General themes for the next Photo Contest

[Longgrain]

It's going to be a tough call to pick a Theme based on the discussion we've had. Some suggestions seemed to broad for some, some seemed too narrow, so I just took a bunch of subjects, mostly broad ideas, based on some of the threads we've had and suggestions.

I'm guessing most folks are going to choose the subject they are best at, but I'm guessing these are ideas all could agree on to some degree...

[TahitiNut]

1. Suggestion ...

Take the top two vote-getters and combine them as the single theme. For example, if 'Buildings' and 'Cemeteries' take the two top places then the single theme would/could be "cemetery buildings" or "building cemeteries."

This is the "refrigerator magnet" approach to poetry and ought to work in interesting ways for the theme. "Floral shadows" might be an awesomely inventive theme, for example. This approach also offers far more possibilities than just the bare selections. Further, it takes care of the "what about a tie" question, so if it's a 3-way tie that's not a problem either - it's an opportunity/

[Longgrain]

2. That is an interesting idea

lets see how this pans out. Animal Buildings could be kind of weird.

[TahitiNut]

3. Doghouses, barns, cat cozies, or the Triojan Horse all come to mind ...

... without even thinking about it for long. Personally, I like the "win-win" philosophy of the approach, too.

As I think about it, I think of gargoyles and other decorative animal motifs on buildings, too. See?

http://willware.net:8080/cancun2k1/animal_heads_on_the_corners_of_a_building.jpg

[Longgrain]

4. I see great suggestion...

It could also keep things from getting too general...since animals could include anything, combining themes would sort narrow the possibilities.

I wonder what everyone else thinks...

[TahitiNut]

5. "I wonder what everyone else thinks."

Me too.

I seem to have acquired the Threadkiller Sword. When I start a thread, it dies. When I weigh in early, it suffers crib death. When I weigh in later, it expires of old age.

[intheflow]

23. TahitiNut! You NUT!

When was the last time you saw a Trojan horse to take its picture?!?!? :silly:

[TahitiNut]

24. Well, when I was a kid, my parents drove us to California on Route 66.

It was the trip of Route 66 legend in the 50s, with everything the song describes and more. Among the Route 66 roadside "attractions" were buildings in the shape of various kinds of animals (e.g. dinosaurs, cows, horses). These were things people could actually enter, usually by climbing a stairway, and then, when inside, climb some ladder or stairway for a view. (Usually not much to view, though.)

When I was composing the post above, realizing that most DUers aren't old enough to remember these things and not wanting to go into the above explanation, I just grasped for the most relevant phrase I could find in my skull at the time. "Trojan Horse" seemed descriptive enough so I used it. :shrug:


IIRC, there're still Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox buildings/statues somewhere north of me in Michigan. I can't remember if they're enterable.

[intheflow]

25. The attractions are still out there.

I saw a giant Fred Flintstone outside the Grand Canyon two years ago, and just outside Colorado Springs there's a giant scarab beetle. I think Longgrain has a thread here about roadside attractions. I keep meaning to dig out my Fred and beetle shots, scan them in, and post them in that thread. One of these days...

[intheflow]

16. I like this idea only in case of a tie.

Because if one theme comes out the winner, it should, you know, win. Although I personally have a great entry for animal buildings! :)

I also think "animals" is too broad a category. It would be hard to evaluate cute kitty pictures against photos of lions on the Serengeti. Maybe for next poll we could have domestic animals and other animals?

[intheflow]

6. OK, before I vote I need to know...

Do you want me to post the contest, thus disqualifying myself from entering and enabling you to enter, Longgrain? That will make all the difference as to how I vote, even though I know I'm low on the totem pole for entering anyway since I was in the top 3 last time....

[Longgrain]

7. Would you like to post the contest?

That would be great if we could all take turns, posting the contest and setting the themes...That would be the Democratic way wouldn't it?

[intheflow]

12. Absolutely democratic!

And taking turns would keep you from buring out. So I'd be happy to post it so you could partake in the fun. After all, we wouldn't even have this group if it wasn't for you, dear Longgrain. You should be able to play, too! :hug:

[Longgrain]

13. Then the reins are all yours BUT

YOU have to pick the theme...

(Based on Polling data, suggestions ETC...)

[intheflow]

15. Damn!

You've taken all the joy out of it! :silly:

Whatevah! If that's how it must be, so be it.

I like GOP Fighter's suggestion (below) that the previous winner runs the next contest. Starting with the winner of February's contest, of course. Now that I have the power for this month, I ain't givin' it up! Bwaaaahaaahaaa!!!!

[GOPFighter]

19. Just remember...

...even though you are hosting this month's contest, you are more than welcome to include the photo you would have submitted had you been a contestant.

I don't want to be denied the pleasure of seeing more of your work.

[amazona]

8. well I voted floral

Since it's February, love, flowers, all that crap, but now I wonder why since I don't think I'm eligible to enter this one and I flatter myself I have a great floral pic!

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[intheflow]

17. Why wouldn't you be eligible to enter this time, amazona?

The only people absolutely excluded is/are the winners of the previous contest, as I understand the general guidelines of the contest. I came in 2nd/3rd last time (since 1st place was tied), so Longgrain told me in another thread that if there were more than 10 entries, my entry would be bopped to low priority to allow the most people to be able to participate. I think that's fair for the top 3, but it's really only a hard and fast rule for the previous month's winners.

So please enter! :hi:

[amazona]

18. oh only the WINNERS are excluded, thanks!

I missed that, for some reason, I thought all who entered last time are excluded the next time.

Got it now. :-)

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[GOPFighter]

9. Since I'm not eligible this month...

...it doesn't seem right to vote on the upcoming contest, but I would like to make some suggestions.

The winner each month should host the next month's contest (or make arraignments for someone else to do it.) This will allow the previous host to enter.

Also, I like all of the suggested categories in the poll, but I only have decent photos in a few of the categories (my "portfolio" consists almost entirely of my grandkids, our cat, and trees covered with snow :shrug:). If we could announce the contest theme a month in advance, it would allow those of us who are "subject challenged" time to go out and try our hand at that subject.


Here's the subjects I'm most fond of:

Our cat (both are feral, only the one on the right stayed with us)



One of my five grandkids



Trees with snow on them

[Longgrain]

10. Thanks and what awesome pictures!

I'm hoping someone other than me will volunteer to post the contest...

Tho I think the poster of the contest should be the final judge of the theme...

The job is yours if you want it?

[GOPFighter]

11. Normally I would...

...but I'll be out of the country the end of Feb and early March. I think intheflow has offered to host this month's contest.

[RagingInMiami]

14. Well it looks like we're getting to have a nice little group here

I like that idea that the winner of a contest posts the next contest. And I'm glad Intheflow has offered to post this contest to allow longgrain to enter.

Now that he is a contestant, I'm sure he wants to have a self-portrait theme.

[Longgrain]

20. I'm actually hoping for an old abandoned

amusement park theme...or is that too general...:shrug:

[outraged2]

21. Wouldn't abandoned amusement parks...

...fit into both the buildings option and the cemetery poll option?

[Longgrain]

22. I think so...but ask intheflow

she's in charge now...:P

[intheflow]

29. Of course!

Wonderfully creative! :thumbsup:

[intheflow]

26. Longgrain, I need some guidance.

How long should this poll be up? It seems like it's been up for weeks already to me, but then, I'm a litle compulsive about hanging in DU, and in here, particularly. Was surprised ot see you only posted it 4 days ago! So what do you think? 7 days should do it?

[Longgrain]

27. Usually 24 hours...

Here's what I've been doing.

Announce the theme of the contest here in the photo group 1 week before you want the contest held, (pick some time you're going to be around to hold it, for me...usually the weekend).

Take the first ten new entries and hyperlink them into your poll.

Announce an official time to "declare the winner"

but the numero uno rule is...


HAVE FUN!!!:party:

[intheflow]

28. Oh, yeah, got it for contest. What I'm wondering about is

how long should I keep this poll up? :hi:

[Longgrain]

30. Until we decide on a final theme?

It's not up to me anymore. :7

Tho I do like the idea of "Abandoned Cemetery Buildings"

[outraged2]

31. When is the contest going to be? n/t

[Longgrain]

Ask intheflow

she volunteered to run it this time...:7

[outraged2]

33. Yes

I know... since this is where most of the discussion is happening I just threw my question in, sorry. :)

[intheflow]

35. I'll be posting result of this poll on 2/18 and

calling for submissions in the chosen category at that time. Contestants will have 1 week to post a picture (or ten entries, whichever comes first, of course). Photo entry closes on 2/25.

The contest will post in the Lounge on the 26th, around 6pm EST.

That's the plan. :hi:

[outraged2]

37. Thanks n/t

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Longgrain]

34. Hey welcome to the Photography Group, Grovelbot!

We all hope to see some of yoour photos soon...Have a look around, there is quite a bit of talent here on DU so enjoy!

[smurfygirl]

36. I voted cemetaries. But I like the idea of combining

the top two winners. Maybe we could have two contests. One with the winner and another with second place. Then we could decide which one we wanted to enter. That way we could all enter the contest and noone would have to be left out.

[intheflow]

38. smufygirl, we can have too contests...

when it's your turn to run the contest. As for me, I'm already grossly neglecting school work to play in here--please don't feed my addiction. :hi:

[TahitiNut]

39. "too contests"???

Yep. You do seem to be "grossly neglecting school work."

:evilgrin: :silly: :dunce: :evilgrin: :silly: :dunce: :evilgrin: :silly: :dunce: :evilgrin: :silly: :dunce:

[intheflow]

40. D'oh!

[ralps]

41. Hi Intheflow, Have you decided when to post the contest? Calling intheflow

Calling intheflow, Please report to the photography group.
:hi:

[intheflow]

43. Patience, Grasshopper!

Oh, wait! You don't need to be patient because the submission phase has started! :silly:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=280x1365

[intheflow]

42. VOTING on the theme is CLOSED.

The winning theme was "cemeteries."

Go here to enter in the contest. :hi: