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Showing posts 26 - 50 of 52, (reverse)
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 04/04/2013 03:00:51 PM · #26
Just looking at some old New Yorker covers, and wondering what it was. I think artlessness was part of it, and possibly gentle or savage but not mean wit besides.
 04/04/2013 03:09:57 PM · #27
Bear's doing a good job of explaining, but since I'm the one who first used the word...English novels before and during the Victorian period often used the word "artless" to describe a young woman (or occasionally a man) who is very plain, not pretentious, and isn't trying to impress anyone.

The artless person is usually contrasted sympathetically against someone who is a conniving bitch, if that's any help. Think Amelia vs. Becky in "Vanity Fair."
 04/04/2013 04:04:49 PM · #28
who arted?
 04/04/2013 04:05:42 PM · #29
Not me!
 04/04/2013 05:47:15 PM · #30
did I say yes?
 04/04/2013 06:28:16 PM · #31
This would be an interesting challenge.

And please excuse Skews for arting.
 04/04/2013 06:57:32 PM · #32
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by nygold:
I'm also lost.
Is it a pretty picture of something ugly?

No. It's more like the difference between bling and no-bling, say. Artlessness is understated, it doesn't draw attention to itself, it doesn't try to put itself between the viewer and the experience of viewing and say "Hey, look at me! Look at me!"

Think of something like the Versailles Palace in France; totally over-the-top, CRAMMED with conscious artifice. Compare it with an old, post-and-beam barn in Pennsylvania Dutch country, all workmanlike joinery and classic proportions, utterly without artifice, perfectly suited to its task.


Photograph a Pennsylvania Barn??? I think I can manage that one fairly well! I'd be in!!
 05/07/2013 11:13:30 PM · #33
Did I miss this challenge?
 05/07/2013 11:16:59 PM · #34
No, jury's still out
 05/08/2013 12:23:01 AM · #35
SP=DNMC :(
 05/08/2013 08:25:35 AM · #36
I think this would be nice because, in part, it makes you think of constructing an image without concern for reliance on quality of camera, lens or processing. Not to eschew the equipment, but transcend it maybe? to have an idea without the thought, I will be judged on how slick it is?
 05/08/2013 08:44:01 AM · #37
Originally posted by blindjustice:
I think this would be nice because, in part, it makes you think of constructing an image without concern for reliance on quality of camera, lens or processing. Not to eschew the equipment, but transcend it maybe? to have an idea without the thought, I will be judged on how slick it is?


Funny, i was thinking pretty much the opposite. When i think of an 'artless' photography the first thing that comes to mind is glossy souless advertising. A well lit, well shot photograph of a glossy beautiful babe, sat on a washing machine drinking a can of Pepsi trying to sell you insurance. Something like that.

e.t.a though, that i hadn't read this thread when i posted so i see everyone has gone in a totally different direction. Fair enough, i can behind the wabi sabi idea of artless as well.

Message edited by author 2013-05-08 08:53:48.
 05/08/2013 10:21:53 AM · #38
This idea of shooting "artless" is very confusing to me. If the artist calls it art, then it's art. The real question is who's an artist? Would be disappointing if there was consensus on this.
 05/08/2013 10:38:59 AM · #39
Originally posted by insteps:
This idea of shooting "artless" is very confusing to me. If the artist calls it art, then it's art. The real question is who's an artist? Would be disappointing if there was consensus on this.

Again, that's not what this is about. "Artless", in this context, means "without artifice", "guileless".

art·less
/ˈärtlis/
Adjective
1. Without guile or deception.
2. Without effort or pretentiousness; natural and simple: "an artless literary masterpiece".
Synonyms
simple - naive - ingenuous - unsophisticated - innocent

Think of a classic, Cape Cod house vs, say, an elaborate, gingerbread-trimmed Victorian.
05/08/2013 10:54:47 AM · #40
Well, would be interesting to see what people come up with. The pretty artless shots will score high.
 05/08/2013 10:57:47 AM · #41
Originally posted by insteps:
Well, would be interesting to see what people come up with. The pretty artless shots will score high.

Sure! There's no reason why "artless" shouldn't be beautiful. It's not a challenge about shooting ugly junk and making it look good. It's more about finding the sublime in simplicity. IMO anyway.
 05/08/2013 11:02:59 AM · #42
I personally like this:

Without effort or pretentiousness; natural and simple.

Instead of a challenge, maybe it should be a ruleset.
05/08/2013 11:03:37 AM · #43
Sublime in simplicity I understand. Never considered that artless though. Sorry to go in circles.
 05/08/2013 11:05:29 AM · #44
Maybe someone can post a few examples?
 05/08/2013 11:09:22 AM · #45
my point was that around here finding art in the artless, "the art without artifice" is more easliy accomplished with "simple tools" rather than portraying a literal meaning of "artless" through soulless commercial work.
 05/08/2013 11:27:03 AM · #46
I'm afraid I can find art in about anything. That's what makes this difficult for me. I really like the idea though and hope to see something along these lines happen.
 05/08/2013 11:32:24 AM · #47
Originally posted by insteps:
Sublime in simplicity I understand. Never considered that artless though. Sorry to go in circles.

The artless dodger.
 05/08/2013 12:28:52 PM · #48
Originally posted by bvy:
I personally like this:

Without effort or pretentiousness; natural and simple.

Instead of a challenge, maybe it should be a ruleset.


If it were a rule-set it would require complicated efforts to stay within an unnatural box. ;)

However, I like it. It is a guiding principle that would bring joy to the willing photographer.
 05/08/2013 12:59:41 PM · #49
the rule of the unruly, plus ca change...
 05/08/2013 01:58:09 PM · #50
art·less
adj.
1. Having or displaying no guile, cunning, or deceit.
2. Free of artificiality; natural: artless charm.
3. Lacking art, knowledge, or skill; uncultured and ignorant.
4. Poorly made or done; crude.

art•ful
adj.
1. slyly crafty or cunning; deceitful; tricky.
2. skillful or clever in adapting means to ends; ingenious.
3. done with or characterized by art or skill.
4. Archaic. artificial.
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