Posted by Patrick Carosone in Critique on the Big Photo Hunt community board, .
I think it would be nice to hold a contest, montly, either by a challenge or sponsored by the boss man. You'll notice everyone has a particular topic that they favor, one that puts them in the top 10. But it may be a topic others can't compete against, so let's give everyone the same topic so we can see their skill level based in different surroundings. Just a thought!
Replies
Amy Kauffman on
So I wonder if we are going to take away the authentic use of this platform. I use another competition platform with specific competitions myself, but the competition is steep there too. So I'd wonder if even with a monthly, themed competition, would this be kind of repeating the same concern but in more specific ways?
My bigger concern is that there are repeat photos being used regularly that still receive the top ten. Maybe repeat photos should not be included in the competition to create a more equal opportunity for everyone each week.
David Davis on
I like the idea, just as a way to challenge ourselves to get out and shoot whatever the contest topic is.
Angela Woods on
Yes, that would be great. View bug does it and has many categories, they have it for prime members and for anyone who wants to join and they have different prizes, mostly to do with photography in some way. I have improved so much using that platform from the beginning three years ago and the contests actually had some to do with it. Good suggestion.
Ken Deckinger on
@Amy Kauffman thanks for this feedback!
This is what I'm trying to think through too. I think that the way the Big Photo Hunt works now is really about "the Big Photo Hunt." I wonder if we started just offering all types of competitions, if that would just make us like everybody else. I'm not opposed to additional competitions and contests. I'm just trying to think through how we would do it the right way, if do it at all, so that we didn't change the thing that the Big Photo Hunt was designed to do originally.
All good feedback and ideas so keep 'em coming everyone (and thank you @Patrick Carosone!). I'm thinking through everything. If any other ideas come up related to this, let me know. It helps me figure out what everyone wants next!
As for the repeat photos... Next time you see one, please call it out to me by email? Repeat photos shouldn't make the Top 10 (doesn't seem fair to me) so I definitely want to give a look at this so we can find a way to correct it.
You're awesome.
Ken Deckinger on
@Angela Woods thanks for sharing this! Going to give it a look and consider what we can do... Really, really appreciate the ideas. :-)
Ken Deckinger on
Hi @Patrick Carosone! Thanks so much for this idea! It's nice to see you on the Board!
Gives me a lot to think about such as how to run it, what it would be, how frequently, who would be judges, etc. Maybe it's just a board kinda thing that members post kinda like what @Josh Hoffman has been doing? Just thinking out loud here.
I also agree with @Nisah Cheatham since this was the difference that we're building the Big Photo Hunt around; not trying to be a typical online photography community but rather really focus on the one photo per week thing. Doesn't mean it's not doable - just means I've got a lot to think through. 😂
Oh and there's this from Nisah that could be an option too: "On the other hand, what if you, Patrick, posted a thread that announced a contest where we reply to the thread with our shots that fit your contest brief and you judge it - and tell us what drew you to the winners. Then I can get behind it. We see your portfolio and your expertise and can enter the contest knowing who/where the judging is coming from."
Adding it to my list to spend some time thinking through. If you guys have any other thoughts, let 'em rip! I'm all ears!
Patrick Carosone on
@Ken Deckinger I'm sorry I don't think I'm qualified to be a judge. In this case, photography I'm too judgemental!
Ken Deckinger on
@Patrick Carosone 😎
Nisah Cheatham on
I'm going to be the devils advocate here and say, I'm not too keen on the idea from an "official" standpoint because this is "Big Photo Hunt" centered around a single post a week from photographers and for photographers - and that is already a contest. I think there are some issues with how the main Hunted photo contest works (a whole separate story), but adding side contests within the main contest that is now adding the baggage of subjective judging to the mix - 🤷... not for me. If it comes to pass, I can obviously just skip it, so my opinion shouldn't alter any plans to build it.
On the other hand, what if you, Patrick, posted a thread that announced a contest where we reply to the thread with our shots that fit your contest brief and you judge it - and tell us what drew you to the winners. Then I can get behind it. We see your portfolio and your expertise and can enter the contest knowing who/where the judging is coming from.
Patrick Carosone on
I think once a month would be enough to give everyone a chance to think about it and them complete the task. Ken can oversee it and appoint some judges based on the topic. I think it should be totally bipartisan, not members, perhaps a guest, a professional. We can leave that up to Ken!
Mark Thompson on
Sounds like a good idea to me, but how would it be run and judged? Does it need to be sperate from the main feed or possible a suggested topic for that week?