Originally Posted by Mat Thompson (Post 1591140)

I'd like to say that I'd involve and help any of our community in a much bigger way than a few words of critique if they need it. Just shout and I'll do anything I can.

Originally Posted by Mike Sims (Post 1591077)

I’m sure this is one of those situations where I should probably just keep my mouth shut, but I’m going to jump in here because of one statement with which I very strongly disagree. I do not at all think that any loss of participation is due to Meryem. To the contrary, I think she has worked very hard to keep things going in the face of other factors which may be in play. Some people never intended to participate more than once. They had an idea to express, and having done so, have moved on to other pursuits. Some of us have had changing circumstances in our lives-like babies or new jobs- which now, by necessity, take up the time once devoted to the challenge. Some do not possess an extensive kit of expensive equipment and may feel that their efforts are not appreciated around here. (To which I say, Posh!) Other people are very competitive. Let’s face it, we have a handful of very talented and experienced people around here with which it is very difficult to compete. Some, I think, have decided-”I’m never going to win, so why bother?” (Again I say, Phui!)

Originally Posted by Mike Sims (Post 1591077)

I think there is a larger issue here which should be addressed. We seem to have fallen into a rut where the only ones which comment on the videos are those which have completed a video that round. It’s almost like commenting on everyone’s videos has become a duty of completion rather than a privilege. Some feel that if you cannot (or will not) offer a suggested improvement or point out a fault, then don’t comment at all. Nonsense. I can only offer myself by way of example. In my personal life I have absolutely no one to talk to about video. Everyone I know thinks what I do is foolish and an extreme waste of my meager resources. Few pass up any opportunity to express their opinions. At times I get very discouraged. While I very much value the comments with concrete suggestions on how to improve, the comments which have meant the most to me are very much along the lines of-”I watched your video. It isn’t perfect, but keep going!” Your encouragement has got me through many a lonely night. I think rather than pointing out in the rules that by signing up for a challenge you are committing to completing a video we should recognize that sometimes life intervenes and prevents that. (I think increasing the time from three weeks to four weeks will help in this respect, but this is a tangent to be pursued at a later time.) I think the rules should say that by signing up you are committing to try to complete a video, and further that you will watch all the videos and offer comments- even if the only thing you have to say is “I took a few moments from my busy life to watch your video”.

Originally Posted by Mat Thompson (Post 1591140)

Apart from actually being motivated to get out there and finish a project which I think is the main thing uwol gives us the critique has always been something of importance. That said I've always moaned that there is too much in the way of pats on the back and not enough constructive critique. The uwol family has helped me to achieve some very cool things over the past year and I now have plenty of real world wildlife film making contacts. For a number of years I was very much in the same situation of doing something some friends didn't really understand or thought was a little odd. Funnilly enough that has now changed!

I'd like to say that I'd involve and help any of our community in a much bigger way than a few words of critique if they need it. Just shout and I'll do anything I can.