PlaymoFriends
Creative => Photography & Graphics => Monthly Photo Contest => Topic started by: tonguello on September 26, 2011, 15:05:17
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A few months ago when we thought about launching the photocotest, we decided to make a poll first to know how much interest there was about it.
Out of 30 voters, 25 said they wanted a contest and that they would participate. 25!
Since it started in march only 9 members were part of it, and only 4 of them were consistent every month. So something is wrong.
This is not like running a nuclear station, but it does take the organizing team a lot of time, work and effort behind the curtains, to make it happen.
So we need to understand what's wrong with it to make it better, if it is possible.
Please answer the poll honestly.
Thanks everyone for the cooperation. :wave:
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In "I would participate if there was a real price", I think it's supposed to mean prize?
If I had more able free time (free time when it's sunny outside), and if the theme was ok for me, I would participate.
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I never know when the dates are or what the themes are. The info is usually in different places and I don't have the time/don't remember to go hunting through for it.
But I don't know where this info could go :-\ Perhaps on the banner on the index page :-\
Oh, and I don't get much time now anyway :-[ (I think this might be the case for most people)
Damo :)
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Because I am still sorting my Playmobil collection, I am not in a position to put together photo scenes yet. Hopefully soon :)
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Same here. Lack of time. I can hardly cope with my other projects, I'm late on all my schedules!
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The themes are too stupid ? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: why ? i think they are intresting :)
tell us what would the prize be (that changes everything) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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The themes are too stupid ? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: why ? i think they are intresting :)
tell us what would the prize be (that changes everything) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
no one said there will be a prize. it is just a question to know if that would change things around. Does not mean we'll change that to have more people being part of the contest.
I can understand time can be an issue sometimes.
Damo you have a good point reagrding the info.
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it is just a question to know if that would change things around
oh yes it would :yup: :yup: :yup: :yup: a dog does anything if you give him a bone ,if you don't he might or he might not :-\ ;)
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oh yes it would :yup: :yup: :yup: :yup: a dog does anything if you give him a bone ,if you don't he might or he might not :-\ ;)
I don't think that's true or fair for you to say Alex... you claim you don't have a cam, you can't upload pics, so even if there WAS a prize you won't be part of the contest.
Please constructive answer guys! Thank you! :wave:
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you claim you don't have a cam, you can't upload pics, so even if there WAS a prize you won't be part of the contest.
yes that's true ;) just curious what would it be ? :hmm: ;D ;D
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Lack of time at the moment is my main problem.
I enjoy thinking up what I can do and I was going to enter this month but I'm afraid I forgot the closing date :-[
Like Damo said, perhaps a more 'visible' reminder of the closing date would help.
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
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Well, I'm one of the organizers myself, but I have to agree that it it's difficult to find the info on it. We are always opening more threads...voting on the theme, voting on the vontest, reminding what the current theme is. I can see how it would be confusing. I would love to hear some ideas our suggestions for how we can streamline things.
also, is anyone having trouble finding what board it is in? Would it help if it were in photography and graphics?
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I love that we have the contest. I wish more members participated, including myself! I do usually intend to enter a picture, but there's always the matter of getting around to it, and remembering the deadline.
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Don't get me wrong. I love the photo contest. It's just sometimes I have crazy busy months and other times when I can devote my weekend to Playmobil. I too sometimes find it hard to find out what the theme. But please don't stop hosting it, I promise to contribute more. :yup:
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oh no! the idea isn't to cut the contest down, but to make a few changes to make it better and have more people participating.
We realize the info issue it IS and issue... so we have that to work in. so thanks.
What else? :)
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Perhaps a 'sub board' dedicated to the photo contest in the community events board might be good, so that everything to do with the contest is in one place :)
Damo :)
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Because I am still sorting my Playmobil collection, I am not in a position to put together photo scenes yet. Hopefully soon :)
You too? How are you faring?
And I have the same problem. Besides, I HATE taking pics. And I'm lousy at it... (of course, I never fully read the rules either...)
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I'd really like to know if the person who voted fo "the themes are too stupid" thinks that having more difficult or "philosofical" themes would get us more people? ::) really?
Also remind he/she that themes are suggested, nominated and voted for YOU the members.
I really didn't think someone would go for that option :lol: :lol:
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I keep loosing when it is happening... :-[
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on my end it's two things:
i honestly find the theme thing an issue for me, it's so limiting (again, for me, i'm not speaking on behalf of anyone else)
also, timing is so complicated, especially nominating...imo too much time is spent in nominating a theme, then voting for one and when we're finally 'ready' to take the pic the next month's nominating/voting starts :hmm: too much bureaucracy for one picture of ONE theme if you ask me
taking pictures is one of the things i enjoy most doing with my pm, but if you ask me the photo contest on this forum has been the most complicated i've ever seen on a collectors forum
things can be so much easier, but i won't give advices unless requested :P
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on my end it's two things:
i honestly find the theme thing an issue for me, it's so limiting (again, for me, i'm not speaking on behalf of anyone else) Sorry I complete disagree with this. All themes could have been deliverd with ANY PLAYMOBIL THEME. You can check the diversity each month. I think that is undisputable, we've been cautious about that
also, timing is so complicated, especially nominating...imo too much time is spent in nominating a theme, then voting for one and when we're finally 'ready' to take the pic the next month's nominating/voting starts :hmm: too much bureaucracy for one picture of ONE theme if you ask me I can understand what you mean about the complicated process but we thought it was better to make it very democratic by voting for each thing. Now... it would be simpler for us just to name a theme, but is that better?
Timing... do you think that having the first week of september the theme for the end of october (that is 2 months in advance) is bad timing?
taking pictures is one of the things i enjoy most doing with my pm, but if you ask me the photo contest on this forum has been the most complicated i've ever seen on a collectors forum
things can be so much easier, but i won't give advices unless requested :P Please do, that's exactly what we are looking for :). but just FYI I don't think the contest in playcliks is better ;)
:knight: :knight: :knight: :knight:
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Guys the voting closes today. Please if anyone has some suggestion or comment let us know.
After the poll is closed we'll work with what we had and let you know our decision on the changes to be done. :wave:
Mod Team.
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i think if the contest is to be held every three months, so that would be 4 times yearly.
i think poeple might have chance to enter in a contest or other, and mean while they have time to create something up.
me my self never took part in, i didnt knew about it lets say so, im rather new round here. anyways i would like to be part if i can.
and re theme it depends if one have collection regarding it. so i might suggest that a certain amount of titles are proposed on a 3month bases and participants have a to chose among them.
if im wrong please correct me i wouldnt be offended in anyway
ryan
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That's what we do with the theme... members put in suggestions and then there is a vote. The theme is usually something broad like "friendship" so that it can span all themes no matter what you collect.
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ok i understand my point and thanks for the info but my point was for example a set of 4 or 5 titles are put out and each photo may be regarding one of the titles so poeple may have a vast range of choosing.
e.g.
friendship
need of help
cold weather
green
......
than one can chose one title and reproduce a diorama or scene or what ever in the title chosen the contest is done every 3 months or more so one have more time to think up of a great photo.....
its just an idea if not liken its ok for me im just happy i tried my best to help :)
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Oh, I see what you mean!
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Another option could be to keep it a monthly competition but have an open theme on alternate months so we could be planning a photo for the next themed month, but perhaps submit a photo we already have for the non themed month.
Does that make sense? ???
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
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i said every 3 months so the thing doesnt get boring like every month and every period of time poeple would be waiting for it and like more willingly to participate, and since for lot its problem with time too. doesnt want to contrast you elaine dont be offended pls cos i think it an other way. i exapt all decisions that would be taken
:)
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ok guys. we understand that among other things, time is an issue here. so...
I personally believe that a contest every 3 months is too spaced, and on the contrary than others I believe it will make people forget about it and loose interest in the end.
We also understand that once a month is too much for most of you.
An idea would be to make each contest to last 6 weeks (instead of four) (that would be a month and a half) in which people would have 3 whole weeks to prepare their pics. The rest of the time would be devided between the other activities involved in the contest (themes suggestions and voting).
How does that sound? :)
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we can always try it and if it doesn't work change it again right? I say lets give it a go... BUT I do like the idea of having multiple categories... so what if we did do 2 contests... a free theme every time and also a more specific one?
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we can always try it and if it doesn't work change it again right? I say lets give it a go... BUT I do like the idea of having multiple categories... so what if we did do 2 contests... a free theme every time and also a more specific one?
I think if we do that eveyone will go for the free theme and not many for the other one... not much fun IMO if there is nothing setting some challenge... but we are open to suggestions.
A free theme every 2 contests could work...or something.
How do the rest feel about it?
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I think the every six weeks suggestion is good. We could eliminate all the overlap of choosing the theme for the next contest while the current one is still going. The timeline could be something like this:
week 1: accepting suggestions for a theme
week 2: vote on the theme
week 3-5: work on your photos and submit them
week 6: vote for our winner!
Now, the other problem is how we seem to have too many threads going about the contest, and it's difficult to find information. my suggestion is that the whole thing should be moved to the photography and graphics board for starters.
For each period, we can start a thread for suggestions, and then after one week, add a poll to that thread to vote on the theme, rather than opening a new thread with a poll. The theme will then be announced in that same thread, along with the deadline for submitting entries, and the email address to send them to. This topic can be set as a sticky topic from the very beginning, and remain that way for the entire first five weeks of the period. When we get ready to open the poll for voting for the winner of the contest, we will set it as a sticky topic, and un-sticky the previous one. How does that sound for a more organized system?
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I think the every six weeks suggestion is good. We could eliminate all the overlap of choosing the theme for the next contest while the current one is still going. The timeline could be something like this:
week 1: accepting suggestions for a theme
week 2: vote on the theme
week 3-5: work on your photos and submit them
week 6: vote for our winner!
Now, the other problem is how we seem to have too many threads going about the contest, and it's difficult to find information. my suggestion is that the whole thing should be moved to the photography and graphics board for starters.
For each period, we can start a thread for suggestions, and then after one week, add a poll to that thread to vote on the theme, rather than opening a new thread with a poll. The theme will then be announced in that same thread, along with the deadline for submitting entries, and the email address to send them to. This topic can be set as a sticky topic from the very beginning, and remain that way for the entire first five weeks of the period. When we get ready to open the poll for voting for the winner of the contest, we will set it as a sticky topic, and un-sticky the previous one. How does that sound for a more organized system?
I think it sounds really good bb. I think I would try to keep all in one topic per contest if it is possible to have 2 polls in one thread...
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I don't think that's possible. Well... actually it is. I believe we could just remove the poll and then add another one. I'm going to test it out in tech support, but I think it would work, in which case one thread would be even better, all very neat that way.
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Ok, I tested it and it does appear to be possible. So we can just have one thread per period.
I guess we can just call them photo contest 1, photo contest 2, etc? Since we can't name them by months anymore?
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I like the idea of multiple themes! :D
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Doesn't having multiple themes ruin the point of having a theme at all? :hmm: Everyone might as well just make up their own. I think a free theme is good every now and then, but having a theme provides a nice challenge. i don't think I've ever seen a photo contest of any type that didn't have a theme, or that had multiple, pick-your-own themes. 8}
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Doesn't having multiple themes ruin the point of having a theme at all? :hmm: Everyone might as well just make up their own. I think a free theme is good every now and then, but having a theme provides a nice challenge. i don't think I've ever seen a photo contest of any type that didn't have a theme, or that had multiple, pick-your-own themes. 8}
exactly
Ok, I tested it and it does appear to be possible. So we can just have one thread per period.
I guess we can just call them photo contest 1, photo contest 2, etc? Since we can't name them by months anymore?
great. and yes it could be pjhotocontes 1 / 2 /3 etc or let's say phtocontest GREEN (the name of the theme)
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We won't know the name of the theme until after we open the thread, though, so I guess numbering them is better.
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so when will the test contest begin? hehe
look forward and hope this way will work with every one :blackhair:
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so when will the test contest begin? hehe
look forward and hope this way will work with every one :blackhair:
there is one contest on the go.
the final day to send pics is October 24th.
the theme is COLOR, meaning that 90% of the things in the pic must be the same color.
after that we'll start with the new system.
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ok... must try harder to get something in then :lol:
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sorry for any inconvenience but would you please re direct me in the thread cos i cant find it and how to participate ? were i have to post or send the photo?
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sorry for any inconvenience but would you please re direct me in the thread cos i cant find it and how to participate ? were i have to post or send the photo?
you have to send it to pfphotocontest@gmail.com
it can be up to 1M.
And you must put a title for the picture. that's all. :)
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thanks tonguello. appreciate your time in explaining.
sorry for any inconvenience
regards
ryan
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I think a sub-board in the Photography section would be the way to go. It would give a place to keep all the threads together and put it in a related area where people who take photos are often looking.
For contest naming I think you should go with a number and year combo. Contest 4 of 2011, or the Fourth 2011 Contest. You can then start your numbering over the next calendar year.
I also would suggest one locked sticky thread whose only post would be a list of that entire year's contests and deadlines
2012
Contest 1 - deadline January 16 - theme Blahblah
Contest 2 - deadline February 27 - theme not yet chosen
etc. Then after a contest deadline is closed a mod changes the listing from the deadline date to the word closed, and after there is a winner that info is posted as a result on the same line. That way everyone can tell exactly where you are at as far as upcoming deadlines, chosen themes, and what needs to be decided on next.
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Thank you Tim, that helps a lot. :)
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That is an extremely useful suggestion, Tim! I like the idea of a thread showing all the dates for the year. And I like the idea of a sub board, too. We do seem to be adding a lot of boards lately, but then again, there is a lot more traffic on this forum now, so maybe it makes sense that we have more boards with so many active members now.
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Lots of my Playmo stored away and too much to displace to reach several things, plus a very unreliable camera... those are my reasons for not participating sofar...
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sorry if I am asking a stupid question, but where should entries be posted to any contest?
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sorry if I am asking a stupid question, but where should entries be posted to any contest?
they're sent to the moderators in charge and after the deadline they post them for everyone to vote
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Not a dumb question at all!
You can send entries to pfphotocontest@gmail.com. Each entry must have a title, and up to three entries are allowed per member. If doing more than one entry, each entry must be a totally different picture and idea, not different takes of the same thing, or the same pic photoshopped different ways.
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so photoshop is allowed?? ???
sorry for asking such a question at this point :-[
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so photoshop is allowed?? ???
sorry for asking such a question at this point :-[
no no.... bb meant that if you sent 2 pics they must be different. Meant one can't be a version of the other just photoshoped or anything.
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no no.... bb meant that if you sent 2 pics they must be different. Meant one can't be a version of the other just photoshoped or anything.
guys the new system/rules/guidelines will be posted next weekend. Pacience. :)
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Photoshop is allowed though, btw. Just no added words or text or speech bubbles. So you'll know for this month.
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ohh that's very useful info Bonnie! :thanks:
i normally don't use photoshop but you never know when you'll need it ;D
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IMO, we should not have the photo-contests every month, as, (I think I'm speaking for a lot of people here) we do not know deadlines and a lot of the contests are not getting enough entries. :)
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only one didn't have enough entires btw.
Thnak you everyone for the imput. we'll work with this :wave: