|
|
The Guide |
Photos |
Videos |
Columns |
Calendar
|
|
|
| The first of the BHQ (aka Dewey) challenges was a bird in a nest. |
It's always fun to look back at how some things on BalloonHQ.com have evolved. Years ago, we wanted to encourage people to share photos. We regularly held online photo contests. Unfortunately, as the number of entries grew, managing the contest became difficult and we put it aside, always intending to bring it back. Two years ago this month, Ralph Dewey suggested that maybe it was time to bring back the "contest" in a low pressure, fun way. He started offering his challenge to the balloon community each month. Regular readers of his column would see his challenge and often post their photos on BHQ for others to see. It's been very low key, but but quite enjoyable for a number of us.
From time to time we hear mumblings that our industry has become stagnant. I don't really believe that. I believe that there's a lot of creativity that we aren't all seeing. I'd now like to expand on the challenge concept. Ralph's challenge is usually a simple one-line statement at the start of his monthly column that names a theme. Since he's best known in the balloon entertainer world, the photos submitted are usually twisted sculptures from the artists with the greatest interest in his style.
I'd like to encourage decorators as well as twisters to look at the challenge each month and submit photos. There are no rules. They can be old photos. We just want to see new or different ideas shared with everyone. After posting your response to the challenge in the BHQ photo area, send a note to editor@balloonhq.com with the photo ID. John Barthelmes has volunteered to compile the submissions and see if we can make something bigger of this. It's not a contest. There are no prizes. This is just to get you all thinking about something that you may not have considered before.
I probabaly shouldn't do this. I should just make everyone read Ralph's column. But, I'll save you the trip right now and tell you that this month his challenge is a mermaid or King Neptune. You still have to read what he has to say if you want to see his twisted solution to his own challenge.
From time to time I get a letter from one of our columnists noting that they never receive feedback on their columns from the general readership. Sometimes this letter contains the question, "Does anyone actually read what I write?" I always go and check the web stats and assure them that yes, several hundred people read a particular article this month, several thousand read a different one, and still others get referenced month after month by people searching BHQ for a specific topic.
Now the question remains, "if so many people are reading, why don't our columnists get feedback?" Take a few minutes right now to send a note to your favorite BHQ columnist. Maybe write to all of them. Let them know that you enjoy their contributions. And if you have thoughts on future columns, let them or us know. All of our columnists should be listed in the artist directory. If you're too lazy to look them up or have trouble finding them, send something to editor@balloonhq.com. We'll make sure the message gets passed on.
|
| These Valentine Monkeys by Randy Zacks are going ape over someone they love. |
Randy Zacks and his "Ballooniacs" team provide classic decor, twisted work and entertainment for private and corporate events. Randy is based in Columbus, OH.
See Randy Zacks' BHQ Portfolio.
