We are using a service called Zoom to conduct video meetings. You can use the service online (Chrome is a recommended browser, Microsoft Edge appears to work well also) or you may install the app on your computer from zoom.us and use the app itself. There is some extra functionality available if you use the app but it’s simple and functional enough to use directly online without the app if you wish. You may attend Zoom meetings using your desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. There are apps available for all of the above. Regardless of whether you wish to use a computer, a tablet, or a phone, you don’t need an app if you prefer not to install one. For every scheduled meeting you will receive an invitation and that invitation will also be posted in advance on the home page of our website. Bring up the invitation on any device you wish to use and click on the meeting link between 6:30 and 7:00 to make sure you are in the meeting and ready when we officially start at 7:00. You will be connected with 2-way video and audio to the meeting.

 

Once connected you will have the option to view the meeting in one of two different ways and you can switch back and forth as often as you wish. In the default view your screen will show only the person speaking. Be aware that as conversations take place the screen will switch a lot  in this viewing mode. The other option is a grid view that shows all attendees in a grid on your screen. Don’t worry if you can’t see everyone at first, we will point out an option during the meeting that allows you to see up to 49 people at once. This grid view is probably the easiest way to view the meeting activity as the screen won’t keep changing. Look for a grid icon on your screen to switch to the grid view A computer screen is best for this because tablets and phones only have enough room on their screens to show a few people at once. The default view is probably best on a mobile device. If you use a laptop, phone, or desktop that has a webcam attached your camera will be on by default and all other attendees can see you. If you are on a desktop that does not have a webcam you can still watch the meeting but other attendees will not see you. If you wish to participate with a desktop you need to at least have a microphone attached to your desktop. Laptops, tablets, and phones all have cameras and microphones built in that will work fine. You have the option to stop and start your camera and/or microphone at any time.

 

When you join the meeting we will typically have your microphone muted by default. This is simply because if at any point anyone makes any noise or there is any background noise in their environment that their microphone picks up the app will make that person the “star of the show” at that moment. As always you are free to speak at any time, simply click the microphone icon in the app to unmute your microphone if necessary and speak.

 

Robert has researched and is recommending a couple of video tutorials that you can watch if you want to get familiar with the service in advance.

 

Short version:

Longer version:

 

 

We are increasing the number of submissions that you can make. You are now allowed to enter up to a maximum of 3 digital entries. Here is how that breaks down: If you enter only one image it may either assigned or general. If you enter two images they may both be assigned, or they may both be general, or they can be split as one assigned and one general. If you enter three images they must be split as either two assigned and one general, or two general and one assigned. Images must be submitted via email to mytbcc@gmail.com Image file attachments should be a maximum size of 10 MB per file to accommodate the email submission process.

 

Depending on your service provider you may be able attach 2 files to a single message or you may need to send them in separate messages. There is an image below that shows exactly what to do in Lightroom to prepare your image files appropriately for submission. In the body of your email please follow this format to ensure that we have the necessary information from you:

 

Your name (This is important because your email address may be different from your name and we need to make sure we can you can give you your score.)

Image One – Assigned or General

Image One – Title (Make absolutely sure the digital file is named identically – this is very important.)

Image Two – Assigned or General

Image Two – Title (Make absolutely sure the digital file is named identically – this is very important.)

 

Please note that if you do not do this part correctly we may not have time to contact you for corrections in order to be able to include your submission(s) in the meeting.

There is currently a deadline for submissions for all competition meetings of Thursday midnight prior to the day of competition. This is because we have to setup some special scoring systems to accommodate the new meeting format and we need plenty of time on Friday in advance of the meeting to have everything prepared.