I am pretty new to this whole computer generated art stuff, and I don't know if this happened to you but it seems like before I knew how to make them it was a whole new world and all the artworks were cool and I wouldn't know how to criticize it. Now that I came to Caedes and learned tons on how to do this stuff, it seemed to take some of that "Magic" away. Before, a simple Bryce image with a few spheres or pyramids amazed me. Now that I know how Bryce is, it is very simplisic and sometimes boring. I still love computer art, and there are some excelent artists on this site, but I was just wondering if this same feeling sometimes strikes you. Now it seems like I am trying to find minute details and flaws or slight pixelation rather than seeing the whole image and not knowing what bryce was or some other program's weakness.

The more you learn, the faster you see there is more to learn.

I know very little about Bryce, but the same goes for me too ont he rest of the stuff. Now that I know mroe about Terragen and Apophysis, I see way too many flaws. I especially agree with the part about "magic", well put! :-)

I know that I certainly am much less impressed by images now unless they are really exceptional. Part of that is due to knowing the software I think, but it is also due to the fact that I have seen so many images on caedes now. Obviously the more experience and choice you have , the more "fussy" you become with what you look for. However I think it also has the effect that when you know how the software works and have used it yourself, you are probably more impressed when someone does something original or difficult than someone who doesn't know anything about the software.

I believe a true artist is never satisfied. There is always someting more, better, new. The satisfied artist has lost his creativity. There is always more to learn, and the painful process of evolution and growth is the salvation of the discontented artist .

strange...I feel just the same...and I like your comment, camerahound...that a true artist is never satisfied. I look at it as a "hunger"...always ready to need more "food"..Learning is sooo wonderful. And this is why artists are so filled with emotion...their mind for capturing beauty is always working. I just wish I werent so critical of my photography as I have been since I see so many others photos here. I am learning, but I need to stop being my own worst critic...wonder how that is done. Do any of you feel that way too?

I believe that we all see more or we all see less in our own work than what others see .. this can be quite discouraging or uplifting depending on the reactions of others. my motto is to do my best and never expect good reviews but always appreciate comments and plaudits
Russell

Yes, I know that to be true on the whole for this site. At the beginning, what most of us would consider mediocre and amateur photography would be delightful and impressive. Now, it is increasingly difficult to impress me (especially so with my own photography).

geeze.. this site is just the bomb, im tellin you now... there is so much skill floating around on here, it's amazing. You even yourself helped me out with my fractals Dave, thanks again for showin me some of the ropes on computer art... I think everyone has something more to learn, caedes for sure helped me out ALOT with computer art... not by just tutorials or step by step direction, but from people actually taking time to go off and show me how. Thanks again everyone.

I agree with Tyler... when i came on here.. I used to do just paintings and writing.. then i got a good camera.. started with pics.. and a lot of helpful advice from people in here on how to get the best shots... (and i still get the advice which i follow... :D) then I saw all these amazing computer art images and decided to expand to that, once again lots of helpful advice, criticisim given to me... I think with art, there are always things to experiment with and learn to keep it alive... you just have to look outside the square, be more creative, go that one extra step... I have to agree too with Dave.. now that i know how these programs work.. i look at the work more critically... and i have to admit.. ALL the work on here is top quality.... and the only way to improve is to listen to advice from others.... without you wonderful people .. i would still be only painting and writing.. and taking "snapshots"......... So dont stop giving advice, whether its encouragement or criticisim.. because everyone who puts work on caedes does appreciate it... even if you say its too pixilated.... it helps...

Yes you used to appreciate what you would now view as mediocre. Yes it is harder to impress you now, but when you are impressed you are not only impressed by the image but also by the work and skill by from the author. Therefore when you are impressed, it is that much more significant and even more "magical"

I just got married and we paid some guy $1000 to do our photography. When my new wife and I got the images back, I immediately noticed the mistakes he made in the images - all thanks to my education in Caedes.Net. I feel like I could probably do better work, but hey! He's the professional.

Ahh, interesting way to turn this feeling into an advantage :)

Regmar -- why don't you post one of his poorer images (you'll need to ask his permission) and see what we can do to improve it.

he shouldnt have to ask permission. he paid the guy, and the photos should really be his property. it would be interesting to see what consistant mistakes someone who charges that much would make tho.

yes if he paid for it, there is no need to ask for permission. It is no longer his property

The image still belongs to the photographer. Any reproduction would be against copyright unless of course the photographer agrees. If you purchased the negatives or digital files, then you have the rights to the images.

That's true... like, if I buy a print of the Mona Lisa, it doesn't mean I own it!! ;-)

but if you payed a photographer to take a shot of you and your wife lets say...the photographer shouldn't have the rights to it. That would be somewhat wierd

The photographer maintains the rights. This allows the photographer to make prints for his portfolio, etc. You and your wife may show up elsewhere hehe (although other commercial use probably has to be stated in the contract). It is possible to purchase the rights, but this must be explicitly defined in the transaction.

ill never get my picture taken ever again -.-