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Abbazia di Sant'Antimo
Abbazia di Sant'Antimo
Gordon


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Hidden Gem -- 1,000th Challenge! (Advanced Editing VII*)
Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark II
Location: italy
Date: Oct 5, 2005
Galleries: Interior, Emotive
Date Uploaded: Mar 5, 2009

 N/A

Statistics
Place: 1108 out of 1129
Avg (all users): 3.4262
Avg (commenters): 4.5970
Avg (participants): 3.4662
Avg (non-participants): 3.2133
Views since voting: 1343
Views during voting: 679
Votes: 474
Comments: 86
Favorites: 3 (view)

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AuthorThread
 05/02/2009 08:25:32 AM
Creating supposed art where there isn't any is an art form in itself and those, who by viewing supposed art, invent art in their minds for the purpose of being able to see art, are not seeing what is there in front of them but imagining it for fear of feeling left out for not seeing anything.

That's what I see.

***note 26/08/09

I must have been drunk
Though I do not drink
While I wrote this junk
Did I bother to think?

Message edited by author 2009-08-26 22:19:46.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/21/2009 09:05:53 AM
@eschelar thanks for explaining your score. I appreciate the time you took to comment. It actually is taken in an Abbey
 03/20/2009 11:39:42 PM
I came back to check on this.

Funny thing: I first saw this as an abstract study on shape and light. I started thinking an 8, then went with 7 as a 'benefit of the doubt' since I was wavering between 6 and 7.

Then I kept looking and I didn't find anything else compelling about it, so voted it down as an entry of that style.

I came back to this a final time during voting and looked closer. The depth that is shown on what appears to be a bench made me wonder if this was actually a kitchen table setting masquerading as a picture of something spiritual.

I decided that I was overanalyzing (because it wouldn't matter if it was a kitchen table or even a couple of pieces of paper and a light bulb) and took a step back and viewed it again as an abstract study on shape and light and I decided that I had given it a score simply because it "looked like something artistically presented as more than it is".

I decided that I was looking for an emotional impact to bring meaning to the effort of going through the exercise of making an abstract like this. Since I could not find anything, I voted this a 1.

I very seldom vote 1 and even more seldom on an image of this complexity. I chose the vote to indicate the picture's impact on me as an individual rather than a picture in a field of 1133 other pictures vying for first place, so I hope you understand that just as the pic itself is not trying to compete, my vote was not intended to indicate its value within a competition.

I can see quite a few areas of skill in the pic, but for this type of pic (for me), the content outweighs that.

:)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/19/2009 07:23:08 AM
Congrats on a great image. Wonderful composition, color and focus. This proves that DPC voters don't know a thing about art or photography.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/18/2009 08:03:31 PM
Risky, ballsy entry. I had to put my glasses on to get the full effect. Just kidding about that. Seriously though, this is one I would print large and put on the wall.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/18/2009 07:35:38 PM
Wow, I knew this wouldn't be a popular shot when I saw it in voting, but I never imagined it would be one away from the brown! From all the posthumous threads and side challenges where people seem to appreciate the more oob entries, I thought those voters would pull this one through. Anyone can manage to take an out of focus shot (and some people just do it without trying), but you've captured something very pleasing here in this scene. Thanks for putting this one in the challenge!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/18/2009 12:45:19 PM
When I saw this one, I expected it to finish at the low end...but not this low. What a shame. Any fool can point a camera at a scene and record it, but it takes a special knack to be able to distill its essence into an abstract.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/18/2009 11:08:28 AM
Unbelievable, that score. For what it's worth, I gave you a 10. More people should know that defocusing can be a deliberate artistic choice, and your photo, and more importantly your inclusion of the photo in a "gem" challenge, teaches us this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/18/2009 10:59:56 AM
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Great work, Gordon. I had suspected this might be yours. It finished about as bad as one wo0uld expect, I guess, and it's a pity, but heck y'all knew that going in, right? Lovely image regardless. I'm one of your 9's.


Yup - I'm not too surprised. Lots of positive comments. Lots of interesting comments too. The vote spread is quite different to the company it is keeping down here at the end.

Message edited by author 2009-03-18 11:01:21.
 03/18/2009 09:47:11 AM
Great work, Gordon. I had suspected this might be yours. It finished about as bad as one wo0uld expect, I guess, and it's a pity, but heck y'all knew that going in, right? Lovely image regardless. I'm one of your 9's.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/18/2009 09:34:42 AM
Originally posted by deadbrain:
I wonder... you were kidding, right? I just checked your profile and you are a multi-ribboned!
This one cannot be in any way your best photo.

I think you were aiming at the brown ribbon, isnt'it?


No, not kidding. I think it is one of the more interesting and more successful pictures I've ever taken. Just look at the comments... Some people even have this hanging on their wall. An interesting spread of comments :) Thanks to everyone who left one, positive or negative.

This is all in camera, no post processing, pretty much as seen/ shot.

Message edited by author 2009-03-18 09:40:06.
 03/18/2009 08:09:50 AM
Most people just can't think outside the box. Out of focus = bad photo to many people. If it is done for a purpose, it can still be a great image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/18/2009 06:31:15 AM
I wonder... you were kidding, right? I just checked your profile and you are a multi-ribboned!
This one cannot be in any way your best photo.

I think you were aiming at the brown ribbon, isnt'it?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/18/2009 06:10:32 AM
1112/1113. It's really quite pitiful. Fortunately, you don't care at all about that.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
03/17/2009 09:18:01 PM
Nice abstract. Is that how you shot or you blurred it in PP? Oh, my eye hurt now.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/17/2009 08:43:06 PM
hurting my eyes!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/17/2009 03:08:13 PM
You're brave, very brave, I don't expect this to do well in the challenge because it's so unconventional but I think the colors all work really well together.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/17/2009 11:26:57 AM
Interesting image. Has nice balance.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/17/2009 12:43:38 AM
Yes, I know I should be wearing my glasses and getting used to them. Thanks for the reminder, but it's like walking around with a fishbowl on my head.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/16/2009 11:54:48 PM
...so daring of you. I can hardly wait to read the comments this is getting. But I must admit I find this oddly soothing, the longer I stare, the more calming it becomes, and I'm pretty sure I heard some footsteps off in the distance echoing on the stone floor. So very peaceful.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/16/2009 08:52:04 PM
sorry, but I don't quite get your subject? look forward to your comments post-challenge
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/16/2009 06:58:09 PM
Nice artistic blur.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/16/2009 04:53:06 AM
nice abstract, very pleasing color scheme and composition, can imagine this in XXXXL format on canvas hanging on my wall. courageous to enter this, will not be honored by the other voters though. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/16/2009 01:08:07 AM
Now where'd I put those darn glasses!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/16/2009 12:49:13 AM
I know Sant'Antimo ... maybe that's why this pleases me as an abstract.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/16/2009 12:44:40 AM
Hmmm... your focus is a little soft :p

As an abstract, I like the lines, and colour tones.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 09:26:50 PM
Nice soft abstract shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 09:11:40 PM
really
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 08:28:49 PM
hmmm. i like how calm this is. like when i wake up from a nap and dont have my glasses on yet. its all in a fog. nice emotion. i enjoy this photo
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 06:32:37 PM
Not sure I understand this one. Sorry.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 04:45:00 PM
Beautiful tones. I would hang this on my wall.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 04:02:21 PM
OOF with this pic works for me. I can see this almost as a painting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 03:32:19 PM
I dont know... there is something very calm about this photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 01:49:17 PM
I guess you're trying for the Brown Ribbon, good luck with it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 01:11:29 PM
Probably won't get you a high score, but there is something appealing about the softness, contrast and lines here. A broken line? Pieces coming together? Tables next to each other in a restaurant waiting for customers? So many questions, yet so simple.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 10:08:19 AM
I'm afraid you lost me with this one. Abbazia di Sant'Antimo is a beautiful abbey in Tuscany isn't it?? I don't know what it is or what its meant to be, therefore I don't even think it can be abstract either. I have no choice but to give this a 1. Sorry. I look forward to the description after the challenge is over. All the best.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 09:52:11 AM
Nothing in this image ...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 07:17:45 AM
May not do real well, but I like it. It does draw one in somewhat. Pleasing softness and shapes.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 05:11:31 AM
8 and call me weirdo


brano
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 12:41:14 AM
Not sure how this is scoring, but the blur works for me, it keeps my focus on the shapes and forms.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/14/2009 11:58:37 PM
I'm sure this is nice but this isn't my style of shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/14/2009 11:05:46 PM
I really like the blur. My eye is led to the center of the darker lines - it looks as though it's a path somewhere - i want to know where it goes.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/14/2009 11:03:56 PM
It's abstract but really not doing anything for me, sorry.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/14/2009 04:17:49 PM
Nice blur abstract
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/14/2009 12:31:07 PM
Interesting. The composition is balanced in an interesting way with each side in a struggle for space.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/14/2009 11:19:04 AM
Can't relate to this - light, blurry, abstract. Maybe even cheerful, not quite light hearted because of the dark blocks left & right.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/14/2009 01:53:24 AM
Beautiful coffee colours. The shapes are suggestive of a path and very comforting. The heavier masses on each side fold together smoothly, and the lighter, nearly invisible shapes seen between them beckon the viewer. The whole effect is of an invitation. I like it. 7.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/14/2009 12:36:25 AM
a little simple, but it's a good fuzziness. I find this a nice meditation.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 10:14:24 PM
It looks like the start of a maze.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 09:50:59 PM
I had to look this up - Abbazia di Sant'Antimo in South Tuscany, a 12th-century Romanesque abbey, a gem of pale stone in the silvery green of an olive grove. Knowing that, this is an excellent capture of light and color in an heavenly abstract fashion. It has captured my attention and I hope others have noticed it as well. Nice job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 05:24:36 PM
i like the blur, but the colors and composition doesn't work well here
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 03:30:28 PM
I figured as soon as this popped up that it was Gordon's. I just saw that you posted a 3.something in the scores thread, so now I'm sure it's yours. It's strange how people let their expectations determine whether or not they like something. "A photo should have something in focus, so this is bad." I wonder how many "There's nothing in focus." comments you're getting! Personally, I love the composition and soothing warm tones. I also enjoy images that are simultaneously abstract yet recognizable. Your title got me wondering, too, and I learned some things I didn't know before. I had you at a 7, but I'm bumping you to an 8 on my second pass.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 02:55:20 PM
Not sure that I get this picture. There doesn't seem to be a focus on anything and without understanding the title I am not understanding the picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 02:44:43 PM
it's mysterious, that's for sure, but not sure it really works IMO
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 01:39:18 PM
I rather like this - the light bright opening draws, sucks the viewer in and on into their own personal void.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 01:13:27 PM
Very impressionistic blur, a nice sense of design with subtle color. Interesting opposing shapes!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 12:18:08 PM
different, works well as an abstract
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 06:15:09 AM
I can't see what I'm looking at, but the shapes and the light looks nice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 12:09:53 AM
I love the abstract and dreamy quality.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 08:42:58 PM
Nothing is focused so nothing to hold your interest
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 08:25:29 PM
What a startlingly different take on Tuscany's most beautiful Benedictine Abbey. The luminosity of this is so in keeping with the spirit of reaching towards the Lord that will have informed this holy place from the beginning.

I'm sure you're getting hammered by the voters, and that's understandable I guess, but a little sad. I'd like to think that anyone who knows this palce, has visited it, will understand and appreciate this iage.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 08:14:00 PM
First ting to my mind: Brown
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 05:12:32 PM
abstract, yes...but not explained imo. Wish you well in the challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 04:29:00 PM
Okay, must be going for the brown. The blur is just too much for me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 04:23:49 PM
A lovely photo of form and light! ;-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 04:18:22 PM
reminds me of Kurt Vonnegut Jr. good luck
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 02:58:37 PM
As the knockout drug took effect, and the room started to fade away, he heard Melissa whisper,"Don't worry Tom, You won't feel a thing".
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 12:23:37 PM
Was this taken in your living room? I think I have those same shelves.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 12:15:21 PM
Strong cubist feel, you have done well with the balance of the elements.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 11:56:06 AM
Not my taste sorry , just too OOF for me
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 11:11:01 AM
Feels like I just got out of bed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 04:20:16 AM
not sure what you were after in this
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 11:05:45 PM
I don't get it...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 09:17:17 PM
Can tell what is going on here. Needs focus. Got the rules of thirds.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 08:20:44 PM
haven't a clue what I am looking at...keep looking...nope don't get it....sorry
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 04:57:41 PM
Not liking this to much. Its an abstract but not something I find interesting. Sorry.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 02:54:11 PM
Beautifully abstract. Makes me want to squint my eye to see it in focus. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 01:15:13 PM
7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 11:27:19 AM
there is no subject,
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 11:07:21 AM
i love this look but like it better with a pop of color
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 10:32:30 AM
Not really working for me; sorry.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 10:21:57 AM
Congratulations on being part of this 1000th challenge on DPC. Keep up the good work!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 09:17:23 AM
A very bold move posting this up as a challenge image, but I like things a little different so I'm going with a 7 or 8.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 09:10:52 AM
I came back to this to look again as it was starting to hurt my eyes! I had to google it to find out it was an Abbey .... still not sure though
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 01:57:40 AM
breath taking!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 01:13:52 AM
Love the colors, the balance, the composition. wonderful work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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