Andrew Bailey on
At some point, you might need to have board categories for posts, or it's going to get messy. Like: Gear, Contests, Shooting Tips and Questions, Ask Me, and even a Misc. section.
Welcome to the Big Photo Board!
Posted by Ken Deckinger in General on the Big Photo Hunt community board, .
Hi everyone - Welcome! 😎
For a while now, many of you have asked me to build a place where the community could connect more easily. Somewhere to critique each other's photos, talk gear and techniques, or plan local photowalks and meetups. Or honestly, whatever you want.
And, so the idea to build the Big Photo Board was born.
This new space is a place for you to chat about whatever you want - photography related of course.
I set up a few categories to keep things organized. If they feel limiting, let me know and I'll open it up. And if you have feedback, feature wishes, or critique - about the board, Big Photo Hunt, any of it - post it in the "Hunt" category. I'll read those and jump in. They're the best way for me to know what to fix, change or build next for you. So don't be shy.
This board is free to use. And, it's yours. Make of it what you want.
One more thing: a BIG thank you to BPH member Lisa Trefry for the nudge that got this built. A bunch of you had floated the idea of a forum over the first 24 months of BPH. Then Lisa reached out about planning a Boston-area photowalk, which reopened the conversation - and voila.
You're awesome.
:-) Ken
P.S. For tips and tricks and rules give this page a look. And of course, reply below if I can answer questions, give more info, you name it.
Replies
Andrew Bailey on
You should consider a pinned "Hello" thread on the board, where those inclined can post a short bit about themselves or why they're here and possibly a photo that might or might not ever be chosen by them for the Hunt, but speaks to something that led them here, in the larger sense. What was the first photo you took or saw (possibly both) that made you want to do this?
Just a thought.
Andrew Bailey on
Really enjoying the joint so far. It's funny, but my least favorite of the photos I've shared here (the boat) was the best received, so far, while my personal favorite (flower emerging in a morning garden) is the least or second least noticed. I'm not sure if that means I'm doomed to a niche, or I just need to get out more.
Anyway, thanks. I'll probably subsccribe at some near point to drop more things in my gallery and lend a little tangible support for the effort you're making.
You should consider a permanent general post titled "Ken I Ask You?" for fidiots like me who want to know, oh, anything, really. For instance, if you like a photo and someone else likes that you liked the photo, do you really send thanks for that (you can, you know---well, of course you know) or is that getting curiously micro? That sort of thing.
Ken Deckinger on
@Andrew Bailey hi! Absolutely!
We actually have them at the top of the main page of the board, but let me see what I could do to make them more obvious, because if people aren't recognizing that they're there... I agree it could get very messy. 😎
Ken Deckinger on
@Andrew Bailey great thought... Adding it to my list of things to think through.
I really like it.
To give you a little look into my (kooky ;-)) brain: I try to walk a fine line of staying engaged with the board while also limiting my engagement so that it becomes a playground for members to "own" - for lack of a better term - rather than be dominated by me. I want to leave the board for everyone to use as a white space for their own expression and communication.
That being said, I love what we're building here and want to be engaged (which is why I built it in the first place) so it's the daily struggle I balance.
"Pinning" is a feature that I built into the board - haven't turned it on yet so it's there.
Thinking through this (and my own internal thoughts 🤪) and will come back on this asap!
Great idea.
Ken Deckinger on
@Andrew Bailey ha. That's funny! I'll have to go look at the photos that you mentioned... I've been in the same boat (pun not intended ;-)) - I've posted photos on the Big Photo Hunt that I *love* only to see them get fewer votes than those that weren't my faves.
Interesting re: "Ken I ask you?" -- Is your idea that I create a post with that title to encourage people to ask questions, give feature ideas, feedback etc? Pretty clever name! ;-)
Thank you for being here and for being so involved. I read all your comments and I know the community appreciates them. I do! Building new things quickly so hopefully you'll enjoy those too.
Mark Thompson on
Well done Ken. I'm sure this will be a great addition to the Big Photo Hunt. Looking forward to some interesting discussions :)
Ken Deckinger on
@Mark Thompson thank you! And thanks for getting involved with it so early. Really appreciate it!
Lee Churchill on
Great Idea
Ken Deckinger on
@Lee Churchill thanks! Glad you're here!
Lisa Trefry on
Thank you, Ken, for creating such an incredible community through Big Photo Hunt. Your vision, along with your willingness to listen to your members and continually find ways to bring people together, is what makes this community so special.
I’m excited to see the friendships, learning, inspiration, and connections that will come from this new space. I know it will become a wonderful extension of everything you’ve already built.
Ken Deckinger on
@Lisa Trefry Thank you Lisa. But noooo. I'm just a bald guy with a keyboard. ;-) Thank you for inspiring me to build this board! Hope it gets used for good stuff! I'm happy you're here, Lisa!
Nisah Cheatham on
Great stuff! I should have thought of a Board Topic and had it locked and loaded. Maybe later tonight...🤔
Ken Deckinger on
@Nisah Cheatham thanks Nisah! Caught you off guard! 🤪 And, hope you like the "scroll return." It'll show up once posts start filling in. Thanks for that feedback.
Tony Kelts on
I just saw the e-mail. Now there is a board.
Ken Deckinger on
@Tony Kelts Yay! Thanks Tony!
Mike Gunderloy on
Thanks for setting this up, and for putting thought into social guidelines instead of just grabbing something off the shelf. I'll be interested to see how it develops!
Ken Deckinger on
@Mike Gunderloy thanks! If you bump into things that you think should be improved as we go, just let me know. I'll get them fixed up.
Mike Gunderloy on
@Ken Deckinger One thing I would find useful would be to click on a person's name/profile photo in a message thread to jump to their BPH profile.
Ken Deckinger on
@Mike Gunderloy yes. 100% agree. I only caught that after launching. Fixing that this week and it should update early next week. Great idea.
Sergiu Nistea on
Great idea!
Ken Deckinger on
@Sergiu Nistea thanks! And big thanks to Lisa Trefry for encouraging me!