Suggestion - make a list of assignments now, for all of 2014

[Marko]

Hi members,

Happy Holidays!

I just had an idea. Seems like at the beginning of each month we scramble a bit for assignment ideas.

What if we choose 24 (12 for the regular and 12 for level 2) assignments BEFORE the new year, mark them in a thread that's a sticky, and then we will always know what the assignment will be.

Anyone like this idea? Anyone hate it?

Thx!

[theantiquetiger]

That sounds good.

I actually had an theme idea for January, "Security". I don't remember why I got this idea, but I figured there could be several interpretations of it.

So I submit "Security" as one of the 12 monthly level 1 themes.

[Marko]

I like security as a level one theme!

Let's have some more suggestions - OR if people are against this idea, please let me know here or by PM.

I have a level 2 suggestion - Cropped faces (take a portrait and crop the face deliberately)

[Marko]

I'd love as many people as possible to suggest some themes that they like for either level 1 or level 2 - thx!

[Jason]

I think this is a great idea. I'll try to come up with some ideas.

[Runmonty]

I think it is a fine idea, but think perhaps a year is too far in advance, and may also be difficult to get started. Maybe more practical to start with just a couple of months in advance until the list grows big enough? In this way if we get a brainwave or some inspiration for an assignment there is still an incentive to share it rather than waiting for next year. I also kinda like the idea of having to think on your feet a little and not have too long to think about it. Just my 2 cents worth.

[QuietOne]

I'd already been thinking about January. It seems like the last couple of months, we've gotten a late start as far as submissions go, I'm assuming because everyone is feeling crunched for time. I was going to suggest something along the lines of "What Santa brought (bonus points for cool presentation)".

I can see Runmonty's point, of not having the opportunity to "think on one's feet", though there will always be photos that were a case of opportunity knocking. How about trying to generate a list for 3 or 4 months? That will also give people time to think a bit more on the subject. You could also have a couple of months where there isn't a theme already assigned, to give room for ideas that come up during the year. The other way to handle that is to change out themes later on, but leaving holes to be filled might be easier.

Hum, let's see - toys in the toy box (loose definition of "toy").
Processing techniques, if people have shown a consistent interest in one or two in particular.
Old and new.
Puns.
A different angle.

It's late, so I'm both rattling off ideas, and getting sort of loopy. But it's a start.

[Marko]

I like these ideas and before new years I will place these ideas in a 2 column chart (Regular and level 2) in the first post of this thread

I appreciate the thinking on your feet point, RM - but lately every month starts slow (because we have no predestined topics) and only a minority of members normally make suggestions....and if they do make suggestions, only 1 can 'win' so to speak.

This way, it's pretty open to 24 suggestions that can be placed in columns so we know where we are at.

In addition - if we did want to add a 3rd last minute thinking on your feet assignment - easy peasy, no sweat.

So let's see how many suggestions we get before new years - and again if additional people aren't into this, please let me know.

Thx!

[Iguanasan]

Capital idea, Marko!

I have been pressed for time of late but I feel a photographically focused year coming up!

I'm also thinking I would like to stage more shoots so planning ahead sounds great to me.

I remember we did one on song titles in the past and I like the idea but I don't want to be too repetitive. What about book titles and or movie titles. Also, in the theme of movies how about recreating movie posters?

[lindsayb]

I like the idea of deciding some or all in advance. A couple themes that came to mind just now are: Solitary (whatever interpretations come up from that) and Growth (putting it in the spring might be obvious but there are many ways one could interpret it)