Mini-Challenge 584 - Where Do We Go From Here?

I would have no objection to this but I do have an alternative proposal to consider. Recent discussions within the mini challenges and elsewhere have made it clear that many of the members posing exhibit photos are ding so because they have assessed their images as not being as high in quality as they might consider worthy of posting as competitive submissions. I have personally thought many of these were excellent images and directly aligned with the topic, but my impressions are irrelevant. At least these were not posted as exhibits simply to avoid the perceived burden of hosting the next round.

How would you feel about asking any of the recent exhibitors to volunteer to host (with no one judging their work)? This might rewrite a series of private messages to spread the word -- I know I only accidentally noticed your digestion involving me as I did not have any entries this time.

Food for thought

Dan

requa wrote:

... How would you feel about asking any of the recent exhibitors to volunteer to host (with no one judging their work)? ...

Agree.

Just have the 'host' select a interesting/ challenging subject for others to post/ share images. and comments.

Sorry, but I do not want to take the time to "judge" images; hence why I just post "Exhibits".

If "Challenges" are important, then IMHO let someone from this forum setup a Challenge using the "DPReview Challenges" and let it determine the winners by counting votes by the "viewers".

My 2₡.

Jon

gloaming wrote:

requa wrote:

... At least these were not posted as exhibits simply to avoid the perceived burden of hosting the next round.

How would you feel about asking any of the recent exhibitors to volunteer to host (with no one judging their work)? This might rewrite a series of private messages to spread the word -- I know I only accidentally noticed your digestion involving me as I did not have any entries this time.

Food for thought

Dan

.... I think it's only fair not to load up someone else's host job with nothing but 'exhibition' images ....

How do exhibit images "load up someone else's host job"?. Host can simply ignore posts labeled as "Exhibits".

I do limit my "exhibits" post to three (3) (as other should do) as not overrun the Challenge  "exhibit' posts.

I'm not posting images for the "competition" of the possibility having the best image posted, just enjoy sharing images/ comments. If that's "loafing" fine then I will no longer "load up someone else's host job" with exhibits.

Jon

There are obviously many differing views of exhibits and the role of hosting. I no longer see exhibits as detrimental, but I can see that it is frustrating from the persepctive of the host to try to run a mini and to see more exhibits that submissions or, as just happened, multiple exhibits and no submissions to evaluate at all. Perhaps interest is declining further, and so be it. In an ideal world, we would have a host propose a topic, anyone interested submitting images with no need to identify whether they are competitive or exhibits, healthy feedback and discussion of the images from all, and one of the posters at the end declaring, "That was a fun one. I've got a good idea to post for the next round." I do not expect that to occur, and the judging aspect provides structure and a tiny bit of incentive.

Forget all of my musings here. For wrapping this up and moving forward, I'll leave it out there for the next 24 hours for anyone who participated in the last mini to volunteer to host the next. If no one wishes to do so, and if no one makes an alternate suggestion or objects, I'll step in Friday evening and post a new mini.

Dan

bgreg wrote:

I've been on dp review for close to 20 yrs only leaving a forum when the camera company folded and it ran out of gas. But this is different for a couple of very good reasons that no longer need airing.

I've been reading Phil Askey's reviews and the DPR forums since the late 90's; joined 2004.

I also participate in several other photog and computer forums, and participate in helping others.

My post was not about "airing" but taking 'exception' to gloaming's accusation of
'social loafing'.

Have not seen in any of the MC Rules as to not posting Exhibits w/o posting entries.

Over the years I've help many users on the various DPR as to using cameras, PP, etc.; I prefer to use my time I consider more productive on the forums in helping others with using their cameras, PP images, etc. to share my over 50 years experience of using various film and digital cameras, and PP film/ digital images..

Jon

Maybe the challenges would be more interesting if it was for pictures taken with powershot cameras ? Maybe many are turned off when they know they have to compete with FF, ILC cameras etc. After all this is the PowerShot forum.

Jon_T wrote:

requa wrote:

... How would you feel about asking any of the recent exhibitors to volunteer to host (with no one judging their work)? ...

Agree.

Just have the 'host' select a interesting/ challenging subject for others to post/ share images. and comments.

Sorry, but I do not want to take the time to "judge" images; hence why I just post "Exhibits".

If "Challenges" are important, then IMHO let someone from this forum setup a Challenge using the "DPReview Challenges" and let it determine the winners by counting votes by the "viewers".

My 2₡.

Jon

That's a possibility.

But, there's a waiting list for hosting a challenge. Once you click the button "I want to host a challenge" you are put into a group with a new name taken out every so often.

I applied 'bout 4 weeks ago and so far nothing.

Seriously?

I never knew people avoided entering as to same time judging the next one.

I for one wouldn't mind judging a mini challenge (s).

gloaming wrote:

Jon, there's no 'challenge' in an exhibit. If we had an 'Exhibits' thread, that would be one thing, but when they comprise the heavy bulk of all submissions on a challenge...

Diff points of view ... to me a "Challenge" more practical if those who submit entries, submit 'their' votes on the images, rather than a single person judging.

gloaming wrote:

Jethro, I'm sure nobody reading over the next two or three days would object to your leading the next mini. Thanks for offering, if that is what you intend. There was no clear winner, certainly none declarable reasonably or sensibly.

If you don't get a strenuous objection by this time Saturday (tomorrow), please feel free to launch the next mini. It will be #585.

I'm always happy to help. Will do.

I'll go ahead and begin the next challenge, then.

There are comments that people should not take the rules/min-challenge too seriously, and thus not limiting the number of exhibits, camera models used or date of picture taken.  I tend to disagree.

I am gulity of posting an exhibit or two. There are mainly two reasons.

For one I am new and don't think the photos are good enough and yet want to practise/use the camera more by following the mini-challenge theme.

Another reason is that if I got selected to host the next challenge by beginner's luck, it is totally above my pay grade to judge participants' photos due to lack of skills and experience. (Thinking too much? :-))

What was the original purpose of the mini-challenge under the "Canon Powershot" forum?

As someone new to photography and to this forum, the mini-challenges seem to be created for people who have a love of the Canon PowerShot cameras and want to have a systematic way to encourage everyone to take more photos with the said cameras, while having constructive feedback or learning from each other to improve one's skills along the way.

Those who only want to share/exhibit their nice photos can easily use IG, FB, flickr or just start a photo sharing thread in the forum. Those who want super serious competitions can go straight to DP challenges as suggested by others.

To take off the stress and encourage more participation, maybe it can be something like the following?

1. There is only people's vote (by using the "thumbs up" button) winner, this "people's choice" winner will be the new host.
2. People who like ("thumbs up") the photo should try to leave a comment about why you like about the photo.
3. If the host is experienced or generous enough to spend time judging the photos and picking the winners, s/he can feel free to do so. The winner will then supersede the people's choice winner and become the new host.
4. Everyone else is encouraged to give more constructive comments on the photos.

Just my 2cents