott. I know it's not any of the PBase regulars. I don't think they are members.
I like this week's theme .... I took some pictures today as soon as I saw the weekly topic and will post before the end of the weekend.

timbg
 
Posts: 1383

Re: Weekly Informal Challenge: Feedback & Input

Post Sat Mar 26, 2011 1:33 am


Even though I started a PAD in February 2005, I did not discover the Thursday challenge until April 2008. I'll admit that I didn't look through the forums much until then either. I then participated in 98 Thursday challenges until their demise; and 40 of the weekly challenges since then.

As others have noted, time of year and the weather can have a big influence on photography. I did not participate in the recent "blue hour" challenge because it was so gray and icky here all weekend. The "blue hour" just did not happen in my location at that particular time.

Looking at the photos I posted for the challenges, the ones that were the most fun, were challenges that required problem solving or even research to understand the challenge. "Fibonacci," "album cover," and "advertisement" come to mind immediately. This week's challenge of "every day abstract" will probably be fun also.

Challenges that are very broad - "show us something red" (or any other color) depend partly on luck. I might find something unusual for the given color, but more than likely I will just pick one of the recent photos I took that happen to contain that color.

I do enjoy being forced to be creative (especially when I don't feel like it), which is why I look forward to a challenge every week. Keep up the good work!

And - Scott or Walter - If you ever need suggestions, just ask the group of regulars for help. I'm sure that many of us can come up with something new.
Tim

amoxtli
 
Posts: 3331
Location: San Diego, California

Re: Weekly Informal Challenge: Feedback & Input

Post Sat Mar 26, 2011 3:32 am


timbg wrote:And - Scott or Walter - If you ever need suggestions, just ask the group of regulars for help. I'm sure that many of us can come up with something new.
Tim


Tim, Thank you very much for your feedback. Suggestions for the Weekly Challenge are always welcome.

Walter
Walter Otto Koenig Architectural Photography: http://www.wokoenig.net

General Photography: http://www.wokoenig.com

Pacific Photographic Society: http://www.pacificphoto.net

lynnh
 
Posts: 3633

Re: Weekly Informal Challenge: Feedback & Input

Post Sat Mar 26, 2011 4:05 pm


Overall, I've been quite pleased with the Weekly Challenges. I didn't count, but I'm pretty sure I participated in 95% of them. Timespan works well because I have a very busy job all week and struggle to find time for PaD and Monthly Challenge and keeping up with many long-time FAVORITES during the work days.

Working for a government entity and the public, I know that you cannot please everyone ALL of the time. I was unable to participate in the BLUE HOUR because we were under heavy sea fog for the weekend. Although I was disappointed, I understand that it is impossible to have the right weather conditions when participants are spread across the globe. There will always be some of us who can't participate becuase of some limitation, time, equipment, weather, whatever. As long as we can join in most of the time, it's good!

I like that we are allowed to present our interpretation of the subject. Always interesting to see how others "envision" the subject differently that I.

So, I guess I'm saying "GOOD WORK, GUYS!" I appreciate your efforts and I'm pleased that you plan to continue! Ideas for future challenges - hmmm, I'll think on it and post some later today.

P.S. Norm's cup idea might be a good one for the MONTHLY CHALLENGE... a list of 30 cups - blue cup, dirty cup, old cup, new cup... I like it!
All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost ~ J. R. R. Tolkien

lainesphotos
 
Posts: 2354

Re: Weekly Informal Challenge: Feedback & Input

Post Sat Mar 26, 2011 11:40 pm


I think you guys have done a great job of keeping this challenge going. The long weekend span gives everyone an opportunity to think and prepare and the variety is there to please all.
Your always willing to take on suggestions and importantly have never dominated as moderators. There are lots of tougher challenges both on Pbase and other sites for those who may want them. For me, time prevents me wanting more than I have here...please don't change the format. I love it just as it is.

Laine.

Jasana, I suggest you edit your galleries to allow only paid members to comment to keep the spammers out or use the delete button, they wont hang round if they are not being seen :D

oh, and Norman's ideas are great too :D

travelingrabbit
 
Posts: 1331

Re: Weekly Informal Challenge: Feedback & Input

Post Sun Mar 27, 2011 7:17 pm


I also think that you have both done a wonderful job with the weekly challenge! The themes have been varied and interesting and the timing for posting has also been good.

Keep up the good work!
Steph :D

1designguy
 
Posts: 2515

Re: Weekly Informal Challenge: Feedback & Input

Post Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:16 pm


A reply just to let you know that we have noted input to date. We look forward to any input you have to offer at any time.

Topic ideas are ALWAYS welcomed and often are added into the weekly challenges even if many participating don't know it.

Thank you!

Scott

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