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DPChallenge Forums >> Side Challenges and Tournaments >> Blurgeois Pedagogues
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AuthorThread
 08/11/2007 04:17:21 AM · #1
link to discussion

i have had a few nudges to get this going.

anyone interested in having their photographs critiqued put
your name on this list.

i'll be the first and i hope to learn why a photograph does or does not
work.

please dont let this get into a discussion again, either you do or dont
want them critiqued.

blurgeois pedagogues are:------

Posthumous
E301
Selvuhdarci
Angrimur
Zeuszen
Pineapple
Germaine
Undieyatch
Gina Rothfels
Iamwoman
Bear Music

blurgeois pedagogues fire away.

goodman

Message edited by author 2007-08-11 04:26:40.
 08/11/2007 05:24:09 AM · #2
Bring 'em on....
 08/11/2007 07:11:27 AM · #3
I'll be watching. Busy today, but I'll be around and will participate.

R.
 08/11/2007 07:18:42 AM · #4
i'd like to be on the list please
 08/11/2007 07:19:36 AM · #5
It's good to see this thread is actually happening. I thought the original idea was that the blurgeiose pedagogues were going to select the photos for this thread and not that people were going to ask for critiques.

Either way, feel free to use any of my photos as good, bad, or run of the mill examples. :)

and wow, what a great selection of photographers. this should lead to some very interesting discussions.
 08/11/2007 07:26:05 AM · #6
Quiet_observation - I have a vested interest in one photograph -
My intended use for this photograph is a print for a horticulture society competition so any suggestions you have for improvement would be appreciated. The maximum print size for the competition is 5x7.
 08/11/2007 07:30:15 AM · #7
my blur portfolio krnodil

I'm not sure which to choose, so I offer up whatever you find here for your own choice. And of course each day this month there will be more. :)

Let me know if you absolutely want me to pick something...I will oblige.
 08/11/2007 07:31:16 AM · #8
Could perhaps the non-pedagogues post a photograph of one of the willing volunteers for the pedagogues to discuss? For instance, could I pick one of Lesley's that I particularly like and nominate it for discussion? Or not.

p.s. I have several excellent examples of what doesn't work - feel free to use those as illustrative case studies of what not to do and why.

Message edited by author 2007-08-11 07:32:20.
 08/11/2007 07:39:05 AM · #9
Originally posted by JPR:
It's good to see this thread is actually happening. I thought the original idea was that the blurgeiose pedagogues were going to select the photos for this thread and not that people were going to ask for critiques.

Either way, feel free to use any of my photos as good, bad, or run of the mill examples. :)

and wow, what a great selection of photographers. this should lead to some very interesting discussions.


yes jason but some people didnt want to be included in this, this way
the b.p's can choose any photos of the guys on this list.
if you know whadimean.

yes melethia choose one of mine for sure, choose one that dont work.
08/11/2007 07:59:32 AM · #10
Put me down too. If I start crying, I'll do it silently.

;~p
 08/11/2007 09:47:31 AM · #11
Please put me down! :) Thanks.
 08/11/2007 09:51:56 AM · #12
Pick me!
 08/11/2007 10:17:33 AM · #13
I am so in... :) I'm sure my skin is well thik enough lol
 08/11/2007 10:23:45 AM · #14


Fire away. I'm interested in knowing why OR why not these images are suited to a blurred treatment. Like, was there are purpose to blurring them, that you find relevant or does the treatment seem gratuitous?

Is this how this thread works??? Hope I didn't skip out of line?

Message edited by author 2007-08-11 10:26:43.
 08/11/2007 11:08:02 AM · #15
I applaud this initiative.
I joined this Blurry August with and idea in mind:
- "Try to find a new style and maybe an original one for my shy work, using the blur as a main element in the composition".
Yes I know, I'm moving in a mine ground, full of artifacts usually not well accept by people, but that's where the processes gets into an interesting challenge.
Right now I was starting to get bored posting the photos of this process/approach/studies without receiving any valuable feedback. I mean, almost no one give negative comments on photos around this Blurry August, and I think these kinds of comments are the most valuable. I really learn much more from a negative/constructive comment and I'm not afraid from them. I'm grown enough to receive them and make my own interpretation.
So, IMHO, giving a negative/constructive comment in a photo shows more consideration for the photographer than just saying nothing or simply leaving a kind word like "nice".
I would like to encourage all to leave comments/say what they really think and let the photographer know. I would like to encourage all to help each others, and the best way is being sincere. No one should get mad because of that.
Believe me; this will be much more interesting if we all start to be really exigent with each others. At the end it’ll worth joining this group and we will be much better photographers.
Please fell free to kick my photos.
Eyes Wide Open

Message edited by author 2007-08-11 11:09:10.
 08/11/2007 11:13:29 AM · #16
I think any volunteering of any photo, and any questions you might have, are entirely appropriate.

My suggestion to the panel is that we remember that we are a panel, and be willing to have a back-and-forth on these images, be willing to disagree and say we don't know and "what do the rest of yaz think?", stuff like that.
 08/11/2007 12:38:08 PM · #17
Originally posted by quiet_observation:

My intended use for this photograph is a print for a horticulture society competition so any suggestions you have for improvement would be appreciated.


I'm afraid I have no suggestions for improvement. I do not wish to improve it.

First of all, let's specify what sort of blur this is. I would call it a low contrast softness.

Secondly, what is the purpose of the blur? In this case, it is used to imitate a certain type of photo, a photo from a different time, possibly as early as the 19th century, when photographers were still in awe of their instrument. This "imitation" adds an intriguing context but also an emotional heft to the photo.

Thirdly, how does the blur interact with the other elements of the photo? The short answer is, it enhances them, and all of the other elements are completely appropriate for the old-timey effect. Having just foliage prevents any sort of anachronistic effect.

But none of this is enough to make a good photograph. This is ultimately just packaging. What makes the photo good to begin with is the dramatic use of light and the composition. Light is making a journey in this photo from the upper right corner and spreading itself through the rest of it, with varying degrees of success. The left side still has a stronghold of shadow. Interestingly, because of the low contrast lacking true blacks, the shadowed areas have as much or more detail as the light areas. For me, this struggle between light and dark is the central energy of the photo. I also mentioned composition, which in addition to the areas of light and dark, also comprises the intense curves of the tree, which mysteriously has rid itself of leaves in order to show us its beauty. This exposure, along with the successful intrusion of light from above, gives a sense of revelation to this photo. So, I guess I do have one critique. The title doesn't fit for me, since Nirvana has more to do with oblivion (Buddhists should correct me here). "Revelation" might be good.
 08/11/2007 12:47:03 PM · #18
If anyone can find the time :)

08/11/2007 03:46:27 PM · #19
I'd like to join this if I may. I would appreciate comments on my blur images (here) and I'm happy to join a panel discussion of images. I've been getting a bit burned out from commenting lately, and it would be good to be involved in a dialog so that I might actually learn something from not only my observations, but those of others.

Is discussion taking place "here," as has somewhat started, or on the image pages, or both?

Best,

Rob

Edited to remove about three million "as well"s I had written in there; it's late, I'm tired and sorry!

Message edited by author 2007-08-11 15:58:47.
 08/11/2007 05:48:35 PM · #20
Although I've fallen behind I would appreciate honest feedback on any of the photos I've posted so far.

Here's the gallery link:

30 days of blluurrr

Just FYI, I've tried to use blur as a central component on each shot and limited myself to accomplishing the blur in-camera with very little editing done in post. Basically the exact opposite of how I normally do things. :)

Btw, if Ed or Zeus could comment on a photo that would be great even if it's to say this sucks. I think I've only received one comment from each of you since joining this site (yeah too much time on my hands). Oh and comments from the rest of the Blurgeois Pedagogues would be good too. :)

Thanks in advance.

Message edited by author 2007-08-11 17:50:16.
 08/11/2007 07:52:30 PM · #21
by JPR

This looks like a struggle against eternity, perhaps that is where the suffering comes from.

The blur looks like camera motion blur, but also the layering of images. In the middle left, we see a rather mundane image. It looks like a man being waited on. But they are caught up in the vortex of the Man With The Blue Shirt.

I would say that blur is more than a technique here. Blur is the subject of your photo. Each viewer might come to his/her own interpretation of what the blur signifies, but it cannot be ignored.

The emotional content is complex and subjective. For example, the distortions on the blue man border on grotesque, but the dominating circular patterns are energetic, might steer someone toward positive emotion.
 08/12/2007 12:09:51 AM · #22
Feel free to put me on the list. I wasn't going to do this until I visited with Bear_Music a couple of weeks ago and we talked about it. I am behind on my days because of a late start. So far (and I intend to keep it this way) all my blur shots are from the camera. Thank you all for what you are doing in this 30 day challenge!
 08/12/2007 02:21:41 AM · #23
Originally posted by posthumous:
Originally posted by quiet_observation:

My intended use for this photograph is a print for a horticulture society competition so any suggestions you have for improvement would be appreciated.


I\'m afraid I have no suggestions for improvement. I do not wish to improve it.

First of all, let\'s specify what sort of blur this is. I would call it a low contrast softness.

Secondly, what is the purpose of the blur? In this case, it is used to imitate a certain type of photo, a photo from a different time, possibly as early as the 19th century, when photographers were still in awe of their instrument. This \"imitation\" adds an intriguing context but also an emotional heft to the photo.

Thirdly, how does the blur interact with the other elements of the photo? The short answer is, it enhances them, and all of the other elements are completely appropriate for the old-timey effect. Having just foliage prevents any sort of anachronistic effect.

But none of this is enough to make a good photograph. This is ultimately just packaging. What makes the photo good to begin with is the dramatic use of light and the composition. Light is making a journey in this photo from the upper right corner and spreading itself through the rest of it, with varying degrees of success. The left side still has a stronghold of shadow. Interestingly, because of the low contrast lacking true blacks, the shadowed areas have as much or more detail as the light areas. For me, this struggle between light and dark is the central energy of the photo. I also mentioned composition, which in addition to the areas of light and dark, also comprises the intense curves of the tree, which mysteriously has rid itself of leaves in order to show us its beauty. This exposure, along with the successful intrusion of light from above, gives a sense of revelation to this photo. So, I guess I do have one critique. The title doesn\'t fit for me, since Nirvana has more to do with oblivion (Buddhists should correct me here). \"Revelation\" might be good.

.........................

I am assuming on the basis of other current b&w posts, a scan from 35mm neg. or print.
Artfully composed. A wonderful, but dead specimen located in a flourishing optimum environment. Honest, full-frame rendering with fairly explicit 35mm edge frame.
This digital version without true blacks or whites, appears as in Photoshop linear - flat, low contrast, unmistakable soft but clear focus, with an edit temptation to possibly require contrast & sharpen.
I would probably favor a more mundane western latin name for a horticulture society, such as what kind of tree?
Nirvana from the bottom up - achieved through levels & layers of growth, life & death & life again, topped with curving expanding branches is beautifully illustrated.

Message edited by author 2007-08-12 08:49:21.
 08/12/2007 04:31:36 AM · #24
I wouldn't mine knowing what works and what doesn't, I appear behind but I keep using some variant for a challenge, so I can't post them or my entry would be recognizable. But feel free to use mine if you wantt.
Joe
 08/12/2007 07:09:54 AM · #25
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