Challenge???

[leicaflex]

This is the 4th year of so called "Challenges" ..I still don't get it...
Can someone distill what a Challenge is..for instance can we or anyone for that matter "host" a challenge..say a Vancouver Challenge?


Thanks in advance.

Cheers, JRM

[stunsworth]

Of course anyone can host one John. Provided that you can get at least one other person to participate I don't see a problem - an individual challenge is a bit too easy to win and you'd miss the company :-)

Think of it less as a competition and more of a chance for people who only communicate here in cyberspace to actually meet up, have a few beers, and get to know each other a little better.

Oh, and it's only the third by the way - it feels like more at times, but there have only been two before.

[leicaflex]

Steve..now here is ther irony..we have a huge Leica crowd in Vancouver ..I believe maybe 3 have shown up on the Leica Forum..... from a potential of about 200 or so , is there something to owning a Leica system and then "escaping" if someone sees you? Or the need to be "elitist?"

Thanks for your reply

Cheers, JRM

[stunsworth]

I've no idea why there are so few people John, but I suspect that there's a similar percentage (or even lower) here in general.

Perhaps there would be more if Leica promoted the forum a little more. One of the things I suggested during the 'test drive' of the new forum was that Leica include a flyer in the packaging of their products detailing the forum - what it was and how purchasers could benifit from using it.

[andybarton]

The point about the Challenge, as I see it is more about getting to have a beer and / or a cofee with people that you have come to "know" on here than the actual photography.

Bill's original idea, the "one camera, one lens, one roll" concept, was just a front for getting down the pub, but with a purpose.

It's become (becoming) more like an annual Leica Forum User Group meeting for the whole of Europe, with a venue that changes each year. But it is, of course, a lot less formal than that. It's all a bit ad hoc, and much the better for it in my opinion.

There must have been at least half a dozen countries represented last year and I am pretty certain that we all had a great afternoon, despite the weather. Hopefully, in Paris in October, we can see some improvement on that aspect! (It's even been rumoured that we may have a trans-atlantic representation this year, which would be excellent)

So, if you want to organise a Vancouver challenge, why not? Set your own rules, you don't have to use Bill's if you don't want to.

But, I still think that "Rule Number 1" should be "enjoy yourself".

[andybarton]

Originally Posted by stunsworth

I've no idea why there are so few people John, but I suspect that there's a similar percentage (or even lower) here in general.

Perhaps there would be more if Leica promoted the forum a little more. One of the things I suggested during the 'test drive' of the new forum was that Leica include a flyer in the packaging of their products detailing the forum - what it was and how purchasers could benifit from using it.

I am sure that's true.

There are loads of people who wouldn't dream of using an internet forum - you have no idea of the sort of people who hang out on them...

I build tall(ish) buildings. I found out only yesterday that there is a "Skyscraper Forum"...

I think that an advert in the next issue of LFI might not be a bad idea. I don't know if Andreas has a budget for that, but it might be worth considering. I can't see Leica "officially" promoting it though, especially now, since they cannot control the quality of any advice given here. But, as we all know, the forum is so much more than an "advice" line.

[bill]

John, Andy and Steve are right. The "unwritten" rules are as follows:

1. Suspend your disbelief
2. Be there
3. Have fun

I am intensely competitive in "real life" but this is different - it really is about the taking part rather than the winning!

Regards,

Bill