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04/19/2011 12:38:52 AM · #1 |
We are happy to announce the results of the juried edition of Fine Arts II. On behalf of the other judges,  Bear_Music,  Ursula, LevT,  Melethia, DrAchoo, posthumous, bspurgeon, and paulbtlw, I would like to thank all members for their participation in this challenge, and for your support of this process. Thanks also to  Langdon for his participation in making this event possible. Thanks especially to Don ( posthumous) for his work compiling the quotes from the jury's actual deliberations on our winners and honourable mentions. In addition to our comments of advocacy for our choices, this year we've decided to include some of the comments that went the other way for some of us, to give you some insight into how our deliberations played out. Enjoy.
Here are your winners, preceded by Don's quick notes:
A very tired dead man has finally finished compiling comments for the Jury's results. The comments you see were edited and stitched together for your reading pleasure.
All picks were completed before the challenge was over, in complete anonymity.
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Awards:
1st Place
 
MEKONG
Voyeuristic. I'm there. In the boat looking over his shoulder. Gritty, suggesting an aspect of life along the river. The cig is a lucky catch, that made me laugh for some reason. Another image that I would love to see as a series, same with Tsunami.
There so much immediacy in this photograph that I can't help but love it. I'm thrilled that every rule is broken here. So much that is supposed to be a "no-no" in composition works so well for this photograph that it seems to be an embodiment of its own style. The cut upper right corner, the bisected person in the foreground, the powerlines, the messiness, the noise, the intense contrast and black clipping, all work to present a photo that feels like a travelogue, a piece of journalism, and art, all in one. I adore this photo. ... Its "mistakes" are beautiful.
This has an immediate voyeuristic interest... as in, "what's going on here?" into lives that seem more interesting than my bourgeois life. But the more I look at it, the more it confounds me. How can those two men be in those two positions? This disorientation adds weight to the already metaphorically weighted notion of high water. Which man is on top?
It was (is) one of my overall favorites irrespective of the challenge theme. But in my mind it is not quite "fine art" as far as the genre goes. My internal definition implies a more deliberate way of constructing an image rather than catching something beautiful on a spur of a moment (even if it is serendipitous, at least I want a feel of deliberacy).
I loved this one, although I didn't like the border. It's a fine example of a snapshot that makes art. But it didn't quite fit my interpretation of "make a contribution to CONTEMPORARY ..." It looks and feels dated to me.
I really like this picture, I have no problem supporting it but it didn't match my expectations for the challenge. I think I know why. When I was growing up we had, in my house, a set of books called World War II in pictures - one book for every year of the war. Many of the pictures had this sort of first person perspective and very similar tones and contrast characteristics. I think because of my exposure to that material, this screamed photojournalism to me - not that this should exclude it from 'Fine Art', it's just that's not what I had in mind.
I’m in the camp where this is an excellent image, but an excellent photojournalism image, not Fine Art. Personally I love good use of image grain, and this one has it, but I think it belongs in LIFE rather than the Guggenheim.
But, in THIS context, "Photojournalism" is being used as a shorthand for "an image shot in a photojournalistic style". We could say, for instance, that Cartier-Bresson's work is "photojournalistic" if we wanted to. Anything that's truly candid, actually, is more or less photojournalistic. And I don't think we should be disqualifying images from consideration based on what we *think* they were intended for.
I disagree that "Mekong" is photojournalism. The composition is completely off-balance and neither character can be properly "observed" in the voyeuristic fashion. This shot is 2 seconds *after* the photojournalistic shot, as they get back to their lives. This is not a photo I would see in a newspaper or news magazine or even National Geographic.
It's the emotional aspect that makes it good in my eyes
2nd Place
 
THREE BREATHS
This is just breathtaking, pardon the pun. A sheer beauty. Perhaps not much in terms of deeper meaning or a story, but I can live with that in fine art.
A quiet piece/peace. There's something soothing about the way a cat curls into itself to sleep. But just when you get comfortable with it, there's the added disconnect of an apparent half-real, half paper-mache'd cat. In other words, I'm no longer thinking it is a reflection. Can't quite figure it.
Truly stunning. It stopped my inner monologue and kept me. The lack of face, textures of a barn, and grungy feel, make me wonder if this cat is feral. OK, he is nice and fat, and that ruined that line of thought briefly, but then I figured he must be a glorious hunter and survivor. An aside, the tones are splendid.
So visually pleasing it's ridiculous. The cat, consuming itself in its own sleep, is in turn consumed by the block of texture and darkness around it. As the cat gets bi- or tri-sected by the lines that literally cut the imagery in pieces, you notice other things -- the fur reaching for the upper left third of the frame, and the way its perch disappears in the larger elements of darkness around it, making it seem to float. I don't know if it means anything, but it certainly feels good to look at.
This was the easiest and quickest choice for me. I can only guess as to why. It is just visually staggering... a disorienting combination of layers, of real and unreal, of live and dead.
Normally i'd respect such a shot but not like it too much; but with this one I found it truly compelling. I still find myself going to look at it now. I'm bothered that I can't nail down the 'why' - it was a truly instinctual pick.
Has great immediacy, feels like a creation from someone who has their own measure - it doesn't seem to try; that's at the heart of its effectiveness.
3rd Place
 
FEAR OF LETTING GO
I like the allegorical aspect of these images, I like that they are in color and that they are sharp :-) I am not bothered at all by what some are calling the "HDR look" of "Letting Go"; by my standards it's actually pretty subdued. I'd like to see one of these images get an award from us.
There's a great deal of thought going into the creation of "Letting Go", and while some of us may not find it to be their cup of tea, it's distinctly a *realized* artistic effort.
An interesting concept, love the absurdist humor.
Quirky, odd, warm, humorous, and odd. Did I mention odd? I like the repeating motif (always wanted to use that word!) of the flowers, the variety of textures, the two halves of the bodies which would connect to make a single whole. The processing is contemporary and light, matching the mood of the image itself.
The story told through circular imagery and composition is fascinating.
I liked this because a) it was in color and b) it was in focus and still it compelled. I can take many things away, some accidental, some on purpose.
I don't know what it all means. The tulips in odd places, the mysterious posy-bearing vistitor, the escaping doppelganger -- what is it?
This is a lot of fun, it has some play with interior and exterior space, and a sense of humor about itself.
In some ways this came across as trying a bit too hard but the more I looked the more I liked and the nested metaphor of construction began to sit well with me. I like its effort, I like the repeating flower and the comic/tragic intonations.
It is clearly set up, constructed, non-organic, non-emergent, over-thought. But... for me, it is crafted; it IS the choices the photographer has made, each part reflects intent and this in many ways is a purely created piece. No serendipity, no camping out waiting for the right moment, no "I'll process it this or that way to see if I can give it an arty look". This image has been conceived and then executed - for me the flat light and tones serve it well, offering up a 2D feel - an intentional reduction to a 'picture', minimising the depth we sometimes strive to capture to bring photos to life. Here, the scene is framed as a picture, just as pictures might be framed. So I love the intent, I love how this is the product of a brain, I love that creative process.
Honorable Mentions, in alphabetical order:
 
APRIL IN SERENDIB
A low-key, understated masterpiece. It truly resonates with me in its purity and grace. I love the almost-horizon that eases its way subliminally into the image from the left, even as the branches reach to the left to embrace it. I am reminded of the two princes of Serendib, "who in their travels always were discovering, by chance or by sagacity, things they did not seek."
I simply love minimalistic art, and it is very well done ... love the minimalism, the composition and tones, just a very zen photo.
This is beautiful.
Simple, beautiful and pure. Perhaps too much of each to be truly effective...? It has no disruptive power but it is immaculately constructed and presented.
AS I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP
also interesting, well done technically. Somehow I did not feel “descending into sleep” here, despite the intentions, I actually feel tension on girl’s face as she dips underwater. I think she is scared, and I am scared for her, too (agree ... feels spooky)
It is certainly more than a little gimmicky but I was sold on two things - the confidence in the high key, especially how it robs the face of detail and the propagation of the wave - there are echos of religious iconicity here. I think the image plays on a number of social norms and cliches of children as 'angels' etc. Thinking about it now (I hadn't before) part of me wonders whether the deathly pose and the wave is also a nod to Japanese tragedy - whether that's a good thing or not is another matter entirely.
CELEBRITY
Because Lensbaby is a very contemporary invention, and this is the best of the Lensbaby shots in my view. Also because it shows a contemporary concept rather well, the proliferation/commonness of celebrities in this day and age.
Gorgeous shot. I love the light and the effect. I am biased against shots that depend on a single effect, but a really good one can take it over the top for me.
CREATION
Conceptual art. It only works with the title. This wrinkled paper becomes the big bang, the burgeoning chaos of cosmos.
I do enjoy the utterly ironic message of consumerist waste posing as “creation” rather than “destruction”. That seems very Fine Art to me.
I have greater appreciation for this, thanks to the comments already given. It's well-constructed, and its message is subtle but clear. It seems more graphic than artistic to me, but no matter.
Technically it is very good; all the (limited) choices are bang on. There's a good history of having our modern commercialist world offered back to us and getting us to reflect. There is irony in the title, there is irony in the don't litter icons and there is something delicious in the prominence of the words 'For You' and how the modern world is largely defined by individualistic motivations. I don't think this is an image that is easily dismissed. I think its creator knew exactly what they were doing.
I am not a McDonalds fan. Nothing like going to Europe and its millennia-old cities only to have a damn golden arch on every freakin' corner. Blah! But what I DO like about that photograph is the irony (or disconnect, perhaps) of the "Created Just for You!" in endless repetition.
HIDDEN EVIL
Intriguing and beautiful to look at.
I appreciate it more after reading comments from others, but I still don’t quite like it. It smells of Rousseau-like primitivism, and I don’t like Rousseau :).
I like Rousseau. Brilliant connection! This strikes me as Rousseau underwater. (Jacques Rousseau?)
I am apt to enjoy the moral contemplation that is directed by the title, but I felt the image was very compelling and one you could keep staring at wondering if you could make out what was in the hole. A piece that caused introspection in me, and I like that. ... It continues to grow on me. First, the de facto medium for Fine Art seems to be B&W, so if an image can use color to an actual benefit, I think it’s a point in their corner. In other words, it strikes me as harder to come up with a good color Fine Art shot. Second, the image naturally resonates with my view of the world. Evil in the Garden of Paradise. Evil lurking within our outwardly pretty masks. And even though we know it is there, it does remain hidden. What is it? What lurks within? Often we are the last to become aware of what our own flaws are.
I found it strangely compelling, and there was a certain tension between the title and the bright color.
HOMMAGE A JACK OX
Another pretty and spare photo, and somewhat enigmatic.
Gorgeous and fascinating. A sort of cubism. I looked up Jack Ox and couldn't find the connection. I like that. :)
the overall effect is compelling; projected I'm guessing, but it does work.
K-2
Leaves me breathless, I love the sparkling clarity of it.
...because of the water and the colour. Because high energy sports are so contemporary, because it is so obviously digital, because it is way oversharpened and yet somehow that works in this image, because of the energy.
There's a certain flow that works, and the sharpness and strong colour work well.
A cool photographic effect.
Great colours ... I do like the attempt to reduce to the energy of the rushing water and the sport so captured.
LONDON EYE
A powerful image.
Wins best title award. There's the eye, of course, but also the recognizable bus and metro sign. An oddity in real life, just a man going about his daily business (one assumes). I can't quantify why this works - just that it does. There's something to be said about capturing the everyday.
I initially liked it because you just wondered "what's going on?" I like the background except for the specular highlights of the lady(?) behind. But the back left looks wonderfully dreamy. Perhaps this man is missing an eye from an accident with a dart as a child.
This image is also kind of dark and twisted for me. I think the subject has been perfectly caught, and splendidly isolated. One really does wonder what's going on here, but at the end of the day, I'm certain it's nothing more than the captured private moment of a man in public, whose expression has rendered this a piece of art and a pun on the famous London landmark. Very clever, and very wonderfully done.
Wow, a great capture.
MEASUREMENT OF A WOMAN
The hardest one to judge, I think. Full of messages, seems to be informed by an emancipatist paradigm. It is well constructed - perhaps overly so... pin-sharp, close in, nowhere to hide for the viewer. You will look, you will see in a way the subject cannot when subject to such 'measurement'. I pick up echos of quantum mechanics in the image too - the whole observation/measurement futility thing (I do know I've extrapolated here). And then look at the numbers on the tape as it intersects the eyes 18-21, the cusp of adulthood, I don't think that's accidental. I think this is well made and more thoughtful than I had thought when I dismissed it from my own list.
THE NEGATION
I liked the image a lot ... on a pure sensual level.
A great stew of depth and texture, light and dark. Just a darn nice photograph.
The texture conjured up impressions of human ash drifting down over Auschwitz (that was Schindler’s List wasn’t it?). I’m quite sure this was not the artist’s intent, but lucky for her, the image gets to ride on those powerfully emotional coattails. Desolation and despair.
I was drawn to its abstractness and mystery. I almost immediately unravelled the mystery (abandoned tires in a river or pond), and then it lost its appeal, and became a kind of urban chronicle of some kind and so lost its appeal. I still like it for its presentation, and I'm happy to see it mentioned.
I love this. Delicious to look at. Like chocolate donuts. mmmmm
I like the underwater feel of this (I suspect it is). Murky, mysterious and a little dark.
POACHED EGG
I like the allegorical aspect of these images, I like that they are in color and that they are sharp :-)
It's funky, plays with words/ideas, but also has clothing/pose that is very contemporary.
I didn't like at first, but the more I looked at it, the better I liked it.
We are talking about making a contribution to contemporary art. Droopy jeans are very contemporary, I kinda like that. Smoothened skin is another thing that is very much abused these days, but I think it works here. The picture makes me smile, and I like it,
As much as I don't like the presentation of the male, the Egg image has grown on me. Consider the Millennial Generation (the generation following Generation X). The young 20 something, hiding behind social media, perilously holding the nest egg of his 50 something parents. It identifies the differences between generations...vanity, interpersonal relationships and skills, work ethic, and financial values. I appreciate the image for what it's given me.
It is nice to have a Generation X'er who can explain Millennial Generation issues to us aging Baby Boomers :). You came up with an interesting narrative for this image. My only problem with it is that with enough imagination one can always concoct a plausible story using a small set of "symbolic" elements. And probably more than one. For example, for a deeply religious person this poached egg may symbolize a young life lost through an illicit abortion, so now the young father-not-to-be is beginning to realize how stupid and irresponsible he was, but of course now it's too late, the house that could have been full of life, is empty. Or say for a convinced vegan, this is a story about a person who realizes how terribly wrong it is to eat animals (birds, eggs), feels deep remorse, and identifies himself with the birds by wearing a bird mask... or even "deeper", as the whole mankind screwing up life on Earth (Easter egg) ... and so on, and so forth :)
for me the important thing is that this image did lead to an interpersonal dialogue (if not for me). I think that if an image is engaging enough that we take the time to construct meaning from what we see then the image becomes art, it catalyses intrapersonal dialogue and thus articulates with our shared culture. Through its resonance with our own imagination it becomes relevant. Of course there is a risk that this all becomes self-fulfilling but an image needs to have a hook to keep you long enough to be bothered. For some people this image did just that.
Any picture that makes people come up with stories is worth coming back to.
SCAREDY CAT
I very much like it.
A fun image
Fun but silly, well composed but tricksy, engaging but deceitful
I like this quite a bit. Maybe it's too derivative of Wegman, but he really does pull off the Wegman. Maybe it is Wegman.
Amusing and well constructed (to a point), the crudeness of the facade and the prominent colour noise is conspicuous. I kind of like how it has been embraced and not hidden with processing trickery but nonetheless, I'm a sucker for polished work and this lacks a little for a constructed piece. I do like the overall image though.
STATE OF THE UNION
I think it's on point, so to speak. It communicates to me at several levels. I'm a sucker for Bleak, and this image has it.
This one really has stuck with me. There's a timeless yet very timely quality to it, a reality. A sense of being let down. There was a time when the bed would be crisply made, the curtain open to let the light in, but the optimism is no longer there.
I love the story/mood; because it has a timeless quality to it, and yet, is completely dated, and contemporary, and so empty/full looking.
This grabbed me because I feel like truly represents the US at the moment. Disconnected on many levels. We no longer admire and look up to our presidents, not just Obama, but Obama has lost his grasp on social America. I voted for him, and I'm disappointed.
I passed over this one quickly, but I'm more inclined to find merit in it on further viewing. I don't know the motive for this image, but it communicates conservative alienation, bilateral isolation, or liberal disappointment to me (or all three), reinforced by the wind-blown room, the unmade bed, the crucifix, the general disarray. This could be a powerful image despite its technical inefficiencies.
This one I rather like, but I seem to find it more ambiguous than other people (that's what I like about it).
I see the commentary, you Americans have reinforced it for me. It flips in my head from 'constructed' to 'emergent' and back again - there is merit in either motive/origin but with each cycle of flipping the image loses power for me. It well made though - exposure and tones are expertly judged and the message that was constructed or emerged has, from the writings of others here, been well communicated.
THROUGH YONDER WINDOW
I found that over the top colors worked in this image. It was surprising for me because I usually dislike over-the-top colors, and I like being surprised :). A cheerful image on one hand, and a nod to Dali-esque surrealism, on the other. An interesting combination that compelled me to choose it.
I hadn't considered this, but after being with it for a bit, I appreciate it more and more. It does feel light and airy to me, suffused with a kind of apprehensive joyfulness (I take her to be middle-aged and not in the prime for dancing), and I appreciate that message. The let-go flowers are more burdensome for me, and I feel this would have been much more without them. Overall though, I like it, and I'm glad it was presented, because I wouldn't have included it on my own.
A great thumbnail but the full image disappoints a little. I commend its colours, light, subject and composition but perhaps not the sum of those parts.. It is really, really pretty though - I've spent quite a while looking at it now and it is a grower. I like the effort and the vision.
TRANSPORTARE
I very much like it.
to borrow from the title, this transports me. I enjoy finding myself taken into the flow of a photograph - this does that. There's the triumvirate of two-wheeled cycles dominated by the woman on the pink bike (pink!), and the ominous presence of the four-wheeled beasts to the side (though only two wheels show clearly, perhaps a nod to their lineage.) And it just has a wonderful flow to it.
a good sense of mood/atmosphere. It's a quiet piece.
Pretty, pretty, pretty! In a good way too, gorgeous colours, great light; I do think it sits in the "I'll take a few shots from here and see what I can eke out in the edit" camp, but there is skill and intent n that process. I am confident that at the moment the photographer pressed the shutter they had a very good idea as to how the final image would look.
TSUNAMI
Of course I am influenced by the turn of events, but it just gut-wrenching.
It impacts me greatly, presentation is metaphorical and understated. The only problem is the title, but I refuse to judge the photo by the title.
I certainly understand the issues brought up in regards to the manipulative title, and I felt the same way, but for me the image stands on its own without the title, I think given the turn of events, I would’ve thought of the tsunami regardless of the title. I think the processing is very appropriate, and the photographic way of expression the helplessness of a person against flow of nature is great. I don’t care how it is done, reflection in a car or whatever, I am simply looking at the result.
This caught my eye at first because my last FS had the tsunami in mind. I've never personally lived through a tragedy of this sort, thus the importance of this image for me. It brought empathy to the forefront. As I delved in to the image more faces of despair appeared, another tug at the heart for the human condition. I don't know where the distortion is coming from, but it clearly represents water, a simple choice for the photographer; however, it is extremely effective. The choice of tone works very well. A timely piece.
If I had a class and shouted "you have 5 minutes to do a tsunami tribute... GO!!!" and a kid ran back to me with this photo, I'd be blown away.
Well executed and compelling in its own right but as a contemporary piece it resonates so strongly. I challenged myself to consider whether it was cynically constructed but I could not find that in it; instead the distortion/reflection is itself reflective of the essence of the wave and the tragedy so caused.
I absolutely hear (and share) others concerns about its manipulative nature. We don't know the personal context of the photographer and all could be personal or all could be cynically constructed. Does the image work as a contemporary contribution? Yes it does. I actually think the manipulation can work for it too; we all had our perception of that event mediated via TV and newspapers; advertising space was still sold, tragedy became primetime - it's the world we live in. We could say media is manipulation. I think Tsunami image is reflective, I think it is manipulative.
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04/19/2011 01:00:24 AM · #2 |
some good choices
and some very bad ones
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04/19/2011 01:05:24 AM · #3 |
| congrats to all who was mentioned in this thread! you all deserve it!:) |
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04/19/2011 01:19:48 AM · #4 |
oohhh, yes yes!!
1st Place
Message edited by author 2011-04-19 01:20:01. |
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04/19/2011 01:26:22 AM · #5 |
Thanks to all the judges for your time and dedication, you made this challenge a special one for all of us involved.
And a big thanks for the yellow, a blue and a yellow in one challenge, cool.
Message edited by author 2011-04-19 10:08:17. |
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04/19/2011 01:56:31 AM · #6 |
Oh wow! What an enormous amount of effort you guys put into this. Thank you SO much for including my entry in your deliberations, and for granting it an HM. Truly moved to be included amidst such excellent company.
And congrats to everyone who entered this challenge. It was a joy to vote on it. |
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04/19/2011 02:19:36 AM · #7 |
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04/19/2011 03:27:11 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by Judi:
Originally posted by Louis:
SCAREDY CAT
I very much like it.
A fun image
Fun but silly, well composed but tricksy, engaging but deceitful
I like this quite a bit. Maybe it's too derivative of Wegman, but he really does pull off the Wegman. Maybe it is Wegman.
Amusing and well constructed (to a point), the crudeness of the facade and the prominent colour noise is conspicuous. I kind of like how it has been embraced and not hidden with processing trickery but nonetheless, I'm a sucker for polished work and this lacks a little for a constructed piece. I do like the overall image though. |
Thankyou for the mention...not sure if my image falls into the "some bad ones" as cutout put it!!! But....who is Wegman? |
I think it is referring to William Wegman
Congrats to all who were honored and mentioned - the judges notes were an interesting read. |
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04/19/2011 04:54:17 AM · #9 |
I love the intro video here:
wegmanworld.com |
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04/19/2011 06:06:21 AM · #10 |
1st Place
Thank you to the jury for awarding my photograph this honour, and for what I know must have been the draining task of giving all of our entries such critical attention.
I’m delighted that the question of whether my picture was ‘fine’, or ‘contemporary’ (or perhaps even art at all) was a matter of contention among the jury members. I am, like my photograph, more interested in the uncertain boundaries of those questions than I am in the stable middle ground of consensus.
However, I’m also very pleased that the jury’s short list comprised a good range of entries demonstrating differing points of view on addressing the challenge theme. If we all agree that something is fine art, or contemporary art, or even art, then it’s probably not.
My congratulations to everyone, entrant and juror alike, who extended themselves in this Fine Arts challenge.
Message edited by author 2011-04-19 08:17:32. |
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04/19/2011 06:18:50 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by Louis:
POACHED EGG
I like the allegorical aspect of these images, I like that they are in color and that they are sharp :-)
It's funky, plays with words/ideas, but also has clothing/pose that is very contemporary.
I didn't like at first, but the more I looked at it, the better I liked it.
We are talking about making a contribution to contemporary art. Droopy jeans are very contemporary, I kinda like that. Smoothened skin is another thing that is very much abused these days, but I think it works here. The picture makes me smile, and I like it,
As much as I don't like the presentation of the male, the Egg image has grown on me. Consider the Millennial Generation (the generation following Generation X). The young 20 something, hiding behind social media, perilously holding the nest egg of his 50 something parents. It identifies the differences between generations...vanity, interpersonal relationships and skills, work ethic, and financial values. I appreciate the image for what it's given me.
It is nice to have a Generation X'er who can explain Millennial Generation issues to us aging Baby Boomers :). You came up with an interesting narrative for this image. My only problem with it is that with enough imagination one can always concoct a plausible story using a small set of "symbolic" elements. And probably more than one. For example, for a deeply religious person this poached egg may symbolize a young life lost through an illicit abortion, so now the young father-not-to-be is beginning to realize how stupid and irresponsible he was, but of course now it's too late, the house that could have been full of life, is empty. Or say for a convinced vegan, this is a story about a person who realizes how terribly wrong it is to eat animals (birds, eggs), feels deep remorse, and identifies himself with the birds by wearing a bird mask... or even "deeper", as the whole mankind screwing up life on Earth (Easter egg) ... and so on, and so forth :)
for me the important thing is that this image did lead to an interpersonal dialogue (if not for me). I think that if an image is engaging enough that we take the time to construct meaning from what we see then the image becomes art, it catalyses intrapersonal dialogue and thus articulates with our shared culture. Through its resonance with our own imagination it becomes relevant. Of course there is a risk that this all becomes self-fulfilling but an image needs to have a hook to keep you long enough to be bothered. For some people this image did just that.
Any picture that makes people come up with stories is worth coming back to.
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Thank you for the honorable mention. I know this type of photography/art isn't to everyone's taste but you were all very open minded. I'm honored to be included in this group. |
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04/19/2011 07:28:21 AM · #12 |
I can't tell you how honored I am to receive an honorable mention. I appreciate all the judges comments and will save these to read when I begin the self-doubt process which ebbs and flows throughout my life. Even though I generally hate "untitled" images, this is one instance where I think it might have helped mine. : ))
TSUNAMI
Of course I am influenced by the turn of events, but it just gut-wrenching.
It impacts me greatly, presentation is metaphorical and understated. The only problem is the title, but I refuse to judge the photo by the title.
I certainly understand the issues brought up in regards to the manipulative title, and I felt the same way, but for me the image stands on its own without the title, I think given the turn of events, I would’ve thought of the tsunami regardless of the title. I think the processing is very appropriate, and the photographic way of expression the helplessness of a person against flow of nature is great. I don’t care how it is done, reflection in a car or whatever, I am simply looking at the result.
This caught my eye at first because my last FS had the tsunami in mind. I've never personally lived through a tragedy of this sort, thus the importance of this image for me. It brought empathy to the forefront. As I delved in to the image more faces of despair appeared, another tug at the heart for the human condition. I don't know where the distortion is coming from, but it clearly represents water, a simple choice for the photographer; however, it is extremely effective. The choice of tone works very well. A timely piece.
If I had a class and shouted "you have 5 minutes to do a tsunami tribute... GO!!!" and a kid ran back to me with this photo, I'd be blown away.
Well executed and compelling in its own right but as a contemporary piece it resonates so strongly. I challenged myself to consider whether it was cynically constructed but I could not find that in it; instead the distortion/reflection is itself reflective of the essence of the wave and the tragedy so caused.
I absolutely hear (and share) others concerns about its manipulative nature. We don't know the personal context of the photographer and all could be personal or all could be cynically constructed. Does the image work as a contemporary contribution? Yes it does. I actually think the manipulation can work for it too; we all had our perception of that event mediated via TV and newspapers; advertising space was still sold, tragedy became primetime - it's the world we live in. We could say media is manipulation. I think Tsunami image is reflective, I think it is manipulative.
Message edited by author 2011-04-19 07:29:59. |
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04/19/2011 08:36:02 AM · #13 |
Thanks very much for the recognition and comments, congrats to the winners.
Mine was shot from a balcony on the 2nd floor of a hotel, mesmerising view of the flow of the traffic around a major Ho Chi Minh city traffic circle. The original was not much different, i used levels, cropped, and applied joey's "pop the pill"
version of acid. |
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04/19/2011 10:04:21 AM · #14 |
Thanks so much for the recognition, and the effort put forth by the jury to put this on.
Congrats to all the winners, some truly great images in here, I am honored to be a part of them.
I realized I didn't explain why I decided to go for this shot and what it means to me so here goes:
I have seen children after death they always look so peaceful. My cousin died from drowning when he was a child. I remember seeing him in the coffin and how peaceful he looked, and then I imagined the terrible struggle he must have had in the water. I was actually attempting to portray a more peaceful look, unfortunately my daughter had a hard time keeping a peaceful look on her face with water going up her nose. But when I saw this image it moved me more than a peaceful shot would have. Maybe it is because dying isn't a peaceful thing, especially a drowning and so I liked that there was a little bit of a sense of a struggle. And even though I intended this to be a shot portraying death, it ended up being a shot portraying the moments just before death, thus the title "As I Lay Me Down to Sleep". I liked the action and bubbles on the water, I was worried the high key would take away from that a bit but it seemed to be necessary in this shot I tried it with several different edits and always came back to the high key.
I was worried about the title I felt it would be offensive to some people, but it portrayed what I was trying to say with this picture that I had to do it. Using my daughter as a model for this one was hard because as a parent I don't even like to imagine something so terrible happening to her. But with limited resources on models, and she is such a good one, I end up using her, as most of you I'm sure have noticed, on many of my shots. |
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04/19/2011 11:26:22 AM · #15 |
I would like to thank the Jury for all their hard work. I am humbled and honored to receive the Honorable Mention. Congratulations to the winners.
I think that sums it up, well done. |
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04/19/2011 11:54:31 AM · #16 |
Congratulations to all winners.
Thanks jury for organizing and doing all the hard work.
Enjoyed reading the comments made during the judging process too.
Green bling looks good. Thanks for that.
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04/19/2011 12:07:06 PM · #17 |
I really appreciate receiving an Honorable Mention for
One of the judges commented: "And then look at the numbers on the tape as it intersects the eyes 18-21, the cusp of adulthood, I don't think that's accidental."
The measurement is not accidental, but the age connection was not what I had in mind. The tape shows the actual measurement around the models head--she is really being measured. Also, the model is not on the cusp of adulthood; she is close to fifty. (She will be pleased to find out that someone thought she was young.)
I'm fascinated by measurement in general and the uncertainty principle in particular. Another influence on this series is the book The Mismeasure of Man by Stephen Jay Gould. I'm showing the Mismeasure of Woman.
~~Dan |
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04/19/2011 12:18:55 PM · #18 |
Thank you for the mention, it's an honor to be included.
Hat's off to the jury members for going above and beyond... well done!
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04/19/2011 12:36:25 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by wheeledd:
I really appreciate receiving an Honorable Mention for
One of the judges commented: "And then look at the numbers on the tape as it intersects the eyes 18-21, the cusp of adulthood, I don't think that's accidental."
The measurement is not accidental, but the age connection was not what I had in mind. The tape shows the actual measurement around the models head--she is really being measured. Also, the model is not on the cusp of adulthood; she is close to fifty. (She will be pleased to find out that someone thought she was young.)
I'm fascinated by measurement in general and the uncertainty principle in particular. Another influence on this series is the book The Mismeasure of Man by Stephen Jay Gould. I'm showing the Mismeasure of Woman.
~~Dan |
That was my comment - the 18-21 part was in response to the title rather than the model; i.e. thinking about 'womanhood' is measured and how we might begin such a definition with consideration of age and then the significance of the 18-21 range in terms of adult rights (voting, drinking etc)....
Thanks for your additional notes though
Paul |
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04/19/2011 12:38:36 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by wheeledd:
I really appreciate receiving an Honorable Mention for
One of the judges commented: "And then look at the numbers on the tape as it intersects the eyes 18-21, the cusp of adulthood, I don't think that's accidental."
The measurement is not accidental, but the age connection was not what I had in mind. The tape shows the actual measurement around the models head--she is really being measured. Also, the model is not on the cusp of adulthood; she is close to fifty. (She will be pleased to find out that someone thought she was young.)
I'm fascinated by measurement in general and the uncertainty principle in particular. Another influence on this series is the book The Mismeasure of Man by Stephen Jay Gould. I'm showing the Mismeasure of Woman.
~~Dan |
Just so you know, Dan, your interpretation matches mine, I even made the same book connection. What I particularly liked was that the very act of measuring her also blinds her. The only thing I didn't get was why it was cropped so close. |
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04/19/2011 12:44:39 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by posthumous:
Originally posted by wheeledd:
I really appreciate receiving an Honorable Mention for
One of the judges commented: "And then look at the numbers on the tape as it intersects the eyes 18-21, the cusp of adulthood, I don't think that's accidental."
The measurement is not accidental, but the age connection was not what I had in mind. The tape shows the actual measurement around the models head--she is really being measured. Also, the model is not on the cusp of adulthood; she is close to fifty. (She will be pleased to find out that someone thought she was young.)
I'm fascinated by measurement in general and the uncertainty principle in particular. Another influence on this series is the book The Mismeasure of Man by Stephen Jay Gould. I'm showing the Mismeasure of Woman.
~~Dan |
Just so you know, Dan, your interpretation matches mine, I even made the same book connection. What I particularly liked was that the very act of measuring her also blinds her. The only thing I didn't get was why it was cropped so close. |
Actually, I just left him a comment, that, in part reflects the tight crop. Notice he didn't soften the skin, nothing is hidden. No fear. I think the crop generates that interpretation, at least for me. |
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04/19/2011 12:48:19 PM · #22 |
Thanks for the nod.
I usually make my bed, but this particular morning I wanted to catch the breeze before it went away. I have a thing for blowsy windows. |
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04/19/2011 03:26:02 PM · #23 |
| Thanks for the Honorable Mention judges. And Thanks for doing such a fantastic job judging. A great selection of images and the comments are fascinating. |
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04/19/2011 04:26:05 PM · #24 |
| Thank you for the mention, and thanks for all of the hard work it must have been to sift through all of the wonderful entries. It is amazing to be included with such a diverse set of very cool images. |
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04/20/2011 03:25:18 AM · #25 |
Fantastic job and a great selection of images. Looking at your comments I admire the dedication and attention for each entry. Thank you for your effort.
And of course thank you for the Honorable Mention, I appreciate this so much - especially to Don, whose image inspired me to look for water over rocks :). |
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