My Shot is officially up and running. After just two weeks, we've already had some 2,300 people sign up as members. Together they've contributed more than 5,700 images. And we still have exciting improvements and add-ons to come.
My Shot grew out of another popular Web feature, the Daily Dozen, 12 images selected from visitor-submitted photographs by senior photo editor Susan Welchman every weekday. As we watched the number of submissions soar, I began wondering how we could post more of our loyal photographers' best work. That's why My Shot was created—as a way for you to save and share your strongest images.
Getting your own page is simple: Submit a photo to Your Shot, and you're automatically qualified to set up your own My Shot page. You can then post up to 100 photos. Soon we'll also have special programs to reward photographers whose images are chosen for the Daily Dozen and Top Shot, giving them space to display even more of their work.
As a My Shot member, you also have a version of our popular jigsaw puzzle on your home page. Just click on the puzzle icon to transform any My Shot image (yours or other photographers') into a puzzle. Our resident genius developer, Stefan Estrada, has made it possible to adjust the number of puzzle pieces from 20 to 500. Stefan has also added a customized version of his memory game that enables you to use your own and others' My Shot photos.
Your My Shot home page also carries customized widgets from both the Daily Dozen and Our Shot (featuring images chosen daily by National Geographic's photo editors).
We've made it easy to mark where your photos were taken on Google Maps (start by clicking on the map icon). We'll soon be creating a mash-up of all My Shot members' photos, so please take the time to locate your images on your own map.
A few more requests: Please don't put up ads for your business. But please do tag (list a few words describing) your work to help other photographers find images they'd like—all My Shot photos can be searched by subject. And since captions interest all of us, take a moment to describe the place, time, circumstances, etc. of each image.
We expect to be out of the BETA version of My Shot by the end of March, so please hang in there with us as we continue to upgrade this feature. Some improvements on the near horizon:
- Five-star ranking system allowing you to indicate your favorite images
- Special recognition for Daily Dozen, Voting Machine, and Top Shot selections
- New slider puzzle
- Daily live feed from NGNews
- All-member map mash-up
I'm thrilled with the quality and variety of the photographs that have been submitted. Keep taking photos—and keep them coming in!
My Shot
Daily Dozen
Voting Machine
Puzzles
Desktop Wallpaper
Buy NG Photos
Special Issues
Comments
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
FORWARDED TO MYSHOT@NGS.ORG
Thank you for this chance to have by own web page and to be published with National Geographic. I have admired and been inspried by your informative magazine and stunning photographs since I was about six years old. I hope I will have the opportunity to be published in your print magazine as well as your online (MyShot) website.
I plan to contribute almost everyday to my National Geographic Web Page.
Thanks again!
Sincerely, Sharon Gray
grayandgraymedia@hotmail.com
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
Became a member March 2008. The daily dozen feature is spectacular.
Great web-site. Wishing all photographers continued success.
Thanks Kristina
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
thank you so much for letting photographers post our images on the best magazine there is, national geographic. My dream is to one day work for NatGeo and that is now more possible since I am able to see other people's photos and get better. Thank you so much!
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
This is great! Thanks for creating this great website.
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
Congratulations on implementing My shot! What a wonderful opportunity for photographers to showcase their work! It enables us view, perhaps learn, and become more creative.
Great Job!
Nancy
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
Its thrilling to send photos to MY shot. Now my longtime ambition of seeing photos taken by me in to the NGM is fullfilled. Thanks to the MYSHOT.
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
Wow this is the most wonderful thing that's happened to me this week a chance to be on Nat Geo ..my fav mag and channel..way cool
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
One of the journals I have cherished reading. When I was small, my parents couldn't get me this journal because it was expensive. But I used to collect the old ones when I could find one. I love the pictures for they were so 'real'. Now I am a journalist and I can afford to by a copy. I become one with nature and people whenever I read this extra-ordinary magazine. You are a bunch of lucky people working for this unique issue. You are extra-ordinary too. Keep up the good work and explore the mother earth more and more...because it is through you we know where we live!
- Media Coordinator, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
what a marvelous creations..
Sulochana Ramiah Mohan.
Media Coordinator,
Sri Lanka Tourism
Colombo
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
I want to be a new member of the national geographic.
I want to write about my country Indonesia.
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
what a great opportunity to be apart of an amazing magazine. Thanks!!
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
Thank you for creating this opportunity to be a part of your amazing magazine as a contributing photographer. A life-long dream has been realized...
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
This is great opportunity to showcase best clicks. A great motivation to be a NGM photographer someday.
-Vinayak
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
are they not letting us comment anymore? I went on tonight and any attempt to comment on the pics was blocked. I hope they will reconsider because it is a good way to let the good photographers know they are doing a good job. respectively, bonnie kelley
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
This is very inspiring to be able to contribute to NG. I wish to ask a question. In the rules on how to send in a photo it says to send in original, unmodified camera image. Does that mean I can not lighten the photo if it needs, or color saturation if it could use some, I'm not talking going overboard to change the entire look, I am just wondering where the line is drawn for an improved photo. Thank you.
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
really great site, amazing photos. thanks a lot!
marco
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
For years now I've seen a trend in the photographs of NGM. It seems to me we see less and less animals in your magazine, and more and more up close moody portraits. This seems to hold true with the "Your Shot" also. Some of the photos are great,I love portraits, but if it's not some moody shot of a family on a front porch or a close up of an blac and white of an old man they don't get used. I think you need to have a little more variety in your "Your Shot" department as well. A few more animals would be nice. Some great landscapes would be cool and, not zoo animals....Please.
P.S. I was also blocked from voting on photos.
Thanks,
Chris Perry
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
Great to have a way to share top notch photos among pros..
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
Possibly stupid question: I was reviewing my photos and noticed the star rating system. Who is rating them? If it is me, I have no idea how I did it!
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
Hi Rob and staff at NGM,
Thank you for setting up My Shot. A very creative concept to have put this in place for photographers around the world. Much appreciated.
Carol Harrison
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
A big thankyou to for My Shot NGM.
I have had a great deal fun and will continue to do so posting my photos and comments
To have your efforts rated by professionals and amateurs alike is a great buzz especially the comments.
Some of the galleries are amazing.
take care kind reguards Rob Macaulay.
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
marvellous way thru NG site to view and share the photographs ...
thanks a million ....
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
Thanks a lot National geographic. It's A pleasure for me to became a web memebar of NG & i am very happy when i saw my 1st entry in daily dozen.
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
in the dec issue, counted 13 my shot photos. i noticed they sacrificed the geographic page. i would prefer less submitted photos and more geography. i like the one page topics on health, history etc. would like to see that more in substitute for photos.
Mar 18, 2008 12PM #
hey ...it is too nice job i appreshiate this and i will try to submit my shoted pics on this .