My thoughts so far on PhotoFest...

[alveraz]

Edited: ah forget it, it's the holidays

[Andrew Brinkhaus]

I feel the same way Alveraz. After I placed in a few contests, their wasn't really any gratification besides a few people saying "good job" and that was basically it. I think we need to space out the contests by a few weeks, and focus on great topics, and offering a prize to the winners.

[Robbie Comeau]

There mini fests, and from my understanding, do you really feel you need to win something for this fest?

DVXFest yes, that's awesome that you win.

But for this mini fest, I really don't see a need in a prize.

I wouldn't mind the critique, and the "1st place winner- Robbie Comeau"...That's all I'd need.

But I guess if your into photography, you may have a different view on this. I just do it for the fest and for the joy.

Robbie

[alveraz]

My post never mentioned "getting something" for winning, that's what andrew mentioned, but my original post was something completely different, just thought I should clarify

[Andrew Brinkhaus]

Yeah, I don't necessarily think it needs to be a physical prize, it just seems that even the winners hardly get announced for each fest! I guess it just seems sluggish at the moment, and I don't know if that is because of the moderation of the contest, or the active entries, participants, interest, etc. etc. but I think spacing them out a little and giving more attention to each will yield more entries with higher quality images.

Prizes completely optional, maybe several mini categories, and one prized category with the first place photographer receiving something small? Even a date with Robbie would draw attention I'm sure.

[Drew Ott]

Maybe the photographer who gets the most weekly "points" over 6 (or 3 or 12 or 8... whatever) months gets a larger amount of recognition.

[Adam Gonzalez]

Edited: ah forget it, it's the holidays

Alve,
Man o Man. You have always got something to say lol.

a date with Robbie would draw attention I'm sure.

How bout a date with you Brinkhaus!

[alveraz]

I kinda like that points idea someone mentioned. It could be a cool ranking type system, we don't need to actually win anything, just have a cool page with point rankings or something like that so it's a more competitive spirit, keeping it fun and interesting? You know, trying to reach the top of the competition? Maybe something like 3 points for first, 2 for second and 1 for third place?

This is an example of what it might look like when all is said and done...

Alveraz: 3,462
Your name here: 0
Your name here: 0
Your name here: 0
Your name here: 0
Your name here: 0
Your name here: 0
Your name here: 0
Your name here: 0
Your name here: 0


he-he.

[Jeremy Ordan]

The concept behind the DVXUser Photography Fests has always been to provide a community event that will encourage members to go out and actually shoot.

There has never been any other greater vision but to provide ample opportunity for membership to go out and take place in an event that encourages people to actually shoot.

Obviously there are a couple of things that could use some ironing out.

From what I am gathering thus far it seems as if:
1. People want a greater level of recognition with the winners
2. People are against the weekly format
3. People want prizes or don't want prizes


My response:
1. People wanting greater recognition
Response: The goal has always been to design a system that will allow portfolios for members including galleries, winning galleries (such as the old medal system we had), as well as some greater display of winning images other than thread posts. Our system has been designed by volunteers, just as these fests are run by volunteers. Things do not happen overnight.
2. People wanting more time between fests.
Response: Originally these fests were conceived as weekly events... like assignments. We then progressed to biweekly or just greater lead times on each fests. Then the fests died out due to lack of participation. With the relaunch we planned to return to the weekly assignment culture with an idea of eventually moving to a biweekly format. After community discussion we were split and I made the decision to keep it as a weekly event. For current fests I have been announcing with greater lead times but a weekly deadline. As of right now I believe that this is the most effective format. Each entry will be granted a two week time period to be shot in but it is a weekly fest (meaning tomorrow I will announce Fest #11).
3. Prizes
Response: When we are having under 10 members of a 20,000+ member community participate it is tough to go to sponsors to request sponsorship. Furthermore, if you look at the other 'photography challenge' sites they do not offer prizes, not that that is a requirement or has anything to do with us (this has always been, as I said, a DVXUser.com community event to encourage people to go out to shoot). That all being said, I am not against prizes. I am a bigger fan of recognition for the winners, and once we complete the fest system this should provide a more than ample way to track winners and the consistency of winning participants.


So moving forward:
I would like members to continue to PM me with their ideas for future fests and concepts that they want to see. I would like members to continue to PM me with suggestions on how to improve not only the fests but participation. Most of all, I want people to continue to participate, otherwise it might just become where we refer people to outside photography contest sites rather than catering to shooters here.

[peggylee]

Edited: ah forget it, it's the holidays

Hey, my puter or isp or something crashed..I missed out on playing, but barring aliens abducting me again. I'm gonna play more. I love seeing everyones work and it gets me off my butt