St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

In respect to several posts that have raised concerns to the Weekly Photo Challenges (WPC) Rules -

Request: A request has been made to exclude archived photos.
Answer: I have asked ADMIN to include the EXIF Data for the photos on the Contest Pages. It is on the To-Do List and once in place the Rules will be rewritten to exclude photos taken outside the challenge period.

Request: A request has been made to remove photos that do not qualify for the weeks Theme.
Answer: I am challenging, and pulling, more and more photos. Where subjective I leave the ones on the edge, but if you see one that I miss, please feel free to PM me about it.

Request: A request has been made to narrowly define the Weeks Theme.
- When the Challenges were created a year-and-a-half-ago the idea was to start with a Theme and go from there. Art is subjective so it has not felt right to tell people what to photograph and looking back there have been some very interesting twists on the Themes that would not have been there otherwise.
- Of course, there are times when the Theme may need to be defined and I am okay with that such as this weeks (Speed Challenge).
Answer: Unless swayed otherwise, a defined Theme will be placed on a per-challenge need. How sad for instance if I wrote Blue and we kept out an amazing photo of someone feeling Blue.

Ultimately the Challenges are meant to be fun and to help everyone grown with their craft. No money, no prizes. With that is mind I open this for discussion.

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

My opinions (as if anybody cares):

Narrowly defining the theme: Yes, art is subjective. I have been surprised by how strenuously some Hogs have objected to any interpretation other than their own. However, it is often difficult and sometimes impossible to determine how certain photos can possibly reflect the given theme. The rules state that we should title the photo AND include a description. Perhaps it would eliminate some of the controversy if those who “think outside the box” would describe the thought processes pertaining to their submission.

Removing photos not qualifying for the theme: Bear up, St3v3M. Maybe we’ll get better and make your job easier once we accept that you are enforcing this rule.

Archived photos: As some others have stated they do, I, too, try to bypass those photos that obviously were made outside of the challenge period. However, I would ask that occasionally there be a photo “showcase” rather than a photo “challenge”. There seem to be many seniors on this forum. Sadly, many of us (seniors and not) do not enjoy the best of health and have issues that preclude us from being able to get out and shoot. Some health conditions are short lived, some are long term. I would like to see a means which would allow ALL hogs to participate (maybe there is another Hog out there that would like to sponsor a “showcase”).

Several Hogs admitted non-participation due to the issues now being addressed. I hope that they will now become participants.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Hey STVest, on my way out the door, but couldn't resist thanking you for your comments! S-

abby Loc: Tampa, Florida

You may consider alternating photo "challenges" with photo "contests".

1.The challenges ( with EXIF data ) would include photos taken AFTER the challenge was announced. ( Presently, I suspect 75% of the challenge photos are archived ).

2. The contests would contain any photo you would like - new or old.

It seems as though the weekly challenges have gotten to be just a "show and tell" of pictures that are not related to the theme and without much thought given to the quality of the composition, lighting, etc.

Just a thought - thanks for all you do for the site.

Abby

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Thank you! More thoughts to consider.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

STVest has a great idea about the showcases, which would include any timeframe.

I love the open-interpretation themes, and Steve you gave a great example with "blue." But I also love to see adherence to the theme when it's a more narrow definition. So "the COLOR blue" would not include the sad boy, but just "blue" would. With DYI, I submitted something that was not a home-made item or project, because you did not specify that it had to be. With "Rule of Thirds," to keep out an image of 3 kittens lined up beside it each other, you could provide the links + say that part of the challenge is to describe how one's image employs that composition tool.

GOOD stuff Steve, and thanks as always for the TON of time and thought and hard work you put into these weekly challenges!!

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Back to STVest's 'Showcases', my favorite challenge was the Photographers Choice at the end of last year. Not to give away any hints, but...

And I think what I will have to do is spell out each Challenge from now on: Open or Defined to make it easier for everyone. What intrigues me though is that when we started, and even recently with Celebrate, I do not remember anyone getting confused or making a fuss about it. Not until recently...?

As to the rest - back at all of you! It wouldn't be worth doing if you didn't enjoy it! Thank you all! Steve

bedgmon Loc: Burleson, Texas

Although I do not post on the challenge (I'm just not good enough.), I love looking! You do an amazing job on this forum and I am not sure what UHH would do without you. Being persnickety might be in a true photograher's character, I would not know. But I do know shooting is fun for me. Photography isn't my livelyhood and I often find inspiration among the entries. I sincerely thank you for your guidance in many,many areas that include this section of challenge. :thumbup: :thumbup:

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Not good enough? Have you seen your Avatar? Join us. I think we could learn a thing or two!

bedgmon Loc: Burleson, Texas

Kindness is one of your endearing traits.