Symbolic Still Life - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/08/2011 02:00:05 PM · #26

I leave for my trip tomorrow so I don't think I am going to have time to enter this one. Sad :( I was looking forward to it. Good luck to everyone who participates, it will be interesting to see the results.

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

06/08/2011 04:18:31 PM · #27

Originally posted by vawendy:

The problem is: I think in cliches. I'm not quite sure how to break out of the mold. I know what theme I want to do.

I miss DPL for this sort of thing. This is the type of challenge where it would be incredibly helpful to have a small group of people throwing ideas around. I have my theme. I have a couple of ideas, and I know they're all trite. Yet I'd love to do my theme. It would be nice to sit down and discuss how to move more out of the box. How to get edgier and avoid the cliches. That's the type of learning I need to do. Yet, I'm not sure how to get there. If your mind doesn't work that way -- how do you force it to?

Hmmmm...I'm wondering what emotive theme you are going come up with to align a more universal collection of objects to create an effective allegory. I don't have a clue about still life composition, but I know that you will come up with something good for this challenge because you think in exquisite detail.

Good Luck Wendy!

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

06/08/2011 04:49:27 PM · #28

Originally posted by hihosilver:

Originally posted by vawendy:
The problem is: I think in cliches. I'm not quite sure how to break out of the mold. I know what theme I want to do.

I miss DPL for this sort of thing. This is the type of challenge where it would be incredibly helpful to have a small group of people throwing ideas around. I have my theme. I have a couple of ideas, and I know they're all trite. Yet I'd love to do my theme. It would be nice to sit down and discuss how to move more out of the box. How to get edgier and avoid the cliches. That's the type of learning I need to do. Yet, I'm not sure how to get there. If your mind doesn't work that way -- how do you force it to?

Hmmmm...I'm wondering what emotive theme you are going come up with to align a more universal collection of objects to create an effective allegory. I don't have a clue about still life composition, but I know that you will come up with something good for this challenge because you think in exquisite detail.

Good Luck Wendy!

haha! Exquisite detail? Have you noticed that my still lifes usually one have one or two things in them? I can't arrange things. :)

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

06/08/2011 05:11:45 PM · #29

Wendy, please improve your math skills count all the objects in these photos (include in the leaves of the flower, please!).

If any of your numbers equals 1 or 2...please go immediately to sick bay for an eye exam...or allow me to finish that last bottle of wine for you...;-)

p.s.

Does "still life" imply a complexity in arrangement? When is less NOT more?

Hmmmm...obviously, I will not be entering this challenge. Too many un-answered questions for my brain...;-)

Message edited by author 2011-06-08 17:19:12.

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

06/08/2011 05:21:25 PM · #30

Originally posted by hihosilver:

I forgot about the basket! The vase and the flower are two things -- sorry! Notice the orange one isn't arranged well, and the eggs are just equally spaced -- not too difficult, so it doesn't count. I am proud of the peaches and the onions, though!

Still life doesn't involved complexity. But I'm wondering if it needs to be more complex to tell a story...

But then again, I'm still trying to wrap my mind around this one, because it intrigues me.

Beetle

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/08/2011 05:30:17 PM · #31

Originally posted by EL-ROI:

.. to spread the vision of your meaning is to be able to have a paragraph explaining it ...

I love this idea - it would add so much understanding and enjoyment when you "get it" the way the photographer intended it.

We would all get good practice at viewing things from angles other than our own.

06/08/2011 05:30:22 PM · #32

Well, is this a case of fitting objects to an allegory or the other way around?

Anyways, let me know when you figure it all out...I'll buy your book!!!

;-D

RayEthier

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

06/08/2011 05:34:22 PM · #33

Originally posted by Beetle:

Originally posted by EL-ROI:
.. to spread the vision of your meaning is to be able to have a paragraph explaining it ...

I love this idea - it would add so much understanding and enjoyment when you "get it" the way the photographer intended it.

We would all get good practice at viewing things from angles other than our own.

Great proposal here as it might enlighten those of us who truly do not have a clue as to this proposed genre.

It is only after we have been duly informed of the intent ot the creator that we can pound the crap out of it with our low votes. :O)

Seriously, I do really like this proposal... it does have all kinds of potential.

Ray

Message edited by author 2011-06-08 17:35:26.

06/08/2011 05:36:06 PM · #34

Originally posted by Beetle:

This idea brings to my mind the dilemma of connecting personal objects of symbolism to a universal audience. For those without the benefit of the same or similar experience the objects invoke, the story will remain a mystery. However, I disagree about the paragraph idea.

The image should speak for itself.

MinsoPhoto

Canon EOS-7D

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

06/08/2011 05:38:00 PM · #35

I have an idea I will try and shoot for although I am not sure if it will fit in the voters ideas on what this challenge will be. I am no less educated with these links so I think I will just stick with my instinct and let the chips fall where they may.

snaffles

Nikon D7100

06/08/2011 05:48:36 PM · #36

Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by bspurgeon:

Originally posted by vawendy:
I think it's an incredibly cool idea -- however, I think it's going to be difficult. In looking through the examples listed, some were incredibly cool and I loved the symbolism. But I didn't understand it until reading their descriptions. Most things were symbolic because of their own experiences that others couldn't understand by seeing.

I don't think you NEED to see to understand. Art can not be appreciated by limiting ourselves to just the visual experience.

No... But I want this to be different, somehow, than a normal still life challenge.

I could enter something like this, and say it was an allegory for marriage. The one pear in the lime (pear?) light, and the other pushed behind.

But it's not. It's two pears. Somehow the image needs to speak to us, and I'm finding it interesting wondering how you do that...

Can't agree more. And to loosely quote Sigmund Freud, 'Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar'.

geinafets

Canon EOS-50D

06/08/2011 09:06:35 PM · #37

Even though I suggested this one, I'm not 100% sure I'll enter. I suggested it because I thought the great minds here would be able to come up with some incredible images. I can't wait to see them.

Even if I don't enter, I am going to shoot for the challenge. I figured I'd throw out my planning process in case it helps someone else who might not know where to start. Not that I'm an expert by any means, but I think it's almost always good to throw ideas around.

So I'm not sure what my message is going to be yet, but I've started by listing some vague-ish themes, then making a list of items, locations, and adjectives that are somehow associated with that theme.

For example, under the word "riches," I have listed things like pearls, jewels, polished wooden furniture, china, crystal, tea parties, castles, tapestries, caviar, sparkly, purple, gold, Renaissance, Greek/Roman architecture, etc.

For some of the themes, I have only short lists, but for others, I have really long ones. Listing items will give me a subject, listing locations will give me a background, and listing adjectives will either help me select the subject items or will help me decide how I want to edit. I'm noticing contradictions, complements, and other inter-play between the subjects, hoping that this will spark the formation of some kind of cool message that I can use. I figure that eventually something will jump out at me and click : )

RayEthier

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

06/09/2011 04:57:22 AM · #38

Originally posted by hihosilver:

The image should speak for itself.

...and that is a wonderful premise, but it rarely happens. If it did, everyone would fully comprehend the intent and message contained in the Posthumous type images, but sadly such is not the case.

Ray

rooum

06/09/2011 06:41:32 AM · #39

Originally posted by RayEthier:

Originally posted by hihosilver:

The image should speak for itself.

...and that is a wonderful premise, but it rarely happens. If it did, everyone would fully comprehend the intent and message contained in the Posthumous type images, but sadly such is not the case.

Ray

Ray, i think you are, to a certain extent, misunderstanding why some people enjoy Posthumous type images. It's the exact opposite to fully comprehending the intent and message of the photographer or artist a lot of the time in that the images are open enough for the viewer to divine their own intent and message. That's what i enjoy about them anyway. Others will disagree i'm sure.

As to the idea of having to write a paragraph to explain our photos. Urgh. No thanks. Even a four year old kid understands that a picture can stand on its own. Honestly, with all due respect, i think it's an awful idea. Is our photography so lame it needs crutches?

Leica 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario Elmar-T ASPH

06/09/2011 07:34:24 AM · #40

Originally posted by clive_patric_nolan:

... It's the exact opposite to fully comprehending the intent and message of the photographer or artist a lot of the time in that the images are open enough for the viewer to divine their own intent and message. That's what i enjoy about them anyway.

Clive...more pure poetry...::beams::

MAK

Leica M Monochrom

06/09/2011 11:53:59 AM · #41

So a collection of inanimate objects thrown together in an artsy manner will symbolise madness or boredom or maybe not. I am so entering this.

UrfaK

Canon EOS-650/T4i Rebel

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/09/2011 12:36:06 PM · #42

Tried it out today and holy macaroni I sucketh at creating good lighting. I think I'm going to wait for the results and badger everyone for their lighting setups.

rooum

06/09/2011 12:54:50 PM · #43

Originally posted by hihosilver:

Originally posted by clive_patric_nolan:
... It's the exact opposite to fully comprehending the intent and message of the photographer or artist a lot of the time in that the images are open enough for the viewer to divine their own intent and message. That's what i enjoy about them anyway.

Clive...more pure poetry...::beams::

The fact that Mae finds poetry in my semi coherent ramblings illustrates my point perfectly! :)

bspurgeon

Fujifilm x100

06/09/2011 01:49:57 PM · #44

Originally posted by clive_patric_nolan:

Originally posted by hihosilver:

Originally posted by clive_patric_nolan:
... It's the exact opposite to fully comprehending the intent and message of the photographer or artist a lot of the time in that the images are open enough for the viewer to divine their own intent and message. That's what i enjoy about them anyway.

Clive...more pure poetry...::beams::

The fact that Mae finds poetry in my semi coherent ramblings illustrates my point perfectly! :)

Although I can't beam like Mae, your point is well taken, and I share that perspective. To a degree, Ray is correct as well. This divergent opinion demonstrates the differences in how individuals experience art in any form. I suppose the only absolute is that it can not be absolute.

06/09/2011 01:58:38 PM · #45

Originally posted by bspurgeon:

Where Clive is the eternal poet...you are the diplomat extraordinaire...lol

bspurgeon

Fujifilm x100

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

06/09/2011 02:19:09 PM · #46

Originally posted by hihosilver:

Originally posted by bspurgeon:
Although I can't beam like Mae, your point is well taken, and I share that perspective. To a degree, Ray is correct as well. This divergent opinion demonstrates the differences in how individuals experience art in any form. I suppose the only absolute is that it can not be absolute.

Where Clive is the eternal poet...you are the diplomat extraordinaire...lol

Ha! You are mostly correct but not quite wrong! ;) To be honest, Ray is too often the lonely counterpoint with this topic in general. It's grown on me as a completely valid perspective. BTW, can you put that diplomacy bit in writing and send it to my wife? It may get me downgraded a notch from stubborn mule!

tnun

Ricoh GR III

06/09/2011 02:50:06 PM · #47

I am quite taken with Ray's suggestion that on being fully informed of the photographer's intention we beat the crap out of it with votes. Hmn. Could that be a challenge suggestion.

06/09/2011 03:41:37 PM · #48

Originally posted by bspurgeon:

...BTW, can you put that diplomacy bit in writing and send it to my wife? It may get me downgraded a notch from stubborn mule!

Alas, do you suffer from that incurable male trait?! My sympathy to your poor wife...;-)

I'm not disagreeing with Ray...only with his opinion!

gattamarta

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.0 USM

06/13/2011 12:27:26 PM · #49

I have what seems to me to be quite a good idea for this challenge, but I won't be able to shoot before the deadline.

Anyone looking for inspiration, send me a PM.

Neat

Canon Canon 1d x Mark II