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05/17/2018 02:31:38 AM · #1
I've popped back in here after a few years away, and, tbh, I'm sad to see how small the community is nowadays (though it's very tight, which is great!).

Getting only a handful of votes in open challenges is not as exciting as the hundreds that used to roll in (and the related obsessive refreshing for score updates). Similarly, seeing less than 50 entries feels so limiting because I used to come here for inspiration, new ways of seeing, and a spectrum of skill/techniques/subjects that helped me in my discovery of what I like and don't like in a photo. As much as I like all of you, I wonder what some fresh blood could offer.

I'm not sure how others feel about trying to grow the community (I remember some heated discussions about this back in the day), but if the group is open to it, it seems like social media (twitter and maybe tumblr jump out to me) might be fruitful.

Thoughts?

05/17/2018 02:47:12 AM · #2
I think this website is still unique regarding the timeless layout and activities here. The DPL would certainly make it even more so.

I think that anything to enhance and grow the community would make sense, however, I think the idea of using social media has already been suggested and those involved have been burned at the stake.

I will stick around until there is only 3 members left (then I might win a ribbon again) but I would love to see it grow and develop. I think using any means to pull in new members is a great idea but sadly I'm not in a position to say anything.
05/17/2018 02:50:51 AM · #3
I think that another reason is that people have less time to devote to their hobbies.
Camera clubs for example are smaller, and are closing as well, our towns club went from 60 odd members down to single figures, so this year we wound it up.

So I guess even online models would be hit, Dpc although smaller is still as stimulating as it ever was, So stick around, enter a few challenges and then make your mind to stay or go ....
05/17/2018 09:25:14 AM · #4
Originally posted by MAK:


I think that anything to enhance and grow the community would make sense, however, I think the idea of using social media has already been suggested and those involved have been burned at the stake.


I've been known to be burned by the masses suggesting these sorts of things... Mobile site being more specific... Mobile site would work well integrating with a social media platform...

But my 3rd degree burns hurt too much to wanna go down that path again, so you can be the new blood and I'll sit back and nod my head in agreement with you...
05/17/2018 02:01:17 PM · #5
Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

Originally posted by MAK:


I think that anything to enhance and grow the community would make sense, however, I think the idea of using social media has already been suggested and those involved have been burned at the stake.


I've been known to be burned by the masses suggesting these sorts of things... Mobile site being more specific... Mobile site would work well integrating with a social media platform...

But my 3rd degree burns hurt too much to wanna go down that path again, so you can be the new blood and I'll sit back and nod my head in agreement with you...


You make it sound like there are members bullying anyone who suggests it, but the real reason is simply that the owner isn't doing it or supporting it.
05/17/2018 02:15:06 PM · #6
Originally posted by posthumous:

Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

Originally posted by MAK:


I think that anything to enhance and grow the community would make sense, however, I think the idea of using social media has already been suggested and those involved have been burned at the stake.


I've been known to be burned by the masses suggesting these sorts of things... Mobile site being more specific... Mobile site would work well integrating with a social media platform...

But my 3rd degree burns hurt too much to wanna go down that path again, so you can be the new blood and I'll sit back and nod my head in agreement with you...


You make it sound like there are members bullying anyone who suggests it, but the real reason is simply that the owner isn't doing it or supporting it.


I was merely going off the burned at the stake term and going off on that. No, I was never bullied... But there are plenty of people here who speak up about their desire to keep "instagramers" off the site.
05/17/2018 02:31:29 PM · #7
Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

I was merely going off the burned at the stake term and going off on that. No, I was never bullied... But there are plenty of people here who speak up about their desire to keep "instagramers" off the site.

I think it was really more of a case of not wanting the sixty second attention span on a site where some commitment, work, and spirit are what makes it work.

Quality, not quantity makes sense to a lot of us.

I have people tell me all the time on FB how f*ckin' amazing I am.

I need to be here and have people say, "Not bad, BUT......".

Message edited by author 2018-05-17 14:32:00.
05/17/2018 02:44:15 PM · #8
Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Quality, not quantity makes sense to a lot of us.

I have people tell me all the time on FB how f*ckin' amazing I am.

And people on FB who know about DPC don't join because ...?
05/17/2018 03:21:25 PM · #9
Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

Originally posted by posthumous:

Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

Originally posted by MAK:


I think that anything to enhance and grow the community would make sense, however, I think the idea of using social media has already been suggested and those involved have been burned at the stake.


I've been known to be burned by the masses suggesting these sorts of things... Mobile site being more specific... Mobile site would work well integrating with a social media platform...

But my 3rd degree burns hurt too much to wanna go down that path again, so you can be the new blood and I'll sit back and nod my head in agreement with you...


You make it sound like there are members bullying anyone who suggests it, but the real reason is simply that the owner isn't doing it or supporting it.


I was merely going off the burned at the stake term and going off on that. No, I was never bullied... But there are plenty of people here who speak up about their desire to keep "instagramers" off the site.


well I was responding to both of you, and my point is simply that this idea is no more controversial than any other idea in these forums. It has its supporters as well its doubters. But I think a specific plan that doesn't require programming would have a good chance of moving forward.
05/17/2018 08:26:59 PM · #10
I wholeheartedly support some sort of SM PR efforts, to spread the word, raise our profile.

However, any discussion about making this a mobile-participation site is fruitless because it involves coding, and that will most likely not happen.

If members can honestly support this beloved but "prehistoric" corner of the internet, then we can talk about creating something we can all share on Twitter, Insta, FB, etc. But only as an invitation to come play with us. Not to participate here from those platforms.
05/17/2018 10:45:57 PM · #11
Originally posted by posthumous:

I think a specific plan that doesn't require programming would have a good chance of moving forward.

This is correct. In fact, I've been specifically "authorized" to try to help make something happen. I was going to start a thread this weekend. I'm no expert on social media, but I'm quite sure it could be used to drive better participation on the site. At this point we will NOT be trying to make the site over into a Facebook or Instagram institution, but we're certainly open to branches or outposts in these other universes that support the mother-site. By "we" I mean Admins and SC: obviously, may members want this as well.

We're open to reasonable ideas, and to members who can drive them.
05/17/2018 10:46:34 PM · #12
Originally posted by tanguera:

If members can honestly support this beloved but "prehistoric" corner of the internet, then we can talk about creating something we can all share on Twitter, Insta, FB, etc. But only as an invitation to come play with us. Not to participate here from those platforms.

What she said :-)
05/18/2018 12:25:44 AM · #13
Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by posthumous:

I think a specific plan that doesn't require programming would have a good chance of moving forward.

This is correct. In fact, I've been specifically "authorized" to try to help make something happen. I was going to start a thread this weekend. I'm no expert on social media, but I'm quite sure it could be used to drive better participation on the site. At this point we will NOT be trying to make the site over into a Facebook or Instagram institution, but we're certainly open to branches or outposts in these other universes that support the mother-site. By "we" I mean Admins and SC: obviously, may members want this as well.

We're open to reasonable ideas, and to members who can drive them.


I'm interested to hear what your thread was going to say. Similar to what I suggested (advertising ourselves through social media) or something else?
05/18/2018 02:28:02 AM · #14
Originally posted by tanguera:

However, any discussion about making this a mobile-participation site is fruitless because it involves coding, and that will most likely not happen.

Poor, poor marKo. :P
05/18/2018 03:43:30 AM · #15
So we are looking for a social media general to operate as DPC on Facebook, Twitter, instagram etc etc
Maybe presenting the winners from each week and maybe some selected OOTB entries, always including free invitation to join the site and participate.

I particularly like the Archival challenges because this opens it all up for people with time restrictions or even people that used to be more active but have lost a bit of the passion, to maybe rekindle their love for Photography.

I have done this many times via DPC.

I'm not good, or reliable, enough to volunteer for the post but I do agree it would benefit the site.
05/18/2018 04:06:25 AM · #16
Originally posted by MAK:

I particularly like the Archival challenges because this opens it all up for people with time restrictions or even people that used to be more active but have lost a bit of the passion, to maybe rekindle their love for Photography.

I have done this many times via DPC.

I'm not good, or reliable, enough to volunteer for the post but I do agree it would benefit the site.

Whilst I know that one of the unique elements of DPC is the weekly contests with the post processing and time limitations, I do agree that having a few more archival contests may draw people in, even if it's only some of the "old" DPC membership.
05/18/2018 06:33:03 AM · #17
Where's the challenge in 'Archival' contests? Then we become like nearly every other photo contest out there. Stay true to what makes DPChallenge unique. Send the message that DPC IS unique AND challenging. I'd advertise DPC as a place to break free from the rut - challenge photographers you know, ask them "do you have what it takes to truly compete" rather than regurgitate your best previous work?

If the DPC community is going to follow-up on this thread and truly make an effort to elevate DPC visibility, then do it as something unique, not as sheep, not another best archive cultivator wins.
05/18/2018 07:48:13 AM · #18
Originally posted by glad2badad:

Where's the challenge in 'Archival' contests? Then we become like nearly every other photo contest out there. Stay true to what makes DPChallenge unique. Send the message that DPC IS unique AND challenging. I'd advertise DPC as a place to break free from the rut - challenge photographers you know, ask them "do you have what it takes to truly compete" rather than regurgitate your best previous work?

If the DPC community is going to follow-up on this thread and truly make an effort to elevate DPC visibility, then do it as something unique, not as sheep, not another best archive cultivator wins.


Nobody is suggesting that ALL challenges would become archival, there are many challenges on offer here these days and you could always enter any of those if you decide that the archival ones were not for you.

One every so often is quite enjoyable for me, going through past images refreshes ideas and encourages me to get out with the camera again, or visit places again. I'm sure I'm not alone in my thinking.

05/18/2018 10:23:59 AM · #19
Originally posted by MAK:

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Where's the challenge in 'Archival' contests? Then we become like nearly every other photo contest out there. Stay true to what makes DPChallenge unique. Send the message that DPC IS unique AND challenging. I'd advertise DPC as a place to break free from the rut - challenge photographers you know, ask them "do you have what it takes to truly compete" rather than regurgitate your best previous work?

If the DPC community is going to follow-up on this thread and truly make an effort to elevate DPC visibility, then do it as something unique, not as sheep, not another best archive cultivator wins.


Nobody is suggesting that ALL challenges would become archival, there are many challenges on offer here these days and you could always enter any of those if you decide that the archival ones were not for you.

One every so often is quite enjoyable for me, going through past images refreshes ideas and encourages me to get out with the camera again, or visit places again. I'm sure I'm not alone in my thinking.

Nope, it was not suggested that All should be archival ... however Sarah just implied that there should be more of them. Personally, I think they should be maybe once a month at the most.
05/18/2018 10:37:16 AM · #20
Let's try not to veer off course here. The discussion of how many (if any) archival challenges we "should" run is not relevant to the issue of how we go about planning and implementing a presence on social media.
05/18/2018 11:30:45 AM · #21
Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Let's try not to veer off course here. The discussion of how many (if any) archival challenges we "should" run is not relevant to the issue of how we go about planning and implementing a presence on social media.

It is relevant to how DPC is perceived and is a part of "selling" the DPC experience to new potential users / members.
05/18/2018 11:53:29 AM · #22
I have seen that in its day this site had over 1000 entries in challenges. I would be curious how it marketed itself initially? Perhaps it was all viral though there was less social media in those days. It may have just been word of mouth. I think it is a great idea to try and inject new blood - I think the existing members would appreciate more votes and comments from a fresh batch of photographers. My only concern is why should we all make this effort to make the site owner more money from a website he more or less leaves in maintenance mode. A little investment by him in addition to our own efforts would go a long way in my opinion.

[Edited as it appeared to remove one of my words]

Message edited by author 2018-05-18 11:54:37.
05/18/2018 12:05:50 PM · #23
Originally posted by glad2badad:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Let's try not to veer off course here. The discussion of how many (if any) archival challenges we "should" run is not relevant to the issue of how we go about planning and implementing a presence on social media.

It is relevant to how DPC is perceived and is a part of "selling" the DPC experience to new potential users / members.

Yes, but that's a "content" issue, not an "infrastructure" issue. What we need to deal with first, what we never actually HAVE constructively dealt with, is the nuts-and-bolts of creating and maintaining a social media presence. Now (better late than never) we've been "cleared" to do it, and I'd like to coordinate ideas as to how to make this a reality and keep it running. The image that we want to project and so forth and so on is all part of the substance that will fill the newly-created vessel, so to speak. Or that's how it seems to me, anyway.
05/18/2018 12:11:38 PM · #24
Originally posted by P-A-U-L:

I have seen that in its day this site had over 1000 entries in challenges. I would be curious how it marketed itself initially?

The site took off like wildfire when it was mentioned in an article in (I think) PC Magazine as one of the coolest things on the internet (in 2002 or 2003)

Originally posted by P-A-U-L:

I think it is a great idea to try and inject new blood - I think the existing members would appreciate more votes and comments from a fresh batch of photographers. My only concern is why should we all make this effort to make the site owner more money from a website he more or less leaves in maintenance mode. A little investment by him in addition to our own efforts would go a long way in my opinion.

Well, we'd be doing it for ourselves, not for him. Look at it this way; he's providing a place to play with a tournament and social structure in place and ready to go. I'm sure if it should become more profitable we could probably use that to generate some upgrades, but I'm not sure that should be the issue. There's no place like this out there in which to play; if we value it as highly as we evidently do, isn't it sort of on us to help it prosper?
05/18/2018 12:17:06 PM · #25
Bear,
I was watching a youtube video a while ago about facebook advertising. I'll try to find it again but basically it was saying that the "pay to gain views" approach to Facebook actually works and it's not a load a crap.

Like I said, I'll try to find it for you again. If not, I'm sure I'll find something similar to share.
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