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04/11/2005 02:08:05 PM · #26 |
Well its the challenge that has grabbed me the most so far, so much so that I even travelled a couple of hours to get my shot and seeked the advice of two proffessionals who shoot this kind of stuff all the time for any advice. All I can say is that both of them replied and from it I learnt a heck of a lot which is what counts, hopefully it will be in my best five no matter where it places as it is doing ok at present.
I will be replying to the emails I got from the people I asked as they were very forthcoming with information once I told them I was an ametuer photographer, I kind of thought that they might not reply...
I see at least 75% of this challenge as people going out and really putting some effort into this which does please me alot.
Would be nice to get a ribbon someday but like someone has written above so long as you like your image thats what counts as well as the fun and learning whist doing it.
Good luck to everyone.
Message edited by author 2005-04-11 14:09:47. |
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04/11/2005 02:46:55 PM · #27 |
Originally posted by Palendrone:
I see at least 75% of this challenge as people going out and really putting some effort into this which does please me alot. |
I'm not in Ex Action but I'd like to commend the spirit you expressed in that sentence. Good Luck to you.
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04/11/2005 04:54:49 PM · #28 |
Thanks Coolhar,
Think Im a little more clearly focused now after the last couple of challenges as I was getting a little downhearted by some entries ( this is not a criticism of those that do this ) but I get tired of seeing some shots of the same cats, dogs and babies although they are very special to each individual, sometimes its feels like you see more of fellow DPC members pets/children than your own. I'm not one to do this but I know I don't always put alot of effort or thought into my shots until late hence why I'm not gonna whine about it but now that the 'In the Beggining' & 'Pet Portrait' challenges are out of the way I think there wont be many of them for a while and seeing just like I wrote above the shear amount of thought that has gone into many of the shots which people are not used to taking is fantastic.
Basically its refreshing to see people stepping outside of their comfort zones and tackling something new, admitedly less entries than normal but it may just inspire others to go and shoot some action.
You never know there may well be some other good out takes or re-edits from this challenge that are submitted into the 'Free Study' challenge. Should be quite a mixed bag with the contrasting challenges this month.
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04/11/2005 06:24:28 PM · #29 |
I didn't have time to enter something for Extreme Action. Although i wanted to go as far away as possible from the 'sports' theme.
Only had time to come up with a test shot... what do you'all think? What kind of score was i looking at? (note, pic displayed is not the final, but something very similar).
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04/11/2005 06:32:14 PM · #30 |
Originally posted by RedOak:
Only had time to come up with a test shot... what do you'all think? What kind of score was i looking at? (note, pic displayed is not the final, but something very similar). |
This type of picture really disturbs me with the violence implied. I would have given it a very low vote. I think there is enough violence in the world without this sort of gratuitous violence. It sometimes amazes me how many young men think this sort of picture is "cool". This doesn't seem to show any sort of ACTION at all - just violence. |
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04/11/2005 06:35:22 PM · #31 |
Originally posted by Sammie:
Originally posted by RedOak:
Only had time to come up with a test shot... what do you'all think? What kind of score was i looking at? (note, pic displayed is not the final, but something very similar). |
This type of picture really disturbs me with the violence implied. I would have given it a very low vote. I think there is enough violence in the world without this sort of gratuitous violence. It sometimes amazes me how many young men think this sort of picture is "cool". This doesn't seem to show any sort of ACTION at all - just violence. |
I agree. There is no action shown in this photo. |
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04/11/2005 06:36:11 PM · #32 |
Gratuitous? Cool? I find it strange how you can come up with those words and put them in my mouth like that. I'm sorry you feel like that, i see the world for its reality. I've spent enought time at the hospital to know what its like.
As for the word action, as i said, i was looking at something far away from Sports. And Action doesn't imply 'MOVEMENT'. The Term: Taking Action comes to mind.
As for Extreme... Extreme Action, Extreme Measure...
When i read Extreme Action, i think of an Action that is Extreme... Something someone would rather not do. Something that scares the living shit out of people. An Action you cannot undo. Bush Pushing the Red Button on Afghanistan is an Extreme Action, Jumping out of a building is an Extreme Action. Out of a Car going 200mph is an Extreme Action. Kicking a football is not an extreme action, jumping with a motorbike is not an extreme action.
Just felt the need to clarify.
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Message edited by author 2005-04-11 18:47:49.
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04/11/2005 06:49:57 PM · #33 |
Originally posted by RedOak:
As for the word action, as i said, i was looking at something far away from Sports. And Action doesn't imply 'MOVEMENT'. The Term: Taking Action comes to mind. |
That shot could be more suited for a 'tension' or a 'suspense' challenge - it seems to show more impending action than action in progress.
I understand marjo and sammie's position, but it's something I don't agree with. It's tough to dissociate the content of the image from the photographic technique because we obviously see the content right off. I am the opposite of marjo and sammie in that I don't like shmaltzy photos, but I am ok with more risque subjects. Show me a photo of a baby or a kitten...you'll see what I mean.
Anyhoo...know your audience...if you submit a gun photo here, expect it to get reemed.
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04/11/2005 06:52:14 PM · #34 |
To me action is, as RedOak said, not only about mouvement.
I tend to like extreme concepts, so this was fine with me. I understand that there is enough violence in the world and all that, but to expose it can also serve as prevention, shocking people to confront them to reality and push them to do something about it, rather then ignoring it. This last comment not necessarily concerning the picture at hand. But I digress.
It brings a question though, should a picture be rated low because what is portrayed in it displeases the viewer or should it be rated on the quality of the photography?
The way I rate photography is: first comes if the shot respected the category. Second the quality of the shot. Then the originality of the concept and how well it is executed.
It never occured to me to rate down a picture because I am uncomfortable with the contents of it.
(this is not a judgement by the way, merely discussing my thoughts on the subject)
For a first post, this is way too long :P |
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04/11/2005 06:56:56 PM · #35 |
I'm okay with the photo. It doesn't show action, IMO. It shows "possible" action...it implies an extreme action or measure is about to be taken.
Take a shot that exemplifies extreme action with or without motion blur.
exemplifies means to show by example...so...take a shot that shows by example action with or without motion blur.
Message edited by author 2005-04-11 19:07:52. |
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04/11/2005 07:14:16 PM · #36 |
hmmm...are we seeing some potentials for who may have posted that gory 'Accidental Letters' shot? Very much in line with the distasteful violence portrayed in the gun to the head image showing up here...
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04/11/2005 07:15:18 PM · #37 |
| I guess I see putting a gun to someone's head as an action in itself, perhaps it could have been done better with a motion blur to fit the category as you pointed out. |
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04/11/2005 07:26:31 PM · #38 |
Red's shot could go either way...maybe he just decided not to kill himself, maybe (although not likely) it is someone else's hand, etc etc.
He could have been much more out of the box and shown airborn blood spray from the recently fired bullet - that would be reeeally out there for this site.
All in all, whether his shot is offensive or not, it is certainly arousing lots of discussion, which is more than the vast, vast majority of shots on this site can say. For that, congratulations Red.
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04/11/2005 07:31:44 PM · #39 |
| Yep, that's what I'm doing. Just posting opinions for the sake of discussion. I'm always wrong on my interpretations of the challenges. Just check my stats. 63 challenges entered and 0 ribbons. Woo hoo! |
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04/11/2005 07:39:13 PM · #40 |
Originally posted by Artyste:
Aight.. I just went through and voted on them all, and gave 27 rare Artyste comments.
If you got one, feel lucky. We all know how valuable I am here.
LOL.
yah.. right. |
i didn't get an ARTY! comment *cries* |
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04/11/2005 07:49:30 PM · #41 |
I guess I am doing better than I thought.. 5.40 woohoo! There's hope yet!
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04/11/2005 08:07:26 PM · #42 |
The last 10 votes dropped mine considerably. :(
I wish the voters would eat dinner first and then vote.
Hungry voters=low voters. That's got to be it. lol |
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04/11/2005 08:43:05 PM · #43 |
Originally posted by w24x192:
Red's shot could go either way...maybe he just decided not to kill himself, maybe (although not likely) it is someone else's hand, etc etc.
He could have been much more out of the box and shown airborn blood spray from the recently fired bullet - that would be reeeally out there for this site.
All in all, whether his shot is offensive or not, it is certainly arousing lots of discussion, which is more than the vast, vast majority of shots on this site can say. For that, congratulations Red. |
What is your goal with your photos entered in the challenges and posted in threads? Arrouse discussion, cop a high score or maybe a ribbon, or to learn to be a better photographer.
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04/11/2005 09:06:39 PM · #44 |
Originally posted by RedOak:
Gratuitous? Cool? I find it strange how you can come up with those words and put them in my mouth like that. I'm sorry you feel like that, i see the world for its reality. I've spent enought time at the hospital to know what its like.
As for the word action, as i said, i was looking at something far away from Sports. And Action doesn't imply 'MOVEMENT'. The Term: Taking Action comes to mind.
As for Extreme... Extreme Action, Extreme Measure...
When i read Extreme Action, i think of an Action that is Extreme... Something someone would rather not do. Something that scares the living shit out of people. An Action you cannot undo. Bush Pushing the Red Button on Afghanistan is an Extreme Action, Jumping out of a building is an Extreme Action. Out of a Car going 200mph is an Extreme Action. Kicking a football is not an extreme action, jumping with a motorbike is not an extreme action.
Just felt the need to clarify.
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Extreme Action in a photoghrapic sense should portray some sort of movement. It would be wise to read the challenge in a photographic point of view not a strict dictionary definition. |
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04/11/2005 09:08:41 PM · #45 |
Originally posted by coolhar:
What is your goal with your photos entered in the challenges and posted in threads? Arrouse discussion, cop a high score or maybe a ribbon, or to learn to be a better photographer. |
1. Arouse discussion
2. Become a better photographer (that is, #1 increases in frequency)
3. Get a high score/ribbon |
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04/11/2005 09:09:53 PM · #46 |
Originally posted by keegbow:
Extreme Action in a photoghrapic sense should portray some sort of movement. |
Mine does, although I bet 98% of the voters will claim it's static. |
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04/11/2005 10:18:56 PM · #47 |
My Goal to this site is to learn to better myself in photography. I don't care about Ribbons, but i believe the closer i get to a ribbon, the better i'm supposed to get. Although i have recently noticed that being in the top20 average is enought as there is too much subjectivity for the challenge's ratings to be efficient. Instead, i try asking some of the people i hold dear and respect in this comunity, asking for their advice and hard critics. That way i can be sure i'll get what i want.
Now concerning the 'Extreme Action' challenge, there was mention about not taking the litteral sens of the dictionary and thinking in a photographic aspect. Well this is exactly what came in my mind. Not saying i think about people having guns to their heads all the time; but i did think about all the horror that is so EXTREME in this world; thinking about a documentary i saw, filmed and featuring the world-reknowned Doctor Patch Adams, who went to Afghanistan during the war to recomfort helpless people. I saw Blood, Screams, Pain and American Soldiers killing innocents. I will not bring this conversation into a political debate by mentionning this, but one particuliar picture hit me pretty hard... one of a soldier in shades of beige, with all his might, pointing his gun to an innocent women. The picture doesn't show any action, it is very still, i don't even know if the soldier ever pulled the trigger. BUT I'LL BE DAMNED IF THIS IS NOT THE MOST EXTREME ACTION EVER TAKEN TO AND BY A HUMAN BEING. PERIOD.
I'd like for people to realise that photography is not only about fashion and landscapes and babies and cats and dogs. There's a reason for the Pulitzer price; why a lot of war photographers and journalists die, trying to bring pictures of the cruelties of the war. And some of those photographers are amongts the best in our world. I happen to be of those who'd like to do that, who believe pictures is one of the key to at least slow down war, horror and pain.
Now my picture, as i said, was just a test. I choose not to release it to the challenge because it wasn't worked on enought, the composition stops at the model (foreground) and the rest is just a living room. Also, its a test shot. But i felt the need to know what the audience saw in the pic. What i got is ZERO COMMENTS on the photography, and 100% incredulous comments about it being violent and 'too much'. I would certainly characterize that as EXTREME. I've taken an action and a choice to convay a strong emotion in this picture, and i've certainly succeeded. I also wanted to show that i can and try to think 'outside the box' by showing a different school of thinking. And so far, all i get as a message is, i should've went to my local arena and snaped a few pictures of someone snapping a puk in a goal.
But none the less, thank you all for your time and thoughts on the subject, i shall not display this kind of work here again.
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04/11/2005 10:55:45 PM · #48 |
Originally posted by Sammie:
This type of picture really disturbs me with the violence implied. I would have given it a very low vote. I think there is enough violence in the world without this sort of gratuitous violence. It sometimes amazes me how many young men think this sort of picture is "cool". This doesn't seem to show any sort of ACTION at all - just violence. |
Are we in a puritanical PG-13 personal morality website or a website/community about the art and technique of photography?
Originally posted by keegbow:
Extreme Action in a photoghrapic sense should portray some sort of movement. It would be wise to read the challenge in a photographic point of view not a strict dictionary definition. |
So, if RedOak's shot had frozen a bullet actually coming out of the gun and about to smack into the "victim's" head, you'd actually vote it high? Why do I doubt that?
I had this shot prepped for extreme action but decided to NOT enter it. It wasn't because that I thought this was a bad photo that didn't quite work (though it might very well be that), but rather because I realized that people, instead giving comments and voting on its photographic merits, would simply comment and vote on the "content," ie what they would interpret as the "gratuitous violence" nature of the shot.
Guess what...violence is gratuitous, and yes, it's an extreme action.
Message edited by author 2005-04-11 23:14:07. |
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04/11/2005 11:46:24 PM · #49 |
Originally posted by robgo:
Are we in a puritanical PG-13 personal morality website or a website/community about the art and technique of photography? |
No we aren't. However, we are on a website where quite young children submit pictures, read the forums and vote on challenges. Do you realize how much children (even those who don't think they are children like 15 - 19 year olds) imitate things they see? Wouldn't it be just dandy if some young boy looking through these forums saw something like that and then decided to imitate it and ended up killing himself or a friend.
You can have whatever opinion you want about violence in pictures or movies or whatever - but you know what - I can, too.
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04/12/2005 12:45:26 AM · #50 |
I have to admit shots of guns arn't esp apealing to me, but I think it is important that we rate photos by quality and creativity, despite personal feelings of content. ie: Personally I've had my fill of chess board shots! (maybe cause they remind me of my X?) But I still look at them carefully and individually when voting. Essence is very important of course. The same shot Red offered (very nice elements!) could have been shot more with an essence of 'guns are cool', or more with an essence of making a statement against violence. I have to rimind myself not to shut down my thinking as soon as I see a gun (or glass chess pieces)! As far as the definition of the Challenge words, I prefer to be more open, because it encourages the type of creativity that stretches the mind and makes you go 'Hah! I never thought of it that way!' Don't give up on challenging shots, Red (as long as you're having fun [without too much of other's expense!?]) but, yeah, you'd have to go to a site with a more 'off-the-wall' following to get high votes on gun shots (eye-fiber?)
Must seriously consider Sammie's last note, too. I'm sure we do have some youngsters amongst us.
Well back to the 'how'm I doin' in the voting.
Funny Im totally bombing in the 'letters', partly cause I tried a funky PS effect I liked that others don't, and think is an accident. Doing above 6 on the 'action' but it fit the norm of thinking. And yet both scores fully reflect how much time, thought, and effort I invested.
I also must agree with Coolhar's two end quotes by tct and xion. Oh well, above all I'm having fun and learning so much from you all! |
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