Ansel Adams..! - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Nikon

02/28/2005 06:03:45 PM · #129

I'm loving this challenge. While I may not score well (due to lack of being back in Colorado), I'm going to have a blast with my shot. It's been a bit since I worked Zone System. This should be fun.

Clara

bod

02/28/2005 06:10:29 PM · #130

Originally posted by bear_music:

.. I'm duty-bound to throw my poor efforts into the fray. They are probably doomed because Cape Cod is a place of subtle landscapes, not dramatic ones, but I'll give it my best shot. I do know how to make a decent B/W conversion, in any case.

Good : )
Typically this challenge comes up when all my shooting time is going to be spent in London. I may throw a cityscape in if I get home in time to sort and process one, but if I don't I won't cry too much over the missed 4.x score.

behindthescenes

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

02/28/2005 06:19:06 PM · #131

i think im in. i will have fun with this, though i do have to brush up on Mr Adams style...

magicshutter

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/28/2005 06:40:18 PM · #132

Originally posted by BradP:

Oh I have been waiting soooo long for this one!
Thanks!!

Yeah, we might as well give up.. Congrats on your next ribbon

hdogg4u

Canon EOS-20D

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

02/28/2005 06:43:54 PM · #133

I didnt even know who Ansel Adams was till today I always read in books and quotes from him but I didnt even think to look him up. Wow you guys really taught me something. I feel like an idiot. Oh well I will at least try and make something look like his work.

jbeazell

Nikon D3100

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

02/28/2005 06:47:58 PM · #134

Originally posted by coolhar:

Anyone who thinks you need to study past photographers, famous ones or not famous, to succeed in the world of digitl photography doesn't understand this new medium.

sorry to say, but that is pretty ignorant. Adams' style was a vision of tone and lines in the landscape. This is VERY much applicable to modern photography. Just because he used film doesn't mean that his style or photos have no place in a modern world.

librodo

Nikon D3s

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

02/28/2005 07:17:40 PM · #135

Originally posted by samtrundle:

Lets hope Mr Sidwell comes out of hiding for this one!

I second that. calling David. The pressure is on you!:)

Manny

IceRock

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/28/2005 07:22:22 PM · #136

Originally posted by jbeazell:

Originally posted by coolhar:
Anyone who thinks you need to study past photographers, famous ones or not famous, to succeed in the world of digitl photography doesn't understand this new medium.

sorry to say, but that is pretty ignorant. Adams' style was a vision of tone and lines in the landscape. This is VERY much applicable to modern photography. Just because he used film doesn't mean that his style or photos have no place in a modern world.

Adams' style was mostly about the Zone System and it is almost impossible to do it on digital. Development of the Zone System is widely regarded as one of the major achievements in the history of photography. So if you want to reproduce something as middle gray, there is a chance it will work. There are problems getting this to work in real life. Your shutter could be off a bit, the f-stop could be off a bit, the meter could be off a bit, and the film may not react to light at its exact stated film speed. This set of problems can be overcome by carefully testing and calibrating your system. so this is a grate challenge

Bud

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

02/28/2005 07:23:42 PM · #137

I expect that this should be alot of fun for those that like landscapes and B&W. Where I live will be difficult to get a dramatic landscape...

e301

02/28/2005 07:27:25 PM · #138

For me, Adams' technique was mostly about the zone system - and as has already been explained, there is a parallel paradigm in the digital world (expose for the highlights, bring the rest back in PS, and be careful about dynamic range, to sum it up bluntly). Adams' style, however, was mostly about his compositional vision, and that's a whole different kettle of fish.

You can use the zone system to take a shot of your cat, if you can get it to sit still long enough. To take a shot reminiscent of Adams requires something else also.

e

magicshutter

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/28/2005 07:28:24 PM · #139

The thing about this challenge is that I love the 'creepy' feeling I get while looking at those heavily contrasted shots. Anyone that has seen any of my own landscapes (aside from a select few) are modeled in that high contrasted fashion. This is actually a challenge I would love to enter, but alas I doubt I will simply because any shot I enter will end up in the 'black' of the total picture (of the challenge that is).

I don't think it's too much to ask that we follow a basic guideline for challenges like this. But, you always have interpretation which is what Ansel was talking about (if you clicked the link given earlier and listened to his interview). Had they 'thought' they were changing the way people shot, and used cameras, they probably wouldn't have done it as well (or at all).

I would be very interested to know what kind of music Ansel would have composed had he ventured along that path. I also find it funny that he was told photography wasn't an art because you couldn't express the soul with it. That sort of reminded me of this place.. Most of Ansel's work would have been brow beaten here. Nothing short of his epic landscapes would have been accepted. Which really got me thinking. I don't think art is in the artist. At least not the way we've thought all this time. If that were the case than anyone, anywhere could be an artist. While I like this scenario it's highly unlikely that everyone is an artist, but 'they just don't know it'. Art is really in the viewer. I can photograph peanuts if I want to, it takes an artistic person to see how the shadows effect the composition. Or their relation to the background, and other elements within a photo. I do on the other hand think some people have an advantage (talent wise) to create widely accepted or easily interpreted art. Hence why they do so well. But it's really only art to those who see it as art.. To everyone else it's crap.

Happy shootin'!

Joe McKinney
Crapist.

IceRock

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/28/2005 07:32:54 PM · #140

Originally posted by aguapreta:

I expect that this should be alot of fun for those that like landscapes and B&W. Where I live will be difficult to get a dramatic landscape...

I dont say this again to do Adams' is not about dramatic landscape it is about zone system who post this challenge did not know what Adams is about so just take landscape picture and forget about Adams :)

Message edited by author 2005-02-28 19:36:41.

magicshutter

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/28/2005 07:38:54 PM · #141

Originally posted by aguapreta:

I expect that this should be alot of fun for those that like landscapes and B&W. Where I live will be difficult to get a dramatic landscape...

It's not 'what' you shoot. It's how you shoot it, and process it.

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

02/28/2005 08:52:23 PM · #142

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

Hey nsbca7, we get your point (including the one you're trying to make with your signature).

And I always took you as a progressive.

coolhar

03/01/2005 12:27:54 AM · #143

Originally posted by jbeazell:

Ignorant of Adams style? or of tone and lines in the landscape? Or are they the same thing for you?

I am not Ansel Adams. I don't want to be Ansel Adams. I could care less if people think my photos look like Ansel Adams's photos. I am not into hero worship. Ansel Adams is dead and film will be soon enough. Photography will be enjoyed by the masses without either of them.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Pentax

03/01/2005 12:31:57 AM · #144

Originally posted by coolhar:

Originally posted by jbeazell:

Originally posted by coolhar:
Anyone who thinks you need to study past photographers, famous ones or not famous, to succeed in the world of digitl photography doesn't understand this new medium.

sorry to say, but that is pretty ignorant. Adams' style was a vision of tone and lines in the landscape. This is VERY much applicable to modern photography. Just because he used film doesn't mean that his style or photos have no place in a modern world.

Ignorant of Adams style? or of tone and lines in the landscape? Or are they the same thing for you?

I am not Ansel Adams. I don't want to be Ansel Adams. I could care less if people think my photos look like Ansel Adams's photos. I am not into hero worship. Ansel Adams is dead and film will be soon enough. Photography will be enjoyed by the masses without either of them.

Artyste

Sony Ericsson W810i

03/01/2005 12:36:23 AM · #145

Originally posted by coolhar:

Man.. I don't always agree with what you have to say, but I'm 100% behind you on this one! :)

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

03/01/2005 12:42:32 AM · #146

To be ignorant is not a crime. In fact itâ��s quite socially acceptable; everyone is ignorant on at least one subject. But to wallow in ignorance, especially when it involves something that is of interest, a hobby or a future career is reprehensible.

scottwilson

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 28mm f/2.8

03/01/2005 12:51:36 AM · #147

Originally posted by coolhar:

Anyone who thinks you need to study past photographers, famous ones or not famous, to succeed in the world of digitl photography doesn't understand this new medium. Anyone with a few hundred dollars for a cam and a computer can be a Grandma Moses. Hire a Madison Ave. agency and they can be Ansel Adams. Access is unprecedented as will be the results. For everything from true art to wedding photography, people can enter the field, and do well, without formal training. DPC is a testament to this new concept.

There is no star system in photography as there is in music or sports. Let's keep it that way.

So just have fun with it, play with your photos too see if you can make then look like one of his. This does not have to be all serious and studious. Do a parody of one of his photos, but have it technically excellent. And who knows, while you are having fun you might even learn something, and would that really be so bad?

Message edited by author 2005-03-01 01:34:27.

scottwilson

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 28mm f/2.8

03/01/2005 12:52:28 AM · #148

Originally posted by nsbca7:

I did not know that.

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

03/01/2005 01:24:17 AM · #149

Originally posted by nsbca7:

I didn't call her an idiot. But if you were to aspire to become a great painter or sculptor then I would expect at some point in your life you would become quite familier with Donatelo and Michelangelo. (not ninja turtles)

OK, you "all but" called her an idiot. When you start throwing around words like "ignorance" and tell people their behavior is "reprehensible" in a public forum, you shouldn't be surprised when people bristle about that. You might have some great points, but remember that writing, like photography, is as much about presentation as it is about your subject. You could photograph the most beautiful model in the world, but use harsh lighting and careless composition and the resulting photo will be off-putting. Likewise, harsh words and careless phrasing runs counter to your goal of making your reader receptive to your point of view.

You can argue your points without antagonism.
You can correct facts without condescension.
You can disagree without disrespect.

You have some good points, and seem to know what you are talking about... but realize that will be lost on your audience if your tone turns them off to reading what you have to say.

Just something to think about,
Terry

Message edited by author 2005-03-01 01:27:06.