Groundspeak Portal

It seems to me that many waymarkers like the idea of taking their pictures with things as proof of their visits.  Sure, they can stand next to a building or a sculpture, but is that really that fun?

So for the past few months I've been thinking about photo opportunities while traveling and what would make a fun family hobby.  I think I've come to the conclusion that there are a lot of those faceless cut-outs that invite people to stick their heads through a hole and get their pictures taken on another body.

I did a coursory view of categories and didn't see anything similar.  Do you all think this would make a fun category?  And if so, is there anyone interested in working with me to create a group?

Go with it, I proposed it a long time ago but I didn't get it going.  I think it would be a fun category.  I would require at least one person to be posed in it.   That will cause some to say no to the category because they waymark alone but I have yet had a problem either taking a photo with a timer or finding someone to take the photo (most of mine are by using timer)

Bruce messaged me that there was a group started in 2006 for this very subject, but it was never completed.  The group is called "Say Cheeze" and already has 6 members.  I'll be moving up as an officer there and writing to everyone else to make sure they still have an interest.  If not I'll be posting here looking for some more officers :)

Bruce, I agree that having at least one person in the picture would be a vital requirement.  I can't imagine there wouldn't be another traveler around to play photographer for a moment.  Or, as you say, a timer is another great option.

Funny to see this post. The family and I were out just this weekend and we posed for a picture at one of those cutouts. I was thinking the same thing, they need a category.

I'm happy to say that we've completed this category description and have submitted to Peer review.  We'll be happy to address any concerns here :)

I wasn't clear whether "Photo Cutouts" meant the same as "Your head here."  There's a store in DC where you can get your picture taken next to a cutout of Barack Obama.  Would that count, or is it only the ones you stick your head in?

For this particular category it's only the cutouts with a void for your head.

You do bring up a good point, though.  After I read the article about the Hitler at the wax museum I started thinking about all of the celebrity look-alike photo ops that exist out there.  It would make a great category on it's own, although it might be a challenge to find them with fixed locations.  Most are associated with movie promotions or, as you cite, political campaigns.

What about the stocks, where you put your head through and there are fake hands?

If it's a painting of stocks, then sure.  But if it's a 3-D photo opportunity then no.  It would be in the same category as standing behind a headless statue or any other prop.

I think you need to change the requirements of creating the waymark. I would change the requirement of a face being in the cutout. Many people waymark alone and this would eliminate them. Yeah, there might be a person happen to walk by, but it may not happen. Some could use a timer, but then there is not always a good place to set the camera.

You could leave the visit requirements alone, and that would be the fun part of this category.

ggmorton:

I think you need to change the requirements of creating the waymark. I would change the requirement of a face being in the cutout. Many people waymark alone and this would eliminate them. Yeah, there might be a person happen to walk by, but it may not happen. Some could use a timer, but then there is not always a good place to set the camera.

You could leave the visit requirements alone, and that would be the fun part of this category.

I'd prefer this.  Having a specific waymarker's head in the photo is, IMO, for the VISIT and not for the original posting.

Great category idea! This one has the potential for quickly becoming one of the largest categories (not that it's about the numbers). For those who WM alone, well get somone to go with you. IMHO, it's a lot more fun when you're sharing the experience with a friend or family member(s).

team farkle 7:

For those who WM alone, well get somone to go with you. IMHO, it's a lot more fun when you're sharing the experience with a friend or family member(s).

Getting someone to waymark with me is just a tad harder than finding a wife!

Some of us just don't have the option of waymarking with someone else.

I have no problem finding "victims" er, I mean volunteers to pose for a picture and I too Waymark alone.
Now if you ask someone to go and help you find a cache in the forest or accompany you in  the dark of the  night is another story and that you can probably find on the front page of your 'Local Rag' the next day

Ah yes, the pratfalls of modern day existence. True my wife does enjoy seeking out new waymarks with me, but it wasn't easy back when it was just Quonset Huts and Water Towers. (Although our son still yells from the back seat whenever he sees a water tower and is probably the only 5 year old who knows what a quonset hut is.) 

The categories created throughout 2007 seemed to have more of the proverbial Wow factor (read fun factor). Coughing up the cash for premium membership to be a part of many of those categories also helped. Hopefully, we'll keep it going.

If I were still single, I'm sure I'd be dragging somebody along, at least as much as I could. I enjoy sharing the find as it happens just as much as when I post it.