Shootouts

bham

Just an idea about shootouts, etc. Since Dgrin has grown significantly within the last year, just a couple of ideas.

1. Multiple shootouts in the same year. The shootout for 2008 filled within 6 days of posting. I didn't even see the thread until long after it was filled (probably wouldn't have been able to attend anyway, date conflict). Also besides having multiple ones, having the main one and maybe 6 others, focused on regions (ie Southeast, Southwest, West, Midwest, Northwest, Northeast so one would be within 5-7 hours drive of most dgrinners) more of a 2 day mini shootout. Maybe even do a mini challenge with a theme predetermined.

2. For those in various areas could suggest and then vote on the location. Like those in the Northwest could vote to go to Mt Rainer, or the San Juan Island, or Mt St Helens, etc.

3. State shootouts. You could get volunteers, moderators, etc to help plan and organize these. I forsee more of a one day type event.

Skippy

bham wrote:

Just an idea about shootouts, etc. Since Dgrin has grown significantly within the last year, just a couple of ideas.

1. Multiple shootouts in the same year. The shootout for 2008 filled within 6 days of posting. I didn't even see the thread until long after it was filled (probably wouldn't have been able to attend anyway, date conflict). Also besides having multiple ones, having the main one and maybe 6 others, focused on regions (ie Southeast, Southwest, West, Midwest, Northwest, Northeast so one would be within 5-7 hours drive of most dgrinners) more of a 2 day mini shootout. Maybe even do a mini challenge with a theme predetermined.

2. For those in various areas could suggest and then vote on the location. Like those in the Northwest could vote to go to Mt Rainer, or the San Juan Island, or Mt St Helens, etc.

3. State shootouts. You could get volunteers, moderators, etc to help plan and organize these. I forsee more of a one day type event.

Having been on 2 SmugMug/Dgrin Shoots I have to say I am very grateful
that we get giving approximately 12 months notice as to where the next event will be held, along with the fixed dates.

These events for some are not cheap to attend,
for those of us travelling from outside of the USA and Canada it is very costly for us to attend these events,
the airfares alone are several thousand dollars.

Having that 12 months window of notice is a great help for planning ahead.

We were fortunate enough this time to be told during the 2007 Shoot the destination of the 2008 Shoot.

If you look through the posts in THE BIG PICTURE you will find groups who get together throughout the USA and shoot together.

Being able to attend these Shoots is a wonderful experience,
meeting the people you correspond with on the Forum is really nice.
Learning new things is great.

I love the SmugMug/Dgrin Shoots they really are a lot of fun
Hope you get to attend one in the near future .... Skippy
.

DavidTO

The SmugMug shootouts are a gift to Dgrinners from SmugMug, where Smugmug pays for the pro fees, and host a dinner. I'm not sure if you were aware of that, but having a pro at your disposal for 5 days isn't free! Yay SmugMug!

There are two alternatives for you in respect to wanting to get out shooting more with your fellow dgrinners:

1) You could put together a shootout on your own, and manage a sign-up list and manage the accommodations, food, etc. Whether you have a pro on hand or not would be up to you and the rest of the shootouters. You could start a post in our "Location, Location, Location" forum, and get an informal get-together going there. All you gotta do is step up and get it going. Let me know if you need any help or guidance for how to organize something like this.

2) You could join one of the workshops that is linked in the Dgrin banner. The difference between these workshops and the shootouts is that the size of the group is MUCH smaller, meaning you get a LOT more personal attention, and you pay the pro, instead of SmugMug paying that fee for you.

3) HarryB has been hosting events at Merrit Island for birders. You could check that out, too.

4) The sky's the limit on this. I'm sure you could come up with other options that would be a hoot. Again, ask for help, and I'm sure you'll get it. Anything that gets dgrinners together shooting can't be a bad idea!

Harryb

Putting together a shoot takes a lot of work. I have hosted a wildlfie shoot in Florida annually now for four years for 30-40 shooters. You have lodging, food, and locations to deal with. Then there's scheduling who is going to shoot where. While this is all going on you are keeping a close eye on weather reports and praying that the rain front misses you.

If there's some place you want to shoot start drumming interest in it and see what happens. All you need is one or two folks who are willing to do the work of organizing it.

bham

Skippy I agree about the notice for the big $ layout. I was thinking more of something a lot more affordable, but more of them and therefore more opportunities for dgrinners to meet.

DavidTO, I didn't assume to have a pro for free. But just as here in the forum, photographers sharing there experience and knowledge. I was hoping for something like #1.

DavidTO

bham wrote:

Skippy I agree about the notice for the big $ layout. I was thinking more of something a lot more affordable, but more of them and therefore more opportunities for dgrinners to meet.

DavidTO, I didn't assume to have a pro for free. But just as here in the forum, photographers sharing there experience and knowledge. I was hoping for something like #1.

Awesome. Let me know what kind of help you need in getting it organized.

Good luck with the affordable part, btw. I don't think you can get much more affordable than the shootouts. There's no overhead charged, except for a small fee for the shared meeting room. All of the money collected goes towards the rooms, with no margin built in. But I'll be interested to see what you come up with.

gluwater

Shootouts are not only time consuming to plan but they are hard to get interest in. Although I am always up for shooting with others, as I'm sure Pathfinder will vouch for, many people are intimidated and will not attend. I've been on at least 9 shoots with dgrinners and besides the official shootouts or HarryB's shoots they have been with only a hand full of people. Getting more than 3 or 4 people organized and to actually show up can be an accomplishment on it's own. I have always had a great time when shooting with Dgrinners and you can't beat meeting face to face so I hope you get something planned and get out there shooting with others.

Harry loves having big groups on his Florida shoot. I think I remember hearing him say he's trying to get it's numbers to at least 100 people and extending it to the whole month of February. :hide

Harryb

gluwater wrote:

Harry loves having big groups on his Florida shoot. I think I remember hearing him say he's trying to get it's numbers to at least 100 people and extending it to the whole month of February. :hide

One week is more than enough thank you. If I was you I would sleep very lightly during MI V. :grim

devbobo

Scott,

If you are interested in the 2008 shootout, you should get on the waitlist. Quite often as the date rolls around people who booked can't make it and positions open up to people on the waitlist.

Just a thought.

David

DavidTO

devbobo wrote:

Scott,

If you are interested in the 2008 shootout, you should get on the waitlist. Quite often as the date rolls around people who booked can't make it and positions open up to people on the waitlist.

Just a thought.

David

Someone (ahem) I'm not sure who would be happy to help you! :davidto

bham

devbobo wrote:

Scott,

If you are interested in the 2008 shootout, you should get on the waitlist. Quite often as the date rolls around people who booked can't make it and positions open up to people on the waitlist.

Just a thought.

David

I already know I can't do those dates. I have a scheduling conflict. I wish I could, it sounds fun.

bham

Well any of you up for doing some South Louisiana shooting. Anywhere from St Francisville and the plantation homes, to Baton Rouge, on down to New Orleans. I will be in Louisiana from around Dec 14th thru Dec 29 (but not the 21st & 22nd). I am looking forward to shooting many different locations.

I will post in the meetup threads as well.

I guess I would just like to see those threads more active and used. Also a little more define than they are now. I mean Southern is a little to broad, within that some people could be in Texas, some in South Carolina, etc. Maybe at least putting the states. Some states would may need subdivision (ie North California & So California, Northwest Florida, Central Florida, South Florida) If you expect people actually to meetup I think this would be a no brainer. Maybe we could get the Moderator to place state stickies at the top of each of the meetup threads.

gluwater

bham wrote:

Well any of you up for doing some South Louisiana shooting. Anywhere from St Francisville and the plantation homes, to Baton Rouge, on down to New Orleans. I will be in Louisiana from around Dec 14th thru Dec 29 (but not the 21st & 22nd). I am looking forward to shooting many different locations.

I will post in the meetup threads as well.

I guess I would just like to see those threads more active and used. Also a little more define than they are now. I mean Southern is a little to broad, within that some people could be in Texas, some in South Carolina, etc. Maybe at least putting the states. Some states would may need subdivision (ie North California & So California, Northwest Florida, Central Florida, South Florida) If you expect people actually to meetup I think this would be a no brainer. Maybe we could get the Moderator to place state stickies at the top of each of the meetup threads.

I think that would be an unmanageable amount of threads. I'm not sure if many people check them as is, I know I do but I also check all the forums, most do not. Keep trying the regional threads and someone is bound to answer you.