What to do? Could we discuss the Hosting of Threads?

[Mira]

I don't yet even have a photo picked for the Wide Open Space, but I do know entering implies the outside chance of a win and I know I can't host in July.

What to do of course is to not enter, even though I don't like that idea.
Or ask someone to do it for me, just in case.

Yet, and here is the subject for discussion, we could somehow have a few folks in abeyance who are willing to step in, or swap in anticipation of a future win.

Thoughts? I can't quite figure out how to do this equitably. Maybe together we could.
I'm probably not the only one who has this dilemma at times, and I am surely willing to be on a list one can call on to help out.

[rdking647]

1. i know ill have the same dilemma in july for august

the only thing i can think of is maybe have a "bank" of regulars from here that would be willing to host occasionally in trade for someone else hosting when they win...
ie mira solly and i join the host bank.

mira wins the contest but cant host for whatever reason. mira can then designate someone from the "host bank" to do it for her and in return,say me for example. then if i win a contest i can then designate mira to host for me

[Mira]

2. Yeah,

thank you for thinking this through with me. It's pretty much what i had in mind.
Maybe we could have a thread: "Host Bank" and tie it to the top.
Then if someone needs it they can use it for help or a swap.

Any other thoughts? Or seconds?

[groundloop]

3. I'd think a previous host could step in and 'guest-host'

Having had the opportunity to host once before I've learned a few things that would make doing it again much easier. I'd be glad to 'guest-host' if someone couldn't do it.

As for swapping out, personally I don't think that would work. For one thing that assumes that the guest-host is going to win another contest at some point in the future. It seems that participation is increasing (as evidenced by how fast contests are filling up now), as well as the level of competition, therefore I think being a repeat winner is going to be rare (well, at least that's a good excuse for my recent lack of success). My thoughts are for you to pick the topic and have the guest host carry on from there.

[Mira]

10. I'm just now going through the responses again

in order to decide if anything has prevailed as a consensus. One never ever knows who wins. Some photos I loved bombed. Others I thought mediocre have done well. I believe in being prepared and responsible when possible
Sadly contests are filling up much more slowly than they have before the open voting and DU3. The difference is huge. We used to fill up in no more than 3 days, often faster.
So, since now the norm is that we do not have 30 entries the chance of a win is proportionately increased.

I'm off to read some more and see what I can figure out to do.

[CrispyQ]

4. I know I'm new to this forum, but I like the idea of a host bank.

Someone shouldn't miss entering a great photo because they aren't available to host at a later date.

Put me on that list.

[bluesbassman]

5. I like the idea of a "host bank".

We could pin a new "Contest Guest Host Bank" thread. where interested members could add their names as potential guest hosts and contest winners could find a willing guest host to cover for them in case of absence.

Probably be best to have the guest host be contacted via PM so it doesn't put them on the spot in an open thread if they must decline.

[Mira]

11. That's about the best route -

your input is very valuable to me.

[bluesbassman]

20. Thanks Mira.

Glad I was able to provide some helpful input. Good job in bringing this to the group's attention and following up with a solution!

[Mira]

6. I like that there are thoughtful responses.

Thank you! I'll let this run a while longer and find the interest and offers encouraging.
It may well be that something good and useful will come of it.

I doubt that this potential bank of the willing will be very much used. But I think that having it is like a little insurance policy.
There may be some who don't have the courage to enter because they fear running a contest - and there may be some who have the time and inclination to run one for practice and have not yet had a win.

I'll look at it again tomorrow. Thanks all for taking me seriously and for your opinions.

[alfredo]

7. The first time is scary, the twentieth time a chore.

If you enter the contest, you enter knowing you will have to host if you win.

Yes, there should be a list of people willing to step in if there is a real need for the winner to beg off.

[Mira]

12. There are some - I think -

who have won, and then it began to dawn that it came with a serious responsibility....
LOL

[alfredo]

14. My problem was self doubt. Once the first poll was posted correctly, it became easier.

Last edited Thu Jun 12, 2014, 12:19 PM - Edit history (1)

I wasn't as clear as I should have been about how I selected images for the finals. I didn't follow the accepted route.


It took over a decade to finally have a winning photo.

[Mira]

16. The amount of time it took

for you to win - was the absolutely most ridiculous thing I have witnessed on this board.
Bar none.

[alfredo]

17. Winning doesn't matter to me. I see the contest as community building.

[Mira]

18. What I like is the process of it all and the cameraderie.

Winning is nice but not terribly important.
When I get second place - that's when I feel very special!

[alfredo]

21. I got second in the first contest. I didn't start getting second again until recently.

It's so good to see how the level of competition has risen. I have learned so much from the winners.

I remember your photos from when you bought a used lens from some guy. I think it was a 50mm. That spurred me into looking for legacy glass and and a return to manual control over focus and aperture.

My next lens:



This will give me a 28mm lens for landscapes.

[Mira]

23. You are what separates rank amateurs like myself

from the ones who know what they're doing. I find it fascinating you remember me getting that lens. I still don't know how to use it, and plan to check into it soooooooon

[alfredo]

26. Do you have focus assist on your camera? Use it to fine tune the focus. Hyperfocal and

zone focusing are other techniques you can use. f8 is your friend.

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/hyperfocal-distance.htm

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/forums/thread7930.htm

When I started photography, there was no such thing as AF

[Mira]

27. Thank you! You're one of my heroes

in a number of ways.
The time will come when I can focus on learning some stuff. Right now just living day to day is by the seat of my pants.

[alfredo]

28. Naw, not a hero.

Challenges keep the mind sharp. Easy sailing soon becomes boring.

[Mz Pip]

8. I could help out.

I faced that delemna last summer. I was able to do most of it but had someone post the winners thread for me as I couldn't figure out how to do the links from my iPad.

Maybe we could divide up the tasks. Just a suggestion.

[alfredo]

15. Try "Copy" then paste the url. I just did it in my iPad.

[Mz Pip]

19. Maybe it's me

But I can't seem to the the URL to appear. I tap on the picture and nothing happens. There's a knack to this that i do not have. 😣

[alfredo]

22. Tap and hold.

[Mz Pip]

24. Ah, so that's the trick!

I wasn't holding long enough. Pounding on the iPad sure wasn't working.

Thanks you! 😉

[alfredo]

25. If your goal is to make your finger sore, pounding the ipad will work. ;)

[ManiacJoe]

9. I am willing to lend a hand when needed.

[Mira]

13. I have now made a post about this topic and pinned it to the top nt