The Gatheringby
jmsetzlerComment: I always scroll down to see who was dead last in the challenge. I know, it's sad, but I do. Then I saw this lovely photograph and wondered if this was like the conflict challenge. It was too good to be some lamer's photo, but it was an average water shot that I think many could achieve with some time. Then I reminded myself how much I wondered about your words in the challenge "conflict" on how you were trying to fool the members into thinking there was some amount of conflict going on.
I thought about how much respect you get around here, how much people tend to look up to you. I thought about the first photo I saw of you and how I pulled an issue of pop photo scanned the flag/water drop photo and began to compare it for a rip. I didn't know you; you didn't and still may not know me. Then your last submission suggested to me that you were done with the people here. You got your press and now you're done. I tried to put myself in your shoes. Could you be pissed off these days because people are winning challenges the same way you did? I mean, you saw the photo in pop photo and you repeated it. People saw your photo here and they repeated it. All the while, your name tossed around the comments, but they also would surround a colored ribbon. Could you be upset that your ideas are being repeated? Hell, I've repeated your ideas and I've done it without qualm.
I don't know what you are trying to say other than what you've already said. In a literal form, you want to fool the members, get some feedback, and there is nothing here for you except some off the cuff feedback that does not come but once or twice in each photo. So then, I'd have to equate all of this to the fact that you just may very well be bored. Back to my original words, that you've got your press and now you'd like to move on. You'll come here for feedback because we all need a certain sort of validation and self-validation isn't always a possibility. Otherwise, you're just screwing around and your point is taken. 62 comments on a photo that doesn't meet the challenge. Not 100% unfounded, but still quite the turn out for someone who gives the impression to me that he's just f'ing with the very people who played a role in your advancement. And yes, you bought the camera, you bought the film (when and if you used it) you thought of some of the ideas, made other people's ideas better, and you did all of the footwork. We sat back and waited for John's next big thing and then provided you feedback and or praise. It was the validation of your peers here that allowed you to see that your work is accepted and appreciated. To some extent you've given back to the community and as someone who is looking for people like you, people willing to share their trade secrets for another project (at DA) I would have thought that you'd embrace it with open arms. However, if I misread then so be it. If I did not then all I have to say is "that's gratitude for you." The sad thing is I can still put myself in another set of shoes and think that the community may very well owe you a bit more than "dude you rock your photos are awesome" in the comments put forth to you. Perhaps you do feel and it is warranted when you think the community has given you empty feedback and you want more. There are so many ways to spin this really and I've pretty much only just begun. However, I digress and for that I will leave you be. I think all in all when you see an idol (an idol too many) start to fall, one attempts to make rhyme or reason out of it.
I hope you do not find this offensive, but I do hope you see it as rational.
Jessica
Photographer found comment helpful.
