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Crime Scene: 2000 through 2008
Crime Scene: 2000 through 2008
wehrmacher


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Crime Scene (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Pentax K10D
Location: Washington DC
Date: Jun 15, 2008
Aperture: F7.1
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/320
Galleries: Persuasive
Date Uploaded: Jun 15, 2008

 I couldn't believe the subject of this challenge. I knew without a second thought. Every picture is to tell a story, well, for me this tells a story. The picture is generic, mundane, run of the mill tourist snapshot. But, the title tells the story.

I took this shot with my SMC-A 50mm F1:2.0

After the voting
I am sending this more or less open Private Message to all those who commented and scored my crime scene challenge entry “Crime Scene: 2000 through 2008”. I really appreciate the votes, both high and low, and the comments. And for the title, I stand corrected. I dates should have been mid afternoon January 20, 2001, through mid afternoon January 20, 2009. I beg your forgiveness for shortening the title.

There seemed to be two types of comments. One type addressed the technical merit of photograph and the other related primarily to its compatibility with the challenge subject. I will address them separately.

On the technical front, I agree wholeheartedly with each and every one. While I might be able to make the argument, as some of you suggested, that the excess contrast, demonstrating the separation of rich and poor, and the crookedness of the shot were there to add to the metaphor, I won’t go there. I simply got it wrong. The comments on the technical merit are very valuable and I have taken them to heart.

I especially appreciate that comments that had little to do with photo’s technical and/or artistic merit and instead gave me insight into the emotions I stirred. This image/title combination was designed to illicit an emotional response. As the photo generated five times as many comments as I have had on any previous challenge, I believe I was successful. Clear, open, forthright debate is what we have need a lot more of in the past several years. I am glad I could contribute to opening doors for that debate.

For what it’s worth, I voted for Republicans for my whole life, until 2000. I still believe in the overall concepts of small government, fiscal responsibility, and staying out of other people’s lives. However, I feel those ideals have gone missing in the neocon’s philosophy with, IMNSHO, quite unfortunate results.

But, that is a subject for a different venue. With complete honesty and without reservation, I thank all of you for your votes and comments. They will all help me to do a better job at what I am here to learn: photography.

Statistics
Place: 50 out of 62
Avg (all users): 4.8418
Avg (commenters): 5.4194
Avg (participants): 4.7647
Avg (non-participants): 4.8580
Views since voting: 1085
Views during voting: 486
Votes: 196
Comments: 44
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 06/25/2008 03:56:11 AM
haha, kudos for the bravery to submit this. It's a clever take on the challenge, whether one agrees with it or not it's clever. And seriously, this site isn't political? I'd venture to say a good number of the photos on this site make some kind of political/ethical/moral, etc statement or suggestion (and let's not get into the forums). It's art people, just cause you don't like the statement doesn't mean he doesn't have the right to post it. Thanks for the laugh Bill. Also, I think it's one of your stronger photos, especially as I assume you have done little post processing. I'll just give my usual advice, get braver with photoshop and you can take this to another level :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/24/2008 11:24:48 PM
Originally posted by HawkeyeLonewolf:
First off, no crime committed since Clinton left. Secondly, Bush did not take office until 2001 and will leave, sadly, in 2009 to either McCain or Obama. Shame you had no creativity for this challenge, thus as well deserved DNMC and 1.
angry voter?...sure the shot isnt totally technically sound,but the idea for the shot certainly is...everytime bush opens his yapper its a crime in my opinion(but the crimes started waay farther back than the bush camps),lol i didnt vote,but i give this a posthumous 10 for political bravado and wit!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/24/2008 06:38:35 PM
Originally posted by senor_kasper:
What do you think you are going to get by making a political statement in a photo contest? high votes from those that agree with you? perhaps, but what about the other 50% who do not agree with you? so...it can't be that...then what? vent some anger perhaps?...do you feel better now?

I am not voting in this challenge because I am in it, but if I was voting I would score you photo very low, because your arrogance in trying to inject politics in this game would make me see with more severe eye the blown out areas atop the building, the unbalanced composition due to the foreground tree, the excessively hard light with exagerated contrast...and so on. In reality, this a reasonably nice picture, with positives such as beautiful green colors and a very nicely exposed sky, it is too bad that you decided to waste it.
jesus! take it easy francis! ive seen way worse shoehorns and i personally think he's right! great shot wehrmacher!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/23/2008 08:51:20 AM
Originally posted by senor_kasper:
What do you think you are going to get by making a political statement in a photo contest? high votes from those that agree with you? perhaps, but what about the other 50% who do not agree with you? so...it can't be that...then what? vent some anger perhaps?...do you feel better now?

I am not voting in this challenge because I am in it, but if I was voting I would score you photo very low, because your arrogance in trying to inject politics in this game would make me see with more severe eye the blown out areas atop the building, the unbalanced composition due to the foreground tree, the excessively hard light with exagerated contrast...and so on. In reality, this a reasonably nice picture, with positives such as beautiful green colors and a very nicely exposed sky, it is too bad that you decided to waste it.


Take it easy my friend ;-) Who's the angry guy here?
A photo is an idea and the realization of it. Whether you agree or not to the idea itself, the idea here is excellent!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/23/2008 01:15:03 AM
Originally posted by senor_kasper:
What do you think you are going to get by making a political statement in a photo contest? high votes from those that agree with you? perhaps, but what about the other 50% who do not agree with you? so...it can't be that...then what? vent some anger perhaps?...do you feel better now?

I am not voting in this challenge because I am in it, but if I was voting I would score you photo very low, because your arrogance in trying to inject politics in this game would make me see with more severe eye the blown out areas atop the building, the unbalanced composition due to the foreground tree, the excessively hard light with exagerated contrast...and so on. In reality, this a reasonably nice picture, with positives such as beautiful green colors and a very nicely exposed sky, it is too bad that you decided to waste it.


Someone's got sand in their panties...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/23/2008 12:19:45 AM
YUP!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
06/22/2008 11:59:42 PM
HA fabulous idea. im sure that ticked off a few people, but who cares
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2008 11:14:27 PM
Ha ha...lame...!!!!

At the least you could have gotten a decent sky. I mean even the fountain water is blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2008 11:00:11 PM
Hmmm...not really sure about this one.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2008 03:37:19 PM
I'd be willing to venture that this is not going to score well due to the political statement involved. Foliage on the right side seems a bit dominant in this composition though still a decent image overall.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/21/2008 03:24:35 PM
so true. the solution.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/20/2008 11:26:43 PM
Amen! The scene's not quite level -- not unlike the inhabitants.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/20/2008 10:56:41 PM
I bet you're going to get quite a few interesting comments on your take for this challenge. As for me personally, it made me laugh - in part because I agree. As for the image, it's good, clean and crisp. Looks like it belongs on a post card or in a brochure for the tourists. Points for tongue-n-cheek humor.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/20/2008 02:36:09 PM
IMpeach or prosecute? I just want to know your view. on the situation. 5/10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/20/2008 12:05:54 PM
I certainly agree totally with your message. Unfortunately the extent of the crime scene was global. I wish it had been confined to the White House.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2008 09:54:00 PM
definitely...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2008 08:34:32 PM
HA! I considered doing just this, but decided I like to keep politics out of my DPC participation. Well, mostly. So I'll give you an extra point because I'm sure some are whacking you for it.

Since this is advanced editing, it would've been even better if you'd cranked up the contrast and darkened the sky to look threatening.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2008 08:31:46 PM
How true, but he got away with it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2008 01:41:17 PM
As much as I agree with your sentiment, I can't consider this as really meeting the challenge. What a minute, yes I can.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2008 10:41:14 AM
First off, no crime committed since Clinton left. Secondly, Bush did not take office until 2001 and will leave, sadly, in 2009 to either McCain or Obama. Shame you had no creativity for this challenge, thus as well deserved DNMC and 1.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2008 07:30:49 AM
wee it of a stretch
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/18/2008 10:05:11 PM
Sky is a little blown out. If the White House was filling more frame that would help. Too much tree on the right. But this is funny and topical - 7 for making me laugh and show my wife this picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/18/2008 03:46:09 PM
Not too excited about this one. The clarity is off and slightly oversaturated
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/18/2008 03:07:32 AM
Nice picture. It has a very pleasant look and feel. It seems a bit flat perhaps because everything is in focus or perhaps the lighting. Strong political statement it is easy to undertand the photo message when matched with the subject of the challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/17/2008 11:32:13 PM
Clever..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/17/2008 10:57:50 PM
You get a 10 for creativity and composition. The focus seems to be off, but I think that will be ignored. Good luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/17/2008 10:47:21 PM
I shouldn't be surprised. Your horizon is leaning to the left. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/17/2008 09:52:16 PM
Especially 2000
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/17/2008 07:07:54 PM
Lol, nice commentary. Shouldn't the white house be tilting to the right instead of the left?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/17/2008 02:11:32 AM
Spot On!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/16/2008 10:27:52 PM
What do you think you are going to get by making a political statement in a photo contest? high votes from those that agree with you? perhaps, but what about the other 50% who do not agree with you? so...it can't be that...then what? vent some anger perhaps?...do you feel better now?

I am not voting in this challenge because I am in it, but if I was voting I would score you photo very low, because your arrogance in trying to inject politics in this game would make me see with more severe eye the blown out areas atop the building, the unbalanced composition due to the foreground tree, the excessively hard light with exagerated contrast...and so on. In reality, this a reasonably nice picture, with positives such as beautiful green colors and a very nicely exposed sky, it is too bad that you decided to waste it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/16/2008 07:31:52 PM
I thought this was a photography contest...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/16/2008 04:54:18 PM
Cute!! Very Cute!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/16/2008 11:35:19 AM
lol - very funny idea.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/16/2008 10:40:08 AM
While I love the concept (and agree, wholeheartedly), this shot feels very average to me. :/
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/16/2008 10:17:31 AM
No kidding. Can't wait to see the Republican lashing you'll get for this. LOL
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/16/2008 08:57:35 AM
eheh probably you don't are a neocon :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/16/2008 08:17:59 AM
Crooked horizon
Pale skies
Too much contrast
A tourist attraction

4 points that don't help this shot. Although I agree with the caption.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/16/2008 02:37:52 AM
Does not hold water.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/16/2008 01:04:26 AM
seems out of focus
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/16/2008 01:02:00 AM
The crime of the century,10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/16/2008 12:57:13 AM
hee hee hee... this makes me laugh.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/16/2008 12:29:33 AM
Great idea. It's a bit too dark in the shadows, and the sky has almost no definition. This takes away from the score. Still for bringing a smile a nice 7.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/16/2008 12:14:44 AM
yeah 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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