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08/31/2005 12:34:35 AM · #1 |
Three splash shots involving strawberries and milk on the top ten. What do you think about that? Sorry if this is offensive to those who took the splash shots, and to others, but I think the following could be a fairly interesting topic for discussion.
Where is the value of originality here? It's obvious by the number of entries featuring splashes, not to mention splashes with strawberries, that many people think this scene is a good one to shoot. No doubt such scenes can produce very pretty and nice to look at images.
My question is if something is commonplace and there are many versions (albeit of differing quality) of such a scene, why isn't it losing impact? Is there such a thing as timelessness when it comes to such shots? As in would some scenes simply be too overpoweringly nice to look at that we automatically and positively respond to them, regardless of how many times we've seen that or something similar before?
Or is it a matter of "if you haven't seen it, then it's new to you?" Which I suppose would then speak more about the audience's experience in viewing images, etc.
I don't mean this to be an offensive or aggressive process. But I do think I want to ask these questions. Apologies to those who might feel offended, again.
-Rob
PS I'm not interested in "creativity is dead" or "there's no creativity in DPC" responses either.
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08/31/2005 12:35:59 AM · #2 |
| we like purdy pitchers. we like'em a lot. that is all. |
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08/31/2005 12:37:27 AM · #3 |
splashes or not, graphicfunks photo is amazing
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08/31/2005 12:40:15 AM · #4 |
Honestly, I am trying to make this as short and sweet as possible.... I believe that the images we see most often begin to burn the "ideal image" in our own imaginations and when we see a shot well done, we rank it highly. Breakfast commercials and many marketing/advertisements with morning or fruit food will use the strawberry splash because its appealing both in taste and in color to society. I think we have been trained to like these pictures because it triggers an image in our heads... is comfy, traditional and sometimes doing the "overdone" is a challenge in itself.
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08/31/2005 12:40:39 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by totaldis:
splashes or not, graphicfunks photo is amazing |
Totally agree with that. I'd not seen that before, I truly appreciate(d) its originality value, and I scored that at a max. I'm talking about images that have been shot and seen many times before.
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08/31/2005 12:41:04 AM · #6 |
well stated calamity
Message edited by author 2005-08-31 00:41:24.
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08/31/2005 12:41:54 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by CalamitysMaster00:
Honestly, I am trying to make this as short and sweet as possible.... I believe that the images we see most often begin to burn the "ideal image" in our own imaginations and when we see a shot well done, we rank it highly. Breakfast commercials and many marketing/advertisements with morning or fruit food will use the strawberry splash because its appealing both in taste and in color to society. I think we have been trained to like these pictures because it triggers an image in our heads... is comfy, traditional and sometimes doing the "overdone" is a challenge in itself. |
Thanks for that. Thoughtful take on it, I feel, and yeah, I'd love to get more takes on this vein, here.
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08/31/2005 12:42:13 AM · #8 |
I think you bring up a very good point... i myself was a bit surprissed that 3 of the top 5 shots as you pointed out were strawberries in milk/cream. Usually "the voters" begin to vote down repititions of the same image and concept, especially one thats been done over and over and over again... but i guess this time, for whatever reason, those shots scored high. Cant really change the scores now :-)
On a slightly related note I am really glad to see that Dan's shot got the blue... imo it was original, creative and just plain cool.
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08/31/2005 12:46:56 AM · #9 |
| Nothing wrong with tried and true if you do it well. Thus, there's always a dragonfly near the top of a macro challenge. I had Agwright's strawberry as my first pick, and Graphicfunk's in second place. No matter how many similar images there may be, those are absolute standouts and deserved to win (interesting that they both got votes of 1 and 2). |
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08/31/2005 12:47:07 AM · #10 |
The splash shots seem to be in the class of the Goldengate Bridge or the Eiffel Tower, sunsets and flowers; just when we thought we've seen all the variations, here comes another. However, the one distinction from the other examples is that splash shots capture what the eye alone cannot. Its creativity is in its creation.
However, I will never appreciate any splash shot with the intensity of awe as the first, when I saw it in Life magazine in the late 50's or early 60's.
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08/31/2005 12:47:23 AM · #11 |
I didn't have time to vote or even look at the Dairy challenge in much detail, but I'd have to say that I'm not in the least surprised that there are milk splash photos in abundance. I expected it.
As time goes on, there are very few subjects that are original in photography. If you say, "Well, that's a pic of a strawberry dropped into milk, and it has no worth because it's been done before", then you might as well say the same for school class photos, family Christmas trees and wedding parties (etcetera, etcetera, etcetera...) |
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08/31/2005 12:48:11 AM · #12 |
I think that a lot of new voters will be seeing these type of shots for the first time; you tend to get a rolling stock of new voters, so it appears new to some group each time.
Personally speaking, I think after voting on so many milk and oreo shots, literally blending into one, anything that wasn't would score higher.
Message edited by author 2005-08-31 00:49:31. |
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08/31/2005 12:49:00 AM · #13 |
| A well-executed splash shot will always do well for me just because I think they're really cool. I'm not sure why, they're just appealing. The water drop with a million little pictures reflecting from the background shot, on the other hand, drives me crazy, even if it's well done. I think some topics just hit it well. |
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08/31/2005 01:15:20 AM · #14 |
but how about going the opposite direction here:
Instead of 'hammering on the cliche type of shots', why not check the diff ones, the oh-so called "out of the box" chit.
There were some examples on this challenge, including mine!
Most of the time, I try these approaches. Do they score well? Then it depends.....but, depends on what!?
When I vote I go through all images first, and then I start voting, I take the challenge description into consideration, technical aspects, appeal and also "creativity".
That's why the only cow shot with a higher vote, was arnit's shot! Cz it was the only "different" cow shot amongst the rest. For me the rest of them (cows), should all be on the lower portion of the rank (sorry you guys that took pics of the cows, but its my opinion).
Most of the splash shots for this challenge are awesome, including graphicfunk's image (well deserved ribbon), but then again, some other lower on the rank, are just "eeewwww". "Dunk the oreos". That's not taken into consideration, and ppl vote it a bit higher!
But then u see this:
 - 47th place
 - 54th place
 - mine at 63rd place
 - 71st place
 - 114th place
 - 115th place
Just to mention a few!
These shots, there's nothing like that in there! They're all unique!
I know some of them have some flaws (mine for example) but please...
What makes an "ordinary cow" better than that Frankenshake shot!?
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08/31/2005 01:16:05 AM · #15 |
These pictures are called 'studies'. They are technically strong but have little else going for them. They lack compositional qualities and uniqueness. They lack impact at any level other than the superficial or as often stated here, 'sugary' appeal. They become another picture on another page.........
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08/31/2005 01:45:48 AM · #16 |
rgo: I am one of the strawberry splashes you're referring to and your comment during voting came in loud and clear so I'm not surprised or offended at this post at all.
The devil made me do it. That is all. ;-)
But really, I had fun doing the shot so I went with it. I was definitely not expecting the high score that I got.
So many subjects can be considered commonplace.. if we all obsessed about that and thought against shooting it, I'd hate to think how many shots wouldn't be around for all of us to enjoy right now. |
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08/31/2005 03:20:10 AM · #17 |
I tried doing a splash with raisins, didnt come out well. Kudos to those who executed it well.. and they deserve a high score.
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08/31/2005 03:22:35 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by scuds:
but how about going the opposite direction here:
Instead of 'hammering on the cliche type of shots', why not check the diff ones, the oh-so called "out of the box" chit.
There were some examples on this challenge, including mine!
Most of the time, I try these approaches. Do they score well? Then it depends.....but, depends on what!?
When I vote I go through all images first, and then I start voting, I take the challenge description into consideration, technical aspects, appeal and also "creativity".
That's why the only cow shot with a higher vote, was arnit's shot! Cz it was the only "different" cow shot amongst the rest. For me the rest of them (cows), should all be on the lower portion of the rank (sorry you guys that took pics of the cows, but its my opinion).
Most of the splash shots for this challenge are awesome, including graphicfunk's image (well deserved ribbon), but then again, some other lower on the rank, are just "eeewwww". "Dunk the oreos". That's not taken into consideration, and ppl vote it a bit higher!
But then u see this:
- 47th place
- 54th place
- mine at 63rd place
- 71st place
- 114th place
- 115th place
Just to mention a few!
These shots, there's nothing like that in there! They're all unique!
I know some of them have some flaws (mine for example) but please...
What makes an "ordinary cow" better than that Frankenshake shot!?
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all those images were among my 7+votes
people are blind when it comes to seeing good images
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08/31/2005 03:28:07 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by azoychka:
They lack compositional qualities and uniqueness. |
Easy there, i'm not sure i can agree with that at all... (and i thought "oh god!" when i saw the results page too).
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08/31/2005 03:31:58 AM · #20 |
I'm really disapointed with DPchallenge, I thought we got passed the pupppies and kittens page but I guess not. There's really an idea in DPCers mind, a conceptual peace would not do well here, an interesting fashion neither, all that could finish in the top 10 are colouful, sharp, clear and commercial like picture.
The challenge in here is not to make great pictures that'll fit into the challenge, it's to please the viewer. So if you spend a 100% of your time here, there will be no freedom left to your art.
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08/31/2005 03:49:44 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by typologic:
rgo: I am one of the strawberry splashes you're referring to and your comment during voting came in loud and clear so I'm not surprised or offended at this post at all.
The devil made me do it. That is all. ;-)
But really, I had fun doing the shot so I went with it. I was definitely not expecting the high score that I got.
So many subjects can be considered commonplace.. if we all obsessed about that and thought against shooting it, I'd hate to think how many shots wouldn't be around for all of us to enjoy right now. |
Hey typo,
I hope the frankness during the challenge (re my comment on your shot) wasn't misconstrued. I wasn't trying to be wicked or patronizing, but simply voicing a "gut instinct" response to the various shots I saw. I left similar comments on a few other strawberry-milk splash shots, and then after a while just gave up each time I saw another.
I suppose you're right on in saying that commonplace is a subjective perspective. I'm glad for you that you had fun doing the shot. It's the primary reason we're here, I guess. :)
-Rob
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08/31/2005 04:22:46 AM · #22 |
I have to admit - I too grimaced when I saw the first results page. As much as I appreciate how hard those splash shots are to get right (I tried one - albeit with a twist, and couldn't get it to work) I'm still disappointed with the lack of originality. I think Graphicfunks shot is a perfect example the amazing creativity that can emerge from a cliche.
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08/31/2005 04:53:41 AM · #23 |
| hey rgo, why do you think the vast majority of ads to themes related on food are made like that? (milk pouring into chocolate, strawberries splashed, etc...). Because IT WORKS! Because some instincts are stronger than the capacity to see aesthetics, balance, originality, bla, bla... |
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08/31/2005 04:58:53 AM · #24 |
| Or is that because we have been conditioned by years of media images - chicken and egg.. |
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08/31/2005 05:05:17 AM · #25 |
Originally posted by amber:
Or is that because we have been conditioned by years of media images - chicken and egg.. |
well... maybe that too :) |
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