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Showing posts 1 - 25 of 113, descending (reverse)
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02/26/2014 09:33:07 PM · #1
Originally posted by tph1:

Hmm.. how about a Challenge named Guns?

Challenge Suggestion section is here.

Be sure to include description (if any) and a recommended editing rules setting.
02/26/2014 09:28:49 PM · #2
Ha! perfect..
02/26/2014 08:45:40 PM · #3
Guns don't kill people, street photography does.
02/26/2014 08:35:12 PM · #4
Originally posted by ubique:

Guys, get a grip. There are only two aspects of American culture on which I've ever made critical comment: deranged obsession with guns, and relentless self-indulgence. Everything else about America I admire; almost everyone does.

The only reason it seems like I'm always attacking America is because the guns and gluttony stuff is so frequently all that's visible, from way over here. Stop that stuff, and I'll be delighted to shut up.


Wait! Guns are a problem? I don't own a gun. Probably should as I have lived in rural Ohio for over 25 years now. I have become a hillbilly over the years and its not too bad a lifestyle! The kids love to hunt. Schools close for opening day of deer season. Shotguns are in the rear window of their pickup trucks. Bad things happen, but they always will. They don't happen here though. The only downside of the rural lifestyle I have experienced is a strong prejudice against those that are different than those we know. That's a problem. But it's not gun related. Typical crime in my corner of the world? Mailboxes destroyed on a Friday night.

Gluttony is a problem that faces a number of western societies. America in particular. Hmm.. how about a Challenge named Guns?

02/25/2014 09:23:36 PM · #5
Originally posted by chazoe:

Originally posted by ubique:

Guys, get a grip. There are only two aspects of American culture on which I've ever made critical comment: deranged obsession with guns, and relentless self-indulgence. Everything else about America I admire; almost everyone does.

The only reason it seems like I'm always attacking America is because the guns and gluttony stuff is so frequently all that's visible, from way over here. Stop that stuff, and I'll be delighted to shut up.


That's what bothers me. That stuff is so shallow and pointless in my opinion. Why is it that so many people focus on those kind of things and never mention the philanthropy or the great things America has done for the world.
We are obviously not perfect but we're also not a nation of redneck racist over indulgent under educated (my use of commas or lack there of asside) imbeciles either.


Oh and BTW I love America, heck my daughter is over their studying ATM, I might not like everything about their culture, True, but I find them to be one of the friendliest people we've met in all our travels!
02/25/2014 09:07:01 PM · #6
Originally posted by blindjustice:

but ultimately that which may make us uncomfortable may be necessary.


02/25/2014 04:23:07 PM · #7
Originally posted by vawendy:

Because the news isn't interested in any of that. You watch local news and you're afraid to go outside, because everyone is out to get you. News likes the sensational, the grotesque, the problems.

Bad news goes about in clogs, Good news in stockinged feet.
— Welsh Proverb
02/25/2014 04:17:57 PM · #8
Oh, but we ARE a bunch of redneck, racist, undereducated, overweight imbeciles with a "me!" attitude to beat the band. We're a lot of other things, too, and some of those things might actually be good....
02/25/2014 04:07:32 PM · #9
Originally posted by RyanW:

realistically, when people look at the collective as more important than the individual in the USA, people's minds will start to change. Until then, the "me first" or "my right to X" attitude turns a lot of people off.


I hope that never happens.
02/25/2014 04:07:10 PM · #10
Originally posted by vawendy:

Now stop distracting me. I don't have anything for foreground bokeh, and I have to go create a piece of photography, art, oh heck, I have to go shoot something!

Careful what you say there Wendy. You may never see another squirrel again if they hear you talk like that!!! "... go shoot something!"

:-D
02/25/2014 04:00:18 PM · #11
realistically, when people look at the collective as more important than the individual in the USA, people's minds will start to change. Until then, the "me first" or "my right to X" attitude turns a lot of people off.
02/25/2014 03:57:13 PM · #12
Now stop distracting me. I don't have anything for foreground bokeh, and I have to go create a piece of photography, art, oh heck, I have to go shoot something!
02/25/2014 03:53:34 PM · #13
Originally posted by chazoe:

Originally posted by ubique:

Guys, get a grip. There are only two aspects of American culture on which I've ever made critical comment: deranged obsession with guns, and relentless self-indulgence. Everything else about America I admire; almost everyone does.

The only reason it seems like I'm always attacking America is because the guns and gluttony stuff is so frequently all that's visible, from way over here. Stop that stuff, and I'll be delighted to shut up.


That's what bothers me. That stuff is so shallow and pointless in my opinion. Why is it that so many people focus on those kind of things and never mention the philanthropy or the great things America has done for the world. We are obviously not perfect but we're also not a nation of redneck racist over indulgent under educated (my use of commas or lack the of asside) imbeciles either.


Because the news isn't interested in any of that. You watch local news and you're afraid to go outside, because everyone is out to get you. News likes the sensational, the grotesque, the problems.
02/25/2014 03:37:27 PM · #14
Originally posted by ubique:

Guys, get a grip. There are only two aspects of American culture on which I've ever made critical comment: deranged obsession with guns, and relentless self-indulgence. Everything else about America I admire; almost everyone does.

The only reason it seems like I'm always attacking America is because the guns and gluttony stuff is so frequently all that's visible, from way over here. Stop that stuff, and I'll be delighted to shut up.


That's what bothers me. That stuff is so shallow and pointless in my opinion. Why is it that so many people focus on those kind of things and never mention the philanthropy or the great things America has done for the world. We are obviously not perfect but we're also not a nation of redneck racist over indulgent under educated (my use of commas or lack there of asside) imbeciles either.

Message edited by author 2014-02-25 15:51:56.
02/25/2014 03:33:39 PM · #15
Originally posted by chazoe:

Originally posted by posthumous:

Originally posted by chazoe:

and now apparently our "Disney World architecture". I for one find it tiresome but who am I? Just another fat, dumb, uncultured, gun-owning, arrogant American.


If you're going to accuse Paul of intolerance, then go ahead and defend that architecture. Tell us how form follows function. Tell us of its elegance and beauty, or its integrity. Don't just condemn him for condemning something.


Yes because one apartment building is representative to all the architecture in America. And I'm sure all the apartment buildings in the world are amazing except the ones in the US.


My favourite architect is American. So is my second favourite.

My favourite painter is American. So is my second favourite.

My favourite author is American. So is my second favourite.

My favourite photographer is Italian. But my second favourite is American.

All true, I promise you.

02/25/2014 03:31:40 PM · #16
Originally posted by chazoe:

Originally posted by posthumous:

Originally posted by chazoe:

and now apparently our "Disney World architecture". I for one find it tiresome but who am I? Just another fat, dumb, uncultured, gun-owning, arrogant American.


If you're going to accuse Paul of intolerance, then go ahead and defend that architecture. Tell us how form follows function. Tell us of its elegance and beauty, or its integrity. Don't just condemn him for condemning something.


Yes because one apartment building is representative to all the architecture in America. And I'm sure all the apartment buildings in the world are amazing except the ones in the US.


But that's what a "social commentary" photo does. It provides one example and extrapolates from that. As I told Wendy, it's not science, it's not proof and it's not fair. But it can be powerful.
02/25/2014 03:24:56 PM · #17
Originally posted by posthumous:

Originally posted by chazoe:

and now apparently our "Disney World architecture". I for one find it tiresome but who am I? Just another fat, dumb, uncultured, gun-owning, arrogant American.


If you're going to accuse Paul of intolerance, then go ahead and defend that architecture. Tell us how form follows function. Tell us of its elegance and beauty, or its integrity. Don't just condemn him for condemning something.


Yes because one apartment building is representative to all the architecture in America. And I'm sure all the apartment buildings in the world are amazing except the ones in the US.
02/25/2014 03:23:21 PM · #18
Originally posted by Melethia:

Goodness! How awesome that a picture and some words could inspire such spirited discussion! Art?? :)

Love the picture. Almost unreal, as though it were staged brilliantly, yet not! Loved the comment. One of the greatest features of this site is seeing through the eyes of others, be it in words or pictures.

My concern... who the heck is watching that toddler?? :)

Carry on. But never stay calm. Where's the fun in that?

Deb, fear not: the parents are just outside the frame :). That harkens back to the issue of a street photo vs "real life". I made the choice of leaving them out and that choice certainly affected the perception of the scene. Street photographers do not stage the scenes, but they make such choices to emphasize, change, or even create stories. Which is what makes street photography exciting. As Paul just said, think about a photo as you would about a painting (or a book, or a play) ...and comment/read comments accordingly.
02/25/2014 03:21:15 PM · #19
Originally posted by ubique:

Guys, get a grip.


What fun is that? And what else would we do with our time?

And what would Art have upon which to comment (and eat popcorn)??
02/25/2014 03:13:15 PM · #20
Guys, get a grip. There are only two aspects of American culture on which I've ever made critical comment: deranged obsession with guns, and relentless self-indulgence. Everything else about America I admire; almost everyone does.

The only reason it seems like I'm always attacking America is because the guns and gluttony stuff is so frequently all that's visible, from way over here. Stop that stuff, and I'll be delighted to shut up.
02/25/2014 03:10:36 PM · #21
Originally posted by rooum:

Originally posted by bohemka:

Paul's disdain for American culture is well documented, and this photo reaffirmed nearly all of it.


Originally posted by chazoe:

And what Ubique saw was something that, in his opinion, reinforced his distaste for America and it's culture. Ubique has never really hidden his disdain for the US.


Can you two not get it through your heads that having disdain and distaste for *some* aspects of a culture is not the same as having disdain for an entire country and culture. There are plenty of things about America i'm sure Paul loves - jeez, the guy even did a whole photo essay on Breaking Bad last month.

Honestly, get a tougher skin guys!

Just an observation, Clive. Nothing to do with being offended or even disagreeing with it.
02/25/2014 03:07:19 PM · #22
Originally posted by chazoe:

and now apparently our "Disney World architecture". I for one find it tiresome but who am I? Just another fat, dumb, uncultured, gun-owning, arrogant American.


If you're going to accuse Paul of intolerance, then go ahead and defend that architecture. Tell us how form follows function. Tell us of its elegance and beauty, or its integrity. Don't just condemn him for condemning something.
02/25/2014 03:06:53 PM · #23
Originally posted by posthumous:

Originally posted by vawendy:


1. A photograph as a commentary on society

...

is it fair to make comments/assumptions of a society based on photographs? Is there truly enough information? Isn't it kind of similar to How to Lie with Statistics? You can make a photograph show/say anything you want. Is America a place of health and vitality because we show photographs of gorgeous guys/girls jogging on the beach?

Seriously -- I'm not saying we shouldn't do it, I'm just questioning now, because I'm truly wondering.

...

Is it right to see a photograph of these things, and say that "see -- here's the proof"?


you're confusing social commentary with social science. social commentary in art is about making assumptions and making you feel something about those assumptions. science is about proof.


Excellent post, Don, and puts a lot into perspective.

One of the best posts in the thread. Thank you.
02/25/2014 03:04:15 PM · #24
Tougher skin, right or wrong, fair or unfair, stupid or not stupid...

This was a conversation worth having.

I was one of the most vocal in my response -- but people are taking that as a bad thing and this thread as a bad thing.

If the comment was worthwhile and completely just in being made, so are the reactions.

If I can't handle the comment, it's up to me to work it out. Why stew in silence?

In talking it out here and receiving numerous PMs covering all sides, I'm seeing things that I hadn't seen before, and viewpoints that hadn't occurred to me. Whether or not any of us agrees, the conversation is worthwhile.

So I see no reason to complain about the thread.
02/25/2014 03:03:10 PM · #25
Well said Paul
(photography) It's exploitative almost by definition

We are predators - of a moment, a second, of humans and birds alike, wars and catastrophes, kind moments and what's not

As I said before:
We are primarily photographers here. Let's not censorship photograph, photographers and commenters.
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