Commenting Prompts Side Challenge

Olympus 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko

09/29/2026 01:54:05 PM · #1

This thread is here to challenge people to comment on specific challenges, using prompts. It was inspired by the Untitled challenge. It was really nice to see titles from commenters on every photo.

As an example, let's write a story for photos in the Capture an Adventure challenge. After all, the description says "focus on storytelling" so let's tell some stories!

(Of course, you don't have to comment on every photo, and you don't have to always follow the prompt. This is just inspiration to comment.)

Acceptable posts in this thread:

-letting us know that you are playing along in a particular challenge. that inspires the rest of us.
-congratulations and praise to commenters after a challenge is over.
-your own idea for a prompt tied to a specific challenge
-questions and constructive comments

Not wanted in this thread:
Negativity, comments about how you won't be playing, or a debate about the merit of this side challenge. If you have a problem with it, start your own thread or pm me or SC to complain about it, but please leave this thread alone.

Message edited by author 2026-09-29 13:55:04.

MargaretNet

Sony DSC-RX100 VII

09/29/2026 01:56:10 PM · #2

Good on you, Don, I would play but I am too tired, sorry.

PennyStreet

OM System OM-5

09/29/2026 02:25:28 PM · #3

Capture an Adventure is a good place to start, in part because there are only 16 entries (although you did say we don't have to do them all).
I have already commented on all of the photos in this particular challenge but not with stories.
I'm willing to elaborate on a few so I guess that's a yes, I'll play. I wish I were better with words but I will try.
It appears we have 2 days and 9 hours left to get this done.

glad2badad

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

Olympus 60mm f/2.8 Macro M.Zuiko Digital ED

09/29/2026 02:44:08 PM · #4

We can always use more comments! Good idea. Thanks!

PennyStreet

OM System OM-5

Olympus 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko

09/29/2026 04:37:07 PM · #5

Question.... how long is a "story".

Edit... I mean, couldn't any comment be a story if you say it is?

Message edited by author 2026-09-29 16:42:03.

tnun

Ricoh GR III

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

09/29/2026 04:53:12 PM · #6

Alas, I totally missed that we were to supply a title - way more fun than commenting.

09/29/2026 05:12:34 PM · #7

Originally posted by PennyStreet:

Question.... how long is a "story".

see my next answer

Originally posted by PennyStreet:

Edit... I mean, couldn't any comment be a story if you say it is?

yes

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

09/29/2026 05:17:31 PM · #8

I'm playing along in the Adventure challenge (to inspire the rest of you).

Will you be giving out awards for the best stories? 😁

glad2badad

Olympus 60mm f/2.8 Macro M.Zuiko Digital ED

09/29/2026 05:37:22 PM · #9

We need Spiffy! I think the Grog collective has stashed him away somewhere. :-)

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

09/29/2026 10:39:16 PM · #10

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Will you be giving out awards for the best stories? 😁

I wasn't planning to, but I could do some kind of pretentious Booker Prize nonsense or somesuch.

tnun

Ricoh GR III

09/29/2026 11:29:15 PM · #11

I want pretentious Booker Prize nonsense!

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED

09/30/2026 12:40:07 AM · #12

Originally posted by tnun:

I want pretentious Booker Prize nonsense!

ALL PRETENTIOUS BOOKER PRIZE NONSENSE ARE BELONG TO ME!

nam

Sony DSLR-A580

09/30/2026 10:05:33 AM · #13

Oh my,

posthumous, just . . . oh my.

Need I say I just read the comment on my own entry?

vawendy

Sony Alpha a1 II

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

09/30/2026 01:17:10 PM · #14

I'm sorry -- I feel incredibly stupid right now, but I'm not understanding using a prompt? I'm intrigued, but confused. Am I supposed to tell a story in the comment? Am I supposed to figure out their story? And how does this the apply to the numbers challenge or A part of a thing?

Please forgive me -- I'm a unimaginative math person. And I welcome new ways of looking at things, but my glasses are fogged up, at the moment, so I don't know what I'm seeing. Please help!

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

09/30/2026 01:25:04 PM · #15

Originally posted by vawendy:

Okay, math person, you can either a) create a side challenge or b) do the side challenge.

Currently only one challenge has been created: Write a story for the "Capture an Adventure" challenge. That means commenting on challenge entries and making up stories for the photos. That's all there is to it.

vawendy

Sony Alpha a1 II

09/30/2026 01:32:57 PM · #16

Originally posted by posthumous:

Originally posted by vawendy:
I'm sorry -- I feel incredibly stupid right now, but I'm not understanding using a prompt? I'm intrigued, but confused. Am I supposed to tell a story in the comment? Am I supposed to figure out their story? And how does this the apply to the numbers challenge or A part of a thing?

Please forgive me -- I'm a unimaginative math person. And I welcome new ways of looking at things, but my glasses are fogged up, at the moment, so I don't know what I'm seeing. Please help!

Okay, math person, you can either a) create a side challenge or b) do the side challenge.

Currently only one challenge has been created: Write a story for the "Capture an Adventure" challenge. That means commenting on challenge entries and making up stories for the photos. That's all there is to it.

Ok -- that just got a little buried for me. Making up stories for the photos is clear enough now to get through to my addled brain. Thanks!

vawendy

Sony Alpha a1 II

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

09/30/2026 01:37:15 PM · #17

Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by posthumous:

Originally posted by vawendy:
I'm sorry -- I feel incredibly stupid right now, but I'm not understanding using a prompt? I'm intrigued, but confused. Am I supposed to tell a story in the comment? Am I supposed to figure out their story? And how does this the apply to the numbers challenge or A part of a thing?

Please forgive me -- I'm a unimaginative math person. And I welcome new ways of looking at things, but my glasses are fogged up, at the moment, so I don't know what I'm seeing. Please help!

Okay, math person, you can either a) create a side challenge or b) do the side challenge.

Currently only one challenge has been created: Write a story for the "Capture an Adventure" challenge. That means commenting on challenge entries and making up stories for the photos. That's all there is to it.

Ok -- that just got a little buried for me. Making up stories for the photos is clear enough now to get through to my addled brain. Thanks!

Adding: after I just went and commented on one, I realize now why I'm a math person. It was really pitiful!

09/30/2026 01:48:19 PM · #18

Originally posted by vawendy:

Ok -- that just got a little buried for me.

Yeah, I think that is the actual issue. A note to myself and others, if you are creating a new challenge, make that your only post. Don't bury it in other stuff, please.

10/02/2026 03:09:10 AM · #19

Side Challenge Prompt II: Leave a pun, a wisecrack, or a silly comment on DiStOrTiOnS II

*I got a head start.

10/02/2026 09:54:29 AM · #20

The Pretentious Booker Prize Nonsense Awards

here by popular demand

Disclaimer: "pretentious" and "nonsense" are referring only to the awards.

PBPNA for Relentless Optimism goes to

PennyStreet

Eco-Friendly Forestry, no fuel required. These men search for dead and dying trees and cut them up to return to the town for firewood. Listen their feet clopping on the ground. Horse logging is very arduous and dangerous work and your picture shows us how the logs are transported. But the trade is not for everyone. The horses go up the hills and into places that a bulldozer can't. These men are like folk hero lumberjack Paul Bunyon.. almost superhuman. They must be strong and willing to risk injuries. In the end, everyone is grateful for bringing home the logs and for giving space to the forest for regeneration without harming other vegetation.

PBPNA for High Drama goes to

Art Roflmao

As the late-afternoon sun dipped behind the jagged spine of the Carpathian Mountains, Lucian adjusted his grip on the reins, the red tassels flickering against his grey mare’s headpiece like tiny flames warding off the ancient spirits of the forest. stacked high with fresh-cut timber, the heavy wooden căruță groaned under its load, its iron-rimmed wheels rumbling along the cracked asphalt. He stole a glance toward the darkening shadows of Transylvania’s outer treeline, knowing that whatever stalked them from the deep woods would not dare cross onto the open highway until twilight had completely claimed the valley. 😉

PBPNA for High Fashion goes to

skewsme

"Madam, have you seen my nephew? He's about yo high." My voice cracked a bit as I asked because my scraped knees were really beginning to smart. She looked thoughtful as she lowered her large black dustbuster. Goodness, her arms were certainly long, I noted. Or perhaps it was the draconian cut of her purple empire-waisted gown. I hadn't seen shoulderpads like that in twenty years. I realized she was trying to see though the visor of my helmet, which I'd neglected to remove. However rude it was, I decided I'd stay anonymous until she answered. Hopefully she had seen that scallywag of a child who had somehow managed to crash us. I vowed to find him and deliver him to his fate.

PBPNA for Psychic Plagiarism goes to

Art Roflmao and

posthumous

After successfully navigating down the treacherous cliffs, the rider dropped his bike in front of Zorg. "High Five?!", he yelled as he raise his palm. Zorg was unimpressed. The rider had forgotten to grab some sandwiches on the way back. Zorg powered up his handheld Decombobulator...

"oh, great Zogno. I followed them relentlessly across the entire desert, until my gas ran out. They were too fast, too many..."
Zogro said nothing. He lifted his massive weapon slowly, every so slowly.

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

10/02/2026 09:57:47 AM · #21

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Side Challenge Prompt II: Leave a pun, a wisecrack, or a silly comment on DiStOrTiOnS II

*I got a head start.

challenge accepted

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

10/02/2026 02:39:06 PM · #22

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Side Challenge Prompt II: Leave a pun, a wisecrack, or a silly comment on DiStOrTiOnS II

Isn't that the prompt you use for every challenge?

10/02/2026 08:00:47 PM · #23

Originally posted by posthumous:

The Pretentious Booker Prize Nonsense Awards
PBPNA for Relentless Optimism goes to PennyStreet
PBPNA for High Drama goes to Art Roflmao
PBPNA for High Fashion goes to skewsme
PBPNA for Psychic Plagiarism goes to Art Roflmao and posthumous

Can't accept the first one. It was mostly written by AI. *Queue jeers of disappointment*
I popped the image into AI to find out the location and after it gave me the answer, I just thought I'd see what it could come up with for a story. It looked pretty good, but I tweaked it here & there and went with it. So I have to DQ myself. The rest were all me though, so I'm happy to ironically accept the Psychic Plagiarism award - and NO, I did not use my psychic abilities. Don used his to get into my head and plant the premise.
----------------------------------------

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Side Challenge Prompt II: Leave a pun, a wisecrack, or a silly comment on DiStOrTiOnS II

Isn't that the prompt you use for every challenge?

Damn. I hadn't thought anyone would notice.