Weekly featured image - how to increase the entries?

Question

I am surprised at the small number of entries in the "weekly featured image" series. A semi random look at some past entries showed 2 with 8 entries and 3 with 12. So far this week there are 3 and last week I think 5.

In a group dedicated to photography I'd have thought there would be many more willing to "have a go". I realise that it can be quite challenging to submit a photo that you personally like for some reason and have it given low ratings by the group, but the drop from 12 or so to 3 or 4 suggests a stronger disincentive.

Are people aware of the feature - "just" having it written on the top of the screen is easily enough missed. I stumbled over it by mistake only, after having it literally in front of my eyes.

How can this be promoted?
Should it be? ...?

Answer 1

For discussion, here are the number of entries from the last 74 contests, which I think is all of them (the last number in this list is from Weekly Featured Image: Nov. 4, '10).

5 6 8 8 10 9 7 15 11 8 7 6 4 9 8 11 11 13 7 10 9 10 6 8 11 7 9 8 12 12 14 12 12 13 8 9 8 7 12 7 7 10 5 7 10 9 4 10 8 5 7 9 10 6 5 7 9 11 9 7 9 8 10 8 6 8 4 6 7 3 10 11 12 12

(The most-recent on the left, the oldest on the right.)

(I see "75% of the time we have 7-12 entries, with 14 weeks below that and 4 above, and right now we're working on the fourth-ever streak of 2 weeks outside that range.")

#!/bin/bash

if [ -z $2 ]
then
    echo " -- Usage: $0 <first_url> <num_pages_to_test> -- "
    exit 1
fi

count=1
max=$2
next_url=$1

while [ $count -le $max ]
do
    if [ $count -gt 1 ]
    then
        sleep 2
    fi

    this_url=$next_url
#    page=$(curl -s $this_url)
    page=$(wget -O - -q $this_url)
    next_url=$(echo $page | sed -n 's/.*href=\"\(.*\)\">Last [Ww]eek.s [Tt]hread.*/\1/p')
    answers=$(echo $page | sed -n 's/.*<h2>\([0-9][0-9]*\) Answers<\/h2>.*/\1/p')
    echo "$answers, $this_url"
    if [ -z $next_url ]
    then
        echo "Error getting next URL, exiting."
        exit 2
    fi
    let count=$count+1
done

echo "Reached max count ($max)."

Answer 2

Today I once again thought about the "picture of the week", and that I should submit a few of my photos. Then I realised that this weeks "competition" is just about to finish (tonight / Sunday night) and that next weeks thread will be started tomorrow (Monday).

What I find is that almost always remember PotW during the weekend, but then it's a bit pointless to submit a photo.

Maybe we should start next weeks thread on Saturdays or Sundays, not on Monday. That way people can submit next weeks photo while they have a bit of spare time during the weekend.

I'm not sure this would help, but I think it would make it easier for me to submit.

Answer 3

I'm aware of the feature (since a couple of weeks ago), and don't think it needs (or can easily get) greater visibility.

I'm mainly mulling over which photos I could submit, or I'd probably have done it already.

Answer 4

The contest has always been linked to from the banner since we came out of beta (i.e. as long as we've had the contest).

It may just be a perception that there are few entries, but think of it as your chance to stand a better chance :)