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01/07/2016 11:23:56 AM · #1 |
Ok -- I despise the phrase "eye candy", but for lack of anything better I'll use it here.
I got to see voting in action.
OMG, it was annoying!
About a month ago, I started a thread asking people if they had any feedback as to which photographs I should enter into a new photography exhibit/competition. There was a people's choice award which, because of the few people that stopped by, really was a "how many friends do you have here" award. But it gave me the chance to see how people bothered to look at photographs. The walked down the aisle and scanned. Most people didn't even bother to stop moving in front of anyone's table. Every once in awhile someone would stop and comment. But for the most part, it was a moving scan.
However, when I did the rounds, I did the same thing. I did stop. I tried to find something nice to say about at least one of their photos. But it really was a moving scan.
It was an eye opener. I felt guilty about it later when I was annoyed that other people wouldn't even find 30 seconds to pause to look. But the more I thought about it, there were so many things I'd already seen, even when I stopped a little longer to look, I already knew what I was seeing. There wasn't much of a reason to sit and contemplate a macro of a grasshopper. Been there, done that, bought the shirt.
You need to have some sort of lure; something to draw people in and make them want to look more. It's the candy. drugs maybe? snausages? Our lives are too busy and too complicated to want to spend time on something that just isn't interesting.
Luckily, people like different types of candy. Why black licorice was ever invented, I'll never know. Anything sweet with coconut should be banned. (I like savory coconut dishes, though). If you have chocolate, you should always put peanut butter on it.
What DPC has taught me was to look further at a couple of candies that I knew existed, but didn't really bother trying. Abstracts, for one. I would do a quick scan and move on. Now I know to savor them a bit longer and notice the complex flavors.
Currently the things that lure me in are:
1. Animals -- I must admit it. I've seen them over and over again, but there's a joy that comes with them. Life's to short to give up your joys simply because you've seen them before. However, done in an interesting way, they're more sweet.
2. Abstracts -- they intrigue me. I look longer at these than most photos, simply because I'm trying to teach myself. Now that I'm liking a good chunk of them, why do I like them? Why don't I like others? It's the old adage of commenting helping you more than the photographer. It's a way to really start discovering yourself in ways you hadn't before.
Ok, this is getting a little dull now. You don't need to really know my likes and dislikes.
The purpose of this thread is that the "All is Calm" challenge is really testing me. There are pictures that I don't see as calm on first glance. Even on second glance. Yet all of the sudden, I see what the photographer is trying to say. (or what I think he/she is trying to say). Does that make it more calm all of the sudden? Is it not, because it still doesn't "say" calm to me? Yet the pull of the two is getting even more interesting.
I've always prided myself on trying to be open minded on voting, but it usually came down to "does it speak to me" (whether or not it said irritating things!).
This year I'm going to try looking a little deeper and trying to figure out if it speaks at all. Even if it doesn't speak to me.
So lets figure out how to draw someone in for that second look. It doesn't have to be candy, but it should at least be steak, lobster, homemade ice cream, beautifully done brussel sprouts, but canned green beans just isn't going to do it!
Now back to our regularly scheduled life.
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01/07/2016 01:12:04 PM · #2 |
| Excellent post. Clap, clap! |
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01/07/2016 01:24:07 PM · #3 |
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01/07/2016 02:07:10 PM · #4 |
| Well said Wendy. It's the life and effort you put into the viewing that matters. |
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01/07/2016 02:14:50 PM · #5 |
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01/07/2016 02:28:09 PM · #6 |
Your squirrels kill me and your pears drive me around the bend but here all is just.
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01/07/2016 04:38:37 PM · #7 |
You said Wendy:
You need to have some sort of lure; something to draw people in and make them want to look more.
But it's surely NOT the eye candy - with very few exceptions in which the general taste coincides with a search of a deeper meaning (see some of Andrew Wyeth work for instance).
I remember reading a post where [user]youspiff[/user]  Yo_Spiff said that the most constructive comment that he ever had was in form of a question: "why are you showing this to me". Just perfect. It must be a reason why we show a picture when we post it here or anywhere.
I did what you encouraged us to do and voted on the "all is calm" challenge - had every good intention to make comments and I did for the 3 first images and then I got so boredâ€Â¦.
Why is it that in some challenges there are great images and in the others there are just devoiced-of-meaning sunsets and such, more often than not just meeting the challenge.
Message edited by author 2016-01-07 16:40:40. |
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01/07/2016 05:20:30 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by mariuca:
You said Wendy:
You need to have some sort of lure; something to draw people in and make them want to look more.
But it's surely NOT the eye candy - with very few exceptions in which the general taste coincides with a search of a deeper meaning (see some of Andrew Wyeth work for instance).
I remember reading a post where [user]youspiff[/user] Yo_Spiff said that the most constructive comment that he ever had was in form of a question: "why are you showing this to me". Just perfect. It must be a reason why we show a picture when we post it here or anywhere.
I did what you encouraged us to do and voted on the "all is calm" challenge - had every good intention to make comments and I did for the 3 first images and then I got so boredâ€Â¦.
Why is it that in some challenges there are great images and in the others there are just devoiced-of-meaning sunsets and such, more often than not just meeting the challenge. |
I have a comment on your last sentence, but I can't make it until after rollover tonight. It's something that's actually confusing me a bit. So I need to remember to go back to this thread tomorrow.
And it was the first three images that came up in all is calm that intrigued me. I also tried looking at things in the new way, and I also got bored stiff. But perhaps that's what calm is? Boredom? :) |
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01/07/2016 06:10:24 PM · #9 |
| Calm is an emotion. Impossible to take a picture of 'calm.' You can only try to evoke or suggest calm. That means of course not everyone will agree with you. |
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01/07/2016 06:24:24 PM · #10 |
I have found the same thing, after a while, all the perfect wow factor shots I have seen before. I think they need to be rewarded worth a positive vote, but they don't get my highest anymore (actually not, for quite some time).
I will often give an 8 or above to something that I know will flounder at the bottom of the challenge, but something about it makes me stop and look over it longer. That is worth some extra pointage to me.
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01/07/2016 07:48:48 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
So lets figure out how to draw someone in for that second look.
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I think that is Brilliant Wendy!
Message edited by author 2016-01-07 19:49:02. |
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01/07/2016 10:04:05 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by pixelpig:
Calm is an emotion. |
Well, that's ONE definition of calm, sure. Another, more concrete definition, is "an absence of wind". Still, I agree with you "calm" is an emotion too, but I disagree it's impossible to "photograph" it.
Message edited by author 2016-01-07 22:58:04. |
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01/07/2016 10:49:11 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by pixelpig:
Calm is an emotion. |
Well, that's ONE definition of calm, sure. Another, more concrete definition, is "an absence of wind". Still, I agree with you calm" is an emotion too, but I disagree it's impossible to "photograph" it. |
Well there are at least 63 photographers who agree with you, Robert. I look forward to finding your entry after rollover. |
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01/08/2016 05:58:14 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
beautifully done brussel sprouts |
I think I found my new phrase for most atrocious oxymoron!
I *HATE* brussels sprouts!!! LOL!!!
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01/08/2016 06:04:25 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
Originally posted by vawendy:
beautifully done brussel sprouts |
I think I found my new phrase for most atrocious oxymoron!
I *HATE* brussels sprouts!!! LOL!!! |
You need to go to our local restaurant -- have then roasted with balsamic and bits of bacon. Oh my -- they're awesome |
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01/08/2016 06:56:59 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
Originally posted by vawendy:
beautifully done brussel sprouts |
I think I found my new phrase for most atrocious oxymoron!
I *HATE* brussels sprouts!!! LOL!!! |
You need to go to our local restaurant -- have then roasted with balsamic and bits of bacon. Oh my -- they're awesome |
Come back up and visit us again on the Cape. We'll give you Brussels Sprouts to die for. Turnips too! And Rutabaga! YOU bring the Scrapple, eh? |
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01/08/2016 07:09:29 PM · #17 |
| You know, there is a gene variation whereby some people almost inevitably experience distasteful bitter flavors when eating cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, etc) -- it's not really their fault they don't like them. And over-cooking them can release sulfurous compounds which most people find unpleasant ... |
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01/08/2016 08:06:20 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
You know, there is a gene variation whereby some people almost inevitably experience distasteful bitter flavors when eating cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, etc) -- it's not really their fault they don't like them. And over-cooking them can release sulfurous compounds which most people find unpleasant ... |
I like broccoli & cabbage...8~)
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01/08/2016 08:11:34 PM · #19 |
| scrapple? who gots scrapple? |
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01/08/2016 11:39:44 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by tnun:
scrapple? who gots scrapple? |
Jeb & Vivi live in Scrapple Central, USA :-) |
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01/09/2016 10:32:31 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by tnun:
scrapple? who gots scrapple? |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Jeb & Vivi live in Scrapple Central, USA :-) |
And sausage central, and potato chip central, and venison central, and apple butter central, and Lebanon bologna, and spaetzels, and chicken & waffles, and ham & green beans, and pot pie, and red beet eggs, and.....don't forget....Philadelphia cheese steaks!
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01/09/2016 10:51:30 AM · #22 |
Hey, getting back on topic a little here.....it seems to me that one of the great points about this site is that you can go about your research/learning/observations/perspective checks in so many different ways. It really just depends on how you approach it.
For example.....if you want to go direct, you can ask for a Critique Club assessment. You can start your own, "Why did this image.....?" thread. You can ask for input from people you know to find out what they think about a potential entry, even to the point of asking SC for a likely review for legality.
Wendy, I truly liked your assessment and observations on reeling in viewers. One thing that I always mention to the people who look at my stuff and say, "Oh, you're such an amazing photographer, you should do this for a living!" is that truly, there is no money in photography.....unless you're B&H and selling equipment! LOL!!!
Think about it......there are 80 jillion DSLRs out there in the hands of the general public. If each one of those people take *ONE* world class photo in their life, that means that there are 80 jillion world class images out there without even getting into what you have to slog through to try to make a living at it. Not that I don't try to sell my work, but I'm certainly not going to try to claw my way over so many photogs, both talented amateur & professional for my slice of the pie, as I am resigned to shooting for the love of it, and taking advantage of what comes my way.
I've been in a bit of a slump lately, and then I had two terrific fog days come through here that got me three 6+ shots in a row, one of which was a 4th place. I got some images that will be enlarged and printed and for sale in our gallery as well. But these images are decidedly area-specific and prolly wouldn't do all that well with people who don't recognize the landmarks.
It's funny, but after ten years of glorious random shooting and relearning my own home town, I'm starting to find it more difficult to get truly memorable images. I have to look harder and concentrate more on pre-visualization than I ever have before. I'm hoping that makes me a better photog to have to reach deeper and plan more.
Anyway.....my random musings for the day.....
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01/09/2016 01:37:32 PM · #23 |
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01/09/2016 02:44:29 PM · #24 |
| Wendy, looking longer at images here will often help understand or appreciate them more. So please do. But go to any museum and watch the viewers... you will notice there, as well, that the process of viewing art is very different for different folks.. some people study and others take in a whole exhibit in a short period. Some people bring friends and talk. Some talk about what they're viewing. Some people need to see a show more than once or twice to feel they get the most out of it. But exposure is key, however you need to do that for yourself to expand beyond what you know is what will make you a better artist. That's my two cents, maybe not worth more than that but I offer it to you and others here. |
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01/10/2016 01:13:19 PM · #25 |
How do we get our viewers to linger longer? It's a good question, worthy of further study. I'm making a new years resolution to go back over my old notes on the process of human vision & study it again.
It's interesting, how human vision works. The process of seeing is not optimized for art appreciation, but instead for high-speed sorting of visual information. We want to know right away can I eat this? or is it going to try to eat me? So to speak. This high-speed sorting means we mostly see according to what we have seen before, or what we expect to see. My first rule of getting the viewer to linger longer is to interrupt this high-speed sorting process with something in the composition.
In other words, a surprise.
Something to cause a viewer to stop & start over.
The process of high-speed sorting depends on pattern recognition. This is how we see faces in clouds, or rocks. If no pattern is there, the process of sight will create one. We get patterns by finding the edges of things, to be able to see things as separate from their background.
My second rule is to create an opportunity for viewer participation. This is the charm of a good abstract. It interrupts the process of pattern recognition. If the edges, forms, & tones are interesting, we will look again. We will find--or create--a recognizable pattern. This moment of finding a pattern is the moment in which the viewer participates in creating the composition (I love this). If it's repeatable, the viewer will look again & again. If the viewer can't find a pattern, the composition fails for that viewer & they don't look again.
The composition that is more photographic in nature succeeds or fails to get the viewer to linger according to the strength of its abstract qualities. IMO, of course.
Message edited by author 2016-01-10 13:19:47. |
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