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08/30/2004 12:14:28 AM · #1 |
I must say that I am disturbed by the number of negative comments I read. Sometimes I get the impression that comments are made based solely on applying the rules of photographic reproduction. Art by means of photography is many times overlooked. Do you think that artists such as Monet, Michaelangelo, Miloslav Moucha and Gauguin may have faced criticism from their contemporaries possibly because their work may have seemed at the time to be comparable to childish finger paintings. Given the wide appeal and prolific stature that these artists are credited now these rash comments they dealt with only lasted until their death, with future generations looking to their work as inspiring and creative.
The point to you as an audience with a camera and a computer is simply this: Do not be quick to judge based on either your so called experience in the mechanics of photography or your particular mold of what makes a good photo. Monet did not paint straight lines, Gauguin had the tendency to blur body features making accurate physiology hard to focus on, and Michaelangelo, although very accurate with his sculptures, had somewhat of a problem using a wide variety of color in his paintings. Although these traits are now so dear to us as those who appreciate art, they may have at the time they were carried out been viewed as simple mistakes or inexperience on the part of the painter.
So when somethings is out of focus, when something looks as though it needs cropped according to Ansel Adams, or when you find four textbook violations on a contest submission, before you are quick to type in criticism and exercise your keyboard, STOP and ponder what the photo is really saying, what the photographer was thinking at the time her took it. Photography is Artistic not because it is a cold technical process that must be done the same way or you get bad reviews from DPCHALLENGE users, no but it is an art form that is really up to the one holding the camera to decide how to capture "HOPE" or "NEON" in such a way so as to allow the real definition of photography to shine through; not the stiff application of age old rules but one of the progressive and newer forms of ART that can put real meaning and joy into our lives. One famous pianist once said " the notes I handle no better than many pianists, but the pause between the notes, ah, that is where the art resides"
Remember this next time you decide to count the so called errors in everyone's submissions.... |
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08/30/2004 12:15:41 AM · #2 |
Our pitchers will be great in a couple hundred years....
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08/30/2004 12:26:22 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
Our pitchers will be great in a couple hundred years.... |
CDs and archival prints dont last that long.
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08/30/2004 12:27:54 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by moodville:
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
Our pitchers will be great in a couple hundred years.... |
CDs and archival prints dont last that long. |
Hmmmm...
well....
it was a fun thought :)
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08/30/2004 12:29:43 AM · #5 |
Quite unfortunate it has to be that way. Many times an artist is only recognized for what he really is and not what he appears to be , post mortem. |
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08/30/2004 12:44:21 AM · #6 |
Not all bad focus issues are the result of art. Not all deliberate uncropped images are done for a specific reason. People submit their images on DPC to compete and also to learn. If someone looks at a blurry image and all they think is 'this is a blurry picture' then it's not communicating to that particular viewer and that particular viewer can state their opinion on the particular photograph or piece of art. Some people talk of the technicals in a hope that it may serve to help someone with further photographic endeavours. It is not always obvious to know the difference between blurry for art or blurry because you dont know how to use a tripod in low light conditions.
As for the classic painters, a lot of people claim they are great because they are told they are great and if enough people agree then it's considered to be 'right' opinion. There are a few of the classic painters that I do not like. It's completely personal opinion and varies among everyone. Whether it is a classic painting or a DPC submission, if a viewer does not understand the point or just generally does not like the image then calling it art isnt going to change that.
With all that said I agree that voters are quick to judge and judge quickly they tend to do. Speed voting is the norm, and voting on how many bad things they can find wrong with an image seems to be part of the challenge. That is DPC and it will not change.
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08/30/2004 12:46:49 AM · #7 |
great post. I have often expressed disappoint in some comments that say a shot should be this way or that way.
It seems that there is little room for artist expression other than our own but I strongly feel that the few that comment like so are not the majority.
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08/30/2004 12:54:04 AM · #8 |
Rooster and Moodville, Thank you for your comments. I feel as though I am here for the wrong reasons. In actuality this is simply a photography contest venue and not much more. Continue in your love of photos and never get caught up in the willy nilly diacritics of photo judging...
... with that said, I must take my leave..
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08/30/2004 01:10:09 AM · #9 |
I have no formal training in either art or photography, but imagine that to appreciate a work of art requires some time to ponder and understand it. Most here do not have the time for pondering with so many challenges, and so many submissions to get through in any given week, as well as, a life outside of DPC.
In addition, I think that as far as photography here on DPC goes, the submissions are mainly made to adhere to a specific challenge topic or theme, rather than allowing an idea to organically develop in the same way as a piece of art, the concentration here is on the technical because in order to be able to express oneself to fullest extent, you have to know how to manipulate your chosen medium first. Then you'll know how to say what you want to, and know when to break or keep rules. People may not have the artistic training and sophistication to be able to know what art is and how to connect with it, and so in their learing processes, they use their newly gained technical know-how to apply critique. Doesn't it take years to learn how to understand a painting? |
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08/30/2004 01:26:15 AM · #10 |
I tend to be a little critical in my commenting.. but I usually only comment on shots I really like, or really could have liked if they'd been different to a way that *I* would have liked to see... so, if anyone gets a rather critical comment from me about a shot "needing" this or that.. I just want them to remember that they're always just suggestions.. that it's *only* my point of view, and that if you don't agree with them, hey.. it is *your* photo. Most of the time I'm not even docking any voting points for the suggestions I make, as most of my suggestions are more artistic in nature than technical anyway. It's just the kind of person I am. (And besides, most people that see my work know that I'm hardly the one to be *too* darned technically critical! ;))
Anyway.. I also always try to use words like, "I think.. " or "in my opinion" or "what I would like to see.." to try and convey that it's just a suggestion, and not a ripping apart of the photo.
But, I guess no matter how you comment, someone's always bound to take it personally.
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08/30/2004 01:31:37 AM · #11 |
Hey Adobe: I do not quite know what to make of your posting. All of us have complained at one time or another about negative comments. Upon further reflection we realize that this is a very motley voting block. We realize that there are some that are very ignorant about many fields and their limited experience have them asking, "I don't get it?" All they need do is check a reference work and realize that what is presented to them is commen knowledge. By the same token, we have a good majority who are able to judge the merits, including the variations that you mention.
We also know that artistic images do not score well. Some do, but most fail. They fail not because the art is bad but because the total voting realm is so mixed that these pieces beg a different venue. This is first a learning site and to overlook this is to drive yourself to frustration.
This is not to say that the work in DPC is inferior, but you must keep in mind that we are working under the inhibiting chains of rules. So, the best member wins: he or she that worked within the limitations and transcends the herd by a creative presentation. It is very tough to score high.
Also notice that the place breaks out of the normal rules on occasion and allows total artistic expression...but it does not remain there because if it did, it would not be a learning place for photography but rather digital art. The place is what it is and if you look around you will find such a varied abundance of talent and uncanny artistic renditions. |
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