This is the FAQ for the monthly photo challenges, commonly know as "Single in <insert month>" :-)
If you have a question, please do ask away and I will update the FAQ. Feel free to answer one as well and poke me if I get sloppy.
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In September 2010, Stillshunter set off a train with no breaks called "Single in September" in an effort to stem LBA.
In short these are the rules of the challenge:
-Choose one lens
-Take pictures with the lens each day and upload one of them to a gallery or a thread on the group forum (see below for howto)
-Do this every day for the whole month
FAQ:
Q: How do I participate?
A: Create an album called "Single in January". Go to your User Control Panel, and under Your Profile, choose "Edit Photo Albums". There you can create the album.
or
A: Create a thread in the
group forum, called "<your username> single in <month>" replacing with your name and the month you are participating in.
Q: Once I've created my album, where/how do I submit my album to be included?
A: There is no need to submit it as everybody participating in the challenge will be listed
here (click me!) automatically because they are all called "Single in January". Note that your album will not show up until it contains at least one picture.
Alternately if you wish to see the threads created in a monthly challenge, just go to the
group forum.
Q: Must I upload a picture every day?
A: No, you can upload it whenever you feel like, but you must choose one for each day
Q: What if I miss a shot?
A: Do not worry about it!
Q: What is a "safety shot"?
A: It is a picture that you take early in the day as a backup if you get too busy to get the shot you wanted
Q: I shot a lot of cool pictures in one day and chose my favorite one, but can I share more somewhere?
A: Yes! You can post your extra shots for each day in the Extras group
here.
Q: What about all my other lenses, can't I use them?
A: Not for this challenge, but you can shoot with them all you want
Q: If I choose a zoom lens, do I have to stick with one focal length on that lens? Or can I have the entire focal range?
A: You can use the entire focal range
Q: Is it against the rules if I use an extension tube together with the lens?
A: Not at all, you are still using the same lens!
Q: How about mounting the lens reversed then?
A: You can do that! :-)
Q: Is it just for curing LBA?
A: No! You learn a lot from using a single lens for a month, why not choose one of your least favorite ones and get to know it better?
A: You get a new bunch of friends who also shoot one picture every day
A: If you choose a similar lens as someone else, you can compare shots, image quality and share notes *aawww* :-)
Q: Is it hard?
A: The first 7 days are easy. The next 7 will get you on your toes, the next 7 will make you head hurt and if you survive that till the end you will have a bunch of fantastic shots spread out over a whole month
Q: What about that gallery, I do not have enough space for my pictures!
A: Have you considered donating to the site? It will get you a bunch of space and keep the site advertising free! You know you love it like that :-)
Q: Any hints with regards to the Album?
A: Take a snapshot of your chosen lens? Make todays picture the album cover?
Q: Photobook!
A: Yes! What a great idea, a book with photographs chosen by the challengers. Just remember to save the original files so you will have good material for prints
Q: What is this Monthly Challenges group that I have been hearing about?
A: Oh that is the Monthly Photo Challenges group - currently we are talking about this Single in January idea
here
Q: Can I have a look at past challenges?
A: Yes, you can find them
here and
here and the 12 day contest
here. Click
here to browse through all the albums , or have a look in the
group forum