"Hunt & Shoot" Exercise - Done and Dusted

[Manta]

Hi all.

It's been a while since our last get-together so I thought I'd pitch a slightly different idea to you. This type of event has been used by various camera clubs. I did one not so long ago with the Brisbane Camera Group and it was a real hoot. Challenging and a lot of fun.

The activity I'm proposing is a "Hunt & Shoot" competition.

Participants will be given a list of 10 categories/themes/subjects for which they have to get photos. All shots must be taken within a set geographical location (Brisbane city area) and within a set time frame (4 hours). You 'enter' one image per category.

Sound easy? There's a catch...
You can't just fill a CF card trying to get that perfect capture...
Participants can only take 20 images during the course of the event over the 10 categories.

Exposure numbers will be recorded at the start and end of the shoot. So, you have to select suitable subjects for the categories then plan and execute your shots to the best of your photographic ability.

In other words, you have two chances to get a good entry for each category. Obviously, if you're happy with your first attempt for any particular subject, you'll have an extra attempt up your sleeve for one of the other categories. You can use up to the maximum 20 exposures any way you like.

You can wander around in pairs, as a larger group or as individuals though the 20 images per person still applies (you can't give away your 'extra' shots to someone else!).

I probably won't be entering as such, though knowing what the topics are beforehand isn't really that much of an advantage - I've still got to find and shoot the subjects. Regardless, I'll happily tag along with participants to document the day as an event. The trials and tribulations of photographers on the scent...

As far as 'judging' is concerned, the logistics are a bit tricky. Short of having some web space whereby the images could be displayed and voted on by the greater membership (like we do with the Challenges) my proposal is simply to download everyone's selected images onto a laptop and then view the collection as a slideshow for each category, with each participant scoring the images on a 1-10 scale or similar. We could then post the highest scoring shots on the forum. I'm sure we could find a suitable cafe/pub in which to view the images and do the 'voting' but someone would have to bring a laptop...

Prizes? The bragging rights one earns through winning one or more categories in the "Inaugural Brisbane DSLRUsers Hunt & Shoot Competition" as well as the invaluable experience of sharing a few hours with your fellow SthEast Qld forum members. Priceless!

EDIT: Proposed date now July 29

Saturdays are best because there's more activity around - better choice of subjects. I reckon a 10.00am kick-off with a 2.00pm finish would give us good time afterwards to collate and vote.

[xerubus]

sounds like a great idea!

I probably won't be entering as such, though knowing what the topics are beforehand isn't really that much of an advantage - I've still got to find and shoot the subjects. Regardless, I'll happily tag along with participants to document the day as an event. The trials and tribulations of photographers on the scent...

how about get a member from interstate to set the topics.. that way you can be involved too?

cheers

[losfp]

Sounds like a great idea, and a lot of fun! Hopefully the other cities get invovled too *coughcoughhintforanyoneinsydneywhoisnotmecoughcough*.

Just one question though - How are you going to police the "20 exposures maximum" rule? What's to stop someone from taking, say, 200 photos and then deleting all but the best 20?

[Manta]

Sounds like a great idea, and a lot of fun! Hopefully the other cities get invovled too *coughcoughhintforanyoneinsydneywhoisnotmecoughcough*.

Just one question though - How are you going to police the "20 exposures maximum" rule? What's to stop someone from taking, say, 200 photos and then deleting all but the best 20?

If I remember correctly, the BCG did it by EXIF - noting the exposure number at the beginning and at the end. Each participant starts by taking a "zero" photo (perhaps of me? ) so I've got a reference. Then I add twenty to that and there's the cut-off. First twenty shots are their's to choose ten, any shots after that are not allowed. Any deletions (e.g. a jump from say _2341 to _2345) will render the whole entry invalid.

Happy to hear from anyone who might have a better way of doing this!

I do, however, expect everyone will play by the rules and enjoy the challenge that those constraints place upon them. At the end of the day, we're not playing for sheep stations anyway....

[Manta]

sounds like a great idea!

I probably won't be entering as such, though knowing what the topics are beforehand isn't really that much of an advantage - I've still got to find and shoot the subjects. Regardless, I'll happily tag along with participants to document the day as an event. The trials and tribulations of photographers on the scent...

how about get a member from interstate to set the topics.. that way you can be involved too?

cheers

Good idea Mark but I've already got some good ones in mind and it doesn't worry me in the slightest to play co-ordinator.

[losfp]

Ahh I see, that makes sense.

Naturally to some extent it is an honour system. If the stakes were high enough, people would start packing a second body or a compact p&s to "test" shots before using one of their official shots

[Manta]

Ahh I see, that makes sense.

Naturally to some extent it is an honour system. If the stakes were high enough, people would start packing a second body or a compact p&s to "test" shots before using one of their official shots

What a suspicious mind you have.

I may have to revert to my previous life as a Customs officer and bring some rubber gloves.

[gecko]

Good idea Manta
Sounds like a lot of fun.

Cheers
Gecko

[big pix]

Ahh I see, that makes sense.

Naturally to some extent it is an honour system. If the stakes were high enough, people would start packing a second body or a compact p&s to "test" shots before using one of their official shots

already thought about this....... and slapping myself on the wrist as I write this.......

[Manta]

and slapping myself on the wrist as I write this.......

Are you sending yourself to the naughty corner as well, Bernie?

[blacknstormy]

Bernie spends a LOT of time in the naughty corner me thinks

Working shiftwork really sucks, so I'm out for all except the 5 and 12th of August ... but even if I don't make it, can't wait to see all the shots !!!!

Bernie - back to the corner  LOL

Rel

[firsty]

As for the 5th August...
won't all you people be down here in Sydney for the Anniversary weekend ??
priorities people priorities

[DionM]

Sounds interesting

[Manta]

I'm out for all except the 5 and 12th of August ...

So put in your votes!

[Manta]

As for the 5th August...
won't all you people be down here in Sydney for the Anniversary weekend ??
priorities people priorities

Good point Firsty...but it might be a nice distraction for those who would otherwise be at home opening a vein because they couldn't get to Sydney!

[big pix]

As for the 5th August...
won't all you people be down here in Sydney for the Anniversary weekend ??
priorities people priorities

..... maybe, will know in a few weeks as I will be close, well in stubby's area anyway........ back to the naughty corner...... it lonely here

[gecko]

Hmmm it seems my 'sounds like fun' post has dropped in straight after manta tells us he is putting on the rubber gloves. Bad timing Gecko...  BTW - I probably can't make it. i have a baby gecko hatching at about this time and I would be hunted and shot if I wasn't where I should be...

Gecko

[Manta]

Hmmm it seems my 'sounds like fun' post has dropped in straight after manta tells us he is putting on the rubber gloves. Bad timing Gecko...

That was noted, with some mirth I might add...

BTW - I probably can't make it. i have a baby gecko hatching at about this time and I would be hunted and shot if I wasn't where I should be...

Good lord man! Hasn't Keith already berated us for not getting our priorities right?? Surely the order is
1. Anniversary Weekend
2. Hunt & Shoot
3. Birth of one's child

You're stuck with kids for ages but minimeets are really rare! I expect much better from you next time...

[gecko]

[Manta]

Looking like August is the preferred option so far...

Surely there must be more takers out there???

[Big Red]

sound like a very interesting idea ... dunno if i will be back for it but if i can be there i will

[Grev]

Not sure when is good, but sounds like a good idea, disciplining us is a good thing.

[Manta]

I'm wondering whether it might not be a better idea to just make it Aug 12 so that those going to the AW on Aug 5 can make it as well, if they wanted to....

[Big Red]

from what i have seen, just make a date and do it because you can never pick a date that suits everyone so you may as well pick one that suits yourself

[Slider]

Sound like a plan Simon. Looks like it would be good fun.

[Big Red]

looks like a heap of fun ... a heap of us all spreading out to capture all the themes

[Big Red]

instead of a starters gun you could have a starters flash ...

just imagine several guys and gals ... arms out in front ... blindly stumbling about until the effects of marks tripple flash set up wears off.
[ in the mean time Slider sprints off to get the first captures ]

[CraigVTR]

As for the 5th August...
won't all you people be down here in Sydney for the Anniversary weekend ??
priorities people priorities

Where is Sydney?
Sounds great Simon. Voted 15/8, will give me a chance to get over the jet lag and catch up with work; and pp some of the holiday snaps. Will try to drag Baby VTR along as well. In Shetland at the moment and its colder here than at home, even though its the height of summer. Can't post any picks at the moment as have no PS here.

Regards

Craig

[Manta]

Good to hear you're surviving the climate over there Craig!

Your arrival back in the country was one of the reasons I added the 15th to the mix.

[Bob G]

Sounds great - I'm in regardless of the date.

Bob G

[Grev]

I talked to a guy briefly at Roma st parklands on Sunday and he said he's in a competition for "Hunt and shoot" as well and he is with the Brisbane camera club or something. What gives?

[Manta]

Grev, as I said in my first post, I got the idea from when I did the same activity with the Brisbane Camera Group last year. The format isn't exclusive though, a lot of camera clubs do it and there's a lot of ...cross-pollination... of ideas across the clubs and groups. The BCG do their's around this time each year as it's better in the cooler weather.

I erred earlier on when I suggested the 15th as the date. There are a few people still away around that time who I think would like to make it. Therefore, I'm going to go with July 29. I know this is only a week before the AW but hopefully those going to Sydney will see this as an opportunity to catch up with friends who can't make it down and also to hone their candid snap skills ready for the streets of Sydney.

[Grev]

Now you got me confused, why are people going to Sydney?

And what is AW?

I'm much behind... Need to add some of you to IM programs.

[Alpha_7]

Now you got me confused, why are people going to Sydney?

And what is AW?

I'm much behind... Need to add some of you to IM programs.

AW stands for Anniversary Weekend, and its a big forum celebration for the 2nd birthday of the forum (I think) I missed it by weeks last year joining just after all the festivities. There is an active thread with some information in it regarding the weekend, but basically it's an excuse to all get together theres presentation and announcement of the winners of the One Egg challenge, a number of dinners scheduled for those that can make it and at a guess some shooting / workshop type activities, I wouldn't be surprised if Birdie didn't have some suprise specials in store either..anyways here is the thread with more information.

http://www.dslrusers.com/viewtopic.php?t=17980

[Grev]

^ Thanks.

I might as well head down to Sydney then around those times. I miss that place.

[Geoff M]

Hi Simon

This sounds like great fun, July 29th is good for me so you can count me in.

[SteveGriffin]

I think that I will be OK for the 29th also

[big pix]

I will be on my way to the Hunter Valley........ so have fun......

[DionM]

I think I'm okay for the 29th, but I really can't tell with my work schedule.

[mark]

Count me in for the 29th or any other Saturday for that matter.

Looking forward to it.

[Manta]

Well - we seem to be building our numbers.
I still need one of the participants to bring along a laptop and perhaps a card reader so we can download and view images. Be great if someone could help out in this regard.

(Steve - glad you can make it - be a good opportunity for you to show off your new D200 and battery grip eh? !)

[DionM]

Well - we seem to be building our numbers.
I still need one of the participants to bring along a laptop and perhaps a card reader so we can download and view images. Be great if someone could help out in this regard.

Mmm ... I have an old clunker (PII-500) I could bring if things are dire. If we all agree to shoot in JPG I could bring my work machine (no Photoshop on it, though). And that's if I can make it ...

[big pix]

Well - we seem to be building our numbers.
I still need one of the participants to bring along a laptop and perhaps a card reader so we can download and view images. Be great if someone could help out in this regard.

my dates have changed......... now going to the Hunter at the end of this month.......back mid july

so if you need a hand, and I have a laptop with PSCS2, and card reader, let me know.......

[SteveGriffin]

(Steve - glad you can make it - be a good opportunity for you to show off your new D200 and battery grip eh? !)

I sold some old gear on Ebay and the cash was smoking up my pocket. Had to do someting about the situation urgently  BTW I had ordered the camera a couple of hours before Birdie announced the special and he just pushed me over the edge for the grip.

[Manta]

Thanks Dion - sounds like Bernie has very generously offered his gear that will really be up to the task. What I plan to do is, once we make seelctions as to "winners", I'll burn those onto a disc at the time and when I get home pop them onto, say, my Smugmug gallery, so they can be posted to the Forum.

Thank you Bernie - great to hear you can make it. Wouldn't be the same without you.

Steve - you don't have to explain it to me. As for Trish.....

[big pix]

....... let me know if you need anything else........ have you picked a base of operation........ it would be nice to be near a power point if possible, and a table and chair........ good coffee, maybe some food at lunchtime, a piece of cake late in the day, and a glass of wine to finish off.........

[Manta]

Cheers Bernie. Base of operations will be Brisbane CBD. I know where the meeting point and Hunt kick-off location is but I haven't, as yet, scouted an exact location for the final wrap-up and image viewing. I suspect it will just be a coffee shop or eatery of some kind, most likely licenced.

[big pix]

I suspect it will just be a coffee shop or eatery of some kind, most likely licenced.

....... I could meet you there.........I will be the one having a chardie......

[Geoff M]

Hi all

Have been speaking to a good freind today who has been using a film SLR, but was given a DSLR a short while ago by a very kind uncle who could not 'get on with it'. Only problem is it's a Canon!!

Steph is not a forum member but very keen to come along for the 'Hunt & Shoot', will it be OK for her to come along.

Geoff

[Manta]

Hi all

Have been speaking to a good freind today who has been using a film SLR, but was given a DSLR a short while ago by a very kind uncle who could not 'get on with it'. Only problem is it's a Canon!!

Steph is not a forum member but very keen to come along for the 'Hunt & Shoot', will it be OK for her to come along.

Geoff

Not unless she's prepared to have fun and enjoy the challenge. Otherwise, fine - the more the merrier!