The message from the owner/operators of whytake.net;
Dear All:
We are very sorry to announce that the whytake.net website will be closing permanently on the 5th July 2015.
The four of us started this community wit...h great passion and have put huge amounts of time and energy into building a great community for nature photographers.
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After the recent reforms to whytake.net we have more understanding of the activities and behaviours on the website, and realise whytake.net no longer provides a contemporary platform and that ongoing continued improvements to the website are not manageable by the 4 of us.
Sadly, the 4 of us have agreed that the time has come and the whytake.net website will be closed on the 5th July.
Image of the Day will be end from tomorrow.
We would like to extend our thanks to all the contributions and support through the years, we certainly enjoyed finding great nature photographers around the world and the inspiration you provided.
Best Regards
Whytake Team - Aliste Benn, Rafael Rojas, Anca Minican & Juanli Sun
I can certainly relate to much of this! That said, having kept NPN online for 15 years we're too stubborn to give up. So, the world wide web is still stuck with us!
Sure glad that "we're" stuck with you Jim. It does seem like the big challenge now is how to grow participation or maintain energy as a "specialist" web site. Strikes me as a similar challenge to what the local shops face when a big box store moves in. "What can we do well that they can't?" I'm inclined to think that helping serious photographers grow may be one possibility.
I will miss whytake.com. I view it each morning for inspiration. Great photographers showcasing their unique perspectives. Maybe we can invite them to join us. There are quite a few names we all know that were at NPN in the past.
Glad you have the tenacity Jim! This is a good photo community.
Agreed!
I saw several at whytake who used to be NPNers along with many others who would be real nice to recruit. Perhaps a member here who is also a member at whytake could put in a plug for membership at NPN.
It does seem like the big challenge now is how to grow participation or maintain energy as a "specialist" web site. Strikes me as a similar challenge to what the local shops face when a big box store moves in.
Mark, absolutely true. The handful of "big box stores" of social media and mega-dollar photo sites have really come to dominate the space, making it a challenge for "mom & pop" sites like NPN. While the big box sites have operating budgets in the billions, NPN depends entirely on membership to keep the doors open. Now that we've updated the site it's time to think about how we attract new members.
Maybe we can invite them to join us. There are quite a few names we all know that were at NPN in the past.
I saw several at whytake who used to be NPNers along with many others who would be real nice to recruit. Perhaps a member here who is also a member at whytake could put in a plug for membership at NPN.
Yes, we need to do that! We obviously don't have the whytake mailing list so it will come down to our own members extending an invitation on a one-by-one basis. With that in mind, we could set up a special membership offer for whytake members, perhaps a three-month free trial membership. Let me know your thoughts on this!
Why not a three-month free trial for anyone interested in joining if you are thinking along those lines, Jim?
Neil, that's certainly a possibility.
I believe the whytake site catered to those who wish to showcase their work as opposed to getting feedback/critique on it, and thus have different needs/expectations. Currently, NPN is better geared for those who want the feedback.
Another point worth considering for those who used the whytake site - our renovations of PhotoPortfolios begins in July and I will certainly keep them in-mind throughout that process. I think PPN could turn out to be a very viable alternative to them once the overhaul is complete.
Discussion
7 repliesThe message from the owner/operators of whytake.net;
Dear All:
We are very sorry to announce that the whytake.net website will be closing permanently on the 5th July 2015.
The four of us started this community wit...h great passion and have put huge amounts of time and energy into building a great community for nature photographers.
<div>After the recent reforms to whytake.net we have more understanding of the activities and behaviours on the website, and realise whytake.net no longer provides a contemporary platform and that ongoing continued improvements to the website are not manageable by the 4 of us.
Sadly, the 4 of us have agreed that the time has come and the whytake.net website will be closed on the 5th July.
Image of the Day will be end from tomorrow.
We would like to extend our thanks to all the contributions and support through the years, we certainly enjoyed finding great nature photographers around the world and the inspiration you provided.
Best Regards
Whytake Team - Aliste Benn, Rafael Rojas, Anca Minican & Juanli Sun
I can certainly relate to much of this! That said, having kept NPN online for 15 years we're too stubborn to give up. So, the world wide web is still stuck with us!
</div> </div>Sure glad that "we're" stuck with you Jim. It does seem like the big challenge now is how to grow participation or maintain energy as a "specialist" web site. Strikes me as a similar challenge to what the local shops face when a big box store moves in. "What can we do well that they can't?" I'm inclined to think that helping serious photographers grow may be one possibility.
I will miss whytake.com. I view it each morning for inspiration. Great photographers showcasing their unique perspectives. Maybe we can invite them to join us. There are quite a few names we all know that were at NPN in the past.
Glad you have the tenacity Jim! This is a good photo community.
Bummer about whytake, though.
Agreed!
I saw several at whytake who used to be NPNers along with many others who would be real nice to recruit. Perhaps a member here who is also a member at whytake could put in a plug for membership at NPN.
--P
Mark, absolutely true. The handful of "big box stores" of social media and mega-dollar photo sites have really come to dominate the space, making it a challenge for "mom & pop" sites like NPN. While the big box sites have operating budgets in the billions, NPN depends entirely on membership to keep the doors open. Now that we've updated the site it's time to think about how we attract new members.
Yes, we need to do that! We obviously don't have the whytake mailing list so it will come down to our own members extending an invitation on a one-by-one basis. With that in mind, we could set up a special membership offer for whytake members, perhaps a three-month free trial membership. Let me know your thoughts on this!
Why not a three-month free trial for anyone interested in joining if you are thinking along those lines, Jim?
Neil, that's certainly a possibility.
I believe the whytake site catered to those who wish to showcase their work as opposed to getting feedback/critique on it, and thus have different needs/expectations. Currently, NPN is better geared for those who want the feedback.
Another point worth considering for those who used the whytake site - our renovations of PhotoPortfolios begins in July and I will certainly keep them in-mind throughout that process. I think PPN could turn out to be a very viable alternative to them once the overhaul is complete.