Impressionism entries - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

11/15/2004 01:17:12 PM · #128

my issue with the way this challenge turned out is that instead of it being about impressionistic photography in a really general way, it turned into a 'let's recreate monet -- using canned filter effects'.

which forced what could have been a subtle and fresh challenge into something really specific and tired.

That said, I really liked the majority of the entries. The only problem I had was that I use photoshop alot, so every time I saw something that looked like a 'canned effect' result, that the person hadn't taken the time to make unique, I had to overcome my automatic reflex to think it sucked and mark it down. But then, I realize, for a lot of people who have never seen these effects, they must seem new, so I tried to just judge the esthetic final presentation.

kevrobertson

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/15/2004 01:21:48 PM · #129

I would just like to add to this thread.
I think that some of these entries are some of the best i have seen.
Well done to all.
PS or Not, some classic shots

Kev

dsa157

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

11/15/2004 01:29:50 PM · #130

Originally posted by Gringo:

My score:

So far I have forty 10's and 40 1's
I'm average :)

I knew this would be a love it or hate it challenge for me.

Hmmm - you must have been an election judge in one of the states complaining about overcounts! It's pretty tough to vote on 80 images with only 39 entries in the challenge... {grin}

Dave

Imagineer

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/15/2004 01:40:12 PM · #131

Originally posted by magnetic9999:

... But then, I realize, for a lot of people who have never seen these effects, they must seem new, so I tried to just judge the esthetic final presentation.

Well, I agree with pretty much all of your comment apart from the above, and I think that some key things also need to be taken into account with these Masters challenges.

When the idea was suggested it created, desired or not, an elite challenge. Some people frequently commented that they look forward to seeing how the Masters really do it - and how much they will look up to them for inspiration and technical brilliance. These photographers have supposedly done their apprenticeship and are now expected to deliver the skill which has won them 3 ribbons or more. I don't see enough of that skill and talent in this challenge.

All these entries are submitted with the intention of trying to win an additional ribbon (at the exclusion of all other challengers), yet there are some who seem content to do this by means other than those of photographic origin. Therefore, when voting on it, I see no reason (while it is still a game of course) to leave the kid gloves on and give so much slack.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/15/2004 01:45:07 PM · #132

The sad part I find about this challenge is the following: I do not mean to insult anyone's intelligence but look at the image carefully and recheck your thinking before attributing special PS effects where there are none. Yes, some images have then but some do not..yet many voters go out on a limb and attribute filters where there are none.

I do have an image with no ps filters whatsoever!, It is an in camera effect and like my other past images, which were in the camera effects, I am being accused of extensive filters and pushing adjustments.

When you you see something you do not understand, is is not better to extend the courtesy of the doubt when you are not dead sure. I know, it requires a lot of experience to detect manipulations. My boxer image got batted because voters suspected monkey play, my Blue Moon Sax got batted because of pushing controls, yet all of these, like all my challenge images are in the camera effects.

I have been around a while and I have been using PS from its first version, yet there are images that are not so easily decipherable and what I do is I think about them for a couple of days until I can resolve whatever it is that strikes me funny. I am just amazed at how quick some people are to reach and pen a wrong conclusion.

GolferDDS

Canon EOS R5

11/15/2004 01:56:47 PM · #133

quote: "When the idea was suggested it created, desired or not, an elite challenge. Some people frequently commented that they look forward to seeing how the Masters really do it - and how much they will look up to them for inspiration and technical brilliance. These photographers have supposedly done their apprenticeship and are now expected to deliver the skill which has won them 3 ribbons or more. I don't see enough of that skill and talent in this challenge."

Inspite of my 3 ribbons I by no means consider myself "a master". I have had as many scores in the 4's as in the 6's and 7's. I submit pictures because I am interested to see what others think of them. Sometimes I do well sometimes not, but I always have fun and I always learn. That is what this is all about. If we felt any differently we would be entering contests for real prizes. So far I am not doing too badly on this one which makes it all the more enjoyable. There are many members who are much more talented than I who have not yet won a ribbon so no one should look at me and consider me a master just because I have 3 ribbons. Instead of making an issue of filter or no filter or PS or no PS just vote on the degree to which you like a picture or not!texttext

Message edited by author 2004-11-15 14:01:03.

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

11/15/2004 02:16:27 PM · #134

Guess I can add my 0.02Â¢ in here.

I for one, have been lucky enough to have been able to submit to this challenge. There are so many photographers on this site far more worthy of entering this challenge that I was.

I took the opportunity to try something different. I used the lighting and composition as my goal to acheive. I wanted to try and create something that could be something hanging on a wall next to other paintings in the group. I am happy with what I did, though I simply could not get the final outcome as I wished, using the camera alone. In the process of trying, I have learned a few new techniques that have a rather unusual look and feel, which I may explore in the future when I can invest in better equipment.

I had submitted mine early on, and took it out a couple times, as I didn't want to be guilty of a PS challenge. I had a second thoughts on it and figured what the heck - I wasn't going to be the only one.

So far, the comments have been mixed, but mostly supportive and positive. With it holding above 7 with 130 votes, I am happy with what I have acheived, and honored to be in such good company with so many fine photographers on this site.

autool

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

11/15/2004 02:31:48 PM · #135

Originally posted by BradP:

So far, the comments have been mixed, but mostly supportive and positive. With it holding above 7 with 130 votes, I am happy with what I have acheived, and honored to be in such good company with so many fine photographers on this site.

I've got 7 comments so far, it that the same thing?
Congratulations to you and the E-10

magnetic9999

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

11/15/2004 02:40:06 PM · #136

graphic funk: you never know, i may not be talking about your picture.

imagineer: one thing you have to bear in mind: most of the so called masters are just people like you and me. they didnt choose to be badged with this mantle of guru-ness some are attributing to them.

they may be searching for their own ways as much as anyone else, whether or not they happen to be in this arbitrarily created and ill named grouping. and they may, as humans, be knucking under the pressure as much as anyone else to make a win-worthy picture (vs bravely bucking conventions and expectations).

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

11/15/2004 02:43:30 PM · #137

Originally posted by graphicfunk:

When you you see something you do not understand, is is not better to extend the courtesy of the doubt when you are not dead sure.

Good luck with that :)

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

11/15/2004 02:47:55 PM · #138

Originally posted by Gringo:

My score:

So far I have forty 10's and 40 1's
I'm average :)

I knew this would be a love it or hate it challenge for me.

Without even seeing it, it is not average -- must be great to inspire that degree of passion in the voters.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

11/15/2004 02:52:28 PM · #139

Look: first, dispel the title of master. This is a lot of crap. A true master has better things to do than hang out with us. This does not mean that talent and technique is lacking here. There is superb talent even among non ribbon winners.

However, since I have spent countless hours with digital manipulation I have come to devise in camera effects that imitate these digital effects. But what the voter misses is that he does not really look at the image. My images are in the camera and believe me, I could have pumped up the image to give it that real boost, but again, I refrain because I want to keep the integrity and it simply hurts when voters attribute wrong attributes.

I am not a master, besides what are a paltry three cyber ribbons, but I do want to show that you can push the envelope and create untold effects simply by intervening between subject and lens. This is the way Hollywood did it. Remember there was no PS in the old film days.

mrorange002

Canon EOS-5D

11/15/2004 04:56:01 PM · #140

anyone want to bet on who gets the brown?

I'm tossing in the hat on this one.

I have 2 reds, two blues, I need 2 browns and two yellows to even out my ribbons :-D

Message edited by author 2004-11-15 16:56:51.

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

11/15/2004 04:57:55 PM · #141

How low are the browns right now?

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

11/15/2004 07:48:58 PM · #142

i've just completed voting and commenting this challenge. with only a couple exceptions, i voted based on how the image moved me. my experience with the impressionist is that the better images invite me in and hold my attention. there were a number of entries in this challenge that did just that.

the one thing i really wish could be a component of this challenge would be making before and afters available for all the entries. even if you disagree with the methods, it would still be nice to know how the end result was achieved.

thanks to all who submitted, and i hope you'll continue to enter these challenges as the opportunities are presented to you.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

11/15/2004 07:55:14 PM · #143

Originally posted by skiprow:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I am proud to say that my image is basically straight off the camera with no filters and no pushing of any adjustments and it hurst, does it hurt to be accused of using filters and manipulation. Has anyone ever wondered how Hollywood used to get along without ps. There are many things that can be done between subject and lens.

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

11/15/2004 08:08:58 PM · #144

I have just finished looking, enjoying and voting on the Challenge. Yes, I spotted some filtered images - and a bit sterile they were - but for the most part the entries took photography to a different and good level.

I would love to see this category opened to the general membership - but limiting the use of filters to USM - and see what the rest of us could do with it.

e301

11/15/2004 08:11:39 PM · #145

graphicfunk: thankyou for your comment on my impressionism entry. However, I would urge you to consider that there may be other approaches than your own that are equally valid - both in your judgement of images, and in other's judgements of yours. If you have submitted something that folks perceive as manipulated, then you are surely experienced enough to know that such blatant manipulation is disliked here (the point of whether or not you actually manipulated it is a moot one - it is folks' percceptions we're submitting ourselves to when we enter these challenges).

For myself, it seemed to me that to recreate the look of an impressionist painting was actually a pretty boring approach to this challenge, and neither was it specifically demanded. The small intellectual adventure I've had in pursiung a shot I felt worthy of entry has been exciting, and of course, being an attempt to adopt and adapt the impressionist shool's precepts to digital photography, looks very little like an impressionist painting.

Nevertheless, you have commented and voted acording to your lights, and that is worth thanks for sure. I just wish you weren't so very certain in all you opinions.

Very repectfully,

Ed

Sonifo

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

11/15/2004 08:18:58 PM · #146

Originally posted by ursula:

How low are the browns right now?

Low 5's

mrorange002

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

11/15/2004 08:29:49 PM · #147

Originally posted by graphicfunk:

I am proud to say that my image is basically straight off the camera with no filters and no pushing of any adjustments and it hurst, does it hurt to be accused of using filters and manipulation.

Mine also is straight from the camera. But I don't really know if it's being voted low because it appears like I photoshopped the effects I got, or if It's being voted low because it just blows!

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

11/15/2004 08:30:50 PM · #148

Now that the challenge has begun, why not let things go as they are supposed to, anonymously, in a challenge and leave it in the hands of the critics now. It seems this is starting to get used to respond directly to critiques, and to posture and sway voters.

When couched in general terms, it's probably not different than most challenges, however due to the very small number of images, it really blows anonymity.

I'd like to see the "masters" set a good example in "challenge-in-progress" behavior.

Message edited by author 2004-11-15 20:32:12.