Posted by Steve Kennedy on June 24, 2014 at 10:28 AM
How can we increase participation in the Pacific Northwest forum? What would you like to see or do? We have been discussing more group outings, such as a zoo shoot, a series of beginners group sessions, more photo outings and gatherings.
Your opinion matters!
Is there anything you would want to participate in? Summer group shoot? Fall? We can do these in either Seattle and Portland areas, or both. Location suggestions are welcome.
Is there anything Catherine and/or I are doing, or not doing, that keeps people from participating? (Seriously, we want to know.)
How can we increase participation in the quarterly photo contests? Thank you Joe and Scott for posting your beautiful shots, but I am very disappointed that no one else participated. Spring in the PNW is beautiful with so many photo opportunities, I'm sure more than Joe and Scott have great photos from the area. Why not enter them?
I'm just trying learn how to make the forum better.
Well, i keep searching and looking for those kind of groups there which i can join free or say pay for food or something, many workshops are very expensive and i really want to have most of places when i travel there, so how about listing those groups where someone can join for landscape photography, or drivers, or even how to hire a car or bike to go around there.
I am coming there by September and until now i didn't find any group to join, only workshops that ask a lot, i don't need/want workshops because i have my own skill and gear to do photography by myself, so i am not willing to pay for lectures or guises that i don't need even it is so helpful, i only need to access to national parks and locations such as Mt. Rainier or Mt. Hood and such, i may not drive by myself there so then i don't know how to reach those locations by myself.
Hi Steve, an "Upcoming Photoshoot Events" forum topic could be added to the top semi-permanent list of Forum Topic headings. Anyone could post an event, date, start-time, meet-up location/time (for car-pooling), comments, and sign-in list. I would keep sign-ins as open-ended as possible...since outdoor shooting is so weather-dependent. For example, I was hoping to go fire-works shooting at Lake Tapps on July 4th...with Mt Rainier in the background. But, weather will determine whether I go or not... If Mt R is behind clouds...I will not go. A spreadsheet with column headings that can be accessed by all may be best...I don't know if this site has the techno capcity or support for this.
We all have ideas of places to go...and even if we cannot attend, we can share these ideas to encourage others, esp those not from the area. Maybe this is old and tried / failed...I cannot recall. Just a thought.
I like Tareq's idea. What about a Going My Way Sticky for each season so folks can carpool or join in a photo excursion together as an informal event.
Posted by wade pettitt on June 26, 2014 at 6:46 PM
I also like Tareq's idea , also I do not think you guys are doing anything wrong at all and keeping people engaged and active in something is a tough row to hoe. Keep up the good work!!!!!!
Hi Steve...
I think that you and Catherine are doing a super job here. I'm not sure about anyone else, but I find myself at fault for not doing more here. At times I'm off in my own little world and forget that I have photography friends here. Many times I just take off on my own or with my wife to go make pictures somewhere. And, being retired, I find myself busier a lot more than usual (haven't figured that one out yet). For that, I have to apologize on my part. I have said this before and I will say it again, I will try to do better! As to answering your question(s), I would love to see more gatherings and outings. I've met some of you before and would like to see more. Even if it's for a day or a camp out somewhere, I think it's important to keep in touch with those who share our photography passion, experiences and knowledge. I was going to enter the last quarterly photo contest, but I just returned from a 2 week road trip down the Oregon and North California coast, had some problems with my computer (fixed now) and could not send anything in until it was too late.
Don
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions! I appreciate the thoughtful responses. (Don, I'm sorry you missed the opportunity to post in the Spring contest but glad the computer is working again.)
A couple things are clear. The most important thing to keeping up participation is having outings/events. I'm going to post a separate message about this today (I have an outing announcement to make too!) and make it a persistent topic, plus we will start using the Outings page again (remember that link at the top right of our forum page?).
The other thing is we need to keep reminding people to announce their outings. It would be great to have 'hosted' outings, meaning someone hosting the event because they go frequently and are passionate enough about it to show everyone else and lead them through the trip.
Another question - what about local meetings? We haven't had one in a long time. John and Catherine lead a few local gatherings but we haven't done any in a long time. Is this something you would be interested in?
Thanks again everyone! Watch the postings for more.
How about i meet one of you and put a plan? I am planning to come there by September, and i will hire a car but don't know how to drive around there, anyone help me to drive? I will be there for photography and free so i am willing to go around a lot if i know the directions, I am planning to stay in 2 states: Washington and Oregon, so i will divide both states along my holiday/vacation time.
I listed the places i want to go, but i don't know where exactly to stop or when to go to each, so if someone will be around there and i meet for coffee and short talk to give me an idea or give me advises or guide without taking me with them that will be enough and a good help, as i said before, i am not into those photographic workshops.
Sounds great, everyone! Keep up the advice and suggestions!
As Steve suggested, please do post your planned outings, even if it's "on the spur of the moment," if you don't mind having company. On the outings that I've been on so far, I've discovered that the group gathers long enough to decide a route/destination and carpooling, and once on-site may then either stay together or "buddy-up" or go alone to "shoot around," so to speak. It's informal, flexible, and the group hasn't "lost" anyone yet-- even me, the slowest hiker of 'em all! Speaking for myself (not as Moderator) it's been a lot of fun and a great way to meet fellow enthusiasts and find great places to shoot.
I'm pretty sure that I can speak for Steve, too, as well as myself, when I say, "Sincerely, thanks for your support!"
More outings would be great, whether planned, or "spur of the moment" Good fellowship and good light are always a great combination! We have wildflower season coming up, and fall colors soon after. A night outing for some star shots would be cool as well. We could definitely plan some nice little outings I think. And the Holiday print exchange is always cool...
Discussion
10 repliesYour opinion matters!
Is there anything you would want to participate in? Summer group shoot? Fall? We can do these in either Seattle and Portland areas, or both. Location suggestions are welcome.
Is there anything Catherine and/or I are doing, or not doing, that keeps people from participating? (Seriously, we want to know.)
How can we increase participation in the quarterly photo contests? Thank you Joe and Scott for posting your beautiful shots, but I am very disappointed that no one else participated. Spring in the PNW is beautiful with so many photo opportunities, I'm sure more than Joe and Scott have great photos from the area. Why not enter them?
I'm just trying learn how to make the forum better.
I am coming there by September and until now i didn't find any group to join, only workshops that ask a lot, i don't need/want workshops because i have my own skill and gear to do photography by myself, so i am not willing to pay for lectures or guises that i don't need even it is so helpful, i only need to access to national parks and locations such as Mt. Rainier or Mt. Hood and such, i may not drive by myself there so then i don't know how to reach those locations by myself.
We all have ideas of places to go...and even if we cannot attend, we can share these ideas to encourage others, esp those not from the area. Maybe this is old and tried / failed...I cannot recall. Just a thought.
I think that you and Catherine are doing a super job here. I'm not sure about anyone else, but I find myself at fault for not doing more here. At times I'm off in my own little world and forget that I have photography friends here. Many times I just take off on my own or with my wife to go make pictures somewhere. And, being retired, I find myself busier a lot more than usual (haven't figured that one out yet). For that, I have to apologize on my part. I have said this before and I will say it again, I will try to do better! As to answering your question(s), I would love to see more gatherings and outings. I've met some of you before and would like to see more. Even if it's for a day or a camp out somewhere, I think it's important to keep in touch with those who share our photography passion, experiences and knowledge. I was going to enter the last quarterly photo contest, but I just returned from a 2 week road trip down the Oregon and North California coast, had some problems with my computer (fixed now) and could not send anything in until it was too late.
Don
A couple things are clear. The most important thing to keeping up participation is having outings/events. I'm going to post a separate message about this today (I have an outing announcement to make too!) and make it a persistent topic, plus we will start using the Outings page again (remember that link at the top right of our forum page?).
The other thing is we need to keep reminding people to announce their outings. It would be great to have 'hosted' outings, meaning someone hosting the event because they go frequently and are passionate enough about it to show everyone else and lead them through the trip.
Another question - what about local meetings? We haven't had one in a long time. John and Catherine lead a few local gatherings but we haven't done any in a long time. Is this something you would be interested in?
Thanks again everyone! Watch the postings for more.
I listed the places i want to go, but i don't know where exactly to stop or when to go to each, so if someone will be around there and i meet for coffee and short talk to give me an idea or give me advises or guide without taking me with them that will be enough and a good help, as i said before, i am not into those photographic workshops.
Hope it will be a great trip for me.
As Steve suggested, please do post your planned outings, even if it's "on the spur of the moment," if you don't mind having company. On the outings that I've been on so far, I've discovered that the group gathers long enough to decide a route/destination and carpooling, and once on-site may then either stay together or "buddy-up" or go alone to "shoot around," so to speak. It's informal, flexible, and the group hasn't "lost" anyone yet-- even me, the slowest hiker of 'em all! Speaking for myself (not as Moderator) it's been a lot of fun and a great way to meet fellow enthusiasts and find great places to shoot.
I'm pretty sure that I can speak for Steve, too, as well as myself, when I say, "Sincerely, thanks for your support!"