Splendid Ideas.

AnCatDubh

Every so often we do a thread for people to dump their brains of great ideas that may make the forum a better, more enjoyable, and cooler place to hang out.

Such ideas often won't need any moderator intervention and in the best spirit of the boards site will be driven for the community by the community. If moderator intervention is needed then we'll endeavour to provide.

The idea is to provide a sounding board for people to discuss things that they have seen elsewhere or original thinking that they anticipate would work on our forum.

Once you post an idea, the user base of the forum can discuss it, it can be picked apart and put back together, or blow away like tumble weed in an old western.

Some new and fresh ideas may come out of it and if not, well, at least we've discussed it and we can put it to bed for a while.

So with that let's open it to the floor.

Ricky91t

Can't say i've got any issues with the forum at the moment but look forward to the other ideas that may come up

I'll check it out this evening,Hopefully by then it'll very active.

mrmac

What about a "Photography Course" section, divided up into beginner, intermediate and advanced. The material could be written by members, for other members. For example, in the beginner section, you could have an article on Exposure, Aperture, Shutter Speed, etc.
Intermediate stuff could include Composition, Light Meters, Exposure Index etc.
Advanced could include photoshop & PP techniques, studio setups, event photography, etc.

Requests could be placed for articles on various topics, i.e. strobist stuff, ND Filters etc.

Maybe a section that deals with film & processing?

Maybe this could be created in a similiar structure as the Adverts Wiki?

Ah what do I know, sure it'll get the ball rolling???

trishw78

I like the idea mrmac but and here's the but as much as we'd like it it's not really possiblethe nice admins at boards HQ could be giving us all of that extra space. There is alot of these subject covered in the FAQ thread, although I do think some of it needs to be tidied up, which I'll take a look at very soon.

I like the film & processing idea, which chemicals people prefer using and why, advantages & disadvantages of doing your own processing, etc

melekalikimaka

aye i could help on the wiki thing... a whole section of my course was to basically write a book on all that jazz, all in word docs ina folder here wasting space

humberklog

Often I'd see a pic on the Random thread and would like to ask more questions about it and often about the photographer. I don't like asking too much on that thread as it's best kept for what it is, plonking pics up and legging it.
How about a sub-thread where one could ask the photographer to move the pic from the Random thread onto the sub-thread for further discussion and analysis...a kind Thanks (but no thanks) invitational thread?

LOOKIHERE

I am a newbie so this might be done already. What about picking themes on a monthly basis and getting people to submit their photos and list them in the forum.

trishw78

was there an interview ask questions type thread here or was it in another forum I like your idea humberklog

humberklog

LOOKIHERE wrote: »

I am a newbie so this might be done already. What about picking themes on a monthly basis and getting people to submit their photos and list them in the forum.

There's a variation of that up in the Sticky Hinterland. The photo challenge. It's very good.

humberklog

trishw78 wrote: »

was there an interview ask questions type thread here or was it in another forum I like your idea humberklog

There was...I think Dragan wanted to get it going but it didn't really take off. It was more photographer orientated though whereas what I propose is more picture orientated. This of course could develop into more talk by and about the photographer. It's kind of variation on Dragan's idea but starting with a picture.

mrmac

humberklog wrote: »

How about a sub-thread where one could ask the photographer to move the pic from the Random thread onto the sub-thread for further discussion ....

Might put the frighteners on some folk, as maybe they're happy to leg it!
Or could prove dis-heartening if newbies don't get an invitation?

Fully agree with the idea though, it'd be great if the technique and concepts could be discussed openly.

Perhaps people could put an * in title bar of their post, if they're open to invite?

humberklog

mrmac wrote: »

Might put the frighteners on some folk, as maybe they're happy to leg it!
Or could prove dis-heartening if newbies don't get an invitation?

Fully agree with the idea though, it'd be great if the technique and concepts could be discussed openly.

Perhaps people could put an * in title bar of their post, if they're open to invite?

Indeed mrmac but that'd be left to the discretion of the invited. Some may want to elaborate and others to keep it short (or not take up invitation at all).

As for newbies I think it could work in the opposite. As it would stem from the photograph then it shouldn't/wouldn't matter about how established they are on boards. For e.g I've wanted to ask Keps about one of his photos.

As for an * I think it'd be simpler that when you like a photo you could simply quote the post (not the photo...ahermm) and ask them if they'd pop it on the sub- thread.

mrmac

Here's another discussion idea!

I know we have Adverts, but could we have a Virtual Gallery, where we could offer work-for-sale? Especially in these recessionary times, it could be benificial?

For example, have a set price for an 8 x 10, say 10 euro :eek: or watevr, plus P&P.

So if I really liked one of Cabaals' shots, I could buy it.

Perhaps do a deal with stcstc to provide the prints and postage, for a %.

Won't be too hard to arrange - set price list - owner puts a € symbol in the title bar.

humberklog

Mrmac that is indeed a Splendid Idea!

mrmac

humberklog wrote: »

As for an * I think it'd be simpler that when you like a photo you could simply quote the post (not the photo...ahermm) and ask them if they'd pop it on the sub- thread.

But, what if that, is just not what someone is interested in?
By issueing an invite, you make someone accept or ignore it.
By indicating that you're open to invite is different, or perhaps have a register of members who wish / or don't wish, to be invited.

mrmac

humberklog wrote: »

Mrmac that is indeed a Splendid Idea!

wooohoooooo!

Da power of Brainstorming! :rolleyes:

humberklog

mrmac wrote: »

But, what if that, is just not what someone is interested in?
By issueing an invite, you make someone accept or ignore it.
By indicating that you're open to invite is different, or perhaps have a register of members who wish / or don't wish, to be invited.

Sure it's easy to just ignore and crack on regardless. It's not a complicated idea. That's not meant to sound snotty??!!

mrmac

humberklog wrote: »

Sure it's easy to just ignore and crack on regardless. It's not a complicated idea. That's not meant to sound snotty??!!

No snottyness observed

Lets just pretend that you're a photo guru
And you're getting 30 invites a day, from 30 different folk.
How soon will you get pee'd off ignoring people?
Will people assume you're a snob, just because you won't converse with them?

charybdis

A separate "Photographs" subforum for photos people wish to display, C&C requests, and the random/theme threads.

So: the "Photography" forum for photography discussion, a "Photographs" forum for photograph discussion and display.

trooney

mrmac wrote: »

Here's another discussion idea!

I know we have Adverts, but could we have a Virtual Gallery, where we could offer work-for-sale? Especially in these recessionary times, it could be benificial?

For example, have a set price for an 8 x 10, say 10 euro :eek: or watevr, plus P&P.

So if I really liked one of Cabaals' shots, I could buy it.

Perhaps do a deal with stcstc to provide the prints and postage, for a %.

Won't be too hard to arrange - set price list - owner puts a € symbol in the title bar.

Thats a great idea.

melekalikimaka

charybdis wrote: »

A separate "Photographs" subforum for photos people wish to display, C&C requests, and the random/theme threads.

So: the "Photography" forum for photography discussion, a "Photographs" forum for photograph discussion and display.

has been discussed before, might dilute the forum a bit much imo

Danbo!

Assuming other members would agree, what about 'official sigs', now bear with me.....

Basically I was reading a thread on ideas to improve boards.ie in general and I thought about all the experts out there in all the forums.
Example:
If you go into motors, and ask about a particular model, you generally get 'ah "boards username" has one, PM him'
If you go into cycling, and ask about, I dunno, a cycling event, you get 'ah "boards username" did it last year, PM him'

Basically what Im getting at is - There are experts here in all types of photography subjects (wildlife/gigs/fashion/rally/motorbikes etc..) Maybe a thread for discussing who is good at what. I don't intend this to be just a bit of fun though, more like a certain member can, if willing, become the 'expert' of the forum, and the go-to-guy/girl, should somebody need advice on a particular subject.

Examples:
AnimalRights always has brilliant gig shots, could be 'official gig photographer'
Borderfox always has brilliant wildlife shots, could be 'official wildlife photographer'

Now these are just 2 examples, the member would have to be willing to recieve PMs, but most users on here are happy to give advice... Sort of like a mini-moderator, with zero powers:D

Just my two cents...

melekalikimaka

Stee wrote: »

Basically what Im getting at is - There are experts here in all types of photography subjects (wildlife/gigs/fashion/rally/motorbikes etc..) Maybe a thread for discussing who is good at what. I don't intend this to be just a bit of fun though, more like a certain member can, if willing, become the 'expert' of the forum, and the go-to-guy/girl, should somebody need advice on a particular subject.

Examples:
AnimalRights always has brilliant gig shots, could be 'official gig photographer'
Borderfox always has brilliant wildlife shots, could be 'official wildlife photographer'



Just my two cents...

photography is utterly subjective, each sub genre has styles, as a result its rather difficult to define one to a genre, you'd be sending someone to a specific style of a genre, a broader discussion would allow a better gauge of the genre and from there the person in question could go to the photographer with the style he or she wishes to pursue??

charybdis

melekalikimaka wrote: »

has been discussed before, might dilute the forum a bit much imo

I'm aware of the previous discussion but I don't think it would be as damaging as some have suggested.

The current "Digital Darkroom"/"Photo Challenge"/"Photographic Expeditions" haven't destroyed the forum.

What I would more broadly suggest is removing the current subforum structure, merging the "Digital Darkroom" subforum with the main forum, and consolidating the photo threads, "Photo Challenge", and "Photographic Expeditions" into one "Photographs" forum. This would provide a clean way of separating photography discussion and the shared photographic exploits of forum members.

RoryW

I think it would be useful if people occassionally posted up how they got their photo to the finished stage rather than just post the finished article to the Randon Photo thread to which everyone clicks "thanks" and that is generally the end of it

If he doesnt mind his name being mentioned, I am constantly in awe at the consistent quality of the photos posted by Archipel and think that it would be great if he (or other people where applicable) did a "step by step" of what they did to get to the finished product especially in the PP and use of PS or LR so that the rest of us at all levels could learn etc

...provided they dont mind sharing their trade secrets with us that is...:D

mrmac

Stee wrote: »

.... Basically what Im getting at is - There are experts here in all types of photography subjects (wildlife/gigs/fashion/rally/motorbikes etc..) Maybe a thread for discussing who is good at what. I don't intend this to be just a bit of fun though, more like a certain member can, if willing, become the 'expert' of the forum, and the go-to-guy/girl, should somebody need advice on a particular subject.

....

I like this idea.
Kind of a Mentor system of guidance.
I just wonder who would volunteer to be "Topic Experts"?

ATM there are un-official experts here already, any lurker who's been here awhile could identify some, i.e. stcstc on printing, Borderfox on equestrian sport, humberklog on collage, oshead is doing some fantastic portraits, and Longshanks100 and other young pgs are producing some great shots!

This is just to give an idea of the HUGE talent that's on this forum, so how do you choose an expert?

This idea links in with humberklogs idea of being able to discuss various photos with their creator. There must be a way to discuss techniques, and encourage invention, rather than depend on expert opinion.

Maybe, as per the invite route, we could have "meetings" on IM, where every week we have an invited speaker, who is prepared to discuss one of their shots.

E.G. "So this week we have new member keps to discuss his Horse Racing shots."
The meeting will be on Fri. 20th at 8pm - 8.30pm etc. etc.

mehfesto2

New suggestion:


What about if someone is REALLY proud of a picture they've taken they submit it into a threaed and we all link it in our sigs, email it's flickr location to people we know etc., etc in an attempt to get it Explored?

We could chose one or two pics a week and see how we get on?

Anouilh

mehfesto2 wrote: »

New suggestion:


What about if someone is REALLY proud of a picture they've taken they submit it into a threaed and we all link it in our sigs, email it's flickr location to people we know etc., etc in an attempt to get it Explored?

We could chose one or two pics a week and see how we get on?

The weird thing about Explore is that it does not seem to rely on the number of views a photo gets.

Interesting idea, however.

It struck me that having a Travel Thread, where posters who have found particularly good places for photography could share.
We do this in an informal way from time to time.
Having it organised might help to keep links in one place.

humberklog

mrmac wrote: »

No snottyness observed

Lets just pretend that you're a photo guru
And you're getting 30 invites a day, from 30 different folk.
How soon will you get pee'd off ignoring people?
Will people assume you're a snob, just because you won't converse with them?

I think you've got to realise where we are though.
There's no point in getting Man Utd. to tog out and then expect them to play rugby.
This is a chat tinterweb site and this is a photography forum within that chat site: therefore the demographic of most posters would be that of people willing to converse about their photograph on-line within that community.

Sure, sure, some request may be ignored but that's no biggy. I have many off days myself.

I just think it could be a good idea if kept really simple. For e.g I see mrmac has posted a belter and I may have a question re-lighting for e.g. I pop a line up on the Random Site and if this is seen and reponded to then all's well and good. If the message is missed or ignored and the photo doesn't show up on the sub-forum then ok, well and good.
Simple and descrete.

I've been out playing with my new SLR, very smart it is too.

Dragan

I think it would be nice to have a thread much like the Random Thread, but you only post in there when you are willing to go into very deep detail about exactly what it was you did with the shot and why, both before and after the click.

Basically a place to generate a lot of deep discussion about an actual photograph or technique.

I'd like to get into more of the deeper why's, with the hows just being the starting point basically.

humberklog

Dragan wrote: »

I think it would be nice to have a thread much like the Random Thread, but you only post in there when you are willing to go into very deep detail about exactly what it was you did with the shot and why, both before and after the click.

Basically a place to generate a lot of deep discussion about an actual photograph or technique.

I'd like to get into more of the deeper why's, with the hows just being the starting point basically.

Problem with that is that it could just end up as a random thread part two. Whereas if it's requested then the merit of the photograph has been awarded through a 2nd person's interest.
If it's just people putting there own up willy nilly it'd be a Random Photo thread now with added vanity.

mrs moneypenny

As you can see, I'm a relative newbie (well in posts) and a novice photographer but I try to learn new things all the time and I've improved from taking photography up as a hobby. This maybe a very stupid idea as I'm a bit of a dizzy head as well at times:o.

Mrmac has posted an idea about Mentor system. Would it be an idea to allocate a Mentor for newbies whereby instead of the likes of looking stupid on open forum and asking what a cc is, this could be done via PM?:) Just an idea but as I've said I'm a bit of a dizzy head novice.

Dragan

humberklog wrote: »

Problem with that is that it could just end up as a random thread part two. Whereas if it's requested then the merit of the photograph has been awarded through a 2nd person's interest.
If it's just people putting there own up willy nilly it'd be a Random Photo thread now with added vanity.

Great refinement, i knew i had an issue with my original idea but i couldn't put my finger on it.

Must have something to do with looking at 800 photos in an hour. :eek:

GhostInTheRuins

I think I've mentioned this before but anyways...

How about a "Bargains" sticky thread. If anyone finds any good bargains in online/brick and mortar shops and would like to share them they can post about them in the thread. For anything and everything: remotes, filters, lenses, film, pods, memory cards, inks, paper, cameras etc, whatever you might come across that others might be interested in.

A bit like over in the building and upgrading forum

njburke

Heres a couple of suggestions for the sysadmins on boards, I'm not au fait with the underlying forum engine but I'm sure there's a scribe somewhere in the back room, perhaps way back, who is.

1, when someone uploads a pic as an attachment , but doesn't then insert the url for that image between the appropiate "/IMG" tags, could it not just be assumed that the user would want the image to appear inline and make it so?

2, the random photo thread gets pretty large, it can take me half an hour to go through a couple of days worth if I've been offline for a while. We're up to random thread part 11 now, must be 500 or more images in it.

My suggestion is, before the mod closes the random thread, it gets processed and say the top 10 photos with the most thanks get appended as the last post.
The assumption here is that when a user "" a photo in the random thread it is because they liked it, in some ways its a vote of thanks.
I'm not suggesting we make they thread competitive, it would just be nice to see the most thanked pics of the thread on a single page, kinda like match highlights or 'best bits' (if anyone other than me if familiar with that term).

Yes I know some organized group may conspire to get a picture of a lens cap as the most thanked photo, sure you'll get that sorta thing the big jobs.

mrmac

mrs moneypenny wrote: »

Would it be an idea to allocate a Mentor for newbies whereby instead of the likes of looking stupid on open forum and asking what a cc is, this could be done via PM?:)

Firstly - congrats on finding your voice, and welcome!
As for asking questions, and I'm talking from observation over a long time, there is no such thing as a stupid question on here! We all have to start somewhere, and, I guarantee it wouldn't be the first time that same question was asked.

If you wished to ask an off-thread question, by PM, you'll find the Mods on here are great - they don't bite - too hard!

If you don't want to contact one of them , feel free to PM me
I'm no expert, but I'll help if I can (same as anyone here).

njburke wrote: »

.... My suggestion is, before the mod closes the random thread, it gets processed and say the top 10 photos with the most thanks get appended as the last post.

.... it would just be nice to see the most thanked pics of the thread on a single page ....

I like this idea, but think it should be expanded to the top 20.

mrmac

AnCathDubh - could you highlight the "So you are looking for a new camera" sticky in yellow - similiar to the Adverts stickies - which may help to reduce the amount of these threads?

mrmac

njburke wrote: »

.... My suggestion is, before the mod closes the random thread, it gets processed and say the top 10 photos with the most thanks get appended as the last post. ....

Thinking some more about this, and wonder could we have a "Picture Of The Week", picked, in turn, by a Mod?

Not a contest, or prizes involved, just an un-biased congrats, who, in the eyes of the Mod, has produced a memorable shot.

njburke

Mrmac,
Rather than have the mod do the selection might it not be best to leave the selection process to the hundreds of users who are the posts anyway, best of thread, best of week, most thanked user etc are all possibilities. Again its not to make it competitive, just reducing a lot of images contained in 70 or 80 pages into one for convenience.

Could the mods lock this thread, discuss whats been mentioned so far and then get back to us? Then reopen (or make a new thread) so that at the end of the day we don't end up with a three page thread and nothing really gets done....

AnCatDubh

Thanks guys, you have given us lots to think about and I suspect there are lots more to come. I've grouped together what I think is a common theme below;

humberklog wrote: »

Often I'd see a pic on the Random thread and would like to ask more questions about it and often about the photographer. I don't like asking too much on that thread as it's best kept for what it is, plonking pics up and legging it.
How about a sub-thread where one could ask the photographer to move the pic from the Random thread onto the sub-thread for further discussion and analysis...a kind Thanks (but no thanks) invitational thread?

trishw78 wrote: »

was there an interview ask questions type thread here or was it in another forum I like your idea humberklog

humberklog wrote: »

There was...I think Dragan wanted to get it going but it didn't really take off. It was more photographer orientated though whereas what I propose is more picture orientated. This of course could develop into more talk by and about the photographer. It's kind of variation on Dragan's idea but starting with a picture.

mrmac wrote: »

Might put the frighteners on some folk, as maybe they're happy to leg it!
Or could prove dis-heartening if newbies don't get an invitation?

Fully agree with the idea though, it'd be great if the technique and concepts could be discussed openly.

Perhaps people could put an * in title bar of their post, if they're open to invite?

humberklog wrote: »

Indeed mrmac but that'd be left to the discretion of the invited. Some may want to elaborate and others to keep it short (or not take up invitation at all).

As for newbies I think it could work in the opposite. As it would stem from the photograph then it shouldn't/wouldn't matter about how established they are on boards. For e.g I've wanted to ask Keps about one of his photos.

As for an * I think it'd be simpler that when you like a photo you could simply quote the post (not the photo...ahermm) and ask them if they'd pop it on the sub- thread.

RoryW wrote: »

I think it would be useful if people occassionally posted up how they got their photo to the finished stage rather than just post the finished article to the Randon Photo thread to which everyone clicks "thanks" and that is generally the end of it

If he doesnt mind his name being mentioned, I am constantly in awe at the consistent quality of the photos posted by Archipel and think that it would be great if he (or other people where applicable) did a "step by step" of what they did to get to the finished product especially in the PP and use of PS or LR so that the rest of us at all levels could learn etc

...provided they dont mind sharing their trade secrets with us that is...:D

Dragan wrote: »

I think it would be nice to have a thread much like the Random Thread, but you only post in there when you are willing to go into very deep detail about exactly what it was you did with the shot and why, both before and after the click.

Basically a place to generate a lot of deep discussion about an actual photograph or technique.

I'd like to get into more of the deeper why's, with the hows just being the starting point basically.

humberklog wrote: »

Problem with that is that it could just end up as a random thread part two. Whereas if it's requested then the merit of the photograph has been awarded through a 2nd person's interest.
If it's just people putting there own up willy nilly it'd be a Random Photo thread now with added vanity.

Dragan wrote: »

Great refinement, i knew i had an issue with my original idea but i couldn't put my finger on it.

Must have something to do with looking at 800 photos in an hour. :eek:

I think what i'm getting from all of these are that the random thread throws up some "stop you in your tracks" images and photographers would like a discussion area.

I have to say that of recent times (last week or so) much of the random thread is given towards light comment on the images (yes i've engaged myself) but it does defeat the value of the random thread and the cool work which goes on it there. It's a minor annoyance for me personally rather than anything i'd be too concerned about from the moderation perspective.

So the proposition to the forum i'm making is quite simple: A sister thread to the random thread - with a purpose for any / all discussion. Let's call it "Random Photo Thread - Discussions" (Original aren't I? :rolleyes:) Nobody is obliged to partake. By default you would be entitled / encouraged to post and ask a question about the image, about the technique used, discuss what is happening in the images, ask how'd they do that, etc...

In this default mode, discussion would have to stop short of being C&C type of discussion as the poster of the image being discussed has the option of not being C&C'd on forum. Otherwise it may discourage use of the "Random Thread" in the first place i.e. the discourse would need to be raised a level such that it wouldn't be a critique of the photograph but more a discussion of the type of photography. We would need to moderate on this point quite strictly otherwise random thread 'drop and run' would lose credibility - would that work for the forum users?

The original poster is in no way obliged to respond but may engage if they wish. Otherwise people can discuss away. This would be no different than if you posted a link to a photo on the front page of the irish times and had a discussion.

A second way into that thread could be an invite from one poster to another in which case with agreement the image can be dissected in detail and as agreed. In this case less moderation would apply to the on topic comments.

While this I think captures the essence of what is being suggested I'd appreciate people identifying any issues there may be with this as I'd hate if anything we did diluted the random thread or discouraged participation in any form.

Ok. back for me to read some more of those cool ideas. Keep em coming.

dakar

Sounds good to me. I was starting to find the babble on the random thread just at the level that I was beginning not so much avoid it as not jump straight in for a look when I logged in.

The random discussion thread would suit me fine. I never put stuff up for C&C but, (like most people here I suspect) I'd quite happily chat away about any aspect of my shots. I do dump and run, but I don't run far!

My 2c on this great idea.

ThOnda

Quoting allowed???
It was such a nice thread for a while. I am really against quoting already posted images. Everybody can just post a link to that specific post that carries the picture.
Please, consider my opinion and strong believe.

DaireQuinlan

Ricky91t wrote: »

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=60896497#post60896497

Ok,I'll be the first to ask a question,I got Alot of thanks on this post could people give me some info as to which they liked most..Cheers

I also chose to go with Thonda's idea,It's a better thing to do i think

I didn't think the idea was that people could invite discusion on their OWN photographs ? I mean you can always open a C&C thread for that if you want. I was under the impression that this was so you could invite OTHER people to discuss their images if you had specific questions you wanted to ask.

AnCatDubh

TBH, I hadn't thought of people asking about their own photo as it hadn't come up in the discussions on the ideas thread.

However, it was a posting to the random thread so albeit the OP of the photograph inviting discussion on their own image - as its resulting from a reaction gained through the random thread, i'd be happy enough that it is in the spirit of the idea.

Ricky91t

DaireQuinlan wrote: »

I didn't think the idea was that people could invite discusion on their OWN photographs ? I mean you can always open a C&C thread for that if you want. I was under the impression that this was so you could invite OTHER people to discuss their images if you had specific questions you wanted to ask.

You'd get fairly sick of seeing C&C threads from me if that was the case,No need for block capitals I can read...I posted three images which where quite different in terms of photographic techniques I didn't think they'd go down well here,But after seeing quite a few people clicking the thanks button I was intrigued to see of it was the "frozen" action shot,Or if it was the panning shots that a lot of the members seems to always prefer due to the feeling of speed they give you...

DaireQuinlan

Ricky91t wrote: »

You'd get fairly sick of seeing C&C threads from me if that was the case,No need for block capitals I can read...I posted three images which where quite different in terms of photographic techniques I didn't think they'd go down well here...

All the more reason for a C&C thread. I don't think anyone gets sick of C&C threads, particularly if, ironically, the shots are good (as these are). On the off-chance that they do then the threads slip quietly off the front page without reply anyway. The point being that you can start off your own C&C thread with your own images. You obviously can't do it with someone elses images and invite comment (well actually I guess you can but it'd be a bit rude to say the least :rolleyes:) hence this thread. It looks like AnCatDubh disagrees with me anyway so I'll let this one lie so.

humberklog

This came up on the suggestion thread too.
If people are going to post their own it's just going to be another Random Thread This Time With Extra Vanity. It should be invitational.

AnCatDubh

The idea was put forward to have a photo of the week thread which would highlight one selected image of excellence by one of our forum users.

So were going to give it a go - the way it will work is as follows;

The moderators will review the random thread and select an image based on the popularity of the images over the week in question.

The week in question will be a week in arrears in order to be fair to images posted in the latter part of any given week.

The moderators discretion will be applied to the selection such that the image should have photographic merit - this to account for images posted which may have comic or other merit and receives a lot of popularity as a result (but perhaps little photographic merit).

Images must remain accessible (published on flickr / pix.ie / etc.) i.e. if an image which has popularity is no longer viewable from the forum at the original address, the moderators will move on to the next most popular image.

If a post has more than one image in it, the moderators will select that which they feel is the best of those within the popular post.

Popularity is measured by the 'thanks' recorded on the individual post at a particular moment in time when the moderation of the forum review the random thread.

If more than one image has the same popularity then the moderators will select one or choose to provide a joint award.

The moderators will post a new thread for each photo of the week with the picture in it.

The assumption is that should your image be selected as the photo of the week then by already having submitted your image to the random thread, you have no difficulty with it being posted in a 'photo of the week thread'. You may not be aware of it until it happens (should it happen for you). The random thread rules will be updated to reflect this.

Your boards persona (username) will be given credit to the image.

Obviously, the above in no way interferes with your rights to the image and doesn't yield any rights to boards.ie, the moderators, etc... Essentially, it is of course still your image 100%.

So - look out for our first photo of the week which will feature week incorporating 22nd - 28th of June inclusive.

Thanks.

MartMax

Hi all - just another idea.

Having recently got the house broken and a number of things taken away including few lenses (a 70-200 f4 L IS too!), has come to my mind if it'd be a good idea for a specific thread to report stolen, lost & found photography related equipment.

Maybe it could be also some sort of a register of equipment with serial numbers, etc where one could refer to when buying second hand goods off ebay, adverts, etc.

Off topic, Still having bit of a mourn after the incident, living in a shock that I have somehow to start it all again! Hopefully my insurance will sort this out.

Cheers,
Mart

AnCatDubh

I like this idea for a number of reasons. A major strong point would be that Google indexes boards many times during the day so if you accurately post the serial number of a lens or camera that has been stolen then if at any stage into the future someone google's it, they will invariably come across the boards posting. Try google a thread from earlier in the day. It's slightly scary how fast they get their hands on the boards stuff.