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11/03/2010 02:37:29 PM · #26 |
Originally posted by Simms:
If I was going to change something about the site, I would like to see Langdon (is Drew still part of the site) be a bit more active - I am not saying join in with the conversations, but maybe a Blog or something along those lines so we can see what ideas he is working on? His repsonses to certain requests etc.
Suggestions? I dont know - how about challenges open only to new members, people who signed up 6 months ago or less, to give them a chance to cut their teeth and not feel so intimidated going up against some of the big guns on the site?
Discuss.[/b] |
IMHO both excellent sugesstions
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11/03/2010 02:40:26 PM · #27 |
Originally posted by spiritualspatula:
This site consists of a lot more than just the challenges. The community, the SC's, the comraderie, it's all a part. And basing the health of things on just challenge entries is foolish. |
Ah yes, I forgot that part. The challenges are the tip of the iceberg, the icing on the cake, etc. There are so many wonderful sc, and people seem to comment a lot more there. There are also community projects and all sorts of fun things to do here. Not JUST enter challenges, although that's the flashiest way to participate. And like  spiritualspatula, the weird challenges make me crawl out of my comfort zone and explore places and ideas I might never have otherwise considered. I don't enter everything because sometimes I just can't come up with an idea for a challenge, but I consider them all because it feeds my creativity.
Edited to add:
Originally posted by strikeslip:
London, Ontario, has a way of sucking the life out of people. As soon as you drive into the city limits, everything turns to shades of gray, even your skin. There is no black or white, the contrast just doesn't exist in London. The air smells of mouldy bread and sweaty armpits. London, Ontario is in perpetual darkness; due to an anomaly of landforms, latitude, and weather; the sun neither rises nor sets on London. |
ubique has made quite a career out of images from London, Ontario.
Message edited by author 2010-11-03 14:42:19. |
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11/03/2010 02:43:16 PM · #28 |
Originally posted by spiritualspatula:
DPC will not say you are a "#$@%^%$ moron for using this approach" nor will things typically degrade into a "WTF were you thinking?" diatribe. |
Well, usually that's the case, but the flaming does happen. Someone suggested a few months back that I was an idiot for using AMD processors.
Message edited by author 2010-11-03 14:44:06.
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11/03/2010 02:47:15 PM · #29 |
| OMG! Yo-Spiff uses AMD processors?? Bwaaahaaaahaaaa! That explains so much. |
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11/03/2010 02:49:38 PM · #30 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
OMG! Yo-Spiff uses AMD processors?? Bwaaahaaaahaaaa! That explains so much. |
I also use PaintShop Pro and bargain lenses.
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11/03/2010 02:55:00 PM · #31 |
Couple things I'd like to see happen:
1.This probably will never happen but since we pay to be on the site, I think the winner should win some money, maybe a once a month $50 thing for whoever had the most "10" votes or something, at least that way people that submit photos will try harder :)
2.I've only been a member for 2 months and i've voted on all the pics in all the challenges, at least the ones i entered in and I must say, I'm pretty bored at seeing the same type of photos, over and over and over again. Although, very beautiful, I feel like i've seen, a million landscapes, a million birds and animals, lots of bugs, etc...I feel that some people find any excuse to enter the same photograph because it's easy instead of getting creative. (like..midday challenge, let's enter birds, and micro, also birds, bridges, birds on a bridge lol, i have nightmares about birds and i think i'm going to start voting all of them 1 cuz there are just too many)
3.Speaking of being creative...if the challenge says Wildlife...it should be enough in my opinion, we don't need a description, that's what limits us from being creative. There is no way for me to take a pic of an animal in the wild. except a bird. However, if it didn't have a description, i have a pic of my dog with a cigarette bud in his mouth, looks like he's smoking (and would've entered as "my dog's wild life") or something, would be funnier then just...same old animals.
4.Speaking of smoking, i don't agree with people that vote low on photos where a person is smoking, just because they don't like smoking. Although it is an opinion of whether or not you like smoking, i would never choose to vote lower on a photo that has someone drinking orange juice..just because i don't like orange juice. but that's just me.
5. Instead of repeating challenges like "birds IV" and stuff...why don't we come up with new ones? Words that can have different meanings, and with no descriptions, just the words, so we can see how creative people really can get. such as...glass (there's glasses, seeing through a glass, a glass you drink out of etc) stuff like that. although i'm sure people will still find a way to throw landscapes and birds in there.
6.The rules...are sooo confusing, i don't understand what "you can't create a new shape" exactly means, i don't want to get disqualified so i try to stay off photoshop.
Plus, why are there rules involved when you're supposed to be creative?
7.Of course some people will agree some will be pissed off about my opinions because that's how human mind works, not everyone will agree on one thing, so nothing will probably change, but it's nice to vent about the things that piss you off. so there, i'm venting. |
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11/03/2010 03:03:11 PM · #32 |
Originally posted by violici:
5. Instead of repeating challenges like "birds IV" and stuff...why don't we come up with new ones? Words that can have different meanings, and with no descriptions, just the words, so we can see how creative people really can get. such as...glass (there's glasses, seeing through a glass, a glass you drink out of etc) stuff like that. although i'm sure people will still find a way to throw landscapes and birds in there. |
Allow me to direct you (and others whining about the challenges) here. |
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11/03/2010 03:45:40 PM · #33 |
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
Originally posted by Simms:
If I was going to change something about the site, I would like to see Langdon (is Drew still part of the site) be a bit more active - I am not saying join in with the conversations, but maybe a Blog or something along those lines so we can see what ideas he is working on? His repsonses to certain requests etc.
Suggestions? I dont know - how about challenges open only to new members, people who signed up 6 months ago or less, to give them a chance to cut their teeth and not feel so intimidated going up against some of the big guns on the site?
Discuss.[/b] |
IMHO both excellent sugesstions |
I second that !
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11/03/2010 03:52:50 PM · #34 |
Originally posted by MattO:
why you think the participation in the challenges has dropped off so drastically? Especially the open challenges. |
I guess it's mostly that I don't have the time to edit 50 entries for all of my ghost accounts anymore.... ;) |
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11/03/2010 03:56:19 PM · #35 |
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
OMG! Yo-Spiff uses AMD processors?? Bwaaahaaaahaaaa! That explains so much. |
I also use PaintShop Pro and bargain lenses. |
Well if it wasn't for your sense of humor, you'd be tossed out of the clique. :P |
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11/03/2010 04:27:49 PM · #36 |
Originally posted by violici:
3.Speaking of being creative...if the challenge says Wildlife...it should be enough in my opinion, we don't need a description, that's what limits us from being creative. There is no way for me to take a pic of an animal in the wild. except a bird. However, if it didn't have a description, i have a pic of my dog with a cigarette bud in his mouth, looks like he's smoking (and would've entered as "my dog's wild life") or something, would be funnier then just...same old animals. |
There's a very valuable argument to be made that creativity requires limits to flower; without constraints, when the sky's the limit, when anything goes, creativity can take a back seat to exuberance, as it were. Many great artists and writers have championed the creative virtues of "working to form"; some of the best poetry ever written has been done in Sonnet form, and the sonnet's one of the most restrictive poetic forms, very difficult to do well.
So when we set up more "defined" challenges, the challenge IS the restrictions, and what you make of them.
Originally posted by violici:
5. Instead of repeating challenges like "birds IV" and stuff...why don't we come up with new ones? |
We actually DO come up with a lot of new challenges, and members are encouraged to contribute ideas for them, but think about what you're asking; there's a constant influx of new people, and it doesn't make much sense to take time-honored themes and mothball them, just because some of us old salts have been through 3-4 iterations of them. Classic themes are classic for a reason, and they are worth repeating, often. Consider them a challenge to yourself, to measure your growth as an artist against your own particular benchmarks.
R.
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11/03/2010 05:26:07 PM · #37 |
Very interesting. I was just noticing the lower number of entries too. Not that I am any help. I have only entered 10 challenges since 2003. In fact, I am almost exclusively shooting film now. (Not for any haughty reason. I just like to smell the chemicals.)
But I have stayed here for the most part because of the friendly members, the forums and side challenges, and the learning that takes place. Lots of good photos too!!
I wonder though if DPC ... a digital photography contest, our site name, discourages some from joining? It is so much more than that.
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11/03/2010 05:28:17 PM · #38 |
Originally posted by coryboehne:
I guess it's mostly that I don't have the time to edit 50 entries for all of my ghost accounts anymore.... ;) |
Silly, you only use those to vote, you only need to enter enough from each to keep it looking legit. |
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11/03/2010 05:37:51 PM · #39 |
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
Originally posted by coryboehne:
I guess it's mostly that I don't have the time to edit 50 entries for all of my ghost accounts anymore.... ;) |
Silly, you only use those to vote, you only need to enter enough from each to keep it looking legit. |
:) |
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11/03/2010 05:50:22 PM · #40 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
Here is your answer.
As of today we have 1670 paid members. This is down from over 3000 a few years ago. I'm sure that the number of Registered Users participating tracks with this number. It's more work than a simple search to figure out how many Registered Users are participating, since Registered Users never fall off the "attendance sheet." It is possible to do by picking through the challenge results.
If I have time, I will see if some code I wrote for Scott Whiddon might be easily corrupted converted for the task. It would be interesting to see the number of unique users participating over time, perhaps on a quarterly basis. |
Yup. There hasn't been much of an attempt to retain members. The site is lagging way behind on technology and features that can be found elsewhere. Since I've been here I can only recall two major changes, i.e. watermarking and the DPL. In the case with the latter that was more of an attempt to control what had already existed (i.e. the WPL). Although it didn't have quite the features of the DPL it at least ran regularly when Scott controlled it. The other thing is a lack of incentives for new members as Simms pointed out. As I have pointed out before this site is like a ship adrift. The only thing keeping it afloat is the sense of familarity, the community, the friendships (and the arguments) that have formed over the years. If you don't care about the challenges then that may be enough.
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11/03/2010 06:07:10 PM · #41 |
I thought it was because the keg was empty.
In all seriousness, there are a ton of reasons why people would come and/or go, but the undeniable fact is that more and more people each day wake up with a DSLR in their hands. It's reaching critical mass. My friends who all used to make fun of me for the time, effort and money put into it are now are asking me questions because they're now owners. On that alone membership should be on the rise.
If there's a better place to not just learn but put it in practice, live, without a net, I haven't found it. Community shmommunity though. I don't like any of you. |
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11/03/2010 07:35:47 PM · #42 |
Originally posted by yanko:
...The only thing keeping it afloat is the sense of familarity, the community, the friendships (and the arguments) that have formed over the years. If you don't care about the challenges then that may be enough. |
Challenges? This site has challenges? ;-) |
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11/03/2010 07:50:31 PM · #43 |
Originally posted by cgino:
Originally posted by yanko:
...The only thing keeping it afloat is the sense of familarity, the community, the friendships (and the arguments) that have formed over the years. If you don't care about the challenges then that may be enough. |
Challenges? This site has challenges? ;-) |
Yeah, yeah, we know you just don't want to dent that beautiful "Avg Vote Received: 6.1216" on your profile...
I hear voters have become much meaner in the last three years... ;)
(have I baited you enough yet?? :) Come on, you know you want to enter some challenges again! ! ! LOL.. The birds are coming in now, what better time to shoot? )
Message edited by author 2010-11-03 19:50:51. |
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11/03/2010 08:33:39 PM · #44 |
First of I can't agree more with the following quote
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
Originally posted by tanguera:
...@ pwarmuz, I'm really sorry, but it just sounds like you're a bit lazy... ... |
London, Ontario, has a way of sucking the life out of people. As soon as you drive into the city limits, everything turns to shades of gray, even your skin. There is no black or white, the contrast just doesn't exist in London. The air smells of mouldy bread and sweaty armpits. London, Ontario is in perpetual darkness; due to an anomaly of landforms, latitude, and weather; the sun neither rises nor sets on London. London is inhabited only by zombies, skunks, and pwarmuz. There is only despair in London. |
Strikeslip maybe I can write a depressing book about this?
 tanguera as per your quote
Originally posted by tanguera:
@ pwarmuz, I'm really sorry, but it just sounds like you're a bit lazy... And worse, not using your imagination. Who says landscapes have to be green and mountainy? Why NOT a dreary winter one? Why NOT in b/w? You're only 23 miles from Lake Erie and 35 miles from Lake Huron - you're surrounded by magnificent nature. If you lived in the countryside, would you whine about not being able to take pictures of buildings??? If you read any of the set-up notes under the entries, you'll notice the lengths to which some people will go to capture an image JUST FOR THE CHALLENGE!!! Most notably that insane person gyaban, who even constructs his own set ups. Photographers who hike 10,000 ft mountains to capture an image. You may not be inspired by the challenge topics, but PLEASE don't say you can't find anything like Memorials and Monuments, Bridges, DREAMS (????!!!! You don't have dreams???!!!)?
[/rant]
Now back to our regularly scheduled dissing of DPC. |
I guess you didn't even try to sugar coat anything, beat me up before you had a chance to know me. I believe I left my comments on a positive note by stating I'm looking forward to some more challenges since I have more free time and renewed membership.
I honestly doubt I lack dreams and I'm certainly not lazy! And I do read notes and I always admire photographer that go miles and miles for an image.
To be honest I attempted to make it to Woodstock (next city to London); had my camera bag packed and strapped around the shoulder. I had my oldest holding my hand, my second was in my arm and yes my 4 week old son (third if you lost count) was strapped on my chest. I was thrilled to get out to the next city (10 min away). Road trip for me! Yaaaa! Well one pooped, the other threw up also had a hard time heating up the formula in the car. I also releazied it took me two hours to pack up everyone and by than it was time to unpack and let the kids lunch and take a nap. All of that was taking place while responding to work emails on phone.
Please spare yourself the energy and don't call people lazy if you don't know the entire situation. What if I was handicaped or sick and couldn't leave my house? Don't assume people are lazy, give the a benefit of the doubt.
I took a look at your work, you have captured some amazing picture and I hope to see you on the front page soon. You leave a lot of comment and have certainly commented on my photographs multiple times.
Take care and try to take it easy :) |
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11/03/2010 09:00:32 PM · #45 |
Originally posted by jeger:
1) Challenges are too specific recently
2) Very few updates/improvements to the site in recent years
3) Zero advertising |
and
4) Bad economy in many countries causes people to work more and do what they love less...
5) The thrill of DPC has gotten less amusing after 1000 challenges. The hype has pretty much died down.
6) DPL was only a temporary fix to the problem, people came and went fairly quickly.
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11/03/2010 09:11:04 PM · #46 |
the challenges are repetitive and here we are complimentary colours yet again, there rally isnt much to choose from and the forums pretty ho hum and repetitive as well just my pennies worth
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11/03/2010 09:36:49 PM · #47 |
Originally posted by kiwinick:
the challenges are repetitive and here we are complimentary colours yet again, there rally isnt much to choose from and the forums pretty ho hum and repetitive as well just my pennies worth |
complimentary colors again? It's been 3 years... That seems like a decent waiting period.
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11/03/2010 09:53:47 PM · #48 |
what am i looking at?
Message edited by author 2010-11-03 21:55:39. |
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11/03/2010 09:59:44 PM · #49 |
Originally posted by violici:
what am i looking at? |
Go click on the blue "here" in tanguera's original post - it's a hyperlink to another thread on the site, I'm guessing. |
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11/03/2010 10:04:31 PM · #50 |
Originally posted by violici:
5. Instead of repeating challenges like "birds IV" and stuff...why don't we come up with new ones? Words that can have different meanings, and with no descriptions, just the words, so we can see how creative people really can get. such as...glass (there's glasses, seeing through a glass, a glass you drink out of etc) stuff like that. although i'm sure people will still find a way to throw landscapes and birds in there.
Allow me to direct you (and others whining about the challenges) here.
what am i looking at? |
You keep picking on birds... but to use that example:
I've been here 1.75 years, and there's only been one bird challenge -- portrait of a wild bird -- during that time. I've entered shapes, colors, SPAM, food, bridges, buildings, etc. Yet what I really like to photograph is birds. Challenges are repeated, but usually there are 2-3 years in between. There are some that are more often, but in 1 3/4 years, I think I've only seen 2 or 3 repeats.
There is a good mix of challenges -- if anything, I'd say that the wildlife challenges are very few and far between. We each have our passion, and if we can twist that passion into fitting a challenge, what's the harm in that? I've had a lot of fun trying to figure out how to be creative with birds -- it's stretched me and my ideas of what I can do. One of my favorite shots was this one for "out of the ordinary":
I see no problem with people having their passion when they also try other things. I've entered the majority of challenges possible since starting here in jan '09.
Don't think this is a rant -- I see what you're saying. But there's always the opposing point of view...
You haven't been here very long -- but there have been many challenges with a title and no description -- "metal on metal" was one of them.
The more open challenges are the free studies. It's more challenging to work within a very limited range and come up with something creative than to have all the challenges be extremely broad. They're not limiting creativity -- they're trying to channel it to get people out of their comfort zone.
Message edited by author 2010-11-03 22:06:41.
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