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07/07/2011 09:12:16 PM · #26 |
| It would be nice if they did one a month or every other week. By the end of a couple of months we would each have a very nice abstract gallery. |
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04/22/2012 11:30:31 PM · #27 |
| Time for a bump. Unless it was done and I missed it. |
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06/18/2012 07:18:43 AM · #28 |
Originally posted by amsterdamman:
For those who like to explore the artistic use of the camera, a series of Abstract: Challenges.
Such as -
Abstract: Nature
Abstract: Black and White
Abstract: Emotion (or sadness, joy, peaceful etc...)
Abstract: Color (Blue, sepia, etc...)
Abstract: Landscape
The idea would be create an artistic interpretation vs a regular tack sharp in-the-box shot.
Having seen so many of these shots here, I thought a type of challenge that celebrates the style would do well. |
Okay, well, I see this is the source of the abstract series. My challenge entry in b&w abstract was killed by voters. Now I see why. It would have been helpful if someone would have referenced this challenge description for those of us who don't have the time to sit on the site 24/7 watching for every nuance.
So, I can only assume that for the most recent nature abstract challenge, voters will demand an image which is "an artistic interpretation vs a regular tack sharp in-the-box shot". That is perfectly okay to require, but it should have been said in the challenge description. There are abstract images which can be in focus, but evidently will not be welcomed for this concept. Would have been better communication if this had been referenced somewhere. And, therefore, I will skip participation. Good luck and best wishes to those who decide to participate. |
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06/18/2012 07:30:10 AM · #29 |
Originally posted by hahn23:
So, I can only assume that for the most recent nature abstract challenge, voters will demand an image which is "an artistic interpretation vs a regular tack sharp in-the-box shot". That is perfectly okay to require, but it should have been said in the challenge description. There are abstract images which can be in focus, but evidently will not be welcomed for this concept. Would have been better communication if this had been referenced somewhere. And, therefore, I will skip participation. Good luck and best wishes to those who decide to participate. |
My Black and White Abstract was in focus and was of recognisable objects in a recognisable scene scene and it came 19th with a good amount of comments and four favourites. A good result for me. I hadn't seen this thread or read these descriptions either. I'd say, just enter if you enjoyed the challenge and photography and don't worry about the voters. |
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06/18/2012 07:53:16 AM · #30 |
Originally posted by rooum:
Originally posted by hahn23:
So, I can only assume that for the most recent nature abstract challenge, voters will demand an image which is "an artistic interpretation vs a regular tack sharp in-the-box shot". That is perfectly okay to require, but it should have been said in the challenge description. There are abstract images which can be in focus, but evidently will not be welcomed for this concept. Would have been better communication if this had been referenced somewhere. And, therefore, I will skip participation. Good luck and best wishes to those who decide to participate. |
My Black and White Abstract was in focus and was of recognisable objects in a recognisable scene scene and it came 19th with a good amount of comments and four favourites. A good result for me. I hadn't seen this thread or read these descriptions either. I'd say, just enter if you enjoyed the challenge and photography and don't worry about the voters. |
Of course, you are right. Congratulations on your b&w abstract finish. Well done! |
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06/18/2012 08:14:58 AM · #31 |
I understand your frustration, Richard. I've had many challenges where I thought my photo fit the challenge description perfectly, only to be DNMCd over and over again. But if you look at the b&w abstract challenge, the entire front page was spot on, in focus. People weren't voting according to this description. (actually, I like this description, because of the whole "if you recognize it, it's not abstract" debate. Abstract, imo, is just a different way of looking at things. Out of the box type of thinking.)
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06/18/2012 08:25:38 AM · #32 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
I understand your frustration, Richard. I've had many challenges where I thought my photo fit the challenge description perfectly, only to be DNMCd over and over again. But if you look at the b&w abstract challenge, the entire front page was spot on, in focus. People weren't voting according to this description. (actually, I like this description, because of the whole "if you recognize it, it's not abstract" debate. Abstract, imo, is just a different way of looking at things. Out of the box type of thinking.) |
All magnificent images, as you said. True enough that my brain is not wired for out-of-the-box type artistic creations. I'm much more of a photographer who likes to document. Not very creative, nor artistic, am I. It will be less frustratiing if I leave the abstract stuff to those who can visualize those things with their "mind's eye". |
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06/18/2012 08:36:46 AM · #33 |
Originally posted by hahn23:
True enough that my brain is not wired for out-of-the-box type artistic creations. I'm much more of a photographer who likes to document. Not very creative, nor artistic, am I. It will be less frustratiing if I leave the abstract stuff to those who can visualize those things with their "mind's eye". |
Nothing wrong with a bit of experimenting. It's whether you enjoy it is the thing, nether mind what the voters think. If you find it too frustrating then give it a miss. As you say, you are a very specific type of photographer and, in my opinion, one of the best photographers on the site because of it. I may be mostly entrenched in the out of the box/posthumous type side of DPC but i still very much admire and appreciate your own art.
Message edited by author 2012-06-18 08:36:58. |
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06/18/2012 09:05:08 AM · #34 |
Originally posted by hahn23:
Originally posted by vawendy:
I understand your frustration, Richard. I've had many challenges where I thought my photo fit the challenge description perfectly, only to be DNMCd over and over again. But if you look at the b&w abstract challenge, the entire front page was spot on, in focus. People weren't voting according to this description. (actually, I like this description, because of the whole "if you recognize it, it's not abstract" debate. Abstract, imo, is just a different way of looking at things. Out of the box type of thinking.) |
All magnificent images, as you said. True enough that my brain is not wired for out-of-the-box type artistic creations. I'm much more of a photographer who likes to document. Not very creative, nor artistic, am I. It will be less frustratiing if I leave the abstract stuff to those who can visualize those things with their "mind's eye". |
I'm the same type of photographer, and I know exactly what you mean. I enjoy the documentary and the abstract is so out of my realm. If you're not interested, feel free to ignore this. I'm not trying to talk you into anything. But since we're the same type of photographer, I thought I'd stick my nose in here. :)
When your brain just doesn't work in an abstract way (like mine), I go looking for what interests me in other people's abstracts, and try to work with that. There are some truly awesome motion blur nature shots, those are fun to play with. This is our type of challenge -- if we need to play around with abstract, we might as well do it with a subject that we enjoy. Your nature shots are so wonderful, I bet if you start playing with some different techniques, you could get some incredible abstract nature shots.
I keep trying to remember to mix it up whenever I go shooting, but I always forget. But look at This shot from 1x. It's so incredible! It would be fun to be able to add shots like this to my portfolio. It would be fun if you and I make a pact: whenever we go out shooting wildlife, we need to also try some abstract shots, as long as we're out there anyway.
If nothing else, the experimenting with abstract has really helped me to appreciate other people's abstracts more. It may not be my thing, but I'm beginning to really love other people's work because of my experimentation.
Ok -- this was really a rambling post, and I'm not even going to proof read it, because I'll probably just end up deleting it if I do. So there it is. :)
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06/18/2012 09:16:17 AM · #35 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
... It would be fun if you and I make a pact: whenever we go out shooting wildlife, we need to also try some abstract shots, as long as we're out there anyway. .... |
Okay, I'm headed out to Upper Beaver Meadows now. I'll take your bet and "mix it up". I'll keep an open mind. (Will the voters do the same?) |
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06/18/2012 09:23:59 AM · #36 |
Originally posted by hahn23:
Originally posted by vawendy:
... It would be fun if you and I make a pact: whenever we go out shooting wildlife, we need to also try some abstract shots, as long as we're out there anyway. .... |
Okay, I'm headed out to Upper Beaver Meadows now. I'll take your bet and "mix it up". I'll keep an open mind. (Will the voters do the same?) |
Probably not. :)
But, seriously, this type of challenge we're doing more for ourselves and expanding our repertoire. If we tell ourselves that often enough, we might actually believe it. :)
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06/18/2012 09:32:08 AM · #37 |
| I love abstracts and sometimes even come up with a good one.... usually not when it's called for though. Have fun! |
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06/18/2012 09:32:57 AM · #38 |
| Go for it Richard, i never shoot abstract and nearly all my shots are in focus, I enjoyed the last abstract challenge though and even if I didn't do well, the fact that it forced me to try something different was in itself worth it. |
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06/18/2012 09:59:41 AM · #39 |
I love abstracts, and am enjoying this run of abstract challenges we are having, should be more of them. I've already got my shot in, but no doubt I will change it, as I already have 3 other shots I quite like. My biggest problem is I always enter the wrong one!!!
Or maybe you just don't like my style !! |
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06/18/2012 10:04:09 AM · #40 |
@ hahn23 - Natural Abstract!
These are just a couple of extreme crops from some other nature shots in my files... I think it works. Find the light, shape, form, movement, etc. of nature and capture it up close and personal.
Message edited by author 2012-06-18 10:05:58. |
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06/18/2012 10:06:42 AM · #41 |
Originally posted by jagar:
Go for it Richard, i never shoot abstract and nearly all my shots are in focus, I enjoyed the last abstract challenge though and even if I didn't do well, the fact that it forced me to try something different was in itself worth it. |
Yes, I'll put in a good effort on this one. I think one of the problems with this kind of challenge is that some voters have retained the misconception that for an image to be an abstract, it must be an unrecognizable subject. That is not the case. Certainly a subject can be recognized AND be an abstract capture. Those image parameters are not mutually exclusive. vawendy's 1x example above is a good example illustrating my point. |
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06/18/2012 10:09:48 AM · #42 |
 by  vawendy Red ribbon in Abstract with People.
Just goes to show what you can do when you move outside the box. And you're a supremely talented photographer to begin with! :-) |
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06/18/2012 10:32:23 AM · #43 |
IMO the abstract in this comp is created by the elements of the comp--all 'real' all in focus, but in combination they create an abstract. And read the notes you put on this image--the elements in the comp represent abstract ideas, & the story itself describes a mind thinking about a way out of the box. IMO the abstract is a strong element in every shot you take. JMO, though.
More opinion--photography is by its very nature abstract because the photographer must make a choice to abstract a moment & trap it out of context forever. Each individual's knowledge of reality must be abstract because it's impossible to be alive (& sane) without making choices.
It's easier to appreciate the abstract qualities in some shots, especially the ones that emphasize the elements of composition rather than the subject of the composition. |
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06/18/2012 10:37:37 AM · #44 |
This one celebrates the elements of composition (line, shape, color), & moves the eye around the comp in a most pleasing & relaxing way.
Both shots from  jagar & melethia placed highly in voting. IMO the voters can see & appreciate the abstract, even if they do suffer from the misapprehension that abstract=unrecognizeable. All is not lost.
Message edited by author 2012-06-18 10:38:28. |
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06/18/2012 10:46:19 AM · #45 |
 .  . 
These shots of mine became more abstract during PP.
Please forgive so many posts to this thread. I love abstract & have been enjoying the abstract challenges very much. Hope the abstract theme continues!
Message edited by author 2012-06-18 10:53:59. |
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06/18/2012 12:55:44 PM · #46 |
Originally posted by pixelpig:
IMO the abstract in this comp is created by the elements of the comp--all 'real' all in focus, but in combination they create an abstract. And read the notes you put on this image--the elements in the comp represent abstract ideas, & the story itself describes a mind thinking about a way out of the box. IMO the abstract is a strong element in every shot you take. JMO, though.
More opinion--photography is by its very nature abstract because the photographer must make a choice to abstract a moment & trap it out of context forever. Each individual's knowledge of reality must be abstract because it's impossible to be alive (& sane) without making choices.
It's easier to appreciate the abstract qualities in some shots, especially the ones that emphasize the elements of composition rather than the subject of the composition. |
Ah, that's an impressive attempt to tackle this idea of abstraction, which comes from the Latin for "to draw away from." At first, I thought you were confusing "abstraction" with "composition," but I think what you're really saying is that emphasis on composition is a form of abstraction, because it "draws you away from" the subject(s) of the photo.
More controversial is your idea that jagar's allegorical elements are a form of abstraction, since allegory brings you *toward* the subjects of the photo... or does it? The subjects become symbols of something else, and thus they are less "themselves." I think this is a literary form of abstraction, rather than a visual form of abstraction. This is why "realists" and "naturalists" hated allegory and symbolism, they preferred the "concrete" to the "abstract." |
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06/18/2012 12:57:52 PM · #47 |
Related to what Don said, it's worth remembering that the core idea of "abstraction" is to "reduce a thing to its essentials". Seen that way, Jagar's composition is (as Don says) too literary, too "flowery" perhaps, to really qualify as an abstraction, but Deb's fish tail is a very nice abstraction...
Message edited by author 2012-06-18 13:26:09.
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06/18/2012 01:09:22 PM · #48 |
Agreed that melethia's image is a fine abstract presentation.
Please help me understand why my abstract b&w image received so many DNMC votes. (Obviously inferior on many fronts, but I actually thought this was abstract. And, was very surprised to finish right near the bottom of that abstract challenge.)
This is for educational purposes, so you need not be kind. Please cut to the chase. I'm willing to open my mind here, but am obviously confused. As I shoot for the next abstract challenge, it would be nice to have some kind of guidance. |
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06/18/2012 01:29:04 PM · #49 |
Originally posted by hahn23:
Please help me understand why my abstract b&w image received so many DNMC votes. (Obviously inferior on many fronts, but I actually thought this was abstract. And, was very surprised to finish right near the bottom of that abstract challenge.)
This is for educational purposes, so you need not be kind. Please cut to the chase. I'm willing to open my mind here, but am obviously confused. As I shoot for the next abstract challenge, it would be nice to have some kind of guidance. |
The "subject" is a bird. You see the whole bird. Nothing "abstract" about it. That the BACKGROUND might be seen as an abstraction of form & light is neither here nor there; the same could be said of MANY different BGs in otherwise-straightforward nature photography.
That's my take on it, anyway.
R.
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06/18/2012 01:33:09 PM · #50 |
You're potentially on the right track... however, my first impression of the image was "wow, that bird looks like one of those rocks" without reading the title. Which I believe is the opposite of what you want in an abstract. An abstract of the same image (I played around with it a bit in PS, only playing with cropping) could have been cropped right below the neck/beak, cutting off the tail feathers, and leaving some of the bird's shadow on the left. That way you are emphasizing the bird's chest, the rocks behind it, and the interesting lines that the legs and shadow create. I think that's the essence of abstract to me... an image that is visually interesting, creative, and brings something different to the table.
I am a nobody when it comes to this stuff, but that's just another view...
Message edited by author 2012-06-18 13:34:41. |
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