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03/21/2005 02:37:53 PM · #1 |
But first of all I want to make it VERRY CLEAR that I am not complaining, nor I wanna trash anyones image (again), and not trying to be ironic or anything like that, I really want to understand. Why is the blue ribbon in the lines challenge a good picture? Ok I can understand it whas a lines challenge and that one has lines in it, but it's just a leaf, and I fail to see anything more than that in ite image, can someone help me, maybe teach me how to look at it? I really don't get it. And I really want to uderstand. There whas also an image with 3 peperoni in the 3 challenge that I don't understand, to me they are just peperoni and just a leaf, nothing spectacular. Is a leaf so spectacular to you guys, or what is it?
One more time, please belive me I'm not trying to trash anyone or theyr photos like I whas acused before when I asked stuff like this I just want to understand. Especially I wish the author of the image to understand this and maybe he can help me also. I just don't get it.
Message edited by author 2005-03-21 14:39:05. |
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03/21/2005 02:44:59 PM · #2 |
I guess it's the way u look at that ordinary leaf. The way the photographer makes that ordinary leaf looks.
Take something simple, ordinary and make it look like something out of this world. I mean, have u ever looked at a leaf that way, in your entire life?
The moon is something extremelly ordinary, I mean, it's always there, high above on the sky. And yet I do not cease on looking at pictures of it. Ppl can come up with the most amazing images, of every day objects/things.
Even a coke bottle can turn into an outstanding picture.
It's just a matter of how u want it to look. If u wanna make it look regular, it'll be just "regular". If u want to take that regular thing and make it "WoW", for christ's sake, try to look at it differently!
U'll start seeing things in a whole different way!
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03/21/2005 02:46:40 PM · #3 |
frumoaznicul, I am actually laughing out loud at this post. I'm not sure why. I think I'm mostly giggling at the fact that you have 1 ribbon, despite your consistently outstanding images on this site.
I'm already thinking "Self, just shut up" but I can't help myself. I truly think you are one of the three top photographers on this site and it's so ironic (I know it's not intended) that you are asking for other people to help you understand the appeal of winning images.
I picture Picasso, drawing beautiful images in the sand with his toes, all the while scratching his head...not understanding why everyone is staring at the Virgin airlines billboard behind him while ignoring the masterpieces at his feet!
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03/21/2005 02:49:35 PM · #4 |
| I can understand the moon part, that makes me ask questions, makes me dream it has a feeling of loneliness it shines it floats it's always there yet so far,... in a word it makes my brain cook something, the looking at the moon. I just fail to do that by looking at a leaf or coke bottle or whatever nomatter how different I look at it. Hmm... maybe it's something inside me that doesn't work here. |
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03/21/2005 02:53:58 PM · #5 |
| The subjective nature of judging the quality of art merits a subjective perspective on others opinions on that art. In another context (i.e. outside the realm of DPC), the photo of a leaf might be entirely trite and meaningless. Amongst a field of aspiring photographers, the leaf image evokes form, line, shape, color, and technical lighting skill. It is appreciated as good photography for the sake of other photographers. Yet, the leaf is just a leaf, as you say, and you needn't understand it's placement in these ranks anymore than any other image. It just is. |
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03/21/2005 02:55:39 PM · #6 |
The image in question:
Why it's "special":
Telehubbie takes us more deeply into "leaf" than most of us are used to going. This is more than leaf, it's a total visual metaphor. The image shrieks "photosynthesis" in its merging of light and green veins, it talks to us at a visceral level of the roots of life on earth.
Less metaphorically, the sense of "scale" is remarkable; it's obviously tiny, and yet it's huge. It's a world in a leaf.
Technically it's flawless. The sharpness, the exposure, the rendering of the image are essentially perfect.
Compositionally it's exquiste; the flow of the curved lines, the way Telehubbie resisted placing the vertical on the 1/3 line, the way the dominant curve ends in the upper right corner, the way the values slowly shift across the leaf, the purity of exit in the bright, green corner.
So, what's NOT to like? This is a flawless image IMO.
Robt.
Message edited by author 2005-03-21 14:59:27.
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03/21/2005 02:56:11 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by thatcloudthere:
frumoaznicul, I am actually laughing out loud at this post. I'm not sure why. I think I'm mostly giggling at the fact that you have 1 ribbon, despite your consistently outstanding images on this site.
I'm already thinking "Self, just shut up" but I can't help myself. I truly think you are one of the three top photographers on this site and it's so ironic (I know it's not intended) that you are asking for other people to help you understand the appeal of winning images.
I picture Picasso, drawing beautiful images in the sand with his toes, all the while scratching his head...not understanding why everyone is staring at the Virgin airlines billboard behind him while ignoring the masterpieces at his feet! |
belive it's a long time since I don't care about ribbons here anymore, especially since I noticed the things I photograph are apreciated by some but it's not mainstream, and that pleases me more than anything. I never liked mainstream, not in music I listen, not in anything. So I'm more than ok with that, but there are parts of the mainstream thing that I just can't comprehend, and don't lough I really want to understand, I'm serious. I asked this before several times also but I whas less careful with picking my words and people thought I'm trashing theyr images, this time I tried to be more vcareful with that. I hope it works
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03/21/2005 03:03:55 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by bear_music:
The image in question:
Why it's "special":
Telehubbie takes us more deeply into "leaf" than most of us are used to going. This is more than leaf, it's a total visual metaphor. The image shrieks "photosynthesis" in its merging of light and green veins, it talks to us at a visceral level of the roots of life on earth.
Less metaphorically, the sense of "scale" is remarkable; it's obviously tiny, and yet it's huge. It's a world in a leaf.
Technically it's flawless. The sharpness, the exposure, the rendering of the image are essentially perfect.
Compositionally it's exquiste; the flow of the curved lines, the way Telehubbie resisted placing the vertical on the 1/3 line, the way the dominant curve ends int he upper right corner, the way the values slowly shift across the laf, the purity of exit in the bright, green corner.
So, what's NOT to like? This is a flawless image IMO.
Robt. |
I agree with all you say, tehnicaly I have nothing to object, but I don't know how to explain this, to me an image has to also communicate something, like for example xion's image and so many others who tried to use the lines challenge but not just photographing soimething that has lines in it, like the 100's of window blindes and other stuff in the challenge. All these get a 5 from me, images are verry good tehnicaly but I just don't get it. To me an image needs to have a message, a story too, like when I look at xion's image I get amazed by the dpeth of it, I imediately get a feeling of floating, freedom,... etc. In the leaf image I just see a tehnicaly perfectly photographed leaf, too simple too mundane, nothing else to it. In a word to me is good but kinda empty. |
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03/21/2005 03:07:11 PM · #9 |
To me, it speaks volumes. It's a celebration of life, of the glory of creation. I could look and look and look at it.
Robt.
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03/21/2005 03:09:28 PM · #10 |
Yeah, my earlier post was out of context...those are things that I think about you as a photographer. I wasn't laughing at the post itself.
Now...about the photo. I happen to like it a lot. I think it's an image that's evocative of a whole lot more. I look at it, and don't just think of 'a leaf'...it makes me think of all that is green, lush, warm, healthy and alive (as well as 995 other words).
Message edited by author 2005-03-21 15:10:02.
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03/21/2005 03:10:53 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by bear_music:
To me, it speaks volumes. It's a celebration of life, of the glory of creation. I could look and look and look at it.
Robt. |
hmm maybe it's just me, I get bored after the first 2 seconds, and in a way it's normal to be so, nobody can understand everything. I think my eyes don't work well in this matter. Case close, I don't understand, but I think it's not really necesary for me to understand. Thank for helping me with this. |
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03/21/2005 03:16:30 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by thatcloudthere:
Yeah, my earlier post was out of context...those are things that I think about you as a photographer. I wasn't laughing at the post itself.
Now...about the photo. I happen to like it a lot. I think it's an image that's evocative of a whole lot more. I look at it, and don't just think of 'a leaf'...it makes me think of all that is green, lush, warm, healthy and alive (as well as 995 other words). |
Oh thank you verry much for apreciation, I know you whasn't loughing at me or my post, I joust dont want you to think that I asked this out of frustration that I didn't win or soimething like that.
About the words :), probably I can't get 995 I don't know that much english words but I can get a few too, individual ones, like keywords for stock sites, but can a story be made out of those words? |
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03/21/2005 03:24:20 PM · #13 |
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03/21/2005 03:26:49 PM · #14 |
A state of mind, a meditation, a transference...
Robt.
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03/21/2005 03:40:07 PM · #15 |
Hmmm this is actualy interesting, I'm a sucker for stories, and too pragmatik to meditate and stuff like that, tht's why I'm not religious and don't practice anything of that sort. The ideea alone of meditating with a leaf is just hilareous to me. Ok now I really understand, I'm not leaf shots material. :)
Discussion like this are helpful, I think if we had more of these, there will be less low votes from those who don't understand. A while back I admit I used to give low scores to stuff I don't care about, now I just give them 5-6 and lower only if they are technically bad, regardless if it's a cat, child, flower leaf or whatever... It's important to know that even that you don't feel anything to an image or subject seems too anoying or overused, others may like it. Not only photgraphy I like is good. Ofcourse for those I like there is the 8,9, and 10. |
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03/21/2005 04:13:42 PM · #16 |
I'm glad to see this post, i think it's helpful. I think alot of people do see the beauty in the photo, But they may not realize why they like it. and some people here gave very well worded explanations of what it does for them and what makes it good and it helps other people who liked it but couldn't put it into words and perhaps shows them some other aspects they didn't think about to apreciate too.
frumoaznicul, the only good advice i can give is, although it may not be too much fun for you, try and take some photos of things that you don't like or find interesting. do everything you can to make them into an interesting photo and then later you may see photos of similar things that were done well in a way you didn't think of and appreciate the photo more. . . i think it might help. . |
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03/21/2005 04:15:59 PM · #17 |
frumoaznicul, it sounds to me like this is just one of those situations where somebody just doesn't "get" it. In this case, it's your turn. We all have our moments like this. I still don't see the big attraction in this country to TV shows like Survivor and Fear Factor.
Actually, I think you explained the reason why the picture doesn't work for you, when you said, "To me an image needs to have a message, a story too." If that's true, then I can completely understand why you don't see the same things when you look at the leaf. |
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03/21/2005 04:22:47 PM · #18 |
| simplicity.......less to think about..it is eather good or bad........no thought required. I find that to be very popular in here. |
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03/21/2005 04:28:53 PM · #19 |
| This is a huge case of "you say tomato, I say tomoto" or not seeing the forest for the trees. It is all the way you look at it, you are looking at a leaf while I think others are looking at the content of the leaf. You have to look deeper into, not AT the picture. I love the detail of the lines and the individual cells. I'm not sure how big this leaf actually is but it is HUGE on here. The lighting from behind adds so much. And to top it off kudos for the imagination of shooting something different. I don't enter most challenges because I can't think of something unique to shoot...case in point...my bored submission you'll see in a couple days lol. |
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03/21/2005 04:32:29 PM · #20 |
Everyone has their own opinions, in this case, most of the voters liked this image. But, that doesn't mean you have to like it. The photo frumoaznicul entered is quite good, too (and did quite well).
It's good that we all like different things so that we all photograph different things - this would be one hell of a boring site, otherwise.
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03/21/2005 04:32:44 PM · #21 |
I must admit I am with frumoaznicul on this one, yep it is technically great, in focus, good colour etc, but it doesn't fire my rockets.
But, it is the majority of votes that win it, and a lot of people obviously voted for it with high votes. That's what this site is all about. There were other photos that I preferred, and voted accordingly.
I get the gist of the photo, after all I am a gardener and love plants, but there was something that didn't hit the right spot. Regardless of my opinions, it won and that's what the challenge was all about. I am sure there will be plenty more that win that I don't appreciate as others do, and perhaps some will win that I like.
That's why I keep checking in here every day!
Steve |
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03/21/2005 04:44:47 PM · #22 |
It's a graphical abstract with pleasing colors. I believe it is what some people call eye candy. There are varied types of photography for a reason - different people like different things. Having an image tell a story can be great, but just having something pretty to look at can be good too.
It's kinda like watching a sunset (note I didnt say photographing one). If you think about it you can make up an interesting story about it. The fact is that it happens every day, and yet sometimes you just have to stop and watch one and just enjoy it because it's pretty. |
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03/21/2005 05:28:09 PM · #23 |
Let us not forget that there is also a challenge on this site to get *something* submitted in a week's time. That's a very short amount of time to pull off a technically perfect photo and I think the collective voting public rewards technically flawless photos with this in mind.
For instance, I am amazed at the perfection that Imagineer pulls off in a week's time, while maintaining a prolificity that I aspire to someday hold. |
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03/21/2005 08:12:35 PM · #24 |
I respect you coming forward with your thoughts. I am not offended at all by your comments. My photo is an abstract of sorts, and I myself don't "get" a lot of abstracts. This is actually my first real attempt at anything this abstract. Most people look at abstracts and either like it or they don't. Keyword there is "most".
Allow me to ramble a little bit here to try to explain myself. In my own opinion, I think what really made the photo was the backlighting. The whole week I had been looking for something to photograph that was a little different. I saw the leaf while playing soccer in my backyard with my son and noticed all the lines in it. But I thought, "that's just a leaf, nothing too different about that." There had to be another element to it to make it work. I cut it off and held it to the sun and was amazed at the detail that the leaf possessed that you wouldn't normally see. It was like a green stained glass window with thousands of tiny elements to it. So I taped it to a pole and shot it with the sun backlighting it. Would this photo have done so well if I had just taken it with just normal drab lighting? Probably not.
You're right, this photo doesn't really "communicate something". There is nothing narrative to the image besides that it's a leaf. But in my own opinion, having the backlight took it to another level of complexity that symbolized life, and (maybe) lets the viewer (or some viewers) appreciate what we take for granted everyday, a simple leaf.
This is just my explanation of my photo for what it's worth. I can't speak for all the voters who voted this to win, I can only speak for myself. I took a photo and some people liked it. There were so many very talented photos here, yours being one of them, that deserved a ribbon. In my opinion, photographs can do many more things besides "communicate something" or tell a story. It can simply strike an emotion, however simple that may be, in someone without any kind of litteralness. It's all in individual interpretation. The most beautiful orchestral symphony means nothing if it falls on deaf ears.
Just my thoughts anyways.
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03/21/2005 08:32:52 PM · #25 |
Yes well I understand, and I completely agree with everything you say, I guess same as you say you were too, I whas just surprised how such a simple thing meaningless to me and some others probably can be the the most apreciated by the majority. I don't say that's good or bad, and certainly it's not a bad picture, I'm just surprised that it won. And by this I don't say I should of won or something like that, I'm verry pleased with my score too, it's just I don't know how to explain it. So many others put alot more work and thought in I guess what i can call more complex photo's. I hope I make any sense, it's 3 in the morning here and I'm not even sure what I'm talking aboiut anymore :))
By the way congratulations for the ribbon! :) |
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