What am I missing? I have submitted this, now this was the third time. I have asked the Niantic Wayfarer discord and gotten help on it too… but I keep getting caught by the automated system.
Take a workshop, plan an event or just come by to develop your film! Safelight Studios is San Diego’s premier place to develop and scan your film. A great place to explore your creative side and learn a new skill.
Supporting:
It is a place to learn, socialize, and explore something new! A form of art that isn’t as common as it once was, developing film! Acquring the skills to be able to process film is connecting with an art form in a way that most have never.
This sound like a film development business mainly, not a place that offers workshops or events. I would focus on the workshops and events that they offer here in the description, as well as not mentioning that it’s a great place to explore, as this could be seen as trying to influence reviewers. Also, this place is called Safelight Labs, not Safelight Studios per their website.
Here’s the events page, which may be helpful to include in the supporting info (links are allowed in supporting info):
For anyone wondering, this is located at 32.7627814700916, -117.13493468643301. There is also a photo supply shop here called Camera Exposure, but Safelight Labs is where they have workshops and events.
I’d also try to take a better main photo, as the orientation is not the best. If it’s a logo in a window, you may want to use a reflection eraser for the main photo, so it may be best to take the main photo before going into nominating, and erase any reflections if needed.
There are a good deal of improvements that can be made here, especially the main photo, description, and possibly the title. I have a feeling it could be rejected by the appeals team, just looking at what it is right now.
Here a recent nomination I did for a local sports cafe where I used the reflection eraser on the main photo. I also took it at a very slight angle, so that you can still see the cafe’s logo clearly.
Absolutely amazing response. Thank you so much for the help in trying to get this approved.
If I submit it for a fourth time, is there risk of getting a warning? Each time it has been different, I have tried to improve my nomination, and get the generic reply email that says I can try appealing or resubmitting.
There shouldn’t be a risk of a warning. Sometimes, we just have to try different things to get a nomination pass ML and reviewed by the community. This is a real place, so some additional improvements are what may be needed.
Most phone cameras these days have them built in. I just have to flick up on a photo that I’ve taken and the option will be listed. I’m using a S24, so can’t say if it’s the same for other phones out there.
Description:
Come take a workshop or join in on a community event at Safelight Labs! Learn about film photography and expand your artistc horizons. Safelight Labs operates as community hub for local photographers and all are welcome to join in.
Supporting - Q: is it safe to talk about the pillars here? Previously you said not to mention it being a great place to explore - was that only for the title?
Supporting edited:
“It is a place to take workshops and learn new photography skills with the community. There are various events and workshops that you can sign up for - they can be viewed at Events — Camera Exposure and Safelight Labs “
Sorry, I was away. Much better photo! And the description certainly notes the events they hold better, and noting that it’s a place for the community to come learn about photography is nice, too.
Noting this is a great place to explore could be seen as trying to influence reviewers, and it would be best to leave out of the description. Being that one of the criteria a POI must meet is that it be a great place to be social/exercise at/explore, it’s best not to mention in the description.
Hello @gbutter
I’m sure the WDD people have been very helpful too
You asked a specific question about supporting information and criteria.
It is fine to address the 3 key criteria in supporting information. That is what that information is there for. A chance to explain further how this meets eligibility and acceptance criteria.
I always mention how it fits criteria, my personal view is that when I review I want to see clearly what criteria it is meeting. It is very rare that I don’t.
I tend to use the phrasing this (whatever it is) encourages exercise or encourages socialisation. Or this museum is a great place to explore and learn. I am being descriptive of what it is.
If I was to say please score highly for this under a great place to exercise then that would be something where you would interpret it as a direct request for a specific voting intention.
There is a a big difference between them. So what you had written was fine. I didn’t have a problem with the word explore in the main description as it was part of the natural context of what you had written about creativity, but if you choose to leave it out that is equally fine.
Your photo is now so much better I can see what it is about.
There is no problem resubmitting because you are clearly changing and taking on feedback. If you had simply sent the same nomination in repeatedly with no changes then that would be considered spamming.
BTW what is the title I might have missed it.
I would think this is still a place that could get a rejection if it does, appeal, but I hope it doesn’t you have done all the right things.
Good luck
Same for me. I advise everyone to explain what criteria they believe something meets in the supporting statement, and how. On some nominations you don’t need to say much, but on others, you should.
I didn’t comment on improving this on WDD or here since others had given great advice already.
Thanks everyone -
I feel like I significantly “leveled up” in this rigamarole. I have been putting in the supporting how/why it fits the pillars. Honestly just getting a Warning shook me to the core. Been playing for a long time. Go fest is around the corner. I’d never try to abuse the system and I made a mistake. This has helped me regain confidence and now I’m ready to fill my whole grid
1 last… question just came to mind… what about the title? Since I am getting caught by ML, think it might the title? I have been submitting as
“Safelight Labs - The Studio”
In getting ready to submit this morning, I redacted to. “Safelight Labs” and maybe it’s that it says “lab” in the title ?
I don’t see anything wrong with that title, it is what the place is.
Don’t panic if Emily (the machine learning program) rejects it we don’t know what elements it may be picking up on. Definitely appeal if that happens.
Its great that you are learning a lot from this.
You are always welcome to ask questions - There is no such thing as a daft question. You are asking because you dont know or are unsure we all start out that way
Oh I’m sorry to read this
If it would be me I’d give more arguments for why that POI is encouraging being social and fullfill the explore criterium. I’ve looked at your given link and saw that they also go outside in groups and make theme related photos.
For me that is a great POI.
I’ve heard that others have used a link to a forum discussion in their appeal and have never heard about a bad turn because of that, so…
I agree with @AliceWonder1511 try the appeal route now.
Was it an auto rejection?
Since the key criteria that you want to meet is social aspect of it being a place to meet others interested in this. I would start by emphasising that aspect - Alice has given lots of good pointers. You could also talk about it being an unusual place.
Anything that can cover aspects such as it is permanent would also be good. I would make sure to reinclude links check how easy it is to see in google streeview and address any concerns.
Then its a question of hoping for the best.
Thanks everyone, again, the support is tremendous. I truly truly appreciate this.
It is indeed getting caught by the automated system-
Going for the appeal - this is what I’ve got.
“I’m appealing this rejection of “Safelight Labs – The Studio” as it appears to have been caught by the automated system, despite the nomination meeting eligibility criteria.
Safelight Labs is a unique community-focused space in San Diego offering film photography workshops, events, and collaborative art education. It is not a generic business; it functions as a creative hub that fosters both exploration and social connection, consistent with Wayfarer’s core criteria.
The studio is publicly accessible, permanent, and safe for pedestrians. It has a verifiable sign at the entrance (photo included) and can be confirmed via the official website and street view.
I’ve reviewed feedback and worked to improve this nomination across several submissions. The supplemental info includes the location and a link to events confirming its community role.
.
Denied in appeal. They actually even recommended I resubmit, which surprised me - considering all messaging says once an appeal is decided “that is that”.
But honestly I’m so defeated at this point. With appeal, 6 times now I have tried. Ugggggggg.
