where do we post the Remember When Photos? Somehow I missed that..thanx

It doesn't matter, Verena. Ok for 'Photography->General' :-)

yup, i figured that out...(smiling here)...thanx pierre for the comment tho...

I think a HUGE THANKYOU to RobNiven.. is in order... the Remember When? assignment is great.. the images are wonderful... and really are bringing back all those memories of our "younger" years..... its great to see how everyone can relate to the image in different ways.... keep them coming... its fun to read.... :D

Thank you Jacqueline for your kind words. It was not I who brought the fun in this assignment but those who posted images and those who responded with comments. I must say that it took a different direction than what I would have thought, one much better. I laughed aloud and was deeply touched by some of the responses. For me the value far exceeded the effort to promote (with the others who helped with this!) the idea.

The questions now are:
a) was it worthwhile?
b) did it complement the mission of the site by producing high quality wallpapers?
c) did we learn from the experience?
d) are there areas where this could be improved?
e) should there be future assignments?
and more.

Thoughts?

My opinions to the above questions: -

a) yes it was worthwhile.. it was great to bring back the memories of our youth...
b) yes and no.. all were high quality work... but i find that some were "snapshots" even though not wallpaper material.. still great shots....
c) I dont know about everyone else... but it was good to see what everyone got upto around the world... basically.. all of us "kids" were the same no matter where we are from.... :D
d) I dont think it needs improving.. I think those who participated and those who read and left comments had an enjoyable time.... I know like you.. I had a laugh as well as being touched...
e) YES.... future assignments would be great.... it was fun.........

Good day to all! Sorry I don't spend a lot of time in the discussion boards so I am a little late responding here.
Lets get to the questions raised by Rob!
a) worthwhile--of course it was worthwhile, many people were brought back to a time that made them smile!
b) high quality desktop images--well I have to agree with Jacqueline, they were not high quality but it was nice to see everyone participate!
c) I am not sure we learned anything out of this experience, but we did get to know eachother on a more personal level, which in turn will strengthen the community here in Caedes.
d) There is always room for improvement. I think they would best be served in a gallery called remember when.......I believe that those days when you want a pick me up or a chuckle, this would be great to find them all in one place.
e) Future assignments...of course, this was really fun! I only wish we weren't still at the 1 upload limit because I rather enjoy posting other things that I have been working on as well. Perhaps this is why we didn't see as much participation as we would have liked to see.
Tks to everyone who got involved!
JuneBug

In answer to your questions Rob...

A. Absolutely.
B. I considered it to be a bit of fun, not to be taken too seriously. However some of the submissions were excellent wallpaper.
C. It was surprising to discover that people from a diverse background and location enjoyed much the same shenanigans that we did.
D. Not really. I would be surprised if you didn't find the odd "Remember When" photo pop's up from time to time, because people obviously enjoyed them.
E. Yes please:-)

My opinion on the above questions.

a) it certainly was worth it. It was great fun looking at others photos, and finding out a little more about them.

b) yes, not all the photos were as good as would be wished, but all are worth keeping and remembering, even the "snapshots"

c) I think it did. We generally produced very high quality photos. We got a chance to learn a little about each other that we never would have known before and that alone makes it worthwhile.

d) I can't see where it needs any improving. It was great fun to participate and share a laugh with others.

e) Yes please, this has been such a gerat experience for me and I am sure for all the others who patricipated. I can hardly wait to see what comes up next.

Good morning Rob

Rob: "a) was it worthwhile?"
Yes. It gave us a challenge, it helped us to communicate with each other, and it engendered a sense of comarade.

Rob: "b) did it complement the mission of the site by producing high quality wallpapers?"
I must agree with Jacqueline on this. There were many very good images produced, but not all could be said to be the standard that would make a "good" wallpaper. I say that with the disclaimer that everyone's taste is different, so what one does not like another will love. Regardless, the function of helping to draw us together obviates the issue of snapshots or otherwise - and the standard Caedes processes will sift the results out anyway.

Rob: "c) did we learn from the experience?"
It depends on what a person was looking for. Myself - yes. I was able to see and understand a bit more about the other members of this community - other people became more real, less an icon with a name.

Rob: "d) are there areas where this could be improved?"
I have great difficulty with answering this question, not because of the question, but because I am having trouble articulating myself here (note in diary - Romane having trouble articulating <laughing>). I believe that everyone did their best, and did so in a spirit of sharing, not in a spirit of competitiveness. Regardless any technical aspects that "may" be improved upon, or any improvement in quality that "may" be achieved (please see the numerous threads on that subject in general), I feel the most important outcome has been the ongoing engendering of more of a family spirit in the Caedes community.

Rob: "e) should there be future assignments?"
Yes.

Enjoy your day

Romane

Hi Rob...re: your above questions:

a.) Absolutely worthwhile...not only for the entertainment value but also giving us a challenge and getting the creative juices flowing.

b.)I'm sure many visitors to caedes were delighted and pleasantly surprised by the nostalgic images and stories...the quality varied, as is the case most days.

c.)We learned alot about each other...I don't know if we learned alot from a technical standpoint.

d.)I don't know what to say regarding improving on this type of thing in future other than to be mindful of the fact that whatever the theme, it should comply with the policy of the site and make for quality wallpaper that would appeal to the masses.

e.)Yes, for sure, let's do something like this again...and soon.

Finally, thanks to all the initiators of this assignment and those who were able to participate.

Hi Rob,
As you know I'm quite gun-shy of these boards but here goes:

a) was it worthwhile?
I feel that anything that connects people from all over the world toward the good and a common ground is most certainly worthwhile, including this series.
b) did it complement the mission of the site by producing high quality wallpapers?
I do not feel, since I did not post a submission, that I have a right to judge beyond the ideas, efforts, and "sentimental" values of the submissions. I do feel that the images that truly used images from an older time period were far more effective to me personally in achieving the memories.
c) did we learn from the experience?
Ditto Robert. This is what I enjoyed most about the series. That, and the fact that since it was not a competition, I think people were much more into their supportive, just enjoy, thinking mode than their critical thinking mode thereby making the experience far more effective towards the project's focus and intent.
d) are there areas where this could be improved?
I am very impressed with the time spent prior to this idea actually launching. I think the idea and direction were well established. The only thing I would have chosen to be different is having a place to go to see all submissions together. I had a hard time going back several to many years, popping back out into the present, and then going back again. I think my comments may have been more thoughtful had I been able to better choose a time to visit that particular category and stay in that mode a bit.
e) should there be future assignments?
Yes. Even if I don't participate by submission, I do enjoy being in the audience and being invited to freely tell participants how their ideas and compositions affected me in a wonderful way.

Thoughts?
Just thanks! ;)

a) Yes...it was definatley worthwhile as it brought everyone together in trying to achieve the same objective...to rescue lost memories - for those who have them *wink*
b) Errr...yeah!!! Al the images I've had the chance to view have been of such high quality that they certainly compliment caedes.net :P
c) Yeah, sure...I learned alot of things through this experience...especially as this is not a contest, people just seemed - as bjb has also said - so supportive and and just generally cool towards other peoples creations, it's been great fun browsing through them all!!!
d) Areas for improvement...hmmm...well I did think that a special gallery dedicated to the remember when? assignment would have been a good idea, as it would've saved people having to search here, there and everywhere to view everyone's work.
e) Future assignments? erm, YES!
I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of designing for a theme, and giving and recieving complements and criticisms :)

Thoughts?
Well done to everyone who took part!!! and thanks to Rob as well :)

I'm the one who didn't read the instructions carefully enough, and jumped the gun by a week or two. Ooops. But I did get the first post. :)

A) Was it worthwhile and C) Did I learn something? I think it was worthwhile because I did learn new things. It gave me the chance to experiment with some new Photoshop techniques, and to share those techniques with other Caede's members. I also learned quite a bit about other members - this one was a good "ice breaker." I value that quite a bit as well, because it made us more a community.

B) Were the images high quality? Not all of them - but as you look at the daily submissions in the new images gallery, I would not say in general they were lower quality than those.

D) Areas to improve? Not really. I think all who really participate in Caedes would value two aspects to this. One is the challenge - it forces us to think and apply our skills in a different vein. I've heard some Caedes members complain they were in a rut, or funk, or whatever, and couldn't decide on a new and exciting direction. This kind of activity may help. The second aspect is: I know I would personally appreciate people taking time to describe how they arrived at their piece - the thinking behind, the techniques used, etc. That would inspire us to try new things as well.

E) Future assignments? Challenges? Sure! I may not choose to participate in all of them, but would be grateful for the opportunity.

I echo PrettyFae - well done to everyone who took part. And thanks, Rob, for getting the ball rolling.

Hi there Rob....I'll do my best with these questions....

a.It was defnitely worthwhile, MORE than worthwhile...I love how it got people more interested in each other...and I know it must have brought some great smiles and sometimes tears as far as memories...I enjoyed very much "getting to know" people here more.

b.As far as higher quality wallpapers...I think it was "even steven"..most of the time..I feel its important to allow people to just post wahtever they wish. I have had hard times getting my photos of wallpaper quality, but it means a LOT to me to post anyway and to keep learning more and more. And NOT to give up...I think its great people feel they can post whatever they enjoy posting..

c.Learn? Oh YES indeed! I learned much about photo taking, about people, colours, resoltion...name it, I learned..and I think its important o get that from here. Its the ONLY site I know of that gives us these challenges and lots of kind and straightforward critique.
And learning is fun in the sense of NOT competing..but just to do as it feel is best. I know I really kind of posted "the wrong" pic and yet it was accepted anfd brought a lot of peoples comments out on it...

d. I think the C Index affects people a lot...I think its a bit of a "downer" in some ways. I know it has at times made me feel my photo wasnt good enough, and I even deleted some of mine..but now I've learned..and I've understood a bit more. I love it when people say more to me about my photo..good AND bad...I agree...I think the "remember when" should become a permanent gallery. I truly think it has drawn people together and it feels more real here. I think it will bring a more closer knit "community" feeling if we keep doing this. And also gives people to really get involved with even more than photos. I love the whole idea very much.!!(dancing a jig here now hehe)

e. Oh I think future assignments or challenges or whatever ya wish to call them..most definitely have them again..I wish THIS one wouldnt have to end yet. I love how many are posting more and more..and I think that we should go back and literally find OLD photos..of ourselves, our homes, cars, family, books, or whatever, to show what can go with our thughts..on the question..Just keep it up..ITS GREAT!!!

My thoughts are that this was wonderful. It helped to relax a lot of people who might have had a harder time posting..And it helped keep everyone closer knit...Thanx Rob for giving us this chance to "voice" ourselves....keep it up!! yaayyyy!!(hehe)

Rob I think this was a excellent challenge idea.
a) was it worthwhile? - Yes it was. We got a chance to reflect on the past.
b) did it complement the mission of the site by producing high quality wallpapers? - For the most part it did. I agree that not all were wallpaper images but then again we don't always want our ideas on our desktop.
c) did we learn from the experience? - Yes, people all over the world have hopes, dreams, emotions and experiences that need to be remembered from time to time.
d) are there areas where this could be improved? - No not really. You got people to think, remember and share with others.
e) should there be future assignments? - Yes on occasions. May be several times a year would be nice.

Thanks for the idea and challenge.
Russ

.

I guess that I will be the only wet blanket in this group this time.
a) was it worthwhile? Yes it was worthwhile for the laugh s and memories that were recalled by some of the best Snapshots that were uploaded. I think that it brought many people closer together. Some even managed a word or two with other members that they never wrote to before. For that reason and that reason only, it was worthwhile.
b) did it complement the mission of the site by producing high quality wallpapers? I do not feel that it did, I counted 42 images posted as Remember When. Of them I would say that there were only five that kept the tradition of good wallpaper. All others, including mine, were just some old style photography, the kind that we would have taken back then.

c) did we learn from the experience? I learned that the rules must be more specific. If we were supposed to have fun while "producing high qualit wallpapers" then it should have been spelled out. If it was only to enjoy the day, that should have been emphasized that no quality wallpaper would or should be expected. Can't have your cake and eat it too!
d) are there areas where this could be improved? You Bet there are! After the first day I wrote a PM to Rob explaining how much fun this was. I also gave him an accounting of how many members joined in. There were six or nine I do not remember. At that time I expressed my feelings that if the input for the first day was that good, we would surly have a greater number of members join us the following day. TOTALLY WRONG. The second day of this project went down the dumper very fast. After monitoring the Caedes site closely for almost ten hours I only counted three uploads from the crew that was privy to this before it all started. This is the point that I was disgusted with the whole assignment and the participants. My belief was that we were all going to enter items that would bring a smile or two to those who were browsing the site.It is very doubtful that many folks saw any humor or remembrance with only three post. It would halve been by accident that they discovered one of three images. With day two's lack of interest, I decided to save the eight images that I had ready plus another six in notes, to drop myself from the assignment. 42 images posted in seven day is, in my opinion, a very poor representation of the talent that we have on this web site. Since six images were posted on the first day that leaves a total of 36 images spread over six days, or six a day. Hardly earth shattering,
e) should there be future assignments? Why not? However there must be some sort of idea of how long this assignment will last and how many uploads are expected of each person involved in this fun idea. As I mentioned at the top of this long dissertation, I am the wet blanket on this critique. Since it is very doubtful that I will ever return to this thread again I would like to invite anyone with a comment or question about what I have stated here to PM or E-mail me and I will be happy to answer any questions or take any arrows or bullets that you whish to fire at me. My e-mail address is located on my profile page.
fotobob

This is fairly simple as far as I'm concerned. Basically, as long as you and some others enjoy it, then keep doing it. If you find it too much work, or the negatives somehow outweigh the positives, then stop. Sometimes more people will take part, sometimes less, depending on the timing, the subject, and whether they have the time and energy to do it. It doesn't really matter how many people are involved as long as you have fun.

I do like the concept of "assignments" as they make people step outside their comfort zone and try something new. This one was easier as it allowed people to use photos that they already had, but maybe future ones will force people to come up with ideas they hadn't considered before.

I agree with Samatar here- the assignment was useful in getting people to post something slightly different from the usual sunset / mountain scenery that I usually see on here (not that there's anything wrong with that).

A) Yes, I do think it was worth it- it was soo much fun getting to see the different responses to the photographs posted- even the ones that were not of such a great quality.

B) Yes, it forced people to post something out of the norm, which I thought was useful in stretching the boundaries of the usual posts on this site. There were some low quality posts and some really nice ones - but in both instances, the responses from others with their memories brought forth by the image were quite interesting.

C)As I said, I learned quite a bit about other folks that I would not otherwise have known. I do feel that people could have spent a bit more time actually talking about the composition, but I think the point of this exercise was to have fun, which is why it wasn't a contest.

D)I agree with Prettyfae here - I think that there should have been an actually gallery in which to post the photographs instead of people having to search for them. It would have made them easier to find and would have resulted in less confusion over the posting procedure. Maybe it would have resulted in more images being posted (fotobob's caveat) since people would have been able to quickly see what others were doing and might have been inspired to post their own image.

E) I would absolutely like to do something of this sort again- it was alot of fun! Just as long as it isn't during exams :-P

OK here's what Reg got out of this assignment - It was not the usual "pick-up" photography where in the course of my daily existence I see something pretty stop the car and shoot it whithout any direction - without trying to achieve anything beyond capturing beauty. The photo assignment made me exercise my creativity instead of my aesthetic ability. I had to plan my shots instead of just finding them where they occur.

Aside from that I've enjoyed seeing others work. Now, Bob there's no reason to be disgusted with Caedes over our failure to meet your expectations. We all did our best - I know I did - but it takes me a while to come up with creative ideas. The muse strikes when she will, not when she is beckoned. We'll try harder next time :-)

I really opt for a gallery for all these type of posts..maybe a permanent one so we can go there anytime to either post another idea or just to relax to view others things. Its just a great "friendly" place...we all need a bit more fun like this I believe.Now how about a "new " assignment? I used to belong to a poetry assignment site...they would post a photo...anyone could offer one, or a painting etc..and then everyone else would write a poem about it..then we would make our critiques..How about assigning some particular item? or scene etc? and then everyone post one..that they have had to search for...
for example? a floral or grass etc pic with depdrops...or maybe an unusual animal..or maybe watching for a particular car..hehe...or how about an antique of some kind? Well, these are just my thughts..maybe others have some newer and more interesting ones..ITs worth a try..an assignment similar to this...thanx for letting me show my idea...

I had a few emails back/forth with Caedes on this before the assignment was launched. His preference of the day was to keep the images grouped within the existing galleries. I suspect too that he wanted to see what kind of traction and the quality of the images produced by the assignment would be.

I have since asked him for feedback, his response is pending.

I agree that a gallery for assignments makes a great deal of sense. It could be simply be described as ASSIGNMENTS (that anyone can invite) or could be broken down if the volume of submissions dictates. This will be up to Caedes and the ImageMods to debate and resolve.

There seems to be a general goodwill concerning assignments. We can provide additional instruction in future assignments to help improve the presentation to be sure. But then again ... the natural flow of the site will take care of any marginal postings in any case. Either by self-help/correction or by the ImageMods broom.

We all learned from this experience and it was one, from my personal perspective, that was a great deal of fun. We may not have captured the interest of the majority of the Caedes contributors ... but reviewing Contests of history, they didn't either. People will go where they're comfortable, will go where they find community and will contribute where they find their rewards. The photo assignments can provide a place for as many as choose to participate by posting, commenting or just lurking with a facial expression of their choosing.

I suggest that we open a thread in the general discussion forum for feedback on what the next assignment should be. We've had a few ideas tossed about but I suspect that we'll get more participation if we take the discussion out to a new topic. Give it a controversial title to be sure to get people reading it. If you agree and one of you kind people feel enterprising ... start'r up!

Thank you SO much for taking the time to respond and so fully!

I am grateful.

i know i wasnt able to make a posting for the "assignment", but it did spark interest.. i shall definitely do my best to be right in the thick of things with everyone on the next..

so my answer is yes! more assignments.. looking forward to it..