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General => Community Events => Topic started by: Rasputin on February 13, 2009, 04:54:38

Title: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Rasputin on February 13, 2009, 04:54:38
I was wondering (after reading Gordon's article (http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=2890.msg34155#new)) about a sort of contest . Not in the "I want to win because i have will get more votes kind" , but more of a form of sharing in an organized monthly fashion . Other sites do a photo contest so that is a possibility or how about a historically accurate Klicky or even ( my favorite ) historically inaccurate like in the article .  What do you think ?
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Martin Milner on February 13, 2009, 06:59:56
I really like the idea of a monthly event where we post pictures, just for the fun of it, but I'd suggest we have no rules as to the composition (except it has to be decent).

We all love to see pictures of each other's Playmo, but not everyone is into historical or fantasy Playmo. If we had a new thread started each month by a moderator, "March Photo Thread" etc, and people who wish to (I hope everybody active on the board) just post a single picture with no comment or text, I think that would be very interesting.

Leaving it open leaves scope for camera trickery, or human/klicky interaction, or, well anything.

It's tricky to keep momentum up, my Fred & Maisie theme got a few people involved, but even I forgot my F&M figures on occasion, and have F&M shots in the camera still unposted. 

Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Little Jo on February 13, 2009, 08:06:00
Sounds funny  :D

But I also do not like a restriction to a specific topic because this might prevent potential contributors to post anything (because they have a good idea to provide but it does not fit to the topic), although for sure it would make the contributions make more comparable. Anyway if it would be no competion there is no need to "compare" them.

I think, in case there should be a specific motto, this should be abstract, like we did some time ago with "friendship", so it is not stuck to a specific Playmobil theme. (I know, that "historical figure" leaves also a lot of themes open, but some of us are mainly/only specialized on modern themes ;D what would be excluded by "historical").
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: CountBogro on February 13, 2009, 13:21:41
I completely agree with Little Jo.
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Rasputin on February 13, 2009, 13:59:06
I really do not care and am just throwing ideas out there  ;) . I would just like to see an event where members can contribute in a monthly event . I know for myself i work well when there are deadlines and tend to forget or put off events that are open-ended .

Martin I have so many times told my wife that i am bringing M&F with us and simply forgot to pack them . Then when on the trip I check the local stores hoping they might have a pair so i can photograph the sites  :-[ I also need to learn how to manually focus ( if possible ) so the pair and the object are in relative clarity . It is quite hard to make them look like life sized tourist and not 3 inch toys  8}
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Martin Milner on February 13, 2009, 14:45:11
I really do not care and am just throwing ideas out there  ;) . I would just like to see an event where members can contribute in a monthly event . I know for myself i work well when there are deadlines and tend to forget or put off events that are open-ended .

Martin I have so many times told my wife that i am bringing M&F with us and simply forgot to pack them . Then when on the trip I check the local stores hoping they might have a pair so i can photograph the sites  :-[ I also need to learn how to manually focus ( if possible ) so the pair and the object are in relative clarity . It is quite hard to make them look like life sized tourist and not 3 inch toys  8}

You'll never see M&F in the shops, they're only available as an accessory set  :(  but hopefully anyone who ever puts in an order via their local Playmobil website could pick up a pair.

I'm all for deadlines for the photos, just open subject matter.

My suggestions would be to open a new thread each month, and lock it on the last day of the month, starting a new thread.

The thread could be left open, but only for comments, not new photos.

Chances are anyone taking part will get their photo up in the first day or two, having prepared it beforehand.
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on February 13, 2009, 16:06:30
I like this idea! I agree it should be open to any "decent" moral theme. I am one of few members that is a 98% modern theme collector!
Although I recently acquired an original Wizards work shop complete without box, & am starting to drool over the steck design castles :-[!.......... MY WIFE :hmm:. But back to the comment, I don't have a selection of historical, fantasy, magic or cowboys & Indians, etc. so like me, anyone who wants to post pictures should not be restricted due to availability of their collection! It needs to be an open forum to show off our preferred collection displays  :yup:!
Bill
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: cachalote on February 13, 2009, 16:43:35
this is a very good idea rasputin.  :wow:
having just pirates around, maybe i will find it difficult to comply with some themes but i can always try.  :hmm:
we already have a "photography and graphics" section.  :yup:
maybe it could be posted there.  ???
... and maybe some pictures with the quality of this one (one of my all-times favourite one posted in playmoboard) can emerge...  :love:
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Rasputin on February 13, 2009, 16:53:17
Perhaps when Sylvia hits 2000 members we can do a sort of split photo contest like the one run in Collectobil

A History category
A Fantasy category
A Modern category
Etc.....................

But yes with the amount of contributors presently one will do just fine . 

I would be happy to start it i just need input on how to organise the dates .

starts ? ( maybe at the begining of the month )
entries due by ? ( maybe the 15th )
closed ? ( maybe the end )
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: CountBogro on February 13, 2009, 19:46:48
Sounds good to me, Rasputin!
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Martin Milner on February 13, 2009, 20:30:40
Ditto - open a new one on the 1st of each month, Labelled "March 09 Photo Co-Operation" or similar.

I'm wondering if there needs to be a closing date, but hey, I can leave that up to the moderators!  ;D

Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Gepetto on February 13, 2009, 21:49:49
Ditto - open a new one on the 1st of each month, Labelled "March 09 Photo Co-Operation" or similar.

I'm wondering if there needs to be a closing date, but hey, I can leave that up to the moderators!  ;D

The pressure builds!! 8}


Gepetto
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Gepetto on February 14, 2009, 03:29:54
I think this sounds like fun, so open subject, opens first of the month and locks on the last day. I would suggest that people title their contribution(s) to facilitate future searches for specific photos. Shall we start in March?




Gepetto
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on February 14, 2009, 04:04:56
I think this sounds like fun, so open subject, opens first of the month and locks on the last day. I would suggest that people title their contribution(s) to facilitate future searches for specific photos. Shall we start in March?
Gepetto

I agree with you Gepetto in regards to the contributor assigning a title to help with future searches  :help:. March sounds great! Is the deadline date the 15th of the month? & then that monthly thread will be locked down on the last day of the month so a fresh start can be the first day of the following month, or does it need two days to close it down, & prep for the next months entries  ????
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Little Jo on February 14, 2009, 08:03:28
I really do not care and am just throwing ideas out there  ;) .

Me too  ;) Was no critisims on your idea, just another one or maybe an "extension".

I agree with you Gepetto in regards to the contributor assigning a title to help with future searches  :help:. March sounds great! Is the deadline date the 15th of the month? & then that monthly thread will be locked down on the last day of the month so a fresh start can be the first day of the following month, or does it need two days to close it down, & prep for the next months entries  ????

Hm, I think I do not understand: then contribution time will be only two weeks?  ???
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Gepetto on February 14, 2009, 16:23:10
I don't really see a need for a cutoff as long as we have time to post the pictures by the end of the month.

I rather like the idea of a general theme in that it gives all photos a connection and is independent of themes or time,  'friendship', 'helping out' ,'travel' are independent of time or theme yet would all offer different perspectives of the same thing. Thoughts?




Gepetto
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: wonderland5 on February 14, 2009, 22:22:33
this sounds like fun!!!  great idea.
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: CountBogro on February 15, 2009, 08:22:16
I don't really see a need for a cutoff as long as we have time to post the pictures by the end of the month.

Actually, since it isn't supposed to be a competition ... you're right Gepetto !

Bogro
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Rasputin on February 15, 2009, 13:56:42
IF we are going to incorporate a theme ( friendship, nature, love, jealousy etc...) should we give a certain amount of times notice ? If the cooperation starts on the 1st of March should we post the theme on the 1st of March or earlier ?

Yes this is not going to have voting so we really do not need a 15th cut off .
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Gepetto on February 15, 2009, 16:22:08
I think we should brainstorm some themes, post them so others have as much advance notice as possible (some may rather spend 3 months working towards a particular theme then participate every month) then the only deadline is to get your photos in to appear in the correct month so they are in context. Suggestions?





Gepetto
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Little Jo on February 15, 2009, 19:00:36
I also vote for providing themes in advance so people can work out their ideas.
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Rasputin on February 15, 2009, 20:24:33
Well than we will need to start putting a list together

Tragedy, Comedy, Love, Nature, Friendship, Peace, Dance, Astronomy, Helping, Traveling  ???
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: cachalote on February 15, 2009, 20:31:32
could the first theme be (in face of recent posts in another thread) LOYALTY   ? ???
as this will be the first time, maybe a closing date in march 31 could be accepted.
  :hmm:
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Little Jo on February 15, 2009, 21:42:46
I would left out the friendship topic, although it's a nice and important one, but as we did have this as topic for a annual celebration contest (when sending around the mascot figure as a contribution price.

And 'loyalty' would be really an interesting and challenging one. I'm really eager to see what contributions will be made to this topi, and if it  is possible to transport the termin just in a picture without text, and if I will have an idea by myself for this ... really exciting.
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Gepetto on February 16, 2009, 00:40:51
Okay, I am all for LOYALTY being the first theme of our 'Photo Forum' or 'Non-test', we start on the 1st of the month and cut off on the last day, to keep the themes 'pure'.

Shall this be kept in this board as an event or moved to Photography?

Possible topics:      Loyalty  -  March
                           Humor/Comedy
                           Helping
                           Friendship  - already done
                           
                           Tragedy, Love, Nature, Peace, Dance, Astronomy, Travel, Music, Irony,  Favorite Things, Anticipation, ...?
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Rasputin on February 16, 2009, 01:18:57
I think this should stay in Community events seeing as this is or may become an ongoing project . The Loyalty is a great first one for march and i would have to agree ( now that Little Joe mentioned it ) it will be hard to capture the theme in one picture . Maybe we should call it a "Photo Challenge"
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Little Jo on February 16, 2009, 05:51:40
Maybe it's possible to add the dates and topics in a stick item at the top together with the "guidelines" (idea, purpose, "rules" of this "contest"). So everybody can see what's coming next; maybe it's also usefull to have this list as a kind of table of contents, making each running "contribution phase" a hyperlink to the corresponding thread (and for the finished/closed once also a link to the corresponding comments thread) and upcomming events in plain text, maybe something like this

2009-01 - Foo (http://link-to-thread_foo) (comments (http://link-to-thread_foo-comments))
2009-02 - Bar (http://link-to-thread_bar) (comments (http://link-to-thread_bar-comments))
2009-03 - Loyality (http://link-to-thread_loyality) (running)
2009-04 - Humor/Comedy
2009-05 - Helping
...

This will keep things together and provide a better overview, because in the categories there is no chronological sorting but in which thread had been posted last.

Just an idea.
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Gepetto on February 16, 2009, 06:48:40
Okay, sounds good to me :D We will post the general information as a sticky with the schedule of upcoming themes.

Idea: To have a monthly showing of photos illustrating a common topic.

Purpose: To provide a forum whereby members can using their own themes as a palette in an attempt to illustrate a pre-selected subject  in a non-competitive environment.

Rules: Photos can be submitted anytime between  the 1st of the month and the end of the month at which time that subject will be locked.

It is to be emphasized that this is not a 'contest' and no judging or awarding of prizes will be forthcoming, this is merely a venue for members to show their creativeness in illustrating and constructing a photo(s) that will illustrate the chosen subject without the use of text. There is no limit to the number of entries a member may submit. All entries should include a title to facilitate future searches.

Any comments, suggestions, corrections?



Gepetto
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: CountBogro on February 16, 2009, 08:47:19
I have only one suggestion:

can we start next week  ;) I am not too sure I can wait this long!

Bogro
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on February 16, 2009, 14:14:55
I'm glad to see everything is coming together for this new idea! There is one question I have, & I apologise if it's already been addressed, but is there going to be a praise comment section for each photo or is there going to be a separate praise comment thread for each month?
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Martin Milner on February 16, 2009, 14:50:58
I must have lost track, when did we decide there was going to be a theme for each month?

Having already had some ideas for photos, I'm now feeling restricted again, as none of my ideas fit these themes. It's like being given the title for an essay at school, I hated it then, and I'm not very warm to the idea now.

I don't think I'll be taking part if I have to follow a set theme, but I'll enjoy seeing other people's photos.

Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on February 16, 2009, 15:07:00
I must have lost track, when did we decide there was going to be a theme for each month?
Having already had some ideas for photos, I'm now feeling restricted again, as none of my ideas fit these themes. It's like being given the title for an essay at school, I hated it then, and I'm not very warm to the idea now.
I don't think I'll be taking part if I have to follow a set theme, but I'll enjoy seeing other people's photos.

From what I have followed during the escalation of this subject, there will be a general theme each month to which the photos need to correspond with. For example, the tragedy contribution month will need pictures like my fallen hero or Rasputin's funeral of a king photo stories from what I understand, but I'm trying to picture all of the subjects I've seen addressed, & how I'd be able to contribute to the all of them, if any! It's to be able to categorize the photo's for future reference.
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Gepetto on February 16, 2009, 16:25:55
I'm glad to see everything is coming together for this new idea! There is one question I have, & I apologise if it's already been addressed, but is there going to be a praise comment section for each photo or is there going to be a separate praise comment thread for each month?

I think a separate praise comment thread for each month would keep everything tidier.

Having already had some ideas for photos, I'm now feeling restricted again, as none of my ideas fit these themes. It's like being given the title for an essay at school, I hated it then, and I'm not very warm to the idea now.

I don't think I'll be taking part if I have to follow a set theme, but I'll enjoy seeing other people's photos.

We could have every other month be 'Free Range' to let us finish up on ideas that came to us in the interim, the idea is to stoke the creative fires not to dampen them, so I for one am willing to be fairly flexible.



Gepetto
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on February 16, 2009, 16:33:36
I think a separate praise comment thread for each month would keep everything tidier.

We could have every other month be 'Free Range' to let us finish up on ideas that came to us in the interim, the idea is to stoke the creative fires not to dampen them, so I for one am willing to be fairly flexible.
Gepetto


I think these ideas would be helpful! We can always change something to fine tune it, if somethings not working out the way we had hoped.
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Rasputin on February 16, 2009, 17:22:11
I think a separate praise comment thread for each month would keep everything tidier.

Having already had some ideas for photos, I'm now feeling restricted again, as none of my ideas fit these themes. It's like being given the title for an essay at school, I hated it then, and I'm not very warm to the idea now.

I don't think I'll be taking part if I have to follow a set theme, but I'll enjoy seeing other people's photos.

We could have every other month be 'Free Range' to let us finish up on ideas that came to us in the interim, the idea is to stoke the creative fires not to dampen them, so I for one am willing to be fairly flexible.



Gepetto

This is fine with me as the more I think of trying to capture an emotion the more of a challenge it becomes ( I do like the challenge though )

Martin things in here move fast and some members including myself are looking forward to the Idea (what ever it turns out to be- theme , no theme or mixed). The 1st of the month is approaching fast and we want to get it mostly worked out ahead of time  ;)
Title: Re: Contests not to compete but to share
Post by: Little Jo on February 17, 2009, 06:55:48
Yes, Martin, for sure people can get the impression that providing a theme to follow would restrict somehow in creativity. But the idea was to chose such abstract theme so that enough space is still open for creativity and different contributions but also the months are not exchangebale due to a specific theme they are devoted to.

And just a suggestion: if you already have some ideas about great photo setups which you want to contribute with and that are not covered so far by the already mentioned themes (which in my eyes are first suggestions, anybody might correct me if I'm wrong), just find a (abstract) name for them and make just this as a suggestion for the upcoming months. I assume the themes are not given by a "dictator" but are suggestions by the people of the forum. So everybody should have the possiblity to join in.