I love hte idea--I am a scrapbooker myself.

-my only concern would be vandalism/confiscation/just plain theft

Suggestions on hwo to avoid that?

Mama Stork
aka Pam in Cinci
F19

.
I'd like to do a hitchhiker called "Candid Camera" that includes not
only a logbook and stamp, but a disposable camera as well. Each person
/group who picked up the hitchhiker would be responsible for taking a
picture of themselves and also of something else having to do with
letterboxing

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

You would have to hide that REALLY well so that it is not vandalized or
taken. I would also be leery to leaving a camera out there for a couple of
reasons: 1) the box could get wet inside then ruining the camera, and 2) people who
do find the box accidentally may put some obscene pics on the camera and I
think it would be quite the shock to get those pics back! I'm sure that there
could be other hazards... but those are the ones that come out at me right now....

Just my 2 1/2 cents....
Music Woman
in CT


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Laura" wrote:
> I'd like to do a hitchhiker called "Candid Camera" that includes not
> only a logbook and stamp, but a disposable camera as well.
-----------
Hmmm - this reminds me of an idea that someone I know mentioned - that
person wanted to start "AQUABOXING" which would require boxes that could
only be reached via kayak, canoe, or ship... (not my idea)
The camera would have to be:
1) waterproof
2) small - they're all fairly decent size in relation to a (small) box
3) super cheap

>I know that it would have to have it's own seperate box and that would limit
the places where the hitchhiker could be dropped off >
------------
I agree - and frankly, the most appealing thing (IMHO) about a camera isn't
the camera itself, but the nice little plastic containers that house the film.

I think it might be risky (as a hitchhiker idea) but perhaps trying it out first on a
known spot as a regular box might give you an idea of how it could work -??
(just an idea!)
Also would require much more frequent monitoring than a regular hitchhiker
and/or box due to film developing.
---------
phyto

I say go for it. It's a cool idea and you're only risking $5 or $10
bucks for the camera. The upside potential is huge and the risk is
slight - why not do it?
Bigguy

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Laura" wrote:
> I'd like to do a hitchhiker called "Candid Camera" that includes
not
> only a logbook and stamp, but a disposable camera as well.

I love the idea! I know there is the concern about vandalism, but I don't
think there is any more risk than with a regular box. I mean, if someone was
going to vandalize it or be rude or obscene, they are probably just as likely to
do it with a regular box (write in profane words etc).

I love the idea we could not only see pics of the finder, but also WHERE the
box has been. It would be a travelogue.

I say give it a go and see what happens. I would love to come across that box!

-Kim (Rustypuff)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi, Nautilus,

My first reaction was, "Hey, cool! That's novel!" I've read the responses, and there were some good points made.

What would concern me more than the medium (either people being afraid of their pictures falling into evil hands or someone being "funny" and taking gross pictures) would be putting your return address on a SASE. Maybe there is another way to do this that doesn't give out any personal info or addresses, not even a local PO box. How 'bout if you give this option: the last person to take the last picture notifies you via email (hotmail or yahoo, ie.) that the film is ready to be developed. Then you give that person the option of developing the pics at their cost and sending you digital pics, or leaving the box for another person. Once you get the digital pics, you can screen them and post them to the Pictures section in Yahoo. If the person to find the box with just one pic left doesn't want to be bothered with the cost or effort, they should leave it for another "taker." The person who finds it last and takes the last picture has to be a good sport and willing to pay for developing. They may be able to get another camera to put in its place to keep the box moving. (Sometimes the disposable flash cameras are available for around $3, or there may be a promotion available where a new camera is provided when you pay for development.)

Think about all the pros and cons. My gut reaction is "Go for it", but hide it well and express the importance of this inside the box for other people to rehide carefully. Protect yourself and don't put your home address in the box. I think you have to look at it as an experiment or adventure. You could very well lose the camera anywhere along the way to environment or theft. HH are lost all the time, I think. Will you be upset about it if it disappears? Make sure that the box has a page that points out any possible negative outcomes and let the finder decide, of course, whether to play or let the next person have the opportunity. If you still want to have the camera mailed back, does the log stay with it or does the last finder leave the old log with a new camera?

Mary (RI)
----- Original Message -----
From: Laura
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 7:15 PM
Subject: [LbNA] Letterbox idea- need reactions


Ok- here's the deal- I think I have an interesting, original
letterbox idea, but wanted to toss it out to the group and get some
reactions. I'm new to this, so for all I know it could have been done
before, or it could just be a really dumb idea. Let me know in a
CIVIL manner what your thoughts are please.


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.500 / Virus Database: 298 - Release Date: 7/11/03

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I think it's a great idea, however, instead of being left as a HH it could
be sent with letterboxers. Like to Gatherings and actually passed person to
person. It's probably less risky than planting it with a box but of course
it could be considered less exciting that way too. With all the gatherings
popping up though it could really travel around!!

I also give it the "go for it" vote.

~Beth





>From: "Laura"
>Reply-To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
>To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [LbNA] Letterbox idea- need reactions
>Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2003 23:15:10 -0000
>
>Ok- here's the deal- I think I have an interesting, original
>letterbox idea, but wanted to toss it out to the group and get some
>reactions. I'm new to this, so for all I know it could have been done
>before, or it could just be a really dumb idea. Let me know in a
>CIVIL manner what your thoughts are please.
>I'd like to do a hitchhiker called "Candid Camera" that includes not
>only a logbook and stamp, but a disposable camera as well. Each person
>/group who picked up the hitchhiker would be responsible for taking a
>picture of themselves and also of something else having to do with
>letterboxing (could be scenery, could be a stamp they carved, I don't
>know - this group is creative, so they'd think of something
>interesting to photograph!) Anyway, I'd include a SASE and when the
>last picture was taken I'd have it sent back to me. I'd process the
>photos and post them online, either on a website for everyone to see,
>or on one that is by invitation only (not sure which yet). I know that
>it would have to have it's own seperate box and that would limit the
>places where the hitchhiker could be dropped off, but I still think it
>might be able to work. Thoughts anyone?
>Nautilus
>
>
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

_________________________________________________________________
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--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Laura" wrote:
> Ok- here's the deal- I think I have an interesting, original
> letterbox idea, but wanted to toss it out to the group and get some
> reactions... I'd like to do a hitchhiker called "Candid Camera"
that includes not
> only a logbook and stamp, but a disposable camera as well.

I am not a geocacher, but I do follow some of the caches in my area
that are near letterboxes. There are several that have cameras in
them -- not as one of the goodies, but for finders to take a photo of
themselves when they visit.

Also, I think that Scott includes a camera in his Letterboxing
Nebraska box when it is sent to various events around the country.

Sounds like a fun idea!

SpringChick

<< would be putting your return address on a SASE. >>

Very good Point!



<< Then you give that person the option of developing the pics at their
cost and sending you digital pics, or leaving the box for another person.
>>



Or what you could do is use a self-mailer to www.snapfish.com www.ophoto.com
or someone similar. Have them filled out before hand (they give you little
address labels with your account #) then when it's mailed it's posted to
your online account, you can filter out the "bad" ones (and without risk of
prosecution as there is here in VA for that type of photo) and no one has to
know your home address!

Lone Pony


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Great idea! Maybe instead of making it a HH you could
make it a "snail mail" letterbox like one that is making
the rounds around the country now. You could ask for
interested people to send their addresses to you offline
to be included on the mail route, with the last person
on the list being yourself so you get the camera back.
That way only letterboxers would receive it and hopefully
you would get it back safely.

Silver Eagle

> I'd like to do a hitchhiker called "Candid Camera" that includes
not
> only a logbook and stamp, but a disposable camera as well. Each
person
> /group who picked up the hitchhiker would be responsible for taking
a
> picture of themselves and also of something else having to do with
> letterboxing (could be scenery, could be a stamp they carved, I
don't
> know - this group is creative, so they'd think of something
> interesting to photograph!) Anyway, I'd include a SASE and when the
> last picture was taken I'd have it sent back to me. I'd process the
> photos and post them online, either on a website for everyone to
see,
> or on one that is by invitation only (not sure which yet). I know
that
> it would have to have it's own seperate box and that would limit
the
> places where the hitchhiker could be dropped off, but I still think
it
> might be able to work. Thoughts anyone?
> Nautilus

Sounds like a great idea. Lots of geocaches do have cameras inside, so
despite the warnings others have written, I don't think there's really
much danger from dampness or vandals, not any more than any other
letterbox is in danger of getting wet or discovered by disrespectful
people. Placing anything out in the woods is an act of trust.

There are other projects with cameras going from one person to
another. Have you seen these?
http://www.phototag.org/
http://www.almostcool.org/pt/
http://www.fury.com/cameo/

You can see some of the photos taken from geocache cameras on the
geocaching website, but they end up all kind of looking alike, since I
don't know who the people are! I like your idea of making it a
hitchhiker instead of a fixed letterbox because it will get a change
of scenery as well as people. A hitchhiker is a bit of a logbook and a
bit of a travelogue.

Like any hitchhiker, there is a chance it will get lost or misplaced,
and all your work will be lost. Before I discovered letterboxing I
created a number of mail art type projects with return addresses that
never made it back to me. All the hours I worked on those things!
Another concern is that it may take so long to get back to you that
you might change your address before then. But its a great idea, go
for it.

Matt the Rat
Chicago

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Laura" wrote:
> Ok- here's the deal- I think I have an interesting, original
> letterbox idea, but wanted to toss it out to the group and get some
> reactions. I'm new to this, so for all I know it could have been done
> before, or it could just be a really dumb idea. Let me know in a
> CIVIL manner what your thoughts are please.
> I'd like to do a hitchhiker called "Candid Camera" that includes not
> only a logbook and stamp, but a disposable camera as well. Each person
> /group who picked up the hitchhiker would be responsible for taking a
> picture of themselves and also of something else having to do with
> letterboxing (could be scenery, could be a stamp they carved, I don't
> know - this group is creative, so they'd think of something
> interesting to photograph!) Anyway, I'd include a SASE and when the
> last picture was taken I'd have it sent back to me. I'd process the
> photos and post them online, either on a website for everyone to see,
> or on one that is by invitation only (not sure which yet). I know that
> it would have to have it's own seperate box and that would limit the
> places where the hitchhiker could be dropped off, but I still think it
> might be able to work. Thoughts anyone?
> Nautilus

Lone Pony,
I like that idea. I actually use snapfish, but had forgotten that the
self-mailers just have your code on it and not your address. If I do
end up doing this type of box that's probably a much safer way to go.
Nautilus

> Or what you could do is use a self-mailer to www.snapfish.com
www.ophoto.com
> or someone similar. Have them filled out before hand (they give you
little
> address labels with your account #) then when it's mailed it's posted to
> your online account,
> Lone Pony
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I think it sounds like a fun idea! I was looking at a geocache near me that is doing
something similar. I guess unlike a hitchhiker, the camera stays in the geocache
instead of travelling around and hopefully someone e-mails the owner when they
have used the last shot. The owner of the cache has posted photos from at least 3
cameras. Most are pics of people writing in the log book but there are also a lot of
pictures of people's feet for some reason. I guess shoes area bit more anonymous.

Please post the pictures if you can!

miss vickie in CA

Nautilus,
This is a great idea! Disposable cameras are inexpensive (I just
picked one up from Sav-on for $4.99), so losing it to vandalism or
the weather is not such a big deal. The idea that someone would take
pornographic pictures and send them back to you might be a plus; in
fact, it brings to mind a whole other camera letterbox idea: "The
Larry Flynt Camera Letterbox." ;-) Imagine the possibilities. You
might limit the exposure of your home address by just asking the
person who takes the last photo to make a post here announcing
completion, then you can send that one LBer your address. Of course,
anyone could claim they took the last photo and ask for your address,
but aren't our addresses in the phonebook anyway? You could write a
number on the camera and ask that this be included in the post, so
that you're at least sure the poster actually is a letterboxer who
found the camera. The only real problem I see with this idea is
that, though fairly small, disposable cameras are still too big to
fit as a hitchhiker into 95% of the letterboxes I've found, so moving
it along would be a problem. On the other hand, it's a great idea to
include one in a local letterbox, then you can check on the LB from
time to time, and retrieve the camera when the last shot was taken.
--Buzzard P6 F58

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Laura" wrote:
> Ok- here's the deal- I think I have an interesting, original
> letterbox idea, but wanted to toss it out to the group and get some
> reactions. I'm new to this, so for all I know it could have been
done
> before, or it could just be a really dumb idea. Let me know in a
> CIVIL manner what your thoughts are please.
> I'd like to do a hitchhiker called "Candid Camera" that includes
not
> only a logbook and stamp, but a disposable camera as well. Each
person
> /group who picked up the hitchhiker would be responsible for taking
a
> picture of themselves and also of something else having to do with
> letterboxing (could be scenery, could be a stamp they carved, I
don't
> know - this group is creative, so they'd think of something
> interesting to photograph!) Anyway, I'd include a SASE and when the
> last picture was taken I'd have it sent back to me. I'd process the
> photos and post them online, either on a website for everyone to
see,
> or on one that is by invitation only (not sure which yet). I know
that
> it would have to have it's own seperate box and that would limit
the
> places where the hitchhiker could be dropped off, but I still think
it
> might be able to work. Thoughts anyone?
> Nautilus

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I definitely think it's a cool idea. Considering that it would be exposed to
the elements at least a little bit, I would say that a waterproof camera
would be a good thing to have. Also, I believe that many cameras have
warnings that say not to expose them to extreme heat or cold. Depending on
the region, that could pose a problem. As weird as this may sound, put duct
tape on the outside of the plastic bag. It'll stay a tad warmer that way. I
hope it works out!



Mystique

_________________________________________________________________
Try MSN Messenger 6.0 with integrated webcam functionality!
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We did the camera-in-a-box thing with a visiting letterbox at our August, 2002
Gathering in Portland, Oregon. This box was here only for the event and then was
returned to the creator of the box in Omaha, Nebraska complete with the camera.
While here, box also visited various parts of Oregon and was photographed along the
way. It was a hit and I believe that the photos can be viewed on the Letterboxing
Nebraska website. Funhog