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04/18/2005 03:59:20 PM · #1 |
What is the “Box”?
Reflecting upon the current "abandoned building" challenge, I wonder how many of us have never stepped outside the “building” where we live to looked at life from a different perspective.
IMO, there are three types of boxes ("buildings") in which we commonly live here in DPCland:
1) The Literal Box: If it says building, it means “four-walls-and-a-roof-built-by-human-hands-building” dammit! For those who live in the Literal Box, beware of anyone who strays from the letter of the DPC law. Offer “Does Not Fit Challenge” comments on photos that don't literally fit inside the box. I appreciate the way the DPC gods poked fun at this Literal-Box mindset in the recent “Rubber Ducky” challenge. Really cool way to affirm the Literalists and at the same time examine the limitations of shooting within the Literal Box.
2) The Material Box: Fill the frame with stuff, rocks, houses, trees, bodies, cities. For those who dwell in the Material Box, photography is about arranging physical stuff in a frame. Avoid artistic photography. No symbols allowed. Put your imagination to sleep. Real poppies. Real time. Real places. Realism. Again, the DPC gods offer a lovely little joke in a speed challenge, “Tacks?” on April 15th. We could all hear the sound of heads being scratched and imagination gears beginning to turn. Photography is more than trying to decide between thumbtacks and push pins. I count exactly 3 of 135 entries which dare to stray outside the box of thumbtacks on the this challenge. Bravo to those who sail or ride or shoot photos by the unseen wind and ethereal light outside the Material Box.
3) The Technical Box: The Technical Box dwellers believe that photography is about cameras and photoshop. Get the best equipment, the latest programs and start winning those ribbons! Film and digital photographers alike must wrestle with the technological world, trying to improve upon our technical skills. DPC offers plenty of help in these areas with immediate techie feedback and words of wisdom. That being understood, allow me a word of invitation to all who choose to live in the Technical Box: Come out and play! For once, leave the camera next to the computer and just enjoy a sunny spring day away from the machines. Dare to become five years old again, to wonder, imagine and admire. I’m grateful for graphicfunk’s recent post on “The Art of Learning” (General Discussion, 04/08/2005), inviting us to “learn to admire”. Really cool writing, especially for those of us who find ourselves sitting behind pieces of machines, thinking we’re experiencing life to the fullest. Life calls out to us, inviting us to come out and play, explore, imagine and delight.
To anyone who lives in one of these three boxes, I offer a gem of writing on the wonder of photography, insights of a widely respected nature photographer, Christopher Burkett:
“The strongest, most meaningful photographs always have an element of mystery or surprise to them. If they are to have significance and depth, they must incorporate an extra “something”, beyond what I can create on my own. This is the enigma of creative work: how to actively and diligently create new images and yet leave the way open for something much greater than oneself to enter into the work, filling it with depth and meaning. It is like forming raw images of clay, which by themselves are empty and flat, with the hopeful prayer that they may somehow come to life. Most times, they remain cold and lifeless; a mute testimony to my limitations and ineptness. Despite my failings, there are a few times when grace silently descends upon my work. With a glimmer of light and an upwelling of hope, God’s mercy brings life to the image, giving it the potential to inspire and uplift the hearts of those who view the prints. I pray that I might share with you some of the grace, wonder, and glory of creation which compels me to photograph” (“Resplendent Light”, West Wind Arts: 2004; pg. 153).
Meet you “outside the box” in the next challenge!
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04/18/2005 04:09:07 PM · #2 |
If wee look at your three items, I'll be with ya everytime Charlie
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04/18/2005 04:09:41 PM · #3 |
I like the box.
When I take photos just for ME, I have total freedom to shoot whatever I want, in whichever way I want it. I can be boring or outrageous, safe or confrontational, there is no limit.
How easy is that? Do whatever I want - it's like taking candy from a baby.
Then a new DPC challenge comes up. Suddenly I am restricted, AND I am up against some incredibly talented competition.
NOW the fun begins - DPC makes me think, stretches my imagination and my skills, and the talent of the members inspires me.
I am here because I LIKE the way I am being challenged. If I felt a constant need to rebel against it, I would leave. |
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04/18/2005 04:13:50 PM · #4 |
very well stated-
as one who tries to stay out of the box (as it were)
it is more fun to find the "wow" factor - to make people think of things on the out side of the box -
& i believe it is possible to get high scores - and get praise & lame comments at the same time
saddly -currently- my building & people are doing poorly (outside of box)
but my tacks are doing well (inside box )
i think i'll skip Rock, Paper, Scissors .. my mind is blank ... except ...
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04/18/2005 04:14:49 PM · #5 |
Kind of like doing color for Ansel Adams - eh? ;^)
Originally posted by vtruan:
If wee look at your three items, I'll be with ya everytime Charlie |
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04/18/2005 04:17:51 PM · #6 |
I like Beetle's comments.
Everyone is entitled to step outside the box if they want to. Those that want to see a decent score on DPC stay in the box most of the time.
So like Beetle says - venture outside the box all you want for fun and personal pictures...experiment, learn, etc...
Stay in the box for Challenges, or at least pretty darn close to the box wall...
That's my take on the "box". ;^) Have fun everyone!!!
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04/18/2005 04:25:25 PM · #7 |
There is no box.
Try, strive, to be yourself. |
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04/18/2005 04:26:19 PM · #8 |
From my personal perspective I would find it much easier to submit something that finds itself outside the box. To hell with all the restrictions that DPC place on the phototgrapher.......lord all it does is stifle creativity.
Everyone outside the box I say... free yourself of all these bonds... Shoot what you want and submit it when you want... While we're at it... why bother scoring... all it does is make the people at the bottom of the heap feel bad.
Free thinkers unite........the time for revolution is at hand. The DPC peasants are revolting!!!
Ray :O) |
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04/18/2005 04:28:38 PM · #9 |
OMG Ray, that is too funny! I am so glad I wasn't drinking coffee when I read that! Well said, indeed.
still giggling......
(edited typo)
Message edited by author 2005-04-18 16:37:59. |
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04/18/2005 04:38:46 PM · #10 |
I try to fit the challenge, but I hate restrictions and occasionally I really tend to ....well...be out-of-it. I have never cared about scores, just good helpful comments and the challenge of meeting a challenge. I thought my "words" challenge was more out than "Ansel Adams" ;)
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04/18/2005 04:55:21 PM · #11 |
| Right now I personally need the box & to try to develop myself within it as best I can before I even venture outsitde it. |
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04/18/2005 05:04:31 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Beetle:
I like the box.
When I take photos just for ME, I have total freedom to shoot whatever I want, in whichever way I want it. I can be boring or outrageous, safe or confrontational, there is no limit.
How easy is that? Do whatever I want - it's like taking candy from a baby.
Then a new DPC challenge comes up. Suddenly I am restricted, AND I am up against some incredibly talented competition.
NOW the fun begins - DPC makes me think, stretches my imagination and my skills, and the talent of the members inspires me.
I am here because I LIKE the way I am being challenged. If I felt a constant need to rebel against it, I would leave. |
EXACTLY! If you do nothing but take photos for the challenges on this site you need to get out of that box and start taking more photos.
The challenge of this site is they put you in a box and ask you to take a photo inside that box. That's the way it is. If you get out of that box (the challenge description), your score will reflect that.
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04/18/2005 05:14:31 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by Beetle:
I like the box.
When I take photos just for ME, I have total freedom to shoot whatever I want, in whichever way I want it. I can be boring or outrageous, safe or confrontational, there is no limit.
How easy is that? Do whatever I want - it's like taking candy from a baby.
Then a new DPC challenge comes up. Suddenly I am restricted, AND I am up against some incredibly talented competition.
NOW the fun begins - DPC makes me think, stretches my imagination and my skills, and the talent of the members inspires me.
I am here because I LIKE the way I am being challenged. If I felt a constant need to rebel against it, I would leave. |
Well said!
Anyone can shoot freely and in a workmanlike manner whatever circumstance brings their way. But to learn, I believe you must be outside your comfort zone. Maybe that's outside a different (personal) box? I have learned far more meeting a challenge outside my personal comfort zone, than just shooting around. And for me, this is especially true for technical challenges ... e.g. macro, DOF, Bokeh, center comp, lines, light, B&W and so on.
Message edited by author 2005-04-18 17:16:12. |
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04/18/2005 05:56:02 PM · #14 |
A great many of the DPC ribbons go to photographs that, in my opinion, qualify as outside the box. DPC voters are very discerning, recognizing quality and talent whether inside or outside the box.
Merely being outside the box is not sufficient to these voters, the image must also show talent in every respect. Neither is applied effort the exclusive key to success, although effort is required, sometimes the result is not worth the effort!
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04/18/2005 06:50:47 PM · #15 |
Some people complain that meeting the challenge is too restrictive, stifling to their creativity, while at the same time some others complain that many entries that do not meet the challenge are getting higher scores than they desreve. Maybe we have struck a balance that is in about the right place.
When I was younger I used to place a much higher value on thinking outside the box. We used to call it being non-conformist. Now I feel like it has it's place but should not be your goal in and of itself. If all you ever do is try to be outside the box you are restricting yourself from everything that is in the box, and sooner or later everything comes into the box when it is no longer new. Being non-conformist, or thinking outside the box, just for the sake of being that is passe.
As far as challenge entries go, I often feel that people use a feigned outside the box approach as an excuse for not being able to acheive within the box. This may even be subconscious, as in fear of success.
As louddog seems to say, we all need to take more photos than the ones we take for the challenges. dpc is school. Do you want to spend your whole life in school? Not me. But I need what I can learn in this school to do better in the things I want to do outside of it.
As beetle and DQ have said, staying in your own personal comfort zone, whether it is in or out of the box, is not very challenging, and you won't learn as much there.
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04/18/2005 10:18:21 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by charliebaker:
What is the “Box”?
Reflecting upon the current "abandoned building" challenge, I wonder how many of us have never stepped outside the “building” where we live to looked at life from a different perspective.
IMO, there are three types of boxes ("buildings") in which we commonly live here in DPCland:
1) The Literal Box: If it says building, it means “four-walls-and-a-roof-built-by-human-hands-building” dammit! For those who live in the Literal Box, beware of anyone who strays from the letter of the DPC law. Offer “Does Not Fit Challenge” comments on photos that don't literally fit inside the box. I appreciate the way the DPC gods poked fun at this Literal-Box mindset in the recent “Rubber Ducky” challenge. Really cool way to affirm the Literalists and at the same time examine the limitations of shooting within the Literal Box.
2) The Material Box: Fill the frame with stuff, rocks, houses, trees, bodies, cities. For those who dwell in the Material Box, photography is about arranging physical stuff in a frame. Avoid artistic photography. No symbols allowed. Put your imagination to sleep. Real poppies. Real time. Real places. Realism. Again, the DPC gods offer a lovely little joke in a speed challenge, “Tacks?” on April 15th. We could all hear the sound of heads being scratched and imagination gears beginning to turn. Photography is more than trying to decide between thumbtacks and push pins. I count exactly 3 of 135 entries which dare to stray outside the box of thumbtacks on the this challenge. Bravo to those who sail or ride or shoot photos by the unseen wind and ethereal light outside the Material Box.
3) The Technical Box: The Technical Box dwellers believe that photography is about cameras and photoshop. Get the best equipment, the latest programs and start winning those ribbons! Film and digital photographers alike must wrestle with the technological world, trying to improve upon our technical skills. DPC offers plenty of help in these areas with immediate techie feedback and words of wisdom. That being understood, allow me a word of invitation to all who choose to live in the Technical Box: Come out and play! For once, leave the camera next to the computer and just enjoy a sunny spring day away from the machines. Dare to become five years old again, to wonder, imagine and admire. I’m grateful for graphicfunk’s recent post on “The Art of Learning” (General Discussion, 04/08/2005), inviting us to “learn to admire”. Really cool writing, especially for those of us who find ourselves sitting behind pieces of machines, thinking we’re experiencing life to the fullest. Life calls out to us, inviting us to come out and play, explore, imagine and delight.
To anyone who lives in one of these three boxes, I offer a gem of writing on the wonder of photography, insights of a widely respected nature photographer, Christopher Burkett:
“The strongest, most meaningful photographs always have an element of mystery or surprise to them. If they are to have significance and depth, they must incorporate an extra “something”, beyond what I can create on my own. This is the enigma of creative work: how to actively and diligently create new images and yet leave the way open for something much greater than oneself to enter into the work, filling it with depth and meaning. It is like forming raw images of clay, which by themselves are empty and flat, with the hopeful prayer that they may somehow come to life. Most times, they remain cold and lifeless; a mute testimony to my limitations and ineptness. Despite my failings, there are a few times when grace silently descends upon my work. With a glimmer of light and an upwelling of hope, God’s mercy brings life to the image, giving it the potential to inspire and uplift the hearts of those who view the prints. I pray that I might share with you some of the grace, wonder, and glory of creation which compels me to photograph” (“Resplendent Light”, West Wind Arts: 2004; pg. 153).
Meet you “outside the box” in the next challenge! |
Though I am a big believer in thinking outside the box and am a non-conformist who accepts crashing and burning when doing so does NOT work, this has nothing to do with that. :)
I took this picture last weekend of an abandoned house near an abandoned mine in Globe, Arizona USA. It reminded me of the many logging towns that dried up and disappeared up in the Cascades and Coast Range mountains of Oregon where you live in the 70s.
This picture was an afterthought after taking a bunch of pictures of a neat carpeting of poppies in a nearby field. The wildflower season on the desert floor of AZ in Phoenix is coming rapidly to a close but wildflower carpets can still can be found up above the desert in places like Globe.
This image does not feature it, but it does have "real poppies". LOL
Message edited by author 2005-04-18 22:32:53.
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04/19/2005 05:21:58 PM · #17 |
"This image does not feature it, but it does have "real poppies". Steve Davidson.
Thanks for the post Steve. Your abandoned house before an abandoned mine with the lovely foreground of real poppies offers a three level movement of eye and soul, giving the photo depth and interest.
Steve, your "real poppies" and other desert flora are stunning! For other DPC readers, check out Steve Davidson's photo gallery, including this stunning photo of desert poppies with the city landscape in bokeh relief in the background which jumps right off the page, out of the box.
//www.pbase.com/azleader/image/40286364
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