DPL7 Team Formation Discussion - DPChallenge Forums

12/03/2025 10:53:31 AM · #1

There's been some discussion about possibly changing the format for the next running of DPL.

After reviewing the public discussion, and having an internal one at the SC level, it seems to have boiled down to two choices.

1) Team Captains and individual invites via Free Agent Pool (same as DPL6).
2) Automated Random Team formation and select Team Captain after Team is formed.

Please participate in the DPL7 Team Formation Poll on the front page of DPChallenge. Thanks!

Also, discussions here in this thread are quite welcome.

12/03/2025 10:59:23 AM · #2

Personally, I think choice #2 would be a refreshing change. Meet new people, eliminate the need for team percentage caps, set the number of teams as needed (no 13th team elimination like last time). That's my personal opinion, not necessarily that of SC in general.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

12/03/2025 11:11:41 AM · #3

What if all ribbon hogs finish on the same team and the result of DPL7 is known before it starts?

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

12/03/2025 11:56:58 AM · #4

Originally posted by MargaretNet:

What if all ribbon hogs finish on the same team and the result of DPL7 is known before it starts?

The idea behind (and major advantage of) random assignment to teams to prevent self-agglomeration of such teams. If a bunch of ribbon hogs end up on the same team it's literally just bad luck for the rest of us.

Ja-9

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

12/03/2025 10:02:31 PM · #5

Could you send out a formal email to all of DPL6’s captains - so everyone gets informed equally. Thank you

12/03/2025 10:14:07 PM · #6

Originally posted by Ja-9:

Could you send out a formal email to all of DPL6’s captains - so everyone gets informed equally. Thank you

Are you saying that now DPL6 is over some may have abandoned the DPChallenge ship and moved on already?

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS

12/03/2025 11:22:44 PM · #7

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Originally posted by Ja-9:
Could you send out a formal email to all of DPL6’s captains - so everyone gets informed equally. Thank you

Are you saying that now DPL6 is over some may have abandoned the DPChallenge ship and moved on already?

What about sending email to all DPCers? Some may have missed out on DPL6 and aren't interested in entering regular challenges.

mitalapo

Canon EOS R5 Mark II

12/04/2025 06:06:35 AM · #8

My elevator pitch would be:

The main advantage of the random draw system is to level up the field to make it more competitive.

The main advantage of the current system is the opportunity to work and interact with people you know and like, while allowing others to team up with new faces.

Obviously, people can be very emotional if you don't let them play with the people they like. They will just not play. The cap system gives a partial solution to the competitiveness requirement. Good enough for me.

Message edited by author 2025-12-04 06:07:46.

12/04/2025 06:18:35 AM · #9

Looking at the results so far toss a coin.

12/04/2025 09:49:21 AM · #10

I love the sense of adventure that the random team makeup would bring to this event!

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

12/04/2025 12:37:29 PM · #11

Random is winning at the moment, I hope the final result will be honored.

Ja-9

Nikon D750

12/04/2025 02:04:51 PM · #12

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Hmmmm

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

12/05/2025 12:26:07 AM · #13

Originally posted by MargaretNet:

Looking at the results so far toss a coin.

And again, 23 to 23, definitely no consensus.

vawendy

Sony Alpha a1 II

12/05/2025 09:54:22 AM · #14

One problem I have is that there are a number of "Ribbon Hogs" from which I would love to learn. But I understand not wanting to stack the deck. Maybe it would be possible for someone to be part of a team, but not have their score count? Or maybe drop the highest and the lowest scores from the team instead of keeping the top 4?

I had Ursula one one of my teams once, and I learned so much from her. I would love to learn from Roz, Grahamgator, IreneM, etc. But people, understandably, don't want this. But I'd be happy to be on a team and not have my score count.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

12/05/2025 10:28:11 AM · #15

Wendy, none of the people you listed have been in DPL, your idea would also create a headache for Mita.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

12/05/2025 01:35:12 PM · #16

Originally posted by vawendy:

One problem I have is that there are a number of "Ribbon Hogs" from which I would love to learn. But I understand not wanting to stack the deck.

I have in the past suggested allowing the formation of "affinity groups" outside of the DPL structure, which would function like the teams do (dedicated thread, blocked voting), allowing interchange for fun and education, but without the teams scoring element; hasn't gone anywhere yet, though ...

vawendy

Sony Alpha a1 II

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

12/05/2025 02:41:46 PM · #17

Originally posted by MargaretNet:

Wendy, none of the people you listed have been in DPL, your idea would also create a headache for Mita.

Not recently -- but I've convinced people to join before.

12/15/2025 11:25:11 AM · #18

Maybe allow member swaps between teams if the current result holds?

What I mean is a situation like this hypothetical: Icelanders want to be together, 3 of them are on one team with Wendy, Mark and Lev ;) (I know chances of that are astronomical but it makes a good example :) They want 3 more Icelanders from other teams, which team would refuse one of these 3 ribbon hogs? ;)

Message edited by author 2025-12-15 11:34:52.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

12/15/2025 12:02:26 PM · #19

Sit tight. We're working out the details currently and will post as soon as everything is ironed out.

tanguera

Nikon D750

12/15/2025 03:18:48 PM · #20

Personally, I like the idea of random selection, but I like meeting people :) It's more adventurous, introduces people to each other, strengthens community.

It does have a logistical hurdle in the way of time zones - what if everyone in your team is in different time zones?

PennyStreet

OM System OM-5

Olympus 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko

12/15/2025 03:49:22 PM · #21

Originally posted by tanguera:

I've been on teams with members who live not in my timeframe and it's worked out fine. You get to know how long you have to wait for a response.

And HI Johanna!!!

pmichaud

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS

12/16/2025 07:07:24 AM · #22

Just a thought..I don't think I would have been privileged to play in DPL this round had I not, firstly, been contacted by Janine

Ja-9 to let me know it was happening, and secondly, tried to form a team myself. I haven't been around much lately, and certainly do not have a stellar record despite being on the site on and off for over 20 years. Folks I knew from previous teams had already partnered up so I invited people from the free agent list. I truly did not know anyone who agreed to be on our team, but I was so very lucky to be able to play and to interact with these folks.

I cannot tell you how many time zones we covered. One team member lived in Taiwan, three lived in the UK and Europe, and three lived in three different time zones in the US so we were pretty "stretched out". It somehow worked out.

I admit that I was definitely the weakest link on the team. I learned more than I can express from my team and was impressed not only by their tolerance, but by their support and kindness. With their help, I experienced two personal best scores during this competition. (Again, after 20+ years!) I reached out of my comfort zone more times than I can count. But maybe even more importantly, I got out and took pictures and took pictures that I will cherish for the rest of life, whether they went into challenges or not. I rediscovered why I love photography. And I don't have the words to express my gratitude for being able to get to know the wonderful people who made up our team. Isn't that what the DPL and site are all about?

Every single person on our team stepped up and supported one another.

My point is that how we form teams is not as important as just doing it.

I also love love love

GeneralE's suggestion for affinity groups as another way to learn and connect with others.

12/17/2025 12:39:42 AM · #23

The voting has finished, random won 35 to 28. What happens next?

12/17/2025 08:41:27 AM · #24

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Sit tight. We're working out the details currently and will post as soon as everything is ironed out.