Community Practices

[eternity]

So, since we've had such a low turn out with these recently I'm looking for your input on how to bring the submission level up.

Is the deadline too long/short?
Are the topics interesting? If not, do you have any suggestions?
Is the format easy to understand? If not, why not?

And of course, any other suggestions you have that aren't included in those questions are quite welcome

[stoner]

I think the winner should have some prize like a custom title. I also feel like we should pick our own topic .

[eternity]

Why would you pick your own topic? And why should there be a custom title? This is a practice, not a competition. I'm not writing off the suggestions, I just want to know your reasoning behind them.

[stoner]

People are different in every way. By letting them pick their own topic , I think it shows independence , and some appreciation.
Then , we can help and support them as a mentor not a teacher.

I think the winner should have some prize like a custom title

I am going to take that back. This more of a learning experience!

[Scott1707]

Well obviously I missed the previous attempts at this but here are some of my suggestions which may already have been included: -

• A recognition for the person who both improves the most on their on skills and produces the best piece. Example, posted on the website which would provide the member with satisfaction that the work is admired and appreciated.
  
• I dont know what the previous deadline was, but something around 2 weeks keeps it relatively active... If it is longer than that, then people would lose interest in it as it doesn't happen often and therefore people don't get to post comments on their work.
  

Apologies if these were both in the previous attempts,
Scott

[eternity]

All items that were contributed were added to the website and the deadlines were 2 months

[cypher]

I think most people, such as myself, don't really care enough about practice. Sure it can be helpful at times, but we can do it on our own time... any time.

I think community practice should be more of a learning experience. Make it in the way of a classroom setting.

Example; Topic: Photo Manipulation. Task: To take a selected group of stock images and transform/manipulate them into one piece. Have people signed up for the task submit a piece a week or so later. Then someone go through and look at the pieces and let the person know what could be improved on. Not how the subject matter of the piece could be improved but the techniques themselves. Then the people take these pieces and try to improve upon them. This way people will actually learn from the practice.

[eternity]

I try to make it like that but if you make the subject too specific then not many people take part.

sorry, completely misread that.

I've not thought about giving feedback, that's a good idea. Providing I have time lol

[craz]

Jun 20, 2008 14:06:42 GMT @eternity said:

I try to make it like that but if you make the subject too specific then not many people take part.

sorry, completely misread that.

I've not thought about giving feedback, that's a good idea. Providing I have time lol

Maybe instead of resting all the feedback on your shoulders the community could say what they think needs improvement like in the critique board.

[Saknika]

I say the community should give feedback on the work. I also feel that the deadlines need to be shorter. Two months is waaaaay too long. Three weeks at most would be my best set. And, I say have two or so going at a time, so maybe you could entertain two different groups of people. Like one traditional practice, and a digital, or something. Granted, we can all improve in all areas, but there are some things we're interested in, and some things we're not. Or keep the themes mixed media. Just flexible enough to get as much of the community to be able to participate as well. Also, not too loose of topics because sometimes too much freedom will confuse people into questioning if their image fits the criteria.

[eternity]

I never limited the themes to digital work and tried to encourage use of other media.

Themes I tried to keep loose to get more entries, same with the longer deadlines. But I guess there's too loose and too long

Cheers Sak and craz Some good ideas there

[Saknika]

I had another idea, going off that custom title thing. What about in the member awards, there being a section for the community practice somehow, or a spot, for something like "Most Improved" and "Most Enthusiastic" and such? That way the people who work really hard to improve and try new things and maybe media can get recognition, but it's not a contest.

[cypher]

I agree the time limit is a bit long. And putting all the critiques on [e] would be a pain. However I don't think the whole community should critique the rest. I think it should be a single person or select few to judge the work.

The reason, in my opinion, that traditional piece don't made, is because it's hard to show the community your work. Unless you have a decent camera or a nice resolution scanner you don't get the full effect of a traditional piece on a digital forum.

I do like the idea of adding the community practice to the SSD Awards. Leaves it as practice but gives people a goal to shoot for.