Architecture no-go - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/20/2005 10:32:38 PM · #2

I'd have scored it an 8. It does for me exactly what you describe, I "get" that immediately. I'm not sure how many people would feel the same way though. It's sort of a subtle message, and some folks would just htink "ugly" and zap right on by.

Ilove that the only asymmetry in the image is the staggering of the 2 doors, and the wall outlets on one side. It seems less than critically sharp; some USM might have helped crisp it up?

Robt.

Message edited by author 2005-01-20 22:34:38.

pitsaman

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

01/20/2005 10:37:46 PM · #3

Nothing special about it,4...

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

01/20/2005 10:41:58 PM · #4

Overall, I like it, but probably wouldn't have given it more than a 5. It might be a bit better to crop the left and right and play the "infinity" theme stronger--not having a close end of the hallway.

deapee

Kodak V803

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

01/20/2005 10:42:31 PM · #5

It's interesting when you put more than a few words behind it. Unfortunately, it would have probably been glanced over, down-voted, and commented on as 'snapshot' -- so I say good choice to bail.

bdobe

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

01/21/2005 01:54:09 AM · #6

There are some really outstanding shots in the Architecture II challenge... I, frankly, don't think that your shot would've done well by comparison.

David.C

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

01/21/2005 02:46:00 AM · #7

Some pictures would really help those walls.

Some plants, chairs or such wouldn't hurt either.

David.

mpalitang

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

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

01/21/2005 03:54:04 PM · #8

I wouldn't have voted it well... the subject may be boring, but you need to make it un-boring by making a creative shot!

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/21/2005 04:14:50 PM · #9

So, it is the consensus in this site, or at least among the respondents to this thread, that a photograph of a bleak, banal, soul-sucking space in all its shattering monotony, perfectly (and I mean absolutely perfectly) framed & exposed, cannot be considered a "good" photograph?

Think about it.

Robt.

lwkimages

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

01/21/2005 04:27:10 PM · #10

I like this and would probably have given it a 7. The vertical and horizontal (...and diagonal) lines draw one toward the exit sign, which in turn points to the brightly lit door in the center. While a drab hallway, this says something to me: "Get me out of this workplace!"

For me, it's an interesting image.

Stagolee

Kodak Easyshare C180

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

01/21/2005 04:49:41 PM · #11

Originally posted by bear_music:

I think it is good but does not have the wow factor that gets my 8,9 or 10 vote.
I would vote in the 6 to 7 range the sharpness lets it down also i feel the light on the floor is a tad bright.

Azrifel

Nikon Coolpix P340

01/21/2005 05:02:49 PM · #12

I think that the composition is very good with all those lines going to a vanishing point. Centering it worked well here. But on the other hand it is such a dull place and such simple (13 in a dozen) architecture that I probably wouldn't have given it more than a 6.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

01/21/2005 05:26:54 PM · #13

Huh huh... I guess I'm addressing a couple larger issues: first, are we judging photography or architecture in this callenge? The answer, presumably, is "photography." Now, admittedly it's easier to get a "WOW" picture with something spectacular and bright as a subject, BUT...

While we're at the business of judging photography, we need to sometimes stop and think "is this 'depressing' image a skillful photograph? Is there a PURPOSE to its madness?" and sometimes the answer is "yes!" Same goes for quiet, serene images. I am sorry, sometimes, to see that the vast majority of the images that score well in a given challenge all have in common some component of bright color, dramatic angle, shocking moment captured, whatever provides the WOW factor.

But I think the art is about much more than "wow", I guess is my point. I think this particular picture is a Very Good Picture. Could it be improved? Yes. But it is Very Good despite that it is neither uplifting, amusing, or "crucial" in any way. It's downbeat, bleak, hard to take; but it's exactly what it should be, IMO. And when an image attains that state, becomes what it needs to be, that's Fine Work.

IMO, of course.

Robt.

Stagolee

Kodak Easyshare C180

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

01/21/2005 05:42:20 PM · #14

Originally posted by bear_music:

Rob you are 100% right in what you have said but:

These challenges are set up so you have very little time to vote on the image and the wow factor is needed to gain further investigation by the viewer.
The members voting are all at different levels of photography knowledge and skill.
These competitions are not your traditional camera club comp that are voted by panels or fellow members with vast photography skill.
People vote on emotion eg nice colours, dark moody clouds etc etc.

So it is very important in these challenges to capture your audeince quickly with something spectacular if you want to score well but if you want to just express your artistic style or pure photography skill it may not score as well here. It is a shame but that is what I have found since I started here.

s2fraser

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

01/21/2005 11:43:57 PM · #15

Hi Everyone

Thanks for the feedback and discussion. I can see Ted's point: with 900+ photos to be considered, it's difficult to really 'get into' every picture, especially when they convey negative aesthetic values and a very downbeat message.

Personally, I am very happy with the picutre (and thanks for the positive feedback!). It conveys the message and feelings I wanted to get across, and isn't that a valid point of photography? There are certianly technical points that could've been improved, especially the too-bright floor. I should've waited until the floor matched the ceiling; after all the main theme was the unremitting, spirit-crushing bland symmetry. I might have also chosen a more directing name, like "Workplace of the Borg" or "No room for aesthetics at work" or something like that.

Thanks for your time and input!
Cheers
Stu

deapee

Kodak V803

01/21/2005 11:47:27 PM · #16

A lot more goes into a good photograph than perfect exposure, white balance, the proper depth of field, and the right lighting and shadows...the most important thing to photography or judging a photograph is the subject.