Hmm, well, I seem to have not thought this through quite thoroughly enough. With regard to the "Forgotten Camera" challenge, I'd first like to thank everybody who submitted entries—we got quite a few. At first I was going to put them all on their own page, but it quickly became apparent that the formatting and organizing was going to be a headache. Then I figured I'd publish them all here on the main page in a flurry centering around yesterday (the deadline). But so many entries came in on Monday and Tuesday that now there are just too many to do that with. Plus, readers have a strong (if perfectly natural) tendency to comment most about the top item on the blog, which would seem to shortchange entrants whose pictures are buried too deep on the page. So I guess that doesn't seem like the perfect solution either.
Those were plans #1 and #2. Here's plan #3—how about if I just publish one a day until I run out, in the order in which they were received, along with the regular content of the blog? That would take the month of September and a little of October (I think there are about fifty overall, and I've already published ten or twelve). Newcomers to TOP might think that Forgotten Camera pictures is what we're all about, but I guess I can't worry too much about that. Sound good?
Anyway, below is today's—a particularly interesting one, the second from Henry Rogers of London.
____________________
Mike
That's not a good plan. That's an excellent plan. Even better, how about making this a regular feature? I have a funny feeling I will miss these when they run out...
Best,
Adam
Posted by: mcananeya | Wednesday, 03 September 2008 at 09:06 AM
Sounds like a great plan to me. If you publish them all in one go we are unlikely to take the time to savour each one as it deserves. One-a-day has my vote.
Posted by: Miserere | Wednesday, 03 September 2008 at 09:07 AM
Your plan sounds perfect to me.
Posted by: Oronet Commander | Wednesday, 03 September 2008 at 09:20 AM
Mike, whatever you do, this has proven so much of a wonderful trip for me and others that I think you have carte blanche as to your distribution of the content, if you want to post the entire thing in one go for those who cannot resist, offer a encrypted pdf and sell it from the site for $5, it's really easy to do and will give you a potential second revenue stream. Or how about a book opportunity... comprising those entries worthy of a second look (have them send in a print), I would be happy to donate my time and reasonable expense to compile such a piece (flatbed and coolscan 9000 at my disposal, although I bet ctein would love to produce articles about the scanning process of all the different media encountered), the book could be sold through the site also and proceeds could be donated 50/50 between TOP and the charity of the purchasers choice. I am a manager at certain levels and a project like this could be organized and put in motion almost immediately, given publishing on demand. T.O.P. could then have a consistent revenue stream, photos and text from its users, judged by its users, and produced by someone like blurb or anyone other book seller who could potentially advertise on the site.
Just an idea. I know I would love something like this, with info on the cameras, techniques employed, and processing.
Posted by: yunfat | Wednesday, 03 September 2008 at 09:20 AM
I vote a resounding yes to plan #3! What an interesting and unique way to share a little photographic history with your readers every day.
Posted by: Earl | Wednesday, 03 September 2008 at 09:27 AM
It sounds like a great idea to me Mike. Will keep me coming back. So much more interesting than news of the latest "we've added 10 to the number" news out of Photokina.
Hywel
Posted by: hywel | Wednesday, 03 September 2008 at 09:32 AM
Yes please, make 'em last! They make for fascinating reading - possibly more so for those of us who remember them the first time round!
DaveP
Posted by: Dave Pawson | Wednesday, 03 September 2008 at 10:16 AM
Did you give any thought to creating a flickr slide show of the entries?
Posted by: karl | Wednesday, 03 September 2008 at 10:31 AM
You are just too popular, Mike!
And there are SO MANY cameras in our closet!
-Tom-
Posted by: Tom V | Wednesday, 03 September 2008 at 10:32 AM
A great plan. I'll be glued to the computer.
Posted by: Robin Dreyer | Wednesday, 03 September 2008 at 11:28 AM
The comments are all very positive, so why not make this a regular feature Mike?
It sure beats horse racing!
Posted by: Grant | Wednesday, 03 September 2008 at 12:04 PM
I think the dedicated page is much a better idea. It's something we could go back to months from now without having to dig through all the other main page articles, much like the Top 10 Cameras page.
You don't HAVE to do it all at once. You can maybe add a new one every week, with a quick blurb on the main page saying the Forgotten camera page has been updated.
Posted by: Michael | Wednesday, 03 September 2008 at 12:22 PM
Another vote for making this a regular feature. The entries so far have been great.
Posted by: Gerry Morgan | Wednesday, 03 September 2008 at 01:00 PM
MIke, I second that that is an excellent plan. Plus, it gives us yet another excellent TOP topic to look forward to each day.
This "forgotten camera" idea thread was a masterstroke; great job, Mike! I propose that this become an annual event if it does not become too burdensome.
Posted by: stephen Scharf | Wednesday, 03 September 2008 at 02:27 PM
I've enjoyed it immensely, so I think it's a good plan..
I took out my olympus D340R (1.3 MEGA pixels!!) last night with this project in mind. It was ... difficult.
Posted by: Chris Wage | Wednesday, 03 September 2008 at 05:09 PM
Ya got my vote for plan 3. Now that you have started to put up the entries I'm starting to have second thoughts about mine, Its looking awful lame next to some of your early entries.
Posted by: john Robison | Wednesday, 03 September 2008 at 06:13 PM
Mike,
Yet another vote for making this a regular feature. There are some very interesting old cameras out there, and it's great seeing them pulled out and put to use!
Thanks, Roger
Posted by: Roger Engle | Thursday, 04 September 2008 at 09:39 AM