Caedes

Contest Topic Poll

All Contests Results Entries Topic Poll

Ended 07/31/10 1:15 AM GMT
Winner: tealeaves (See the full results)

Poll: Topic for contest starting Sun Jul 11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Voting ends 07/12/10 1:15 AM GMT

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::billyoneshot
07/07/10 2:01 AM GMT
I like the idea of doing eyes. We can get into so much on this subject. Anything from lighting to the emotion being shown by the subject.
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Billy
::luckyshot
07/07/10 2:06 AM GMT
If Photo Journalism is a contest topic, we would be obliged to follow NPPA Codes; especially, for Caedes, number 6 would be a challenge.

National Press Photographers Association - Code of Ethics
Visual journalists and those who manage visual news productions are accountable for upholding the following standards in their daily work:

1 Be accurate and comprehensive in the representation of subjects.
2 Resist being manipulated by staged photo opportunities.
3 Be complete and provide context when photographing or recording subjects. Avoid stereotyping individuals and groups. Recognize and work to avoid presenting one's own biases in the work.
4 Treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy. Intrude on private moments of grief only when the public has an overriding and justifiable need to see.
5 While photographing subjects do not intentionally contribute to, alter, or seek to alter or influence events.
6 Editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images' content and context. Do not manipulate images or add or alter sound in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.
7 Do not pay sources or subjects or reward them materially for information or participation.
8 Do not accept gifts, favors, or compensation from those who might seek to influence coverage.
9 Do not intentionally sabotage the efforts of other journalists.

(http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/business_practices/ethics.html)
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If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera. ~Lewis Hine
::antonia02
07/07/10 2:07 AM GMT
Eyes... I love them! (hence I made the suggestion ;) One of the neat things about this topic is it's very "forgiving" in it's exact meaning so I think it would be neat to see what everyone comes up with.
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.dogloverbb1
07/07/10 2:43 AM GMT
Breaking the rules would be an interesting contest. I know I seem to do more rulebreaking than keeping, and would love to see others "opps" shots.
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::Mythmaker
07/07/10 3:17 AM GMT
Well, I'm voting for photo journalism, while not necessarily thinking we need to be too legalistic about the professional ethics, it's a theme for a contest not a commitment to a career path. He He. My vote for photo journalism is motivated by my belief that it challenges (Temporarily) the dominance of "prettiness" in the value set we tend to have here on Caedes. Issues of narrative, human experience and specificity need to be engaged for good photo journalistic images to emerge. I think this would challenge almost all of us here, way out of our normal comfort zones. Sure as hell way out of mine. :) I think that's a good thing so I'm voting for it.
Mikel.
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It is not "The powerful attack the weak." it is "The fearful attack what they fear."
::0930_23
07/07/10 3:48 AM GMT
I am glad someone suggested the photojournalism. I have been wanting that one for a long time and "no" I don't have a photo waiting in the wings. I think it should be a photo we have taken after the contest starts, not one that we shot sometime ago.
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Cameras are like people--sometimes they lose focus.
::Hukka55
07/07/10 6:32 AM GMT
That is actually a given, since one is only allowed to choose a photo to a given competition IF it was uploaded after the competition started. So no problem there. =)

Photo Journalism, although intriguing, is too broad a subject and as such not fit for a competition.
I mean, some of us live in an area where there is a lot happening, others live where NOTHING happens. How are those of us supposed to compete?

If we narrow it down somehow, maybe Photojournalism: Moment in time or Photojournalism: Parties, or Photojournalism: My Town, then we can choose it.



I checked the older competitions, and unless I missed something, there has been none depicting shadows. I added the suject Dance of Shadows. Sure, the name's a bit posh, but hey, I'm a poet by heart. :D
0∈ [?]
Check out the site "Between Truths", read, learn and pass on. The three steps is all you need to remember to get started. =) http://www.freewebs.com/intween/
+purmusic
07/07/10 8:12 AM GMT
"Square Format"

Description:

"Many photographers started in medium format with a camera that shot 6x6 cm negatives. This square format could be cropped vertically or horizontally, depending on requirements.

However, many photographers realized that the square format created a unique challenge for composition as it broke the mold - so to speak - of the standard image ratio.

For this challenge, submit an image that works well in a square format
."


Why?

Open to allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ... genres of art. And in turn, sub-categories of subject matter.

Yes, yes ... heard all of the arguments on this note; "Oh, contests come fast and furious ... everyone or concept will get their chance."

Orly?

Take a look at the last site contests run. Count the number of submissions from the CGI group, fractologists, et al...

If 'you' wish to keep excluding these artists ... they..will..leave (notwithstanding the feelings of exclusion from participation). Period.



Photographers will have to think (composition, subject, et al) before depressing the shutter button. 'Cause you are going to have to crop afterwards to this format.

CGI, fractologists, et al ... will also have to rethink things creatively and make the necessary adjustments for the final image size and presentation.


(Tip of the hat to dpreview.com for the idea/concept for this challenge.)
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"There is always something waiting at the end of the road ... if you're not willing to see what it is ... you probably shouldn't be out there in the first place."
::Hukka55
07/07/10 11:04 AM GMT
Damn you, Purmusic, I like your idea very much and would like to vote for it.
But if I vote it, my addition "Dance of Shadows" will vanish from the list. =D
0∈ [?]
Check out the site "Between Truths", read, learn and pass on. The three steps is all you need to remember to get started. =) http://www.freewebs.com/intween/
::coram9
07/07/10 11:32 AM GMT
Square format for me. Open, inclusive and also quite challenging.
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"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs." Ansel Adams - Please look at other images in my Gallery.
::Akeraios
07/07/10 12:31 AM GMT
Hear, Hear!
In the last 4 contests:
221 entries
8 non-photographs


That's less than 4%.
And I contributed 2 of those 8.

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There are few situations in life that cannot be honourably settled, and without any loss of time, either by suicide, a bag of gold, or by thrusting a despised antagonist over the edge of a precipice on a dark night. -- Kai Lung
.Con_
07/07/10 1:03 PM GMT
a THOUGHT...
Instead of us non-graphic artists trying to come up with a suitable topic for both them and us... why not have the contests flipping... odd number for everyone (no consideration necessarily given to the type of topic re. graphic or photo) followed by a graphic only contest. This would not only ensure the opportunity for the graphic people but could give everyone a respite between contests! :o)
Hopefully it would be easy for 'Caedes to restrict the posting of a contest topic to a graphic artist and perhaps leave the voting on the idea to all. No changes would be necessary for the 'open' contest! :o)
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MGBWYA
::danika
07/07/10 1:29 PM GMT
Again, I see the majority of the contest topics pertain to that of photography. Hmmmmmm ... what's up with that??? ... as we all know this site has many outstanding & creative CGI / fractal artists.

I like .Con_'s idea as well & some good points brought forth by Les (+purmusic). :-)

Will have to think for awhile on where my vote for a new contest topic is going to land.
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"I Love Lab's!"
::Akeraios
07/07/10 2:10 PM GMT
It's not that difficult to come up with suitable topics. In fact many are proposed, they just get ignored by the photography crowd.


We're especially lacking in CG artists. There are still some fractalists around, some of them fairly prolific.
In 104 pages of new images (x 36 = over 3700 images), there are only 19 categorized as Computer - and 5 of those don't belong >:-(.

0∈ [?]
There are few situations in life that cannot be honourably settled, and without any loss of time, either by suicide, a bag of gold, or by thrusting a despised antagonist over the edge of a precipice on a dark night. -- Kai Lung
::Hukka55
07/07/10 3:16 PM GMT
Yeah, you are all right. I am not a computer artist, but I absolutely love it in all its form. I am a lifetime member of, for example, Digital Blasphemy.
So, without any further ado, I switch to vote Purmusics choice.
0∈ [?]
Check out the site "Between Truths", read, learn and pass on. The three steps is all you need to remember to get started. =) http://www.freewebs.com/intween/
::Akeraios
07/07/10 4:21 PM GMT
It's pretty easy to be a computer artist. Not to be good at it of course, but there are a number of free programs. Unlike cameras ;-}
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There are few situations in life that cannot be honourably settled, and without any loss of time, either by suicide, a bag of gold, or by thrusting a despised antagonist over the edge of a precipice on a dark night. -- Kai Lung
::Hukka55
07/07/10 4:35 PM GMT
But if one wants to be a good one, one starts needing commercial programs, right? Like Adobe CS? That one does not come cheap. =)
0∈ [?]
Check out the site "Between Truths", read, learn and pass on. The three steps is all you need to remember to get started. =) http://www.freewebs.com/intween/
.wintermoon
07/07/10 4:54 PM GMT
Actually, I have to jump on the fractals bandwagon too. You photographers get ALL the best contests, lol.
But I'd also like to suggest that, if a fractals contest is chosen, that it specify NO POST WORK. Show us what you can do without the Paint.Net, Photoshop, etc.
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Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
::coram9
07/07/10 6:07 PM GMT
We do not need another fractalist contest but we do need more contest with a conceptual subject like, together, opposites, pairs, light etc. Subjects that contain physical subjects, such as doors are very hard for fractalists to enter, although I put in a GC image for that one. Photojournalism excludes everyone except photographers and is so exclusive that subjects like that should not be considered.

The last two contests involved physical subjects and excluded a lot of non-photographers. Let's just make sensible choices and not favour any one group in this wide community.
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"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs." Ansel Adams - Please look at other images in my Gallery.
.rforres
07/07/10 11:29 PM GMT
Count me in for liking conceptual topics! It's nice that both photographers and graphic artists can participate, plus it's interesting to see everyone's creativity in interpreting the topic. I suggested 'Heat' which could be everything from temperature to passion to pressure and even to something law enforcement related. Lots of possibilities! :)
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::Mythmaker
07/08/10 3:51 AM GMT
Hey Wintermoon, exactly how do we police the stipulation "no post work" and seeing as the fractals are generated by software in the first place, how is the use of other software to continue the creative process, something that should be banned? Come to think of it, most photographs these days rely on software in the camera as well. He He. Maybe we can argue that digital images are just really, really organised fractals. :)
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It is not "The powerful attack the weak." it is "The fearful attack what they fear."
::Mythmaker
07/08/10 3:53 AM GMT
Other thought, as an alternative to up setting all the delicate souls who feel photojournalism as a contest topic is unfairly exclusive, how about making it a gallery category for the website?
0∈ [?]
It is not "The powerful attack the weak." it is "The fearful attack what they fear."
::Hukka55
07/08/10 5:22 AM GMT
Mythmaker, great idea! I second the motion.
It also looks like that one could be winning this contest vote, if eyes does not continue doing so well. =)

I'd say let's not allow this, remove the topic and make sure the votable topics are approachable by both computer artists as well as photographers. =)
0∈ [?]
Check out the site "Between Truths", read, learn and pass on. The three steps is all you need to remember to get started. =) http://www.freewebs.com/intween/
::coram9
07/08/10 6:30 AM GMT
I really do not understand the push for photojournalism, and certainly not the need for a gallery. I have seen no evidence of any photojournalistic pictures of any merit being posted here and I am not convinced of the justification of such a subject for a site that is supposed to be for desktop wallpapers.

As for the topic of 'Eyes', that is almost as exclusively photographic as photojournalism, and is hardly a conceptual topic. Renaming it 'Windows on the soul' would allow a lot more freedom for all manner of artists.

This argument comes up every time we vote for a contest, and stems largely from the fact that we, the artists, are not very goof at selecting contest topics. We have some good ideas, but they need to be changed into something that is inclusive and allows artists of all forms to enter.

If you look at the images posted on the last contest, so few artists stepped outside the box. Almost all images were simply pictures of doors, and very few would be worthy to grace a desktop. Oh, and no fractals and only one CG work. That is what happens when we choose a non inclusive topic.

My suggestion, again, is that we, the artists, put contest topics forward, but that the mods take those suggestions and try to make them inclusive. A good contest topic is good for everyone, the continuing series of mediocre and exclusive topics is bad for the artists and the site.

0∈ [?]
"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs." Ansel Adams - Please look at other images in my Gallery.
::Hukka55
07/08/10 7:35 AM GMT
A fractalist can use his fractals to create an illusion of eyes, maybe it's not easy, but hey, at least it's a challenge.

And so it is for the photographers. To take a winning shot is not just 'point and shoot', you got to think many factors, smallest of which is the saturation. Color or BW? What kind of look, angry, devious, happy? One eye or two? Or more? Reflection in the eye, or just the eye itself?
Macro the eye, or show more of the face to support the picture idea?

I fail to see how "Eyes" could not be approached by computer artists. I can however understand that fractalists might have a hard time. But as post production is not forbidden, it should be fairly easy to create an illusion of eyes by photoshopping several fractals into one image.

Broaden your view. Eyes does not even have to be a photo. Take a paper, draw two eyes on it, scan the paper and edit the [expletive] out of it, and you got a contest entry.
0∈ [?]
Check out the site "Between Truths", read, learn and pass on. The three steps is all you need to remember to get started. =) http://www.freewebs.com/intween/
::Hukka55
07/08/10 7:37 AM GMT
Also, I like photojournalism as a category idea. The site does not need to have a huge amount of certain type of photos to warrant a category.

Counteractively, the site can put up a category to MAKE people take that kind of photos.

For myself, I would not take such photos, unless I had a venue to post them as photojournalism instead of just "Still life" or "People". There is, after all, a huge difference between these options.
0∈ [?]
Check out the site "Between Truths", read, learn and pass on. The three steps is all you need to remember to get started. =) http://www.freewebs.com/intween/
+purmusic
07/08/10 7:40 AM GMT
General note here ...

If 'you' put forth a topic for consideration ... some elaboration of what 'you' originally/initially envisioned would be of great assistance to the membership.

Particularly, when it comes to the judging part.


"Eyes"?

Frankly, I see a number of literally interpreted images being submitted for the contest galleries.

So?

How do 'we' judge them?


"Photo Journalism"?

Tip of the hat to luckyshot for his post. At least with that knowledge or food for thought ... there is some guidance provided.

Frankly, I don't think this should be a contest subject. On a number of points.

Not the least of which being, that most of 'yous' (speaking generally here) need to get back to the basics before tackling a rather profound subject matter.


Further more, what may constitute 'photo journalism' to one ... may be an entirely different kettle of fish to another.

I.e. Photo/image of a summer fair. Happening. Whatever.

I don't think that the intention of this idea/concept is/should be to simply capture a 'local moment'.

Chris; aka coram9 provided this link on the previous contest topic poll:

"Best of Photojournalism"


Aside from the 'quality' and 'depth' of subject matter portrayed ... there is the aspect of personal safety to consider.

Off the top of my head ... poverty. Homelessness.

Are 'you' going to venture into these realms? You'd be foolish to do so, not knowing the consequences. 'You' have an expensive camera in hand ...

Local protest?


I realized I am being simple in the possibilities above used as examples. Simply put, I don't think/feel ... that this is a good subject on a number of fronts.

First and foremost on the note of excluding some of our members from participating.
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"There is always something waiting at the end of the road ... if you're not willing to see what it is ... you probably shouldn't be out there in the first place."
+purmusic
07/08/10 7:44 AM GMT
"The site does not need to have a huge amount of certain type of photos to warrant a category.

Counteractively, the site can put up a category to MAKE people take that kind of photos."


In a couple of words ... yes and no, respectively.

There has to exist a number of permanent images to create/justify the addition of a new 'category'.


Find 30 'photo journalistic' images currently residing in the various permanent galleries.

There, you now have your assignment in hand, Hukka.
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"There is always something waiting at the end of the road ... if you're not willing to see what it is ... you probably shouldn't be out there in the first place."
+purmusic
07/08/10 7:47 AM GMT
"Broaden your view."

/\ Just gleaned this one sentence to underscore the points being made by Chris; aka coram9 and myself in our last posts.


Have you looked at the submissions to the last contest, Hukka?
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"There is always something waiting at the end of the road ... if you're not willing to see what it is ... you probably shouldn't be out there in the first place."
::Hukka55
07/08/10 7:50 AM GMT
Purmusic touched the right button there.
Every subject can constitute for a photojournalistic photo.
But not every take of that subject can be considered photojournalistic.

Photojournalism does not ask "what", it asks "how".
It is more about how you portray your target, not what the target is.

If we start talking news value, then photojournalism get's the "what" aspect too. Here, on caedes, that value is a bit mute. Sure, a poor shot of a better subject will win over a good shot of a boring subject.

Which to me is the exact reason why I say photojournalism is too broad a subject to really judge a competition about, unless the subject of said journalism is nominated.
Still, even if it were nominated, we'd have the problem that Purmusic stated.

What constitutes as a photojournalistic photo to one, might not be one at all in the eyes of the other.
How to judge this?
0∈ [?]
Check out the site "Between Truths", read, learn and pass on. The three steps is all you need to remember to get started. =) http://www.freewebs.com/intween/
::Hukka55
07/08/10 7:53 AM GMT
"Have you looked at the submissions to the last contest, Hukka? "

Actually, no, not really. But I have noticed that usually the given subject is portrayed almost always literally..

All I am saying is, in the contest info, let it be known that a literal entry is not required. Also request computer artists and fractalist to take part.

I see the problem there, though..
0∈ [?]
Check out the site "Between Truths", read, learn and pass on. The three steps is all you need to remember to get started. =) http://www.freewebs.com/intween/
::Hukka55
07/08/10 7:56 AM GMT
"Find 30 'photo journalistic' images currently residing in the various permanent galleries.

There, you now have your assignment in hand, Hukka. "

Hah, ok, I will try this when I get home, and you can be the judge. How can I trust that your view of what is photojournalistic is what is commonly accepted, I cannot know. I will just consent to what ever you judge.

If nothing else, we will find out whether you and I have the same take on photojournalistic photos. =)
0∈ [?]
Check out the site "Between Truths", read, learn and pass on. The three steps is all you need to remember to get started. =) http://www.freewebs.com/intween/
+purmusic
07/08/10 1:11 PM GMT
More food for thought, with regards to putting forth more inclusive contest topics:

"Voter Criteria:

The voters for each contest are chosen among the people who have entered one of the last 4 contests and received at least 5 votes total in those contests."


Well, it would appear that continuing along this line of photography only subjects ... not only will 'you' have excluded the CGI, fractals from participating ... in terms of submissions ... the voting pool will inevitably be ... 'tainted', as well.
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"There is always something waiting at the end of the road ... if you're not willing to see what it is ... you probably shouldn't be out there in the first place."
::coram9
07/08/10 1:44 PM GMT
I haven't voted in a competition for some time, presumably as my submitted images have not got 5 votes. Notwithstanding the last photograph which was rather awful, some of them have been permed, even if they have not been placed in the contest itself. Perhaps the tainting has already happened.
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"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs." Ansel Adams - Please look at other images in my Gallery.
::Hukka55
07/08/10 2:36 PM GMT
Actually, Purmusic, I just realized I'd be a fool searching 30 photojournalistic photos from here. Because almost every one of them has photojournalistic value if a given subject is the subject of the photo.

I will not however contest that they are the any good as such. =)

Photojournalistic photos have to either narrate the news, completely and accurately depict the subject or showcase the subject partly if it is a fleshout.

So, I could just pawn out fifteen macros of flowers and fifteen broader flower photos and tell you they are photojournalistic. No doubt you'd say they are not, but how could you back that claim up?

If the given "news" was, let's say "Global Flower Week" then each and every flower photo could showcase that, and as such be indeed photojournalistic.
0∈ [?]
Check out the site "Between Truths", read, learn and pass on. The three steps is all you need to remember to get started. =) http://www.freewebs.com/intween/
::coram9
07/08/10 4:11 PM GMT
"If the given "news" was, let's say "Global Flower Week" then each and every flower photo could showcase that, and as such be indeed photojournalistic. "

I don't think that is correct. To be photojournalistic the image would not be of a flower, but have to be of some event relating to global flower week, perhaps some people looking at an exhibition or something like that. A picture of a flower would not be a valid example of a photojournalistic image.

Suitable pictures have to tell a story, or add to a story. It is not enough, in my view, to just go somewhere and take a picture. That picture has to say something. That is one of the reasons that this subject is difficult, as you have said before.
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"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs." Ansel Adams - Please look at other images in my Gallery.
::Hukka55
07/08/10 4:28 PM GMT
What you suggest would be quite obviously better as a photojournalistic picture, but no more 'photojournalistic' by definition.
Why do you think changing the subject from "flowers" to "people watching flowers" would make any picture more photojournalistic?

See, I agree with you. What you say should be the definition of photojournalistic. But it isn't.
The most grotesque definition of photojournalistic is simply and plainly "Pertaining to news subject". As far as definitions go, thats just bad. But true. :/

What I mean by this is that photojournalism as it is cannot be a subject for a contest. Might as well name it "who takes the best picture about whatever".

If it is chosen, it needs a given subject, and a quite general one at that. For example: Photojournalism: art, or photojournalism: sport.

But, on topic, I would not vote for the subject because of all the reasons mentioned here. =)
0∈ [?]
Check out the site "Between Truths", read, learn and pass on. The three steps is all you need to remember to get started. =) http://www.freewebs.com/intween/
+purmusic
07/08/10 8:05 PM GMT
"So, I could just pawn out fifteen macros of flowers and fifteen broader flower photos and tell you they are photojournalistic. No doubt you'd say they are not, but how could you back that claim up?

Not quite, what I would ask is it necessary then to create a sub-category of gallery that is not distinguishable for the viewer/visitor from where it has it's roots (visually speaking) ... without the benefit of an accompanying narrative?

Fracturing the existing galleries serves no real purpose then, from a viewer's/visitor's perspective.



"If the given "news" was, let's say "Global Flower Week" then each and every flower photo could showcase that, and as such be indeed photojournalistic."

See above.

;o)



In a nutshell ... kind of, sort of ...

I don't think/feel ... that for those few 'quality', true 'photo-journalistic' images that might be posted ... warrant a gallery of their own.


I don't think/feel ... that those that have put forth this topic/idea/concept ... have thought it through well enough. On the points/notes already mentioned in the above posts.

Let alone, what it would entail to get an image/photo.

Referencing on this last note, getting 'close to the action' and not putting themselves or others at risk.

The legal ramifications also come into play. (Clearance and usage rights for subjects captured. Which not only put the photographer at risk, but, the site as well.)


Go up to somebody random and put a camera in their face ... try and take their picture ...

Go to a location, structure ... try and take a picture ...



Are 'you' aware of the laws?

Didn't think so.
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"There is always something waiting at the end of the road ... if you're not willing to see what it is ... you probably shouldn't be out there in the first place."
::Hukka55
07/08/10 8:46 PM GMT
"Are 'you' aware of the laws?

Didn't think so. "

Now isn't that just a foolish part in an otherwise well mannered comment. How would you know if I am aware of the laws or not? You're being really arrogant, talking like that when you do not have the slightest idea of who I am, what I know and what I don't.

Also, adding a new gallery hardly "fractures" anything. Rather it server to make something new and can serve as a boost for new ways of photographic creativity.

But, I must confess, I changed my mind along this conversation. I too now feel like a gallery for photojournalism is, well, mute.
The existing galleries encompass the vast majority of needs, and as photojournalism is NOT a subject, but more a way of portraying a subject, it is not fitting for a gallery, and neither for a contest subject.
0∈ [?]
Check out the site "Between Truths", read, learn and pass on. The three steps is all you need to remember to get started. =) http://www.freewebs.com/intween/
+purmusic
07/08/10 9:13 PM GMT
Are 'you' aware of the laws?

By incorporating 'you' into the interrogative above, I was speaking/writing and referring ... generally. Not at you personally, Hukka.



What is 'foolish' ... in my ever so humble opinion ... is to suggest a topic/subject ... that might put members at risk in light of the legalities that photographing or attempting to photograph ... the kind/situational 'subject' material ... that this topic/idea might encompass.
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"There is always something waiting at the end of the road ... if you're not willing to see what it is ... you probably shouldn't be out there in the first place."
.Con_
07/08/10 11:44 PM GMT
Please, people! Change your vote from 6400x1600 so I can remove this topic! I just viewed a panoramic image that reminded me of the 3200 pixel / side limit here! So no 6400x1600 could be posted anyway! The reason I put up this topic is that I was thinking of my poor brother who has four 1600x1200 monitors on his 'puter. :o)
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MGBWYA
.rcit
07/09/10 2:24 AM GMT
If I may be so bold....as a newbie to photography and Caedes, I did some poking around the site to see what it is all about. I was intrigued with the reason the site was originated: "Caedes.net started out as a small gallery of fractal images hosted at my university. I think I was intrigued by the idea of automating an image gallery, and I was interested in learning a little perl programming. I also just happened to have acquired a rather large background image collection, so this desktop wallpaper index was a natural extension of these two interests. I also started making graphics around this time, although I have always had a nagging artistic bent."

IMVHO, I see where/how the site has evolved, but further notice the prominent lack of computer generated art, both in postings and in contests.

How sad this is based on the original reason the site was created.
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::Hukka55
07/09/10 4:17 AM GMT
"By incorporating 'you' into the interrogative above, I was speaking/writing and referring ... generally. Not at you personally, Hukka. "

Oh.. oh.. ok. Sorry, then.. my bad. *very embarrassed*

" Are 'you' aware of the laws?

By incorporating 'you' into the interrogative above, I was speaking/writing and referring ... generally. Not at you personally, Hukka.



What is 'foolish' ... in my ever so humble opinion ... is to suggest a topic/subject ... that might put members at risk in light of the legalities that photographing or attempting to photograph ... the kind/situational 'subject' material ... that this topic/idea might encompass. "

That it is. :)
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Check out the site "Between Truths", read, learn and pass on. The three steps is all you need to remember to get started. =) http://www.freewebs.com/intween/
.wintermoon
07/09/10 6:21 AM GMT
Geeze, maybe the contest should be an interpretation of emotions, because they certainly seem to be running high!
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Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
::Hukka55
07/09/10 6:39 AM GMT
Of course they are. It's agiven, is it not, when people discuss a subject that they are passionate about. =)
At least here, even when it got a little heated, it stayed civil. =)
0∈ [?]
Check out the site "Between Truths", read, learn and pass on. The three steps is all you need to remember to get started. =) http://www.freewebs.com/intween/
::coram9
07/09/10 11:34 AM GMT
I think it safe to say that this has been one of the more strongly debated topics to date.

That said, some good points have been made and, if one cares to read, and some strong arguments made on both sides.

A lot of the discussion seems moot now, as at the moment the 'eyes' have it. There must be a parliamentary joke there somewhere, I just cannot think of it. As a 3D CGI artist I will probably have to think outside the box again on this one, if only because my model set is small and good models cost money or take a lot of time, longer than the contest allows in my case. Fractalists? Again, very hard and whereas a photographer of any skill level can enter (point at face and press shutter), only skilled CGI or fractal artists could have a go.

I just wish the photographers on this site took other people into consideration more when choosing and voting on subjects.
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"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs." Ansel Adams - Please look at other images in my Gallery.
::Akeraios
07/09/10 12:32 AM GMT
(Not because of what you said, Chris, but I was thinking of it anyway.)


If, as it appears at present, we have "Eyes" as the topic, could we please not have any images with the painfully corny title "The Eyes Have It"?
Pretty please?


For myself, I have several non-photograph, non-fractal ideas for "Eyes". Whether I can realize them is another question ...

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There are few situations in life that cannot be honourably settled, and without any loss of time, either by suicide, a bag of gold, or by thrusting a despised antagonist over the edge of a precipice on a dark night. -- Kai Lung
.rvdb
07/09/10 9:36 PM GMT
Beatus dies luna proximo est. ;0)
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The reason why the sunsets in the evening is because it wants to see the sunrise in the morning. I rise in the morning because I want to see them both. RvdB
::solita17
07/09/10 9:40 PM GMT
Gee, and here I was about to scribble, "Hey, looks like the eyes have it!" Just kidding...

Chris: It's dangerous to 'generalize', i.e. "... a photographer of any skill can enter (point at face and press shutter)" ...

Wait, my photography is a little more than pointing and shooting. I work at it, same as you.

"I just wish the photographers on this site took other people into consideration more when choosing and voting on subjects."

I do that. I loved your entry in the 'Doors' contest, and I really like your Surrealism. I also really like fractals, and I agree they're given short shrift in contests.

"...I will probably have to think outside the box again on this one..."

Speaking for me, that's precisely what I need to do in a contest, it gets me thinking outside the box. I don't have Photoshop for post-camera work, and iphoto, which I do have, is pretty limited. So whatever I do needs to be fairly well thought out to begin with.

Chris, I hope you submit more Surrealism images as contest entries. We need more diversity here!

mary ;-)

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"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun." -- Katharine Hepburn
::Mythmaker
07/11/10 1:49 PM GMT
Chris (Coram9) said: I just wish the photographers on this site took other people into consideration more when choosing and voting on subjects.

If there is some prejudice going on wishing won't fix it but wishing out loud is a good way of blaming some general group for some perceived ill.

A topic is what people make of it and many people are quite concrete and literal in their mental frameworks. "Eyes" or "Windows on the soul" if you interpret "eyes" as windows on the soul then how does the word "eyes" limit your creative response in any way? This particular issue, of a particular topic being limiting if taken literally comes up quite often in these contest discussions. We are the artists, it's up to us to respond to whatever limitation we personally perceive and transcend it with our creative powers.

A word in defence of literalism. How is a literal shot of a door somehow a less creative response to "doors" than a metaphorical or evocative image? I don't think it is. It could be a poor photo of a door or a poor metaphorical image. Literal or metaphorical is it good? That's all that counts.

Finally, aside from these centrally organised contests it's easy enough for any member to setup their own contest, start a forum thread, go find the fractalists or digital magicians on the site and promote the contest to them, other's have some similar things, when it really mattered to them.

Peace.

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It is not "The powerful attack the weak." it is "The fearful attack what they fear."
::coram9
07/11/10 3:35 PM GMT
s Mikel has said, a shot of a door is a valid entry into the doors contest. The point is, that as a fractalist you do not have that option. In fact, creating anything like a door is very hard, which is my point. The Doors contest was open to photographers of all capabilities. It is not open to fractalists of any capabilities, no matter how good. Which is probably why there were no fractal entries.

I did suggest further up that 'windows on the soul' would be a better contest topic anyway, as that does offer up more possibilities.

As for 3D CG artists. The Doors contest was easy, since door models are relatively easy to make. A model of an eye is not. Which is why it can be limiting to them too.
Finally, perhaps Mikel, as you have submitted fractals before, you might like to take up the challenge and produce one for the "eyes' and prove me wrong.
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"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs." Ansel Adams - Please look at other images in my Gallery.
.Con_
07/12/10 12:05 AM GMT
About 1 hour to go... looks like...! :o)
#6 +on appears to be most helpful for a variety in images!
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MGBWYA
::Mythmaker
07/12/10 8:24 AM GMT
An eye challenge, fractal eh, might be fun to try. :) But I did already state that my fractalizing is basic rather than elegant so don't expecting too much. :)

As it turns out I had a couple of fractal images that were "portal" styled images and could have been entered in the doors comp, I'd just forgotten that I had them, they certainly would not have fared worse than the image I did submit to that comp. He He.

Mikel.
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It is not "The powerful attack the weak." it is "The fearful attack what they fear."

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