Shocking discovery, Serendipitous or Ironic ?

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

04/15/2004 03:11:49 PM · #1

We returned to the nest to take additional pictures, hoping to improve my daughter's elementary skills, and imagine our shock at our serendipitous discovery. Ironically, my daughter's best pic follows.

In our short absence (no longer than 10 minutes) a rather overzealous blue jay invaded the little guy's secure hiding place. He was horrifically mutilated, and we were forced to end his misery.

We decided to go shoot some roses.

Message edited by author 2004-04-15 15:23:09.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

04/15/2004 04:03:38 PM · #2

I have a different view of 'serendipity' when it comes to photography. To me, a 'serendipity' element is one that is rather small in the composition, but it becomes the subject when discovered.

I don't care much for the way the challenge is worded because I think it limits the possiblities to candid finds. This is a 'candid' find, but it doesn't feel 'serendipity' to me for some reason... it's just my view of the word that is different.

I saw a photo somewhere a while back.. one of those 'big sun' photos done with an incredibly long lens... In the very lower right corner of the frame there were two people walking/running silhouetted against that huge sun. These people become the subject of the photo in this case rather than the sun. They were very small elements in the image, but the subject none-the-less. To me, that is serendipity.

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

04/15/2004 04:08:05 PM · #3

John that's not how I read the description (nor how I intended it when I wrote it) - for me the idea is to REPRESENT serendipity rather than submit an image of which the taking was serendipitous...

Shrug...

dccloss

Nikon D70

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-80mm 1:4-5.6

04/15/2004 04:08:28 PM · #4

Actually, from what I understand of serendipity, it is supposed to be a good or fortunate thing that you find. Am I right? That seems to be a not so good thing! Just a thought!

-Danielle

notonline

04/15/2004 04:33:08 PM · #5

I think it is the worst challenge I have seen listed here and have a feeling that there is gonna be a lot of disapointed ppl when they see the scoring, but this is just my opinion.

Message edited by author 2004-04-15 16:47:00.

Neuferland

Google Pixel 2

04/15/2004 04:43:40 PM · #6

Originally posted by notonline:

I think it is the worst challenge I have seen listed here and have a feeling hat there is gonna be a lot of disapointed ppl when they see the scoring, but this is just my opinion.

I had that same feeling, just as I'm ready to gear up to start entering again and this challenge comes up. I quite honestly don't really understand what the challenge is supposed to be and being an open challenge I have a feeling we are going to see a ton of shots that many people will say do not fit the challenge because the challenge is so open to interpitation.

Deannda
Won't be entering that one

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

04/15/2004 04:45:56 PM · #7

Originally posted by notonline:

... and have a feeling hat there is gonna be a lot of disapointed ppl when they see the scoring, but this is just my opinion.

And that differs from every other challenge how?

notonline

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

04/15/2004 04:50:43 PM · #8

Originally posted by mk:

Originally posted by notonline:
... and have a feeling hat there is gonna be a lot of disapointed ppl when they see the scoring, but this is just my opinion.

And that differs from every other challenge how?

actually it has made me go back to the way I USED to vote instead of doing it by scoring like a grade. ie. if the picture has the subject in it and is clear then its a 50% or a 5 on the voting scale. due to the nature of the way ppl vote if the photo looks good or however they vote it is my opinion to now vote simply if i like the picture or not based from 1 to 10

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

04/15/2004 05:05:29 PM · #9

Heh heh heh - can't please all of the people all of the time...

:oP

I'm looking forward to seeing the entries - I think it MIGHT mean some unusual entries.

I must admit that I think it would have been far better suited to a members challenge just because there seem to be more members interested in exploring more abstract themes but still... I'll be interested to see what comes of it!

Message edited by author 2004-04-15 17:05:44.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

04/15/2004 05:23:06 PM · #10

Originally posted by Kavey:

The terms 'accidental discovery' in the challenge description cause me to feel this way. That's going to be taken very literally unfortunately. I would hope that it's not though because I can vision some great ideas that fit this topic that aren't necessarily addicental.

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

04/15/2004 06:29:15 PM · #11

Those words "accidental discover" are part of the description of what serendipity means.

The challenge itself is meant to ask for images that represent the meaning - by my understanding (and I'm just one voter so my understanding has no more weight than anyone else's) that should allow for both candid shots that actually are photos of serendipitous discoveries right there and then AND images that represent the concept itself by using planned shots.

garrywhite2

Canon EOS-7D

04/15/2004 08:32:38 PM · #12

Serendipity....

Coming home from work early and catching your wife in bed with the postman?

autool

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

04/15/2004 08:57:52 PM · #13

Originally posted by garrywhite2:

Serendipity....

Coming home from work early and catching your wife in bed with the postman?

text

Don't you mean Mail Person?

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

04/15/2004 09:15:13 PM · #14

Is it more serendipitous if your wife is in bed with a woman?

Originally posted by autool:

Don't you mean Mail Person?

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

04/15/2004 09:23:14 PM · #15

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

I saw a photo somewhere a while back.. one of those 'big sun' photos done with an incredibly long lens... In the very lower right corner of the frame there were two people walking/running silhouetted against that huge sun. These people become the subject of the photo in this case rather than the sun. They were very small elements in the image, but the subject none-the-less. To me, that is serendipity.

Naw, that would only be serendipity if the two joggers were actually hot looking nude women. ;^)

--Mick

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/15/2004 09:26:34 PM · #16

This seems to be one of the most challenging Challenges to decipher. This is the first time I've actually gone online and searched for a better description or examples of the term. From what I gather, serendipity refers to unexpectedly stumbling onto something great that you weren't even looking for.

Examples:
Setting up a camera for bird watching and having Bigfoot stroll into the frame instead.
Digging a pool and striking a gold mine.
Running into a twin sibling you never knew you had.

The key is showing something that's both completely unexpected AND wonderful. I don't think finding your wife in bed would qualify unless you were desperate for a divorce (or preferred the postman). ;-)

garrywhite2

Canon EOS-7D

04/15/2004 10:07:46 PM · #17

Then I would agree with how John has explained it, and using his example.

I think this is going to be one of the most difficult challenges. How the photographer will convey the element of surprise in a manner that the judge will not believe to be staged seems an incredible task.

kellian

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

04/15/2004 11:04:08 PM · #18

Originally posted by autool:

This morning while trying to find the subject matter for the challenge serendipity, my daughter and I discovered this young pigeon chick huddled in his under designed home which must have been built in a hurry by his parents. He quietly sat for the pictures as his parents hovered nearby, cooing in a nearby tree. My daughter is a new photographer trying out her new Sony DSC F-717. We chose the camera by using the best review that I knew by looking at the numerous winning photos taken on dpchallenge. We would take several different shots and run into the house to download the pics to see what needed to be adjusted. This was the best one so far, I took it using my Olympus E-10.

We returned to the nest to take additional pictures, hoping to improve my daughter's elementary skills, and imagine our shock at our serendipitous discovery. Ironically, my daughter's best pic follows.

In our short absence (no longer than 10 minutes) a rather overzealous blue jay invaded the little guy's secure hiding place. He was horrifically mutilated, and we were forced to end his misery.

We decided to go shoot some roses.

That's really sad about the birdie... your daughter must have been upset.
Very sad. :(

notonline