- Location
- Springfield VA USA
I'm fairly new to posting here, and much less experienced than most. I was just wondering why there will be a separate thread each day. Wouldn't it be easier to use one thread for the whole month?
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Single In "Single in" challenges: concept and schedule
- Thread starter MoonMind
- Start date
Due to logistical reasons. The posts of a given day don't come in always chronologically.
Timezones, man.
And there's also the gap between when one takes the shot, when one edits and processes it and when one can finally share it under appropriate day.
A single thread would be somewhat messy.
- Location
- Switzerland
- Name
- Matt
Not practical - far too many entries, so it's hard to keep track as well as pace, and furthermore, if people post late, it'll appear out of place.
We're often more than a dozen people (usually about twenty now). In order to appreciate each other's continuing efforts, the daily thread is the most important rallying point. After all, the goal is to shoot, process and post the very day, every day - yes, if you need to post later, you are welcome to, but take note of the "need" here ...
The challenge will keep rolling, but you'll always know where to put - and find - what.
The whole arrangement makes it easier for most people to keep going - and trust me, it can be tough.
Besides, we tried other ways - none worked better. A couple of "Single in" veterans has kept on shooting and posting for over 1000 days now - we know how to make it work.
M.
Glennn
Veteran
- Location
- New Jersey, USA
- Name
- Glen
It becomes apparent as It goes. I initially felt a tad overwhelmed when I did my first one last year, but it turned out to be a fun endeavor.
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK.
- Name
- Charles
Isn't this the point of the thread Today XXXX? If not, how does it differ, apart from the 'one camera, one lens' aspect?
- Location
- Switzerland
- Name
- Matt
You got the key point. However, the "Single in" used to even enforce the "only one setup" aspect throughout the whole month - now, it's only mandatory for your contributions to the challenge (and even then, if things go belly-up, we usually support gear changes), so you can shoot other images with different gear. But the "Single in" actually *means*: Use one single camera and one single lens, shoot and post every single day during one single month.
The "Today" challenge grew out of a monthly challenge in April 2020 we started to cope with the first lockdowns - hence we worked without the "Single in" restrictions, and you can drop in and drop out of the "Today" challenge at your leisure; your only goal should be an unbroken string of continuous days of shooting and posting. To my mind, four of us have kept going with no or hardly any interruptions since the beginning; I know that I haven't missed a single day yet - but I'm openly obsessed with this daily shoothing thing, so ...
We've had a few name changes: "The April 2020 Challenge" became "Daily May", then "Day to Day" and finally, for a long time now, "Today"; the latter also brought a "normalisation" of the numbering scheme because "Daily May" and "Day to Day" both started freshly at "1", which felt unsuitable after a while - after all, "Today" now references an unbroken series beginning at 1st April, 2020 for the core crew (I think there are still five of us around).
To sum up, two major differences between "Single in" and "Today": Choose and change your gear freely, and join and leave at will - but keep going once you're at it, or it doesn't really make any sense.
That said, we have had "stop-by" posters, and we value all contributions in the "Today" threads as well. A string of one isn't a string, though - but you're still making a point
Anyhow, the "Single in" is in essence *also* about the gear you use - it's a major aspect, really.
M.
William Lewis
All-Pro
- Location
- Eau Claire, Wisconsin
- Name
- William Lewis
I like this schedule & look forward to the February challenge. The only real question is which of my 50's to use Probably the Canon 50/1.4 but I could see using the Nikkor 50/2 this time.
Probably the Canon 50/1.4 but I could see using the Nikkor 50/2 this time.
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK.
- Name
- Charles
Do you know, I think I've got it! Thank you Matt.You got the key point. However, the "Single in" used to even enforce the "only one setup" aspect throughout the whole month - now, it's only mandatory for your contributions to the challenge (and even then, if things go belly-up, we usually support gear changes), so you can shoot other images with different gear. But the "Single in" actually *means*: Use one single camera and one single lens, shoot and post every single day during one single month.
The "Today" challenge grew out of a monthly challenge in April 2020 we started to cope with the first lockdowns - hence we worked without the "Single in" restrictions, and you can drop in and drop out of the "Today" challenge at your leisure; your only goal should be an unbroken string of continuous days of shooting and posting. To my mind, four of us have kept going with no or hardly any interruptions since the beginning; I know that I haven't missed a single day yet - but I'm openly obsessed with this daily shoothing thing, so ...
We've had a few name changes: "The April 2020 Challenge" became "Daily May", then "Day to Day" and finally, for a long time now, "Today"; the latter also brought a "normalisation" of the numbering scheme because "Daily May" and "Day to Day" both started freshly at "1", which felt unsuitable after a while - after all, "Today" now references an unbroken series beginning at 1st April, 2020 for the core crew (I think there are still five of us around).
To sum up, two major differences between "Single in" and "Today": Choose and change your gear freely, and join and leave at will - but keep going once you're at it, or it doesn't really make any sense.
That said, we have had "stop-by" posters, and we value all contributions in the "Today" threads as well. A string of one isn't a string, though - but you're still making a point
Anyhow, the "Single in" is in essence *also* about the gear you use - it's a major aspect, really.
M.
- Location
- Switzerland
- Name
- Matt
Okay, folks, just to clarify: I'll post the official announcement for the Single in February 2023 tomorrow; this thread will be kept open indefinitely, but the specific "Single in" challenges will get their proper schedules and threads. For those who want to participate: Great, I'm looking forward to your entries - but you'll have to throw your hat in the ring in the upcoming announcement thread; the first post of which will always contain an updated list of participants and their chosen gear.
On the long run, this thread will just contain general discussion if it's needed - or so I hope ...
M.
On the long run, this thread will just contain general discussion if it's needed - or so I hope ...
M.
- Location
- Boston Burbs
- Name
- David
Thanks for setting this up Matt. I've been a bit busy/preoccupied for the last couple months so haven't been around as much as normal. But really enjoy the Single-in and think the schedule looks great.
For me, this is often the "what did I recently buy" or "what have I just not really used much since I bought it". I've also done comparison shots for a month. I went through a month of shooting the O17mm f/1.8, P20mm f/1.7, and PL25mm f/1.4. I posted one shot in the challenge thread (have to look but I think I used the P20 for the thread?). Then I also posted a companion thread with shots from each lens, the same position and/or same framing for each.
For me, this is often the "what did I recently buy" or "what have I just not really used much since I bought it". I've also done comparison shots for a month. I went through a month of shooting the O17mm f/1.8, P20mm f/1.7, and PL25mm f/1.4. I posted one shot in the challenge thread (have to look but I think I used the P20 for the thread?). Then I also posted a companion thread with shots from each lens, the same position and/or same framing for each.
- Location
- Boston Burbs
- Name
- David
I can do the challenge group collage again. For reference, as part of the challenge, we have a favorites thread where people can post their favorite image from the month, you pick and post your own favorite image that you shot.
Additionally, I have a handy collage tool and create a challenge collage from member submissions (again you select your images you would like to include).
See this thread for more information.
Additionally, I have a handy collage tool and create a challenge collage from member submissions (again you select your images you would like to include).
See this thread for more information.
- Location
- Seattle, WA, USA
- Name
- Keith
- Location
- Switzerland
- Name
- Matt
I'll think about the title ... It may be a good idea to make it a bit clearer. It's already sticky anyway.
The first post *does* contain information about the date of the next challenge, though - more than enough!
M.
- Location
- Seattle, WA, USA
- Name
- Keith
Thanks for the consideration, Matt. I guess I didn't notice it was pinned since it was pushed down so far by all of the other pinned threads. Is the intention to unpin some of the SiFebruary threads after a bit?
As for my "101" comment, I wasn't really suggesting a change to the thread title, the existing title is probably fine. And all I was thinking re: the date of the next challenge is the addition of a single line at the top of the post along the lines of "The next Single In Challenge will start July 1, 2023" or some such.
You do a fantastic job of keeping these threads and challenges going and I appreciate all of your efforts. I don't mean to step on toes, just sharing my thoughts.
- K
- Location
- Switzerland
- Name
- Matt
Okay, thread title changed and some changes/additions made to the first post. I hope it'll be enough.
If things stay confusing for too many, I'll split information from discussion; I hope to be able to keep things in one place, though, in order not to have to update two threads in case of changes and developments I can't foresee at this point in time.
EDIT: Only the "favourites" threads will stay pinned, alongside this one.
EDIT 2: I *always* state the date of the next "Single in" in any current one *and* announce very early (usually three weeks in advance, or two at the absolute minimum). This *has* to be enough.
M.
