Stealing Brown Ribbons - DPChallenge Forums

04/03/2008 10:24:38 AM · #1

So what's with the images that are attempts at brown ribbons? Images that aren't images - just blank spaces. Is this to make people feel better about not hitting the rock bottom? Is a completely black or white box a photograph? or even a statement really? Is the statement new? â�¦ certainly not - it's been done countless times here and is taking away from "actual" brown ribbons. Honestly, let people have their moment in the rain â�� their 15 minutes of shame ... and maybe even an icon in their profile.

Please don't steal brown ribbons.

inshaala

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for Canon

04/03/2008 10:25:50 AM · #2

urm - lol? ;P

posthumous

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

04/03/2008 10:29:00 AM · #3

Those are interesting questions, perhaps raised purposely by the "contenders." I have another question: does competing for a brown ribbon make any less sense than competing for a blue ribbon? Competition is a gloss on communication.

bobonacus

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

04/03/2008 10:42:40 AM · #4

Personally the blank images really get on my nerves, one of my main reasons of joining this site was to learn and improve my photography, I can learn just as much from images that are better than mine as ones that are worse. I can also learn to appreciate other techniques that I may not find appealing and open my mind to new interpretations ... but a 160*160px blank square is just a total waste of time

citymars

Nikon D700

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

04/03/2008 10:44:44 AM · #5

Although

charliebaker is the current master of what might be called the "Lens Cap School" of photography,

... he has many antecedents at DPC:

While there were early attempts to redefine the genre,

it was Mr. Baker who made breakthroughs in both color and shape:

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

04/03/2008 10:45:54 AM · #6

I find this interesting, as my attempt at a brown in "Harsh Environments" was beaten out (under) by Charlie Baker's entry of a black square. Perhaps I could have still gotten it, but I think I got some high votes for the statement my shot made. It really was an awful image however. I was surprised at the work needed to make it look this bad.

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

04/03/2008 10:51:02 AM · #7

Originally posted by metatate:

I assume the opaque images are just wannabe Rothkos and give them a score on how close they come. Usually, though, I just give them a '10' for trying.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

04/03/2008 10:55:26 AM · #8

If a large group of people were competing for brown, would voting certainly change a bit assuming there was knowledge of this trend? -
Maybe then a white box (or the possibly more common black box) wouldn't get the brown ribbon since effort is usually rewarded -- or anti-rewarded, or whatever.

Originally posted by posthumous:

Message edited by author 2008-04-03 10:56:55.

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

04/03/2008 11:03:39 AM · #9

Must say that I think

was the climax of

charliebakers monochrome period;
all the follow-ups lack a bit of inspiration.

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

04/03/2008 11:04:04 AM · #10

Originally posted by sfalice:

I assume the opaque images are just wannabe Rothkos and give them a score on how close they come. Usually, though, I just give them a '10' for trying.

That must mess up Your Statistically Favorite Photographs! :-)

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/03/2008 11:04:24 AM · #11

He certainly seems to be a thief of browns. Obviously, he's capable of attaining all shades of ribbons so maybe when time is short, he uploads a brownie. I think from now on I will question the very validity of these "images" to the site counsil, forcing uploads and explanations. That will be fun.

Originally posted by citymars:

Although charliebaker is the current master of what might be called the "Lens Cap School" of photography,

silverscreen

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/03/2008 11:11:51 AM · #12

My honest opinion is that those "pictures" should DQ without hesitation.

I can't help feeling that they are just a waste of time for everybody that have to look at them and make a vote (or skip voting as I do).

Going for brown is OK by me - but at least it should be with something that can be called a photograph, like the on

yospiff entered...

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

04/03/2008 11:16:23 AM · #13

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Originally posted by sfalice:
I assume the opaque images are just wannabe Rothkos and give them a score on how close they come. Usually, though, I just give them a '10' for trying.

That must mess up Your Statistically Favorite Photographs! :-)

You know I suppose it does, if I paid attention to statistics
that would probably be important.
But I don't. So, not a problem.

Imitation Rothkos - keep 'em coming - or don't.

Ken

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/03/2008 11:44:35 AM · #14

Originally posted by silverscreen:

DQ on what grounds?

I'm annoyed by them but can't see how they'd DQ.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/03/2008 12:13:23 PM · #15

Originally posted by mad_brewer:

Originally posted by silverscreen:
My honest opinion is that those "pictures" should DQ without hesitation.

I can't help feeling that they are just a waste of time for everybody that have to look at them and make a vote (or skip voting as I do).

Going for brown is OK by me - but at least it should be with something that can be called a photograph, like the on yospiff entered...

DQ on what grounds?

I'm annoyed by them but can't see how they'd DQ.

silverscreen

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/03/2008 12:28:46 PM · #16

Originally posted by mad_brewer:

Originally posted by silverscreen:
My honest opinion is that those "pictures" should DQ without hesitation.

DQ on what grounds?

I'm annoyed by them but can't see how they'd DQ.

I know you can't - my opinion is just "wishful thinking" :-)

But I like the idea of requesting validation on those entries (who knows if if those squares are photographs at all - it would be a lot easier to just make them in PS)

JMart

Nikon D80

Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di for Nikon

04/03/2008 12:39:06 PM · #17

Originally posted by metatate:

That's sort of the purpose of this thread. I'm not saying DQ them, I'm saying that they aren't helpful to the site. Voting them down won't help. Of course most people don't like to be TOLD what to do so I'm not JUST saying "Don't submit them" ... I am trying to to say that a "pure" brown ribbon is an attempt to take a compelling photo that in the end doesn't resonate with voters and those can be more beneficial at least in my opinion.

Originally posted by mad_brewer:

Originally posted by silverscreen:
My honest opinion is that those "pictures" should DQ without hesitation.

I can't help feeling that they are just a waste of time for everybody that have to look at them and make a vote (or skip voting as I do).

Going for brown is OK by me - but at least it should be with something that can be called a photograph, like the on yospiff entered...

DQ on what grounds?

I'm annoyed by them but can't see how they'd DQ.

Brown ribbons are not officially awarded by the site anyhow, so perhaps this should be brought up with a special brown ribbon site council so they can have a special DQ for brown ribbons.

This is all really silly, but then again, perhaps one day I too may aspire to earn a brown with a good honest photo. :P

silverscreen

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/03/2008 12:50:10 PM · #18

Originally posted by JMart:

No, it's not an official award - but apparently some of the site members go through a lot of effort to get the brown - and wome of them just decide to waste everybody else's time by entering squares. And it's the second kind I'm against.

But yes - it really is silly :)

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

04/03/2008 12:50:49 PM · #19

Long history of black squares. Some day soon we might evolve to black circles who knows where that might lead.

//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suprematism

I see similar colour palettes being used in DPC entries to these early 19th century Malevich paintings. Makes me wonder how accidental it is.

White on white must be next, though you can already see that one in the Museum of Modern Art

//smarthistory.org/blog/48/48/

I like the tonal consistency of his recent entries

Message edited by author 2008-04-03 12:57:32.

Quasimojo

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

04/03/2008 12:50:52 PM · #20

I don't see why a blank frame of any colour has any value here. Brown shooting is bad enough but at least do it with proper photographic images. This is DPC, not the fraking Turner Prize :P

N

Ken

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/03/2008 12:58:35 PM · #21

What bugs me is that I give these the low vote they deserve, but then feel compelled to comment for giving a low vote. It's a waste of my time.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

04/03/2008 12:59:48 PM · #22

Originally posted by Quasimojo:

I don't see why a blank frame of any colour has any value here. Brown shooting is bad enough but at least do it with proper photographic images. This is DPC, not the fraking Turner Prize :P

N

Fair enough and all that. What's a 'proper photographic image' look like ?

far more interesting to me

04/03/2008 01:01:25 PM · #23