| Author | Thread |
|
|
10/30/2016 11:46:00 AM · #1 |
So I have a lot less time these days, and am completely losing interesting in entering challenges. The quiet forums, the requisite trolls on every entry (I loved my egg. 4 twos? tell me why!!)
Anyway -- this isn't a bitching and moaning thread, even though it sure seems like it.
It's a "holy crap, this is why I can't leave this stupid place" thread.
I was just voting on distracting elements.
I came across a photo that I would have dismissed and perhaps strongly disliked when I first started here.
I gave it a 10.
I found it truly lovely.
I understood exactly why it was in distracting elements. It was something I never would have considered for distracting elements. It was wonderful.
I kept going.
I found another photo that I had a lot of problems with regarding the editing. But then I noticed some things that were truly fascinating. An incredible flaw in the photo that made it perfect for distracting elements. A flaw that would have made me throw away the photo. A flaw that, during a regular challenge, would have been an awful flaw. Yet put in the context of distracting elements, made me realize what a statement it was. OMG! (yes, it's an OMG moment, even thought I try to avoid those letters). I saw art! I saw one of those "what is the author trying to say with the metaphor of the setting sun" moments. Who the heck knows?!? The author probably wasn't even trying to say anything! He just likes setting suns! Yet someone, somewhere found a deeper meaning.
(no, I'm not drunk. Maybe a little sleep deprived....)
But anyway, I found a deeper meaning in the photograph and the flaw ended up being fascinating.
THAT's why I'm still here. That's why I grumble and moan and still enter. Do I want the happy people back? Yes! Do I want the fun to return? YES! Is there still things to do and discover that makes it all worth it? YES! Is it enough to put up with the trolls??
ummmm.....
hmmmm....
crap.
Yeah,
I guess....
Go look at the challenges. Get out and vote. Put in some comments. If I hadn't bothered commenting on this particular photo and the processing that bothered me, I wouldn't have discovered the OMG moment. I would have missed it completely. And while the photo is still a 6 because of the processing. I can see a 10 through the haze. I can see that there is so much still to be discovered. And the more we stick with it, the more we will be amazed. |
|
|
|
10/30/2016 12:22:09 PM · #2 |
, I have 4 friends on Facebook. I never post anything to FB. And yet, there is more happening on FB than DPC--how do I know? I've been visiting FB 'cos nothing is happening here.
We can't discuss a challenge before it closes, that's seen as an attempt to control perception of the challenge while it's in the shooting phase. We can't discuss a challenge while it's in voting. After the challenge closes, we can only discuss outtakes.
We can't discuss anything on TV, even, until it's been over for days so as not to spoil it for people who haven't seen it yet. The Rant section is dead--nobody's even interested in current events.
No tutorials. No interviews. Socially, DPC is like an elevator--we go up, we go down--in polite silence.
I thought about entering the Impressionist challenge. I want to discuss it. I already know what will happen to my entry, though. It'll get a score of 5.x & no comments. I'll enjoy voting it. I still vote any challenge not dominated by landscapes. I still comment, here & there. I still hang around. |
|
|
|
10/30/2016 12:45:20 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by pixelpig:
After the challenge closes, we can only discuss outtakes. |
Not sure why you say this ... you can discuss any photo you care to.
Originally posted by pixelpig:
No tutorials. No interviews. |
We have lots of each, contributed by members. If there's one or more you think are lacking from our collection, go ahead and make it - there's even a small reward for doing so.
"If you don't like the news ... go out and make some of your own."
-- Scoop Nisker
@  vawendy -- loved your post ... |
|
|
|
10/30/2016 12:46:51 PM · #4 |
I would post something here but i will no doubt be told that it is either negative, provocative or mocking or all three.
So I will not. |
|
|
|
10/30/2016 01:17:21 PM · #5 |
So, let's turn this around...
I would love to discuss the Impressionist challenge! I had the chance in 2014 to visit the National Gallery in London and see firsthand some of these amazing masterworks. Now I'm not a trained artist, but the thing that I discovered that day is that you don't have to be to enjoy the exquisite beauty of these works. It is quite a humbling experience to see something in real life, something that you've only ever seen before in a photograph. The first thing that shocks you as you walk up is the thought that, "ahhh, it's the xxxx painting" and then the size of the painting, and then, how you stand mesmerized taking in the detail. An unforgettable experience to be sure. (I will admit though, as much as I loved the impressionist paintings it was a Renoir that stole my heart).
Now, how to apply all of this to a photograph? I was seriously tempted to use software to mimic the effect of the impressionist paintings, and did manage come up with one that was ok, but then decided to try something different (after a google search of impressionist photography). It turned into a very interesting exercise to say the least. I tested out a few shots in the backyard and came up with some very cool (IMHO) images. The subject matter wasn't all that interesting however, so today I'm heading out in search of something more interesting. I hope it works out as planned!
ETA and by the way Tiny, don't ever stop. I love your sense of humour :)
Message edited by author 2016-10-30 13:55:33. |
|
|
|
10/30/2016 02:03:14 PM · #6 |
Annie, methinks you exaggerate just a tish.... Discussion is always encouraged. It's when it gets to the "if I see ___ I will vote it down" or "if you don't include ___ I will consider it DNMC" stage that we intervene.
You can certainly discuss a challenge while it's in voting (ergo the scores threads!!!!), but you cannot discuss a specific image.
Not a clue why you think we can't discuss anything on TV.
The rant section... well, everyone is ranting everywhere else these days.
We do not have new interviews or tutorials, that is true. But we do have quite a trove of them.
I guess the part I'm curious about is why people who complain about things not happening seem to want someone else to do them. As a community, we must all contribute in some way to our mutual success. And not just by uploading pictures. Voting and commenting are the minimal amount of participation required for a site to thrive. The most puzzling thing about this is how everyone wants comments and votes, but just a handful of members do both. |
|
|
|
10/30/2016 02:55:48 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by flaherma:
It is quite a humbling experience to see something in real life, something that you've only ever seen before in a photograph. The first thing that shocks you as you walk up is the thought that, "ahhh, it's the xxxx painting" and then the size of the painting, and then, how you stand mesmerized taking in the detail. An unforgettable experience to be sure.
ETA and by the way Tiny, don't ever stop. I love your sense of humour :) |
Yes! I had much the same experience.
I wish you luck with you impressionist photography this afternoon.
I think it's possible for a photograph to have impressionist qualities without using PP to create virtual brush strokes or simplify detail. I look forward to voting/commenting.
Impressionism II was back in 2007.
This was my entry.
Message edited by author 2016-10-30 15:08:53. |
|
|
|
10/30/2016 04:18:19 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by pixelpig:
I think it's possible for a photograph to have impressionist qualities without using PP to create virtual brush strokes or simplify detail. I look forward to voting/commenting.
Impressionism II was back in 2007.
This was my entry. |
A fine entry indeed because it has to do with the essence of light and color and not mimicking just the technique (brush strokes etc) which creates sort of hybrid images not quite photos, not paintings either.
It's a very hard challenge.
I agree a lot with Wendy vawendy:" I found a deeper meaning in the photograph and the flaw ended up being fascinating."
and
"I can see that there is so much still to be discovered. And the more we stick with it, the more we will be amazed."
I suggested years ago that we discuss a challenge AFTER we get the results, ribbons and all, without malice or hatred. Just how we approached the subject.
Meanwhile, VOTE and make at least 5 COMMENTS |
|
|
|
10/30/2016 08:17:59 PM · #9 |
Yes, it has been my experience also that if I stay a while, trying to find something to say in a comment, often the image will reveal itself to me in new & interesting ways.
Distracting Elements has been interesting to vote on, difficult to comment on for me. I suspect that for most of the entries, the distracting element for me will not match the distracting element for the photographer. So I feel shy about commenting.
I often go back after the challenge, looking for photographer's Notes. Wendy taught me to do that for her Notes are wonderful. Like you, I would like to discuss the challenge & challenge results but I'm shy about doing that too, for fear it would be taken as a complaint of some kind. |
|
|
|
10/30/2016 09:27:44 PM · #10 |
| I felt dumb leaving some comments on distracting elements, but I did it anyway. I figured since I was having that many thoughts, I might as well write them down. If the person found them annoying, they find them annoying. But maybe someone might find one interesting. |
|
|
|
10/30/2016 09:46:02 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by pixelpig:
... I would like to discuss the challenge & challenge results but I'm shy about doing that too, for fear it would be taken as a complaint of some kind. |
I know it's been proposed in the past that there be some way for photographers to indicate that they welcome any comments, with the implicit promise to not write nasty PMs or responses even if they disagree.
As a workaround, how about starting a thread for "Post-Challenge Volunteers" where people can list themselves as being willing to have their images discussed -- maybe maintain a standing list in the initial thread? If you do that, you can add me to the list ...
Another idea I've been considering (but not acting upon) is to have a thread to discuss finishers in a set of percentiles ...
15th % -- why isn't it in the 10th
40th % -- what could have put it in the top quarter
70th % -- how to get into the top half
... or something like that -- you don't really need the photographer's permission to discuss a photo about which you found something interesting you'd like to share. You can add to the challenge scores (= "results") thread if you don't want to start a new one.
Message edited by author 2016-10-30 21:48:44. |
|
|
|
10/31/2016 01:37:23 PM · #12 |
Wendy, I have been receiving long, wonderfully descriptive comments from you in the recent past. I go back to read them as they are so heartfelt, and generous. Did I mention LONG?
If I may suggest my interpretation on your comments: They are about the feeling you received, more than the image that you saw.
Thank you.
This thread made me remember how little I would have grown in photography, were it not for the wide range of perfect imperfection and simple complicated images I have seen here.
I'm also very guilty of not commenting enough, and will really try to do better.
Someone, I've forgotten who, thanked me via a PM because I marked his/her image as a favourite. That resulted in a few messages to and fro, which was very nice. I have since done the same [catching up every 3 months or so] with the fave's I've received. The result is definitely a good experience all round, as far as i can tell. Of course, I do not want to burden Wendy with having to write 60 PM's a week, but for me, with about 1 fave every 2nd month, it's working very well.
Oh by the way Wendy, I'll get to your fave only next week...
|
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Prints! -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 04/18/2024 07:11:07 PM EDT.
