"Outside The Box" - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

09/27/2003 03:02:23 AM · #9

"Outside the box" is a phrase usually used for someone who either interprets the challenge in a different (sometimes, to others incomprehensible) way, or shots an image that relates to the challenge in an abstract or not too obvious way. So to have an "outside the box" challenge would beg the question: Outside what box? With no specific challenge topic, there's no box to think outside.

Having said that, I think Irony sort of does fit the bill of a challenge that requires some more lateral thinking to do well. Hopefully.

KarenB

Canon EOS-70D

09/27/2003 06:14:22 AM · #10

I think this idea is a good one.... and the "surrealism" approach would be fantastic!

diametunim

Canon PowerShot S30

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for Canon

09/27/2003 07:54:18 AM · #11

when i thought of my idea for the irony challenge... mmm.. very nice. it made me sit and think for a few days, nothing i've ever done before.

out of the box, though.. that'd definitely be fun.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

09/27/2003 12:43:40 PM · #12

All right, so give an example of a shot for an "Outside the Box" challenge. Maybe I just don't get it. (The appropriate penalty for "outside the box" thinking. (-: )

Message edited by author 2003-09-27 12:44:00.

bruster54

Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel

Canon EF 100-300mm f/5.6

09/27/2003 04:31:46 PM · #13

Originally posted by ScottK:

All right, so give an example of a shot for an "Outside the Box" challenge. Maybe I just don't get it. (The appropriate penalty for "outside the box" thinking. (-: )

I can tell you what it is not...cats, dogs, kids, flowers, clouds, sunsets...your typical subject matter for most challenges! I enjoy photographing all those subjects...but let's stretch our brain cells and "create" something unique!

Example: //www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=35209

Message edited by author 2003-09-27 16:55:26.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

09/27/2003 04:47:17 PM · #14

Originally posted by ScottK:

All right, so give an example of a shot for an "Outside the Box" challenge. Maybe I just don't get it. (The appropriate penalty for "outside the box" thinking. (-: )

Digital Thinker

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

09/28/2003 01:11:48 AM · #15

Bruster: So it's just odd or quirky images? (I don't mean that sarcastically.) That could definitly be an interesting and fun challenge.

GeneralE: What's "outside the box" about that shot? I still don't get it. :(

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

09/28/2003 05:18:40 PM · #16

Originally posted by ScottK:

Bruster: GeneralE: What's "outside the box" about that shot? I still don't get it. :(

Many people said they couldn't see the reflection.

My primary interpretation was of someone "reflecting" on a choice, with Isaac more or less in a pose "mirroring" Rodin's "The Thinker." Just to appease the literalists I made sure I picked a frame which included a perfect little reflection of the monitor in his eye, although apparently even that wasn't enough to "qualify" in some poeple's eyes.

I intentionally made everything except the monitor dark, because usually when poeple are musing over their photos and deciding which one to submit (in this case a "black and white choice") they are often in a darkened room with just the monitor glow for illumination. Considering the exposure limitations of my camera, I think I got it to come out close to what I initially envisioned.

I don't think it's a *great* picture, but just for meeting the challenge in more than one (non-literal) way I think it deserved higher than low 3's; I'm sure if I'd come across it in the voting I'd have given it somewhere between a 4-7.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

09/29/2003 01:10:52 AM · #17

Duh! I didn't pay attention to the fact that it was part of a challenge. I think that's a great interpretation of that challenge. Hard for me to say now, but I think I would have gotten the connection.

But, that actually goes back to my original point: without the context of a specific topic, in this case "reflection", it's hard to pinpoint what box it is you're thinking outside of. You're shots a great "outside the box" interpretation of reflections w/o mirros, but in an "outside the box" challenge, would be kind of meaningless.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

09/29/2003 02:07:30 AM · #18

Originally posted by ScottK:

Right ... I guess my point was, whatever the topic is, those who stretch the boundaries of interpretation will usually receive lower votes than those with more straightforward shots.

I hate to give away my entry in advance, but if the actual topic is "Outside The Box" I will sit in a big box and hold the camera over my head (pointing down) and call it either "Thinking Inside the Box or "Oh, To Be Outside!"