More thoughts on the next contest....

I've received some private feedback that maybe a contest based on an "idea" is discouraging to some participants in the group. My "unity" concept is not set in stone and I would like to see as many people enter as possible, so why don't we have a little discussion about this before everybody runs out and starts taking unity pictures.

One thought is that maybe we could turn the fall "challenge" into a fall "contest," using that for the next theme. I would assume that by this time fall is pretty well over with most places -- but, of course, this creates some issues for people in the south who don't really have fall.

What are your thoughts, everybody? I want to be democratic about this -- this is Democratic Underground, after all.

I wasn't crazy about the abstract strength theme, either. If we're going to do idea-based themes, I'd rather see them every other month. I'm an abstract thinker, but I don't think I'm much of an abstract photographer.

I also agree that a fall-themed contest isn't very fair to our southern brothers and sisters who don't really have fall.

I'd like to go back to what we used to do. The host would collect several theme ideas and put up a poll here for the group to vote on. Theme with the most votes, wins. That way, if "unity" or "fall" wins, it's by group consensus, not a top-down authoritarian model.

("top-down authoritarian"... yeah, because that's how I view Blue and CC... as totalitarian dictator types. NOT!! :silly:)

Actually.. I like abstract conceptual themes. Unity works for me. Whatever you want to do young lady is all good. But if means I don't have to "Host" a Fall theme challenge....

:woohoo:

Disclaimer: I'll still do the fall thing if need be. The only comment I would make is that a Fall Contest might have more participation than a Unity Contest.

Way late this year and most likely won't be much of one. But I can do fall. With Halloween then Thanksgiving, if you made it a seasonal type contest for fall even the south and desert could find something. Jack-o-lanterns, ghosties, trick or treaters, etc just for Halloween as part of any Autumn theme.

I didn't really think strength was that hard but then I already had ideas of what would fit it. Though now I know how others felt when you said unity. It is much easier when you already have ideas and thought of it. Then again I look at unity as a challenge to try now either way.

It would be better if more people entered, I was getting worried there for a bit, so harder isn't going to get as many. And worrying you made it too weird is a tad stressful.

But here is the hard part for non-authoritarian types, it is all up to you in the end. (And yes in a way that is the hard part)

Unity is going to be much harder than strength, though, I have to say.

As far asthe fall challenge goes, I live 60 miles from Florida and there are things here I can do. It may be stretching the fall part some, but what the hell lol. I'm interpreting fall as harvest or Halloween. Fall has just started for us,btw and we don't get much of anything resembling winter. Winter themes are definitely out for me unless it happens to snow when I go home for Christmas lol.

... themes. I was surprised we didn't see several (perhaps trite) images representing 'strength' ... such as an adult bending to lift ai child, an older person's hand, grass growing through cracks in a sidewalk/road, and so on.

I'm hesitant to list some of the ways I think 'unity' could be portrayed, but I think it's a very apt theme.

I think an abstract theme presents one other opportunity - an "Honorable Mention" recognition of the best representation of the theme itself, independent of the other aesthetic/technical elements of the photo.

So very much of the quality of the photo as we see it is dependent on our monitor settings (and those of the contestant) that we could argue interminably about color, color balance, saturation, etc. But the thematic impact/innovation isn't so much dependent on that.

Is an abstract theme more of a "stretch"? Yep. That's good, imho.

My only concern with highly conceptual themes is the lack of participation. A number of "regulars" have faded from view over the last few months as it is. It took an extended submission period just to come up with 20 entries during the last contest.

IMO every photograph that is entered deserves an "Honorable Mention". If I wasn't sooooo tired right now I'd go through every entry from last month and give kudos to the creativity that was displayed by everyone, and explain why.

If there weren't so many filmsies here I would prefer that all contest photos be "fresh". Taken during or close to the time of the actual contest...but this would completely unfair to them. There also needs to be a lot of pre-evaluation of "potential photos" prior to the contest... IMHO. Give people a chance to share ideas and get the creative juices flowing. Maybe inspire a few people to work on new photo ideas.

Also... "abstract themes" can be lost on the Lounge. Both you and DS1 have made comments regarding lounge voting. Personally... I don't have a problem with it but I understand the limits. There was one photo entered in the "Hot Days of Summer" challenge that I thought was awesome and truly represented the theme. It hardly registered a whimper in the lounge voting. That really baffled me. Oh, and don't ask which one.... I ain't sayin'. You can probably figure it out though.

And finally before I collapse asleep at my keyboard... there is the matter of subjective interpretation. For example. I really liked the photo below for "strength". Everything about it to me said "strength". The strength and power of the hands forging the metal... the anvil itself. The problem? No one agree with me. And I mean no one. Everyone I showed it to just kinda rolled their eyes.

:eyes:

(just kidding)

Seriously, I think the problem is that the piece of metal being worked, the hammer, and the anvil are all rather small specimens of their kind. It looks like he was doing some precision, detailed work that required more care than strength. If it had been a huge anvil, a sledgehammer, and some big piece of metal, more people would have figured it out right away.

:cry:

I see what you're sayin'.
:hi:

:evilgrin:

created and molded just this way - strength - absolutely. The anvil was used to forge wagon wheels, farming tools and let's not forget horse shoes that promoted agricultural productivity and growth in every country in the world, even though chained, this anvil gives up strength - strength - I know so. The only criticism I might have is that it is not one of the good old iron ones instead of what looks to be a steel one - but that does not take away from it.
My childhood memories will always be the sound it made when being used and the double beat of the hammer. Was it a perfect high C? Or sometimes a B flat? I am sure it was the beginning of my appreciation of classical music as I grew older.
Great picture by the way!

That one works for me. To me it said that even a small piece of metal is so strong that it has to be super-heated and smashed with a hammer just to get it to bend. But, maybe I'm just weird.

It could be portraits, it could be still life, it could be anything that focuses in closely.

They leave it so much more open. It might be cool if we could post a short blurb on our pic that people would see when voting about why the picture speaks to us in such an abstract way.

I would have participated last month, but it was just so darn busy. I have a feeling people may be busy straight on through the end of Jan. It is that time of year. I wouldnt let that discourage abstract themes.

My. 02

The unity idea was a good one, but so is fall. Maybe I'm just easy to get along with. :D