I just want to make the point one more time. You control what you upload to the dgrin.smugmug.com gallery. If you don't want originals released, don't upload them there. Then there is absolutely no danger at all, because the originals won't be there. It's actually one of the beauties of the new system. Even if someone managed to break in (as I did the other night, sort of by mistake), the originals wouldn't be there to take.
So if we take this attitude, you upload exactly what you want to make available for others to edit, etc. No more. You can keep originals or not and grant access or not in your own galleries.
I just want everyone to have the facts right when they think about this.
We should upload only what we want to make public ie. 600 x 800 images. But, if we direct people to our Smugmug site for originals, we have to be careful what we put there, or how private it is. I always upload the original image there so I can order large prints. I think Ginger may have forgotten about some of the evil that lurks out there in the world. I just want everyone to be safe from harm.
We should upload only what we want to make public ie. 600 x 800 images. But, if we direct people to our Smugmug site for originals, we have to be careful what we put there, or how private it is. I always upload the original image there so I can order large prints. I think Ginger may have forgotten about some of the evil that lurks out there in the world. I just want everyone to be safe from harm.
You notice, Snappy......... I actually never knew. I used to have a theory that if someone wanted something on their conscience that bad, kind of go ahead.
I do lock my car doors now. I guess I will have to be more vigilant with my photos, but I have to get around to it. I don't usually put originals there. How does anyone get originals from a photoshopped print. That is kind of confusing to me.
I do put originals there if someone wants to work on them, like please, yes, do my work for me. And they are not under lock and key, I had better watch that.
Can they get the originals if I haven't put them down there?
Rutt, Snappy??
ginger
I went ahead and worked up some photos, I have one song title for this, so might put one up, or two. If I put them up, hehe, check them out.
Please make comments on my choice for the Challenge
I am changing the song to Honky Tonk Angels, suggested by Lynne. We have had no power, have no cable still, am on AOL dial up.
I have looked for comments under each photograph and only one was from Lynne. I don't know whether that means you all don't like them, and don't know what to say, or whether you think ..............????
We are going to watch a DVD, very frustrating day. Our house is not light enough to read in without power, except in one uncomfortable place.
So glad power came on, recharging cell batteries, I had no idea. In that one photo the shrimp boat is headed out to fish in the storm! I actually thought that was a good photo. Bill said that would have been his second choice. I also was not sure I chose the right shot of the girls. The one I did not choose, from further back, it shows more of the surroundings, but I picked the one I could discern in a thumbnail.
Thanks so much Lynn and anyone else who suggested different titles. Honky Tonk Angels suits very well, do you all not think?
Now, how about trying the other way around, thinking of a song title then trying to match a shot to it?
I started out that way, I have been looking for a photo for Poems, Prayers and Promises since I started. Another one, too. OH yes, Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine. The OLd Dogs song is too hard for me to put together, not having the children. The poems prayers and promises were to be the SPCA dogs that everyone loves to hate.
I have always taken advantage of what was in front of me photographically. I go with preconceived ideas, take it, if it is there, then just start following my nose and my feet. Usually my best is not what I came for. I can't just change that now. I can shoot for the song, again, but it probably won't be my best photo. My dogs were shot for a song. They were time well spent, but not my best photos, IMO.
And, uh, I like what I have. I have put in tremendous hours to get it, them, neglected all sorts of things. Almost broke my hearing aids in the rain, finally left them off and went around totally deaf in a storm, taking photos, standing under any kind of cover to delete some photos, to take more. And sometimes that cover was only turning my back to the wind.
My camera bag is still wet, and I really like what I have.........kind of like you and the stadium. We all know I live to shoot. Well, I shot this assignment, it is those girls, or the Trawler. Now I am ready for the next assignment, which is a week away. I am going to try to force myself to sit on it. Or try turning something I have into food for Cletus workshops, which I have been ignoring.
(I do have to order a tripod, as the person who loans me his tripod is getting nasty about wanting it back. I want one to have in my car, always. For the next assignment.) I am sure I will find a reason to really need a tripod sometime.
Sid, I put a lot into this. More time than some people put in totally. I have twelve folders on my hard drive of photos for songs, some taken specifically for a song. The only thing I would shoot, but you and I know it wouldn't match what I have, is Country Roads. I love that song, and it would be an excuse to find a country road, never see those things anymore. Not here. I just couldn't do that today, all the bridges were closed. And I have some stuff I have to do tomorrow re an appt and getting insurance.
I shoot for a purpose, I always have done that, too, no audience: no photos, not much. Already I have at least two photos to put into the Challenge, no real audience for more. This is true in my whole life, I don't walk and I don't run, unless there is a reason. The best use of my time might be Shenanigans.
smugmug bug spurious comments?
Not sure whether this is appropriate place for this, but...
Has anyone else noticed that after browsing past an image on dgrin.smugmug that has no comment, all subsequent images viewed show the wrong comment?
Not sure where those wrong comments are coming from, maybe general gallery comments?
But it's very confusing when there ARE comments on a thread but the wrong comments are shown - you have to click the "view comments" link to view the correct comment.
I think this is a bug, but has anyone found a workaround? Or is it only happening to me?
Not sure whether this is appropriate place for this, but...
Has anyone else noticed that after browsing past an image on dgrin.smugmug that has no comment, all subsequent images viewed show the wrong comment?
Not sure where those wrong comments are coming from, maybe general gallery comments?
But it's very confusing when there ARE comments on a thread but the wrong comments are shown - you have to click the "view comments" link to view the correct comment.
I think this is a bug, but has anyone found a workaround? Or is it only happening to me?
-muddyknees
Are you referring to the comments on the entire gallery? Maybe that's what's causing the confusion.
Are you referring to the comments on the entire gallery? Maybe that's what's causing the confusion.
Not sure where they are coming from - its a set of 3 comments, two by Ginette, one by dgrin. The first starts: "While I like the premis of this new thread...."
These same three comments appear whenever I have viewed comments on some photo in the Gallery but then move on to a photo without any comment. Then, even if I move on to a photo that has a comment, the wrong three comments still appear. This is using the "elegant" format, either by clicking on a thumbnail, or by clicking the arrow key to move to the next image.
Not sure where they are coming from - its a set of 3 comments, two by Ginette, one by dgrin. The first starts: "While I like the premis of this new thread...."
These same three comments appear whenever I have viewed comments on some photo in the Gallery but then move on to a photo without any comment. Then, even if I move on to a photo that has a comment, the wrong three comments still appear. This is using the "elegant" format, either by clicking on a thumbnail, or by clicking the arrow key to move to the next image.
You don't see this?
-muddyknees
Yes, I do. These are comments that were made on the entire gallery, not on specific images. That's the "Comment on Gallery" function. You'll see them wherever you are in the gallery, unless you're viewing image specific comments. Just ignore them (no offense, Ginette!)
Not sure where they are coming from - its a set of 3 comments, two by Ginette, one by dgrin. The first starts: "While I like the premis of this new thread...."
These same three comments appear whenever I have viewed comments on some photo in the Gallery but then move on to a photo without any comment. Then, even if I move on to a photo that has a comment, the wrong three comments still appear. This is using the "elegant" format, either by clicking on a thumbnail, or by clicking the arrow key to move to the next image.
You don't see this?
-muddyknees
No, I find the thread difficult to be observant of artist and photograph, to say the least of "comment".
However I liked the shadow on your rock, I just couldn't figure out what didn't belong, and I didn't say anything.
I am sure glad you posted, every time I have logged on it has been later, and nothing is new.......... I thought maybe they were down but not telling anyone.:D
Not sure where they are coming from - its a set of 3 comments, two by Ginette, one by dgrin. The first starts: "While I like the premis of this new thread...."
These same three comments appear whenever I have viewed comments on some photo in the Gallery but then move on to a photo without any comment. Then, even if I move on to a photo that has a comment, the wrong three comments still appear. This is using the "elegant" format, either by clicking on a thumbnail, or by clicking the arrow key to move to the next image.
You don't see this?
-muddyknees
Muddy,
What you are seeing is ginettes comments on the entire gallery. They stay up all the time, but the individual picture comments have to be clicked to show. I hope Andy or somebody takes thos comments off. They are very annoying and distracting.
Muddy,
What you are seeing is ginettes comments on the entire gallery. They stay up all the time, but the individual picture comments have to be clicked to show. I hope Andy or somebody takes thos comments off. They are very annoying and distracting.
OK - having looked more closely I see I've just been getting confused at my own behavior - when I was browsing using the arrow keys after viewing some image's comment, I would then _unconsiously_ switch back to "thumbnail mode" (eg., the "elegant" style - not sure what to call the format that lacks the thumbnails but has the individual image comments).
I must be tired, thats all.
Thanks for your responses as well, Ginger and DavidTo.
OK - having looked more closely I see I've just been getting confused at my own behavior - when I was browsing using the arrow keys after viewing some image's comment, I would then _unconsiously_ switch back to "thumbnail mode" (eg., the "elegant" style - not sure what to call the format that lacks the thumbnails but has the individual image comments).
I must be tired, thats all.
Thanks for your responses as well, Gina and DavidTo.
Gary
You can browse using the arrow keys? That might be helpful, so you bypass the thumbnails that way?
Tired? I can match you, Slept two hours last night.
The shrimp boats
Ginger,
I like the shrimp boats you entered. I would try to find a better song. I think the song is important. This picture has the better composition of the two, but the other has better color in the sky.
Ginger,
I like the shrimp boats you entered. I would try to find a better song. I think the song is important. This picture has the better composition of the two, but the other has better color in the sky.
No, I find the thread difficult to be observant of artist and photograph, to say the least of "comment".
Yeah, there's a lot of info to keep track of at once. That's why I was just trying to focus on the comments, not even noticing that the page style had changed - no more (elegant-style) thumbnails...
However I liked the shadow on your rock, I just couldn't figure out what didn't belong, and I didn't say anything.
I'm wanting to do another version of that posterized rock - less extreme - focusing more on the rock and "island"-sea-stack, and less on the "aura" from the sun's glare.
I am sure glad you posted, every time I have logged on it has been later, and nothing is new.......... I thought maybe they were down but not telling anyone.:D
ginger
I guess you're relying on email notices of new posts to the threads here?
That is convenient and missing with the "new system".
That's why I had suggested earlier in this thread that a "hybrid" solution might work, whereby one would link to a thread here from the image there. (It is more work - the posting process would be to 1. post the pic on dgrin.smugmug, 2. start a new thread here and copy the URL of that thread. 3. Go back to dgrin.smugmug and add a comment in which you paste the URL of the thread on dgrin. Whew!
Someone here suggested another solution to the enormous comments thread problem: just create your own individual thread - one per image. The problem with that I guess is that the threads individual threads quickly drop from sight (not on page one - especially with a full page of "sticky threads").
Of course the same "position" problem is evident in the smugmug gallery - where my photo's for ex are on pg 5 - guess thats just a general problem on the whole web - just too much competition.
Muddy,
What you are seeing is ginettes comments on the entire gallery. They stay up all the time, but the individual picture comments have to be clicked to show. I hope Andy or somebody takes thos comments off. They are very annoying and distracting.
I found the comments on the entire gallery rather distracting as well while I was viewing the photos. For the sake of aesthetics and easy voting I removed them. I hope this is ok. I didn't mean to offend anyone, especially Ginette, by doing that.
Canon Digital Rebel | Canon EOS 35mm | Yashica Electro GSN | Fed5B | Holga 35 MF
Okay, Gary's page makes three discussion threads linked to the one page of challenge photos. Plus there are the comments on the photo page itself. So to keep up, now you have to visit four different places all together.
Oh yeah, once we get to the the voting stage of the challenge we have to start even another thread, that will make a fifth place we need to go to.
If we are trying to confuse new users (and maybe some experienced ones) I think we've got the perfect formula. It's obvious that people that are involved in these challenges want to have the discussion right here on dgin.com and not some little comment window below the photos.
Doug, Rutt just started a great new brainstorming thread re the Challenge Photos, also. I didn't know about Gary's, or know Gary, for that matter.
Rutt's thread is on dGrin under Challenges, he has commented, and so have I.
Just so you can keep your "column" up todate on the threads..........
I also posted what is probably my entry for the Challenge, sigh.
ginger (And they thought I was a spoiler and just whining, shhhh, I didn't say that )
ginger (And they thought I was a spoiler and just whining, shhhh, I didn't say that )
I agreed with you from day one on this issue Ginger. I, personally can keep up with this current format, I don't like it as much but I have no problem shooting around to 4 or 5 different places to read and comment about one particular challenge.
However, thinking about newcomers I think this multi-step, multi-positioned format for posting, commenting and replying would be quite confusing.
I agreed with you from day one on this issue Ginger. I, personally can keep up with this current format, I don't like it as much but I have no problem shooting around to 4 or 5 different places to read and comment about one particular challenge.
However, thinking about newcomers I think this multi-step, multi-positioned format for posting, commenting and replying would be quite confusing.
Doug
Well, I had to "draw" a position map, along with photo names, to get a friend, someone who wanted to, to comment on my photos. A lot of mine are on page 5, too, plus another page, I forget, maybe 3.
I found her new photo by accident, last night, and commented on it. It was purely by accident that I saw it, although she had told me about it. It is great, top of the world, mtns, and a dog...........great dog, a painterly look to the photograph. It used to be on the last page, don't know now.
Like the many replys before me, I have definite opinions on the new challenge format. (I have humbly placed my own soapbox before you ... )
I joined smugmug in the early spring and immediately found dgrin and the many popular threads. Even a few months ago, the challenge threads to me were like a slow moving stream... friendly and inviting. I wan't sure if I was good enough to "swim" in this new body of water (and still don't), but I jumped in and the water seemed pretty good. But as with most streams they eventually become bigger and faster ...
I don't begrudge those who can spend many hours a day on dgrin. I would spend more time if I could. But the reality is, I have a busy life (including having some fun with photography) and I share my computer time in the evening so that my wife can use it too. The past couple of months, I could only make it back once every day or so and I literally was reading through HUNDREDS of posts (or should I say trying to read ...).
One of the basic tenants of our challenge format was that you "have to give to get". So I would respond to some photos that I felt I had something worthwhile to contribute and sometimes post a photo of my own. Returning sometimes only a day later, I was faced with reading/scanning 60+ replies, just to see if anyone had anything to say about my photo. Heaven help me if I couldn't return for 3 days! It just got to be too much work for something that is supposed to be fun for me.
So I've gradually pulled back from the challenges, still undecided whether to stay or go. But this new challenge critique format, despite a few shortcomings, works for me.
This is what I like best about it:
1. For me, the most important element of this process is still the photo! The thing I love most is looking at all the photographs that get submitted (and the photos in these challenges are outstanding!). I'm a visual person ... This format lets me immediately go to the photo that most draws my attention. I can study it, enjoy it, play with it, and after all that, even comment on it. I can then CHOOSE to read through any comment on the given photo.
2. Less BLOG. Some of the posts in the old format were interesting to me, but in a lot of cases, it was simply of interest to the original sender/recipient.
3. Now if I were to enter a challenge, I would actually have a snowball's chance in finding the one or two replies that I might receive on my pictures. At the moment, my time is limited and this format still allows someone like me to benefit.
Many people are longing for the past. There are things from the past I also wish we still had ... People like Humungus that got Rutt? WxWax? to take a picture of the inside of his fridge , challenge threads that I could actually get through in under an hour, etc.
Some seem worried that new people won't be able to "manage" the many points of entry. Just because someone is possibly new to digital photography, it doesn't mean that they don't know their way around a website. I personally believe that there are more people like me that simply find the shear volume more a barrier to entry than the technology ...
I vote to give the new challenge format a try ...
Thanks for the opportunity to respond. We still have one of the best communities going ...
Best regards,
Brad
Comments
We should upload only what we want to make public ie. 600 x 800 images. But, if we direct people to our Smugmug site for originals, we have to be careful what we put there, or how private it is. I always upload the original image there so I can order large prints. I think Ginger may have forgotten about some of the evil that lurks out there in the world. I just want everyone to be safe from harm.
Susan Appel Photography My Blog
Drat... and I got some good pics today.
I do lock my car doors now. I guess I will have to be more vigilant with my photos, but I have to get around to it. I don't usually put originals there. How does anyone get originals from a photoshopped print. That is kind of confusing to me.
I do put originals there if someone wants to work on them, like please, yes, do my work for me. And they are not under lock and key, I had better watch that.
Can they get the originals if I haven't put them down there?
Rutt, Snappy??
ginger
I went ahead and worked up some photos, I have one song title for this, so might put one up, or two. If I put them up, hehe, check them out.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
gubbs.smugmug.com
and mistype the url, you'll get to the www.smugmug.com homepage
cheers
Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter
I am changing the song to Honky Tonk Angels, suggested by Lynne. We have had no power, have no cable still, am on AOL dial up.
I have looked for comments under each photograph and only one was from Lynne. I don't know whether that means you all don't like them, and don't know what to say, or whether you think ..............????
We are going to watch a DVD, very frustrating day. Our house is not light enough to read in without power, except in one uncomfortable place.
So glad power came on, recharging cell batteries, I had no idea. In that one photo the shrimp boat is headed out to fish in the storm! I actually thought that was a good photo. Bill said that would have been his second choice. I also was not sure I chose the right shot of the girls. The one I did not choose, from further back, it shows more of the surroundings, but I picked the one I could discern in a thumbnail.
Thanks so much Lynn and anyone else who suggested different titles. Honky Tonk Angels suits very well, do you all not think?
ginger
Now, how about trying the other way around, thinking of a song title then trying to match a shot to it?
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
I have always taken advantage of what was in front of me photographically. I go with preconceived ideas, take it, if it is there, then just start following my nose and my feet. Usually my best is not what I came for. I can't just change that now. I can shoot for the song, again, but it probably won't be my best photo. My dogs were shot for a song. They were time well spent, but not my best photos, IMO.
And, uh, I like what I have. I have put in tremendous hours to get it, them, neglected all sorts of things. Almost broke my hearing aids in the rain, finally left them off and went around totally deaf in a storm, taking photos, standing under any kind of cover to delete some photos, to take more. And sometimes that cover was only turning my back to the wind.
My camera bag is still wet, and I really like what I have.........kind of like you and the stadium. We all know I live to shoot. Well, I shot this assignment, it is those girls, or the Trawler. Now I am ready for the next assignment, which is a week away. I am going to try to force myself to sit on it. Or try turning something I have into food for Cletus workshops, which I have been ignoring.
(I do have to order a tripod, as the person who loans me his tripod is getting nasty about wanting it back. I want one to have in my car, always. For the next assignment.) I am sure I will find a reason to really need a tripod sometime.
Sid, I put a lot into this. More time than some people put in totally. I have twelve folders on my hard drive of photos for songs, some taken specifically for a song. The only thing I would shoot, but you and I know it wouldn't match what I have, is Country Roads. I love that song, and it would be an excuse to find a country road, never see those things anymore. Not here. I just couldn't do that today, all the bridges were closed. And I have some stuff I have to do tomorrow re an appt and getting insurance.
I shoot for a purpose, I always have done that, too, no audience: no photos, not much. Already I have at least two photos to put into the Challenge, no real audience for more. This is true in my whole life, I don't walk and I don't run, unless there is a reason. The best use of my time might be Shenanigans.
ginger
Now we have two places to discuss our photos for each challenge. Yet another step added.
Doug
Not sure whether this is appropriate place for this, but...
Has anyone else noticed that after browsing past an image on dgrin.smugmug that has no comment, all subsequent images viewed show the wrong comment?
Not sure where those wrong comments are coming from, maybe general gallery comments?
But it's very confusing when there ARE comments on a thread but the wrong comments are shown - you have to click the "view comments" link to view the correct comment.
I think this is a bug, but has anyone found a workaround? Or is it only happening to me?
-muddyknees
Are you referring to the comments on the entire gallery? Maybe that's what's causing the confusion.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
These same three comments appear whenever I have viewed comments on some photo in the Gallery but then move on to a photo without any comment. Then, even if I move on to a photo that has a comment, the wrong three comments still appear. This is using the "elegant" format, either by clicking on a thumbnail, or by clicking the arrow key to move to the next image.
You don't see this?
-muddyknees
Yes, I do. These are comments that were made on the entire gallery, not on specific images. That's the "Comment on Gallery" function. You'll see them wherever you are in the gallery, unless you're viewing image specific comments. Just ignore them (no offense, Ginette!)
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
However I liked the shadow on your rock, I just couldn't figure out what didn't belong, and I didn't say anything.
I am sure glad you posted, every time I have logged on it has been later, and nothing is new.......... I thought maybe they were down but not telling anyone.:D
ginger
Muddy,
What you are seeing is ginettes comments on the entire gallery. They stay up all the time, but the individual picture comments have to be clicked to show. I hope Andy or somebody takes thos comments off. They are very annoying and distracting.
Susan Appel Photography My Blog
I must be tired, thats all.
Thanks for your responses as well, Ginger and DavidTo.
Gary
Tired? I can match you, Slept two hours last night.
ginger
Ginger,
I like the shrimp boats you entered. I would try to find a better song. I think the song is important. This picture has the better composition of the two, but the other has better color in the sky.
Susan Appel Photography My Blog
I'm wanting to do another version of that posterized rock - less extreme - focusing more on the rock and "island"-sea-stack, and less on the "aura" from the sun's glare.
I guess you're relying on email notices of new posts to the threads here?
That is convenient and missing with the "new system".
That's why I had suggested earlier in this thread that a "hybrid" solution might work, whereby one would link to a thread here from the image there. (It is more work - the posting process would be to 1. post the pic on dgrin.smugmug, 2. start a new thread here and copy the URL of that thread. 3. Go back to dgrin.smugmug and add a comment in which you paste the URL of the thread on dgrin. Whew!
Someone here suggested another solution to the enormous comments thread problem: just create your own individual thread - one per image. The problem with that I guess is that the threads individual threads quickly drop from sight (not on page one - especially with a full page of "sticky threads").
Of course the same "position" problem is evident in the smugmug gallery - where my photo's for ex are on pg 5 - guess thats just a general problem on the whole web - just too much competition.
-gary muddyknees
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
The other one, with the boat straight forward, called Fare Thee Well.
Susan Appel Photography My Blog
Want to post or browse the photos in the challenge? Okay go here:
http://www.dgrin.smugmug.com/
Want to read comments or questions about the photos that aren't on the above page? Go here:
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=2426
Want to view or post the final entries? Okay, you have to here then:
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=2398
Want to see the experiemental thread for muddyknees' photos, then you have to go yet somewhere else...
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=2494
Oh yeah, once we get to the the voting stage of the challenge we have to start even another thread, that will make a fifth place we need to go to.
If we are trying to confuse new users (and maybe some experienced ones) I think we've got the perfect formula. It's obvious that people that are involved in these challenges want to have the discussion right here on dgin.com and not some little comment window below the photos.
Can we please go back to the old way?
Doug
Rutt's thread is on dGrin under Challenges, he has commented, and so have I.
Just so you can keep your "column" up todate on the threads..........
I also posted what is probably my entry for the Challenge, sigh.
ginger (And they thought I was a spoiler and just whining, shhhh, I didn't say that )
However, thinking about newcomers I think this multi-step, multi-positioned format for posting, commenting and replying would be quite confusing.
Doug
I found her new photo by accident, last night, and commented on it. It was purely by accident that I saw it, although she had told me about it. It is great, top of the world, mtns, and a dog...........great dog, a painterly look to the photograph. It used to be on the last page, don't know now.
me again
I joined smugmug in the early spring and immediately found dgrin and the many popular threads. Even a few months ago, the challenge threads to me were like a slow moving stream... friendly and inviting. I wan't sure if I was good enough to "swim" in this new body of water (and still don't), but I jumped in and the water seemed pretty good. But as with most streams they eventually become bigger and faster ...
I don't begrudge those who can spend many hours a day on dgrin. I would spend more time if I could. But the reality is, I have a busy life (including having some fun with photography) and I share my computer time in the evening so that my wife can use it too. The past couple of months, I could only make it back once every day or so and I literally was reading through HUNDREDS of posts (or should I say trying to read ...).
One of the basic tenants of our challenge format was that you "have to give to get". So I would respond to some photos that I felt I had something worthwhile to contribute and sometimes post a photo of my own. Returning sometimes only a day later, I was faced with reading/scanning 60+ replies, just to see if anyone had anything to say about my photo. Heaven help me if I couldn't return for 3 days! It just got to be too much work for something that is supposed to be fun for me.
So I've gradually pulled back from the challenges, still undecided whether to stay or go. But this new challenge critique format, despite a few shortcomings, works for me.
This is what I like best about it:
1. For me, the most important element of this process is still the photo! The thing I love most is looking at all the photographs that get submitted (and the photos in these challenges are outstanding!). I'm a visual person ... This format lets me immediately go to the photo that most draws my attention. I can study it, enjoy it, play with it, and after all that, even comment on it. I can then CHOOSE to read through any comment on the given photo.
2. Less BLOG. Some of the posts in the old format were interesting to me, but in a lot of cases, it was simply of interest to the original sender/recipient.
3. Now if I were to enter a challenge, I would actually have a snowball's chance in finding the one or two replies that I might receive on my pictures. At the moment, my time is limited and this format still allows someone like me to benefit.
Many people are longing for the past. There are things from the past I also wish we still had ... People like Humungus that got Rutt? WxWax? to take a picture of the inside of his fridge , challenge threads that I could actually get through in under an hour, etc.
Some seem worried that new people won't be able to "manage" the many points of entry. Just because someone is possibly new to digital photography, it doesn't mean that they don't know their way around a website. I personally believe that there are more people like me that simply find the shear volume more a barrier to entry than the technology ...
I vote to give the new challenge format a try ...
Thanks for the opportunity to respond. We still have one of the best communities going ...
Best regards,
Brad
www.digismile.ca