h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've taken part in similar competitions in the past two of my favourites were

"Cemeteries" and "Fences."

Just some really interesting and surprising submissions came back.

Really creative examples of using light and things like monochrome in graveyards to make them both eerie or beautiful.

My own submission was stacked gravestones that had been moved from a churchyard and leant against a wall and over-grown by ivy.

Lots of great photos from the "fences" challenge great examples of perspective - and all manner of types locations etc. My favourite photo from that was actually of a bird's nest nestled in the crook of a fence, the baby bird peeking out mouth agape, while mum was of getting dinner.

It was just a superb image - which it made me think the person might not otherwise have gone out and got unless they had felt challenged by that weekends contest to go make a fence photographically interesting.

I figured that was a motive worth emulating and one you admit the of the possibility - the endless variations of the theme mean it can run and run - and with permission there's no reason I can see for the photos not to feature in guide entries either.

I do think we need to get the momentum thing right. Not too much too soon and - oooops - burnout. But not too little too late and -- meh --- why bother.

Tricky.

I had been thinking about a poetry challenge. One approach that can yield some good results goes something like this:

Choose an object that you associate with a person - a model car, a pair of slippers, a set of tools, a walking stick - and describe it in detail. Use the object to tell us about that person and your relationship with them. (I can come up with one or two of my own as examples if necessary.)

Ah. Dinggedichte.

I've been lucky to have been able to see some of Clive's photographs. They are absolutely breathtaking. If you're able to give us some help or advice Clive when this thing gets going, I for one would be really grateful.

This Foundation thingy is still in its infancy. It's still only a nugget - but a golden one - which is aiming to better our communication skills, in a small way here in h2g2 and in a bigger and braver way worldwide. If this interests you, then please get in touch with us.

Something cactuscafe said on another thread made me think. Some people are afraid to write, especially poetry, because they think they won't be good enough.

For these people, it is a liberation to discover freewriting. Take a word and cover a page with writing anything that you associate with that word, then see what you can pull out to form the basis of a poem or a story. To spark off this exercise, you just need to suggest a word. Something universal like 'The Street', or 'Home' will do.

Well I am deeply grateful of the compliment but I don't know about "breath-taking" - good grief! - I'm such an amateur still! Everything I ever learnt I got from reading about technique 'x' on the web and thinking - huh that looks cool, I'll try that.

It's my birthday end of the month so I'm being treated to an 'intervalometer' which means I can start adding time-lapses to my repertoire.

I got the idea for that after watching this: http://vimeo.com/22439234

Which is actually a movie of many photographs on a dolly rail.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60897480@N03/5621856694/

to both Clive and Minorvogonpoet. Couldn't agree more, Mvp (if I may) about people having anxiety and as for Clive, wow.

at Mrs Zen.

(The Noesis form is nearly ready. Just plumping the cushions and stocking the ferraro roches).

"The Mountain" movie is awesome. It's those sorts of things that inspire me.

About being 'in charge' of the group. I'd rather not be solely responsible for managing it but would prefer it if the suggestions could be selected by administrators.

The kind of structure I'd have in mind is a week on / week off challenge.

Off week is for processing submissions and selecting 'winners' and we could for instance run a poll / ask for future suggestions - get people involved bottom up not just all top-down - and then at the start of the on week one of the administrators of the group gives out the 'assignment' which might be for instance "bubbles."

I'm not that much of a regular photographer and sort of work on projects rather than go snapping randomly.

I've recently bought a book of 'trick' photography which will occupy me for a bit, and today I was in B&Q idly pricing up some materials I'll need to buy to build a pendulum which I'm thinking I can make work into a cool set of images.

I've also got plans to practice photographing smoke which will begin with some research into what things burn that produce the most photogenic smoke.

I've just been reading up on a technique called "stereographic projection" which is all sorts of amazing.

So I'd like to have a hand in all this I've been giving some thought to what 'assignments' could be used and have some ideas, including one for a project that can run for a entire 6 months! But I'm going to have do a bit more research about that one....

OK, so our space is ready at Noesis.

If you don;t already have an account there then:

*Step 1*- Sign up for an account at
http://forum.noesify.com

*Step 2*- Let me, Solnushka, or Lanzababy know your user name on Noesis (most people have signed up using their h2g2 nickname). This is so we can add you to the area we are going to use (it's a closed area so you won't find it when you first sign up).

If you are signed up to Noesis already, you still need to let is know your username so we can add you to the special area.

(I'll post an answer to your post when we get over there, Clive, but generally, esp for the six month project idea )

1.) Done

2.) Clive the Flying Ostrich (This old suit still fits - why change now?)

*looks lost and feels all at sea*

I was wondering if this was worth saying out loud, and I'm sorry if it's been said before but backlogue

As well as challanges and competitions, perhaps an occasional event that are very delibrately not couched in those terms and are very broad.

So for instance, a theme, something that 'means something to you' and it can be anything, an object, a poem, a song, a place, a person,
You can contribute a photo, or write something in approx X number of words or less ( sorry have no idea how many words I was thinking off but quite short), or both, other means of expression available depending on what's possible.

Or a snapshot in time, take a picture at 2pm your time Sunday 14th of August.

It's not asking to people to be 'creative', or 'challanged' it's just offering an opportunity to express themselves, with the aim of pulling it together and then presenting and documenting it

Not that I am saying there is anything wrong with challanges or competitions, they are all good

But as an exercise I think it has value, it's very inclusive, so can go from, picture of my teddy bear or a description of somthing along the lines of Glastonbury Tor means a lot to me because I celebrate the summer soltice here, right through to I find this poem/work of art very poignant because it speaks to me in this way. If you get my drift

There are a lot of 'less tangibles', like getting over barriers to submit something, starting points, an opportunity to parcipate in something different (otherwise of your radar), generating an interest in developing your creative side, or developing an appreciation for other people's creative sides.

Goes away now, long post and doesn't even know if it's relevant

Peanut

Right, oh, Clive. I'll let you know when you are in - it may take a little while longer.

Those ideas are great Peanut. I love the idea of having a 'simple' all genres prompt. and I like the 2pm idea too - it could be a couple of paragraphs too, as well as a photo, or instead of. I think you've definitely got the hang of what we're on about here! Wanna join in?

Since I apparently have some fans of my photography in this thread, I'm posting up a new journal shortly with a link to today's experiments...

Those are quite fabulous, Clive. You are clearly too modest.

And you're in at Noesis too. We're under 'foundation'.

Hi Sol,

I'm right out of my depth when it comes to creative stuff, but as someone who would join in something informal, or prehaps give a challange a shot, I thought I would lob my thoughts into the mix.

A users, point of view, for want of a better term. I don't know that I can contribute much more, but I am happy to and offer that viewpoint as and when, if it's helpful

What you are doing is great, I'm looking forward to it all

alround I reckon

All the best Peanut

I think a users pov would be great, Peanut, although I like your ideas too!

Adding you to the Foundation area.

I assume you are 'peanut' there too?

Yep

Another journal going up with today's experiments in photography.

For a first attempt I'm satisfied - but I got a list of stuff "I Can Do Better Next Time"