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12/20/2005 06:55:51 PM · #51 |
There's no way I can post one.
This shot by librodo is my favorite shot ever. It is intriguing, it's got the best tones ever, it has mystery, and the details are just perfect. Absolutely my #1 favorite shot.
Ed's Matrix shot was the first time I ever called the blue ribbon winner - I knew without a second glance that it was the blue because it had everything - the perfect background photo, the perfect execution and the perfect idea. No photo has EVER met the challenge as well. This thing took the challenge idea and make ART. My comment "Blue. 10."
This is the only brown ribbon shot in my favorites - it's also the only time JJBeguin ever finished last. I don't know if he was aiming for the brown, but what I got out of this shot was that even the absolute best photographers have bad challenges. So what if I get a 4.9 JJ got a 3.6 and he still has 20+ ribbons. Obviously I love this shot because it reminds me that I can do badly and still be ok.
Last, certainly not least, this shot by Matt Bardeen. I joined DPC the week this won - I saw it and said "that is what I want to be able to see in the world. That is HOW I need to see." Everything I know about photography started from this shot - composition, color, everything stems from the right subject. This shot has THE right subject. It's the only reason I'm here still. (you can beat matt later).
So...there's a couple.
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12/20/2005 07:11:15 PM · #52 |
Many different things make a favorite, a favorite. Some are erotic, some innocent, some are spectacular, some are simple while others are great captures. The one thread that ties them all together is that in every case, I wish I had taken that photograph. It is my highest compliment to the photographer and there are many great photographers here. If I had to choose a favorite of my favorites it would be:
The photographer and I agree on very little (philosophy wise), however I truly admire this shot. |
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12/20/2005 07:12:17 PM · #53 |
Sometimes, I can't put into words WHY I love a photo.
In this example, there are a few things someone could - and DID - find fault with. Technically speaking, it isn't a perfect photo (IS there even such a thing?).
However, it holds me spellbound. Could a photographer ask for more? |
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12/20/2005 07:23:33 PM · #54 |
I absolutely love this one! I really like the monochrome and the lighting. The lighting fits it wonderfully and I think it best fits the mood, and the lights and darks are well distrubuted. The pose doesn't look like a "pose." It has a very natural and real feel. I feel I can perceive the subjects personality. This has been one of my favorties on the site ever since I was here. |
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12/20/2005 07:25:23 PM · #55 |
So, what do you want your photography to be? Most people, I think, want to be reassured about their ideas of the perfectibility of life - whether from the inundation of the ad-men's neat-image fantasy of family life, or of the holiday marketeers' sense of golden sand, golden sun and golden bodies, or the Hollywood fantasy of the doubt-free consequence-less hero, I don't know. Over and over again I see it - some kind of ultimately smooth, wrinkle-free, toned nonsense. It may be escapism, it may be the aspiration of living out that fantasy, it may be as simple as not actually caring what or whether a photograph means anything; I don't understand it at all.
I love this image because it subverts that aspiration: this is behind-the-fridge photography, it gets down a revels in the dirt; this is about the the entirely natural, organic, human facts of all our lives - and the fact that it's derived from such a nonsense idea of sensuality (the cleanness of the beads of sweat in the original - no!) makes it simply the more powerful.
A brave photograph, because any kind of genuine self-revelation has an element of bravery. An honest shot, because it shows the realisation that life is not this shiny porcelain fantasy. And add to all that, mightily assured technically too. It becomes something close to what I believe photography should be - because photography has the capacity to be the most honest of art-forms, and yet that potential is so easily subverted.
The point is, that if the fantasy of everyone and everything being gorgeous, that's implicit in so much technical photography, then what really is the point? If it's so simple that we belive we can sum it up in a weekly challenge photo, then why the hell should we bother? What's to be achieved if its so easy? Deannda's shot speaks of the struggle, of the difficulties, of the disappointments - the sadness of the realisation that life isn't going to be like some bland love-song, or some celluloid domestic fantasy - it's going to be damn hard, and it's going to leave stretch marks, and hit us in ways we'd sometimes rather the rest of the world din't see -
- but more than anything it makes the point that the truly beautiful is the remnants of those aspirations; the signs of the efort involved, the starting-over after averything goes wrong again; the sheer bloody optimism that's borne out of a real engagement with a real life.
I adore this photograph.
e |
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12/20/2005 07:45:12 PM · #56 |
As I looked through my favorites, I noticed they consist primarily of children and humor (big surprise). I love children, and especially at the ages where everything they do amazes you and everything they see amazes them. I like to think we will all be like them in heaven. It's that view primarily that compels me to choose heaven (threat of eternal torment notwithstanding). The photo above captures the essence of childhood in so many ways.
A similar one in my list - not as good technically, but the same feeling.
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12/20/2005 07:54:35 PM · #57 |
This one's by JPR, who relentlessly demonstrates the difference between photographic art and photographic dross. It wasn't a challenge entry, so has not enjoyed wide exposure yet. I therefore offer my original comments below.
Ha! Reminds me of that old story about if a tree falls & nobody's there, does it make a noise? ..... Is beauty there if we don't look at it? - that's what I'm thinking this is about. This guy can't afford the time to stand and gape at this beautiful scene right now, but the beauty's still there & he knows it, and that's just fine for him today.
Another interpretation is that our world is a wonderful place, but it is that way, and more importantly it stays that way, not because of the gushings of greenies and mystics and environmental activists, but because of the efforts of regular people who are prepared to quietly get on with making a living ... these people make it possible for the rest to stand and gape (and later complain because this guy drives to work in a truck rather than a solar-powered rickshaw).
This photograph invites all sorts of allegorical interpretations like that, as so much of your work does.
That's what makes it so terrific for me; it's a beautiful image, masterfully processed, but it's also so much more than that; it's also ABOUT something. Something thoughtful and important that the viewer cannot ignore. And that viewer has to do some thinking, too. The viewer's not a spectator, the viewer is a participant in your work. And that's what separates art from mere pretty pictures. Bravo.
P.S. Thanks, Kavey, for the first forum thread worth reading for .... for a long time. |
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12/20/2005 07:59:31 PM · #58 |
Originally posted by saintaugust:
good thread.
the mood.. the untold story. is he flying back from a patrol? is he lost? is he afraid? i can't help but think of all the young pilots sent blindly into war. i half expect to see 5 enemy planes fly out of the shroud to engage him.
it's also technically striking... a 10 for sure. |
I don't actually have this one in my fav's, but I do remember wanting to do so. I too feel exactly as you. "WHAT is going on?" comes to mind. Considering I am afraid to fly, this looks like a pilot in trouble, however, I try to think of it from an air show. LOL....I haven't really checked out the details of the photo, but just love the tones, the textures, and everything about it.
EDITED TO ADD: OK, good, it is from an air show. LOL...NICE WORK!
Rose
Message edited by author 2005-12-20 20:00:21.
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12/20/2005 08:04:15 PM · #59 |
This is my absolute favorite on this site:
Everything about it is just perfect to me. It looks like a painting. The colors are amazing. The entire landscape is amazing. This photo is actually what inspired me to seek a dslr. I WANT to do 2.5 minute shutter speeds like this. It also told me that my point and shoot isn't worth a hill o beans too, which is unfortunate..LOL..because until I saw this picture, I thought I had a pretty decent camera. BUT, if I can't do shots like this? Then as far as I am concerned, it is not a good camera. So, this is my favorite shot so far that I have seen on this site.
Rose
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12/20/2005 08:13:01 PM · #60 |
After all this time, this photo remains one of my all-time favorites. Why? Because of the seeming simplicity of it.. but if you know anything about children at all, you know that this is almost a once-in-a-lifetime pose and shot. To get this, and then have the ability to process it into something a little extra special.. well, that wins all kinds of accolades in my book. This was the photo that turned Parrothead into my own personal secret mentor. |
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12/20/2005 08:14:07 PM · #61 |
just a magical slice of time captured :) |
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12/20/2005 08:21:53 PM · #62 |
Ray Either has this on his portfolio, he is unsure whos it is but I cant stop looking at it. It evokes such an emotion in me that I tear up every time I look at it. From the horses in the background to the sad nature of the horse in the foreground and the lowered head of the mountie. It is just so moving to me.
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12/20/2005 08:31:57 PM · #63 |
because it doesn't look like a photograph, something not natural
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12/20/2005 08:44:37 PM · #64 |
Originally posted by lentil:
Ray Either has this on his portfolio, he is unsure whos it is but I cant stop looking at it. It evokes such an emotion in me that I tear up every time I look at it. From the horses in the background to the sad nature of the horse in the foreground and the lowered head of the mountie. It is just so moving to me.
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My guess is this image is related to the 4 RCMP officers murdered in Mayorthorpe Alberta earlier this year. Even if it isn't, it's a very moving image.
Message edited by author 2005-12-20 20:44:50. |
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12/20/2005 08:53:18 PM · #65 |
Originally posted by Artyste:
After all this time, this photo remains one of my all-time favorites. Why? Because of the seeming simplicity of it.. but if you know anything about children at all, you know that this is almost a once-in-a-lifetime pose and shot. To get this, and then have the ability to process it into something a little extra special.. well, that wins all kinds of accolades in my book. This was the photo that turned Parrothead into my own personal secret mentor. |
How much more flattered could anyone be? Thanks you SO much Glen for the thoughtfulness. I am no mentor, but I am humbled that any one of my photos touches someone that way. Thats the best reward! Happy holidays! |
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12/20/2005 09:11:27 PM · #66 |
Originally posted by cpanaioti:
Originally posted by lentil:
Ray Either has this on his portfolio, he is unsure whos it is but I cant stop looking at it. It evokes such an emotion in me that I tear up every time I look at it. From the horses in the background to the sad nature of the horse in the foreground and the lowered head of the mountie. It is just so moving to me.
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My guess is this image is related to the 4 RCMP officers murdered in Mayorthorpe Alberta earlier this year. Even if it isn't, it's a very moving image. |
The artist is Silvia Pecota, a Canadian photographer.
//www.choyasden.com/rcmp.html
Message edited by author 2005-12-20 21:30:39.
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12/20/2005 09:23:49 PM · #67 |
To me it is a once in a lifetime shot that can't be reproduced easily.
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12/20/2005 09:47:31 PM · #68 |
I love this for so many reasons. The simple message it gives of love and loss. The capture is perfect in every way. The B/W just adds to the emotion and the solemn look of the hands tells a story of sadness. Technically it is perfect as well, hence the blue ribbon :)
This one is so amazing. I love it for the lighting and the post processing is awesome, it looks like a story book pic. You can almost step inside and walk around. |
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12/20/2005 10:40:31 PM · #69 |
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12/20/2005 11:04:16 PM · #70 |
All of these are great for their own reasons. SO MANY it is uncanny that they are so wonderful.
Here is another one that I just adore. This one is by Falc. I just had to give this one a 10 as well. It was for the Dead End Challenge, and it just amazes me how some people got the shots they have for some challenges. It pays to be able to see photos that can be taken from around the world for this purpose.
Just LOOK at this! If I actually had the decor to go with this print, I would buy it in a heartbeat. Absolutely amazing. Colors, contrast, the subject matter? I mean, I really can't say enough about it.
Rose
Message edited by author 2005-12-20 23:06:04.
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12/20/2005 11:05:48 PM · #71 |
I have too many and i will post two that still ring within me.
The first fit the challenge perfectly.
The second is a poem transported to an image form.
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12/20/2005 11:06:42 PM · #72 |
As I looked down my list of favorites, I come across so many that move me for one reason or another. I love stunning landscapes & flowers as much as the next person, but the celebration of life and the human element is what it is all about for me.
Sher's timeless classic Captivated is it for me.
The eyes, the joy of innocence, the depecition of real life preserved forever, the subdued tones to further create a soothing, non-confrontational image that one can just be absorbed into. The timing of the shutter, be it luck or skill, or a combination of the two, could not be improved upon. The character portrayed speak volumes. One can sense an attitude due to the angle of her head and the look in her eyes. how could life such as this be improved upon?
I could spend a lifetime trying to capture something as perfect as this, and know I never will.
These are the moments in life that mean everything.
These are memories to be cherished.
Oh there are about another dozen or so in my favs that I could go on & on about,
but Captivated is an image I can still see, in detail, when my eyes are closed. |
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12/20/2005 11:55:06 PM · #73 |
One of my top picks:
A beautiful model to start with, and the lighting is nearly perfect. The soft light produces gentle gradations from the bright white of the window to the dark shadows. It looks like a perfectly captured candid as something (sunrise? jealous husband? or just a bird in a tree?) caught her attention.
As much as I like the image itself, it's the Photographer's Comments that put it over the top. Part of why I'm on DPChallenge is not just to look at pretty pictures, but to learn how and why they were made, from how the idea came about to how the shot was set up to the settings on the camera to the post processing steps.
It was very helpful to me to read her detailed comments, and see how much work went into making this candid-looking shot. She explains everything from how she felt taking the shot to the details of how she did it. |
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12/21/2005 12:14:17 AM · #74 |
There are a couple that I really love and go back and look at often.
The one by alfresco says a lot to me as I drive past this tree almost daily, yet never once stopped to take a photo of it. Just goes to show who has the better eye.  I still cannot believe he did not ribbon off this one.
Another of my favorites is by SJCarter - I love wateralls and being around them just feels right. This photo gives me the feeling I'm there. 
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12/21/2005 01:19:26 AM · #75 |
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