To Theme, or not to Theme, THAT is the question

[MaryBeth Dailey]

I am referring to ETSOOI challenge (Editing the S______ fill in blank with "s@#t, sorriness, stuffings) out of it) that we have every week or so.

It started out with NO theme...just entering any ETSOOI that you did.

Then it morphed into having a theme assigned by the winner of the challenge before.

After a while, some of us noticed that having a theme was pretty limiting....for your pic to be matching a theme and ETSOOI0-ed.

So some of discussed that about two weeks ago and dropped the theme. I'd like to hear what you all think! So let us know if you WANT a theme with the ETSOOI challenge or not. Thanks!

[brianarmoured]

I like theme they help give me focus.

[Therese]

I like a theme... it's more challenging, and makes judging much easier! :)

[Dave]

I have not been active in this group; therefore, my vote should not count. With that said, I would throw out the idea of using a general theme ... such as B&W, People, animals, nightime, holidays, landscape, abstract. Some things that don't place much of a limit on it, but still cause one to look at something different than their normal style might be. If you run the submission window for ten days and voting takes 4 days and another 4 for the winner to announce the new contest, you would need 20 themes per year.

[Daryl O'Hare]

I like the theme personally and it does make judging easier

[Nada A.]

I like the theme. It focuses the ETSOOI'ing.

[HippieChick13]

I like the theme idea. I've done a few challenges and I think it's really hard to judge them when they are all so different.

[Katie]

There's nothing to stop you from a having a week or two of "no theme" as the theme either!

[JulieCo]

I've only tried this once or twice, but I would certainly prefer the limitations, and therefore the focus, provided by a theme.

[Stacey]

I like having a theme.

[Lisa Pouncy]

I definitely like the theme as I think it makes the job of judging a bit simpler too.

[Taffy]

It may be about the goal -- no theme, more submissions, more opportunity for creative response; while with theme, fewer and more focused submissions and serves as a guide and prompt. Both seem to be worthy, so maybe we think in terms of Katie's point -- @archaeofrog -- that every once in a while there's a 'no theme' theme if someone is willing to head that (knowing they'll have a harder judging task). Maybe every few months for that makes sense.

[AC]

Why not leave it up to the person hosting that week to determine if there is a theme or no theme?

[OBM Creations]

I like both a theme and no theme. I think a theme as a norm would be great - it does push you more. Having an open theme a few times a year would help mix it up a little and be useful for those busy holiday periods etc.

[OBM Creations]

Oh, as a further thought - 2 separate challenges run at the same time; one themed and one not. (A bit like the Mundane challenge and the Abstract challenge)
Hehehe

[Aaron]

I like turtles.

[Sue Wilde]

Cake's good

[Marloes]

@grizzlysghost haha, me too ;)

[Marloes]

@swilde love it ;)

[David Tigani]

I like the theme... otherwise ill end up posting every shot I take as typically they all get the ETSOOI treatment!

[Marloes]

@espyetta I totally agree with Taffy @taffy.

[MaryBeth Dailey]

@brianarmoured @monkeykid @dlaxton @darylo @nadaa @hippiechick13 @archaeofrog @julieco @psychographer @staceylane @taffy @3rdxoff @obmcreations
@stimuloog @dtigani

Okay, everyone! Thanks for chiming in! Sounds like we want to go with a THEME, but "No theme" is a theme that the winner can select. sounds great to me. And PLEASE...if someone wins it, please select "Turtles" for @grizzlysghost or cake for @swilde !!! Hee hee! I know if I ever win it, I will!

So if I win, and I pick Turtles or Cake, then Aaron or Sue have to enter an ETSOOI submission.

[Taffy]

@espyetta Great discussion and very reasonable solution! Glad you were able to accommodate Turtles and Cakes as well.

[Aaron]

Turtle cake. Mmmm. ;)

[katy]

@espyetta Lol!!! Great discussion. Perfect outcome!

[MaryBeth Dailey]

@grammyn Yep. I think the people have spoken, and we have all agreed on a plan. ;0)

[MaryBeth Dailey]

@taffy @grizzlysghost LOL!

[Marnie]

Yippee!

[Lisa Poland]

Oh, good. I would have gone with theme, too!