I love side challenges! They are one of the main reasons I stay connected to DPC. When I first joined the site back in 2008 I participated in several side challenges, but I always ended up fizzling out. My lack of commitment was partly due to life requirements (Work) and partly from feeling bad for not being able to comment on all the participants’ entries. But as I look back, I realize that I have missed out on opportunities to grow as a photographer. The critiques and advice I received during those challenges were priceless and have helped me in so many ways!
So I've been thinking of a way that would force me to stay committed to a side challenge for the duration. Plus keep it challenging! Here's what I came up with, a "Buddy Up" challenge. Here's how it works:
Rules:
1. Each participant will "Buddy Up" with another participant for a week. (Will be randomly determined)
2. Each participant makes a commitment to submit no less than 4 photos (Max 6) during that week. A week will start on Monday and end on Saturday. Sundays will be a day of rest and allow me to get the next week’s “Buddies" organized and distributed. (The challenge will run 4 weeks)
3. Each participant makes a commitment to comment, critique, encourage, share, etc. on each shot their buddy post. (More than welcome to comment, critique, encourage, share, etc. on other participants as well, but not required)
4. Here’s the challenge! The subjects will be drawn from a hat for each buddy group. You will have an opportunity to submit (4) subjects (During signup) that will be placed in the hat each week. Buddies must use that subject material for the week. They can always add restrictions if they both agree. (i.e the subject is “Cats”, they can also add “B&W” or “Just Color” as long as the subject stays “Cats”)
5. In case of an odd number of participants “Buddy Groups” may consists of 3 participants.
6. Each week (Sunday) I will start a new thread that will have the “Buddy Groups” and “subjects” they will take on for the week.
7. Weekly schedule breakdown:
a. Week 1: 2 – 7 January (Thread Name: January Buddy Up Side Challenge Week 1)
b. week 2: 9-14 January (Thread Name: January Buddy Up Side Challenge Week 2)
c. Week 3: 16-21 January (Thread Name: January Buddy Up Side Challenge Week 3)
d. Week 4: 23-28 January (Thread Name: January Buddy Up Side Challenge Week 4)
8. To participate, simply state you would like to participate (in this thread) along with the (4) subjects you would like added to the weekly “subject” drawing. Each “Buddy Group” will have a different subject from the others. So we will have a wide variety of shots to observe during the week. I will then place your name and subjects below under the “participants” section.
9. The last day to enter will be the 31st of December. On the 1st of January I will select the first “Buddy Groups” with their subjects and post them in a new thread.
9. Have Fun and don’t disappoint your buddy!
10. Please post any questions in the thread or feel free to PM me.
I would love to participate, but I think the last week of January might be a problem (hubby has vacation time). Do we have to be in for the whole month?
I would love to participate, but I think the last week of January might be a problem (hubby has vacation time). Do we have to be in for the whole month?
I'm interested.
The final week may not be feasible for me as well or I might post a bit late. I might be having a romp in the wilderness for a week, but that depends on vacation being approved. I can update as time goes on whether this will be the case or not.
Not much interest in this side challenge. Will give it another day or so before I pull the plug. Will need around 12-14 participants for this challenge to work. Thanks
Hey, Jeff - it's probably due to the holidays, but also I think it's the 4 images a week minimum thing. I absolutely love this idea, but I can barely commit to most of the regular challenges much less to that many extra images per week.
Hey, Jeff - it's probably due to the holidays, but also I think it's the 4 images a week minimum thing. I absolutely love this idea, but I can barely commit to most of the regular challenges much less to that many extra images per week.
Yea, when I first read it, I was interested, and almost signed up, but 4 images a week, though not much in the "big picture" is probably more than I cAn commit to -- plus I will be without Internest for the 3rd week in Jan.
I think this is a great idea, but I was also a little worried about the commitment -- especially in the winter when it is dark before and after work making it tough to take natural light pics except on weekend. I will definitely keep my eye out for it later in the year.
