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09/16/2002 11:17:47 AM · #1 |
Is it possible to have a link clearly marked on the homepage which will take people to a more detailed definition of what the current challenges (both voting and photographing) actually mean? (by more detailed I mean a paragraph or two rather than the current sentence)
For example there are far too many definitions of Negative Space to please everybody. Perfectly good photos will be scored down if someone has a different opinion of the challenge. Many people could also have entered a better photo if they understood the challenge a bit more in the first place.
I know these things are often discussed in the forums but not everyone reads them and the inactive threads soon get moved off the home page.
I also accept that many challenge topics are clear enough (such as Fruit and Veg) and don't need any more explanation.
Cheers,
Tim |
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09/16/2002 11:31:33 AM · #2 |
Originally posted by timwatts:
Is it possible to have a link clearly marked on the homepage which will take people to a more detailed definition of what the current challenges (both voting and photographing) actually mean? (by more detailed I mean a paragraph or two rather than the current sentence)
For example there are far too many definitions of Negative Space to please everybody. Perfectly good photos will be scored down if someone has a different opinion of the challenge. Many people could also have entered a better photo if they understood the challenge a bit more in the first place.
I know these things are often discussed in the forums but not everyone reads them and the inactive threads soon get moved off the home page.
I also accept that many challenge topics are clear enough (such as Fruit and Veg) and don't need any more explanation.
Cheers,
Tim
In most cases, I think the less that is explained, the better. At
the bottom of all this, it is an art challenge and as such shouldn't
be defined to death but left up to the creativity of the photographer.
The fact that many people have different interpretations of negative
space might mean some people get opened up to new ways of looking at
things - not a bad outcome!
If I'd written down my one true definition of negative space, in my
opinion, and everyone had to conform to it, right or wrong - do you
think it would be a better challenge, with more interesting entries ?
I don't.
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09/16/2002 11:38:00 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by GordonMcGregor:
In most cases, I think the less that is explained, the better. At
the bottom of all this, it is an art challenge and as such shouldn't
be defined to death but left up to the creativity of the photographer.
I suppose I agree with that, the last thing we want is 200 identical photos, but why don't people like MY creativity!!!
(actually, my submission for this challenge is not very creative at all)
You've got me arguing with myself now!!
I should clarify at this point that most of the votes I've made so far have almost ignored my definition of Neg Space. If it's a good photo and I can see that the photographer has some defintion of the term themselves (even if it doesn't match mine) then they get a good rating.
Cheers,
Tim |
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09/19/2002 11:26:35 PM · #4 |
| I wanted to learn about negative space and the only place I got help was on another sight. I asked and read the forums. That helped alittle, but knowing that everyone disagreed made me change my mind. Most everyone here thinks its his way or no way. I think there are many different types of negative space. Black, white, texture, small, large, any color, light, dark ...... I could go on. We do need alittle help from drew and langdon or who ever. Not every picture will be the same if we get some help. No one seems to think alike here. I have learned so much since I joined this sight and would love to grow more, So please help! |
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09/20/2002 12:10:07 AM · #5 |
Sonja Negitive space is like a chinese puzzle. It's all those things you listed and it is the relionship between those things that make good or poor negspace picture. It's balance and tension and wight/thrust and contrast BETWEEN foreground and background. A blank or textured sky is not itself negitive space. Only if it has a relationship to the positive image -- (+) acting against (-) and visa versa --- can the background be called negative space in the artistic scence. If you can trick your eye into seeing the background as a positive shape then you are on the right track.
OH and Tim every one is invited to discuss for a whole week what is the meaning of a challenge in the forum. Most of the time it's very lively and educational. :) |
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09/20/2002 10:03:27 AM · #6 |
I think we should include some sort of definition of these technical terms as this site is for an educational purpose and there are a lot of people on this site who don't know much about photography. The moderators and the experienced photographers on this site should do their best to try to give the most open definition of a term. A good idea might be to create a tutorial on a particular subject and then give a challenge about it. Obviously the people that know the the challenge is coming would have to make a sacrafice and not post an image that week to give the other members that didn't have the luxury of extended time a chance.
There are a few pictures in this weeks challenge that did not fit my idea of negative space. But after reading a few sites it seems that my idea was too constrained.
Another thing that should be pointed out is that Photography, like all the arts, should not be looked at with eyes of a lawyer. Rules should be bent and pushed to their limit and even broken if it helps the overall composition.
* This message has been edited by the author on 9/20/2002 10:06:46 AM. |
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09/20/2002 10:31:02 AM · #7 |
i fully agree that more description would be a better thing for each challenge.
It could be explicated on a chall by chall basis.
In other words, some challenges the voters could be specifically instructed that a looser interp is ok.
On others, it might be very specific.
That way we can avoid a) all this discussion about 'what does the challenge really mean?'
and b) avoid sour grapes ..
it's not like a few extra words are going to use up much bandwidth, ya know :P
Originally posted by timwatts:
Is it possible to have a link clearly marked on the homepage which will take people to a more detailed definition of what the current challenges (both voting and photographing) actually mean? (by more detailed I mean a paragraph or two rather than the current sentence)
For example there are far too many definitions of Negative Space to please everybody. Perfectly good photos will be scored down if someone has a different opinion of the challenge. Many people could also have entered a better photo if they understood the challenge a bit more in the first place.
I know these things are often discussed in the forums but not everyone reads them and the inactive threads soon get moved off the home page.
I also accept that many challenge topics are clear enough (such as Fruit and Veg) and don't need any more explanation.
Cheers,
Tim
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09/20/2002 11:11:07 AM · #8 |
| It seems to me that the challenge definitions are loosely worded to give the artist the most room to interpret the challenge. Voters should (but aren't required to) vote accordingly... |
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09/20/2002 12:09:40 PM · #9 |
| It doesn't matter how broad the definition is. There are still folks who don't have a clue.This sight is for learning and getting better, right. Then they should have something to help us loosers out. |
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09/20/2002 12:38:32 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by aelith:
Sonja Negitive space is like a chinese puzzle. It's all those things you listed and it is the relionship between those things that make good or poor negspace picture. It's balance and tension and wight/thrust and contrast BETWEEN foreground and background. A blank or textured sky is not itself negitive space. Only if it has a relationship to the positive image -- (+) acting against (-) and visa versa --- can the background be called negative space in the artistic scence. If you can trick your eye into seeing the background as a positive shape then you are on the right track.
I had never heard of negative space before this challenge, but put a great deal of time learning what it was. I think aelith's description above is a great summary for everything I learned about what negative space is.
* This message has been edited by the author on 9/20/2002 12:37:43 PM.
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