TPF Scavenger Hunts: The Way It Works

[Steelsun]

Photo Scavenger Hunts are basically an excuse to explore and have fun with your camera.

There are several different kinds of PSHs out there: Simple Lists, Special Item, Creative Lists, Puzzle, Group Sets, Marathons, etc.

They will usually be "location neutral", so you don't have to be in a particular city or place to do them. (Exception: There may be specific Location based hunts for different areas at times).

We'll start off with the "Simple List" Type.

The Rules are Simple:

1) You must take the photos, no using someone else's (duh).
2) The photo must be during the course of the hunt (i.e. from list post start until deadline).
2) Basic Post Processing (levels, filters, B&W conversion, etc) is ALLOWED, but you CANNOT add elements/parts of another image to the photo. Some limited 'cleaning', like cloning out stuff, is allowed but do not change the basic nature of the photo/object. (Also, if the item/target is something like a "Red Apple", do not take a Green Apple and color change it)
3) One entry per subject (i.e no submitting 3 pictures of a Volkswagen for a "Bug" shot, one will do)
4) If you have one photo that has two (or more) subjects in it, the photo can be used for either or both of the subjects (see below for bonus points)
5) Additional Rules may be added to a particular hunt.


Scoring will be thusly:
1) One point per entry
2) If a single image incorporates more that one subject in it (and is entered thusly), then the submitter gets a bonus of 1 point per subject. Thus an image with 2 subjects earns the submitter 4 point (2 for the subjects, plus 2 extra points), 3 subjects gets 6 points, 4 gets 8, etc. A subject, even if it is in more than one submitted image, can only count for one image.


Submitting Photos:
For "Simple List" types, you have up to 24 hours after the close of the hunt to post your photos in that hunt's thread. You may post before closing if you wish.
Resize each image to no larger than 450x450 (can be smaller if you wish). You can assemble the images into a grid collage if you desire, but keep it no larger than 900 width (forum max) .
Put the number(s) to the item on the image somewhere.
Post all your entries at once. It may require several posts, but do them consecutively. This makes it easier to see and score, as it is difficult to see user #1's images for 1/2 the items, then a day later see the next half.

The winner will get to pick the list for the next hunt.
In event of ties, the winner will be voted on by the forum via a poll, so creativity may help in this.

Easy enough, huh?

Let's go hunting and shooting!

[Steelsun]

The "Special Item" style of photo scavenger hunts is much like a simple list style.

The only difference is each image must also contain a named special item indicated by the moderator running the PSH.

Examples:

Special Item: Toy
This means each image you take must also have a toy in it. This can be the same toy every time or a different one. Like a matchbox car, a Barbie doll, etc.

Special Item: Hand
A hand must be in every image. Your hand, someone else's, whatever.

Special Item: "TPF"
A piece of paper with "TPF" written on it, magnetic letters, a sticker, blocks, whatever.

Special Item: Yellow
Something yellow has to be in each image.

The choice of a special item is only limited by the imagination of the moderator.

[Steelsun]

The "Creative Lists" style of PSH is also much like a "Simple List" style, except that the item list is a little more vague.

The items should be very open to interpretation.
For example:
Instead of saying "statue", you could say "Stone & Still" or "Frozen in Life" or something that can be interpreted other ways.

This type of list is a more difficult to create and results in some very interesting photo submissions.

For a kicker, you can combine this with a "Special Item" style.

[Steelsun]

"Puzzle" style PSH are just what the name implies, a puzzle.

These harken back to the old complex physical scavenger hunts or yore, where each item was mentioned as a clue.

So instead of putting "Stop Sign", you could put "The octagonal indicator of ceased motion"
or you could use poetry:
"By any other name it is the same" to indicate a "Rose"

This type of PSH is can also location specific where clues are given to specific landmarks in the area. Like "The 8th Wonder of the World, at one time, now nearly abandoned" to indicate the "Astrodome".

[Steelsun]

"Group Set" styles can be great fun, but are a pain in the rear to organize.

Basically it's a PSH of any other type performed by a group instead of just one person.

It's best to do these with a strict and short time limit.

The Groups can be arranged almost any way you want, the members of each group don't even have to be in the same location.

Some variations though require that each image has a group member in it, and the member can't be the one who took the photo, thus encouraging physical interaction and meetings.

Great to use for a little extra fun at a meet-up.

[Steelsun]

"Marathon" PSH are much like the name implies - a race in a set time period to get the images done.

Typically the time period is very short, as in 4-6 hours.
The list of items, puzzles, etc is also much shorter, usually under 10 items.

This is a great thing to do "in person" at meet-ups also.

[Wes]

Do the photos have to be posted in the order shown in the list?

[Steelsun]

Originally Posted by Wes

Do the photos have to be posted in the order shown in the list?

Nope.
Just have them all in the same post or two post next to each other (you can always go back and 'edit' the post before the deadline to add more if you need to)

[Steelsun]

edited rules - Image sizes increased to max 450x450 by requests.