Whiskerino 2009

Announcements!

posted: February 20th, 2010

If you haven't been keeping up with the saga of Burney, please do so now. He's trying to find his way home and will need at least 100 beards to do so. That being said...

Theme Day Announcement: Monday, Feb 22nd - Send Burney Home - Post pics taken with Burney from the whiskerino throwdown.. The Wizard says he needs 100 people supporting him in order for him to get home.

In other news, if the two day bash of festivities hasn't been enough for you - hit up Just Jamey for some insight on further Sunday night hangs.

Thanks MailChimp!

posted: February 12th, 2010

I recently received the good news that MailChimp will be taking on the expense of renting out the Pla-More Lanes Bowling Alley on Saturday, Feb 20th as part of the Throwdown festivities. Whiskerino has a sponsor and he's a hairy chimp! How appropriate is that?

In all seriousness, much thanks to Chinese Wildman for hitting me up about this and major thanks to MailChimp for hooking us all up!

Theme Schedule: Volume IV

posted: January 31st, 2010

This is it. The home stretch. The final 28 days. The submissions this past month have been incredibly mind blowing in all regards. You're all doing such a fantastic job.

If you've not seen it yet - here are the details on the 2009 Throwdown; it's Feb 19th - 21st and it's going to be epic.

And here's the final theme schedule.. 18 themes for 28 days - that should keep you plenty busy but still give you the opportunity to be creative on your own as well!

Wed. Feb 3rd, 2010 - Mugshots
A Whiskerino classic. Fake your police mugshot. Photoshop only allowed to split your front facing / profile photos, no other digital enhancements. Examples here, here and especially here.

Thur. Feb 4th, 2010 - Stripes
In honor of mattyc and his traumatic situation, everyone put on your best stripes and, ideally, find a striped environment for your photo.

Fri. Feb 5th, 2010 - FLARE
If you're not familiar with FLARE yet, you're not paying attention. Let a light source FLARE its way into your image.. need inspiration - see this guy.

Sat. Feb 6th, 2010 - Playing Games
Pay tribute to your favorite game; videogames, board games, sports of all kinds.

Sun. Feb 7th, 2010 - Beard Strength
What can your beard hold? Can you top Paragone? Toothpicks, christmas ornaments, army men, pencils, pens, trees, etc. What can your beard hold??

Tues. Feb 9th, 2010 - Captionjack
Recreate a photo from a previous photo's caption. This can be a literal translation or a reinterpretation of the original idea. Remember this is not a clamebute, this is a Captionbute (the creation of a new photo based solely on a previous photo's caption).

Wed. Feb 10th, 2010 - Every Man a King
We're all Kings here, so lets embrace it literally. Give it your best regal look.

Thur. Feb 11th, 2010 - Team Love
You're on a team but what have you done for them lately? Take a photo specifically showcasing WHY you're on a particular team. Team Taco? Eat a taco. Team Gearhead? Show off a project. Team Cat.. well, you get the idea.

Fri. Feb 12th, 2010 - The Beard Sign
Did you know Whiskerino has a hand signal / gang sign? Well, we do. See it here and here (among others). Throw the sign and show your Whiskerino pride.

Sun. Feb 14th, 2010 - Loved Ones
It's Valentines Day; so showcase your loved one. Your pic doesn't have to showcase a spouse but, rather, someone you have love for. It's a hippie thing but it works.

Mon. Feb 15th, 2010 - Bearded History
Find a vintage beard image and recreate it to the best of your ability. This is a good place to start.

Tues. Feb 16th, 2010 - Silhouettes
Get yourself backlit and silhouette that beard!

Wed. Feb 17th, 2010 - Flash Trash!
It's weird.. it's absurd.. its Flash Trash! Find some trash and take a picture with a flash! Examples here and here. Yes, I realize this is totally weird but, if done properly, could be hilarious.

Thur. Feb 18th, 2010 - Hidden Zoom
Create an ambiguously cropped image that, when zoomed on, will reveal a whole lot more. The finest example can be seen here. You'll need to upload an image wider than the 4:3 ratio for this happen.

For those of you less technically inclined - upload an ambiguous cropped image, forcing users to guess what it is they are seeing (while staying Family Friendly).

Fri. Feb 19th, 2010 - Throwdown Day 1
Let the frenzy begin. No theme today because I'm hoping loads of people will be uploading pics of their real life encounters with fellow beardos. If you're not attending the Official Festivities, setup a throwdown of your own for local beardos or just celebrate the beard with friends.

Sat. Feb 20th, 2010 - Throwdown Day 2
The madness continues - look for more photos of beardos hanging out.

Sun. Feb 21st, 2010 - Throwdown Day 3
The recovery begins to set in. We part our separate ways and start to get this ship ready to sail off into the sunset forever.


Wed. Feb 24th, 2010 - Behind the Beard
Turn your back on the camera and show off the girth of your beard as seen from behind.

Thur. Feb 25th, 2010 - Archival Clamebute
Dig through the years of Whiskerino archives and clamebute an image from years past. 2005 and 2007 readily available.

Fri. Feb 26th, 2010 - Formal Friday Pt. 2
You've got a massive beard now, it's time to show it off in its proper attire. Get formal once again.

Sun. Feb 28th, 2010 - Goodbye
This is it. The goodbye. The Final Goodbye. Say your peace. Whiskerino misses you already.

Theme Schedule: Volume III

posted: December 27th, 2009

January is the second half of the season. Of the 120 days we're all in this together, sixty of them are gone. However, that means we've got another sixty to really blow it out. Everyone's been consistently blowing minds each and every day so my only advice is to keep doing what you're doing, it's working extremely well.

Details on the Throwdown / wrap party will be announced sometime during this month but, for now, know that it will take place Feb 19th - 21st in Nashville, TN. Confirmations from several of our international participants are already in, so you have absolutely zero excuse if you live in the States not to come.

But let's get down to the only reason you look at the news.. themes!

Tues. Dec 29th, 2009 - Art Share
Showcase something from your art collection and school us all on someone new we should be aware of. For a fine example of this, see many submission from Benjamin.

Wed. Dec 30th, 2009 - Framed
Like this Rolf Bastard image, use a photo frame to "frame" your submission for the day.

Fri. Jan 1st, 2010 - New Years!
Welcome to 2010. Show off any traditions you have for starting a new year or any resolutions you plan to make.

Mon. Jan 4th, 2010 - Tattoos!
Show off any ink you have. If you're without any, draw some on.

Tues. Jan 5th, 2010 - Charades
Using visual cues only, represent a word or phrase with your image.

Fri. Jan 8th, 2010 - Half Face
Much in the same vein as High-Five Day, take a photo cropped down the middle of the left side of your face and one of the right side of your face. Check the homepage right before you upload and finish someones face or setup a new one!

Sat. Jan 9th, 2010 - Tiny
Similar to a beard sneek but on this day you attempt to get as far away from the camera on a self timer as you can. The farther you make it, the tinier you'll be in the end photo.

Mon. Jan 11th, 2010 - Fri. Jan 15th, 2010 - Your Own Theme
Use a full week to take a series of consistent images. You can go with something as simple as the GrapeS style or as daunting as the Burney storyline.

Tues. Jan 19th, 2010 - Movie Day
Much like album cover day, recreate a movie poster / cover / scene without the aide of Photoshop and have everyone guess what you've made. Remember, photos still have to be 4:3 horizontal ratio and less text means more guessing from the crowd! Make a game of it.

Wed. Jan 20th, 2010 - On Your Person
Showcase what it is that you carry on your person on a daily basis.

Fri. Jan 22nd, 2010 - Photoshop Friday
While tasteful photos are still required, the photoshop ban has been lifted for this one day. Have you way!

Sun. Jan 24th, 2010 - Collections
Everyone collects something, showcase your collection.

Tues. Jan 26th, 2010 - Jnonfiction Style
Try your hand at the jnonfiction style of forced perspective.

Wed. Jan 27th, 2010 - The Scratch
Like this or this or this - do your own version of The Scratch.

Thur. Jan 28th, 2010 - GrapeS vs Tolleson
Pick a pose style - GrapeS or Tolleson and do your own version. The whole site will be filled with awesome variations.

Fri. Jan 29th, 2010 - Clamebute
Choose a previously posted photo from Whiskerino 2009 and recreate it to the best of your ability. Do not dive into the previous year archives, we'll get to that at a later time.


And, just for the record, I've decided there will be no official theme day for The Pose. If you'd like to do it, just do it! It's much more fun as an organic surprise, not a forced directive.

Progress & Theme Schedule Vol. 2

posted: November 29th, 2009

First item of business: Everyone is doing an incredible job. Your photos are amazing and the community is growing stronger; even if we do lose a few alumni along the way. It's all part of the experience and it's going great.

Second: Let's hold off a bit on the copious amounts of Pictures of Pictures. It's a nice trick but it pushes the site into more of a collage zone than photography. There have been a bunch of great submissions with that trick but try to tone it down a bit.

Third: Themes! Our current schedule only runs through Tuesday, Dec. 1st so we need a new path to follow. Here we go...

Wed. Dec 2nd, 2009 - Minimal Light
Attempt to use as little light as possible for your shot but still be visible. This and this are great examples.

Fri. Dec 4th, 2009 - Beardsneak
Hide yourself somewhere in your photo (but actually be visible). For a more entertaining time, provide a list of items for other Whiskerino users to find. Think of it as a Where's Waldo style image where you are the infamous man in the striped shirt (striped shirt not required).

Sat. Dec 5th. 2009 - I Live Here
Much like the Place of Work day, show off something about your place of residence. Welcome us into your home.

Mon. Dec 7th, 2009 - Blurred Vision
Make your photo intentionally blurry but maintain the ability to see your beard.

Wed. Dec 9th, 2009 - High Five
Take two photos of yourself - one high fiving to the right hand side of the frame, one high fiving to the left hand side of the frame. When you're ready to upload, quickly check the homepage and upload the image that gives them a high five (to the right) or sets up a new high five (to the left)!

Fri. Dec 11th, 2009 - Album Cover Recreation
It's a classic theme. Recreate an album cover without the aid of photoshop.

Mon. Dec 14th, 2009 - Upside Down
Simple concept: turn your camera upside down to take your shot. Don't do it in post, really take the shot upside down.

Tues. Dec 15th, 2009 - Right Profile
Turn to the left and take a profile shot. It's simple but it'll be a great look for the homepage.

Thurs. Dec 17th, 2009 - The Act of Death
Jaymz invented this technique - just play dead somewhere.. oh, and remember to Keep It Tasteful - this is not an excuse to go intensely macabre gruesome.

Sat. Dec 19th, 2009 - Caturday
Much to Mattyc's chagrin, feature a feline of some sort. It's Caturday!

Wed. Dec 23rd, 2009 - Horrible Christmas Sweater
There is no greater time than now to showcase the absolute best Christmas sweater you can find.

Fri. Dec 25th, 2009 - Christmas!
Granted, we don't all celebrate Christmas but use this day to showcase the season.

Sun. Dec 27th, 2009 - Lo Fi Camera
Use a webcam, camera phone, your old 1megapixel digital camera and share the results.

And that's it for now!

Theme Schedule: Volume I

posted: November 14th, 2009

The first round of many theme schedules to come. For those of you that are new please keep in mind that Themes are optional and you don't have to participate, it's just more fun if you do. Also, keep in mind that all the regular rules of Whiskerino still apply - no digital manipulation, no inappropriate images, etc.

So, lets start things off slow and ease into some community themes!

Wed. Nov 18th, 2009 - A Day At Work
Show off your workplace / what you do.

Thur. Nov 19th, 2009 - Black & White
Kick those colors to the curb - ideally, taking the photo desaturated in camera.

Fri. Nov 20th, 2009 - Non-Casual Friday
Ditch the t-shirts and gussy things up. We'll revisit this once the beards really kick in.

Sat. Nov 21st, 2009 - The Out of Doors
Get outside and enjoy the entirely of the outside.

Tues. Nov 24th, 2009 - Forced Perspective
If you're unfamiliar with the concept, do a little research and it will all be clear.

Wed. Nov 25th, 2009 - Mirrors Only
Reflections contain much potential for greatness, go for it.


Thurs. Nov 26th, 2009 - Thanksgiving
Granted, it's a US holiday and we have plenty of international participants but that's no reason not to gorge.

Fri. Nov 27th, 2009 - Food Coma
Recovery from the food gorge of Thanksgiving.

Tues. Dec. 1st, 2009 - TACOS
Eat a taco, document the evidence.

More themes will be announced as December approaches.

Focus on the Beard

posted: November 10th, 2009

Let's take a moment to reflect on how far we've come in just over a week. 495 total registered growers (538 in all), over 3,500 images already and 45,000 comments. Can you wrap your brain around what that means with 110 days left to go? Insanity.

But I digress, lets take a moment to focus on the beard and the art of sharing your beard growth. While Whiskerino loves a creative photo the basic tenant of this site is to document beard growth - never forget that. I realize it seems like a silly constraint to some of the alumni but the rule exists for a reason. I've fallen prey to the allure of exclusion but ya gotta focus!

Long story short, remember to include your beard in your image. Remember, no heavy graphic manipulation, no added graphics, no screengrabs and no inappropriate images. This site aims to be Family Friendly.

Keep up the great work and focus on Growing and Showing!